bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of fire needle combined with 308 nm excimer laser therapy for vitiligo: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Guo Chenqi , Gu Xiangru , Zhang Jianfeng , Li Junchen , Xu Fan , Wang Yingdong , Zhang Min , Zhang Yu
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Vitiligo is a common depigmenting skin disorder. This work is performed to systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of fire needles combined with 308 nm excimer laser therapy in treating vitiligo.

Methods

We searched the PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang, and VIP databases. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on fire needles combined with 308 nm excimer laser therapy with 308 nm excimer laser therapy alone for vitiligo were included. The Cochrane Collaborative Network Tool was used to assess the risk of bias. Statistical analysis was completed using RevMan5.3 software and Stata 15.0 software. The GRADE system was used to evaluate the quality of evidence for outcomes.

Results

In this study, 10 RCTs and 1333 patients were included. The results showed that compared with 308 nm excimer laser therapy alone, fire needle combined with 308 nm excimer laser therapy is more effective in improving clinical effective rate (RR = 1.36, 95% CI [1.24, 1.50], p < 0.00001), serum CD4+ level (MD = 3.12, 95% CI [2.50, 3.74], p < 0.00001), CD4+/CD8+ ratio (MD = 0.24, 95% CI [0.09, 0.39], p = 0.001), and quality of life measured by the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) (MD = 3.76, 95% CI [3.33, 4.19], p < 0.00001), and reducing the Vitiligo Area Score Index (VASI) (MD = −5.47, 95% CI [−6.56, −4.37], p < 0.00001). The reported adverse events, including redness, swelling, pain, blisters, and itching, were controllable, and all these events were well tolerated.

Conclusion

The current evidence indicates that fire needle combined with 308 nm excimer laser therapy is effective and safe for vitiligo. However, owing to the suboptimal quality of the included studies, more high‐quality and large‐scale RCTs are needed for comprehensive analysis and further validation.
Phylogeography, origin and population structure of the self‐fertile emerging plant pathogen Phytophthora pseudosyringae
Authors: Mullett Martin S. , Harris Anna R. , Scanu Bruno , Van Poucke Kris , LeBoldus Jared , Stamm Elizabeth , Bourret Tyler B. , Christova Petya K. , Oliva Jonás , Redondo Miguel A. , Talgø Venche , Corcobado Tamara , Milenković Ivan , Jung Marília Horta , Webber Joan , Heungens Kurt , Jung Thomas
Published: April 2024

Phytophthora pseudosyringae is a self‐fertile pathogen of woody plants, particularly associated with tree species from the genera Fagus, Notholithocarpus, Nothofagus and Quercus, which is found across Europe and in parts of North America and Chile. It can behave as a soil pathogen infecting roots and the stem collar region, as well as an aerial pathogen infecting leaves, twigs and stem barks, causing particular damage in the United Kingdom and western North America. The population structure, migration and potential outcrossing of a worldwide collection of isolates were investigated using genotyping‐by‐sequencing. Coalescent‐based migration analysis revealed that the North American population originated from Europe. Historical gene flow has occurred between the continents in both directions to some extent, yet contemporary migration is overwhelmingly from Europe to North America. Two broad population clusters dominate the global population of the pathogen, with a subgroup derived from one of the main clusters found only in western North America. Index of association and network analyses indicate an influential level of outcrossing has occurred in this preferentially inbreeding, homothallic oomycete. Outcrossing between the two main population clusters has created distinct subgroups of admixed individuals that are, however, less common than the main population clusters. Differences in life history traits between the two main population clusters should be further investigated together with virulence and host range tests to evaluate the risk each population poses to natural environments worldwide.
Crowdsourced data in public administration research: A review and look to the future
Authors: Stritch Justin M. , Pedersen Mogens Jin , Pezo Ignacio
Published: April 2024

Crowdsourcing platforms such as MTurk and Prolific have emerged as data sources for researchers in the social sciences. This article delves into the past, present, and future use of crowdsourced data in public administration scholarship. Through a review of published articles in top public administration journals (years 2013–2022), we uncover a general growth in the use of crowdsourced data over time. Additionally, we document how researchers have leveraged crowdsourced data to study a diverse range of themes and topics, with particular emphasis on survey experimental approaches and the examination of citizen attitudes and responses. Moreover, drawing on insights from a survey among quantitative public administration researchers, we discuss why the use of crowdsourced data is unlikely to diminish in the foreseeable future—despite ongoing debates regarding data quality and validity. We provide a set of guiding questions for researchers to consider when using crowdsourced data in public administration studies.
The invention of race and the persistence of racial hierarchy: White privilege, White supremacy, and White colorblindness
Authors: DiTomaso Nancy
Published: April 2024

Given the long history of contention over the meaning of race and the continued discomfort about what role it plays in the structure of inequality, I endeavor to clarify the origins of the association of race with skin color and other physical features by briefly discussing the historical record by which race became codified in law. My focus is the U.S. and specifically Colonial Virginia, where the codification of racial categories in law was especially consequential. I also discuss the existence of a racial hierarchy in which Whites are dominant and Nonwhites of various types are subordinate. I argue that the continued existence of this racial hierarchy not only has a legacy from the past, but it is reproduced in the present and continues to have major effects on the life chances of those thought of as belonging to different racial groups. I also discuss the elasticity, ambiguity, and contested nature of racial classifications, as well as the internal differentiation among those thought to belong to the same racial groups and the changes and variations over time that are continually remaking the meaning of race. Because of the political significance of race, I also clarify the meaning of key concepts that have been receiving recent attention: White privilege, White supremacy, and White colorblindness. Finally, I discuss race as a process rather than as a classification and briefly discuss how Whites and men can become allies, advocates, and activists in support of social justice.
Application of a Ranque–Hilsch Vortex Flow in an Internal Cooling of a Gas Turbine Engine Blade
Authors: Galeana Daisy , Abebe Ashenafi , Beyene Asfaw
Published: April 2024

The efficiency of a gas turbine engine is directly impacted by the turbine inlet temperature and the corresponding pressure ratio. A major strategy, aside from the use of costly high-temperature blade materials, is increasing the turbine inlet temperature by internally cooling the blades using pressurized air from the engine compressor. Understanding the fluid mechanics and heat transfer of internal blade cooling is, therefore, of paramount importance for increasing the temperature threshold, hence increasing engine efficiency. This article presents modeling and test results of a novel cooling approach, one in which the Ranque–Hilsch vortex flow is adopted for the first-row gas turbine blade cooling. Simulation and test results demonstrate the successful formation of continuous Ranque–Hilsch vortex flow by injecting compressed air into a cylindrical chamber equipped with seven air inlets. At an inlet pressure of 100 kPa, the outlet temperature from the vortex tube dropped 255 °C, which allowed the blade temperature to cool by 47 °C. When a total inlet pressure of 300 kPa was admitted, the drop-in temperature reached 65 °C. The device has the potential to drop the cooling air temperature below the freezing point with increased inlet pressure. The thermal efficiency of the gas turbine blade increased by about 3% when vortex cooling with 10% mass of partially compressed air was extracted at about 910 kPa. For the tested scenario of a 17 MW power output, the partial extraction had a better efficiency increment than extraction at full compression, which was 1200 kPa.
Miz1 represses type I interferon production and limits viral clearance during influenza A virus infection
Authors: Wu Wenjiao , Arunagiri Vinothini , Do-Umehara Hanh Chi , Chen Cong , Gu Shuyin , Biswas Indrani , Ridge Karen M. , Budinger G. R. Scott , Liu Shuwen , Liu Jing
Published: April 2024

Type I interferons (IFNs) are critical for the antiviral immune response, and fine-tuning type I IFN production is critical to effectively clearing viruses without causing harmful immunopathology. We showed that the transcription factor Miz1 epigenetically repressed the expression of genes encoding type I IFNs in mouse lung epithelial cells by recruiting histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) to the promoters of
Ifna
and
Ifnb
. Loss of function of Miz1 resulted in augmented production of these type I IFNs during influenza A virus (IAV) infection, leading to improved viral clearance in vitro and in vivo. IAV infection induced Miz1 accumulation by promoting the cullin-4B (CUL4B)–mediated ubiquitylation and degradation of the E3 ubiquitin ligase Mule (Mcl-1 ubiquitin ligase E3; also known as Huwe1 or Arf-BP1), which targets Miz1 for degradation. As a result, Miz1 accumulation limited type I IFN production and favored viral replication. This study reveals a previously unrecognized function of Miz1 in regulating antiviral defense and a potential mechanism for influenza viruses to evade host immune defense.
The potentiality of bacteria to drive SARS-CoV-2 mutation
Authors: Zhang Xiangyu , Li Shun , Xue Mengzhou
Published: April 2024

A recent study published in
mBio
by Cao et al. revealed the crucial roles of bacteria in benefitting SARS-CoV-2 mutations (B. Cao, X. Wang, W. Yin, Z. Gao, and B. Xia, mBio e3187-23, 2024,
https://doi.org/10.1128/mbio.03187-23
). Understanding the underlying mechanisms driving the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 is crucial for predicting the future trajectory of the COVID-19 pandemic and developing preventive and treatment strategies. This study provides important insights into the rapid and complex evolution of viruses facilitated by bacterial-virus interactions.
Global, regional and national epidemiology of allergic disorders in children from 1990 to 2019: findings from the Global Burden of Disease study 2019
Authors: Lv Jia-jie , Kong Xiang-meng , Zhao Yan , Li Xin-yu , Guo Zhi-lin , Zhang Yuan-jie , Cheng Zhi-hua
Published: April 2024

Objective

This modelling study aimed to estimate the burden for allergic diseases in children during a period of 30 years.

Design

Population-based observational study.

Main outcomes and measures

The data on the incidence, mortality and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for childhood allergic diseases, such as atopic dermatitis (AD) and asthma, were retrieved from the Global Burden of Disease study 2019 online database. This data set spans various groups, including different regions, ages, genders and Socio-Demographic Indices (SDI), covering the period from 1990 to 2019.

Results

In 2019, there were approximately 81 million children with asthma and 5.6 million children with AD worldwide. The global incidence of asthma in children was 20 million. Age-standardised incidence rates showed a decrease of 4.17% for asthma, from 1075.14 (95% uncertainty intervals (UI), 724.63 to 1504.93) per 100 000 population in 1990 to 1030.33 (95% UI, 683.66 to 1449.53) in 2019. Similarly, the rates for AD decreased by 5.46%, from 594.05 (95% UI, 547.98 to 642.88) per 100 000 population in 1990 to 561.61 (95% UI, 519.03 to 608.29) in 2019. The incidence of both asthma and AD was highest in children under 5 years of age, gradually decreasing with age. Interestingly, an increase in SDI was associated with a rise in the incidence of both conditions. However, the mortality rate and DALYs for asthma showed a contrasting trend.

Conclusions

Over the past three decades, there has been a worldwide increase in new asthma and AD cases, even though mortality rates have significantly declined. However, the prevalence of these allergic diseases among children varies considerably across regions, countries and age groups. This variation highlights the need for precise prevalence assessments. These assessments are vital in formulating effective strategies for prevention and treatment.
Do medical specialists accept claims-based Audit and Feedback for quality improvement? A focus group study
Authors: de Weerdt Vera , Ybema Sierk , Repping Sjoerd , van der Hijden Eric , Willems Hanna
Published: April 2024

Objectives

Audit and Feedback (A&F) is a widely used quality improvement (QI) intervention in healthcare. However, not all feedback is accepted by professionals. While claims-based feedback has been previously used for A&F interventions, its acceptance by medical specialists is largely unknown. This study examined medical specialists’ acceptance of claims-based A&F for QI.

Design

Qualitative design, with focus group discussions. Transcripts were analysed using discourse analysis.

Setting and participants

A total of five online focus group discussions were conducted between April 2021 and September 2022 with 21 medical specialists from varying specialties (urology; paediatric surgery; gynaecology; vascular surgery; orthopaedics and trauma surgery) working in academic or regional hospitals in the Netherlands.

Results

Participants described mixed views on using claims-based A&F for QI. Arguments mentioned in favour were (1) A&F stimulates reflective learning and improvement and (2) claims-based A&F is more reliable than other A&F. Arguments in opposition were that (1) A&F is insufficient to create behavioural change; (2) A&F lacks clinically meaningful interpretation; (3) claims data are invalid for feedback on QI; (4) claims-based A&F is unreliable and (5) A&F may be misused by health insurers. Furthermore, participants described several conditions for the implementation of A&F which shape their acceptance.

Conclusions

Using claims-based A&F for QI is, for some clinical topics and under certain conditions, accepted by medical specialists. Acceptance of claims-based A&F can be shaped by how A&F is implemented into clinical practice. When designing A&F for QI, it should be considered whether claims data, as the most resource-efficient data source, can be used or whether it is necessary to collect more specific data.
Power consumption during forward locomotion of C. elegans: an electrical circuit simulation
Authors: Jenderny Sebastian , Ochs Karlheinz , Hövel Philipp
Published: April 2024

Biological neuronal networks are of great interest for emerging technological approaches such as neuromorphic engineering due to their capability to efficiently process information. To understand the principles governing this energy efficiency, it is useful to investigate model organisms with small and well-characterized neuronal networks. Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) is such a model organism and perfectly suited for this purpose, because its neuronal network consists of only 302 neurons whose interconnections are known. In this work, we design an ideal electrical circuit modeling this neuronal network in combination with the muscles it controls. We simulate this circuit by a run-time efficient wave digital algorithm. This allows us to investigate the energy consumption of the network occurring during locomotion of C. elegans and hence deduce potential design principles from an energy efficiency point of view. Simulation results verify that a locomotion is indeed generated. We conclude from the corresponding energy consumption rates that a small number of neurons in contrast to a high number of interconnections is favorable for consuming only little energy. This underlines the importance of interneurons. Moreover, we find that gap junctions are a more energy-efficient connection type than synapses, and inhibitory synapses consume more energy than excitatory ones. However, the energetically cheapest connection types are not the most frequent ones in C. elegans’ neuronal network. Therefore, a potential design principle of the network could be a balance between low energy costs and a certain functionality.

Graphical abstract

Energy consumption rates during forward locomotion of C. elegans. a Rates for the ion channels of all neurons, and b average rates for ion channels of a single, active neuron. c Comparison of average rates with respect to the number of active sensory, motor, and interneurons. d Rates for all gap junctions and synapses, and e rates for all synapses of a specific neurotransmitter type. f Average rates for a single synaptic or gap junctions connection vs the total number of connections present for the type of connection (i.e. ACh-synapse, GABA-synapse, Glu-synapse, gap junction).
The hybrid cosmology in the scalar-tensor representation of $$f({\mathcal {G}},T)$$ gravity
Authors: Kaczmarek Adam Z. , Szczȩśniak Dominik
Published: April 2024

In this work, the $$f({\mathcal {G}},T)$$

f
(
G
,
T
)

theory of gravity is recast in terms of the $$\phi $$
ϕ
and $$\psi $$
ψ
fields within the scalar-tensor formulation, where $${\mathcal {G}}$$
G
is the Gauss–Bonnet term and T denotes the trace of the energy–momentum tensor. The general aspects of the introduced reformulation are discussed and the reconstruction of the cosmological scenarios is presented, focusing on the so-called hybrid evolution. As a result, the scalar-tensor $$f({\mathcal {G}},T)$$

f
(
G
,
T
)

theory is successfully reconstructed for the early and late time approximations with the corresponding potentials. The procedure of recovering the $$f({\mathcal {G}},T)$$

f
(
G
,
T
)

theory in the original formulation is performed for the late time evolution and a specific quadratic potential. The scalar-tensor formulation introduced herein not only facilitates the description of various cosmic phases but also serves as a viable alternative portrayal of the $$f({\mathcal {G}},T)$$

f
(
G
,
T
)

gravity which can be viewed as an extension of the well-established scalar Einstein–Gauss–Bonnet gravity.
$$\Xi (1620)^-$$ production in $$K^- p$$ scattering process
Authors: Guo Quan-Yun , Yue Zi-Li , Chen Dian-Yong
Published: April 2024

In the present work, the production of $$\Xi (1620)^-$$

Ξ

(
1620
)

-

in the $$K^- p$$

K
-

p

scattering process is investigated by using an effective Lagrangian approach, where $$\Xi (1620)^-$$

Ξ

(
1620
)

-

is considered as a $$K^- \Lambda $$

K
-

Λ

molecular state. Our estimations indicate that the cross sections for $$K^-p\rightarrow K^+ \Xi (1620)^-$$

K
-

p
→

K
+

Ξ

(
1620
)

-

are $$(1.48 ^{+ 1.12}_{-0.69}) \, \upmu \textrm{b}$$

(
1
.

48

-
0.69

+
1.12

)

μ
b

at $$P_K=2.8 \ \textrm{GeV}$$

P
K

=
2.8

GeV

, where the uncertainties are resulted from the variation of the model parameter. As for the $$K^-p\rightarrow \pi ^0 \Xi ^- K^+$$

K
-

p
→

π
0

Ξ
-

K
+

process, the cross sections are estimated to be $$(0.61 ^{+0.47}_{-0.29})\, \upmu \textrm{b}$$

(
0
.

61

-
0.29

+
0.47

)

μ
b

at $$P_K =2.87 \ \textrm{GeV}$$

P
K

=
2.87

GeV

, which is consistent with the experimental measurements.
FRACTAL DIMENSIONS FOR THE MIXED (κ,s)-RIEMANN–LIOUVILLE FRACTIONAL INTEGRAL OF BIVARIATE FUNCTIONS
Authors: WANG B. Q. , XIAO W.
Published: April 2024

The research object of this paper is the mixed [Formula: see text]-Riemann–Liouville fractional integral of bivariate functions on rectangular regions, which is a natural generalization of the fractional integral of univariate functions. This paper first indicates that the mixed integral still maintains the validity of the classical properties, such as boundedness, continuity and bounded variation. Furthermore, we investigate fractal dimensions of bivariate functions under the mixed integral, including the Hausdorff dimension and the Box dimension. The main results indicate that fractal dimensions of the graph of the mixed [Formula: see text]-Riemann–Liouville integral of continuous functions with bounded variation are still two. The Box dimension of the mixed integral of two-dimensional continuous functions has also been calculated. Besides, we prove that the upper bound of the Box dimension of bivariate continuous functions under [Formula: see text] order of the mixed integral is [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text].
Feature Engineering Versus Deep Learning for Scene Recognition: A Brief Survey
Authors: Susan Seba , Tuteja Maduri
Published: April 2024

Scene recognition is an important computer vision task that has evolved from the study of the biological visual system. Its applications range from video surveillance, autopilot systems, to robotics. The early works were based on feature engineering that involved the computation and aggregation of global and local image descriptors. Several popular image features such as SIFT, SURF, HOG, ORB, LBP, KAZE, etc. have been proposed and applied to the task with successful results.

Features can be either computed from the entire image on a global scale, or extracted from local sub-regions and aggregated across the image. Suitable classifier models are deployed that learn to classify these features. This review paper analyzes several of these handcrafted features that have been applied to the scene recognition task over the past decades, and tracks the transition from the traditional feature engineering to deep learning which forms the current state of the art in computer vision. Deep learning is now deemed to have overtaken feature engineering in several computer vision applications. Deep convolutional neural networks and vision transformers are the current state of the art for object recognition. However, scenes from urban landscapes are bound to contain similar objects posing a challenge to deep learning solutions for scene recognition. In our study, a critical analysis of feature engineering and deep learning methodologies for scene recognition is provided, and results on benchmark scene datasets are presented, concluding with a discussion on challenges and possible solutions that may facilitate more accurate scene recognition.
Taylor Shepherd Golden Optimization-Enabled ResUNet for Forest Change Detection Using Satellite Images
Authors: Gite Kavita R. , Gupta Praveen
Published: April 2024

The pivotal task of remote sensing image (RSI) processing change detection (CD) highly aims to accurately detect changes in land cover based on multi-temporal images. With the advent of deep learning, technology has delivered remarkable results in the last years in the detection of variations in forest land cover data. Some of the conventional CD techniques are weak and are highly susceptible to errors and can result even in inaccurate outcomes. Thus, certain techniques are not desirable for real-time CD applications. To abridge this gap, this research introduces an innovative work for forest CD utilizing the proposed Taylor Shepherd Golden Optimization_ResUNet (TSGO_ResUNet) and Fuzzy Neural network (Fuzzy NN) for segment mapping. Here, the segmentation process is accomplished using ResUNet to determine the exact boundary or shape of each object for every pixel in the image. Furthermore, TSGO is achieved by consolidating Taylor Shuffled Shepherd Optimization (TSSO) with Golden Search Optimization (GSO). In addition, the devised TSGO_ResUNet + Fuzzy NN has gained maximum accuracy and kappa coefficient of 0.952 and 0.785, and minimum error rate of 0.051.
Material Damping Estimation within Low-, Medium- and High-Frequency Ranges
Authors: Tonazzi Davide , Meziane Anissa , Culla Antonio , Biateau Christine , Pepe Gianluca , Massi Francesco
Published: April 2024

When considering the dynamic response of mechanical systems, material damping is a main factor to account for. It largely affects phenomena at different time scales, from the transient response of the system, to its modal response, up to the acoustic wave propagation within the bulk and at the contact interfaces. Nevertheless, despite the key role of the material damping in the mechanical response, its estimation within a wide frequency range is still a challenge, when considering the existing technics. Moreover, the material damping varies largely with respect to frequency and the actual approaches for its estimation are limited within restricted frequency ranges. An approach for estimating the material damping within the overall frequency range does not exist in the literature. This paper proposes an approach where structural and acoustic technics are combined with an energy statistical approach, for identifying the trend of material damping within a larger frequency range. The approach is here applied to polycarbonate (PC) material. The results highlighted that the material damping in the low–medium frequency range (1[Formula: see text]Hz-several kHz) fits with the Rayleigh damping model. On the other hand, the damping in the higher frequency range (106[Formula: see text]Hz) showed a stabilization with the increase of the frequency.
Development and Performance Evaluation of Biomass-Based Injera Baking Gasifier Stove: A Case Study of Clean Cooking Technologies in Ethiopia
Authors: Ebissa Dawit Tessema , Getahun Eshetu
Published: April 2024

The primary energy source in Ethiopia is biomass. Over 80% of Ethiopians are rural dwellers who rely on biomass energy for lighting and cooking. In most parts of Ethiopia, injera is traditionally baked using an open fire, a three stone, or a device using woody biomass. These baking stoves have very low efficiency and consume a significant amount of fuel. Moreover, these traditional baking stoves have released large amounts of indoor air pollution, which has led to different types of health-related risks, especially for women and children in the country. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate efficient and fuel-saving injera baking technologies. Rigorously, an injera baking gasifier stove was designed, developed, and characterized in detail through water boiling and control cooking test methods. The indoor air pollution level was evaluated using particulate matter measuring instruments. The result indicated that the developed gasifier stove had a thermal efficiency of 21.8%. Furthermore, an 86% fuel savings performance was demonstrated by the controlled cooking test for the injera baking gasifier stove. The average emission concentrations of particulate matter and carbon monoxide were 608 µg/m3 and 9 ppm, respectively, during indoor air pollution determination. The study showed that injera baking gasifier stoves are a promising cooking technology for societies where baking is mostly dependent on traditional biomass fuel.
Spiritual Holy Water Sites in Ethiopia: Unrecognized High‐Risk Settings for Transmission of Pulmonary Tuberculosis
Authors: Reta Melese Abate , Maningi Nontuthuko Excellent , Wubetu Gizachew Yismaw , Olorunju Steve A. S. , Fourie P. Bernard
Published: April 2024

Ethiopia is a high‐tuberculosis (TB) burden country with 157 new cases per 100,000 people, with 23,800 TB‐related deaths in 2020. In Ethiopia, TB patients have different healthcare‐seeking behaviors. They frequently visit spiritual places, such as holy water sites (HWSs), to seek treatment for their illness spiritually. This study examined the prevalence of pulmonary TB (PTB) and drug susceptibility profiles of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) isolates among spiritual HWS attendees in Northwest Ethiopia. A cross‐sectional study was conducted from June 2019 to March 2020. Sputum samples were collected, processed, and cultured using Löwenstein–Jensen (LJ) culture medium. Second‐generation line probe assays (LPAs), GenoType®MTBDRplus VER2.0 and GenoType®MTBDRsl VER2.0, were used to detect anti‐TB drug‐resistant isolates. STATA 17 was utilized to perform descriptive statistics, bivariate, and multivariate regression analyses. Of 560 PTB‐symptomatic participants, 21.8% ((95% confidence interval (95 CI): 18.4–25.2%)) were culture‐positive, resulting in a point prevalence of 1,183/100,000 attendees. Amongst HWS attendees, culture‐positive TB occurred most commonly in persons 18–33 years of age (28.5% (95 CI 23.4–34.3%)). Other participant characteristics significantly associated with culture‐positive PTB were as follows: rural residents (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 2.65; 95 CI 1.38–5.10), married participants (aOR 2.43; 95 CI 1.28–4.63), family members >5 per household (aOR 1.84; 95 CI 1.04–3.24), and sharing living space (aOR 10.57; 95 CI 3.60–31.13). Also, among 438 participants followed for 12 months after showing negative TB culture results while at the HWS, 6.8% (95 CI 4.4–9.4%) developed or contracted culture‐positive TB post‐residency at the HWSs. Of the 122 tested isolates, 20 (16.4%) were isoniazid (INH) and/or rifampicin (RIF) resistant. Multidrug‐resistant (MDR) TB was detected in 15 cases (12.3%), five of which were fluoroquinolones (FLQs) resistant. The findings from this study should raise a concern about HWSs as potential high‐risk settings for TB transmission. It is recommended that appropriate control measures be instituted that include compulsory TB testing and tightened infection control at HWSs, where an increased risk exists for transmission of TB.
Supplementation of Heat-Treated Lactiplantibacillus plantarum nF1 Changes the Production of Short-Chain Fatty Acids in Healthy Infants
Authors: Kwon Yoowon , Cho Kee Hyun , Ma Sangbae , Ko Hyelyun , Hong Geun-Hye , Lee So-Young , Park Kun-Young , Chung Jin A. , Jeong Su Jin
Published: April 2024

Background. Imbalance of the gut microbiome and decrease in the number of short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing bacteria often affect human health by altering intestinal and immune homeostasis. The use of probiotics has been shown to be an attractive method to modulate gut microbiota to prevent or treat intestinal dysbiosis. Likewise, this study aimed to determine whether the oral consumption of heat-treated Lactiplantibacillus plantarum nF1 (HLp-nF1) induces changes in the gut environment in healthy infants by measuring changes in fecal SCFAs. Methods. The study enrolled 43 infants aged under 2 months, with 30 infants in the HLp-nF1 group receiving HLp-nF1 orally (2.5 × 1010 cells/g/pack, daily dose of two packs) for 8 weeks. The fecal samples were collected and the questionnaires were administered at weeks 0 and 8. Results. The concentrations of the total SCFAs, acetate, propionate, and butyrate significantly increased following HLp-nF1 supplementation (P<0.0001, P<0.0001, P<0.0001, and P=0.028, respectively). Conclusions. Supplementation of HLp-nF1 has a positive effect on SCFA production and could be a potentially useful and straightforward method to manipulate SCFA formation.
Translational and Therapeutic Evaluation of RAS-GTP Inhibition by RMC-6236 in RAS-Driven Cancers
Authors: Jiang Jingjing , Jiang Lingyan , Maldonato Benjamin J. , Wang Yingyun , Holderfield Matthew , Aronchik Ida , Winters Ian P. , Salman Zeena , Blaj Cristina , Menard Marie , Brodbeck Jens , Chen Zhe , Wei Xing , Rosen Michael J. , Gindin Yevgeniy , Lee Bianca J. , Evans James W. , Chang Stephanie , Wang Zhican , Seamon Kyle J. , Parsons Dylan , Cregg James , Marquez Abby , Tomlinson Aidan C.A. , Yano Jason K. , Knox John E. , Quintana Elsa , Aguirre Andrew J. , Arbour Kathryn C. , Reed Abby , Gustafson W. Clay , Gill Adrian L. , Koltun Elena S. , Wildes David , Smith Jacqueline A.M. , Wang Zhengping , Singh Mallika
Published: April 2024

RAS-driven cancers comprise up to 30% of human cancers. RMC-6236 is a RAS(ON) multi-selective noncovalent inhibitor of the active, GTP-bound state of both mutant and wild-type variants of canonical RAS isoforms with broad therapeutic potential for the aforementioned unmet medical need. RMC-6236 exhibited potent anticancer activity across RAS-addicted cell lines, particularly those harboring mutations at codon 12 of KRAS. Notably, oral administration of RMC-6236 was tolerated in vivo and drove profound tumor regressions across multiple tumor types in a mouse clinical trial with KRASG12X xenograft models. Translational PK/efficacy and PK/PD modeling predicted that daily doses of 100 mg and 300 mg would achieve tumor control and objective responses, respectively, in patients with RAS-driven tumors. Consistent with this, we describe here objective responses in two patients (at 300 mg daily) with advanced KRASG12X lung and pancreatic adenocarcinoma, respectively, demonstrating the initial activity of RMC-6236 in an ongoing phase I/Ib clinical trial (NCT05379985).

Significance:

The discovery of RMC-6236 enables the first-ever therapeutic evaluation of targeted and concurrent inhibition of canonical mutant and wild-type RAS-GTP in RAS-driven cancers. We demonstrate that broad-spectrum RAS-GTP inhibition is tolerable at exposures that induce profound tumor regressions in preclinical models of, and in patients with, such tumors.

This article is featured in Selected Articles from This Issue, p. 897
Table S2 from Overcoming Xenoantigen Immunity to Enable Cellular Tracking and Gene Regulation with Immune-competent “NoGlow” Mice
Authors: Trotter Timothy N. , Wilson Andrea , McBane Jason , Dagotto Carina E. , Yang Xiao-Yi , Wei Jun-Ping , Lei Gangjun , Thrash Hannah , Snyder Joshua C. , Lyerly Herbert Kim , Hartman Zachary C.
Published: April 2024

Peptides used for ELISPOTs
Figure S2 from Overcoming Xenoantigen Immunity to Enable Cellular Tracking and Gene Regulation with Immune-competent “NoGlow” Mice
Authors: Trotter Timothy N. , Wilson Andrea , McBane Jason , Dagotto Carina E. , Yang Xiao-Yi , Wei Jun-Ping , Lei Gangjun , Thrash Hannah , Snyder Joshua C. , Lyerly Herbert Kim , Hartman Zachary C.
Published: April 2024

Validating mutant GFP and Luc activity in Adenovirus vaccines
FIGURE 7 from Overcoming Xenoantigen Immunity to Enable Cellular Tracking and Gene Regulation with Immune-competent “NoGlow” Mice
Authors: Trotter Timothy N. , Wilson Andrea , McBane Jason , Dagotto Carina E. , Yang Xiao-Yi , Wei Jun-Ping , Lei Gangjun , Thrash Hannah , Snyder Joshua C. , Lyerly Herbert Kim , Hartman Zachary C.
Published: April 2024

Summary of tumor behavior in differentially tolerant animal models. A, Xenoantigen-bearing tumor cells implanted orthotopically into immune-deficient mice typically grow and metastasize as expected and can be easily observed with fluorescence/bioluminescence. B, Conversely, in immune-competent animals the presence of foreign immunogens often results in complete rejection of the primary tumor, or severely restricts expression of immunogenic antigens and limits the utility of reporter proteins. C, However, NoGlow mice are tolerant to foreign GFP, Luciferase, and rtTA, thus allowing primary tumor growth and de novo metastasis of xenoantigen-expressing tumor cells.
TABLE 1 from Artificial Intelligence–Assisted Cancer Status Detection in Radiology Reports
Authors: Arya Ankur , Niederhausern Andrew , Bahadur Nadia , Shah Neil J. , Nichols Chelsea , Chatterjee Avijit , Philip John
Published: April 2024

List of curation fields with choices and type of selection, along with type of NLP model classifier
Lenvatinib Combined with the PD-1 Inhibitor Camrelizumab in the Treatment of Primary Liver Cancer Caused Hemorrhagic Exfoliative Gastritis
Authors: Chen Hong , Wang Zihua , Wang Chunhua
Published: April 2024

Introduction: Patients with advanced primary liver cancer often lose the opportunity for surgery when they are found, and the treatment options are limited. Lenvatinib, as a multi-target tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has been used as the first-line treatment for advanced liver cancer. Immune checkpoint inhibitors, such as programmed cell death protein 1 inhibitors, have been successfully used in advanced or metastatic liver cancer. Case Presentation: We report a case of combined lenvatinib and the programmed cell death protein 1 inhibitor camrelizumab in the treatment of primary liver cancer, in which the rare complication of full-thickness gastric mucosa exfoliation occurred. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the side effect of hemorrhagic exfoliative gastritis with the combination of lenvatinib and camrelizumab. Conclusion: Hemorrhagic exfoliative gastritis is an extremely rare clinical complication. Lenvatinib inhibits vascular proliferation and could cause gastrointestinal perforation, which is considered to be the main factor, but whether camrelizumab plays a role in it or only causes gastrointestinal reactions leading to nausea and vomiting, resulting in gastric mucosal exfoliation bleeding, remains to be further explored.
A Novel Pathogenic Variant in Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 outside the Furin-Recognizing RXXR Motif in an Autosomal Dominant Hypophosphatemic Rickets Patient
Authors: Tanaka Hiroyuki , Tamura Mayuko , Muto Mirai , Kinoshita Yuka , Ito Nobuaki , Oka Akira , Kitanaka Sachiko
Published: April 2024

Introduction: Autosomal dominant hypophosphatemic rickets (ADHR) is caused by pathogenic variants in the fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) gene, which plays a key role in the regulation of phosphorus metabolism. FGF23 has the RXXR motif recognized by furin, leading to cleavage between R179 and S180 and thereby inactivating the protein’s function. Previously reported variants in FGF23 causing ADHR occurred only affecting residues R176 or R179, which are located in the RXXR motif, leading to impaired cleavage. Impairment of protein cleavage increases bioactive FGF23 levels, subsequently resulting in the development of ADHR. Case Presentation: A 13-year-old boy with ADHR with the appearance of rickets on bone radiographs as well as documented hypophosphatemia was found to have a novel S180I variant in the FGF23 gene. Unlike previously reported pathogenic variants, this novel variant was located outside the RXXR motif. Subsequently, Western blotting showed that the S180I mutant was resistant to proteolysis than the wildtype, similar to pathogenic variant model mutant (R176Q/R179Q). Conclusion: The novel variant in FGF23 presented herein, found in a patient with ADHR, is the first pathogenic variant found outside the typical furin recognition sequence. It exhibits proteolysis resistance due to impaired cleavage.
Guerra Civil Española; memoria; Graciliano Ramos
Authors: Vieira Elisa Maria Amorim
Published: April 2024

En diferentes momentos de Memórias do Cárcere (1953) Graciliano Ramos se refiere a los acontecimientos en curso en España, relacionando lo que allí sucede con la situación política de Brasil bajo la dictadura de Getúlio Vargas. Para los enemigos del régimen dictatorial brasileño la victoria de la República Española en la guerra civil representaba la posibilidad de un régimen democrático también en su propio país. Por ello, aunque los periódicos locales reflejaban la visión oficial del gobierno Vargas, que tenía una posición favorable al levantamiento militar encabezado por el general Franco, Graciliano Ramos y sus compañeros de cárcel seguían con verdadero entusiasmo las noticias que llegaban de España. La propuesta de este trabajo es, por lo tanto, analizar las imágenes de España y de la lucha antifascista en ese país presentes en la obra del escritor brasileño.
As linhas de força do romance gráfico sobre a Guerra Civil Espanhola
Authors: Martin Ivan Rodrigues
Published: April 2024

A produção e circulação do romance gráfico tem conquistado, nos últimos anos, espaço significativo da cena literária espanhola. E dentre os diversos temas que compõem sua matéria narrativa, as memórias da Guerra Civil Espanhola ocupam lugar de destaque. Neste texto, apresentamos considerações sobre procedimentos narrativos que nos parecem constituir algumas das linhas de força dessa nova forma de representação artística dos anos da Guerra e da ditadura franquista.
La novela de duelo frente a la novela de memoria histórica: Un análisis de Santo diablo de Ernesto Pérez Zúñiga
Authors: Nuckols Anthony Sterling
Published: April 2024

We analyze what we call the novel of mourning in opposition to the novel of historical memory. While both assume a critical position with respect to the violence of the 20th century in Spain, they differ in how they deal with the losses of the past. The novel of historical memory, influenced by the internationalization of memory discourses and movements, seeks to combat the imposed forgetting through a literary recovery of forgotten cases from the past. The novel of mourning, however, seeks to break this dichotomy between forgetting/memory, understanding that the losses of the past are unrecoverable and that a more just future is only achievable by recognizing the past’s tragic nature: more than a (re)opening or closing of wounds, it means living with them, also permitting a way of relating to other tragedies that would otherwise be foreign to us. As an example we analyze Ernesto Pérez Zúñiga’s Santo Diablo (2004).
Los Caprichos. Crónicas de una guerra, de Gustavo Cochet, y Los caprichos de Cochet. La obra escondida
Authors: Prece María Eugenia , Cochet Silvia
Published: April 2024

O duplo artigo combina arte, memória e história individual e coletiva a fim de ler a vida e a obra do pintor argentino Gustavo Cochet.
La tradición oral en la novelística de Ciro Alegría
Authors: Salazar Mejía Nécker
Published: April 2024

El artículo estudia la influencia de la literatura oral en la trilogía novelística de Ciro Alegría, conformada por La serpiente de oro [1935], Los perros hambrientos [1938] y El mundo es ancho y ajeno [1941]. En dicho corpus figuran narraciones que pertenecen a la tradición oral andina, cuya inclusión demuestra la firme identificación del autor con el relato popular, así como el papel decisivo que este desempeña en el contenido y estructura de su novelística. En esa misma dirección, se halla la figura del narrador oral, cuya performance y estrategias discursivas siguen el modelo del narrador popular. Por otro lado, en la novelística alegriana, la tradición oral se articula con la memoria colectiva y expresa la visión de los indios mediante narraciones testimoniales. En un plano mayor, la filiación de la novelística alegriana con la literatura oral representa una valoración de las expresiones de la literatura no canónica en el Perú.
Olhinhos de gato, de Cecília Meireles: da revista Ocidente ao livro
Authors: Sena Yara Máximo de , Ferreira Norma Sandra de Almeida
Published: April 2024

Neste artigo, busca-se cotejar a obra Olhinhos de gato, de Cecília Meireles, publicada em capítulos na revista portuguesa Ocidente (1938-1940), e a primeira edição brasileira, publicada em livro (1980), localizando-as e comparando-as em sua materialidade e no modo de organização, com apoio nos estudos da História Cultural. Compreender como e por que as diferentes formas da obra foram apresentadas a seus leitores em diferentes tempos é o desafio deste texto. Imagina-se que essas duas edições, distintas em seus projetos editoriais, são responsáveis por orientar sentidos aos leitores, cercear a leitura e potencializar sua recepção ao longo do tempo.
O papel do projeto gráfico na construção narrativa de livros de literatura infantil contemporâneos
Authors: Pinheiro Marta Passos , Tolentino Jéssica Mariana Andrade
Published: April 2024

Os livros de literatura infantil contemporâneos vêm se destacando pelo forte diálogo entre texto escrito e projeto gráfico, do qual fazem parte não apenas as ilustrações, mas também os demais elementos visuais da obra, incluindo as especificações relacionadas à sua materialidade. Partindo da importância do projeto gráfico para tais livros, propomos uma investigação de seu papel na construção da narrativa das obras. Selecionamos para análise os livros Visita à baleia, com texto escrito de Paulo Venturelli e ilustrações de Nelson Cruz; e Inês, com texto escrito de Roger Mello e ilustrações de Mariana Massarani. Trata-se de obras premiadas, em 2013 e 2016, respectivamente, por duas importantes instituições: a Fundação Nacional do Livro Infantil e Juvenil, com o prêmio O Melhor para Criança, e a Câmara Brasileira do Livro, com o prêmio Jabuti. Como referencial teórico, priorizamos os estudos sobre ilustração e projeto gráfico de livros infantis – Nikolajeva e Scott (2011), Moraes (2008), Linden (2011) e Ramos (2013). Pela análise realizada, acreditamos que o projeto gráfico dos livros infantis premiados vem se mostrando fundamental para a construção de significados da obra, contribuindo para o diálogo bem-sucedido entre texto escrito e ilustração.
Feiras de livros como espaços de encontros: repercussões no processo criativo de ilustradores brasileiros
Authors: Mazon Natália Helena de Barros , Reily Lucia Helena
Published: April 2024

A partir da compreensão do processo criativo como uma rede complexa de inter-relações, este artigo analisa o papel das feiras de livros infantis como agentes catalisadores no processo de produção do livro para infância. Debruçamos nosso olhar especificamente sobre a Feira do Livro Infantil de Bolonha, buscando entender como esse espaço singular de encontro, partilha e negociações impulsionou ilustradores brasileiros desde meados da década de 1990, quando se testemunhou significativo incremento na seleção de obras de autoria brasileira. Coletamos depoimentos de ilustradores brasileiros premiados que circulam em eventos dedicados ao livro para a infância, participamos in loco da Feira de Bolonha em 2017 e analisamos catálogos da Feira de Bolonha desde 1993. Os resultados do estudo sugerem a importância de fomentar a formação de jovens ilustradores por meio de eventos desse tipo, relevantes também aos ilustradores veteranos, não somente pela possibilidade de exposição do trabalho e de firmar contratos, mas pelo intercâmbio de ideias e experiências diversas, que alimentam a busca de temáticas e poéticas, em suas criações de imagens para o livro destinado à infância. Este estudo espera contribuir na direção da manutenção e ampliação de conquistas alcançadas no campo da produção do livro para a infância.
O leitor ideal(izado) do Livro para a Infância: criação e recepção estética
Authors: Araújo Hanna , Gama Mônica
Published: April 2024

Our focus is on picture books and wordless picture books, categories which incorporate concepts both from Literature and Text Genres, recognizing that pictures have an essential role in building meaning. How the children respond to a picture book is something appreciated by those artists who find readers who are willing to read the book disregarding external factors. We aim to indicate, through interviews, the artist’s conceptions concerning their idealized reader. The interviews demonstrate that the artists are not restrained by the “for children” label, and neither by the “childish” stigma, in the erroneous sense that the term may sound, that is to say, a simple or shallow book, fit to an unprepared reader or unfit to aesthetic experience.
Considerações sobre a abordagem genética da literatura para um novo conceito de texto
Authors: Siqueira Yan Patrick Brandemburg
Published: April 2024

O artigo pretende discutir acerca dos procedimentos metodológicos que se dispõem o crítico genético de literatura. Para isso, realiza um breve resgate histórico da disciplina e aborda alguns de seus conceitos fundamentais a partir do que entende alguns de seus principais teóricos, como Louis Hay, Philippe Willemart e Cecília Almeida Salles. Essa discussão visa refletir de que maneira esses estudam questionam o conceito de texto e as dificuldades sobre seus limites e delimitações.