bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does Efficiency Bring Down Default Risk in Indian Banks?
Authors: Kanoujiya Jagjeevan , Rastogi Shailesh
Published: March 2024

Banks are an integral part of a nation’s economy. Therefore, soundness of a bank’s financial health is foremost important for the good economic condition of the country. This article proposes to assess the bank efficiency (BE) and default risk (DR) of banks in India, and to examine the link between BE and DR of banks in India. This study uses the secondary data of 34 banks operating in India for the period from 2016 to 2019 for panel data analysis. BE as technical efficiency of banks and their DR are evaluated using data envelopment analysis and Altman’s Z-score, respectively. The findings of the study indicate no significant association between BE and DR of banks in India. This article is a novel study of its kind and provides surprising result, which indicates encouraging outcome for banks in India.

JEL Codes: G30, G33, G38
Characteristics of in-situ automated fiber placement carbon-fiber-reinforced low-melt polyaryl ether ketone laminates part 2: Effect of prepreg composition
Authors: Raps Lukas , Chadwick Ashley R , Mössinger Ines , Vinot Mathieu , Behling Tobias , Schaefer Yannick
Published: March 2024

This paper presents an investigation into prepreg tape composition and its impact on the consolidation quality of in‐situ Automated Fiber Placement-manufactured laminates. Three different prepreg tape materials were investigated in terms of fiber distribution, porosity and surface roughness. Laminates were manufactured using the in-situ Automated Fiber Placement process and subsequently tested using microanalysis and mechanical testing methods. Higher quality prepreg tape material yielded lower porosity laminates and increased mechanical strength results. The best in-situ Automated Fiber Placement-manufactured laminates achieved 82 % and 88 % of hot-pressed reference tensile- and compressive strength, respectively. Prepreg tape with disadvantageous composition for in‐situ consolidation yielded up to 74 % knockdown compared to the best in-situ consolidated laminates. A five-point bending test was successfully used to determine interlaminar shear strength with significant results relating to consolidation quality. A correlation was successfully established between prepreg composition, resulting laminate consolidation quality and mechanical properties.
Approaches to spatial inequalities in a Nordic welfare state – the case of Norway
Authors: Baeck Unn-Doris K
Published: March 2024

In this article, the position of the core ideas of equity and equal opportunities within the Nordic model of education today is problematized, using Norway as the case of interest and spatial dividing lines as the main variable in question. I am specifically preoccupied with geographical education differences as part of the ‘unequal opportunity problem’ in Nordic education. Focusing on spatial inequalities in education, something that is rarely addressed by educational authorities, brings light to the assertion that aims that used to be the foundation for the Norwegian education system, are harder to see as guiding principles in education policy today. Through highlighting this, the aim is also to contribute to a discussion of how research related to education in rural areas is situated in the Norwegian context, viewing this in light of Norway as a representative of the Nordic model of education. In the article understanding the agential doings behind the paradox of the Nordic education equality ethos on the one side and the persisting and empirically documented spatial education inequalities on the other, represents the analytic intake.
“A New Kind of Death”: Rape, Sex, and Pornography as Violence in Andrea Dworkin’s Thought
Authors: Owen Rose A.
Published: March 2024

After #MeToo, academics have become increasingly focused on the liberal concept of consent. Either problematized as a means of distinguishing between sex and rape, or vaunted as a tool for having better sex, consent remains central to discussions of sexual violence. Returning to Andrea Dworkin’s thought, this article argues that contemporary feminists must move beyond consent and recenter the problem of violence to theorize rape. Dworkin, alongside Catharine MacKinnon and Carole Pateman, critiques consent for disguising the violence of rape, sex, and pornography. By defining violence as a process of objectification, Dworkin exposes rape, pornography, and most controversially, consensual heterosexual intercourse as “a new kind of death.” She, in turn, calls for the feminist exercise of violence as a tactic of disclosure that promises to make visible patriarchal violence hidden by consent and sexualization. Moving beyond consent to recenter the problem of violence, I conclude, opens up new avenues for feminist action and brings into view the seemingly unthinkable possibility of a world without rape.
Attitude Formation in More- and Less-Complex Social Environments
Authors: Alves Hans , Yzerbyt Vincent , Unkelbach Christian
Published: March 2024

We investigate how the complexity of the social environment (more vs. less groups) influences attitude formation. We hypothesize that facing a larger number of groups renders learning processes about these groups noisier and more regressive, which has two important implications. First, more-complex social environments should lead perceivers to underestimate actual group differences. Second, because most people usually behave positively, more-complex social environments produce negatively biased attitudes and cause perceivers to overestimate the frequency of “negative” individuals among groups. We tested these predictions in five attitude formation experiments ( N=2,414). Participants’ attitudes and learned base rates of positive and negative group members proved more regressive in complex social environments, that is, with multiple groups, compared with less-complex environments, that is, with fewer groups. In a predominantly positive social environment, this regression caused participants to form more negative group attitudes and more strongly overestimate negative individuals’ prevalence among groups.
Education Experiments in Latin America: Empirical Evidence to Guide Evaluation Design
Authors: Glazerman Steven , Campuzano Larissa , Murray Nancy
Published: March 2024

Randomized experiments involving education interventions are typically implemented as cluster randomized trials, with schools serving as clusters. To design such a study, it is critical to understand the degree to which learning outcomes vary between versus within clusters (schools), specifically the intraclass correlation coefficient. It is also helpful to anticipate the benefits, in terms of statistical power, of collecting household data, testing students at baseline, or relying on administrative data on previous cohorts from the same school. We use data from multiple cluster-randomized trials in four Latin American countries to provide information on the intraclass correlations in early grade literacy outcomes. We also describe the proportion of variance explained by different types of covariates. These parameters will help future researchers conduct statistical power analysis, estimate the required sample size, and determine the necessity of collecting different types of baseline data such as child assessments, administrative data at the school level, or household surveys.
Pathology of “double scale” skin defect in farmed American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) and the possible association with hepatic fibrosis
Authors: Piras Ilaria M. , Bezuidenhout Annemarie , Díaz-Delgado Josué , Slawski Deirdre , Kelly Pamela A.
Published: March 2024

“Double scale” is a poorly characterized skin defect of crocodilians that drastically reduces the economic value of crocodilian skin. This study investigated the morphology and pathogenesis of double scale in a ranching farm of American alligators ( Alligator mississippiensis). We compared the histopathology of skin and selected organs (liver, lung, kidney, heart, spleen, intestine, and brain) of alligators with double scale against healthy control animals, together with serum and liver vitamin and mineral levels. Skin affected with double scale had statistically significant hyperkeratosis, epidermal atrophy, and increased basal cell degeneration compared with control alligators ( P < .0001). Interestingly, all alligators with double scale had varying degrees of hepatic fibrosis. Feed analysis showed that alligators that had double scale and hepatic fibrosis had prolonged dietary exposure to high levels of vitamin A, iron, and copper. Serum analysis indicated that levels of zinc ( p < .0001), copper ( P < .05), and vitamin E ( P < .002) were significantly lower in alligators with hepatic fibrosis and double scale compared with controls. Finally, immunohistochemical analysis of skin with double scale showed a marked reduction in immunolabeling with the zinc-binding protein metallothionein. These results suggest that zinc deficiency, in combination with other micronutrient anomalies, may play a role in the pathogenesis of double scale in alligators with liver fibrosis.
Partial transfer learning method based on MDWCAN for rolling bearing fault diagnosis under noisy conditions
Authors: Wang Haomiao , Li Yibin , Jiang Mingshun , Zhang Faye
Published: March 2024

Domain adaptation shows excellent diagnostic performance for transfer bearing fault diagnosis (FD) in noise-free scenarios, where the training and test data label spaces are the same. However, in actual engineering, collecting test data for all health states is difficult and the vibration signal is susceptible to noise interference, which limits its application in real industry. Therefore, how to effectively source domain outlier samples and suppress irrelevant noise poses a challenge to the effectiveness of existing FD methods based on domain adaptation. To address the above issues, a novel transfer learning model named multi-scale denoising weighted conditional adversarial network (MDWCAN) is developed for partial transfer FD problem under noisy conditions. Firstly, a global multimodal denoising module is proposed to form a new feature extractor with multi-scale convolutional modules, which can enhance important features and weaken interference features. Secondly, a new loss function is proposed, in which the weight function is introduced into the conditional adversarial function to suppress the negative influence of source domain outlier samples. Finally, experimental results on two bearing datasets show that MDWCAN outperforms other methods.
Does Urban Livability Lead to Place Attachment and Behavioural Intentions? Case Study: Isfahan City
Authors: Fu Xiaoxiao , Adejoke Adewale Bukola , Salaripour Aliakbar , Zali Nader , Reihani Zahra Seif
Published: March 2024

Urban livability plays a crucial role in fostering place attachment and behavioural intentions. This study aims to investigate the relationships between livability, place attachment, and behavioural intentions among the citizens of Isfahan City. The data collected through Likert scale questions was analysed using structural equation modelling (SEM). The results confirmed the multi-dimensionality of urban livability, encompassing six dimensions: urban security, convenience of public facilities, natural environment, socio-cultural environment, convenient transportation, and environmental health. Additionally, the SEM results revealed that place attachment mediates the effects of the six dimensions of urban livability on neighbourhood care: intention to stay, intention to support, and intention to recommend. Therefore, evaluating citizens’ perceptions can assist local governments in formulating appropriate policies to promote urban livability.
Estimating the Lifetime Cost of Managing Hypertension in Ghana: A Modelling Study
Authors: Atibila Fidelis , Asamani James Avoka , Donkoh Emmanuel Timmy , Ruiter Rob , Kok Gerjo , Hoor Gill Ten
Published: March 2024

Introduction:

Over the last decade, hypertension (HPT) is among the leading causes of death and morbidity in Ghana. In recent past, most health policy research in Ghana and Africa focussed on communicable diseases. In recent times, Ghana and other developing nations have shifted their attention to non-communicable diseases because most of these countries are going through an epidemiologic transition where there is a surge in the prevalence of HPT. This paper was therefore set out to estimate the cost of treating HPT in Ghana from the patients’ and health system’s perspectives.

Method:

We used a cost of illness framework to simulate the cost of HPT management in Ghana taking into account 4 of the common target organ complications with the most mortality implication. A decision analytic model (DAM) was developed in Microsoft® Excel to simulate the progression of HPT patients and the Markov model was employed in simulating the lifetime cost of illness.

Results:

The results show that by 10 years from diagnosis, the probability of death from any of the 4 complications (ie, stroke, myocardial infarction, heart failure, and chronic kidney disease) is roughly 41.03%. By 20 years (or 243 months) from diagnosis, the probability of death is estimated to be 69.61%. However, by the 30th anniversary, the probability of death among the cohort is 82.3%. Also, the lifetime discounted cost of treating HPT is about GHS 869 106 which could range between GHS 570 239 and GHS 1.202 million if wide uncertainty is taken into account. This is equivalent to USD 119 056 (range: USD 78 115-164 723).

Conclusion:

By highlighting the lifetime cost of treating HPT in Ghana, policies can be formulated regarding the cost of treating HPT by the non-communicable disease unit and National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) of the Ministry of Health.
Biologics for Treatment of Pityriasis Rubra Pilaris: A Literature Review
Authors: Chandy Rithi J. , Chokshi Aditi , Tan Isabella , Feldman Steven R.
Published: March 2024

Objective:

To describe the published efficacy and adverse event rates associated with existing biologics for the treatment of pityriasis rubra pilaris (PRP).

Data Sources:

A literature review using the PubMed database (January 1990-July 2023) was conducted. Multiple search combinations were conducted using “pityriasis rubra pilaris” and various biologics as keywords to identify relevant articles.

Study Selection and Data Extraction:

Inclusion criteria included all study types that were published within the past 30 years in English and mentioned at least one biologic and PRP. A preliminary search yielded a total of 499 results. After screening using inclusion and exclusion criteria, 77 relevant articles (69 case reports, 5 case series, 2 clinical trials, and 1 retrospective analysis) were analyzed.

Data Synthesis:

TNF-α inhibitors have been evaluated and are effective in treating PRP. However, recent treatment with anti-interleukin (IL)-17 and anti-IL-23 therapies such as ustekinumab, secukinumab, and ixekizumab are emerging as new treatment options with a mean improvement in PRP Area and Severity Index scores, change in severity of erythema, scaling, and thickness of PRP lesions. From initial clinical trials, secukinumab and ixekizumab are promising treatment options for achieving remission.

Relevance to Patient Care and Clinical Practice:

This review compares the efficacy for numerous biologics and a discussion to guide clinicians on benefits and risks in choosing a biologic for PRP patients.

Conclusions:

Biologics may be a favourable treatment option leading to greater patient adherence due to reduced dosing frequencies, improvement in quality of life, and reduction in frequency and severity of flares.
Protecting language teachers from burnout: The roles of teaching mindset, teaching grit, and emotion regulation
Authors: Sadoughi Majid , Hejazi S. Yahya , Khajavy Gholam Hassan
Published: March 2024

Considering the demanding and stressful nature of the teaching profession in general and foreign language teaching in particular, teachers of English as a foreign language (EFL) are prone to experience burnout, which may result in adverse consequences for not only teachers but also their students. Therefore, it is important to understand what factors can prevent EFL teachers from burnout. The present study investigated the roles of three individual difference factors, namely, growth teaching mindset, teaching grit, and emotion regulation in EFL teachers’ burnout. The data were collected from 218 EFL teachers through convenience sampling. The results of regression analysis and relative weight analysis indicated that growth teaching mindset and teaching grit negatively predicted burnout. In addition, while reappraisal emotion regulation strategies were negative predictors of teachers’ burnout, suppression strategies were positive predictors of burnout. Implications regarding how to protect teachers against burnout are presented based on the findings of the study.
The effect of light directionality on alertness and cognitive performance during post-lunch dip
Authors: Derengowski N , Knoop M , Völker S
Published: March 2024

The non-image forming effects of light are moderated by various aspects such as dose, spectrum or temporal and spatial patterns. One of them, the spatial distribution of light within the field of view, has been scarcely researched. Although few studies suggest effects on melatonin secretion during night-time, the daytime effects remain unknown. In this project, we investigated the effect of three light directions – from above, below and the side – each illuminating different retinal regions. The luminance and the size of the light source were kept constant, thus realising the same vertical illuminance and melanopic irradiance at the eye for all scenes. Forty participants underwent a two hour protocol of cognitive tasks and subjective assessments of alertness and performance. Our results suggest stronger non-image forming-effects stimulation with lighting from above, whereas the effect of lighting from below and side differed slightly.
Confronting climate denial in higher education to promote sustainable futures
Authors: Baildon Mark
Published: March 2024

By many accounts, societies, their institutions, and citizens are not doing enough, and with the necessary urgency, to address the climate crisis. While higher education institutions have embraced the rhetoric of sustainability and contributed to climate science, the development of renewables and other climate solutions, and a host of policy reforms that aim for greater sustainable development, this paper argues that particular forms of climate denial have impeded more transformative directions in higher education. These denials include denying the depth and magnitude of the problems that the planet and people around the world are facing, the unsustainability of continued limitless growth, and a denial of the contexts, legacies, and discourses that have often served to impede important reforms in higher education. Using a climate denial lens, this paper examines the role of different forms of denial in higher education, such as the role climate denial funding sources in universities and how historical legacies and modern neoliberal discourses continue to limit possibilities for more transformative reforms in higher education. The paper concludes by sharing how these forms of denial might be addressed to advance a stronger response to the climate crisis.
Navigating the Virtual Landscape: Methodological Considerations for Qualitative Research in Long-Term Care
Authors: Just Danielle T. , O’Rourke Hannah M. , Berta Whitney B. , Cranley Lisa A.
Published: March 2024

With the COVID-19 pandemic halting all in-person research in March 2020, many researchers adopted virtual methods to continue their work amid this global crisis. As the pandemic persisted and the safety of participants and researchers remained a priority, virtual research grew in popularity for qualitative researchers. This in turn led to methodological insights on the application and advantages of conducting qualitative research using virtual methods. Virtual methods have been found to enhance participant comfort, facilitate open discussion of sensitive topics, alleviate fatigue in participants and researchers, and result in more engaging and focused interviews. While the body of evidence supporting virtual methods of data collection for nursing and other healthcare disciplines continues to grow, its application in the long-term care (LTC) setting remains underreported. In this paper, we discuss the virtual methods that we developed and implemented to successfully conduct a virtual qualitative single case study in a Canadian LTC home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Considerations from existing literature on virtual methods are discussed in parallel with strategies we implemented to successfully conduct a virtual study in LTC. This paper contributes to the growing body of literature on methodological insights into conducting virtual qualitative research in LTC. We provide evidence-based strategies for the virtual recruitment of study sites, study participants including residents, team members and families, and virtual data collection methods. These recommendations offer insights to overcome challenges and maximize the advantages of virtual methods, to enhance the quality and rigour of virtual qualitative research conducted within LTC settings.
Qualitative Writing: Exploring Cul-de-Sacs and Alleys
Authors: D’Souza Suzanne
Published: March 2024

Writing qualitatively is an immersive experience divergent to other forms of research writing. It is an active construction of reality characterized by integration of the socio-cultural context and in-depth analysis of data viewed through the lens of the writer’s own experience of the phenomenon. However, these characteristics prove challenging and qualitative researchers are often at a loss on how to document their findings. Most studies provide a broad sweep of qualitative writing with few explicit examples in practice which further confounds researchers. Consequently, researchers find qualitative writing exacting and intimidating and tend to present their findings objectively with either scarce or excessive reference to the research paradigm, thwarting the full transformative potential of qualitative research. Drawing on my experience as an interpretive phenomenologist, I present the writing cul-de-sacs and alleys I navigated to illustrate my becoming as a qualitative writer. Specifically, I highlight three distinct strategies to write it right, qualitatively. To maximize findings, the writing style should conceptually align with the research philosophy. Textual cohesion and a multi-dimensional view of social reality can be generated through a mixed-genre writing approach. Finally, making the “I” meaningful by incorporating the researcher’s experiences into the text affords a deepened understanding of the phenomenon. Tenaciously navigating cul-de-sacs in writing and finding solutions to exit no through roads, and walking those shadowy alleys of theoretical constraints, stylistic impositions, and tight word space endow a concrete visibility to the otherwise blurry aspects of life.
Effects of Endoscopic Sinus Surgery on Olfactory Bulb Volume among Patients with Chronic Rhinosinusitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Jiang Xincen , Huang Tianhao , Chang Feifan , Song Yu , Wu Dawei
Published: March 2024

Background

Endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) could significantly improve olfactory function among patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). This study aimed to perform a meta-analysis to evaluate the effect of ESS on the olfactory bulb volume (OBV) among patients with CRS.

Methods

A systemic search of PubMed, Medline, Embase, Web of Science, and other databases was conducted to identify studies assessing OBV changes in patients with CRS after ESS utilizing magnetic resonance imaging.

Results

A total of four studies with 168 participants were included. Comparing the changes in OBV of patients with CRS before and after surgery within 3-6 months, the ESS significantly improved the overall OBV ( P = 0.005, I2 = 66%), with the left OBV increased by 5.57mm3 ( P = 0.84, I2 = 0%), and the right OBV increased by 8.63mm3 ( P = 0.09, I2 = 53%). A difference in OBV persists between healthy controls and patients with CRS 3-6 months after ESS. The overall OBV of patients with CRS after ESS was significantly smaller than controls (mean difference = -3.84, P = 0.04), with a mean difference of 4.13mm3 on the left side ( P = 0.72, I2 = 0%), and a mean difference of 3.22mm3 on the right side ( P = 0.0001, I2 = 89%).

Conclusions

ESS significantly increases the OBV among patients with CRS.
Testing the validity of the smartphone pervasiveness scale for adolescents with self-reported objective smartphone use data
Authors: Chakraborty Shobhik , Gui Marco , Gerosa Tiziano , Marciano Laura
Published: March 2024

An ongoing and heated scientific debate pertains to the conceptualization and quantification of adolescents’ problematic smartphone use (PSU). To address the limitations of existing surveys, the smartphone pervasiveness scale for adolescents (SPS-A) has been designed to measure the subjective frequency of smartphone usage during significant moments within daily routines. Given the weak correlations in prior literature between self-reported PSU metrics and objective use data, this study investigates the relationships between diverse self-reported objective metrics of smartphone engagement—that is duration, frequency, and count of notifications—and the SPS-A scale, employing a cohort of Swiss adolescents ( N = 1396; Mage = 15.8, SDage = 0.81; 59% female). The findings reveal a substantial correlation between the total objectively measured duration of smartphone engagement and the SPS-A scale ( r = .41 for iOS users and r = .42 for Android users). Moreover, a similar trend emerges as users are categorized by their level of objective use, with each category displaying a linear augmentation in smartphone pervasiveness levels. Instead, modest correlations emerge when considering the quantity of device unlocks and notifications. Noteworthy, no gender disparities emerged. These results add to our knowledge about the usefulness of the concept and measurement of smartphone pervasiveness: not only the SPS-A is a valid alternative to scales on “smartphone addiction” to capture non-pathological PSU, but it is also a better predictor of smartphone objective duration of use than self-reported measures. The correlation found between self-reported pervasiveness and actual use is discussed in light of the debate about the relevance of screen time in the study of PSU.
Theory for How Parental Monitoring Changes Youth Behavior
Authors: Pelham William E. , Patel Herry , Somers Jennifer A. , Racz Sarah J.
Published: March 2024

Low parental monitoring is a well-established risk factor for and presumed cause of teen problem behavior. However, an integrated theory for how monitoring changes teen behavior has not been articulated. We propose a model in which parental monitoring can reduce teen misbehavior via nine mechanisms organized into behavior-management (B), context-control (C), and relationship/support-mediated (R) domains (BCR model). Parental monitoring increases the expectation and actual occurrence of punishment for misbehavior (B), enables the parent to steer the teens’ socialization contexts (peers, nonparent adults, siblings, media) away from those that encourage misbehavior (C), and strengthens the teen’s bond to parent, disclosure of information, and receipt of social support (R)—all of which in turn reduce misbehavior.
Evidence-Based Recommendations for Education Provided to Patients and Families Regarding the Adverse Events of ALK and MEK Inhibitors: A Systematic Review From the Children's Oncology Group
Authors: Fisher Beth , Meyer Ashley , Brown Anastasia , Conway Keller Mary , McKeown Tara , Tiller Jennifer , Saylor Kate M. , Duffy Elizabeth A.
Published: March 2024

Background: Pediatric oncology patients receive multiple modalities of therapy to treat their malignancies. These modalities have the potential for acute toxicity and late effects. In the last decade, a new modality known as targeted biological therapy, has become an integral part of treatment for pediatric cancers. As targeted therapy use has increased, adverse events specific to these targeted agents have emerged, requiring a new effort focused on providing education to patients and families regarding how best to report, monitor, and manage these adverse events. Method: A clinical question was developed to guide the systematic literature review. Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitors were selected for review due to their frequency of use in pediatric oncology. The search was conducted to identify relevant articles published between January 1, 2000 and May 5, 2020. Articles were screened by two team members for inclusion/exclusion criteria using the web-based systematic review tool, Rayyan. Results: Twenty-seven articles met the eligibility criteria for inclusion and were evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation criteria. Adverse events for ALK and MEK inhibitors included manifestations of the gastrointestinal, hematologic, dermatologic, musculoskeletal, neurological, cardiovascular, and ocular systems. Recommendations for patient/family education were made for ALK and MEK inhibitors based on the reported adverse events. Conclusions: Adverse events of ALK and MEK inhibitors differ from the more common adverse events experienced with conventional treatment modalities used in pediatric oncology. It is important for nurses to include information regarding potential adverse events in patient/family education for children receiving these targeted agents.
Loss of GABARAP mediates resistance to immunogenic chemotherapy in multiple myeloma
Authors: Gulla Annamaria , Morelli Eugenio , Johnstone Megan , Turi Marcello , Samur Mehmet K. , Botta Cirino , Cifric Selma , Folino Pietro , Vinaixa Delaney , Barello Francesca , Clericuzio Cole , Favasuli Vanessa Katia , Maisano Domenico , Talluri Srikanth , Prabhala Rao , Bianchi Giada , Fulciniti Mariateresa , Wen Kenneth , Kurata Keiji , Liu Jiye , Penailillo Johany , Bragoni Alberto , Sapino Anna , Richardson Paul G. , Chauhan Dharminder , Carrasco Ruben D. , Hideshima Teru , Munshi Nikhil C. , Anderson Kenneth C.
Published: March 2024

Immunogenic cell death (ICD) is a form of cell death by which cancer treatments can induce a clinically relevant antitumor immune response in a broad range of cancers. In multiple myeloma (MM), the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib is an ICD inducer and creates durable therapeutic responses in patients. However, eventual relapse and resistance to bortezomib appear inevitable. Here, by integrating patient transcriptomic data with an analysis of calreticulin (CRT) protein interactors, we found that GABA type A receptor–associated protein (GABARAP) is a key player whose loss prevented tumor cell death from being perceived as immunogenic after bortezomib treatment. GABARAP is located on chromosome 17p, which is commonly deleted in patients with high risk MM. GABARAP deletion impaired the exposure of the eat-me signal CRT on the surface of dying MM cells in vitro and in vivo, thus reducing tumor cell phagocytosis by dendritic cells and the subsequent antitumor T-cell response. Low GABARAP was independently associated with shorter survival in patients with MM and reduced tumor immune infiltration. Mechanistically, we found that GABARAP deletion blocked ICD signaling by decreasing autophagy and altering Golgi apparatus morphology, with consequent defects in the downstream vesicular transport of CRT. Conversely, upregulating autophagy using rapamycin restored Golgi morphology, CRT exposure, and ICD signaling in GABARAPKO cells undergoing bortezomib treatment. Therefore, coupling an ICD inducer, such as bortezomib, with an autophagy inducer, such as rapamycin, may improve patient outcomes in MM, in which low GABARAP in the form of del(17p) is common and leads to worse outcomes.
Effects of mifepristone on adipocyte differentiation in mouse 3T3-L1 cells
Authors: Hashimoto Takeshi , Hirano Katsuya
Published: March 2024

Background

Both glucocorticoid receptor and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) play a critical role in adipocyte differentiation. Mifepristone is not only an antagonist of the glucocorticoid receptor but also an agonist of PPARγ. Therefore, the present study investigated the effect of mifepristone on adipocyte differentiation.

Methods

Mouse 3T3-L1 cells were used as a model for adipocyte differentiation. The lipid droplet formation was evaluated with Bodipy493/503 staining and the expression of adipocyte markers [adiponectin and adipocyte fatty acid binding protein-4 (Fabp4)] was evaluated with quantitative PCR and immunoblot analyses for indication of adipocyte differentiation. siRNA and neutralizing antibodies were used to elucidate the molecular mechanism of mifepristone-induced adipocyte differentiation. Luciferase reporter assay was used to examine the effect of mifepristone on the promoter activity of PPAR-response element (PPRE). The DNA microarray analysis was used to characterize the transcriptome of the mifepristone-induced adipocytes. In vivo adipogenic effect of mifepristone was examined in mice.

Results

Mifepristone not only enhanced adipocyte differentiation induced by the conventional protocol consisting of insulin, dexamethasone and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine but also induced adipocyte differentiation alone, as evidenced by lipid droplets formation and induction of the expression of adiponectin and Fabp4. These effects were inhibited by an adiponectin-neutralizing antibody and a PPARγ antagonist. Mifepristone activated the promoter activity of PPRE in a manner sensitive to PPARγ antagonist. A principal component analysis (PCA) of DNA microarray data revealed that the mifepristone-induced adipocytes represent some characteristics of the in situ adipocytes in normal adipose tissues to a greater extent than those induced by the conventional protocol. Mifepristone administration induced an increase in the weight of epididymal, perirenal and gluteofemoral adipose tissues.

Conclusions

Mifepristone alone is capable of inducing adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 cells and adipogenesis in vivo. PPARγ plays a critical role in the mifepristone-induced adipocyte differentiation. Mifepristone-induced adipocytes are closer to the in situ adipocytes than those induced by the conventional protocol. The present study proposes a single treatment with mifepristone as a novel protocol to induce more physiologically relevant adipocytes in 3T3-L1 cells than the conventional protocol.
Towards a unified medical microbiome ecology of the OMU for metagenomes and the OTU for microbes
Authors: Ma Zhanshan
Published: March 2024

Background

Metagenomic sequencing technologies offered unprecedented opportunities and also challenges to microbiology and microbial ecology particularly. The technology has revolutionized the studies of microbes and enabled the high-profile human microbiome and earth microbiome projects. The terminology-change from microbes to microbiomes signals that our capability to count and classify microbes (microbiomes) has achieved the same or similar level as we can for the biomes (macrobiomes) of plants and animals (macrobes). While the traditional investigations of macrobiomes have usually been conducted through naturalists’ (Linnaeus & Darwin) naked eyes, and aerial and satellite images (remote-sensing), the large-scale investigations of microbiomes have been made possible by DNA-sequencing-based metagenomic technologies. Two major types of metagenomic sequencing technologies—amplicon sequencing and whole-genome (shotgun sequencing)—respectively generate two contrastingly different categories of metagenomic reads (data)—OTU (operational taxonomic unit) tables representing microorganisms and OMU (operational metagenomic unit), a new term coined in this article to represent various cluster units of metagenomic genes.

Results

The ecological science of microbiomes based on the OTU representing microbes has been unified with the classic ecology of macrobes (macrobiomes), but the unification based on OMU representing metagenomes has been rather limited. In a previous series of studies, we have demonstrated the applications of several classic ecological theories (diversity, composition, heterogeneity, and biogeography) to the studies of metagenomes. Here I push the envelope for the unification of OTU and OMU again by demonstrating the applications of metacommunity assembly and ecological networks to the metagenomes of human gut microbiomes. Specifically, the neutral theory of biodiversity (Sloan’s near neutral model), Ning et al.stochasticity framework, core-periphery network, high-salience skeleton network, special trio-motif, and positive-to-negative ratio are applied to analyze the OMU tables from whole-genome sequencing technologies, and demonstrated with seven human gut metagenome datasets from the human microbiome project.

Conclusions

All of the ecological theories demonstrated previously and in this article, including diversity, composition, heterogeneity, stochasticity, and complex network analyses, are equally applicable to OMU metagenomic analyses, just as to OTU analyses. Consequently, I strongly advocate the unification of OTU/OMU (microbiomes) with classic ecology of plants and animals (macrobiomes) in the context of medical ecology.
DAE-CFR: detecting microRNA-disease associations using deep autoencoder and combined feature representation
Authors: Liu Yanling , Zhang Ruiyan , Dong Xiaojing , Yang Hong , Li Jing , Cao Hongyan , Tian Jing , Zhang Yanbo
Published: March 2024

Background

MicroRNA (miRNA) has been shown to play a key role in the occurrence and progression of diseases, making uncovering miRNA-disease associations vital for disease prevention and therapy. However, traditional laboratory methods for detecting these associations are slow, strenuous, expensive, and uncertain. Although numerous advanced algorithms have emerged, it is still a challenge to develop more effective methods to explore underlying miRNA-disease associations.

Results

In the study, we designed a novel approach on the basis of deep autoencoder and combined feature representation (DAE-CFR) to predict possible miRNA-disease associations. We began by creating integrated similarity matrices of miRNAs and diseases, performing a logistic function transformation, balancing positive and negative samples with k-means clustering, and constructing training samples. Then, deep autoencoder was used to extract low-dimensional feature from two kinds of feature representations for miRNAs and diseases, namely, original association information-based and similarity information-based. Next, we combined the resulting features for each miRNA-disease pair and used a logistic regression (LR) classifier to infer all unknown miRNA-disease interactions. Under five and tenfold cross-validation (CV) frameworks, DAE-CFR not only outperformed six popular algorithms and nine classifiers, but also demonstrated superior performance on an additional dataset. Furthermore, case studies on three diseases (myocardial infarction, hypertension and stroke) confirmed the validity of DAE-CFR in practice.

Conclusions

DAE-CFR achieved outstanding performance in predicting miRNA-disease associations and can provide evidence to inform biological experiments and clinical therapy.
IL-1β induced down-regulation of miR-146a-5p promoted pyroptosis and apoptosis of corneal epithelial cell in dry eye disease through targeting STAT3
Authors: Li Xuejiao , Peng Hua , Kang Jianshu , Sun Xiaomei , Liu Jian
Published: March 2024

Aim

To elaborate the underlying mechanisms by which IL-1β promote progression of Dry eye disease(DED) through effect on pyroptosis and apoptosis of corneal epithelial cells(CECs).

Methods

400 mOsM solutions were used to establish the DED model (hCECs- DED). RT-qPCR was performed to measure IL-1β mRNA and miR-146a-5p in CECs. Western blotting was performed to measure STAT3, GSDMD, NLRP3, and Caspase-1 levels. Cell counting kit-8 assay was adopted to check cell viability. Apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. ELISAs were performed to determine IL-18, IL-33 and LDH. The luciferase test detects targeting relationships.

Results

After treatment with 400 mOsM solution, cell viability decreased and apoptosis increased. Compared with hCECs, IL-1β was increased and miR-146a-5p was decreased in hCECs-DED. At the same time, GSDMD, NLRP3, Caspase-1, IL-18, IL-33 and LDH were significantly higher in hCECs-DED than in hCECs, while IL-1β silencing reversed this effect. In addition, IL-1β negatively regulated miR-146a-5p. MiR-146a-5p mimics eliminated the inhibition of hCECs-DED pyroptosis and apoptosis caused by IL-1β silencing. At the same time, miR-146a-5p reduced STAT3 levels in hCECs.

Conclusion

Highly expressed IL-1β promoted pyroptosis and apoptosis of hCECs- DED through downregulated miR-146a-5p and inhibited STAT3.
Who chooses “healthy” meals? An analysis of lunchtime meal quality in a workplace cafeteria
Authors: Bullock Sally L. , Winthrop Hilary M. , Hales Derek , Lin Feng-Chang , Yang Yumei , Ammerman Alice S. , Viera Anthony J.
Published: March 2024

Background

The workplace can play an important role in shaping the eating behaviors of U.S. adults. Unfortunately, foods obtained in the workplace tend to be low in nutritional quality. Questions remain about the best way to approach the promotion of healthy food purchases among employees and to what extent health promotion activities should be tailored to the demographic characteristics of the employees. The purpose of this study was to (1) assess the nutritional quality of lunchtime meal purchases by employees in cafeterias of a large organization, (2) examine associations between lunchtime meal quality selection and the demographic characteristics of employees, and (3) determine the healthfulness of foods and beverages offered in the cafeterias of this organization.

Methods

A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using secondary data from a food labeling study implemented in three worksite cafeterias. Demographic data was collected via surveys and meal data was collected using a photo capture system for 378 participants. The Healthy Eating Index 2015 (HEI-2015) was used to determine meal quality and a total score for the menu of options available in the cafeterias during the study period. Summary statistics were generated, and the analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the HEI-2015 scores between groups.

Results

The mean HEI-2015 total score for the menu items offered (n = 1,229) in the cafeteria during the study period was 63.1 (SD = 1.83). The mean HEI-2015 score for individual lunchtime meal observations (n = 378) was 47.1 (SD = 6.8). In general, HEI-2015 total scores were higher for non-smokers, individuals who self-identified as Asian, had higher physical activity levels, scored higher on numeracy and literacy assessments, and reported higher education levels, incomes, and health status.

Conclusions

The overall HEI-2015 scores indicate that the menu of options offered in the cafeterias and individual meal selections did not align with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, and there were significant associations between average lunchtime meal quality scores and several demographic characteristics. These results suggest that healthy eating promotion activities in workplaces may need to be tailored to the demographic characteristics of the employees, and efforts to improve the food environment in the workplace could improve meal quality for all employees.
Efficacy of optimal nutraceutical combination in treating PCOS characteristics: an in-silico assessment
Authors: Saxena Abha , Sherkane Manali , Bhoite Rachana , Sadananda Manasa Premasudha , Satyavrat Vinita , Kareenhalli Venkatesh
Published: March 2024

Background

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a serious health condition affecting women of reproductive age. High prevalence of PCOS and associated metabolic complications needs effective treatment and management. This study evaluated the efficacy of optimal nutraceutical combinations in improving PCOS characteristics using system biology-based mathematical modelling and simulation.

Methods

A shortlisting of eight potent nutraceuticals was carried out with literature search. Menstrual cycle model was used to perform simulations on an in-silico population of 2000 individuals to test individual and combined effects of shortlisted nutraceuticals on five PCOS characteristics [oligomenorrhea, anovulation, hirsutism, infertility, and polycystic ovarian morphology (PCOM)] for a duration of 6 months. Efficacy was tested across lean and obese phenotypes and age groups.

Results

Individual assessment of nutraceuticals revealed seven most potent compounds. Myo-inositol among them was observed to be the most effective in alleviating the PCOS characteristics. The in-silico population analysis showed that the combination of melatonin and ALA along with myo-inositol was efficacious in restoring the hormonal balance across age-groups and Body Mass Index (BMI) categories.

Conclusion

Supplementation with the combination of myo-inositol, melatonin, and ALA demonstrated potential in managing PCOS symptoms in our in-silico analysis of a heterogeneous population, including lean and obese phenotypes across various severities and age groups, over a 6-month period. Future clinical studies are recommended to validate these findings.
Predictors of apical periodontitis in root canal treated teeth from an adult Nepalese subpopulation: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Hussain Md. Asdaq , Singh Shailendra Kumar , Naz Shazia , Haque Merazul , Shah Harish Kumar , Singh Abanish
Published: March 2024

Background

Endodontic literature search revealed that no study has been conducted to evaluate the prevalence of apical periodontitis (AP) in root canal treated teeth from an adult Nepalese population of Madhesh Province. Consequently, little is known about the extent and risk factors associated with it. This study aimed to determine AP prevalence in root canal treated teeth from an adult Nepalese subpopulation and to analyze the related risk factors including age, sex, tooth type, type of coronal restoration and quality of root canal treatment and coronal restoration as predictors of AP.

Methods

Digital panoramic radiographs were evaluated. Periapical status of 300 root canal-treated teeth was scored by using the periapical index. The quality of root canal treatment and coronal restorations were categorized as adequate or inadequate through radiographic and clinical evaluation. The data were analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression models.

Results

Prevalence of AP in the present study was 31.7%. In 45.7% of the treated teeth, quality of root canal treatment was adequate whereas 46% of the cases had adequate coronal restorations. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed statistically significant associations and remarkably increased risk for AP in teeth with inadequate root canal treatment (odds ratio [OR] = 7.92; 95% CI: 3.96–15.82; p < 0.001) whereas lower risk for AP was found in females (OR = 0.51; 95% CI: 0.28–0.90; p = 0.021) and in teeth restored with crown (OR = 0.22; 95% CI: 0.09–0.51; p < 0.001) and filling (OR = 0.18; 95% CI: 0.08–0.42; p < 0.001). Quality of coronal restoration, tooth type and age of the patient were not found to be the predictors of AP.

Conclusions

Within the limits of this study, a high prevalence of AP and poor overall quality of root canal treatment and coronal restoration was found in the subpopulation studied. Quality of root canal treatment, type of coronal restoration and sex of the patient are significant predictors of possible AP development in root canal treated teeth. Substantial efforts are needed to improve the endodontic treatment standards.