bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Misinformation on COVID-19 Vaccine and Its Associated Factors among Residents in Gondar, Ethiopia, 2022
Authors: Jember Mesafint Zewold , Jemere Adamu Takele , Gashu Kassahun Dessie , Shibabaw Adamu Ambachew
Published: January 2024

Introduction. In the year 2019, a new strain of severe acute respiratory syndrome emerged in Wuhan, Hubei province, China, causing a new pneumonia outbreak. Misinformation about the coronavirus 2019 vaccine, combined with inequitable vaccine delivery around the world, is the bottleneck of the most promising instruments for ending pandemic. Vaccine confidence and vaccination rate can be affected by misinformation. The majority of COVID-19 vaccine misinformation has been on vaccine development, safety, and effectiveness as well as COVID-19 denial. Hence, this study is aimed at assessing the magnitude of misinformation on the COVID-19 vaccine and associated factor among residents in Gondar, Ethiopia, Method. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from May 8 to June 10, 2022, among 844 residents in Gondar town. A multistage cluster sampling method was employed to select study participants. An interview-administered questionnaire was used to collect the required data. The data were entered using EpiData 4.6 and transferred into SPSS version 20 for analysis. Descriptive statistics and bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were done. An adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% CI was used to determine explanatory factors associated with misinformation on the COVID-19 vaccine. Result. The proportion of misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccine was found to be 48%. Being male (AOR=1.48, 95% CI: 1.03, 2.13), vaccination status (AOR: 7.37, CI: 4.59, 11.83), history of COVID-19 (AOR: 0.21, CI: 0.5, 0.78), health self-efficacy (AOR: 0.6, CI: 0.42, 0.86), perceived severity (AOR: 1.47, CI: 1.02, 2.12), knowledge towards COVID-19 vaccine (AOR: 1.85, CI: 1.28,2.67), and attitude towards COVID-19 (AOR: 1.9, CI: 1.32, 2.76) vaccine were significant factors associated with misinformation on COVID-19 vaccine. Conclusion and Recommendation. The overall proportion of misinformation on the COVID-19 vaccine was found at 48%. Increasing community awareness of the COVID-19 vaccine and clarifying misunderstandings about it through media campaigns may help to lessen the tendency for misinformation in the community.
PTEN Lipid Phosphatase Activity Suppresses Melanoma Formation by Opposing an AKT/mTOR/FRA1 Signaling Axis
Authors: Xu Xiaonan , Bok Ilah , Jasani Neel , Wang Kaizhen , Chadourne Manon , Mecozzi Nicol , Deng Ou , Welsh Eric A. , Kinose Fumi , Rix Uwe , Karreth Florian A.
Published: January 2024

Inactivating mutations in PTEN are prevalent in melanoma and are thought to support tumor development by hyperactivating the AKT/mTOR pathway. Conversely, activating mutations in AKT are relatively rare in melanoma, and therapies targeting AKT or mTOR have shown disappointing outcomes in preclinical models and clinical trials of melanoma. This has led to the speculation that PTEN suppresses melanoma by opposing AKT-independent pathways, potentially through noncanonical functions beyond its lipid phosphatase activity. In this study, we examined the mechanisms of PTEN-mediated suppression of melanoma formation through the restoration of various PTEN functions in PTEN-deficient cells or mouse models. PTEN lipid phosphatase activity predominantly inhibited melanoma cell proliferation, invasion, and tumor growth, with minimal contribution from its protein phosphatase and scaffold functions. A drug screen underscored the exquisite dependence of PTEN-deficient melanoma cells on the AKT/mTOR pathway. Furthermore, activation of AKT alone was sufficient to counteract several aspects of PTEN-mediated melanoma suppression, particularly invasion and the growth of allograft tumors. Phosphoproteomics analysis of the lipid phosphatase activity of PTEN validated its potent inhibition of AKT and many of its known targets, while also identifying the AP-1 transcription factor FRA1 as a downstream effector. The restoration of PTEN dampened FRA1 translation by inhibiting AKT/mTOR signaling, and FRA1 overexpression negated aspects of PTEN-mediated melanoma suppression akin to AKT. This study supports AKT as the key mediator of PTEN inactivation in melanoma and identifies an AKT/mTOR/FRA1 axis as a driver of melanomagenesis.

Significance:

PTEN suppresses melanoma predominantly through its lipid phosphatase function, which when lost, elevates FRA1 levels through AKT/mTOR signaling to promote several aspects of melanomagenesis.
Table S15 from Investigating Causal Effects of Hematologic Traits on Lung Cancer: A Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: Yang Zhanghuan , He Hao , He Guangxu , Zeng Chudai , Hu Qian
Published: January 2024

Statistical Power of Association With FDR < 0.1 in Subgroup Analysis
Supplemental Figure 7 from Mobile Phone Use and Risks of Overall and 25 Site-Specific Cancers: A Prospective Study from the UK Biobank Study
Authors: Zhang Yanjun , Zhang Yuanyuan , Ye Ziliang , Yang Sisi , Liu Mengyi , Wu Qimeng , Zhou Chun , He Panpan , Gan Xiaoqin , Qin Xianhui
Published: January 2024

Supplemental Figure 7. Association of mobile phone use status (users vs. non-users) with incident site-specific cancers in men, excluding the cases identified before Oct 1, 2012.
Supplemental Table 2 from Adiposity, Weight Change, and Urinary Melatonin Levels among Men in the Multiethnic Cohort
Authors: Chowdhury-Paulino Ilkania M. , Vaselkiv Jane B. , Cheng Iona , Schernhammer Eva S. , Lin Zhike , Haiman Christopher A. , Le Marchand Loïc , Valdimarsdóttir Unnur , Wilkens Lynne R. , Markt Sarah C. , Mucci Lorelei A.
Published: January 2024

Supplemental Table 2: Baseline characteristics of men in the Multiethnic Cohort by quartiles of urinary melatonin levels
Data from Investigating Causal Effects of Hematologic Traits on Lung Cancer: A Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: Yang Zhanghuan , He Hao , He Guangxu , Zeng Chudai , Hu Qian
Published: January 2024

AbstractBackground:
Observational studies have suggested blood cell counts may act as predictors of cancer. It is not known whether these hematologic traits are causally associated with lung cancer.
Methods:
Two-sample bidirectional univariable Mendelian randomization (MR) and multivariable MR (MVMR) were performed to investigate the causal association between hematologic traits and the overall risk of lung cancer and three histologic subtypes [lung adenocarcinoma, squamous cell lung cancer, and small cell lung cancer (SCLC)]. The instrumental variables of 23 hematologic traits were strictly selected from large-scale genome-wide association studies. Inverse-variance weighted method and five extra methods were used to obtain robust causal estimates.
Results:
We found evidence that genetically influenced higher hematocrit [OR, 0.845; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.783–0.913; P = 1.68 × 10−5] and hemoglobin concentration (OR, 0.868; 95% CI, 0.804–0.938; P = 3.20 × 10−4) and reticulocyte count (OR, 0.923; 95% CI, 0.872–0.976; P = 5.19 × 10−3) decreased lung carcinoma risk, especially in ever smokers. MVMR further identified hematocrit independently of smoking as an independent predictor. Subgroup analysis showed that a higher plateletcrit level increased the risk of small cell lung carcinoma (OR, 1.288; 95% CI, 1.126–1.474; P = 2.25 × 10−4).
Conclusions:
Genetically driven higher levels of reticulocyte count and hematocrit decreased lung cancer risk. Higher plateletcrit had an adverse effect on SCLC. Hematologic traits may act as low-cost factors for lung cancer risk stratification.
Impact:
Further studies are required to elucidate the potential mechanisms underlying the dysregulation of homeostasis related to hematologic traits, such as subclinical inflammation.
Abstract B007: Mutations in chromatin remodelers produce intra-chromosomal deletions in cancer cells
Authors: Hamid Abdulaziz B. , Frank Lauren E. , Nelakurti Devi D. , Valentine Anna , Kaur Mehak , Latif Ali , Bouley Renee A. , Petreaca Ruben C.
Published: January 2024

Cancer cells are characterized by chromosomal re-arrangements which range from small deletions and insertions (InDels) to complete genome re-organization such as kataegis and chromothripsis. These genomic re-arrangements accompanied by other mutation signatures act as drivers of cellular transformation and immortalization. One form of re-arrangement is the intra-chromosomal deletion (ICD) which is larger than an InDel and can wipe out entire genomic sequences. Recurrent ICDs have been shown to inactivate key cell cycle regulators (e.g., Rb, PTEN, TP53) and contribute to cellular transformation. However, cancer cells are replete with ICDs of unknown function. ICDs arise due to failure of the DNA double strand break (DSB) repair machinery but the mechanism remains elusive. Mutations in three Mutations in key DNA damage repair genes such as the breast cancer susceptibility genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 as well as the accessory gene RAD52 accelerate ICD formation. Using the yeast model system, we identified physical and genetic interactions between RAD52 and two chromatin remodeling factors (KAT5 and HIRA). KAT5 is a histone acetyltransferase with functions in both transcription and DSB repair while HIRA is a histone chaperone required for re-deposition of nucleosomes following repair. We will present results from computational analysis of cancer genomes as well as experimental bench data that show that mutations in KAT5 and HIRA affect ICD formation. Epistatic analysis between the histone remodelers and BRCA1, BRCA2 and RAD52 reveals that co-occurring mutations contribute to destabilization of the repair machinery. In silico protein structure analysis was performed to model how mutations affect the function of these enzymes. Our data uncovers unexpected functions of chromatin remodelers in modulating the function of DNA recombinases and other accessory factors.

Citation Format: Abdulaziz B. Hamid, Lauren E. Frank, Devi D. Nelakurti, Anna Valentine, Mehak Kaur, Ali Latif, Renee A. Bouley, Ruben C. Petreaca. Mutations in chromatin remodelers produce intra-chromosomal deletions in cancer cells [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference in Cancer Research: DNA Damage Repair: From Basic Science to Future Clinical Application; 2024 Jan 9-11; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(1 Suppl):Abstract nr B007.
Baseline Serum Inflammatory Proteins Predict Poor CAR T Outcomes in Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma
Authors: Faramand Rawan G. , Lee Sae Bom , Jain Michael D. , Cao Biwei , Wang Xuefeng , Rejeski Kai , Subklewe Marion , Fahrmann Johannes F. , Saini Neeraj Y. , Hanash Samir M. , Kang Yun Pyo , Chang Darwin , Rodriguez Paolo C. , Dean Erin A. , Nishihori Taiga , Shah Bijal D. , Lazaryan Aleksandr , Chavez Julio , Khimani Farhad , Pinilla-Ibarz Javier A. , Dam Marian , Reid Kayla M. , Corallo Salvatore A. , Menges Meghan , Hidalgo Vargas Melanie , Mandula Jay K. , Holliday Brian A. , Bachmeier Christina A. , Speth Kelly , Song Qinghua , Mattie Mike , Locke Frederick L. , Davila Marco L.
Published: January 2024

A subset of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) treated with CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy have poor clinical outcomes. We report serum proteins associated with severe immune-mediated toxicities and inferior clinical responses in 146 patients with DLBCL treated with axicabtagene ciloleucel. We develop a simple stratification based on pre-lymphodepletion C reactive protein (CRP) and ferritin to classify patients into low-, intermediate-, and high-risk groups. We observe that patients in the high-risk category were more likely to develop grade ≥3 toxicities and had inferior overall and progression-free survival. We sought to validate our findings with two independent international cohorts demonstrating that patients classified as low-risk have excellent efficacy and safety outcomes. Based on routine and readily available laboratory tests that can be obtained prior to lymphodepleting chemotherapy, this simple risk stratification can inform patient selection for CAR T-cell therapy.

Significance:

CAR T-cell therapy has changed the treatment paradigm for patients with relapsed/refractory hematologic malignancies. Despite encouraging efficacy, a subset of patients have poor clinical outcomes. We show that a simple clinically applicable model using pre-lymphodepletion CRP and ferritin can identify patients at high risk of poor outcomes.

This article is featured in Selected Articles from This Issue, p. 80
Prolonged Thrombocytopenia and Severe Transfusion Reaction after ABO-Incompatible Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in a Patient with Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia
Authors: Silva-Bermudez Lina S. , Heidenreich Daniela , Klein Stefan A. , Wuchter Patrick , Klüter Harald , Kayser Sabine
Published: January 2024

Introduction: Major ABO-incompatible allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HCT) is a common practice and represents a challenging transfusion scenario. Prolonged thrombocytopenia with increased platelet transfusion needs is one of its reported adverse effects, and this has been linked to the persistence of recipient anti-donor isoagglutinins. Case Presentation: A 55-year-old male patient, O Rh(D)-positive, with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia underwent major incompatible allo-HCT from a A Rh(D)-negative donor. He presented with prolonged thrombocytopenia and multiple transfusion reactions after A Rh(D)-negative platelet transfusions. Considering the outcomes of numerous examinations, we tested the anti-A1 titers, finding a significant persistence of anti-donor isoagglutinins. We limited platelet transfusions to blood group O Rh(D)-negative donors, which significantly decreased the requirement for platelet transfusions. In addition, the transfusion reactions ceased. Conclusion: In case of transfusion reactions against platelet products in major ABO-incompatible allo-HCT patients, isoagglutinin monitoring should be considered and a change in the platelet transfusion protocol may be beneficial in patients presenting high isotiters against recipient’s blood type.
Psychosocial Factors and the Role of Family in Children with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Soodhana Mohan Dhanya , HN Vani , Madegowda Rajendra Kiragsur , Palany Raghupathy
Published: January 2024

Purpose: The psychosocial aspects of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) are still a neglected area, especially among children in India. This study was planned to evaluate and screen the children with T1DM for family support, symptoms of anxiety and depression, and to assess the role of these psychosocial aspects in glycemic control. Methods: This cross-sectional observational questionnaire-based study conducted over a year included 70 children aged 8–18 years diagnosed with T1DM for at least a year. The child and caregiver answered pre-validated standard questionnaires and the children underwent HbA1C testing once every 3 months. The methods used for inferential statistical analysis were reliability analysis, correlation analysis, χ2 test, and factor analysis. Results: Poorer glycemic control was noted by children raised by single parents (mean HbA1C 14.4, p < 0.001). It was also noted that children whose mothers had formal education beyond 10th standard had better glycemic control. 14 children (20%) had anxiety/depression of medium to high severity. The relationship between family conflict and glycemic control was not significant in either the parent or the child scoring. Conclusion: Children with T1DM experience considerable stress related to the diagnosis and management. Many families experience significant depression and anxiety which leads to increase in family conflicts which have a negative effect on parenting, the child’s quality of life, and their glycemic control.
Unusual Presentation of B-Cell Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Accompanied by Pure Red Cell Aplasia: Case Report
Authors: Atallah Jane , Al Alousi Yarub , Guevara Nehemias , Statnii Iurii , Nassar Sameh , Vigoda Ivette
Published: January 2024

Introduction: Pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) is a rare bone marrow failure characterized by normocytic anemia and severe reticulocytopenia. Case Presentation: We describe the case of a 38-year-old female who presented with severe anemia. Further investigation revealed the etiology of anemia to be PRCA. She was subsequently diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) B-cell type on bone marrow biopsy. The patient refused blood transfusion support. She failed to improve and expired despite treatment with rituximab and steroids. Conclusion: Our case is an unusual presentation of PRCA that led to the diagnosis of CLL. PRCA is an extremely rare cause of anemia in CLL, occurring in around 1% of patients. The pathogenesis is thought to be immune mediated. Treatment of PRCA in CLL involves immunosuppressive therapy with steroids, cyclosporine, and rituximab, yet it is usually refractory in most cases.
Mortality and Lithium-Protective Effects after First-Episode Mania Diagnosis in Bipolar Disorder: A Nationwide Retrospective Cohort Study in Taiwan
Authors: Carvalho Andre F. , Hsu Chih-Wei , Vieta Eduard , Solmi Marco , Marx Wolfgang , Berk Michael , Liang Chih-Sung , Tseng Ping-Tao , Wang Liang-Jen
Published: January 2024

Introduction: This study aimed to estimate all-cause mortality in patients after a first-episode mania (FEM) and examine whether six guideline-recommended medications can reduce mortality. Methods: The cohort included population-based FEM samples and matched controls from Taiwan, spanning 2007 to 2018. The primary outcomes assessed were all-cause/suicide-related mortality, while the secondary outcome focused on mortality associated with pharmacological treatments. We compared mortality in post-FEM patients and age-/sex-matched controls without any diagnosed bipolar disorders and patients with and without psychopharmacological treatment using Cox regression analysis, respectively. Statistics were presented with time-to-event adjusted hazard ratios (AHRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: The study included 54,092 post-FEM patients and 270,460 controls, totaling 2,467,417 person-years of follow-up. Post-FEM patients had higher risks of all-cause mortality (AHR 2.38, 95% CI: 2.31–2.45) and suicide death (10.80, 5.88–19.84) than controls. Lithium (0.62, 0.55–0.70), divalproex (0.89, 0.83–0.95), and aripiprazole (0.81, 0.66–1.00) were associated with reduced all-cause mortality compared to non-users. There were no significant all-cause mortality differences for quetiapine (0.95, 0.89–1.01), risperidone (0.92, 0.82–1.02), and paliperidone (1.24, 0.88–1.76) users. When accounting for drug action onset times in sensitivity analyses, only lithium significantly reduced all-cause mortality (AHR range 0.65–0.72). There were 35 and 16 suicide deaths in post-FEM patients and controls, respectively. No drug had a significant effect on suicide deaths (lithium: 6; divalproex: 7; aripiprazole: 0; quetiapine: 10; risperidone: 4; paliperidone: 1). Conclusion: Post-FEM patients had a higher risk of all-cause/suicide-related mortality, and lithium treatment might reduce all-cause mortality.
INTERLEUKIN LEVELS IN THE Zingiber cassumunar-TREATED MICE
Authors: Mahfudh Nurkhasanah
Published: January 2024

The cytokine is one of the proteins responsible for the immune system. Several types of cytokines acting as key regulators of infection include IL-10, IL-12, and IL-14. The chemical content of Zingiber cassumunar shows potential immunomodulatory effects. This study aimed to determine the effect of the ethanol extract of Zingiber cassumunar (EEZC) on the expressions of IL-10, IL-12, and IL-14. The test animals were BALB/c mice, which were divided into five groups, i.e., normal group (untreated), negative control group (treated with 10% of tween 80), and three treatment groups that respectively received 1.25 mg, 2.5mg, and 5mg/20g BW of EEZC. The treatment was carried out for 21 days. On the 22ndday, the mice were induced with LPS intraperitoneally (except for the normal group). The interleukin expression was observed by immunohistochemistry using specific antibodies, and the expressed cells were counted under a microscope. The administration of EEZC at the doses of 1.25 mg, 2.5mg, and 5mg/20g BW for 21 days increased the expression of IL-10, IL-12, and IL-14 significantly and proportionally to the dose. and suggested the potency of extract to induce both innate and adaptive immunity. This activity may be attributable to curcumin as an active compound in this extract.Â
GROWTH, PHOTOSYNTHESIS AND PROLINE ACCUMULATION OF METAL-ACCUMULATOR WEEDS
Authors: Hamim Hamim , Apriani Rani , Saprudin Deden , Sulistyaningsih Yohana C
Published: January 2024

Heavy metals especially lead and mercury contaminant have been spread widely because of their intensive utilization in industry or extraction in mining area which threaten our environment. The experiment aimed to examine the growth and some physiological parameters of five metal-accumulator weed species in response to mercury (Hg) and lead (Pb) treatment. Five weed species (Branchiaria mutica, Cyperus kyllingia, Ipomea aquatica, Mikania micrantha, and Paspalum conjugatum) were grown in water culture using half strength Hoaglandâ€™s solution and subjected to Hg(NO3)2 and PB(NO3)2 at 0, Â 0.25 and 0.5 mM for 3 weeks. The growth, photosynthesis, lipid peroxidation and proline content were observed during the treatments. The result showed that both Hg and Pb decreased growth significantly, but the decrease was far higher in Hg than in Pb treatments. Hg treatment reduced photosynthetic rate dramatically under different photosynthetic photon flux density suggesting that heavy metal Hg until 0.5 mM caused the damage of photosynthetic apparatus almost all species except in I. aquatica. Hg and Pb treatment caused dramatic increase in leaf MDA content, which was associated with the decrease of chlorophyll content significantly. Almost all the species were tolerant to Pb treatment up to 0.5 mM except M. micrantha, while only C. kyllingia and I. aquatica were tolerant to Hg treatment up to 0.5 mM. Only Hg treatment and not Pb that induced higher proline content in the leaves of threated plants without clear pattern of the increment among the species suggesting that proline may have a role as alarm stress rather than tolerant indicator.
MONITORING of Cacatua sulphurea abbotti POPULATION IN MASAKAMBING ISLAND, INDONESIA
Authors: Nandika Dudi , Mulyani Yeni Aryati , Prawiradilaga Dewi Malia , Agustina Dwi
Published: January 2024

The Critically Endangered Cacatua sulphurea abbotti is a unique subspecies of cockatoo, endemic to a single tiny Masakambing Island in Indonesia. Data procurement on the status and distribution of their wild population is necessarily urgent in order to determine the best conservation strategy for this species. Data were collected annually from 2008-2018 by a direct roost count method in a roosting tree. Only 10 cockatoos were recorded in 2008, but the number continually increased up to 22 birds in 2018 (42.86% increase in a decade). The population was distributed in about 71% of the total size of the island, concentrated in the north-western part with a density of 1.56 (~ 2 birds/km2) in 2008 which raised up to 3.44 (~ 3 birds/km2) in 2018. The zero trapping policy enforced by the local government was probably effective in preventing the population decline, although the population is still vulnerable due to nesting failure, presumably low genetic quality and habitat destruction.Â
PHYTASE PRODUCTION BY Enterobacter cloacae
Authors: Suliasih Suliasih , Widawati Sri
Published: January 2024

Â This study aims to isolate the phytase producing bacteria (PPB), a plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), from 1Cigna sinensis rhizosphere and to optimize its physicochemical conditioning. Phytase is an enzyme that can hydrolyze the phosphoester bond in organic phosphorus (phytic acid) to form ester phosphate and inorganic phosphate, the available forms of phosphorus. To test its ability to hydrolyze organic phosphates (calcium phytate), the phytase was screened in solid and liquid phytase screening medium (PSM). After isolation, a total of 13 bacteria were positive for this enzymeâ€™s production as indicated by the clear zones of hydrolysis observed around the colony. Enterobacter cloacae strain B1 had the largest hydrolysis efficient (3.43) on solid medium. The phytase-production of the Enterobacter cloacae strain grown in liquid PSM, showed 0.92 U/mL after 48 hours of incubation. This strain produced optimum levels of phytase in the presence of lactose and monoammonium phosphate (NH4H2PO4), as carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively, at 30 Â°C and pH 5.0. The PPB obtained in this study are recommended for further research as to their use as plant biological fertilizers.Â Â
P2X7
-Mediated Antigen-Independent Activation of CD8
+
T Cells Promotes Salt-Sensitive Hypertension
Authors: Benson Lance N. , Deck Katherine S. , Mora Christoph J. , Guo Yunping , Rafferty Tonya M. , Li Lin-Xi , Huang Lu , Andrews J. Tucker , Qin Zhiqiang , Trott Daniel W. , Hoover Robert S. , Liu Yunmeng , Mu Shengyu
Published: January 2024

BACKGROUND:

CD8
+
T cells (CD8Ts) have been implicated in hypertension. However, the specific mechanisms are not fully understood. In this study, we explore the contribution of the P2X7 (purinergic receptor P2X7) receptor to CD8T activation and subsequent promotion of sodium retention in the kidney.

METHODS:

We used mouse models of hypertension. Wild type were used as genetic controls, OT1 and Rag2/OT1 mice were utilized to determine antigen dependency, and P2X7-knockout mice were studied to define the role of P2X7 in activating CD8Ts and promoting hypertension. Blood pressure was monitored continuously and kidneys were obtained at different experimental end points. Freshly isolated CD8Ts from mice for activation assays and ATP stimulation. CD8T activation-induced promotion of sodium retention was explored in cocultures of CD8Ts and mouse DCTs.

RESULTS:

We found that OT1 and Rag2/OT1 mice, which are nonresponsive to common antigens, still developed hypertension and CD8T-activation in response to deoxycorticosterone acetate/salt treatment, similar to wild-type mice. Further studies identified the P2X7 receptor on CD8Ts as a possible mediator of this antigen-independent activation of CD8Ts in hypertension. Knockout of the P2X7 receptor prevented calcium influx and cytokine production in CD8Ts. This finding was associated with reduced CD8T-DCT stimulation, reversal of excessive salt retention in DCTs, and attenuated development of salt-sensitive hypertension.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our findings suggest a novel mechanism by which CD8Ts are activated in hypertension to exacerbate salt retention and infer that the P2X7 receptor on CD8Ts may represent a new therapeutic target to attenuate T-cell-mediated immunopathology in hypertension.
The Threat of Economic Deglobalization from Cold War 2.0: A Japanese Perspective
Authors: Ando Mitsuyo , Hayakawa Kazunobu , Kimura Fukunari
Published: January 2024

The intensified geopolitical tension in Northeast Asia and the U.S.–China confrontation have shifted policy debates in Japan toward national security while the economic discussion has become thin. To regain more balanced policy talks, this paper tries to quantitatively comprehend the effect of the United States and its allies’ export controls on the East Asian machinery production networks and Japan's trade performance. Major findings include the following four points: First, most of the supply chain decoupling policies by the Japanese government have been the ones to prepare for sudden interruptions of the supply of important items while decoupling policies for strategic competition are limited only in the context of the cooperation with the United States. Second, international trade statistics at the industry level do not show clear evidence of supply chain decoupling in East Asia due to the U.S. export controls, at least up to 2022. Third, however, the negative trade effect becomes visible at the product or individual firms’ level, and the recent strengthening of the United States and its allies’ export controls may augment the negative effect on machinery production networks. Fourth, although the scope of trade controls would expand further, the supply chain decoupling is likely to end up with a partial one. The paper claims that middle powers such as Japan must establish a well-balanced trade policy.
Marx and the Concept of a Social Formation
Authors: Burns Tony
Published: January 2024

This paper discusses the significance of the concept of a social formation for historical materialism. It argues that the concept is wrongly thought to be associated uniquely with the writings of Louis Althusser and with structuralist Marxism. It can be found in the writings of Marx himself, as well as those of Lenin, and is central to an adequate understanding of classical Marxism. To illustrate its importance the paper shows how the concept may be used to shed new light on the debate around the transition from feudalism to capitalism.
Taxonomic studies on the genera Echinovelleda Breuning, 1936 and Propedicellus Huang, Huang & Liu, 2020 (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae, Lamiinae, Lamiini)
Authors: BI WEN-XUAN , MU CHEN , LIN MEI-YING
Published: January 2024

The genera Echinovelleda Breuning, 1936 and Propedicellus Huang, Huang & Liu, 2020 are revised. The latter is considered to be a junior synonym of the former based on a comprehensive morphological investigation, especially on the characteristics of male endophallus. Two new species are described from China, viz. Echinovelleda mumuae Bi & Mu sp. nov. from Yunnan and Guangxi, and E. protochinensis Bi & Lin sp. nov. from Yunnan and Sichuan. New records are reported for previously described taxa including one new country record of a morphologically similar genus, Hechinoschema Thomson, 1857 from China. Illustrations of habitus, endophallic structure, major diagnostic features for all studied taxa, as well as a distributional map are provided.
Uncertainties in the Projection of Dynamic Sea Level in CMIP6 and FGOALS-g3 Large Ensemble
Authors: Jin Chenyang , Liu Hailong , Lin Pengfei , Li Yiwen
Published: January 2024

Decision-makers need reliable projections of future sea level change for risk assessment. Untangling the sources of uncertainty in sea level projections will help narrow the projection uncertainty. Here, we separate and quantify the contributions of internal variability, intermodel uncertainty, and scenario uncertainty to the ensemble spread of dynamic sea level (DSL) at both the basin and regional scales using Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 6 (CMIP6) and FGOALS-g3 large ensemble (LEN) data. For basin-mean DSL projections, intermodel uncertainty is the dominant contributor (>55%) in the near term (2021–40), midterm (2041–60), and long term (2081–2100) relative to the climatology of 1995–2014. Internal variability is of secondary importance in the near- and midterm until scenario uncertainty exceeds it in all basins except the Indian Ocean in the long term. For regional-scale DSL projections, internal variability is the dominant contributor (60%–100%) in the Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean, and western boundary of the Atlantic Ocean, while intermodel uncertainty is more important in other regions in the near term. The contribution of internal variability (intermodel uncertainty) decreases (increases) in most regions from midterm to long term. Scenario uncertainty becomes important after emerging in the Southern, Pacific, and Atlantic Oceans. The signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) maps for regional DSL projections show that anthropogenic DSL signals can only emerge from a few regions. Assuming that model differences are eliminated, the perfect CMIP6 ensemble can capture more anthropogenic regional DSL signals in advance. These findings will help establish future constraints on DSL projections and further improve the next generation of climate models.

Significance Statement

Clarifying the sources of uncertainty in DSL projections is fundamental for further improving projections. Hence, this study aims to separate and quantify the three uncertainties in both basin and regional scale DSL projections using CMIP6 models and a 110-member large-ensemble experiment: internal variability, intermodel, and scenario uncertainty. We show that intermodel uncertainty is the dominant contributor at both the basin and regional scale, even though internal variability plays an important role in most regions of the Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean, and Atlantic Ocean. Scenario uncertainty is negligible before it emerges at both the basin and regional scale in the long term. This provides the direction for constraining uncertainty in DSL projections.
The Impact of Analysis Correction-Based Additive Inflation on Subseasonal Tropical Prediction in the Navy Earth System Prediction Capability
Authors: Rushley Stephanie S. , Janiga Matthew A. , Crawford William , Reynolds Carolyn A. , Komaromi William , McLay Justin
Published: January 2024

Accurately simulating the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO), which dominates intraseasonal (30–90 day) variability in the tropics, is critical to predicting tropical cyclones (TCs) and other phenomena at extended-range (2–3 week) time scales. MJO biases in intensity and propagation speed are a common problem in global coupled models. For example, the MJO in the Navy Earth System Prediction Capability (ESPC), a global coupled model, has been shown to be too strong and too fast, which has implications for the MJO–TC relationship in that model. The biases and extended-range prediction skill in the operational version of the Navy ESPC are compared to experiments applying different versions of analysis correction-based additive inflation (ACAI) to reduce model biases. ACAI is a method in which time-mean and stochastic perturbations based on analysis increments are added to the model tendencies with the goals of reducing systematic error and accounting for model uncertainty. Over the extended boreal summer (May–November), ACAI reduces the root-mean-squared error (RMSE) and improves the spread–skill relationship of the total tropical and MJO-filtered OLR and low-level zonal winds. While ACAI improves skill in the environmental fields of low-level absolute vorticity, potential intensity, and vertical wind shear, it degrades the skill in the relative humidity, which increases the positive bias in the genesis potential index (GPI) in the operational Navy ESPC. Northern Hemisphere integrated TC genesis biases are reduced (increased number of TCs) in the ACAI experiments, which is consistent with the positive GPI bias in the ACAI simulations.
Shackled by double disadvantage? Gender, segregation and immigrants’ occupational attainments
Authors: Grönlund Anne , Öun Ida
Published: January 2024

The aim of the article was to determine whether immigrant women's occupational status reflect a double disadvantage in comparison to immigrant men and inborn women and how patterns are formed by occupational segregation. The study utilised register data for descriptive comparisons of the immigrant and inborn populations in Sweden ( n ≈ 4,900,000). Regression analyses were performed on nationally representative surveys of the immigrant ( n ≈ 2600) and total ( n ≈ 3200) labour force. The results do not support the notion of a double disadvantage. In the immigrant population, only women with primary/secondary education have jobs with lower average prestige than men, reflecting the fact that women are clustered in female-dominated occupations. Among immigrants with higher education, the gender gap is reversed, and men's disadvantage is explained by ethnic segregation. Compared to Swedish-born individuals, prestige gaps are substantially larger for men. After accounting for segregation, the gap is closed among women but not among men.
Delayed Repair of E2 Bile Duct Injury With Robotic Roux-en-Y Hepaticojejunostomy
Authors: Lim-Dy Allyson , Ross Sharona , Sucandy Iswanto
Published: January 2024

Bile duct injury is a rare complication in the modern era of minimally invasive laparoscopic and robotic surgery; however, it can lead to serious short- and long-term consequences. Repair of bile duct injury with Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy is a technically complex operation, especially when undertaken laparoscopically. Newer robotic technology improves surgeon’s dexterity for fine suturing tasks such as in creating a delicate hepaticojejunostomy, which overcomes technical limitations of conventional laparoscopic approach. As surgeons accumulate more experience in minimally invasive bile duct surgery for benign and malignant diseases, the accepted surgical approaches gradually transition from open to robotic technique. In this video, we describe our robotic technique for delayed repair of an E2 bile duct injury.
Serum Albumin for Short-Term Poor Prognosis in Patients With Acute Pulmonary Embolism: A Clinical Study Based on a Database
Authors: Qiu Jiayong , Hao Yingying , Huang Shenshen , Wang Tongsheng , He Xuegai , Wang Wei , Du Dan , Mao Yimin , Yuan Yadong
Published: January 2024

The relationship between serum albumin (ALB) and short-term prognosis in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (APE) remains unclear. We investigated the predictive value of ALB for short-term prognosis in APE patients using our hospital pulmonary embolism (PE) database (384 patients consecutively collected). Logistic regression analysis and nomograms were applied to construct the predictive model, and validation was assessed. A total of 340 APE patients were included, with a 30-day all-cause mortality rate of 8.5%. The incidence of hypoalbuminemia was 15.9%. The odds ratio (OR) for short-term mortality in patients with high ALB was 0.89 (0.886, 95% CI: 0.812–0.967). Additionally, we created a nomogram for individualized mortality risk prediction. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that the diagnostic area under the curve (AUC) of ALB was 0.758 (95% CI 0.683–0.833), and the best cut-off value was 33.85 g/L. Optimal simplified Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index (sPESI) (ALB combined sPESI) AUC was 0.835 (95% CI 0.775–0.896). Baseline hypoalbuminemia may be an independent prognostic indicator of short-term mortality in patients with APE.
Exploring the Sustainability of Home Modifications and Adaptations in Occupational Therapy
Authors: Fawkes Tanya , Croft Caitlin S. , Peters Chloe M. , Mortenson W. Ben
Published: January 2024

Background. Many occupational therapists make home modification recommendations; however, it is unknown if sustainability considerations (i.e., economic, social, and environmental) are contemplated during this process. Purpose. To understand occupational therapists’ perceptions regarding the sustainability of home modifications. Method. This study adopted a qualitative description approach. Researchers utilized semistructured interviews as the primary means of data collection. Findings. The ten female occupational therapists interviewed had three or more years of experience working with home modifications. The analysis identified three themes: It's not easy being green: environmental sustainability, stretching a dollar: financial inequities, and barriers and benefits in the home modification process. Implications. Findings suggest OTs have a varied and a general understanding of how to implement sustainability concepts in their practice. There is also a need to make access to home modifications more equitable. Further research is needed to build a more robust understanding of how OT recommended home modifications can contribute to sustainability.
Moderators of the LGBTQ Campus Climate and College-Related Outcomes Links
Authors: Szymanski Dawn M. , Goates James D. , Dua Vardaan
Published: January 2024

In this study, we explored the concurrent and moderating roles of sexual orientation-based microaggressions, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) campus community connection, and positive peer group relations in the links between perceptions of the LGBTQ college campus climate and college-related outcomes (college satisfaction, dropout intentions, and academic and emotional adjustment). Further, we examined if these relations would be stronger for undergraduate versus graduate students. Participants were 873 sexual minority college students who completed a web-based survey. Results indicated several main effects of negative LGBTQ campus climate, sexual orientation-based microaggressions, LGBTQ community connection, positive peer group relations, and graduate student status in predicting college-related outcomes. In addition, two interaction effects emerged. The first revealed that students with high negative perceptions of the LGBTQ campus climate and high sexual orientation-based microaggressions had the lowest college satisfaction. The second indicated that LGBTQ community connection exacerbated the LGBTQ campus climate–dropout intentions link for undergraduate but not graduate students.
The Effects of Academic Press on Student Learning and Its Malleability to School Leadership: A Meta-Analysis of 30 Years of Research
Authors: Sun Jingping , Zhang Rong , Murphy Joseph , Zhang Sijia
Published: January 2024

Purpose: The purposes of this study were to: (a) meta-analyze the effects of academic press (AP) on K-12 student achievement in aggregate and in each examined learning subject; (b) meta-analyze the effect of school leadership of different leadership styles on AP; and (c) examine whether school level, subjects, and leadership or AP measures moderate these above-mentioned effects. Research Methods/Approach: Standard meta-analysis techniques were used to review 79 quantitative studies in the past 30 years and examine the multiple relationships between school leadership, AP, and student learning mentioned above. Heterogeneity analyses were conducted to identify moderators. Publication bias in these analysis results was also examined. Findings: AP had a large effect on student achievement; school leadership had a close to large effect on AP. These effects varied with leadership or AP measures and across school levels and student learning subjects. Implications for Research and Practice: The findings point to the importance of school leaders to improve student achievement by improving the level of AP in schools, especially high schools, and in schools with many economically disadvantaged students. Principals need to exercise a wide range of practices to push for academic excellence.
How Is Institutional Quality Moderating the Effect of Terrorism on International Tourism, Trade, Foreign Aid Inflow and Economic Growth in Sub-Saharan Africa?
Authors: Agu Christian , Ogbuabor Jonathan Emenike , Onah Benjamin Udoka
Published: January 2024

This study examines how international tourism, foreign aid inflow, international trade and economic growth are responding to terrorism in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), and how institutions are moderating these interactions. To answer these questions, we examined a panel of 40 SSA countries for the period 2010–2020 based on the system generalised method of moments framework. Our results revealed that: (a) terrorism impacts adversely on tourism, foreign aid inflow, trade and overall economic growth in SSA; and (b) institutional quality has not been effective in mitigating the adverse effects of terrorism on tourism, foreign aid inflow, trade and economic growth in SSA. Policy implications are discussed.

JEL Codes: C33; F10; F35; F43; L83; N20
Communication Strategies in Human-Autonomy Teams During Technological Failures
Authors: Harrison Julie L. , Zhou Shiwen , Scalia Matthew J. , Grimm David A. P. , Demir Mustafa , McNeese Nathan J. , Cooke Nancy J. , Gorman Jamie C.
Published: January 2024

Objective

This study examines low-, medium-, and high-performing Human-Autonomy Teams’ (HATs’) communication strategies during various technological failures that impact routine communication strategies to adapt to the task environment.

Background

Teams must adapt their communication strategies during dynamic tasks, where more successful teams make more substantial adaptations. Adaptations in communication strategies may explain how successful HATs overcome technological failures. Further, technological failures of variable severity may alter communication strategies of HATs at different performance levels in their attempts to overcome each failure.

Method

HATs in a Remotely Piloted Aircraft System-Synthetic Task Environment (RPAS-STE), involving three team members, were tasked with photographing targets. Each triad had two randomly assigned participants in navigator and photographer roles, teaming with an experimenter who simulated an AI pilot in a Wizard of Oz paradigm. Teams encountered two different technological failures, automation and autonomy, where autonomy failures were more challenging to overcome.

Results

High-performing HATs calibrated their communication strategy to the complexity of the different failures better than medium- and low-performing teams. Further, HATs adjusted their communication strategies over time. Finally, only the most severe failures required teams to increase the efficiency of their communication.

Conclusion

HAT effectiveness under degraded conditions depends on the type of communication strategies enacted by the team. Previous findings from studies of all-human teams apply here; however, novel results suggest information requests are particularly important to HAT success during failures.

Application

Understanding the communication strategies of HATs under degraded conditions can inform training protocols to help HATs overcome failures.
The Conundrum of Imported Models in Africa: A Critical Review of the Ethiopian Developmental State and the Neoliberal-Oriented “Homegrown” Economic Reform
Authors: Jemal Bekri M.
Published: January 2024

Within the framework of critical development theory, this article first reviews the African experience of imitating external development models, focusing on the impact of neoliberalism on the continent, and the case for the developmental state. It then examines whether Ethiopia once again is abandoning an isomorphic emulation of a self-proclaimed developmental state by taking a stride toward neoliberalism with the ongoing reform since 2018. This reform, as witnessed by fast-tracked currency devaluation, privatization, and the removal of state subsidies, indicates a policy shift geared toward traditional neoliberal prescriptions. It argues that it is better to cautiously reform the Ethiopian developmental state to introduce exact features of the model instead of prematurely abandoning it for unbridled neoliberalism in the name of a “homegrown economic reform” that turned out to be an IMF/WB-brewed adjustment rather than a homegrown rebalancing.
Role of Pubertal Timing and Perceived Parental Attachment in Internalizing Problem Behaviours Among Adolescents
Authors: Kanwar Palak
Published: January 2024

Adolescents need supportive social institutions to help them deal effectively with the demands of pubertal changes accompanied by new social roles, reducing their susceptibility to problem behaviors. Considering this, it will be investigated how internalizing problem behaviors in teenagers is affected by the interaction between pubertal timing and perceived parental attachment. For this, cross-sectional data from 772 adolescents with ages ranging from 11 to 15 years old was used. Regression analyses showed early maturing adolescents with insecure perceived parental attachments had higher levels of depression and anxiety than their early, on-time, and late maturing counterparts with secure perceived parental attachments. This finding supports the contextual amplification model, as the detrimental consequences of early maturation are impacted by difficult parent-adolescent relationships.