bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neurologic outcome of VZV encephalitis one year after ICU admission: a multicenter cohort study
Authors: Mirouse Adrien , Sonneville Romain , Razazi Keyvan , Merceron Sybille , Argaud Laurent , Bigé Naïke , Faguer Stanislas , Perez Pierre , Géri Guillaume , Guérin Claude , Moreau Anne-Sophie , Papazian Laurent , Robert René , Barbier François , Ganster Frédérique , Mayaux Julien , Azoulay Elie , Canet Emmanuel
Published: April 2022

Background

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is one of the main viruses responsible of acute encephalitis. However, data on the prognosis and neurologic outcome of critically ill patients with VZV encephalitis are limited. We aimed to describe the clinical features of VZV encephalitis in the ICU and to identify factors associated with a favorable neurologic outcome. We performed a multicenter cohort study of patients with VZV encephalitis admitted in 18 ICUs in France between 2000 and 2017. Factors associated with a favorable neurologic outcome, defined by a modified Rankin Score (mRS) of 0–2 1 year after ICU admission, were identified by multivariable regression analysis.

Results

Fifty-five patients (29 (53%) men, median age 53 (interquartile range 36–66)) were included, of whom 43 (78%) were immunocompromised. ICU admission occurred 1 (0–3) day after the onset of neurological symptoms. Median Glasgow Coma Score at ICU admission was 12 (7–14). Cerebrospinal fluid examination displayed a median leukocyte count of 68 (13–129)/mm3, and a median protein level of 1.37 (0.77–3.67) g/L. CT scan and MRI revealed brain lesions in 30% and 66% of the cases, respectively. Invasive mechanical ventilation was implemented in 46 (84%) patients for a median duration of 13 (3–30) days. Fourteen (25%) patients died in the ICU. One year after ICU admission, 20 (36%) patients had a favorable neurologic outcome (mRS 0–2), 12 (22%) had significant disability (mRS 3–5), and 18 (33%) were deceased (lost to follow-up n = 5, 9%). On multivariable analysis, age (OR 0.92 per year, (0.88–0.97), p = 0.01), and invasive mechanical ventilation (OR 0.09 CI 95% (0.01–0.84), p = 0.03) reduced the likelihood of favorable neurologic outcome.

Conclusion

One in every three critically ill patients with VZV encephalitis had a favorable neurologic outcome 1 year after ICU admission. Older age and invasive mechanical ventilation were associated with a higher risk of disability and death.
Effectiveness of pharmacist intervention for deprescribing potentially inappropriate medications: a prospective observational study
Authors: Kimura Takeshi , Fujita Misa , Shimizu Michiko , Sumiyoshi Kasumi , Bansho Saho , Yamamoto Kazuhiro , Omura Tomohiro , Yano Ikuko
Published: April 2022

Background

Potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) and polypharmacy in older adults lead to increase the risk of adverse drug events. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of pharmacist intervention combining the criteria for detecting PIMs with the deprescribing algorithm on correcting PIMs, reducing the number of medications, and readmissions.

Methods

A prospective observational study was conducted at a Japanese University Hospital enrolling new inpatients aged ≥65 years prescribed ≥1 daily medication. Pharmacists detected PIMs based on the criteria combined the screening tool of older persons’ potentially inappropriate prescriptions criteria version 2 with the screening tool for older persons’ appropriate prescriptions for Japanese, examined changes using the deprescribing algorithm, and suggested changes to the physician. The proportion of patients whose number of medications was reduced at discharge and the rate of readmissions within 30 and 90 days were compared between patients without PIMs (without PIMs group), patients who were not suggested to change PIMs (no suggestions group), and patients who were suggested to change PIMs (suggested group).

Results

The study enrolled 544 patients (median age 75.0 years, 54.4% males, median number of medications 6.0/patient). The number of patients with PIMs was 240 (44.1%), and 304 patients had no PIMs (without PIMs group). Among the patients with PIMs, 125 (52.1%) patients received pharmacist suggestions to change ≥1 PIMs (suggested group), and 115 patients received no suggestions for change (no suggestions group). The total number of PIMs was 432, of which changes were suggested for 189 (43.8%). Of these 189 cases, 172 (91.0%) were changed. The proportion of patients whose number of medications was reduced was significantly higher in the suggested group than in the without PIMs group and the no suggestions group [56.8% (71/125) vs. 26.6% (81/304) and 19.1% (22/115), respectively; P < 0.001 in both comparisons]. There were no significant differences in the rates of readmissions within 30 and 90 days among the three groups.

Conclusions

Pharmacist intervention combining the criteria for detecting PIMs with the deprescribing algorithm was effective for correcting PIMs and may be associated with a reduction in the number of medications.
CD-19 CART therapy and orthostatic hypotension: a single center retrospective cohort study
Authors: Patel Ashish , Levenson Joshua , Huang Ziyu , Agha Mounzer , Dorritie Kathleen
Published: April 2022

Background

Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CART) therapy is a form of cellular immunotherapy used to treat hematologic malignancies. Major adverse cardiovascular events have been seen in CART patients who have high grade CRS, higher baseline creatinine, and troponin elevation. However, the incidence and factors associated with orthostatic hypotension after CART therapy have not previously been reported in the literature.

Methods

We looked at patients who underwent CD-19 directed CART therapy at UPMC Shadyside hospital from April 1st 2018 to December 1st 2020. Patients were classified as having orthostatic hypotension if they had recorded orthostatic vital signs that were positive or provider notes indicated that vitals had been taken and were positive in the time period from discharge to 3 months post-CART. Data was analyzed with univariate and multivariate analysis using logistic regression.

Results

79% of patients had orthostatic hypotension after discharge from their CART hospitalization and 64% of those patients were symptomatic. Older age, lower BMI, lower ambulatory diastolic blood pressure and grade 2 CRS were associated with orthostatic hypotension in the univariate analysis. Older age and lower ambulatory systolic blood pressure were associated with orthostatic hypotension in the multivariate analysis. Symptomatic orthostatic hypotension was associated with a history of hypertension in both the univariate and multivariate analysis. Patients with symptoms also had a higher pre-CART ejection fraction but this association was not seen in the regression model.

Conclusion

There is a high incidence of orthostatic hypotension after CART therapy even after discharge. Therefore, orthostatic vitals signs and associated symptoms should be assessed in both the inpatient and outpatient setting. Older patients and patients with lower BMIs, lower ambulatory blood pressures, grade 2 CRS, or a history of hypertension may need closer monitoring.
Association of inadequate energy intake on admission with activities of daily living at discharge in patients undergoing unplanned hemodialysis initiation: a retrospective case-series study
Authors: Yoshida Tomoko , Aoyama Togo , Morioka Yuko , Takeuchi Yasuo
Published: April 2022

Background

In a previous study, patients who underwent unplanned hemodialysis initiation did not have improved nutritional status and activities of daily living (ADL) at discharge compared with patients whose initiation of hemodialysis was planned. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the factors that delayed or made it difficult to improve nutritional status and ADL in patients undergoing unplanned hemodialysis initiation.

Methods

Participants were patients with end-stage kidney disease who experienced unplanned initiation of new maintenance hemodialysis between April 2017 and March 2020. Patients were divided into two groups: a group who required assistance with ADL at discharge (assistance group) and a group who did not require assistance (independence group). Patient characteristics, nutritional management, and blood tests data obtained from medical records were retrospectively analyzed using univariate and multivariate analyses.

Results

In total, 95 patients who experienced unplanned dialysis initiation were included in the analysis. Of these, 55 (58%) patients were in the assistance group and 40 (42%) were in the independence group. The assistance group was significantly older than the independence group and contained significantly fewer male patients. In the assistance group, energy intake on admission and serum albumin at discharge were significantly lower, and C-reactive protein was significantly higher, than in the independence group. The multivariate analysis showed that age, sex, and energy intake on admission were associated with requirement for assistance with ADL at discharge.

Conclusions

Inadequate energy intake on admission was associated with requirement for assistance with ADL at discharge for patients who experienced unplanned hemodialysis initiation. This suggests that active nutritional management from the time of admission could reduce the requirement for assistance with ADL and could increase independence.
The in vitro effect of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol on whole blood viscosity, elasticity and membrane integrity
Authors: James Tameika R. , Richards Andrea A. , Lowe Dwight A. , Reid Walton A. , Watson Charah T. , Pepple Dagogo J.
Published: April 2022

Background

The main biological activities of cannabis are due to the presence of several compounds known as cannabinoids. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are two of the main cannabinoids. Studies have shown that the effects of THC can be modulated by CBD.

Objective

This study aims to look at the effect of different concentrations of THC and CBD separately and in combination, on blood viscosity, elasticity and membrane integrity.

Methods

Blood samples were collected from twenty-four healthy adult non-smokers. Blood viscosity and elasticity were determined using the Vilastic Scientific Bioprofiler for different concentrations (0, 2.5, 25, 50 and 100 ng/ml) of CBD and THC respectively, as well as in extracts with combinations of CBD and THC in 4:1 and 1:1 ratios respectively. Repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine the difference between the means of the groups.

Results

Blood viscosity increased significantly with increasing concentrations of both THC and CBD from 25 ng/ml up to 100 ng/ml ranging from 6.45 ± 0.36 mPa·s to 11.60 ± 1.12 mPa·s for THC and ranging from 5.46 ± 0.24 mPa·s to 9.91 ± 1.10 mPa·s for CBD respectively, being more pronounced in the extracts at 21.33 ± 2.17 mPa·s for the 4THC:1CBD extract and 21.76 ± 1.88 mPa·s for the 1THC:1CBD extract. There was no significant increase in elasticity for THC and CBD separately. However, a significant increase in elasticity was observed in the extracts. THC and CBD affected red cell morphology resulting in complete disintegration at the highest concentrations.

Conclusions

THC and CBD increased red blood cell viscosity and elasticity separately and in combination. They also adversely affected membrane integrity.
Green waste recycling of peanuts highly contaminated with aflatoxins in clay brick manufacturing
Authors: El-Mekkawi Samar A. , Sebaei Ahmed Salem , Amin Shereen Kamel
Published: April 2022

Background

The safe disposal of green waste is necessary for a clean environment, with the safe disposal of waste contaminated with aflatoxins being of particular importance. This work presents a novel route for utilizing contaminated grains in the production of clay bricks. In this work, the contaminated peanut (P) with aflatoxins (AFs) is divided into two categories: PA is the contaminated peanut kernel (without the outer shell), and PB is contaminated whole peanut grain (with the outer shell). Both of ground PA and PB were used to replace the clay in fired building bricks. The raw materials were characterized using X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and thermo-gravimetric analyses (TGA). The effectiveness of this approach was evaluated by measuring the effect of the replacement percentage and firing temperature on the properties of the produced building bricks.

Results

The optimization of the process parameters was performed using central composite design as a tool in the response surface methodology. The ANOVA analysis of the predicted quadratic model elucidated significant models’ terms and adequate precision that emphasizes the applicability of the model to navigate the design space. The results revealed that the optimum conditions are 6% clay replacement and 725 °C firing temperature, resulting in a compressive strength of 109.85 kg cm−2 for clay bricks with PA and 126.33 kg cm−2 for clay bricks with PB.

Conclusions

The objective of clay replacement by the contaminated peanut is not to improve the clay brick properties but to perform safe disposal of the accumulated contaminated peanut without deviating from the standards. The design of experiment using response surface method enables studying the effect of several factors on the clay brick properties simultaneously. Subsequently, this approach elucidates a sustainable route for accumulated contaminated green peanut waste disposal as the other alternatives have realized risks.
Evaluation of volumetric breast density as a risk factor for breast carcinoma in pre- and postmenopausal women, its association with hormone receptor status and breast carcinoma subtypes defined by histology and tumor markers
Authors: Singh Neha , Joshi Pranjali , Gupta Anurag , Marak James R. , Singh Deepak K.
Published: April 2022

Background

Mammographic breast density is acknowledged as an independent risk factor for breast cancer. Its association with different pathological types and tumors markers is still under evaluation. This study aims to assess the associations of volumetric density grades (VDG) with breast cancer risk in premenopausal and postmenopausal age groups separately. We also aim to assess the association of VDG with hormone receptor status and breast cancer subtypes defined by histology and tumor markers (ER, PR, Her 2-neu and Ki 67).

Results

This retrospective study was done with inclusion of two comparable groups of 185 breast cancer cases and 244 healthy controls. These groups were further divided into pre‑ and postmenopausal subgroups. Mammograms of the cases and controls were evaluated by fully automated volumetric breast density software-VOLPARA and classified into four VDG. The hormone receptor status and breast cancer subtypes defined by histological features and tumor markers in the various VDG were also evaluated. The risk of developing carcinoma was significantly higher in women with high-density breasts (VDG-c + VDG-d) as compared with low-density breasts (VDG-a + VDG-b) in both premenopausal and postmenopausal subgroups. No significant difference was seen in the histopathological characteristics of breast cancer among various VDG.

Conclusions

Our study suggests positive association between high VDG and risk of cancer in both premenopausal and postmenopausal group of Indian women. The hormone receptor status and breast cancer subtypes defined by histology and tumor markers did not reveal any relation to the grades of breast density.
Tripartite relationship between FDI, trade openness and economic growth amidst global economic crisis in Nigeria: application of combined cointegration and augmented ARDL analysis
Authors: Okere Kingsley Ikechukwu , Muoneke Obumneke Bob , Onuoha Favour Chidinma , Omoke Philip C.
Published: April 2022

There is general consensuses among scholars on the importance of international trade and foreign direct investment as a main macroeconomic variables that drive economic growth of developing countries. However, the global economic crisis plays dominant role in determining the movement of these macroeconomic variables that can change the nomenclature of economic activities in relation with trade and FDI inflow. For this purpose, this study investigates the relationship between trade openness, FDI inflow and economic growth of Nigeria by accounting for the effects of global economic crisis of 2007–2008 and commodity crisis of 2016 using Bayer and Hanck (in J Time Ser Anal 34(1):83–95, 2013) approach to cointegration and augmented autoregressive distributed lag (AARDL) method on time series data from 1982 to 2018. The results provide evidence that (1) global economic crisis significantly dampens economic growth. (2) The negative interaction of total trade, FDI and global financial economic crisis is substantive enough to dampen the trade-growth and FDI-growth led relationship. (3) The negative interaction of FDI-inflow with global economic crisis is more pronounced and substantive in the long run than the short run. This study recommends for policy option positioned towards escalating specific fiscal measure that should provide a sound legislative rules and reductions in taxes for international investors; stimulus measures targeting measures to control public spending, which had previously fuelled economic expansion.
Vertebral destruction in an 11-month-old child with spinal tuberculosis: a case report and review of literature
Authors: Leos-Leija Ana Karen , Padilla-Medina José Ramón , Reyes-Fernández Pedro Martín , Peña-Martínez Víctor M. , Montes-Tapia Fernando Félix , Castillo-Bejarano José I.
Published: April 2022

Background

The incidence of tuberculosis is increasing especially in endemic countries. Spinal tuberculosis represents nearly the 50% of reported cases of skeletal tuberculosis. This is the youngest case of spinal tubercular disease that has been reported. The objective of this report is to describe a spinal tuberculosis case in an infant in thoracic spine, in order to show the importance of early diagnosis in this population, to limit the progression of this highly destructive disease and reduce the severe sequelae that this disease is associated.

Case presentation

An 11-month-old infant previously healthy born in the northeast Mexico. Physical examination revealed a mass lesion in the dorsal region, fixed to deep planes, indurated. Neurological examination found Frankel C paraparesis showing muscle strength 2/5 on the Lovett scale in both lower extremities, anal reflex present, and preserved sensitivity.

In the magnetic resonance of the spine, hyperintensities in the vertebral bodies of D6-D9 were observed in the T2 with destruction of the D7 and D8 bodies. A thoracotomy was performed with total mass resection with corpectomy of vertebrae D7 and D8, medullary decompression, and placement of fibula allograft between vertebrae D6 and D9. In the histopathological sample, a chronic granulomatous inflammatory process associated with acid-fast bacilli was observed, in addition to presenting a positive result in quantitative real-time PCR GeneXpert MTB/RIF sensitive to rifampicin. Twelve months later, he presented 5/5 muscular strength, without alterations in sensitivity, in addition to presenting ambulation onset at 18 months of age.

Conclusion

The spinal tuberculosis is a disease that occurs in endemic countries. A prompt diagnosis is necessary to limit the progression of a highly destructive disease. In addition, the fact of presenting at an early age produces hard making decisions for the adequate treatment of the disease and reduces the adverse effects of these procedures.
Adapting the residual dense network for seismic data denoising and upscaling
Authors: Wang Rongqian , Zhang Ruixuan , Bao Chenglong , Qiu Lingyun , Yang Dinghui
Published: April 2022

In seismic field acquisition, some of the measurements that are intended to be recorded are lost due to excessive noise contamination or because we are unable to occupy the required source or receiver locations. When these issues are severe, the missing data can cause images to be suboptimal. To enhance seismic data, deep learning has been used to perform denoising and data interpolation tasks, but it has rarely been used for both tasks in a unified framework. We have developed a modified residual dense network (RDN), a deep neural network for simultaneously removing noise and interpolating missing data. In addition, we augment the training data by varying source wavelets and constructing negative copied samples. After training, the modified RDN provides a one-stop solution for denoising and interpolation. To validate our approach, we test the modified RDN for random/coherent noise removal and regularly/irregularly subsampled seismic data interpolation. Compared with the benchmark methods, our approach can significantly improve performance in synthetic data (at least 2.41 in signal-to-noise ratio) and reduce undesired artifacts in marine field data.
Forward calculation of 3D controlled-source electromagnetic responses based on joint application of secondary field and coupled potential formulations
Authors: Tang Wenwu , Chen Weizheng , Deng Juzhi , Huang Qinghua
Published: April 2022

In the traditional framework of 3D controlled-source electromagnetic (CSEM) modeling, either the field formulation or the coupled potential formulation is implemented. We have developed an improved algorithm that can calculate the 3D CSEM responses based on a joint application of the secondary field and secondary coupled potential formulations. The vector finite-element method is implemented for the discretization of the curl-curl equation of the secondary field. The vector and nodal elements are implemented simultaneously for the discretization of the coupled potential formulation. We use the stiffness matrix resulting from the coupled potential formulation to construct an efficient preconditioner, which is used for the solution of the linear system of equations obtained based on the secondary field formulation. The linear system of the equations could be solved efficiently by the quasiminimum residual method within several hundred iterations with the constructed preconditioner. We compare different modeling schemes to calculate the CSEM responses for a horizontally layered earth model excited by an electric dipole and find that the iteration process of the improved algorithm converges faster on average than other modeling schemes for the frequency band considered. Thus, the least computation time can be obtained over the frequency band for the improved algorithm compared with other modeling schemes, with the same level of accuracy reached. We further verify the efficiency of the algorithm through a small-scale 3D earth model excited by a magnetic dipole. Finally, we illustrate the performance of the algorithm with two 3D subsurface models, including a land-based model and a marine disk model. By comparison with published work, it is illustrated that our algorithm can efficiently calculate accurate land-based and marine CSEM responses with the new constructed preconditioner implemented.
Updates in the Management of Relapsed and Refractory Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: An Urgent Plea for New Treatments Is Being Answered!
Authors: DuVall Adam S. , Sheade Jori , Anderson Daniela , Yates Samuel J. , Stock Wendy
Published: April 2022

The treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) has dramatically changed over the past three decades. However, relapsed and/or refractory ALL still remains with a very low survival and high morbidity associated with its treatment. Here, we will review the outstanding progress that has been made in the treatment of relapsed and/or refractory ALL and discuss future directions and challenges that require further investigation.
Trends in Type 1 Diabetic Ketoacidosis During COVID-19 Surges at 7 US Centers: Highest Burden on non-Hispanic Black Patients
Authors: Lavik Andrew R , Ebekozien Osagie , Noor Nudrat , Alonso G Todd , Polsky Sarit , Blackman Scott M , Chen Justin , Corathers Sarah D , Demeterco-Berggren Carla , Gallagher Mary Pat , Greenfield Margaret , Garrity Ashley , Rompicherla Saketh , Rapaport Robert , Yayah Jones Nana-Hawa
Published: April 2022

Context

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on individuals with type 1 diabetes remains poorly defined.

Objective

We examined United States trends in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) among individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D) during the COVID-19 pandemic at 7 large US medical centers and factors associated with these trends.

Methods

We compared DKA events among children and adults with T1D during COVID-19 surge 1 (March-May 2020) and COVID-19 surge 2 (August-October 2020) to the same periods in 2019. Analysis was performed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests.

Results

We found no difference in the absolute number of T1D patients experiencing DKA in 2019 vs 2020. However, a higher proportion of non-Hispanic Black (NHB) individuals experienced DKA in 2019 than non-Hispanic White (NHW) individuals (44.6% vs 16.0%; P < .001), and this disparity persisted during the COVID-19 pandemic (48.6% vs 18.6%; P < .001). DKA was less common among patients on continuous glucose monitor (CGM) or insulin pump in 2020 compared to 2019 (CGM: 13.2% vs 15.0%, P < .001; insulin pump: 8.0% vs 10.6%, P < .001). In contrast to annual DKA totals, a higher proportion of patients had DKA during COVID-19 surges 1 and 2 compared to the same months in 2019 (surge 1: 7.1% vs 5.4%, P < .001; surge 2: 6.6% vs 5.7%, P = .001).

Conclusion

DKA frequency increased among T1D patients during COVID-19 surges with highest frequency among NHB patients. DKA was less common among patients using CGM or insulin pumps. These findings highlight the urgent need for improved strategies to prevent DKA among patients with T1D—not only under pandemic conditions, but under all conditions—especially among populations most affected by health inequities.
Settler Garrison
Authors: Kim Jodi
Published: April 2022

In Settler Garrison Jodi Kim theorizes how the United States extends its sovereignty across Asia and the Pacific in the post-World War II era through a militarist settler imperialism that is leveraged on debt as a manifold economic and cultural relation undergirded by asymmetries of power. Kim demonstrates that despite being the largest debtor nation in the world, the United States positions itself as an imperial creditor that imposes financial and affective indebtedness alongside a disciplinary payback temporality even as it evades repayment of its own debts. This debt imperialism is violently reproduced in juridically ambiguous spaces Kim calls the “settler garrison”: a colonial archipelago of distinct yet linked military camptowns, bases, POW camps, and unincorporated territories situated across the Pacific from South Korea to Okinawa to Guam. Kim reveals this process through an analysis of how a wide array of transpacific cultural productions creates antimilitarist and decolonial imaginaries that diagnose US militarist settler imperialism while envisioning alternatives to it.
Safe Electromyography Stimulation Thresholds Within Kambin's Triangle During Endoscopic Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion
Authors: Li Yingda , Wang Michael Y.
Published: April 2022

BACKGROUND:

Transforaminal endoscopic approaches through Kambin's triangle traditionally require surgery to be performed without general anesthesia to allow live patient feedback. No reliable intraoperative neuromonitoring method specific to the dorsal root ganglion (DRG), the structure most at risk during this approach, currently exists.

OBJECTIVE:

To correlate evoked electromyography (EMG) thresholds within Kambin's triangle with new postoperative pain or sensorimotor symptoms potentially resulting from DRG irritation.

METHODS:

Data were prospectively collected for all patients undergoing endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) under general anesthesia at a single institution. A stimulation probe was inserted into Kambin's triangle under fluoroscopic and robotic guidance, before passage of endoscopic instruments. EMG thresholds required to elicit corresponding myotomal responses were measured. Postoperatively, any potential manifestations of DRG irritation were recorded.

RESULTS:

Twenty-four patients underwent a total of 34 transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion levels during the study period, with symptoms of potential DRG irritation occurring in 5. The incidence of new onset symptoms increased with lower stimulation thresholds. Sensitivities for EMG thresholds of ≤4, ≤8, and ≤11 mA were 0.6, 0.8, and 1, respectively. Corresponding specificities were 0.90, 0.69, and 0.55, respectively.

CONCLUSION:

We demonstrated for the first time the feasibility of direct intraoperative neuromonitoring within Kambin's triangle in transforaminal endoscopic surgery. Eight milliampere seems to be a reasonable compromise between sensitivity and specificity for this monitoring technique. In the future, larger-scale studies are required to refine safe stimulation thresholds.
Inhibition of activin A receptor signalling attenuates age-related pathological cardiac remodelling
Authors: Clavere Nicolas G. , Alqallaf Ali , Rostron Kerry A. , Parnell Andrew , Mitchell Robert , Patel Ketan , Boateng Samuel Y.
Published: April 2022

In the heart, ageing is associated with DNA damage, oxidative stress, fibrosis and activation of the activin signalling pathway, leading to cardiac dysfunction. The cardiac effects of activin signalling blockade in progeria are unknown. This study investigated the cardiac effects of progeria induced by attenuated levels of Ercc1, which is required for DNA excision and repair, and the impact of activin signalling blockade using a soluble activin receptor type IIB (sActRIIB). DNA damage and oxidative stress were significantly increased in Ercc1Δ/− hearts, but were reduced by sActRIIB treatment. sActRIIB treatment improved cardiac systolic function and induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in Ercc1Δ/− hearts. RNA-sequencing analysis showed that in Ercc1Δ/− hearts, there was an increase in pro-oxidant and a decrease in antioxidant gene expression, whereas sActRIIB treatment reversed this effect. Ercc1Δ/− hearts also expressed higher levels of anti-hypertrophic genes and decreased levels of pro-hypertrophic ones, which were also reversed by sActRIIB treatment. These results show for the first time that inhibition of activin A receptor signalling attenuates cardiac dysfunction, pathological tissue remodelling and gene expression in Ercc1-deficient mice and presents a potentially novel therapeutic target for heart diseases.
Metastasectomy or Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy With or Without Systemic Therapy for Oligometastatic Esophagogastric Cancer
Authors: Kroese Tiuri E. , Buijs George S. , Burger Matthijs D. L. , Ruurda Jelle P. , Mook Stella , Brosens Lodewijk A. A. , van Rossum Peter S. N. , van Hillegersberg Richard
Published: April 2022

Background

The primary goal of this study was to determine overall survival (OS) in patients who underwent local treatment (metastasectomy or stereotactic body radiotherapy [SBRT]) or systemic therapy (chemotherapy or targeted therapy) for oligometastatic esophagogastric cancer. The secondary goal was to determine prognostic factors for OS.

Methods

Patients with synchronous or metachronous oligometastatic esophagogastric cancer who underwent local treatment or systemic therapy were included in this single-center, retrospective cohort study. Oligometastatic disease (OMD) included 1 organ or 1 extraregional lymph node station with ≤ 3 lesions. OS was determined after OMD detection. Treatment for OMD was categorized as (1) local treatment, (2) local plus systemic, (3) systemic therapy. The primary tumor was controlled after resection or definitive chemoradiotherapy.

Results

In total, 85 patients were included. Treatment for OMD was local treatment (58%), local plus systemic (14%), or systemic therapy (28%). The primary tumor was controlled in 68% of patients. Most patients were diagnosed with distal esophageal cancer (61%), with adenocarcinoma histology (76%), and presented with synchronous OMD (51%). OS after local treatment was 17 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 12–40), after local plus systemic therapy 35 months (95% CI 29–NA), and after systemic therapy 16 months (95% CI 11–NA). Better OS was independently associated with local plus systemic compared with local treatment (hazard ratio [HR] 2.11, 95% CI 1.05–5.07) or systemic therapy (HR 2.28, 95% CI 1.04–6.07).

Conclusions

Local plus systemic therapy for oligometastatic esophagogastric cancer was independently associated with improved OS and better OS compared with either systemic therapy or local treatment.
Toward the Chemical Syntheses of Fucosylated Peptides: A Combination of Protecting Groups for the Hydroxy Groups of Fucose
Authors: Asahina Yuya , Ando Tatsuya , Hojo Hironobu
Published: April 2022

A combination of protecting groups for the hydroxy groups of fucose is presented. Notably, this combination enables the synthesis of glycopeptides containing acid-sensitive fucose. The relationship between the design of the protecting groups for the alcohols of fucose and the acid stability of the fucosidic linkage is elucidated. The hydrolysis of pseudo-glycopeptides incorporating various fucose-alcohol-protecting groups is investigated in a trifluoroacetic acid cocktail. The nature of the protecting group significantly affected the acid stability of the fucosidic bond, with a combination of 4-methylbenzyl and levulinoyl groups offering optimal protection of the fucosidic bond. These protecting groups were employed to realize the practical synthesis of glycopeptides containing fucose. To demonstrate the usefulness of this protecting group combination, a model octapeptide was synthesized by 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl solid-phase peptide synthesis. The decomposition of the fucosidic linkage during the final deprotection of solid-phase peptide synthesis was prevented, yielding the desired fucosylated peptide. Finally, the remaining levulinoyl group was removed by hydrazine under neutral conditions to give the fully deprotected glycopeptide.
The genome sequence of the flounced rustic, Luperina testacea (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775)
Authors: Broad Gavin R. ,   Natural History Museum Genome Acquisition Lab,   Darwin Tree of Life Barcoding collective,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life programme,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: DNA Pipelines collective,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: April 2022

We present a genome assembly from an individual male Luperina testacea (the flounced rustic; Arthropoda; Insecta; Lepidoptera; Noctuidae). The genome sequence is 601 megabases in span. The majority of the assembly (99.98%) is scaffolded into 31 chromosomal pseudomolecules, with the Z sex chromosome assembled. The mitochondrial genome was also assembled, and is 15.3 kilobases in length.
The genome sequence of the Clifden nonpareil, Catocala fraxini (Linnaeus, 1758)
Authors: Boyes Douglas , Holland Peter W.H. ,   University of Oxford and Wytham Woods Genome Acquisition Lab,   Darwin Tree of Life Barcoding collective,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life programme,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: DNA Pipelines collective,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: April 2022

We present a genome assembly from an individual male Catocala fraxini (the Clifden nonpareil; Arthropoda; Insecta; Lepidoptera; Erebidae). The genome sequence is 781 megabases in span. The majority of the assembly (99.99%) is scaffolded into 31 chromosomal pseudomolecules, with the Z sex chromosome assembled. The mitochondrial genome was also assembled, and is 15.6 kilobases in length.
Warsztat twórczy jako przestrzeń podnoszenia dobrostanu. Pedagogiczne implikacje teorii szczęścia
Authors: Florczykiewicz Janina
Published: April 2022

Przedmiotem podjętych rozważań jest dobrostan i jego pedagogiczne implikacje. Problematyka ta lokuje się w obszarze rozważań nad trwałością dobrostanu. Nieliczne istniejące dowody empiryczne uzasadniają potrzebę prowadzenia dalszych poszukiwań. Celem badań było ustalenie, czy metoda warsztatu twórczego przy kreacji plastycznej inicjuje zmiany dobrostanu. Odwołano się do modelu ilościowo-jakościowego. Przeprowadzono eksperyment pedagogiczny według planu jednogrupowego z dwoma pomiarami pretest-posttest. Zmienną eksperymentalną był warsztat twórczy. Do oceny zmian dobrostanu posłużono się Skalą Dobrostanu, będącą częścią Wielowymiarowego Kwestionariusza Osobowości (MPQ). Analizom jakościowym poddano wypowiedzi uczestników warsztatu twórczego. Wykazano, że warsztat twórczy wpływa na podniesienie poziomu dobrostanu – średnia z badania posttest jest wyższa od średniej pretestu, a różnica jest istotna statystycznie (p < .05). Wynik ten koresponduje z wcześniejszymi badaniami, w których potwierdzono wzrost dobrostanu po programie warsztatów twórczych. Pozwala to na stwierdzenie, że metoda warsztatu twórczego jest skuteczna w realizacji celów związanych z podwyższaniem subiektywnego odczucia bycia szczęśliwym.
Predyspozycje mediacyjne kandydatów na mediatorów rówieśniczych w wieku 11–13 lat
Authors: Duda Anna , Mróz Anna , Mądry-Kupiec Małgorzata , Zawisza-Wilk Ewa , Skrzypek Wioletta , Koperna Paulina
Published: April 2022

Rola mediatora rówieśniczego jest wymagająca zarówno pod względem emocjonalnym, jak i intelektualnym dla ucznia, który się jej podejmuje. Konieczne zatem wydaje się diagnozowanie dzieci i młodzieży pod kątem posiadanych predyspozycji mediacyjnych. Autorki za pomocą autorskiego narzędzia, wyróżniając pięć podstawowych kategorii predyspozycji, poddały diagnozie uczniów szkół podstawowych w wieku 11–13 lat. Diagnoza predyspozycji służy przede wszystkim określeniu kierunku pracy z młodzieżą kandydującą do roli mediatorów i stanowi punkt wyjścia do rozwijania ich kompetencji mediacyjnych. Ponadto zebrane wyniki wskazują na mocne strony, jak i na deficyty w obszarach rozwojowych i poznawczych istotnych w kontekście mediacji. Analiza danych wskazała także na możliwe wystąpienie zależności między skutkami pandemii a obniżeniem się poziomu predyspozycji mediacyjnych, głównie umiejętności społecznych i emocjonalnych, które wymagają treningu umiejętności skutecznego nawiązywania relacji interpersonalnych.
GÉNERO, HUMOR E IRONÍA: LA SONRISA DE LA ESCRITORA
Authors: Martínez Lozano Consuelo Patricia
Published: April 2022

Este documento reflexiona en torno a tres aspectos en la obra de algunas mujeres escritoras y su relación con el sentido del humor como una construcción cultural y de género: 1) La presencia del humor y la ironía en la producción literaria de la escritora y filósofa mexicana Rosario Castellanos y de Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz. 2) La presencia o ausencia del sentido del humor en la producción de otras escritoras de diversas nacionalidades, estilos y épocas. 3) Finalmente, se desarrolla una breve disertación respecto al uso del humor y la ironía en la escritura femenina como una forma de transgresión y mecanismo de emancipación a través de una búsqueda de lo gozoso y placentero. Palabras claves: Género, humor, placer, escritura.
ATTUALITÀ FEMMINILE PREVISTA IN NOSTRA DEA, DI MASSIMO BONTEMPELLI
Authors: de Stasio Loreta
Published: April 2022

Nell’articolo si considera come il ritratto della donna manichino di Nostra Dea, l’opera teatrale più nota di Massimo Bontempelli, sia precursore del modo di rappresentare la figura femminile negli attuali mezzi di comunicazione di massa: e, in particolare nello spettacolo televisivo, nei video-clip e nella pubblicità. In Nostra Dea l’identità della protagonista è determinata dall’apparenza e dalla funzione del costume o dell’abbigliamento che indossa. Poiché ogni volta che cambia abito, Dea cambia personalità, il protagonista maschile, Vulcano, rimane spiazzato e confuso. L’opera qui viene esaminata come allegoria tragicomica della figura maschile e del suo impegno camuffato di controllo-dominio femminile — che si perpetra fino ai giorni nostri —, nonostante l’apparente apertura femminista del suo autore. Parole chiave: Donna-manichino, donna-oggetto, donnaspettacolo, donna-crisi, retorica della virilità.
“POI, DOPO L’ESODO, C’È IL TEMPO DELL’ESILIO: PIÙ CHE I CORPI RIGUARDA LE ANIME”. L’ESILIO COME PERENNE ESCLUSIONE NELLA SCRITTURA DAI MARGINI DI ANNA MARIA MORI
Authors: Zaccaro Vanna
Published: April 2022

“Poi, dopo l’esodo, c’è il tempo dell’esilio: più che i corpi riguarda le anime”. L’esilio come perenne esclusione, senso di disappartenenza, condizione ‘centrifuga’ nella scrittura dai ‘margini’ di Anna Maria Mori. Nata in Istria (2006): viaggio geografico, storico, esistenziale, memoriale alla\dalla\nella terra d’origine (viaggio che aveva già cominciato a raccontare in Bora) per ricostruire la propria identità. L’anima altrove (2012): la Mori affronta “quasi come una conclusione” il tema dell’esilio, ormai condizione dello spirito, luogo mentale. Parole chiave: Anna Maria Mori, esilio, scrittura dai margini, viaggio.
DESTEJIENDO EL CANON LITERARIO DEL CUENTO DE HADAS: METANARRACIÓN Y LESBOEROTISMO EN CUENTOS Y FÁBULAS DE LOLA VAN GUARDIA DE ISABEL FRANC
Authors: García Puente María
Published: April 2022

Este ensayo indaga en la aportación peninsular a la renovación del cuento de hadas literario en el siglo XXI y a su debate crítico a partir del análisis de la antología lésbica Cuentos y Fábulas de Lola Van Guardia (2008) de Isabel Franc. Esta revisión se presta a una interesante lectura metanarrativa sobre el potencial liberador de la reescritura y del (lesbo)erotismo femenino como armas para desestabilizar el orden patriarcal. Palabras claves: reescritura, cuentos de hadas, metanarración, lesboerotismo.
LA FIGURA DE ANA CASTILLO COMO REPRESENTANTE DE LA LITERATURA CHICANA FEMENINA
Authors: Juan Rubio Antonio Daniel , García Conesa Isabel María
Published: April 2022

Los escritores chicanos han logrado abrirse paso en los cánones literarios de los Estados Unidos. Entre ellos destacan autoras como Gloria Anzaldúa, Sandra Cisneros o Ana Castillo, entre muchos otros, quienes testimonian en sus obras la lucha de miles de latinos contra una cultura hegemónica que los menosprecia y en la que logran alcanzar el éxito. Y especialmente, Ana Castillo, quien defiende con denuedo la figura de la mujer chicana. Palabras claves: escritoras chicanas, literatura chicana, identidad chicana, Xicanisma.
LA ESCRITURA COMO MÉTODO DE REIVINDICACIÓN SOCIAL: EL CASO DE HEATHCLIFF EN WUTHERING HEIGHTS
Authors: Pérez Porras Ana
Published: April 2022

Emily Brontë retrata la realidad social del siglo XIX y demuestra su conocimiento jurídico en Wuthering Heights (1847). El propósito de este artículo es explicar el principal conflicto social de la novela: Heathcliff se rebela contra la sociedad capitalista y amparándose en el marco de la legalidad vigente logra apropiarse de las propiedades de la novela con el propósito de alcanzar el estatus social del que nunca ha disfrutado. Palabras claves: Trauma, Emily Brontë, Wuthering Heights, legal issues, Heathcliff, conflicto social
El derecho como laboratorio de saberes. Meditaciones sobre epistemología
Authors: Padilla Muñoz Andrea
Published: April 2022

Esta obra ilustra las diversas aproximaciones que surgen de otras formas de acercarse al conocimiento, a la vez que pone el acento en que, hoy por hoy, existen otros problemas desde la dogmática y lo social, pues el derecho es dinámico y no estático. Por ello, se han empezado a utilizar cada vez más métodos de las ciencias sociales, incluso de otras disciplinas, que enriquecen los hallazgos científicos y sus resultados e impactan en la sociedad. El libro plantea una aproximación epistemológica a la investigación jurídica desde una perspectiva teórica, e ilustra y se acerca a la realidad por medio de casos, ejemplos y análisis comparativo.
Changes to team autonomy in large-scale software development: a multiple case study of Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) implementations
Authors: Gustavsson Tomas , Berntzen Marthe , Stray Viktoria
Published: April 2022

Large-scale transformations of agile ways of working have received more attention in the industry in recent years. Some organizations have developed their own solutions for scaling, whereas many have chosen trademarked frameworks. In large-scale agile software development, many developers and development teams carry out work simultaneously. When autonomous teams need to coordinate toward a common goal, they must sacrifice some level of autonomy. Development, testing, and integrations need to be coordinated with other teams and aligned with an organization´s programs or portfolio. Through the conducting of 28 interviews and 17 on-site visits, this multiple case study explored how team autonomy changed in three agile software development organizations that implemented the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe). The positive changes to team autonomy that they experienced as a result included getting a better overview, making better long-term decisions, giving and receiving help, and signaling limitations. We found two negative impacts on team autonomy: limited feature choice and enforced refinement. The study extends previous research on large-scale agile software development and improves our understanding of impacts on team autonomy.
We have a platform, but nobody builds on it – what influences Platform-as-a-Service post-adoption?
Authors: Wulf Frederik , Westner Markus , Strahringer Susanne
Published: April 2022

When higher-level management of a company has strategically decided to adopt Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) as a Cloud Computing (CC) delivery model, decision-makers at lower hierarchy levels still need to decide whether they want to post-adopt PaaS for building or running an information system (IS) – a decision that numerous companies are currently facing. This research analyzes the influential factors of this managerial post-adoption decision on the IS-level. A survey of 168 business and Information Technology (IT) professionals investigated the influential factors of this PaaS post-adoption decision. The results show that decision-makers’ perceptions of risks inhibit post-adoption. Vendor trust and trialability reduce these perceived risks. While competitive pressure increases perceived benefits, it does not significantly influence PaaS post-adoption. Controversially, security and privacy, cost savings, and top management support do not influence post-adoption, as opposed to findings on company-level adoption. Subsamples constructed by the form of post-adoptive use (migration of IS, enhancement of IS, new IS development) exhibit better goodness-of-fit measures than the full sample. Future research should explore this interrelation of the form of post-adoptive use and the post-adoption influence factors.
Excessive Mobile Use and Family-Work Conflict: A Resource Drain Theory Approach to Examine Their Effects on Productivity and Well-Being
Authors: Magni Massimo , Ahuja Manju K. , Trombini Chiara
Published: April 2022

Given the pervasiveness of mobile technologies, it is important for organizations to gain a better understanding of the potential benefits and unexpected negative consequences of mobile use. Recent research outlined that 76% of employees in the United States handled work-related e-mails during nonwork time, and this phenomenon has been further amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic, which emphasized the pivotal role of constant connectivity and distributed work arrangements. Our research aims at providing a better understanding of why individuals engage in excessive use of mobile devices for work purposes during nonwork time and to elucidate the effects of such behavior. Our results show that investing time and energy in family demands during work time reduces individuals’ ability to fulfill job demands and leads to excessive mobile use during nonwork time. Such excessive use increases the individual perception productivity, but it comes at a cost in terms of physiological, psychological, and relational well-being because it prevents individuals to restore their energies. Our results show also that a competitive climate within the organization exacerbates such negative effects on well-being, thus elucidating the pivotal role of organizational policies and interventions in supporting a responsible use of mobile technologies.