bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exceptional Response to Pembrolizumab for Treatment of Metastatic Chemorefractory Endometrial Carcinoma in a Patient with Lynch Syndrome: A Case Report
Authors: Batman Samantha , Rauh-Hain J. Alejandro , Grinsfelder Michaela Onstad , Harrison Ross , Avila Monica , Cun Han , How Jeffrey Andrew , Tandon Nidhi , Wang Xiaohong , Hinchcliff Emily , Jazaeri Amir Anthony , Schmeler Kathleen M.
Published: April 2023

Advanced endometrial cancer is associated with poor outcomes and few treatment options exist. Recently, the US Federal Drug Administration approved pembrolizumab for the treatment of endometrial cancers that are deficient in mismatch repair and have high microsatellite instability (MSI). Lynch syndrome is an autosomal dominant disease that causes MSI-high endometrial cancer. We report a case of a 46-year-old woman with Lynch syndrome and advanced endometrial cancer who experienced progressive disease after treatment with chemotherapy with carboplatin and paclitaxel. She was then treated with single-agent pembrolizumab and had an exceptional response. She was noted to have a significant decrease in the size of a large uterine mass extending into the vagina and vulva, as well as decrease in the size of lymphadenopathy. Data are limited at this time for patients with Lynch syndrome treated with single-agent pembrolizumab. Our case report seeks to add to the body of literature that suggests that this patient population may particularly benefit from this novel therapy.
Robotic-Assisted Bronchoscopy Integrated with Three-Dimensional Fluoroscopy for Sampling Bilateral Pulmonary Nodules in a Single Procedure
Authors: Yu Lee-Mateus Alejandra , Chandra Nikitha C. , Johnson Margaret M. , Abia-Trujillo David , Reisenauer Janani , Fernandez-Bussy Sebastian
Published: April 2023

Bronchoscopic biopsy of peripheral pulmonary nodules has evolved in recent years with the emergence of new technologies such as shape-sensing robotic-assisted bronchoscopy. The use of three-dimensional (3D) fluoroscopy for intraoperative visualization of the biopsy tool in relation to the target nodule aims to overcome computed tomography-to-body divergence encountered during the procedure and allows for more accurate sampling to improve adequacy and diagnostic performance. Until recently, the robotic-assisted navigation plan and 3D imaging function as separate systems. We present a case where intraoperative 3D fluoroscopy images were integrated to the robotic bronchoscopy navigation system, resulting in a single, dynamic, real-time 3D virtual plan showing readjusted paths toward the lesion displayed in the robotic bronchoscopy navigation system, allowing in this case, biopsying two bilateral pulmonary nodules, resulting in different diagnosis within the same endoscopic procedure.
Гостра непрохідність тонкої кишки. Деякі можливі напрямки оптимізації хірургічного лікування
Authors: Бенедикт В. В. , Продан А. М. , Багрій В. М.
Published: April 2023

Мета роботи: покращення результатів хірургічного лікування хворих на гостру непрохідність тонкої кишки шляхом оптимізації надання медичної допомоги в стаціонарних умовах.

Матеріали і методи. Проведено комплексне клінічне, інструментальне і лабораторне обстеження 221 хворих на гостру непрохідність тонкої кишки. Визначали індекс коморбідності, ступінь компенсації функціонального стану пацієнта і операційно-анестезіологічний індекс за шкалою ASA.

Результати досліджень та їх обговорення. Використання запропонованого комплексу хірургічної допомоги під час операції і медикаментозної корекції моторики травного каналу після операції дозволило прискорити відновлення моторно-евакуаторної функції шлунка, кишечника після різних типів хірургічного лікування на 2–3 доби, перейти на ентеральне харчування в ранньому післяопераційному періоді, зменшити кількість гнійно-септичних ранових та респіраторних ускладнень і знизити терміни стаціонарного лікування хворих майже на 5 діб. Для підвищення ефективності хірургічного лікування є раннє відновлення моторики тонкої кишки із застосуванням есенціальних фосфоліпідів, антиоксидантів, енергетичних донаторів, препаратів кальцію або його антагоністів залежно від характеру перистальтики в післяопераційному періоді.
Структурні зміни в серці, легенях та нирках при перитоніті у тварин із метаболічним синдромом
Authors: Малевич Н. М. , Дацко Т. В.
Published: April 2023

Мета роботи: встановити особливості морфологічних змін внутрішніх органів при метаболічному синдромі на фоні перитоніту в експерименті.

Матеріали і методи. Дослідження проведено на 16 статевозрілих нелінійних білих щурах-самцях. Гострий поширений перитоніт моделювали шляхом введення 10 % профільтрованої калової суспензії у черевну порожнину в дозі 0,5 мл на 100 г маси тварини за Лазаренком В. А. і співавт. (2008). Самців щурів контрольної групи годували звичайною дієтою. Щурів-самців основ­ної групи (n=8) годували дієтою з високим вмістом жиру (понад 60 % енергії від жирів) впродовж 16 тижнів. Гістологічні зрізи готували на роторному мікротомі Amos AMR-400 товщиною 3–5 мкм (не менше двох зрізів на кожне гістологічне скло), забарвлювали гематоксиліном та еозином. Проводили дослідження та фотореєстрацію препаратів за допомогою мікроскопа Eclipse Ci-E (Японія) з цифровою фотокамерою Sigeta M3CMOS 14000 при різних збільшення х100, х200, х400.

Результати досліджень та їх обговорення. У тварин із метаболічним синдромом при моделюванні перитоніту в ранні періоди візуалізувалися виражені (прогресуючі та наростаючі) структурні зміни у міокарді та легенях, які проявляються дистрофічними, дистрофічно-некротичними змінами, запальною інфільтрацією строми та гострими прогресуючими розладами кровообігу порівняно із тваринами без метаболічного синдрому. Менш вразливими у наших дослідженнях виявились нирки тварин, структурні прояви в яких аналогічні як у тварин без метаболічного синдрому.
Health changes during Covid-19: a nationwide study with dental students
Authors: Poly Ane , Lopes Laísa Inara Gracindo , Câmara João Victor Frazão , Barreto Suelem Chasse , Pereira Gisele Damiana da Silveira
Published: April 2023

OBJECTIVE: To assess the changes in stress levels, social behavior, dietary and parafunctional habits, oral hygiene, among other conditions perceived by dental students in Brazil during the Covid-19 pandemic and evaluated the correlations between stress level and other variables. METHODS: An online questionnaire was developed and validated. Undergraduates enrolled in private and public dental schools were recruited by convenience sampling. Data were collected on the perceived changes regarding stress levels, financial and social characteristics, dietary habits, oral hygiene, health conditions, and parafunctional habits. Quantitative variables were expressed as absolute and relative frequencies. Wilcoxon test evaluated comparisons between perceived changes, and correlations between changes in stress levels and other variables were analyzed by Spearman correlation (α = 0.05). RESULTS: A total of 638 dental students, mean age of 22.95 ± 4.10 years, participated in the study. During the pandemic, the reported stress levels increased while household income decreased (p < 0.05). Late dinners and mindless eating increased in frequency, whereas oral hygiene decreased (p < 0.05). Most of the health conditions and parafunctional habits assessed changed (p < 0.05). Perceived stress levels showed poor negative correlations with household income (rS = −0.14), poor positive correlations with the pressure to contribute financially in the household (rS = 0.19), and poor positive correlations with food choice frequency (rS = 0.15) (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Dental students reported perceived changes in stress levels, dietary habits, oral hygiene, health conditions, parafunctional habits, and social behavior. Moreover, the results showed poor correlations, as students with higher stress levels tended to have the lowest household income, feel pressured to contribute financially in the household, and present a high meal intake frequency.
Perspective: Hepatocyte-Directed Base Editing as Novel Treatment for Human Dyslipidemia—Current Status and Remaining Challenges
Authors: Hoekstra Menno , Van Eck Miranda , Van Berkel Theo J.C.
Published: April 2023

Hyperlipidemia is a major risk factor for the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Lipid-lowering drug therapies therefore still form the heart of the ongoing battle against the occurrence of cardiovascular events. However, in light of the important improvements in gene interference and editing that have been made during the last 2 decades, gene therapy—the genetic modification of cells to produce a permanent therapeutic effect—is currently employed to relief hypercholesterolemic subjects from their potential (chronic) cardiovascular disease burden. In this perspective, we review the current status regarding hepatocyte-directed base editing to treat human dyslipidemia and provide suggestions for further technological improvement.
CTSS Modulates Stress-Related Carotid Artery Thrombosis in a Mouse FeCl
3
Model
Authors: Xu Shengnan , Piao Limei , Wan Ying , Huang Zhe , Meng Xiangkun , Inoue Aiko , Wang Hailong , Yue Xueling , Jin Xianglan , Shi Guo-Ping , Kuzuya Masafumi , Cheng Xian Wu
Published: April 2023

Background:

Exposure to chronic psychological stress is a risk factor for metabolic cardiovascular disease. Given the important role of lysosomal CTSS (cathepsin S) in human pathobiology, we examined the role of CTSS in stress-related thrombosis, focusing on inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis.

Methods:

Six-week-old wild-type mice (CTSS

+/+

) and CTSS-deficient mice (CTSS
−/−
) randomly assigned to nonstress and 2-week immobilization stress groups underwent iron chloride3 (FeCl
3
)-induced carotid thrombosis surgery for morphological and biochemical studies.

Results:

On day 14 poststress/surgery, stress had increased the lengths and weights of thrombi in the CTSS

+/+

mice, plus harmful changes in the levels of PAI-1 (plasminogen activation inhibitor-1), ADAMTS13 (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin type 13 motifs), and vWF (von Willebrand factor) and arterial tissue CTSS expression. Compared to the nonstressed CTSS

+/+

mice, the stressed CTSS
−/−
mice had decreased levels of PAI-1, vWF, TNF (tumor necrosis factor)-α, interleukin-1β, toll-like receptor-4, cleaved-caspase 3, cytochrome
c
, p16
INK4A
, gp91
phox
, p22
phox
, ICAM-1 (intercellular adhesion molecule-1), MCP-1 (monocyte chemoattractant protein-1), MyD88 (myeloid differentiation primary response 88), and MMP (matrix metalloproteinase)-2/-9 and increased levels of ADAMTS13, SOD (superoxide dismutase)-1/-2, eNOS (endothelial NO synthase), p-Akt (phospho-protein kinase B), Bcl-2 (B-cell lymphoma-2), p-GSK3α/β (phospho-glycogen synthase kinases alpha and beta), and p-Erk1/2 (phospho-extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2) mRNAs and/or proteins. CTSS deletion also reduced the arterial thrombus area and endothelial loss. A pharmacological inhibition of CTSS exerted a vasculoprotective action. In vitro, CTSS silencing and overexpression, respectively, reduced and increased the stressed serum and oxidative stress–induced apoptosis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells, and they altered apoptosis-related proteins.

Conclusions:

CTSS inhibition appeared to improve the stress-related thrombosis in mice that underwent FeCl
3
-induction surgery, possibly by reducing vascular inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. CTSS could thus become a candidate therapeutic target for chronic psychological stress–related thrombotic events in metabolic cardiovascular disease.
Smooth Muscle Cell Klf4 Expression Is Not Required for Phenotype Modulation or Aneurysm Formation in Marfan Syndrome Mice—Brief Report
Authors: Pedroza Albert J. , Dalal Alex R. , Shad Rohan , Yokoyama Nobu , Nakamura Ken , Mitchel Olivia , Gilles Casey , Hiesinger William , Fischbein Michael P.
Published: April 2023

Background:

Smooth muscle cell (SMC) phenotypic reprogramming toward a mixed synthetic-proteolytic state is a central feature of aortic root aneurysm in Marfan syndrome (MFS). Previous work identified
Klf4
as a potential mediator of SMC plasticity in MFS.

Methods:

MFS (
Fbn1

C1041G/+

) mouse strains with an inducible vascular SMC fluorescent reporter (
MFS

SMC

) with or without SMC-specific deletion of
Klf4
exons 2 to 3 (
MFS

SMC-Klf4Δ

) were generated. Simultaneous SMC tracing and
Klf4
loss-of-function (
Klf4Δ
mice) was induced at 6 weeks of age. Aneurysm growth was assessed via serial echocardiography (4–24 weeks). Twenty-four-week-old mice were assessed via histology, RNA in situ hybridization, and aortic single-cell RNA sequencing.

Results:

MFS mice demonstrated progressive aortic root dilatation compared with control (WT
SMC
) mice regardless of
Klf4
genotype (
P
<0.001), but there was no difference in aneurysm growth in
MFS

SMC-Klf4Δ

versus
MFS

SMC

(
P
=0.884). Efficient SMC
Klf4
deletion was confirmed via lineage-stratified genotyping, RNA in situ hybridization, and immunohistochemistry. Single-cell RNA sequencing of traced SMCs revealed a highly similar pattern of phenotype modulation marked by loss of contractile markers (eg,
Myh11, Cnn1
) and heightened expression of matrix genes (eg,
Col1a1, Fn1
) between
Klf4
genotypes. Pseudotemporal quantitation of SMC dedifferentiation confirmed that
Klf4
deletion did not alter the global extent of phenotype modulation, but reduced expression of 23 genes during this phenotype transition in
MFS

SMC-Klf4Δ

mice, including multiple chondrogenic genes expressed by only the most severely dedifferentiated SMCs (eg,
Cytl1, Tnfrsf11b
).

Conclusions:

Klf4
is not required to initiate SMC phenotype modulation in MFS aneurysm but may exert regulatory control over chondrogenic genes expressed in highly dedifferentiated SMCs.
Intestinal Lymphatic Dysfunction in Kidney Disease
Authors: Zhong Jianyong , Kirabo Annet , Yang Hai-Chun , Fogo Agnes B. , Shelton Elaine L. , Kon Valentina
Published: April 2023

Kidney disease is associated with adverse consequences in many organs beyond the kidney, including the heart, lungs, brain, and intestines. The kidney-intestinal cross talk involves intestinal epithelial damage, dysbiosis, and generation of uremic toxins. Recent studies reveal that kidney injury expands the intestinal lymphatics, increases lymphatic flow, and alters the composition of mesenteric lymph. The intestinal lymphatics, like blood vessels, are a route for transporting potentially harmful substances generated by the intestines. The lymphatic architecture and actions are uniquely suited to take up and transport large macromolecules, functions that differentiate them from blood vessels, allowing them to play a distinct role in a variety of physiological and pathological processes. Here, we focus on the mechanisms by which kidney diseases result in deleterious changes in intestinal lymphatics and consider a novel paradigm of a vicious cycle of detrimental organ cross talk. This concept involves kidney injury–induced modulation of intestinal lymphatics that promotes production and distribution of harmful factors, which in turn contributes to disease progression in distant organ systems.
Lessons of Vascular Specialization From Secondary Lymphoid Organ Lymphatic Endothelial Cells
Authors: Arroz-Madeira Silvia , Bekkhus Tove , Ulvmar Maria H. , Petrova Tatiana V.
Published: April 2023

Secondary lymphoid organs, such as lymph nodes, harbor highly specialized and compartmentalized niches. These niches are optimized to facilitate the encounter of naive lymphocytes with antigens and antigen-presenting cells, enabling optimal generation of adaptive immune responses. Lymphatic vessels of lymphoid organs are uniquely specialized to perform a staggering variety of tasks. These include antigen presentation, directing the trafficking of immune cells but also modulating immune cell activation and providing factors for their survival. Recent studies have provided insights into the molecular basis of such specialization, opening avenues for better understanding the mechanisms of immune-vascular interactions and their applications. Such knowledge is essential for designing better treatments for human diseases given the central role of the immune system in infection, aging, tissue regeneration and repair. In addition, principles established in studies of lymphoid organ lymphatic vessel functions and organization may be applied to guide our understanding of specialization of vascular beds in other organs.
Effect of Chronic Digoxin Use on Mortality and Heart Failure Hospitalization in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Authors: Chang Kevin Y. , Giorgio Katherine , Schmitz Katlin , Walker Rob F. , Prins Kurt W. , Pritzker Marc R. , Archer Stephen L. , Lutsey Pamela L. , Thenappan Thenappan
Published: April 2023

Background

Digoxin acutely increases cardiac output in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and right ventricular failure; however, the effects of chronic digoxin use in PAH are unclear.

Methods and Results

Data from the Minnesota Pulmonary Hypertension Repository were used. The primary analysis used likelihood of digoxin prescription. The primary end point was a composite of all‐cause mortality or heart failure (HF) hospitalization. Secondary end points included all‐cause mortality, HF hospitalization, and transplant‐free survival. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards analyses determined the hazard ratios (HR) and 95% CIs for the primary and secondary end points. Among 205 patients with PAH in the repository, 32.7% (n=67) were on digoxin. Digoxin was more often prescribed to patients with severe PAH and right ventricular failure. After propensity score‐matching, 49 patients were digoxin users, and 70 patients were nonusers; of these 31 (63.3%) in the digoxin group and 41 (58.6%) in nondigoxin group met the primary end point during a median follow‐up time of 2.1 (0.6–5.0) years. Digoxin users had a higher combined all‐cause mortality or HF hospitalization (HR, 1.82 [95% CI, 1.11–2.99]), all‐cause mortality (HR, 1.92 [95% CI, 1.06–3.49]), HF hospitalization (HR, 1.89 [95% CI, 1.07–3.35]), and worse transplant‐free survival (HR, 2.00 [95% CI, 1.12–3.58]) even after adjusting for patient characteristics and severity of PAH and right ventricular failure.

Conclusions

In this retrospective, nonrandomized cohort, digoxin treatment was associated with greater all‐cause mortality and HF hospitalization, even after multivariate correction. Future randomized controlled trials should assess the safety and efficacy of chronic digoxin use in PAH.
Incident Atrial Fibrillation and Risk of Dementia in a Diverse, Community‐Based Population
Authors: Bansal Nisha , Zelnick Leila R. , An Jaejin , Harrison Teresa N. , Lee Ming‐Sum , Singer Daniel E. , Fan Dongjie , Go Alan S.
Published: April 2023

Background

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common, clinically relevant arrhythmia in adults and associated with ischemic stroke and premature death. However, data are conflicting on whether AF is independently associated with risk of dementia, particularly in diverse populations.

Methods and Results

We identified all adults from 2 large integrated health care delivery systems between 2010 and 2017 and performed a 1:1 match of incident AF: no AF by age at index date, sex, estimated glomerular filtration rate category, and study site. Subsequent dementia was identified through previously validated diagnosis codes. Fine‐Gray subdistribution hazard models were used to examine the association of incident AF (versus no AF) with risk of incident dementia, adjusting for sociodemographics and comorbidity and accounting for competing risk of death. Subgroup analyses by age, sex, race, ethnicity, and chronic kidney disease status were also performed. Among 196 968 matched adults, mean (SD) age was 73.6 (11.3) years, with 44.8% women, and 72.3% White. Incidence rates (per 100 person‐years) for dementia over a median follow‐up of 3.3 (interquartile range, 1.7–5.4) years were 2.79 (95% CI, 2.72–2.85) and 2.04 (95% CI, 1.99–2.08) per 100 person‐years in persons with versus without incident AF, respectively. In adjusted models, incident AF was associated with a significantly greater risk of diagnosed dementia (subdistribution hazard ratio [sHR], 1.13 [95% CI, 1.09–1.16]). With additional adjustment for interim stroke events, the association of incident AF with dementia remained statistically significant (sHR, 1.10 [95% CI, 1.07–1.15]). Associations were stronger for age <65 (sHR, 1.65 [95% CI, 1.29–2.12]) versus ≥65 (sHR, 1.07 [95% CI, 1.03–1.10]) years (interaction
P
<0.001); and those without (sHR, 1.20 [95% CI, 1.14–1.26]) versus with chronic kidney disease (sHR, 1.06 [95% CI, 1.01–1.11]; interaction
P
<0.001). No meaningful differences were seen by sex, race, or ethnicity.

Conclusions

In a large, diverse community‐based cohort, incident AF was associated with a modestly increased risk of dementia that was more prominent in younger patients and those without chronic kidney disease but did not substantially vary across sex, race, or ethnicity. Further studies should delineate mechanisms underpinning these findings, which may inform use of AF therapies.
RCMR 280k: Refined Corpus for Move Recognition Based on PubMed Abstracts
Authors: Li Jie , Yu Gaihong , Zhang Zhixiong
Published: April 2023

Existing datasets for move recognition, such as PubMed 200k RCT, exhibit several problems that significantly impact recognition performance, especially for Background and Objective labels. In order to improve the move recognition performance, we introduce a method and construct a refined corpus based on PubMed, named RCMR 280k. This corpus comprises approximately 280,000 structured abstracts, totaling 3,386,008 sentences, each sentence is labeled with one of five categories: Background, Objective, Method, Result, or Conclusion. We also construct a subset of RCMR, named RCMR_RCT, corresponding to medical subdomain of RCTs. We conduct comparison experiments using our RCMR, RCMR_RCT with PubMed 380k and PubMed 200k RCT, respectively. The best results, obtained using the MSMBERT model, show that: (1) our RCMR outperforms PubMed 380k by 0.82%, while our RCMR_RCT outperforms PubMed 200k RCT by 9.35%; (2) compared with PubMed 380k, our corpus achieve better improvement on the Results and Conclusions categories, with average F1 performance improves 1% and 0.82%, respectively; (3) compared with PubMed 200k RCT, our corpus significantly improves the performance in the Background and Objective categories, with average F1 scores improves 28.31% and 37.22%, respectively. To the best of our knowledge, our RCMR is among the rarely high-quality, resource-rich refined PubMed corpora available. Our work in this paper has been applied in the SciAIEngine, which is openly accessible for researchers to conduct move recognition task.
Computing Process-Specific Constraints
Authors: Jardine Adam , Oakden Christopher
Published: April 2023

This squib demonstrates how process-specific constraints—in which related but distinct processes in a language can be subject to differing conditions—can be captured with Boolean monadic recursive schemes (BMRSs), a computational formalism for phonological analysis based in mathematical logic. We use the case study of pharyngeal harmony in Palestinian Arabic, which motivated a discussion between Davis (1995) and McCarthy (1997) about the relative advantages and drawbacks of rule-based and Optimality Theory frameworks. We show how BMRS grammars naturally capture process-specific constraints in a way comparable to OT, while still being more computationally restrictive.
Erik Hansen and the French School at Athens
Authors: Mulliez Dominique
Published: April 2023

The article analyses Erik Hansen’s long collaboration with the French School at Athens and, in particular, his contribution to the architectural study of the Siphnian Treasury and the Temple of Apollo at Delphi, and the methods he used in this work. It concludes with a brief portrait of the man himself.
Built Offering: On the Conception and Design of the Greek Temple
Authors: Wilson Jones Mark
Published: April 2023

The form of the Greek temple responded to multiple purposes, influences and concepts, although one of these, that of offering, deserves more attention than it has received to date. The fundamental status of offering for Greek religion and its societal expression resulted in sanctuaries being choc-a-bloc with all manner of dedications, some of which represented the finest displays of artistic merit, workmanship, materials and cost that could be afforded. Indeed, as is well known, much of the Greek art on view in modern museums originally had the status of offerings made for dedication in sanctuaries. While it is true that some scholars of religion have noted that temples too were offerings, amongst other things, the implications have generally gone unnoticed. After reviewing the various functions of temples, this essay identifies nuances of offering in their plan, size, elevation, architectural elements, ornamentation and quality. This helps us to appreciate temples as cultural manifestations akin to everything else in the sanctuaries. As works of architecture the form of the Greeks’ temples responded to multiple issues (construction, precedent, influences and so on), but now we can see how their visual treatment subtly and yet eloquently reflected their very nature.
Possible Syrian Influences on the Emergence of the Greek Monumental Temple
Authors: Kaasgaard Falb Ditte Zink
Published: April 2023

In this article, the Greek temple is set into a larger historical and cultural context, comparing it with Near Eastern and especially Syrian temples. The author argues that the Syrian temple in antis played a significant role in the development of the Greek prostyle temple. This is demonstrated by briefly highlighting the mostly overlooked aspects of Oriental or Syrian building traditions, which, in addition to other traditions in the Mediterranean, could have played an influential role in the conception of the Greek temple cella.
Temple Landscape: The Direct and the Latent Impact of Natural Environment upon Artificial Environs
Authors: Partida Elena C.
Published: April 2023

The dynamics of an ancient religious centre lies in the combination of architecture with the geophysical relief and natural setting, namely the manner in which a temple befits its natural surroundings. Paintings and etchings/lithographs help us follow the transformation of hieratic settings in the course of centuries. An intriguing juxtaposition is that of tree cult to the practical role of timber in ancient worksites, as revealed through building accounts and classical authors. Turning to ritual symbolism, we see vegetation lending its forms to works of sculpture. Yet, most impressive is the infiltration of tree prototypes and floral patterns in architecture, affecting not only decorative styles and orders but also the morphology of structural elements. The article’s last section involves landscape restoration/re-creation attempted by the replanting of ancient species. This was based on either ancient literary and epigraphic sources or laboratory analyses, namely botanical and pollen research. The results of these methods, however, do not always converge.
Euripides on the Ancient Cult of Apollo at Athens
Authors: Saporiti Marta
Published: April 2023

This paper uses the tragedies of Euripides as evidence for a reconsideration of the topography of the Athenian cults of Apollo, particularly Apollo Pythios, Hypoakraios, and Delphinios. Euripides’ references to these cults are generally well known among topographers of Athens, but they are typically considered only as disembodied quotations. However, reading and analysing the literary sources more deeply as unitary wholes can enrich and complicate the traditional debates about the topography of these cults.
The Religious Taxonomy of Attic Associations
Authors: Ammitzbøll Thomsen Christian
Published: April 2023

Judging from the epigraphic record, the first through third centuries BCE saw the rise of a large number of private cult associations throughout the Greek-speaking world. This was particularly true of Athens. Some associations, however, were more devout than others, at least according to modern historians who have seen in associations of eranistai groups of “venture capitalists” operating under a religious pretext. This paper challenges the traditional taxonomy of cult associations by way of a re-examination of the literary and epigraphic evidence and a comparison between eranistai and other cult associations, primarily thiasōtai and orgeōnes, with a specific focus on various aspects of organisation, membership, and activities in Hellenistic Athens.
The Great Goddess of Anatolia and her Greek Daughters: Late Bronze Age Origins in Rituals, Architecture, and Iconography
Authors: Carstens Anne Marie
Published: April 2023

This contribution focuses on the materialization of cults of the Anatolian goddess in her various guises. It offers a preliminary investigation of Late Bronze Age roots of later ritual practice in the major sanctuaries of the great goddess of western Anatolia and the Aegean Islands. Thus, it is an exploration of what Walter Burkert has called “eastern contexts of Greek culture, and Greek contexts of Anatolian culture”- in essence, a field study of the nature and transmission of cult tradition and the conservative power of ritual.
Camellia suddeeana (Theaceae), a new species from Thailand
Authors: ZHAO DONGWEI
Published: April 2023

Camellia suddeeana, a new species endemic to northern Thailand that was previously misidentified as C. tenii, is described and illustrated here. It is similar to C. szemaoensis and C. hainingii for sharing the subsessile flower with white petals and distinct styles, but can be distinguished from the former by its glabrous abaxial surface of the sepals, ovary and seeds, leaves without cork-warts and a different flowering period, and from the latter by leaves without cork-warts and the longer styles. Based on its morphology, C. suddeeana may be placed in C. sect. Heterogena or C. sect. Furfuracea according to the classifications proposed by Ming and Chang, respectively.
A new species of the rare monotypic genus Cyrtinoclerus Chapin from Borneo, with notes on Meprinogenus Kolibáč (Coleoptera: Thanerocleridae)
Authors: KOLIBÁČ JIŘÍ
Published: April 2023

Cyrtinoclerus sabahensis sp. nov. of the less diverse cleroid family Thanerocleridae is described from Borneo. The unique specimen was found in the Malaysian state of Sabah and represents the first collecting record of the genus in one hundred years. The new species is assigned to the hitherto monotypic genus Cyrtinoclerus Chapin, 1924, whose single species is known from a single specimen from Basilan, Philippines, with no subsequently collected specimens known to date. Cyrtinoclerus is distinct in its unique synapomorphies, namely the tarsi with formula 5-5-5 but tarsomeres 4 reduced in size, elytron depressed in basal third with distinct bulge, and seriate punctation of elytra. The genus is re-examined and again classified within Thanerocleridae. A systematic status of Cyrtinoclerus and its relative Meprinogenus Kolibáč, 1992, also known only from two just one-hundred-year-old specimens, is discussed and possible synonymy of the latter genus suggested. The family Thanerocleridae now comprises 38 extant species in eleven genera and four extinct Cretaceous genera and species found in Burmese and Charentese ambers. A phylogenetic analysis of all fifteen extinct and extant genera of Thanerocleridae based on 36 morphological characters is presented and updated key to the tribe Thaneroclerini provided.
Predictive Factors for Mortality Following Major Lower Extremity Amputation
Authors: Morton Claire , Rolle Nicholas , Shalini Sahoo  , Kaufman Miriam , Drucker Charles , Nagarsheth Khanjan
Published: April 2023

Background

Despite advances in techniques and care, major amputation bears a high risk for mortality. Previously identified factors associated with increased risk of mortality include amputation level, renal function, and pre-operative white cell count.

Methods

A single center retrospective chart review was conducted identifying patients who had undergone a major amputation. Chi-squared, t-testing, and Cox proportional hazard modeling were performed examining death at 6 months and 12 months.

Results

Factors associated with an increased risk of six-month mortality include age (OR 1.01-1.05, P < .001), sex (OR 1.08-3.24, P < .01), minority race (OR 1.18-18.19, P < .01), chronic kidney disease (OR 1.40-6.06, P < .001), and use of pressors at the induction of anesthesia for index amputation (OR 2.09-7.85, P < .000). Factors associated with increased risk of 12 month mortality were similar.

Discussion

Patients undergoing major amputation continue to suffer high mortality. Those patients who received their amputation under physiologically stressful conditions were more likely to die within 6 months. Reliably predicting six-month mortality can assist surgeons and patients in making appropriate care decisions.
Safety of the Trauma Quality Improvement Program Guideline for Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis in Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Ferenczy Allison M. , Strawn Daniel , Strawn Daniel , Johns Tracy , Parel Robert J. , Ashley Dennis W.
Published: April 2023

Background

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) Trauma Quality Improvement Program (TQIP) provides a guideline for when to initiate pharmacologic venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis in traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients. We hypothesized that implementation of the guideline would not result in progression in intracranial hemorrhage.

Methods

The TBI TQIP guideline was implemented at a Level I Trauma Center. Patients with a stable Computerized tomography (CT) of the brain were started on chemical prophylaxis per the Modified Berne-Norwood Criteria. CT scans before and after initiation of treatment were retrospectively reviewed by one board-certified radiologist to determine if there was progression of hemorrhage. Patients without a follow-up CT scan were evaluated for progression of bleed/neurologic deterioration by review of physician notes, nursing documentation, and Glasgow coma scale (GCS).

Results

From July 2017 to December 2020, 12,922 patients were admitted to the trauma service. A total of 552 of these patients had TBI and 269 met inclusion criteria. 55 patients had at least one CT of the brain after initiation of prophylaxis. None of these 55 patients had progression of hemorrhage. 214 patients did not have a CT of the brain after prophylaxis. Chart review showed that none of these patients had a clinical decline. Overall, there was no progression of hemorrhage in the 269 patients that met inclusion criteria.

Discussion

Initiation of the TQIP TBI VTE prophylaxis guideline was found to be safe with no progression of intracranial hemorrhage.
Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier Transform Infrared Mapping for the Identification of the Prescribed and Abnormal Ingredients of Herbal Powder Preparations
Authors: Zhong Linying , Xu Mingshan , Sun Suqin , Zhou Qun , Dong Ling , Chen Jianbo
Published: April 2023

Herbal powder preparations (HPPs) are common forms of traditional medicine made by blending the powder of two or more ingredients. The first step to ensure the safety and efficacy of HPPs is to confirm the prescribed ingredients and screen the abnormal ingredients. With the help of attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR FT-IR) imaging or mapping, the particles of different ingredients in an HPP sample can be measured individually. In this way, the overlapped absorption signals of different ingredients in the ATR FT-IR spectrum of the bulk sample can be isolated in the ATR FT-IR spectra of the microscopic particles, which leads to the substantial increase of the specificity and sensitivity of the infrared spectral identification method. The characteristic particles of each ingredient can be identified by the objective comparison of the microscopic ATR FT-IR spectra against the reference spectra based on the correlation coefficients. Since the ATR FT-IR imaging or mapping tests of HPPs are free of the separation preprocess, multiple organic and inorganic ingredients are able to be recognized by a single identification procedure simultaneously rather than by different separation and identification procedures. As an example, the ATR FT-IR mapping method was used in this research to successfully identify three prescribed ingredients and two abnormal ingredients in oral ulcer pulvis, which is a classic HPP for oral ulcer in traditional Chinese medicine. The results show the feasibility of the ATR FT-IR microspectroscopic identification method for the objective and simultaneous identification of the prescribed and abnormal ingredients of HPPs.
Development and Validation of the Privileged Social Class Attitudes Scale (PSCAS)
Authors: Case Amanda S. , Allan Blake A. , Murphy Patrick K. , Nikalje Ankita
Published: April 2023

The goal of the study was to develop a scale to assess the social class attitudinal profiles of people with social class privilege. Based on social class theory and other models of privileged identities, we generated an item pool reflecting different attitudinal profiles. In Study 1, exploratory factor analysis revealed a scale with four core social class attitude subscales (Social Class Prejudice, Acknowledgement, Awareness, and Action) and three additional scales reflecting independent social class constructs (Social Class Identity Centrality, Guilt, and Fortune). In Study 2, we found that the subscales fit together in a multifactor correlational model and established construct validity. However, the Action subscale surprisingly correlated positively with the Prejudice scale. Post hoc analyses revealed this correlation existed only for those high in just world beliefs. Taken together, the Privileged Social Class Attitudes Scale provides a new tool for investigating the attitudinal profiles of people with social class privilege.
An Empirical Comparison of a Traditional Strategy and Network Scale-Up Method for Prevalence Estimation of Child Trafficking in Sierra Leone
Authors: Yi Hui , Vincent Kyle , Okech David , Clay-Warner Jody , Li Jiacheng , Kawashima Tenshi , Edgemon Timothy G. , Aletraris Lydia , Hassan Konteh Fred
Published: April 2023

The goal of this paper is to compare a traditional survey method with the network scale-up method (NSUM) for the prevalence estimation of child trafficking in Sierra Leone in 2020. The traditional survey method involved a probability-based, stratified, and clustered multistage sampling design in which adult respondents in 3,070 households were interviewed about trafficking of children who reside in their household in three selected districts. This paper details the first attempt to estimate the prevalence of child trafficking using NSUM, which entailed questioning the same adult respondents about the trafficking-related activities of children in their personal networks. Findings and interpretation of these results are presented, along with implications and recommendations for future studies.
Why Do Music Students Attend Counseling? A Longitudinal Study of Reasons in One UK Conservatoire
Authors: Matei Raluca , Ginsborg Jane
Published: April 2023

Music students in tertiary education struggle with a range of health-related problems. We investigated students’ self-referrals for counseling at a UK conservatoire to explore trends in students’ attendance at counseling sessions over time and identify their reasons for seeking and continuing to attend counseling. We conducted a secondary analysis of data collected from 645 students by two in-house counselors at the conservatoire between 2000 and 2016. We obtained analogous data on all students registered during the same period for comparison and conducted nonparametric tests of association between the groups. A total of 645 students attended a mean of eight ( Mdn = 4) counseling sessions over the 16-year period: 63% were female, 79% were from the UK, and 72.5% were undergraduate students. The percentages of students attending counseling increased from 2 (1%) in 2000–2001 to 71 (13%) in 2015–2016. The presenting concerns of almost one in 10 students who sought counseling were related to self-esteem, self-confidence, ego strength, and coping ability. Their main reasons for continuing to attend counseling were also to do with self and identity, relationships, academic concerns, loss, abuse, and anxiety. Female students, postgraduate students, and those studying singing were most likely to attend counseling sessions.
Assessment and Conceptualization of Perceived Competence in Ice Hockey: A Scale Development and Validation Study
Authors: Pelletier Vincent Huard , Lemoyne Jean
Published: April 2023

Perceived competence plays a crucial role in establishing environments favorable to individual development in youth sport. As most assessment tools of perceived competence are not sport-specific, they have limited usefulness for sport practitioners and researchers. This study had two-fold aims: (i) to develop a perceived competence assessment tool specific to ice hockey; and (ii) to examine its factorial structure and internal consistency. We first developed an initial 29-item version of this ice hockey competence self-report scale, using a group of ice hockey stakeholders and sports science experts to develop the items and a pilot sample of 42 hockey players to confirm test-retest reliability. Finally, we validated the scale among a cohort of 770 adolescent ice hockey players ( M age = 14.78, SD = 1.60 years). Results from exploratory factor analysis (EFA) revealed that perceived competence in ice hockey was defined by six dimensions, with rejection of seven items. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) suggested that the 6-factor first order model was the best fit with the conceptualization of perceived competence in ice hockey (CFI = 0.938, RMSEA = 0.044). The final, 22-item questionnaire now provides a reliable and valid measure of perceived competence in hockey for adolescent participants. It has promise for evaluating future interventions aiming to foster young athletes’ perceived confidence through sport.
The Development of Latinx Youth Critical Consciousness in an Afterschool Program: Insights From Latinx Youth Critical Reflection and Critical Action Toward Educational Injustice
Authors: Casanova Carlos R.
Published: April 2023

The number of Latinx youth in after-school programs continues to rise, yet we know little about how urban after-school programs nurture the development of Latinx youth critical consciousness. This study draws on critical ethnographic research to explore the ways in which one after-school program developed low income Latinx youth critical consciousness. Using participatory observational data, this study examined praxis (critical reflection and critical action) between January 2016 and April 2019. The data revealed (a) Latinx youth critically reflected on educational injustice within multiple school settings, practices, and policies and (b) engaged in three types of critical action to challenge oppressive educational practices and policies. This research suggests the after-school program pedagogy and adult facilitator actions nurtured the development of Latinx youth critical consciousness. This study contributes to the out-of-school time youth development scholarship by highlighting the ways after-school programs afford Latinx youth with a transformative context to develop their critical consciousness.
Place Branding: A Systematic Literature Review and Future Research Agenda
Authors: Swain Swapnarag , Jebarajakirthy Charles , Sharma Bhuvanesh Kumar , Maseeh Haroon Iqbal , Agrawal Amee , Shah Jinal , Saha Raiswa
Published: April 2023

This study aims to systematically review the place branding literature and comprehensively synthesize the academic research in this domain. Accordingly, this study examines the development of place branding research over time in terms of years of publication, publication outlets, authorship, countries, methods, and theories adopted. Further, based on the literature synthesis, this review proposes a conceptual framework by integrating the antecedents, mediators and consequences reported in the place branding literature. This study also performs a lexicometric analysis to illustrate different themes of place branding research studied over time. Finally, this study identifies under-researched areas in place branding and provides directions to advance this research in terms of theory development, context, characteristics and methodology. Overall, this review contributes to the place branding literature and provides practical implications for destination marketers and policymakers in successfully implementing place branding strategies.
An Assessment of Prospect Theory in Tourism Decision-Making Research
Authors: Lin Gabrielle , Lin Michael S. , Song Haiyan
Published: April 2023

Prospect theory has been an essential theoretical foundation for behavioral economics, as recognized with the Nobel Prize in economic sciences in 2002. The growing interest in behavioral economics among tourism researchers necessitates a systematic assessment of prospect theory and its application in tourism research to critically examine the current status of tourism decision-making studies. This study therefore clarifies the theoretical background of prospect theory and analyzes 93 published studies to examine how prospect theory has performed in explaining tourism decision-making. The study also evaluates the application of prospect theory in tourism research and provides future research directions with respect to under-researched dimensions, reference points, dynamic decision-making processes, and the logical continuity and systemization of prospect theory.
Influence of acid concentration on thermomechanical, tensile and thermal properties of cyclized natural rubber
Authors: Jaratrotkamjorn Ruedee , Hayeemasae Nabil , Zakaria Zunaida , Masa Abdulhakim
Published: April 2023

Properties of cyclized natural rubbers (NR) with various degrees of cyclization (∼4-22%) were investigated in this study. Prior to compounding with rubber additives, the cyclized rubbers were initially prepared by dropping various concentrations of acid (5-30 wt%) to the NR latex, followed by coagulation and drying. The results revealed that the degree of cyclization increased with acid concentration. Increased ring structure formation in the modified NR tended to increase the torque difference during crosslinking, as the cyclic ring structures acted as steric hindrances. The crosslink density was found to decrease with increasing cyclization level due to the loss of active sites for crosslink formation, increasing swelling capability of the cyclized rubbers. The 100% and 300% moduli, tensile strength and extensibility of the NR reduced with increasing degree of cyclization due to a reduction of crosslink density. As a result of cyclic structure formation and a reduction of unsaturated double bonds in the NR, the stability of cyclized NR at elevated temperatures was improved over the pure NR, in a manner dependent on the level of cyclization. Single glass transition temperature was seen in the NR while two glass transition temperatures were noticed in the cyclized NR. The thermal stability of 22% cyclized NR was 50°C higher than that of the pure NR and the aging properties of the cyclized NRs were also greater mainly due to a reduction of unsaturated double bonds. This suggests that cyclized NR may find applications in products requiring thermal resistance.