bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
American Attitudes Toward COVID-19: More Trumpism Than Partisanship
Authors: Kaushal Neeraj , Lu Yao , Shapiro Robert Y. , So Jennifer
Published: September 2021

We investigate how support for President Donald Trump, beyond partisanship, guided Americans’ attitudes toward COVID-19. This speaks to not just how “Trumpism” and the Trump administration’s handling of the pandemic influenced public attitudes but to the larger issue of how Trump’s hold on voters within and beyond the Republican Party provides further evidence that leaders surpass the role of parties in influencing public opinion. Using longitudinal data with individual fixed-effects, we find that from the start of the pandemic, support for Trump above and beyond partisanship drove public attitudes capturing skepticism toward COVID-19, fears of personal vulnerability, compliance with public-safety measures, and viewing the pandemic in racist terms. Between March and August 2020, this gulf in attitudes between Trump voters and non-supporters, and between Republicans and Democrats, widened; the widening was more pronounced between Trump voters and non-supporters. Trump’s influence on Independents and non-voters also grew over the same period. While the use of terms like “China virus” was related to partisanship and support for Trump, we find an increase in awareness across groups that these terms were racist.
Study on screening performance and parameter optimization of vibrating-dewatering screen
Authors: Li Zhanfu , Jia Peiyu , Li Kunyuan , Tong Xin , Wu Zhihong
Published: September 2021

In this paper, the dewatering and screening process of vibrating-dewatering screen is studied by the combination of simulation test and physical experiment. The simulation model of dewatering screening process is established by the method of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and discrete element method (DEM). Subsequently, the screening efficiency and processing efficiency are defined as evaluating indexes for performance of dewatering and screening. Four parameters of amplitude, vibration frequency, vibrating direction angle and slope angle of screen surface are selected for single factor simulation test, and the variation of dewatering and screening performance under different parameters is obtained. Finally, the reliability of the simulation results is verified by the physical experiment platform, and significant factors affecting the evaluation index of the vibrating-dewatering screen parameters and the optimal parameter combination are obtained by orthogonal test.
Endovascular treatment of a giant renal artery aneurysm associated with an arteriovenous fistula: Report of a case and review of the literature
Authors: Pappas Georgios M , Sfyroeras George S , Krinos Nikolaos T , Theodosopoulos Ioannis T , Spiliopoulos Stavros , Brountzos Elias N , Geroulakos George
Published: September 2021

Renal artery aneurysm (RAA) concomitant with a renal arteriovenous fistula (RAVF) has been infrequently reported in the literature. We report a case of a 42-year-old man suffering from a giant RAA combined with a congenital high-flow RAVF. The contrast-enhanced CTA showed a 12.7-cm RAA synchronous with an RAVF between the right renal artery and a draining vein. After a comprehensive preoperative assessment, an endovascular approach was decided. Successful embolization was performed using an Amplatzer vascular Plug, and multiple coils. Completion angiogram demonstrated no flow into the RAA. The results of longterm follow-up demonstrate that endovascular techniques are safe and effective for the management of RAAs combined with high-flow RAVF.
Cervical cancer knowledge and screening uptake by marginalized population of women in inner-city Durban, South Africa: Insights into the need for increased health literacy
Authors: Ducray Jennifer F , Kell Colette M , Basdav Jyotika , Haffejee Firoza
Published: September 2021

Background:

Cervical cancer in South Africa accounts for 15.85% of all female cancers and 30.29% of African female cancers, resulting in over 5000 deaths annually. South Africa’s proposed move towards universal healthcare places emphasis on health promotion through education and screening, but there is little data on the baseline levels of knowledge and screening uptake regarding cervical cancer. This study explored the levels of knowledge and screening rates of cervical cancer among vulnerable women living in the inner-city of Durban, South Africa.

Methods:

A mixed-method study was conducted within the context of a Women’s Health outreach initiative. Data were collected from women attending the outreach ( n = 109), many of whom were from marginalized communities. A pre-intervention survey was used to collect the data. This was followed by cervical cancer education sessions and the opportunity for a free Pap smear.

Results:

Knowledge of cervical cancer was low (<25%) and only a third of the women had previously been screened. After the educational sessions, 64% of women ( n = 70) took advantage of the opportunity for Pap smears, with many expressing the need for wider cervical cancer education, screening centres and support groups. Only 20% of the Pap smears were normal ( n = 14). Half of the women tested positive for infections ( n = 36; 51.4%), and a small proportion ( n = 8; 11.4%) tested positive for human papilloma virus. Abnormal cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia (CIN1 and CIN 2) were also detected in this population ( n = 12; 17.1%).

Conclusion:

Cervical cancer knowledge and screening among vulnerable women in Durban, South Africa, is inadequate, especially considering the high levels of abnormality found in the Pap smears. Education drives, accompanied with the provision of free testing, are required. Community health outreach initiatives in collaboration with non-government organizations set in accessible locations could be a possible course of action.
Use of risk scores for predicting new atrial fibrillation after ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack—A systematic review
Authors: Kishore Amit K , Hossain Mohammad J , Cameron Alan , Dawson Jesse , Vail Andy , Smith Craig J
Published: September 2021

Background

Newly detected atrial fibrillation (NDAF) following an ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack is often paroxysmal in nature. While challenging to detect, extended electrocardiographic (ECG) monitoring is often used to identify NDAF which has resource implications. Prognostic risk scores have been derived which may stratify the risk of NDAF and inform patient selection for ECG monitoring approaches after ischemic stroke/transient ischemic attack.

Aim

The overall aim was to identify risk scores that were derived and/or validated to predict NDAF after ischemic stroke/transient ischemic attack and evaluate their performance.

Summary of review

A systematic literature review was undertaken in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement, with application of the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy-2 tool. Published studies, which derived and validated clinical risk scores in patients with ischemic stroke/transient ischemic attack, or externally validated an existing score to predict NDAF after ischemic stroke/transient ischemic attack, were considered and independently screened by two reviewers. Twenty-one studies involving 23 separate cohorts were analyzed from which 17 integer-based risk scores were identified. The overall frequency of NDAF was 9.7% (95% confidence intervals 8%–11.5%; I2 = 98%). The performance of the scores varied widely among derivation and validation cohorts (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) 0.54–0.94); scores derived from stroke cohorts (12 scores) appeared to perform better (AUC 0.7–0.94) than those derived from non-stroke cohorts (five scores; AUC 0.53–0.79). The scores also varied considerably in their complexity, ascertainment, component variables, participant characteristics, outcome definition, and ease of application limiting their generalizability and utility.

Conclusion

Overall, the risk scores identified performed variably in their discriminative ability and the utility of these scores to predict NDAF in clinical practice remains uncertain. Further studies are required using larger prospective cohorts and randomized control trials to evaluate the usefulness of such scores for clinical decision making and preventative intervention.
Mixed methods evaluation of the impact of the COVID-19 ICU remote-learning rehabilitation course for frontline health professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK
Authors: Corner Evelyn J , Zhang Xiaoxi , Van Willigen Zoe , Tatam Kate , Camilleri Matthew , Monkhouse Alex , Bear Danielle E , Hemsley Alex , Puthucheary Zudin , Rosenberg Alex , McRae Jackie , Harvey Alex , Ford Debbie , Firshman Penelope , Norris Meriel
Published: September 2021

Background

Optimising outcomes for critically ill patients with COVID-19 patients requires early interdisciplinary rehabilitation. As admission numbers soared through the pandemic, the redeployed workforce needed rapid, effective training to deliver these rehabilitation interventions.

Methods

The COVID-19 ICU Remote-Learning Rehab Course (CIRLC-rehab) is a one-day interdisciplinary course developed after the success of CIRLC-acute. The aim of CIRLC-rehab was to rapidly train healthcare professionals to deliver physical, nutritional and psychological rehabilitation strategies in the ICU/acute setting. The course used blended learning with interactive tutorials delivered by shielding critical care professionals. CIRLC-rehab was evaluated through a mixed-methods approach, including questionnaires, and follow-up semi-structured interviews to evaluate perceived impact on clinical practice. Quantitative data are reported as n (%) and means (SD). Inductive descriptive thematic analysis with methodological triangulation was used to analyse the qualitative data from the questionnaires and interviews.

Results

805 candidates completed CIRLC-rehab. 627 (78.8%) completed the post-course questionnaire. 95% ( n = 596) found CIRLC-rehab extremely or very useful and 96.0% ( n = 602) said they were very likely to recommend the course to colleagues. Overall confidence rose from 2.78/5 to 4.14/5. The course promoted holistic and humanised care, facilitated informal networks, promoted interdisciplinary working and equipped the candidates with practical rehabilitation strategies that they implemented into clinical practice.

Conclusion

This pragmatic solution to educating redeployed staff during a pandemic increased candidates’ confidence in the rehabilitation of critically ill patients. There was also evidence of modifications to clinical care utilising learning from the course that subjectively facilitated holistic and humanised rehabilitation, combined with the importance of recognising the humanity, of those working in ICU settings themselves. Whilst these data are self-reported, we believe that this work demonstrates the real-term benefits of remote, scalable and rapid educational delivery.
The role of gut mycobiome in health and diseases
Authors: Zhang Lin , Zhan Hui , Xu Wenye , Yan Shuai , Ng Siew C.
Published: September 2021

The gut microbiome comprised of microbes from multiple kingdoms, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Emerging evidence suggests that the intestinal fungi (the gut “mycobiome”) play an important role in host immunity and inflammation. Advances in next generation sequencing methods to study the fungi in fecal samples and mucosa tissues have expanded our understanding of gut fungi in intestinal homeostasis and systemic immunity in health and their contribution to different human diseases. In this review, the current status of gut mycobiome in health, early life, and different diseases including inflammatory bowel disease, colorectal cancer, and metabolic diseases were summarized.
Vaginal oligometastatic disease of colorectal primary: Report of a novel therapeutic approach
Authors: Ansari Sobiya , Liao Yixiang , Dewdney Summer , Wang Dian , Barry Parul
Published: September 2021

Vaginal oligometastatic disease of colorectal primary is a rare malignancy with few reported cases in the literature and no standardized treatment paradigm. We report on the definitive management of an unusual case of an elderly woman with the aforementioned disease. A 78-year-old African-American woman presented with vaginal spotting and was found to have a vaginal lesion. Final pathology was consistent with moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma of colorectal primary. Extensive work up, which included endoscopies, pathologic analyzes, and imaging workup, did not reveal a primary gastrointestinal malignancy. The patient underwent partial vaginectomy and final pathology once again confirmed moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma of colorectal primary (CDX 2 and CEA positive, ER/PR, and CK 7 negative) with negative margins. She went on to receive adjuvant concurrent chemoradiation with 5-FU based chemotherapy. She received 45 Gy in 25 fractions to the whole pelvis followed by an HDR brachytherapy boost to 12 Gy in two fractions. Unfortunately, 10 months after completing radiation, she was found to have adenocarcinoma arising from a hepatic flexure colon polyp on colonoscopy. She required definitive surgical resection and was staged as mpT3N0M1. She received 12 cycles of 5-FU and at 2-year follow-up was found to be disease free with no evidence of locoregional recurrence or distant metastatic disease. Continued long-term follow up is warranted.
Design of an international investigator-initiated study on MOdern Treatment of Inhibitor-positiVe pATiEnts with haemophilia A (MOTIVATE)
Authors: Escuriola Ettingshausen Carmen , Sidonio Robert F.
Published: September 2021

Background:

Inhibitor development is the most serious treatment-related complication of replacement coagulation factor VIII (FVIII) therapy for patients with haemophilia A. Immune tolerance induction (ITI), which involves intensive and prolonged treatment with plasma-derived or recombinant FVIII, is the only clinically proven strategy for eradication of inhibitors. The bispecific antibody emicizumab is approved for use in patients with and without inhibitors to prevent bleeding but does not eliminate inhibitors. MOTIVATE ( www.motivate-study.com ) aims to capture different approaches to the treatment and management of patients with haemophilia A and inhibitors, document current ITI approaches from real-world clinical experience, and evaluate the efficacy and safety of ITI, emicizumab prophylaxis and ITI with emicizumab prophylaxis.

Methods:

The investigator-initiated MOTIVATE study [ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04023019; EudraCT 2019-003427-38] will investigate in real-life clinical practice the management of patients with haemophilia A of any severity who have developed inhibitors to FVIII. All treatment is at the investigator’s discretion. The following treatment approaches will be evaluated: Group 1 – ITI with Nuwiq®, octanate® or wilate® and aPCC/rFVIIa if needed to treat bleeding episodes (BEs) or during surgery or for prophylaxis; Group 2 – ITI with Nuwiq®, octanate® or wilate® and emicizumab prophylaxis and aPCC/rFVIIa if needed to treat BEs or during surgery; Group 3 – routine prophylaxis with emicizumab, aPCC or rFVIIa without ITI and aPCC/rFVIIa if needed to treat BEs or during surgery. Patients will not be randomised to a treatment group and may change groups during the study.

Conclusions:

It is planned to enrol 120 patients who will be followed for up to 5 years. Optional sub-studies will explore factors that may influence ITI results as well as the impact of different treatment approaches on important aspects of patient health, including joint and bone health and the risk of thrombotic events.
Pathological analysis of periprosthetic soft tissue and modes of failure in revision total joint arthroplasty patients
Authors: Bettiol Patrick , Egan Alec , Cox Cameron , Wait Eric , Brindley George
Published: September 2021

Objectives:

Implant failure leading to revision total joint arthroplasty can occur through a variety of different mechanisms which are typically associated with a soft tissue response adjacent to the implant that provide insight into the underlying etiology of implant failure. The objective of this study was to elucidate mechanisms of implant failure as they relate to histological classification and findings of adjacent periprosthetic tissue.

Methods:

Histological analysis of soft tissue adjacent to the implant was performed in 99 patients with an average age of 64 years old and grouped into four categories based on the study conducted by Morawietz et al.: Type I (N = 47) Wear particle induced type Type II (N = 7) Infectious type Type III (N = 19) Combined type I and II Type IV (N = 26) Indeterminant type Modes of failure were categorized into five groupings based on the study conducted by Callies et al.: Instability (N = 35), Aseptic Loosening (N = 24), Hardware and/or Mechanical Failure (N = 15), Septic (N = 13), and Other failures (N = 12). We calculated odds ratios and conducted regression analysis to assess the relationship between modes of failure and histological findings as well as modes of failure and comorbidities.

Results:

Hardware/mechanical failure was independently correlated with histological findings of anucleate protein debris, histiocytes, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and synovitis. Furthermore, hardware/mechanical failure was independently correlated with osteosarcoma as a co-morbidity. Septic failure was associated with histological findings of Enterococcus, granulation tissue, and tissue necrosis as well as comorbidities of Crohn’s disease, deep venous thrombosis, lung disease, and rheumatoid arthritis. Infection was 5.8 times more likely to be associated with Type II histology. Aseptic loosening was associated with histologic findings of synovitis.

Conclusion:

Our findings support the existing literature on periprosthetic tissue analysis in revision total joint arthroplasty which may improve surgeon understanding of the patholophysiological mechanisms that contribute to implant failure and revision surgery.
Breast Cancer Research in Pakistan: A Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: Ahmad Shakil , Ur Rehman Shafiq , Iqbal Abid , Farooq Rai Khalid , Shahid Arslan , Ullah Muhammad Ikram
Published: September 2021

This study aimed to capture a clear picture of breast cancer research in Pakistan. It used bibliometric methods to investigate the status of breast cancer research in Pakistan. The data for this study were retrieved from the Web of Science database on 11-02-2021. Bibliometric parameters (publication and citation count, average citations per publication, h-index, impact factor, and journal quartile) for the purpose of evaluating authors/journals/organizations/countries were examined. It was found that till the filing of this bibliometric report, 1,605 research publications on breast cancer have been published by 7,774 authors, with averages of 0.206 documents per author, 4.84 authors per document, and 18.25 citations per documents. More than 72% of these publications were published between 2015 and 2020. Several local and international institutions were involved in funding these research publications. Furthermore, these publications have been cited 29,297 times, with an average of 18.25 citations per publication. On average, five authors have prepared a research study. International collaborations have been made with 88 countries around the world for this research. These results are encouraging but not in line with the rapid growth of breast cancer cases in Pakistan. There is a need for further attention and revisiting of the policy at the national level.
Shriram Transport Finance Corporation Ltd: Do Proxy Advisors Really Protect Non-promoters’ Interests?
Authors: Sinha Abhishek , Kerani Suresh
Published: September 2021

This case study demonstrates how agency cost type 2 may lead to a conflict of interest between the promoters and the financial institutions. Proxy advisory firms further the cause of shareholder activism by addressing the dissonance so caused. They advise shareholders on the stance to be taken at the time of voting on important resolutions to be discussed in the General Body Meeting. This research case study explores how proxy advisory firms are playing an important role in promoting the cause of shareholder activism in the Indian context. It examines the role of a few Indian proxy advisory firms in foiling the attempt of Shriram Transport Finance Company (STFC) to re-appoint an independent director. Shareholder activism is relatively a less explored topic in academic research, especially in India. The authors, through this case study, wish to address this gap. The phenomenon studied in the case pertains to increased attention now being paid to reports of proxy advisory firms. Citing low attendance track record of a director in previous meeting, two Indian proxy advisory firms appealed to financial institutions to oppose the resolution to re-appoint him. Questioning his commitment and ability to devote time to the company affairs, they succeeded in thwarting the attempt of STFC to re-nominate Puneet Bhatia as director. The dilemma addressed in the case pertains to whether attendance in meeting can be a sole criterion for removing an independent director from the board. Secondary research among leading business publications unearthed major developments that have been captured in the case study. The case contributes to increasing the awareness of growing role of proxy advisory firms in India through a real example.
A Framework for Transforming Indian Sports Goods Manufacturing Industry
Authors: Kumar Shailendra , Suhaib Mohd , Asjad Mohammad
Published: September 2021

The Indian manufacturing industry is gradually adopting the sustainable productivity-oriented processes of the fourth industrial revolution (4IR), but the sports goods manufacturing (SGM) sector has lagged far behind. In India, the city of Meerut is one of the hubs of SGM, providing about 25,000 direct jobs and exporting goods worth around ₹4.86 billion (~US$75 million). The thousands of mini, micro and small household manufacturing units of the Meerut sports goods manufacturing (MSGM) cluster widely operate with the centuries-old labour-intensive manufacturing practices. MSGM cluster has a vast untapped potential to increase productivity, quality and sustainability of processes. To remain relevant in this competitive era, a transformation of the sports goods manufacturing industry (SGMI) is the need of the hour. For this, the requirement for an integrated transformational framework capable of transforming the processes of the manufacturing cluster from its current state to intelligent manufacturing is felt. It will help the SGMI sustain and uplift its workforce’s employability, income and living standards. This transformation also invites the other allied industries to operate in the cluster, generating employment and business opportunities. In Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL)-based analysis of the MSGM cluster, cause–effect relations among eleven prevalent transformational challenges are deduced. From both prominence ranking and cause–effect relations for the eleven prevalent transformational challenges, ‘management’s willingness’, ‘government support system’, and ‘awareness and clear understanding of benefits (ROI)’ are observed among the prominent factors to be overcome. A transformational framework for SGMI from its present state to the I4.0 state is proposed. The study and proposed scalable framework with causal relationships will serve as a road map and tool for the smooth and effective transformation of the SGMI cluster.
A Case of Hypophysitis Following Immunization With the mRNA-1273 SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine
Authors: Murvelashvili Natia , Tessnow Alex
Published: September 2021

The emergence of a novel coronavirus and global pandemic raised the need for the rapid development of new vaccines to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with Covid-19. Common side effects of these vaccines such as myalgia, arthralgia, nausea, fatigue, and injection site reaction are usually self-resolving. Recognition of other potential adverse effects of these novel vaccines is important due to their rapid and widespread distribution. We report a case of a 51-year-old man admitted to Parkland Memorial Hospital with headache, nausea, vomiting, malaise, and diffuse arthralgias 3 days after he received his second mRNA-1273 SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. He was found to have hyponatremia and a low serum cortisol level. Further workup revealed hypopituitarism with central hypothyroidism, hypogonadism, and a subnormal response to cosyntropin. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a diffusely enlarged pituitary gland consistent with acute hypophysitis. The patient responded well to glucocorticoid and thyroid hormone supplementation and was discharged after 2 days in the hospital. This is the first reported case of hypopituitarism potentially associated with Covid-19 immunization.
Adductor Muscle Injuries in UEFA Soccer Athletes: A Matched-Cohort Analysis of Injury Rate, Return to Play, and Player Performance From 2000 to 2015
Authors: Lavoie-Gagne Ophelie , Mehta Nabil , Patel Sumit , Cohn Matthew R. , Forlenza Enrico , Nwachukwu Benedict U. , Forsythe Brian
Published: September 2021

Background:

The effects of adductor muscle injury on performance in soccer athletes are unknown.

Purpose:

To (1) determine the rate and time to return to play (RTP) after adductor muscle injury, (2) investigate the rate of reinjury after RTP, and (3) investigate any long-term effects of injury on elite soccer player performance.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

Using publicly available records, athletes sustaining adductor muscle injury were identified across the 5 major European soccer leagues (English Premier League, Bundesliga, La Liga, Ligue 1, and Serie A) between 2000 and 2015. Injured athletes were matched to controls by demographic characteristics and performance metrics from 1 season before the index timepoint. Investigations included the rate of RTP, reinjuries, player characteristics associated with RTP within 2 seasons, player availability, field time, and performance metrics during the 4 seasons after injury.

Results:

A total of 671 players with adductor muscle injury were included. Based on time to RTP, 86% of injuries were mild to moderate (4-28 days missed), and 4% required surgical intervention. Players with adductor muscle injury were absent for a median of 22 days (range, 1-700 days) and 4 games (range, 1-76 games). A total of 521 (78%) players returned at the same level, with no demographic or clinical characteristics associated with RTP on the multivariable regression. Of those returning to play, 143 (21%) experienced adductor reinjury. After RTP, defenders demonstrated decreased field time compared with controls ( P < .05). As compared with controls, defenders and midfielders scored more points and goals per game during the season of the injury ( P < .01), while attackers recorded more goals and assists per game the season after injury ( P < .05).

Conclusion:

Only 3 in 4 players (78%) returned to participate in an official match, and the reinjury rate was high (21%). After RTP, defenders demonstrated decreased field time versus controls. On the other hand, defenders and midfielders recorded more points and goals per game, while attackers recorded more goals and assists per game versus controls. Although the multivariable analysis results did not identify player characteristics associated with RTP, there was a position-dependent association on player performance after RTP.
Do Room Acoustics Affect the Amplitude of Sound-Field Auditory Steady-State Responses?
Authors: Zapata-Rodriguez Valentina , Laugesen Søren , Jeong Cheol-Ho , Brunskog Jonas , Harte James
Published: September 2021

The sound-field auditory steady-state response (ASSR) is a promising measure for the objective validation of hearing-aid fitting in patients who are unable to respond to behavioral testing reliably. To record the sound-field ASSR, the stimulus is reproduced through a loudspeaker placed in front of the patient. However, the reverberation and background noise of the measurement room could reduce the stimulus modulation used for eliciting the ASSR. As the ASSR level is heavily dependent on the stimulus modulation, any reduction due to room acoustics could affect the clinical viability of sound-field ASSR testing. This study investigated the effect of room acoustics on the level and detection rate of sound-field ASSR. The study also analyzed whether early decay time and an auditory-inspired relative modulation power model could be used to predict the changes in the recorded ASSR in rooms. A monaural auralization approach was used to measure sound-field ASSR via insert earphones. ASSR was measured for 15 normal-hearing adult subjects using narrow-band CE-Chirps® centered at the octave bands of 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz. These stimuli were convolved with simulated impulse responses of three rooms inspired by audiological testing rooms. The results showed a significant reduction of the ASSR level for the room conditions compared with the reference anechoic condition. Despite this reduction, the detection rates for the first harmonics of the ASSR were unaffected when sufficiently long recordings (up to 6 min) were made. Furthermore, the early decay time and relative modulation power appear to be useful predictors of the ASSR level in the measurement rooms.
Balancing with Jokowi’s Characteristics: A Neoclassical Realism Approach to Indonesia’s Foreign and Security Policies in the South China Sea
Authors: Arif Muhamad
Published: September 2021

The objectives of this article are twofold. First, it seeks to posit Jokowi’s foreign and security policies in the broader historical context of Indonesian foreign and security policymaking. Throughout history, Indonesia’s responses to its external environment, as manifested in its foreign and security policies, have been significantly influenced by a range of domestic factors including leaders’ personality and his/her attitude to international politics. Building upon the historical observation, this article seeks to understand Jokowi’s foreign and security policies in the South China Sea using a neoclassical realism framework. It argues that there has been a shift in Indonesia’s approach to the South China Sea problem, characterised by a more active and pragmatic diplomacy and a more assertive approach to territorial integrity. Both components, however, are not deterministic products of external threats as predicted by neorealist theories. Instead, they are influenced by Jokowi’s personality, attitude towards foreign and security policy and preoccupation of his administration with the domestic agenda.
Rethinking South Asian Media Historiography: Excavating Princely India’s Media Cultures with Reference to Jammu and Kashmir State
Authors: Parray Imran , Saeed Saima
Published: September 2021

This article, while attempting to rethink the media historiography of South Asia, traces the early origins of press systems in princely India. Focusing on Jammu and Kashmir state, it offers an assessment of socio-political and historical factors which contributed to the trajectory of growth of the press in the state while tracing its relationship with the princely politics, indigenous politico-religious movements, and the British colonial state vis-a-vis an emerging colonial public. The larger aim of the article is to shift focus to media cultures of princely India and bring them onto the centre stage of postcolonial historiography. We argue that such a study of the press systems—which existed in princely states but have hitherto remained a neglected subject—will not only complement the current understanding of postcolonial media studies but substantially offer an alternative reading of the dominant discourse within postcolonial studies. The article maps the webs of patronages, loyalities, struggles and resistance that marked the coming of the periodical press in the state and how they differently shaped its practices, aspirations and outcomes.
A Magic Bullet: Bullet Embolism From the Heart to the Femoral Artery
Authors: Chen Michael A.
Published: September 2021

A case study a patient who was emergently evaluated with an intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography after suffering a gunshot wound to the back is provided. This diagnostic examination revealed a left atrium to aorta fistula, due to the path of the bullet through the body. Immediate postoperative imaging with computed tomography revealed that the bullet had embolized to the left femoral artery from which it was later surgically removed. This rare clinical phenomenon of bullet embolization, involving the heart and associated vasculature, is reviewed.
JMML tumor cells disrupt normal hematopoietic stem cells by imposing inflammatory stress through overproduction of IL-1β
Authors: Yan Yuhan , Dong Lei , Chen Chao , Bunting Kevin D. , Li Qianjin , Stieglitz Elliot , Loh Mignon L. , Qu Cheng-Kui
Published: September 2021

Development of normal blood cells is often suppressed in juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML), a myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) of childhood, causing complications and impacting therapeutic outcomes. However, the mechanism underlying this phenomenon remains uncharacterized. To address this question, we induced the most common mutation identified in JMML (Ptpn11E76K) specifically in the myeloid lineage with hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) spared. These mice uniformly developed a JMML-like MPN. Importantly, HSCs in the same bone marrow (BM) microenvironment were aberrantly activated and differentiated at the expense of self-renewal. As a result, HSCs lost quiescence and became exhausted. A similar result was observed in wild-type (WT) donor HSCs when co-transplanted with Ptpn11E76K/+ BM cells into WT mice. Co-culture testing demonstrated that JMML/MPN cells robustly accelerated differentiation in mouse and human normal hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells. Cytokine profiling revealed that Ptpn11E76K/+ MPN cells produced excessive IL-1β, but not IL-6, T NF-α, IFN-γ, IL-1α, or other inflammatory cytokines. Depletion of the IL-1β receptor effectively restored HSC quiescence, normalized their pool size, and rescued them from exhaustion in Ptpn11E76K/+/IL-1R−/− double mutant mice. These findings suggest IL-1β signaling as a potential therapeutic target for preserving normal hematopoietic development in JMML.
Overexpression of GINS4 is associated with poor prognosis and survival in glioma patients
Authors: Liu Binfeng , Liu Zhendong , Wang Yanbiao , Lian Xiaoyu , Han Zhibin , Cheng Xingbo , Zhu Yongjie , Liu Runze , Zhao Yaoye , Gao Yanzheng
Published: September 2021

Background

GINS4, an indispensable component of the GINS complex, is vital for a variety of cancer. However, no known empirical research has focused on exploring relationships between GINS4 and glioma. Thus, this study aims to understand and explain the role of GINS4 in glioma.

Method

First, we used the data in the CGGA, TCGA, GEO, GEPIA, and HPA databases to explore the expression level of GINS4 in glioma, the correlation between GINS4 expression and the clinical features of glioma, its impact on the survival of glioma patients, and verified the analysis results through RT-qPCR, IHC, and meta-analysis. Subsequently, GSEA enrichment analysis is used to find the potential molecular mechanism of GINS4 to promote the malignant process of glioma and the anti-glioma drugs that may target GINS4 screened by CMap analysis. Moreover, we further explored the influence of the GINS4 expression on the immune microenvironment of glioma patients through the TIMER database.

Results

Our results suggested that GINS4 was elevated in glioma, and the overexpression of GINS4 was connected with a vast number of clinical features. The next, GINS4 as an independent prognostic factor, which can result in an unfavorable prognosis of glioma. Once more, GINS4 may be participating in the oncogenesis of glioma through JAK-STAT signaling pathways, etc. 6-thioguanine, Doxazosin, and Emetine had potential value in the clinical application of drugs targeting GINS4. Finally, the expression exhibited a close relationship with some immune cells, especially Dendritic cells.

Conclusion

GINS4 is an independent prognostic factor that led to a poor prognosis of glioma. The present study revealed the probable underlying molecular mechanisms of GINS4 in glioma and provided a potential target for improving the prognosis of glioma.
Leveraging high-resolution 7-tesla MRI to derive quantitative metrics for the trigeminal nerve and subnuclei of limbic structures in trigeminal neuralgia
Authors: Alper Judy , Seifert Alan C. , Verma Gaurav , Huang Kuang-Han , Jacob Yael , Al Qadi Ameen , Rutland John W. , Patel Sheetal , Bederson Joshua , Shrivastava Raj K. , Delman Bradley N. , Balchandani Priti
Published: September 2021

Background

Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN) is a chronic neurological disease that is strongly associated with neurovascular compression (NVC) of the trigeminal nerve near its root entry zone. The trigeminal nerve at the site of NVC has been extensively studied but limbic structures that are potentially involved in TN have not been adequately characterized. Specifically, the hippocampus is a stress-sensitive region which may be structurally impacted by chronic TN pain. As the center of the emotion-related network, the amygdala is closely related to stress regulation and may be associated with TN pain as well. The thalamus, which is involved in the trigeminal sensory pathway and nociception, may play a role in pain processing of TN. The objective of this study was to assess structural alterations in the trigeminal nerve and subregions of the hippocampus, amygdala, and thalamus in TN patients using ultra-high field MRI and examine quantitative differences in these structures compared with healthy controls.

Methods

Thirteen TN patients and 13 matched controls were scanned at 7-Tesla MRI with high resolution, T1-weighted imaging. Nerve cross sectional area (CSA) was measured and an automated algorithm was used to segment hippocampal, amygdaloid, and thalamic subregions. Nerve CSA and limbic structure subnuclei volumes were compared between TN patients and controls.

Results

CSA of the posterior cisternal nerve on the symptomatic side was smaller in patients (3.75 mm2) compared with side-matched controls (5.77 mm2, p = 0.006). In TN patients, basal subnucleus amygdala volume (0.347 mm3) was reduced on the symptomatic side compared with controls (0.401 mm3, p = 0.025) and the paralaminar subnucleus volume (0.04 mm3) was also reduced on the symptomatic side compared with controls (0.05 mm3, p = 0.009). The central lateral thalamic subnucleus was larger in TN patients on both the symptomatic side (0.033 mm3) and asymptomatic side (0.035 mm3), compared with the corresponding sides in controls (0.025 mm3 on both sides, p = 0.048 and p = 0.003 respectively). The inferior and lateral pulvinar thalamic subnuclei were both reduced in TN patients on the symptomatic side (0.2 mm3 and 0.17 mm3 respectively) compared to controls (0.23 mm3, p = 0.04 and 0.18 mm3, p = 0.04 respectively). No significant findings were found in the hippocampal subfields analyzed.

Conclusions

These findings, generated through a highly sensitive 7 T MRI protocol, provide compelling support for the theory that TN neurobiology is a complex amalgamation of local structural changes within the trigeminal nerve and structural alterations in subnuclei of limbic structures directly and indirectly involved in nociception and pain processing.
Effects of sensory distraction and salience priming on emotion identification in autism: an fMRI study
Authors: Patterson Genevieve , Cummings Kaitlin K. , Jung Jiwon , Okada Nana J. , Tottenham Nim , Bookheimer Susan Y. , Dapretto Mirella , Green Shulamite A.
Published: September 2021

Background

Social interaction often occurs in noisy environments with many extraneous sensory stimuli. This is especially relevant for youth with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) who commonly experience sensory over-responsivity (SOR) in addition to social challenges. However, the relationship between SOR and social difficulties is still poorly understood and thus rarely addressed in interventions. This study investigated the effect of auditory sensory distracters on neural processing of emotion identification in youth with ASD and the effects of increasing attention to social cues by priming participants with their own emotional faces.

Methods

While undergoing functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), 30 youth with ASD and 24 typically developing (TD) age-matched controls (ages 8–17 years) identified faces as happy or angry with and without simultaneously hearing aversive environmental noises. Halfway through the task, participants also viewed videos of their own emotional faces. The relationship between parent-rated auditory SOR and brain responses during the task was also examined.

Results

Despite showing comparable behavioral performance on the task, ASD and TD youth demonstrated distinct patterns of neural activity. Compared to TD, ASD youth showed greater increases in amygdala, insula, and primary sensory regions when identifying emotions with noises compared to no sounds. After viewing videos of their own emotion faces, ASD youth showed greater increases in medial prefrontal cortex activation compared to TD youth. Within ASD youth, lower SOR was associated with reduced increased activity in subcortical regions after the prime and greater increased activity in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex after the prime, particularly in trials with noises.

Conclusions

The results suggest that the sensory environment plays an important role in how ASD youth process social information. Additionally, we demonstrated that increasing attention to relevant social cues helps ASD youth engage frontal regions involved in higher-order social cognition, a mechanism that could be targeted in interventions. Importantly, the effect of the intervention may depend on individual differences in SOR, supporting the importance of pre-screening youth for sensory challenges prior to social interventions.
Factors influencing protective behavior in the post-COVID-19 period in China: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Shi Guiqian , Zhong Xiaoni , He Wei , Liu Hui , Liu Xiaoyan , Ma Mingzhu
Published: September 2021

Background

The study aimed to explore the factors influencing protective behavior and its association with factors during the post-COVID-19 period in China based on the risk perception emotion model and the protective action decision model (PADM).

Methods

A total of 2830 valid questionnaires were collected as data for empirical analysis via network sampling in China. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was performed to explore the relationships between the latent variables.

Results

SEM indicated that social emotion significantly positively affected protective behavior and intention. Protective behavioral intention had significant direct effects on protective behavior, and the direct effects were also the largest. Government trust did not have a significant effect on protective behavior but did have a significant indirect effect. Moreover, it was found that government trust had the greatest direct effect on social emotion. In addition, we found that excessive risk perception level may directly reduce people’s intention and frequency of engaging in protective behavior, which was not conducive to positive, protective behavior.

Conclusion

In the post-COVID-19 period, theoretical framework constructed in this study can be used to evaluate people’s protective behavior. The government should strengthen its information-sharing and interaction with the public, enhance people’s trust in the government, create a positive social mood, appropriately regulate people's risk perception, and, finally, maintain a positive attitude and intent of protection.
A DNA barcode library for mangrove gastropods and crabs of Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area reveals an unexpected faunal diversity associated with the intertidal forests of Southern China
Authors: Bravo Henrique , Cheng Christine L. Y. , Iannucci Alessio , Natali Chiara , Quadros Aline , Rhodes Martin , Yip Matthew M. L. , Cannicci Stefano , Fratini Sara
Published: September 2021

Background

Mangroves are tropical and subtropical intertidal forests colonising sheltered coasts across the world. They host a unique faunal community, dominated by brachyuran crabs and gastropods. These invertebrates strongly contribute to the functionality of the entire forest. The reliable assessment of mangrove faunal diversity is, thus, a crucial step for efficient management and conservation plans, but it is hindered by difficulties in species identification. Here we provide a verified DNA barcode library for brachyuran crabs and gastropods inhabiting the mangroves of the Greater Bay Area, Southern China. In particular, we collected and morphologically identified 1100 specimens of mangrove associated brachyuran crabs and gastropods. The partial sequences of the mtDNA cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene were obtained from 275 specimens. Barcode sequences were then used to delineate Molecular Operational Taxonomic Units (MOTUs), employing three different delimitation methods: the automatic barcode gap discovery (ABGD) method, the general mixed Yule coalescent (GMYC) model and a Bayesian implementation of the Poisson tree processes (bPTP) model.

Results

By integrating DNA barcodes with morphology, we identified 44 gastropod species and 58 brachyuran species associated with Hong Kong mangroves, with five and seven new records, for gastropods and crabs, respectively, for the Greater Bay Area. The delineation of MOTUs based on barcode sequences revealed a strong congruence between morphological and molecular identification for both taxa, showing the high reliability of the barcode library.

Conclusions

This study provides the first reference barcode library for mangrove-associated macrobenthic fauna in the Greater Bay Area and represents a reliable tool to management and conservation plans. Our molecular analyses resolved long lasting taxonomic misidentifications and inconsistencies and updated the knowledge on the geographical distribution of Asian mangrove associated fauna, ultimately highlighting a level of biodiversity higher than previously thought for Southern China.