bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of anterior quadratus lumborum block with ropivacaine on the immune response after laparoscopic surgery in colon cancer: a substudy of a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Balsevicius Lukas , Urbano Paulo C. M. , Hasselager Rune Petring , Mohamud Ahmed Abdirahman , Olausson Maria , Svraka Melina , Wahlstrøm Kirsten L. , Oppermann Carolin , Gögenur Dilara Seyma , Hølmich Emma Rosenkrantz , Cappelen Britt , Sækmose Susanne Gjørup , Tanggaard Katrine , Litman Thomas , Børglum Jens , Brix Susanne , Gögenur Ismail 
Published: November 2023

BackgroundSurgery induces a temporal change in the immune system, which might be modified by regional anesthesia. Applying a bilateral preoperative anterior quadratus lumborum block has proven to be a safe and effective technique in pain management after abdominal and retroperitoneal surgery, but the effect on the immune response is not thoroughly investigated.MethodsThis study is a substudy of a randomized, controlled, double-blinded trial of patients undergoing laparoscopic hemicolectomy due to colon cancer. Twenty-two patients were randomized to undergo either a bilateral anterior quadratus lumborum nerve block with a total of 60 mL ropivacaine 0.375% or placebo with corresponding isotonic saline injections. The main objective of this exploratory substudy was to investigate the systemic immune response in the first postoperative day by examining changes in blood transcript levels (n=750) and stimulated secretion of cytokines (n=17) on ex vivo activation with microbial ligands and anti-CD3/CD28.ResultsUsing unsupervised data analysis tools, we observed no effect of the bilateral anterior quadratus lumborum nerve block on gene expression in immune cells (permutational multivariate analysis of variance using distance matrices: F=0.52, p=0.96), abundances of major immune cell populations (Wilcoxon rank-sum test: p>0.05), and stimulated cytokine secretion (Wilcoxon rank-sum test: p>0.05).ConclusionsOur study provides evidence that administration of bilateral anterior quadratus lumborum nerve block as a part of a multimodal analgesic regimen in an enhanced recovery after surgery for laparoscopic hemicolectomy in this cohort does not alter the systemic immune response.Trial registration numberNCT03570541.
On the cosmological constant, the KK mass scale, and the cut-off dependence in the dark dimension scenario
Authors: Anchordoqui Luis A. , Antoniadis Ignatios , Lüst Dieter , Lüst Severin 
Published: November 2023

AbstractIn this short note we comment on the relation between the cosmological and the Kaluza–Klein mass scale in the dark dimension scenario [1], also in view of some recent claims [2] that would raise some doubts about the validity of this scenario. Here we argue that these claims have serious flaws and cannot be trusted.
Big Rip singularity in f(R,T) gravity with tilted observers
Authors: Dagwal V. J. , Pawar D. D. , Solanke Y. S. 
Published: November 2023

We have presented the Big Rip singularity in [Formula: see text] gravity with tilt congruences and creation field. We have solved the field equations by considering a conformally flat universe and the condition [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is a constant. The solutions of the field equations have also been investigated by using the method of [J. V. Narlikar and T. Padmanabhan, Phys. Rev. D 32, 1928 (1985)] in which the creation field [Formula: see text] is a function of time [Formula: see text]. Some geometric aspects of the model are also discussed by using MATLAB.
Examining the Association between Abstinence from Smoking and Healthcare Costs among Patients with Cancer
Authors: Kypriotakis George , Kim Seokhun , Karam-Hage Maher , Robinson Jason D. , Minnix Jennifer A. , Blalock Janice A. , Cui Yong , Beneventi Diane , Kim Bumyang , Pan I.-Wen , Shih Ya-Chen Tina , Cinciripini Paul M. 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Continuous tobacco use in patients with cancer is linked to substantial healthcare costs due to increased risks and complications, whereas quitting smoking leads to improved treatment outcomes and cost reductions. Addressing the need for empirical evidence on the economic impact of smoking cessation, this study examined the association between smoking cessation and healthcare cost utilization among a sample of 930 patients with cancer treated at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center's Tobacco Research and Treatment Program (TRTP). Applying conditional quantile regression and propensity scores to address confounding, our findings revealed that abstinence achieved through the TRTP significantly reduced the median cost during a 3-month period post-quitting by $1,095 [β = −$1,095, P = 0.007, 95% confidence interval (CI), = (−$1,886 to −$304)]. Sensitivity analysis corroborated these conclusions, showing a pronounced cost reduction when outlier data were excluded. The long-term accrued cost savings from smoking cessation could potentially offset the cost of participation in the TRTP program, underscoring its cost effectiveness. An important implication of this study is that by reducing smoking rates, healthcare systems can more efficiently allocate resources, enhance patient health outcomes, and lessen the overall cancer burden.

Prevention Relevance:
This study emphasizes the dual impact of smoking cessation programs in patients with cancer: quitting smoking and reducing healthcare costs. It highlights the importance of integrating cessation programs into cancer prevention strategies, ensuring both individual health benefits and broader, system-wide economic efficiencies.
See related Spotlight, p. 197
lncRNA JPX-Enriched Chromatin Microenvironment Mediates Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Senescence and Promotes Atherosclerosis
Authors: Gu Jiaming , Chen Jiajing , Yin Quanwen , Dong Mengdie , Zhang Yunjia , Chen Minghong , Chen Xiang , Min Jiao , He Xian , Tan Yongkang , Zheng Longbin , Jiang Hong , Wang Bingjian , Li Xuesong , Chen Hongshan 
Published: November 2023

BACKGROUND:
Senescence is a series of degenerative changes in the structure and physiological function of an organism. Whether JPX (just proximal to XIST)—a newly identified age-related noncoding RNA by us—is associated with atherosclerosis is still unknown. Our study was to investigate the role of JPX and provide insights into potential therapies targeting atherosclerosis.

METHODS:

We analyzed clinical data from multiple tissues including meniscus tissue, leukemia cells, and peripheral blood monocytes to identify age-related noncoding RNAs in senescent vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). The molecular mechanism of JPX was investigated by capture hybridization analysis of RNA targets and chromatin immunoprecipitation. IGVTools and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction were used to evaluate the JPX expression during phenotype regulation in age-related disease models. The therapeutic potential of JPX was evaluated after establishing an atherosclerosis model in smooth muscle–specific
Jpx
knockout mice.

RESULTS:

JPX expression was upregulated in activated
ras
allele (H-
ras
V12)-induced senescent VSMCs and atherosclerotic arteries. JPX knockdown substantially reduced the elevation of senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) genes in senescent VSMCs. Cytoplasmic DNA leaked from mitochondria via mitochondrial permeability transition pore formed by VDAC1 (voltage-dependent anion channel 1) oligomer activates the STING (stimulator of interferon gene) pathway. JPX could act as an enhancer for the SASP genes and functions as a scaffold molecule through interacting with phosphorylated p65/RelA and BRD4 (bromodomain-containing protein 4) in chromatin remodeling complex, promoting the transcription of SASP genes via epigenetic regulation. Smooth muscle knockout of
Jpx
in
Apoe

KO

mice resulted in a decrease in plaque area, a reduction in SASP gene expression, and a decrease in senescence compared with controls.

CONCLUSIONS:
As an enhancer RNA, JPX can integrate p65 and BRD4 to form a chromatin remodeling complex, activating SASP gene transcription and promoting cellular senescence. These findings suggest that JPX is a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of age-related atherosclerosis.
Physical Contacts Between Mitochondria and WPBs Participate in WPB Maturation
Authors: Ma Jing , Hao Zhenhua , Zhang Yudong , Li Liuju , Huang Xiaoshuai , Wang Yu , Chen Liangyi , Yang Ge , Li Wei 
Published: November 2023

BACKGROUND:
Weibel-Palade bodies (WPBs) are endothelial cell–specific cigar-shaped secretory organelles containing various biologically active molecules. WPBs play crucial roles in thrombosis, hemostasis, angiogenesis, and inflammation. The main content of WPBs is the procoagulant protein vWF (von Willebrand factor). Physical contacts and functional cross talk between mitochondria and other organelles have been demonstrated. Whether an interorganellar connection exists between mitochondria and WPBs is unknown.

METHODS:
We observed physical contacts between mitochondria and WPBs in human umbilical vein endothelial cells by electron microscopy and living cell confocal microscopy. We developed an artificial intelligence–assisted method to quantify the duration and length of organelle contact sites in live cells.

RESULTS:
We found there existed physical contacts between mitochondria and WPBs. Disruption of mitochondrial function affected the morphology of WPBs. Furthermore, we found that Rab3b, a small GTPase on the WPBs, was enriched at the mitochondrion-WPB contact sites. Rab3b deficiency reduced interaction between the two organelles and impaired the maturation of WPBs and vWF multimer secretion.

CONCLUSIONS:
Our results reveal that Rab3b plays a crucial role in mediating the mitochondrion-WPB contacts, and that mitochondrion-WPB coupling is critical for the maturation of WPBs in vascular endothelial cells.
Comparison of Parallel Genetic Algorithm and Particle Swarm Optimization for Parameter Calibration in Hydrological Simulation
Authors: Zhang Xinyu , Li Yang , Chu Genshen 
Published: November 2023

ABSTRACT
Parameter calibration is an important part of hydrological simulation and affects the final simulation results. In this paper, we introduce heuristic optimization algorithms, genetic algorithm (GA) to cope with the complexity of the parameter calibration problem, and use particle swarm optimization algorithm (PSO) as a comparison. For large-scale hydrological simulations, we use a multilevel parallel parameter calibration framework to make full use of processor resources, and accelerate the process of solving high-dimensional parameter calibration. Further, we test and apply the experiments on domestic supercomputers. The results of parameter calibration with GA and PSO can basically reach the ideal value of 0.65 and above, with PSO achieving a speedup of 58.52 on TianHe-2 supercomputer. The experimental results indicate that using a parallel implementation on multicore CPUs makes high-dimensional parameter calibration in large-scale hydrological simulation possible. Moreover, our comparison of the two algorithms shows that the GA obtains better calibration results, and the PSO has a more pronounced acceleration effect.
Thermal biology of Lanthanotus borneensis (Lanthanotidae) in Sarawak, Borneo
Authors: Leah Veronica , Min Pui Yong , Das Indraneil 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Lanthanotus borneensis, the Bornean earless monitor, is a monotypic member of the family Lanthanotidae, and restricted to the island of Borneo. Little has been published on its field ecology. This study investigated aspects of its thermal biology through an analysis of surface body temperatures of free ranging individuals against corresponding environmental temperatures, in order to explore aspects of microhabitat utilisation in relation to thermoregulation. A generalised linear mixed model shows significant effect of air and substrate temperatures, but not of water temperature. Further, the fixed effects of substrate temperature (coefficient estimate 0.396; ) versus ambient temperature (0.264; ), is suggestive of thigmothermy as the primary mode of thermoregulation. The species does not appear to utilise specific microhabitat structures to thermoregulate, the results of these observations suggesting that it is a thermoconformer.
Asymmetric Exchange Rate Pass-through in India: A Non-linear ARDL Approach
Authors: Mendali Ganapati , Das Sanjukta 
Published: November 2023

This study makes an attempt to examine the exchange rate pass-through (ERPT) to domestic prices in India from 1993M4 to 2021M3. In the empirical literature, the relationship between the exchange rate and the price was found to be linear. However, in emerging economies recently the asymmetric relationship between these variables is noticed: the effect of appreciation on price is found to be negligible while the effect of depreciation is found to be significant. To study this behaviour, we have used non-linear autoregressive distributed lag (NARDL) model by employing five variables (viz., exchange rate, consumer price, output gap, money supply and oil prices). The structural break techniques are used to examine the differential effects of the pass-through. It found that exchange rate shocks do not lead to significant changes in consumer prices in the long run. In terms of policy, this means that the ERPT has insignificant consequences for monetary policy, and depreciation might pose a little threat to price stability. It is also established that oil price shocks are not one of the major determinants of inflation in the country and they do not pose serious challenges to price stability. Economic growth and monetary expansion also do not seem to pose any risks to price stability in the long run. JEL Classification: E31, E37, E52, F31
Neck Muscle Coactivation Response to Varied Levels of Mental Workload During Simulated Flight Tasks
Authors: Le Peter , Mills Emily H. L. , Weisenbach Charles A. , Davis Kermit G. 
Published: November 2023

Objective To evaluate neck muscle coactivation across different levels of mental workload during simulated flight tasks. Background Neck pain (NP) is highly prevalent among military aviators. Given the complex nature within the flight environment, mental workload may be a risk factor for NP. This may induce higher levels of neck muscle coactivity, which over time may accelerate fatigue, increase neck discomfort, and affect flight task performance. Method Three counterbalanced mental workload conditions represented by simulated flight tasks modulated by interstimulus frequency and complexity were investigated using the Modifiable Multitasking Environment (ModME). The primary measure was a neck coactivation index to describe the neuromuscular effort of the neck muscles as a system. Additional measures included perceived workload (NASA TLX), subjective discomfort, and task performance. Participants ( n = 60; 30M, 30F) performed three test conditions over 1 hr each while seated in a simulated seating environment. Results Neck coactivation indices (CoA) and subjective neck discomfort corresponded with increasing level of mental workload. Average CoAs for low, medium, and high workloads were: .0278(SD = .0232), .0286(SD = .0231), and .0295(SD = .0228), respectively. NASA TLX mental, temporal, effort, and overall scores also increased with the level of mental workload assigned. For ModME task performance, the overall performance score, monitoring accuracy, and resource management accuracy decreased while reaction times increased with the increasing level of mental workload. Communication accuracy was lowest with the low mental workload but had higher reaction times relative to increasing workload. Conclusion Mental workload affects neck muscle coactivation during combinations of simulated flight tasks within a simulated helicopter seating environment. Application The results of this study provide insights into the physical response to mental workload. With increasing multisensory modalities within the work environment, these insights may assist the consideration of physical effects from cognitive factors.
Effectiveness of the SHARE Model in Improving the Knowledge of, Attitudes Toward, Intention to Provide, and Initiation of Hospice Care Among Caregivers of Terminally ill Patients With the Eight Major Non-Cancer Diseases
Authors: Pan Wen-Shiou , Lin Hung-Ru , Chen Miao-Yen 
Published: November 2023

Objectives To investigate the effects of a care intervention on the knowledge of, attitudes toward, intention to provide, and initiation of hospice care among caregivers of terminally ill patients with the eight major non-cancer diseases. Methods A two-group pre-post-test randomized intervention design was adopted. The intervention group received the SHARE model intervention. The SHARE intervention was implemented once a week for 6 weeks, with each session lasting 20–60 min. Results The intervention and control groups differed significantly in mean post-test scores for knowledge of hospice care ( t = −4.973, p = .00) and intentions to provide hospice care ( t = −2.424, p = .02). In the intervention group, pre- and post-test scores differed significantly for knowledge of hospice care ( t = −6.201, p = .000), attitudes toward hospice care ( t = −2.848, p = .008), and intentions to provide hospice care ( t = −2.781, p = .009). Conclusions The SHARE intervention improved knowledge of hospice care, intentions to provide, and initiation of hospice care among the caregivers of terminally ill patients with non-cancer diseases.
Glycerol-treated polypropylene/carbon black nanocomposites: Analysis of electrical, rheological, thermal and mechanical properties
Authors: Tabatabaee Farzane , Hanifi Saeed , Tavakkol Mohammad 
Published: November 2023

Electrically conductive nanocomposites based on polypropylene (PP) were prepared using carbon black (CB) nanoparticles via melt blending in the presence of glycerol and castor oil as hydroxyl functional dispersing aids and maleic anhydride–grafted polypropylene (MAgPP) as a compatibilizer. Initially, electrical conductivity of PP/CB nanocomposites with different dosages of both CB nanoparticles and dispersing aids were investigated through electrical analysis. Results indicated that castor oil had no beneficial effects on electrical conductivity. However, the efficiency of 3 wt% loading of glycerol was verified through measurements of electrical, rheological, thermal and mechanical properties as well as by morphological studies. The volume electrical conductivity value of PP nanocomposites containing 12 wt% CB significantly enhanced to 1.2 × 10−4 S/cm by adding 3 wt% glycerol in compared with nanocomposite without glycerol with the volume conductivity value of 1.8 × 10−6 S/cm. Incorporation of optimum amount of glycerol favoured the dispersion of nanofiller in the matrix which was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy observations, leading to higher conductivity due to better formation of conductive pathways within the matrix. Additionally, at the same concentration of CB nanofiller, samples treated with 3 wt% glycerol showed higher melting temperatures, storage modulus ( Gˊ), complex viscosity, tensile modulus and elongation at break. These findings indicate that adding an optimum amount of an efficient hydroxyl functional component like glycerol into PP/CB nanocomposite can be a promising way to enhance the electrically conductive performance while other properties could be maintained well or even improved.
A programme evaluation of ‘First Steps’: A peer-conceived, developed and led self-management intervention for people after a Parkinson's diagnosis
Authors: Collett Johnny , Lawrie Sophie , Bromley Sally , Harling Peter , Reed Alex , Brusco Natasha , Coe Shelly , Coebergh Jan , Carroll Camille , Roberts Helen C , Hu Michele T , Dawes Helen 
Published: November 2023

Objective A diagnosis of Parkinson's often leads to uncertainty about the future and loss of perceived control. Peer support may offer a means to address these concerns and promote self-management. Design A programme evaluation of the feasibility and potential effects of ‘First Steps’, utilising a pragmatic step wedge approach. Comparing First Steps (intervention) to (control) conditions. Setting: In the community at four sites in southern England. Participants: Newly diagnosed (≤ 12months) people with Parkinson's. Intervention: First Steps was a 2-day peer-conceived, developed and led intervention to support self-management. Main measures: At 0, 12 and 24 weeks anxiety and depression (Hospital, Anxiety and Depression Scale, HADS), daily functioning (World Health Organisation Disability Assessment Schedule, WHODAS), physical activity, quality of life (EQ5D), carer strain and service utilisation were assessed. Results Between February 2018 and July 2019, 36 participants were enrolled into intervention and 21 to control conditions, all were included in statistical analysis. Lost to follow up was n = 1 (intervention) and n = 1 adverse event was reported (control, unrelated). Of the 36 allocated to the intervention n = 22 participants completed both days of First Steps during the study period. Completion of outcome measures was >95% at 24 weeks. Small effects favouring the intervention were found for HADS (odds ratio (OR) = 2.06, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.24:17.84), Carer Strain Index (OR = 2.22, 95% CI 0.5:9.76) and vigorous ( d = 0.42, 95% CI −0.12:0.97) and total physical activity ( d = 0.41, 95% CI −0.13:0.95). EQ5D, WHOSDAS and service utilisation, was similar between groups. Conclusions First Steps was feasible and safe and we found potential to benefit physical activity, mental health and carer strain. Further research with longer-term follow up is warranted.
‘Thank you for loving me’: A qualitative study on perceptions of gratitude and their effects in palliative care patients and relatives
Authors: Poncin Emmanuelle , Bovet Emilie , Tamches Emmanuel , Cantin Boris , Pralong Josiane , Althaus Betty , Borasio Gian Domenico , Bernard Mathieu 
Published: November 2023

Background: Empirical studies suggest that gratitude positively influence the quality of life of palliative patients and relatives. However, the literature is marked by a lack of conceptual clarity about what gratitude is and whether it can bring about individual and social benefits. Aim: This paper explores how palliative care patients and relatives understand gratitude, how discursive representations of gratitude may affect their positions, perceptions and relations, and how to conceptualise gratitude in the palliative context. Design: We examine 33 gratitude letters written by patients and relatives and 25 semi-structured interviews conducted as part of a pilot gratitude intervention study. We use a qualitative approach, thematic analysis, within a conceptual framework of discourse analysis. Settings/participants: Data were collected from 23 patients and 13 relatives recruited through three hospital palliative care services in French-speaking Switzerland. Results: Participants articulate gratitude in five ways: (1) appreciating others; (2) love; (3) need to reciprocate; (4) appreciating the little things; (5) solace amid serious illness. While some of these representations are sources of positive emotions and outlook, wellbeing and hope, others may confirm self-perceptions of powerlessness and burden. These results support a tridimensional conceptualisation of gratitude in palliative care as source of individual benefits, valuing closest relationships and moral obligation. Conclusion: Our study suggests that gratitude is a key to a good (end of) life, whilst highlighting potential negative effects. It could help healthcare professionals to better understand what gratitude means to patients and relatives, which may facilitate awareness and fostering of gratitude in palliative care.