bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Unusual Behavior of Intestinal Spirochetosis: A Case Report
Authors: Petruzzellis Carlo , Catino Federico 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Human intestinal spirochetosis is a rare clinicopathological condition characterized by the presence of spirochetal microorganisms on the surface of the colorectal mucosa and, in some cases, by their invasion into the lamina propria. The most frequent cause of this infection is immunocompromised status. Our case report describes a patient with relevant symptoms and endoscopic alterations, but limited invasion by spirochetes, as shown by histological analysis of ileal and colonic specimens. After histological examination, metronidazole was initiated. This resulted in rapid and complete resolution of the symptoms, which demonstrated an infectious etiology. The peculiarity of our case is that the clinical and endoscopic appearances were typical of the aggressive behavior of the disease, but histological samples showed only superficial colonization of the colonic epithelium without clear invasion of deeper layers. This case report emphasizes that the virulence of spirochetes is not strictly related to intestinal mucosal invasion.
Spontaneous reporting of adverse reactions associated with the COVID-19 vaccine in health care professionals: A descriptive observational study conducted in a Portuguese hospital
Authors: Teófilo Vanessa S. G. , Pinho Paulo R. A. , Cordeiro Gonçalo J. , Saldanha Nuno A. F. , Matos Pedro M. M. , Ribeiro Rui A. M. , Moreira Salomé M. , Miller Mariana S. F , Dias Andreia R. M. , Couto Marta F. R. , Norton Pedro M. P. N. S. 
Published: June 2023

ABSTRACT

Background:
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was classified as a pandemic in March 2020 by the World Health Organization. The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine was the first to be authorized in the European Union, based on data from phase 1, 2, and 3 clinical trials of limited duration. Concerns have been raised regarding the vaccine's safety profile. Some of the adverse drug reactions (ADRs) associated with vaccines may not have been identified during clinical trials. This study aimed to identify ADRs associated with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in health care professionals at a Portuguese tertiary university hospital.

Methods:
The data used in this analysis consist of ADRs reported through a spontaneous notification system from vaccines administered between December 27, 2020, and January 31, 2021. ADRs were categorized according to the MedDRA terminology.

Results:
A total of 8,605 Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines were administered to 4568 health care professionals. ADRs were reported among 520 of the vaccines, with an incidence of 13.56% in women and 5.31% in men. The mean age of the population reporting ADRs was 41.52 years, with a standard deviation of 9.83 years. The most frequent ADRs were myalgia (n = 274), headache (n = 199), pyrexia (n = 164), injection site pain (n = 160), fatigue (n = 84), nausea (n = 81), chills (n = 65), lymphadenopathy (n = 64), and arthralgia (n = 53). Hypersensitivity reactions occurred in 15 health care professionals, with no anaphylactic reactions observed. A total of four Important Medical Events were observed, which consisted of two cases of syncope, one case of sudden hearing loss, and one case of transverse myelitis.

Conclusion:
The vaccine was well-tolerated among the study participants. Reactogenicity was greater after the second dose. The incidence of ADRs was higher in women and individuals aged between 40 to 49 years. Systemic adverse reactions were most frequently reported. Systematic monitoring of ADRs of COVID-19 vaccines in real-life context is essential for a more robust establishment of its safety profile.
Renal Neoplasia Occurring in Patients With PTEN Hamartoma Tumor Syndrome
Authors: Kozman Diana , Kao Chia-Sui , Nguyen Jane K. , Smith Steven C. , Kehr Elizabeth L. , Tretiakova Maria , Przybycin Christopher G. , Williamson Sean R. , Argani Pedram , Eng Charis , Campbell Steven C. , McKenney Jesse K. , Alaghehbandan Reza 
Published: June 2023

The aim of this study was to assess the histopathologic spectrum of renal tumors in patients with PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome (PHTS), with a specific focus on potential features predictive of the underlying syndrome. A multi-institutional study was conducted to obtain clinical and pathologic data on renal tumors arising in patients with PHTS, either diagnosed by germline mutational analysis or clinical criteria for Cowden syndrome. Histologic sections of the renal tumors were re-reviewed for classification. Twelve renal epithelial tumors from 9 patients were identified (4 males and 5 females, with a mean age of 41.8 y), 7 of whom carried germline PTEN mutations. All 12 renal epithelial tumors were renal cell carcinomas (RCCs): 5 were chromophobe RCCs, 4 papillary RCCs, and 3 RCC not otherwise specified. Pathologic stage distribution was: 7 (59%) pT1a, 2 (17%) pT1b, 1 (8%) pT2a, 1 (8%) pT2b, and 1 (8%) pT3a. World Health Organization/International Society of Urological Pathology (WHO/ISUP) histologic grade was applicable in 7 (54%) nonchromophobe tumors: 4 (57%) G2, 2 (29%) G3, and 1 (14%) G4. An unexpected histologic finding was the presence of 2 patients with incidental microscopic collections of intrarenal adipocytes that had no features of angiomyolipoma (and were negative with 2 sensitive PEComa markers: cathepsin-K and GPNMB); both were classified as lipoma/“lipomatous hamartomas.” The average follow-up interval was 67.8 months (13 to 172 mo): 5 patients had no evidence of disease, 2 were lost to follow-up, 1 died of other (non-PHTS) causes (ie, prostate cancer), and 1 was alive with metastatic RCC to the lung (RCC not otherwise specified with rhabdoid differentiation). All tumors showed loss of nuclear PTEN staining by immunohistochemistry. Fumarate hydratase was retained and 2SC was negative in all papillary RCCs. CK7 was moderate-strong/diffuse positive in 4 of 5 chromophobe RCCs and in 3 of 4 papillary RCCs. Renal epithelial tumors associated with PHTS represent a heterogeneous group of RCCs, but classic chromophobe and papillary RCC are most common. The majority have a favorable clinical behavior as would be predicted by subtype. In contrast to other hereditary renal neoplasia syndromes, morphologic features of the RCCs do not allow identification of PHTS-associated neoplasia with any degree of specificity in the absence of clinical setting and/or prior history, but the presence of microscopic “lipomas” within the kidney may provide a clue in rare cases. Therefore, clinical suspicion and genetic counseling with germline testing remain necessary for identifying PHTS-associated RCC.
The Impact of Virtual Humans on Psychosomatic Medicine
Authors: Loveys Kate , Sagar Mark , Antoni Michael , Broadbent Elizabeth 
Published: June 2023

ABSTRACT

Objective
Virtual humans are likely to enhance the delivery of health care over the next decade. Virtual humans are artificially intelligent computer agents with hyperrealistic, autonomously animated embodiments based on affective computing techniques. Virtual humans could be programmed to screen for health conditions, triage patients, and deliver health interventions, with appropriate facial expressions and body gestures, functioning as a supplement to human care. This article provides a perspective on the implications of virtual humans for behavioral and psychosomatic medicine, and health psychology.

Methods
A narrative review was conducted to integrate observations and findings from research on virtual humans from 91 articles in this multidisciplinary area.

Results
Virtual humans can be used for multimodal behavior analysis of patients, individualized tailoring of interventions, and detection of changes of psychological and behavioral measures over time. Virtual humans can also pair the scalability of a website with the interactivity and relational skills of a human tele-therapist. Research is beginning to show the acceptability, feasibility, and preliminary effectiveness of virtual humans in a range of populations. Virtual humans can be easily tailored in terms of their appearance, voice, and language, and may be adapted to fit the characteristics of a patient population or hard-to-reach groups. If co-designed with these communities, virtual humans may help to promote health care engagement and improve outcomes.

Conclusions
Virtual humans can engage and motivate patients, and deliver personalized psychological and behavioral health care. This article provides an overview of the potential impact of virtual humans on psychosomatic medicine and discusses ethical implications.
Inequalities between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians seen through the lens of oral health: time to change focus
Authors: Durey Angela , Naylor Nola , Slack-Smith Linda 
Published: June 2023

Inequitable social environments can illustrate changes needed in the social structure to generate more equitable social relations and behaviour. In Australia, British colonization left an intergenerational legacy of racism against Aboriginal people, who are disadvantaged across various social indicators including oral health. Aboriginal Australian children have poorer health outcomes with twice the rate of dental caries as non-Aboriginal children. Our research suggests structural factors outside individual control, including access to and cost of dental services and discrimination from service providers, prevent many Aboriginal families from making optimum oral health decisions, including returning to services. Nader's concept of ‘studying up’ redirects the lens onto powerful institutions and governing bodies to account for their role in undermining good health outcomes, indicating changes needed in the social structure to improve equality. Policymakers and health providers can critically reflect on structural advantages accorded to whiteness in a colonized country, where power and privilege that often go unnoticed and unexamined by those who benefit incur disadvantages to Aboriginal Australians, as reflected in inequitable oral health outcomes. This approach disrupts the discourse placing Aboriginal people at the centre of the problem. Instead, refocusing the lens onto structural factors will show how those factors can compromise rather than improve health outcomes.
This article is part of the theme issue ‘Evolutionary ecology of inequality’.
Emergence of persistent institutionalized inequality at the Bridge River site, British Columbia: the roles of managerial mutualism and coercion
Authors: Prentiss Anna Marie , Foor Thomas A. , Hampton Ashley , Walsh Matthew J. , Denis Megan , Edwards Alysha 
Published: June 2023

Persistent institutionalized inequality (PII) emerged at the Bridge River site byca1200–1300 years ago. Research confirms that PII developed at a time of population packing associated with unstable fluctuations in a critical food resource (anadromous salmon) and persisted across multiple generations. While we understand the demographic and ecological conditions under which this history unfolded, we have yet to address details of the underlying social process. In this paper, we draw on Bridge River's Housepit 54 to examine two alternative hypotheses. Hypothesis 1, mutualism, suggests that household heads signalled to maintain and attract new members as a means of supporting the demographic viability of the house. Inequality is indicated by variation in prestige markers but less obviously in economic fundamentals. Hypothesis 2, coercion, asserts that the more successful households developed control over access to critical food resources, forcing others into the choice between emigration and subjugation. Inequality is indicated by inter-family differences in prestige markers and economic fundamentals. Results suggest that inequality emerged under a mutualism scenario but persisted for subsequent generations under more coercive conditions.This article is part of the theme issue ‘Evolutionary ecology of inequality’.
Conceptual and analytical approaches for modelling the developmental origins of inequality
Authors: Malani Anup , Archie Elizabeth A. , Rosenbaum Stacy 
Published: June 2023

In many species, individuals that experience harsh conditions during development have poor health and fitness outcomes in adulthood, compared with peers that do not. These early-life contributions to inequality are often attributed to two classes of evolutionary hypotheses: Developmental Constraints (DC) models, which focus on the deleterious effects of low-quality early-life environments, and Predictive Adaptive Response (PAR) hypotheses, which emphasize the costs individuals incur when they make incorrect predictions about conditions in adulthood. Testing these hypotheses empirically is difficult for conceptual and analytical reasons. Here, we help resolve some of these difficulties by providing mathematical definitions for DC, PAR (particularly focusing on ‘external’ PAR) and related concepts. We propose a novel, quadratic regression-based statistical test derived from these definitions. Our simulations show that this approach markedly improves the ability to discriminate between DC and PAR hypotheses relative to the status quo approach, which uses interaction effects. Simulated data indicate that the interaction effects approach often conflates PAR with DC, while the quadratic regression approach yields high sensitivity and specificity for detecting PAR. Our results highlight the value of linking verbal and visual models to a formal mathematical treatment for understanding the developmental origins of inequitable adult outcomes.
This article is part of the theme issue ‘Evolutionary ecology of inequality’.
Mechanisms of equality and inequality in mammalian societies
Authors: Smith Jennifer E. , Natterson-Horowitz Barbara , Mueller Maddison M. , Alfaro Michael E. 
Published: June 2023

The extent of (in)equality is highly diverse across species of social mammals, but we have a poor understanding of the factors that produce or inhibit equitable social organizations. Here, we adopt a comparative evolutionary perspective to test whether the evolution of social dominance hierarchies, a measure of social inequality in animals, exhibits phylogenetic conservatism and whether interspecific variation in these traits can be explained by sex, age or captivity. We find that hierarchy steepness and directional consistency evolve rapidly without any apparent constraint from evolutionary history. Given this extraordinary variability, we next consider multiple factors that have evolved to mitigate social inequality. Social networks, coalitionary support and knowledge transfer advantage to privilege some individuals over others. Nutritional access and prenatal stressors can impact the development of offspring, generating health disparities with intergenerational consequences. Intergenerational transfer of material resources (e.g. stone tools, food stashes, territories) advantage those who receive. Nonetheless, many of the same social species that experience unequal access to food (survival) and mates (reproduction) engage in levelling mechanisms such as food sharing, adoption, revolutionary coalitions, forgiveness and inequity aversion. Taken together, mammals rely upon a suite of mechanisms of (in)equality to balance the costs and benefits of group living.
This article is part of the theme issue ‘Evolutionary ecology of inequality’.
Surface modification of Al alloy by self-assembly dodecyl phosphate/cerium composite film as relevant to offshore floating photovoltaic power
Authors: Wang Bin , Chen Wanbin , Gao Shan , Wang Dezhi 
Published: June 2023

Purpose
This paper aims to prepare a composite film on LY12 aluminum (Al) alloy by immersing in dodecyl phosphate and cerium nitrate solution by self-assembling methods. The effect of dipping sequence in dodecyl phosphate and cerium nitrate solution on the corrosion resistance of the composite film is studied.

Design/methodology/approach
The corrosion resistance of the dodecyl phosphate/cerium composite film is investigated by electrochemical measurement and film composition analysis.

Findings
The dipping sequence in dodecyl phosphate and cerium nitrate solutions has a significant impact on the corrosion resistance of the composite film. It shows best corrosion resistance by first dipping in dodecyl phosphate and then dipping in cerium nitrate solution.

Originality/value
The research shown in this work lays a scientific basis of the film preparation for industrial applications in the future.
Mapping the two-way relationship between management practices and firm innovation: the mediating role of business environment, degree of competition, and energy policies
Authors: Rehman Fazal Ur 
Published: June 2023

PurposeThis study aims to evaluate the two-way relationship between management practices and firm innovation along with the dual mediation of business environment, degree of competition and energy policies in Greece, Italy, Turkey and Portugal.Design/methodology/approachThe study has derived data from the World Bank Enterprise Survey 2019 for Greece, Italy, Turkey and Portugal and analyzed through partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) to find results.FindingsThe outcomes of PLS-SEM revealed that management practices and firm innovation have two-way positive significant relationship with each other in Greece, Italy, Turkey and Portugal. The results exposed that the management practices and firm innovation have two-way positive significant relationship with the business environment, degree of competition, and energy policies in Greece, Italy, Turkey and Portugal. The findings also clarified that the business environment, degree of competition and energy policies have dual mediating role between management practices and firm innovation in Greece, Turkey and Portugal. Surprisingly, business environment does not have dual mediation in Italy.Practical implicationsThese useful insights would enable practitioners and direct policymakers to develop and apply more magnificent management practices to boost up innovation among firms.Originality/valueAlthough the topics of management practices and innovation have received a great concern of academia, but this is the first study that offers a comprehensive model of the relationship in these domains.
Aesthetics, gentrification and new identities: the comparison of adaptive reuse practices in contemporary Budapest and Warsaw
Authors: Sadowy Katarzyna , Szemző Hanna 
Published: June 2023

PurposePost-socialist urban development changed cityscapes and city life profoundly, reusing public space in a different manner and reinterpreting the role of work, heritage, and consumption among others. Focusing on two case studies – the Outer Józsefváros in Budapest and the Praga North district in Warsaw – the paper examines this transformation, following how and to what extent these characteristic neighbourhoods have changed, how local heritage has been reconceptualised and what role work has played in this process.Design/methodology/approachThe comparative analysis combines a literature review with a case study investigation that includes interviews, on-site visits, experiments with locally driven adaptive reuse, and document analysis.FindingsThe two case studies put heritage conservation, identity building and value determination processes in the context of architectural design, economic investment and labour market. The paper shows the relation between aesthetics and economic transition, how work, or its loss, has shaped the areas, creating a milieu of transition in a physical and a social sense, offering a reconceptualization of local identity. It also highlights the seminal value of civic initiatives and artists/artisans to increase the engagement of the local community.Originality/valueThe paper provides a rarely done comparison between two former Socialist cities undergoing similar transformations. It focuses on work as intangible heritage, the connected architectural aesthetics and their role in shaping the identity of various groups.
Functional characterization of Bmcap in uric acid metabolism in the silkworm
Authors: Tang Linmeng , Yang Dehong , Liu Zhiwei , Wang Yaohui , Yang Xu , Liu Yujia , Chen Dongbin , Tang Zheng , Huang Yongping 
Published: June 2023

AbstractAfter a millennium of domestication, numerous silkworm mutants have emerged that exhibit transparent epidermis, which is caused by abnormally low levels of uric acid. We identified the Bombyx mori gene Bmcap (BMSK0003832) as the homolog of cappuccino, a subunit of the biogenesis of lysosome‐related organelles complex‐1 (BLOC‐1) that has been extensively characterized in human, mouse, and insect species, by analyzing the amino acid sequences of putative purine metabolism genes. Using the clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats (CRISPR) / CRISPR‐associated protein 9 system, we disrupted Bmcap, resulting in decreased uric acid levels in the silkworm epidermis and a translucent skin phenotype. In the Bmcap mutant, the purine metabolism, nitrogen metabolism, pyrimidine metabolism, and membrane system were altered compared to the wild type. Biogenesis of lysosome‐related organelle complex genes play a role in the pigmentation and biogenesis of lysosome‐related organelles (LROs) in platelets, melanocytes, and megakaryocytes. LROs exhibit unique morphologies and functions in various tissues and cells. Investigation of the Bmcap mutant will enhance our understanding of the uric acid metabolic pathway in silkworms, and this mutant offers a valuable silkworm model for LRO studies.
Rituximab in the management of retroperitoneal fibrosis: A single tertiary rheumatology care center experience
Authors: Oztas Mert , Altun Izzet , Ayla Ali Yagiz , Cerme Emir , Demirdag Cetin , Asa Sertac , Sonmezoglu Kerim , Ugurlu Serdal 
Published: June 2023

AbstractAimTo investigate the clinical and radiological outcomes and glucocorticoid‐sparing effect of rituximab therapy in 13 patients with retroperitoneal fibrosis (RPF).MethodsWe analyzed the data of both glucocorticoid‐naive and glucocorticoid‐resistant RPF patients who were treated with rituximab. Demographic features, positron emission tomography computed tomography (PET‐CT) findings, and clinical and histopathologic outcomes were collected retrospectively.ResultsWe evaluated the data of 13 RPF patients (8M/5F). The median follow‐up duration was 28 months (interquartile range [IQR] 24.5–55.5 months) and median age at the time of diagnosis was 50.8 years (IQR 46.5–54.5 years). PET‐CT scans showed that following the rituximab therapy, the craniocaudal diameter of the RPF mass reduced from 74 mm (IQR 50.5–130 mm) to 52 mm (IQR 35–77 mm; p = .06), and periaortic thickness of the RPF mass reduced from 14 mm (5.5–21.9 mm) to 7 mm (4.5–11 mm; p = .12). The maximum standardized uptake value (based on body weight) of the RPF mass decreased from 5.8 (4.3–9.7) to 3.1 (2.8–5.3) after the therapy (p = .03). The number of patients with hydronephrosis reduced from 11 to 6 following rituximab therapy (p = .04). Before rituximab, nine patients received a median dose of 10 mg (IQR 0–27.5 mg) prednisolone per day. After the rituximab treatment, we discontinued prednisolone treatment for four out of nine patients and reduced the daily dose for the remaining patients. At the time of the final evaluation of the patients, the median prescribed prednisolone dose was 5 mg/day (IQR 2.5–7.5 mg/day; p = .01).ConclusionOur study shows that rituximab may be a favorable treatment option for glucocorticoid‐refractory RPF patients with high disease activity on PET‐CT scans.