cometadata/datacite-rtg-text-other-reclassification-records huggingface dataset:
Editorial: The role of adipose tissue and resident immune cells in infections
Creators: name: Teixeira, Luzia
name: Whitmire, Jason K.
name: Bourgeois, Christine
Publisher: name: Frontiers
Year: 2024

description: Adipose tissues are distributed throughout the body and are in direct contact with sites of infection entry, such as mucosal tissues, gut, and skin. There is increasing appreciation that adipose tissue can influence local and systemic immune responses to infection. The adipose tissue can modulate immune responses through changes in the expression of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, adipokines, and hormones that regulate general metabolism. Immune cells within adipose show differentiation states that are distinct from those in circulation or in lymphoid tissues, suggesting that the adipose environment regulates immune cell activity. The mechanisms leading to immune cell recruitment and maintenance within adipose remain enigmatic. Changes in diet that lead to obesity can alter the frequencies of regulatory or effector cells within adipose, potentially affecting local and systemic immune protection. Obesity is associated with higher susceptibility to infections possibly due to alterations in immune cells residing in adipose tissue. The interplay between immune cells and adipose is complex and bi-directional: immune cells residing within adipose tissue can perturb adipose tissue homeostasis and whole-body metabolism and, conversely, metabolic cues can modulate immune responses. Several reports demonstrate that microorganisms can target and even persist in adipose tissues. However, relatively few studies have addressed the immunological consequences of adipose tissue infection.
A new macrolactin antibiotic from deep sea-derived bacteria Bacillus subtilis B5
Creators: name: Li, Wei
name: Xi-Xiang Tang
name: Yan, Xia
name: Wu, Zhen
name: Yi, Zhi-Wei
name: Fang, Mei-Juan
name: Su, Xin
name: Ying-Kun Qiu
Publisher: name: Taylor & Francis
Year: 2016
Subjects: subject: Microbiology
subject: FOS: Biological sciences
subject: Pharmacology
subject: 59999 Environmental Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: FOS: Earth and related environmental sciences
subject: 39999 Chemical Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: FOS: Chemical sciences
subject: Ecology
subject: Inorganic Chemistry
subject: 110309 Infectious Diseases
subject: FOS: Health sciences

description: A new macrolactin derivate, 7-O-2′E-butenoyl macrolactin A (1), together with three known macrolactin compounds, macrolactin A (2), 7-O-malonyl macrolactin A (3) and 7-O-succinyl macrolactin A (4), was isolated from the bacterial strain Bacillus subtilis B5, which was isolated from the 3000 m deep sea sediment of the Southwest Pacific Ocean. The structures of the new compounds were assigned by spectroscopic methods including 1-D/2-D NMR and MS analysis techniques. Compounds 1 and 2 demonstrated antifungal activities against tea pathogenic fungi Pestalotiopsis theae and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides.
Enhancing the clinical research workforce: a collaborative approach with human resources
Creators: name: Verble, William
name: Snyder, Denise C.
name: Gaudaur, Heather
name: Mendell, Angela
name: Marchant, Mark
name: Gilliam, Christine
name: Viera, Laura
name: McCubbin, Andrea
Publisher: name: Frontiers
Year: 2024

description: Jobs for clinical research professionals (CRPs) have grown increasingly complex over the past 20+ years. This is due largely to additional administrative burden for investigators, study teams, sponsors, Clinical Research Organizations (CROs), and sites, particularly Academic Medical Centers (AMCs). Furthermore, National Institutes of Health (NIH) has reduced capacity to effectively fund research recognizing this is dependent on the overall congressional budget, which creates greater pressure for clinician scientists to secure external support. It is widely known clinical research will continue to become increasingly more complex for clinician scientists. This manuscript explores adoption of a clinical research competency-based job classification framework from the Joint Task Force for Clinical Trial Competency (JTFCTC) across several AMCs and the role of Human Resources (HR) in facilitating this process. This collaboration focuses on fostering successful projects tied to the business case in order to address equity and improve support for the clinical research enterprise.
Polarity proteins Mrcdc24 and Mrbem1 required for hypha growth and microsclerotia formation in Metarhizium rileyi
Creators: name: Zhangyong Song
name: Jiang, Wei
name: Youping Yin
name: Zhongkang Wang
Publisher: name: Taylor & Francis
Year: 2016
Subjects: subject: Biochemistry
subject: Medicine
subject: Microbiology
subject: FOS: Biological sciences
subject: Cell Biology
subject: Genetics
subject: Molecular Biology
subject: 59999 Environmental Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: FOS: Earth and related environmental sciences
subject: 69999 Biological Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: Developmental Biology
subject: Inorganic Chemistry
subject: FOS: Chemical sciences
subject: 110309 Infectious Diseases
subject: FOS: Health sciences
subject: Plant Biology
subject: 60506 Virology

description: Polarity proteins cdc24 and bem1 regulate polar growth, cytoskeleton morphogenesis, and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in filamentous fungi. In this study, the Mrcdc24 and Mrbem1 genes were cloned from Metarhizium rileyi and found to encode 1006 and 562 amino acid proteins, respectively. To determine the functions of Mrcdc24 and Mrbem1, gene-silencing mutants Mrcdc24RNAi, Mrbem1RNAi, and Mrcdc24&Nrbem1RNAi were generated by RNA silencing. The mutants presented significant phenotype changes in hyphal growth, and conidial yields, microsclerotia yields and virulence were reduced. Furthermore, the transcription levels of the MrnoxA and MrnoxR, which regulate ROS generation in the Mrcdc24RNAi and Mrbem1RNAi strains, were reduced. The transcriptional levels of MrracA and Mrcdc42 were significantly reduced in the Mrcdc24RNAi strains. Our results confirmed the crucial role of genes Mrcdc24 and Mrbem1 in hyphal growth, conidiation, microsclerotia formation, ROS generation and virulence.
On the efficacy of modern cyber (re)insurance: an analysis of policy coverage, capacity constraints, cyber warfare, and data availability
Creators: name: Cremer, Frank
Publisher: name: University of Limerick
Year: 2024
Subjects: classificationCode: 3501
subject: Accounting, auditing and accountability

description: Cyber risks pose a serious threat due to the rapid digitalization of our world. Cyber insurance is emerging as a crucial risk transfer mechanism within comprehensive cyber risk management strategies. Their unpredictable nature and the scarcity of data on cyber risks present numerous challenges to the insurance industry situation echoed in the academic literature that highlights a significant research gap that could assist insurers in overcoming these obstacles. This thesis makes a significant contribution to bridging this gap by analyzing the effectiveness of cyber insurance in the (re)insurance markets, with a specific focus on data availability, policy clarity, and risk transfer strategies. Employing mixed methods, the research develops a detailed understanding of the current landscape, challenges, and practical solutions in the field of cyber insurance. This methodology encompasses a systematic review, inductive qualitative content analysis of cyber insurance policies, and 69 semi-structured interviews with insurance industry representatives. The research identifies a notable gap in open databases, undermining collective efforts to better manage cyber risks. It highlights the absence of standardized cyber policies, with insurers using varying terms and definitions, leading to significant confusion regarding coverages and exclusions. Moreover, it is noted that cyber insurers diversify their aggregate and cyber risk accumulation across various factors, including geography, technology, and sectors. The thesis proposes cyber risk management strategies and approaches to support the development of a sustainable and robust cyber insurance market. The results aim to offer valuable insights to cyber insurers, customers, policymakers, and stakeholders in the fields of security, risk management, and regulation. This is with the goal of enhancing the resilience of companies and institutions to cyber risks, ultimately leading to a holistic improvement in their ability to withstand such threats.
Efficacy of BETTER transitional care intervention for diverse patients with traumatic brain injury and their families: Study protocol of a randomized controlled trial
Creators: name: Ingram, Darius
name: Byom, Lindsey
name: Hawes, Jodi
name: Kandel, Melissa
name: Komisarow, Jordan
name: Oyesanya, Tolu O.
name: Walker-Atwater, Tamia
name: Palipana, Anushka
name: Ramos, Katherine
name: Houtven, Courtney H. Van
name: Albert, Brittany
name: Emerson, Maralis Mercado
name: Agarwal, Suresh
name: Ibemere, Stephanie O.
name: Pan, Wei
name: Pioppo, Anne
name: Soto, Mayra
name: You, HyunBin
name: Gonzalez-Guarda, Rosa
name: Bettger, Janet Prvu
Publisher: name: Public Library of Science
Year: 2024

description: Objective The purpose of this study is to examine the efficacy of BETTER (Brain Injury, Education, Training, and Therapy to Enhance Recovery) vs. usual transitional care management among diverse adults with traumatic brain injury (TBI) discharged home from acute hospital care and families. Methods This will be a single-site, two-arm, randomized controlled trial (N = 436 people, 218 patient/family dyads, 109 dyads per arm) of BETTER, a culturally- and linguistically-tailored, patient- and family-centered, TBI transitional care intervention for adult patients with TBI and families. Skilled clinical interventionists will follow a manualized protocol to address patient/family needs. The interventionists will co-establish goals with participants; coordinate post-hospital care, services, and resources; and provide patient/family education and training on self- and family-management and coping skills for 16 weeks following hospital discharge. English- and Spanish-speaking adult patients with mild-to-severe TBI who are discharged directly home from the hospital without inpatient rehabilitation or transfer to other settings (community discharge) and associated family caregivers are eligible and will be randomized to treatment or usual transitional care management. We will use intention-to-treat analysis to determine if patients receiving BETTER have a higher quality of life (primary outcome, SF-36) at 16-weeks post-hospital discharge than those receiving usual transitional care management. We will conduct a descriptive, qualitative study with 45 dyads randomized to BETTER, using semi-structured interviews, to capture perspectives on barriers and facilitators to participation. Data will be analyzed using conventional content analysis. Finally, we will conduct a cost/budget impact analysis, evaluating differences in intervention costs and healthcare costs by arm. Discussion Findings will guide our team in designing a future, multi-site trial to disseminate and implement BETTER into clinical practice to enhance the standard of care for adults with TBI and families. The new knowledge generated will drive advancements in health equity among diverse adults with TBI and families. Trial registration NCT05929833.
Evaluating Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase as a Suitable Target for Sleep Promotion in a Transgenic TauP301S Mouse Model of Neurodegeneration
Creators: name: Cohen, Todd J.
name: Moy, Sheryl S.
name: Diering, Graham H.
name: Joyce, Kathryn K.
name: Martin, Shenée C.
name: Harper, Kathryn M.
name: Harp, Samuel J.
Publisher: name: MDPI
Year: 2024

description: Sleep disruption is an expected component of aging and neurodegenerative conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Sleep disruption has been demonstrated as a driver of AD pathology and cognitive decline. Therefore, treatments designed to maintain sleep may be effective in slowing or halting AD progression. However, commonly used sleep aid medications are associated with an increased risk of AD, highlighting the need for sleep aids with novel mechanisms of action. The endocannabinoid system holds promise as a potentially effective and novel sleep-enhancing target. By using pharmacology and genetic knockout strategies, we evaluated fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) as a therapeutic target to improve sleep and halt disease progression in a transgenic Tau P301S (PS19) model of Tauopathy and AD. We have recently shown that PS19 mice exhibit sleep disruption in the form of dark phase hyperarousal as an early symptom that precedes robust Tau pathology and cognitive decline. Acute FAAH inhibition with PF3845 resulted in immediate improvements in sleep behaviors in male and female PS19 mice, supporting FAAH as a potentially suitable sleep-promoting target. Moreover, sustained drug dosing for 5–10 days resulted in maintained improvements in sleep. To evaluate the effect of chronic FAAH inhibition as a possible therapeutic strategy, we generated FAAH−/− PS19 mice models. Counter to our expectations, FAAH knockout did not protect PS19 mice from progressive sleep loss, neuroinflammation, or cognitive decline. Our results provide support for FAAH as a novel target for sleep-promoting therapies but further indicate that the complete loss of FAAH activity may be detrimental.
Lessons for the UK Green Deal from the US BBNP
Creators: name: Gillich, Aaron
name: Sunikka-Blank, Minna
name: Ford, Andy
Publisher: name: Taylor & Francis
Year: 2016
Subjects: subject: 69999 Biological Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: FOS: Biological sciences
subject: Science Policy
subject: 111714 Mental Health
subject: FOS: Health sciences

description: How can programme design and strategy drive the decision actually to undertake retrofit upgrades? The US Better Buildings Neighborhood Program (BBNP) and the UK Green Deal both represent ambitious efforts to drive domestic retrofit markets. These programmes are compared and the differences in their conversion rates explored in the context of marketing, outreach and workforce engagement strategies. The impact of financial incentives is also explored. This paper supports the consensus that the US BBNP was successful against most of its stated objectives. The UK Green Deal, while slow to start, was gaining momentum before it was effectively ended. Semi-structured interviews with programme organizers give evidence that the Green Deal would have benefited from a more active approach to marketing and outreach, specifically emphasizing the distinction between the two. Marketing generates interest, but local outreach through word of mouth and personal referrals is needed to drive upgrades. The Green Deal did not sufficiently engage the workforce through an ongoing communication strategy and should have better facilitated both technical and non-technical skills development. The interest rate of the Green Deal is shown to be but one factor influencing participation, and can be effectively balanced through programme design in other areas.
Evaluation of the ability of commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays to measure mouse tissue factor
Creators: name: Sachetto A.T.A.
name: Mackman N.
Publisher: name: Elsevier B.V.
Year: 2024

description: Background: Tissue factor (TF) is the primary cellular initiator of the blood coagulation cascade. Increased levels of TF expression on circulating monocytes or on extracellular vesicles (EVs) are associated with thrombosis in a variety of diseases, including sepsis and COVID-19. Objectives: Here, we aimed to evaluate the ability of 4 commercial TF enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) to measure mouse TF in cells and plasma. Methods: We used 4 commercial mouse TF ELISAs (SimpleStep, R&D Systems, MyBioSource [sandwich], and MyBioSource [competitive]). We used recombinant mouse TF (rmTF; 16-1000 pg/mL), cell lysates from a TF-expressing mouse pancreatic cancer cell line, and plasma and EVs isolated from plasma from mice injected with vehicle or bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Results: The 2 MyBioSource kits failed to detect rmTF or TF in cell lysates. The SimpleStep and R&D kits detected rmTF in buffer or spiked into plasma in a concentration-dependent manner. These kits also detected TF in cell lysates from a mouse pancreatic cancer cell line. A higher signal was observed with the SimpleStep kit compared to the R&D kit. However, the SimpleStep and R&D kits failed to detect TF in plasma or EVs from LPS-treated mice. Conclusion: Our results indicate that some commercial ELISAs can be used to measure mouse TF levels in cell lysates but they cannot detect TF in plasma or EVs from endotoxemic mice.
Healthcare use and health outcomes of young people with intellectual disabilities in NSW, Australia
Creators: name: Kreps, Felicia
Publisher: name: Macquarie University
Year: 2024
Subjects: classificationCode: 420299
subject: Epidemiology not elsewhere classified

description: People with intellectual disabilities (ID), particularly young people, have been widely demonstrated to experience greater health disparities than the general population including greater utilisation of health services, poorer experience of healthcare, as well as higher mortality rates and lower life expectancies. While there is much published information indicating worse health for individuals with ID, there is limited research regarding their healthcare utilisation with associated health outcomes, compared to individuals without any mental health diagnosis. The aim of this research is to investigate healthcare use of young people (≤18 years) with ID in New South Wales (NSW), Australia and to identify barriers and facilitators impacting health service use. A mixed methods approach was used that included a population-based matched retrospective case-comparison cohort study and semi-structured interviews. The cohort study used linked birth, hospital admission and mortality data during 2005-2018 in NSW to examine healthcare utilisation of young people with ID aged ≤18 years compared to matched peers with no hospitalisation with a mental health diagnosis. The peer comparison group was matched on age, gender, and residential postcode. Six semi-structured interviews were conducted with parent/legal guardians of a young person with ID to identify common barriers and facilitators of healthcare use experienced by families in NSW. The Andersen-Gelberg framework was utilised throughout the thematic analysis process to categorise interview themes. There were 10,078 young people with ID hospitalised during the study time period. Overall, health service use was greater for young people hospitalised with ID than their matched peers across all health service measures. After adjusting for covariates, young people hospitalised with ID had an overall higher risk of hospitalisation than their matched peers (ARR 11.19; 95% Cl 10.27-12.20). From the interviews with primary caregivers of young people with ID, 11 themes and 27 subthemes regarding barriers and facilitators of health service use were identified. Key themes included health beliefs/knowledge, personal resources, community resources, and satisfaction with care. The findings of this research have implications for health professionals and policy makers as the identified barriers for health service use and differences in use for young people with ID compared to peers indicate challenges within the various levels of the health system.
Cationic acyclic cucurbit[n]uril-type containers: synthesis and molecular recognition toward nucleotides
Creators: name: Sigwalt, David
name: Zavalij, Peter Y.
name: Isaacs, Lyle
Publisher: name: Taylor & Francis
Year: 2016
Subjects: subject: Biophysics
subject: Space Science
subject: Biotechnology
subject: 39999 Chemical Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: FOS: Chemical sciences
subject: Cancer

description: We report the synthesis of M2NH3 which is a tetracationic analogue of our prototypical acyclic CB[n]-type molecular container M2. Both M1NH3 and M2NH3 possess excellent solubility in D2O and do not undergo intermolecular self-association processes that would impinge on their molecular recognition properties. Compounds M1NH3 and M2NH3 do, however, undergo an intramolecular self-complexation process driven by ion–dipole interactions between the ureidyl C=O portals and the OCH2CH2NH3 arms along with inclusion of one aromatic wall in its own hydrophobic cavity. The Ka values for M1NH3 and M2NH3 towards seven nucleotides were determined by 1H NMR titration and found to be quite modest (Ka in the 102–103 M−1 range) although M2NH3 is slightly more potent. The more highly charged guests (e.g. ATP) form stronger complexes with M1NH3 and M2NH3 than the less highly charged guest (e.g. ADP, AMP). The work highlights the dominant influence of the ureidyl C=O portals on the molecular recognition behaviour of acyclic CB[n]-type receptors and suggests routes (e.g. more highly charged arms) to enhance their recognition behaviour towards anions.
Development of an England-wide indoor overheating and air pollution model using artificial neural networks
Creators: name: Symonds, Phil
name: Taylor, Jonathon
name: Chalabi, Zaid
name: Mavrogianni, Anna
name: Davies, Michael
name: Hamilton, Ian
name: Sotiris Vardoulakis
name: Heaviside, Clare
name: Macintyre, Helen
Publisher: name: Taylor & Francis
Year: 2016
Subjects: subject: Space Science
subject: 59999 Environmental Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: FOS: Earth and related environmental sciences
subject: 39999 Chemical Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: FOS: Chemical sciences
subject: Ecology
subject: FOS: Biological sciences
subject: 69999 Biological Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: 80699 Information Systems not elsewhere classified
subject: FOS: Computer and information sciences
subject: Science Policy

description: With the UK climate projected to warm in future decades, there is an increased research focus on the risks of indoor overheating. Energy-efficient building adaptations may modify a buildings risk of overheating and the infiltration of air pollution from outdoor sources. This paper presents the development of a national model of indoor overheating and air pollution, capable of modelling the existing and future building stocks, along with changes to the climate, outdoor air pollution levels, and occupant behaviour. The model presented is based on a large number of EnergyPlus simulations run in parallel. A metamodelling approach is used to create a model that estimates the indoor overheating and air pollution risks for the English housing stock. The performance of neural networks (NNs) is compared to a support vector regression (SVR) algorithm when forming the metamodel. NNs are shown to give almost a 50% better overall performance than SVR.
Nicole Bériou, En quête d’une parole vive. Traces écrites de la prédication (Xe–XIIIe siècle), Aubervilliers, Paris, Orléans (Institut de recherche et d’histoire des textes) 2022
Creators: name: Oberste, Jörg
Publisher: name: Francia-Recensio
Year: 2024

description: Nicole Bériou, En quête d’une parole vive. Traces écrites de la prédication (Xe–XIIIe siècle), Aubervilliers, Paris, Orléans (Institut de recherche et d’histoire des textes) 2022, 456 p. (Bibliothèque d’histoire des textes), ISBN 978-2-493209-02-3, EUR 31,50.
description: Francia-Recensio, 2024/1
Martin Aurell, Florian Besson, Justine Breton, Lucie Malbos (dir.), Les médiévistes face aux médiévalismes, Rennes (Presses universitaires de Rennes) 2023
Creators: name: Oschema, Klaus
Publisher: name: Francia-Recensio
Year: 2024

description: Martin Aurell, Florian Besson, Justine Breton, Lucie Malbos (dir.), Les médiévistes face aux médiévalismes, Rennes (Presses universitaires de Rennes) 2023, 222 p. (Histoire), ISBN 978-2-7535-8794-6, EUR 25,00.
description: Francia-Recensio, 2024/1
Sigrun Høgetveit Berg, Arnold Otto (ed.), Secular canons in Medieval Europe. Diversity under Common Canon Law, Berlin (Akademie Verlag) 2023
Creators: name: Massoni, Anne
Publisher: name: Francia-Recensio
Year: 2024

description: Sigrun Høgetveit Berg, Arnold Otto (ed.), Secular canons in Medieval Europe. Diversity under Common Canon Law, Berlin (Akademie Verlag) 2023, 184 p., 8 fig. (Studien zur Germania Sacra. Neue Folge, 14), ISBN 978-3-11-102713-5, EUR 124,95.
description: Francia-Recensio, 2024/1
Éléonore Andrieu, Pierre Chastang, Fabrice Delivré, Joseph Morsel, Valérie Theis (dir.), Le pouvoir des listes au Moyen Âge. Band 3: Listes, temps, espace, Paris (Publications de la Sorbonne) 2023
Creators: name: Schmitt, Jean-Claude
Publisher: name: Francia-Recensio
Year: 2024

description: Éléonore Andrieu, Pierre Chastang, Fabrice Delivré, Joseph Morsel, Valérie Theis (dir.), Le pouvoir des listes au Moyen Âge. Band 3: Listes, temps, espace, Paris (Publications de la Sorbonne) 2023, 460 p. (Histoire ancienne et médiévale, 191), ISBN 979-10-351-0866-3, EUR 22,00.
description: Francia-Recensio, 2024/1
title: Theorie und Methode der Analyse asymmetrischer Formen von Abhängigkeit
title: Eine (global)rechtshistorische Perspektive
titleType: AlternativeTitle
Creators: name: Duve, Thomas
Publisher: name: Bonn Center for Dependency and Slavery Studies
Year: 2022
Subjects: subject: Dependency and Slavery Studies
subject: Rechtsgeschichte
subject: Globalgeschichte
subject: Römisches Recht
subject: Kirchenrecht
subject: Kolonialrecht
subject: Lateinamerikanische Kolonialgeschichte
subject: Iberian Worlds
subject: Rechtsnormen
subject: Rechtswissen
subject: Recht und Sklaverei
subject: ddc:340
subject: ddc:930
subject: ddc:940
subject: ddc:980

description: This working paper aims to contribute to the transdisciplinary debates on how to analyze asymmetric forms of dependency at the BCDSS from the perspective of a legal historian inter ested in global legal history and working mainly on the “Iberian Worlds”. I will therefore first introduce traditions and methods of legal historical research, and show the specific achieve ments and shortcomings of these traditions by giving examples of how legal historians studied asymmetric forms of dependency. In the second part, I will briefly show that legal history can be understood as a history of the translation of normative knowledge. This innovative ap proach can help to overcome some of the shortcomings of the research tradition in this field by opening legal historical research for practices and allowing us to integrate into its analysis modes of normativity other than those that resulted in the (Western) modern state. Building on this, I will in the third part explain the concept of “Historical Regimes of Normativity”, which is a form of observation of more or less stable constellations of normative knowledge.
Experiences of women participating in a human papillomavirus-based screen-triage-and treat strategy for cervical cancer prevention in Malawi
Creators: name: McGue, Shannon
name: Lee, Fan
name: Msowoya, Lizzie
name: Chinula, Lameck
name: Dunda, Wezzie
name: Smith, Jennifer S.
name: Ndovie, Margret
name: Chapola, John
name: Mwapasa, Victor
name: Tang, Jennifer H.
Publisher: name: Frontiers
Year: 2024

description: Objective To explore the experiences of Malawian women who underwent a human papillomavirus (HPV)-based screen-triage-treat algorithm for cervical cancer (CxCa) prevention. This algorithm included GeneXpert® HPV testing of self-collected vaginal samples, visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) and colposcopy for HPV-positive women, and thermal ablation of ablation-eligible women. Method In-depth interviews were conducted with participants of a trial that evaluated the feasibility of a HPV-based screen-triage-treat algorithm among women living with HIV and HIV negative women in Lilongwe, Malawi. Participants were recruited from 3 groups: 1) HPV-negative; 2) HPV-positive/VIA-negative; 3) HPV-positive/VIA-positive and received thermal ablation. Interviews explored baseline knowledge of CxCa and screening, attitudes towards self-collection, and understanding of test results. Content analysis was conducted using NVIVO v12. Results Thematic saturation was reached at 25 interviews. Advantages of HPV self-collection to participants were convenience of sampling, same-day HPV results and availability of same-day treatment. There was confusion surrounding HPV-positive/VIA-negative results, as some participants still felt treatment was needed. Counseling, and in particular anticipatory guidance, was key in helping participants understand complex screening procedures and results. Overall, participants expressed confidence in the HPV screen-triage-treat strategy. Discussion HPV testing through self-collected samples is a promising tool to increase CxCa screening coverage. A multi-step screening algorithm utilizing HPV self-testing, VIA triage and thermal ablation treatment requires proper counseling and anticipatory guidance to improve patient understanding. Incorporating thorough counseling in CxCa screening programs can change women’s perspectives about screening, build trust in healthcare systems, and influence healthcare seeking behavior towards routine screening and prevention.
Design, synthesis and structure determination of new inherently chiral para-bromoalkoxycalix[4]arenes
Creators: name: Yesypenko, Oleksandr A.
name: Klyachina, Marija A.
name: Dekhtyarenko, Maksym V.
name: Pirozhenko, Vladimir V.
name: Shishkina, Svitlana V.
name: Boyko, Vyacheslav I.
name: Voitenko, Zoia V.
name: Kalchenko, Vitaly I.
Publisher: name: Taylor & Francis
Year: 2016
Subjects: subject: Biophysics
subject: Biochemistry
subject: 29999 Physical Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: FOS: Physical sciences
subject: Genetics
subject: FOS: Biological sciences
subject: Molecular Biology
subject: Pharmacology
subject: Biotechnology
subject: Evolutionary Biology
subject: 39999 Chemical Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: FOS: Chemical sciences
subject: Developmental Biology
subject: Plant Biology

description: The preparative method for the synthesis of inherently chiral para-bromoalkoxycalix[4]arenes based on para-bromination, stepwise regioselective debenzoylation and the following alkylation of the readily available 25-propoxy-26,27-dibenzoyloxycalix[4]arene with propyl bromide or (R)-N-(1-phenylethyl)bromoacetamide has been developed. Three types of the inherently chiral calix[4]arenes in cone or partial cone conformations with asymmetrical (AHHHHBHH, AAHHHBHH, AHBHHCHH) substitution of both upper and lower rims have been obtained in racemic, diastereomerically pure or enantiomerically pure forms. Their structure and the absolute configuration have been determined by NMR and X-ray.
DIMETILSULFOKSID KARBAMID MUHITIDA SHOLI POYASIGA ISHLOV BERISH
Creators: name: Urozov, M.
name: Yusupova, N.F.
name: Usmanova, Z.U.
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2024

description: Tabiatda turli erituvchilar mavjud bo‘lib ular moddalarning turlariga va xossalariga qarab tanlanadi. Olib borilgan tadqiqotlarda bir nechta erituvchilar xossalari o‘rganilib, sholi poyasining va undan olinadigan sellyulozani eritish va undan quyi molekular moddalarni ajratib olish imkoniyatlari o‘rganilgan.
Factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine uptake and hesitancy among healthcare workers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Creators: name: Nzaji, Michel K.
name: Sessoms, Dana
name: Kapit, Anselme Manyong
name: Fogarty, Alanna S.
name: Meyou, Shanice Fezeu
name: Stolka, Kristen B.
name: Lungayo, Christophe Luhata
name: Bene, Aime Cikomola Mwana
name: Standley, Claire J.
name: de Dieu Kamenga, Jean
name: MacDonald, Pia D. M.
Publisher: name: Public Library of Science
Year: 2024

description: Vaccination is a critical intervention to reduce morbidity and mortality and limit strain on health systems caused by COVID-19. The slow pace of COVID-19 vaccination uptake observed in some settings raises concerns about COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. The Democratic Republic of the Congo experienced logistical challenges and low uptake at the start of vaccine distribution, leading to one of the lowest overall COVID-19 vaccine coverage rates in the world in 2021. This study assessed the magnitude and associated factors of COVID-19 vaccine uptake among healthcare workers (HCWs) in seven provinces in DRC. We implemented a cross-sectional Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) questionnaire targeting HCWs, administered by trained data collectors in Haut-Katanga, Kasaï Orientale, Kinshasa, Kongo Centrale, Lualaba, North Kivu, and South Kivu provinces. Data were summarized and statistical tests were performed to assess factors associated with vaccine uptake. HCWs across the seven provinces completed the questionnaire (N = 5,102), of whom 46.3% had received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Older age, being married, being a medical doctor, being a rural resident, and having access to or having previously worked in a COVID-19 vaccination site were all strongly associated with vaccination uptake. Vaccinated individuals most frequently cited protection of themselves, their families, and their communities as motivations for being vaccinated, whereas unvaccinated individuals were most concerned about safety, effectiveness, and risk of severe side effects. The findings suggest an opinion divide between vaccine-willing and vaccine-hesitant HCWs. A multidimensional approach may be needed to increase the acceptability of the COVID-19 vaccine for HCWs. Future vaccine campaign messaging could center around the positive impact of vaccination on protecting friends, family, and the community, and also emphasize the safety and very low risk of adverse effects. These types of messages may further be useful when planning future immunization campaigns with new vaccines.
First-in-Class Humanized Antibody against Alternatively Spliced Tissue Factor Augments Anti-Metastatic Efficacy of Chemotherapy in a Preclinical Model of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Creators: name: Backman, Charles
name: Sohal, Davendra P. S.
name: Yeh, Jen Jen
name: Lewis, Clayton S.
name: Xie, Changchun
name: Ahsan, Sabahat
name: Cliff, Ashley
name: Hariharan, Arthi
name: Bogdanov, Vladimir Y.
name: Zhang, Xiang
Publisher: name: MDPI
Year: 2024

description: Alternatively spliced tissue factor (asTF) promotes the progression of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) by activating β1-integrins on PDAC cell surfaces. hRabMab1, a first-in-class humanized inhibitory anti-asTF antibody we recently developed, can suppress PDAC primary tumor growth as a single agent. Whether hRabMab1 has the potential to suppress metastases in PDAC is unknown. Following in vivo screening of three asTF-proficient human PDAC cell lines, we chose to make use of KRAS G12V-mutant human PDAC cell line PaCa-44, which yields aggressive primary orthotopic tumors with spontaneous spread to PDAC-relevant anatomical sites, along with concomitant severe leukocytosis. The experimental design featured orthotopic tumors formed by luciferase labeled PaCa-44 cells; administration of hRabMab1 alone or in combination with gemcitabine/paclitaxel (gem/PTX); and the assessment of the treatment outcomes on the primary tumor tissue as well as systemic spread. When administered alone, hRabMab1 exhibited poor penetration of tumor tissue; however, hRabMab1 was abundant in tumor tissue when co-administered with gem/PTX, which resulted in a significant decrease in tumor cell proliferation; leukocyte infiltration; and neovascularization. Gem/PTX alone reduced primary tumor volume, but not metastatic spread; only the combination of hRabMab1 and gem/PTX significantly reduced metastatic spread. RNA-seq analysis of primary tumors showed that the addition of hRabMab1 to gem/PTX enhanced the downregulation of tubulin binding and microtubule motor activity. In the liver, hRabMab1 reduced liver metastasis as a single agent. Only the combination of hRabMab1 and gem/PTX eliminated tumor cell-induced leukocytosis. We here demonstrate for the first time that hRabMab1 may help suppress metastasis in PDAC. hRabMab1’s ability to improve the efficacy of chemotherapy is significant and warrants further investigation.
Gap in protective behaviors between Han and minority ethnicities during COVID-19 pandemic in rural western China: A decomposition analysis
Creators: name: Sun C.
name: Feng C.
name: Ye R.
name: Wang Q.
name: Pappas L.
name: Chen Y.
name: Ma Y.
name: Wu Y.
name: Rozelle S.
name: Zhou H.
Publisher: name: Elsevier Inc.
Year: 2024

description: Understanding the ethnic gap in protective behavior and its explanatory factors is a promising step for reducing pandemic-induced disparities. However, no studies have endeavored to identify the factors contributing to a gap in protective behaviors between Han and minority ethnicities during COVID-19 pandemic in rural China. We aimed to analyze the gap in protective behaviors between Han and minority residents in rural China. We conducted cross-sectional studies in multi-ethnic rural China in 2020. A total of 1640 participants from Han and minority groups were invited to participate. The decomposition method was applied to analyze the gap in protective behaviors and its associated factors between the Han and minority groups. Participants in the Han group had a higher protective behavioral score (9.26 ± 1.20) than the minority group (8.97 ± 1.50), yielding a significant gap in protective behaviors between Han and minority ethnicities of 0.29. Socio-demographic characteristics, health status, the degree of knowledge held about COVID-19, and psychological responses to COVID-19 explained 79.3 % (0.23/0.29) of the behavioral gap between the Han and minority groups. The difference in household asset levels was the largest explained contributor to the behavioral gap (52.17 %) (0.12/0.23), followed by fear felt for COVID-19 (−21.74 %) (−0.05/0.23). Differences in educational attainment, degree of knowledge held about COVID-19, and self-efficacy in response to COVID-19 each explained 17.4 % (0.04/0.23) of the behavioral gap. In conclusion, Han group show greater protective behaviors than minority ethnic groups. To drive better protective behavior in the most vulnerable communities, targeted, group-specific COVID-19 preventative messages deployed in public health communication strategies is suggested to enhance individual confidence in coping with the pandemic while creating a healthy amount of fear for public health crisis.
Contract compliance under biased expectations: Evidence from an experiment in Ghana
Creators: name: Fischer, Sabine
name: Grosch, Kerstin
name: Fischer, Sabine
name: Grosch, Kerstin
Publisher: name: Unknown
Year: 2020
Subjects: subject: Agricultural and Food Policy
subject: Institutional and Behavioral Economics
subject: contract compliance
subject: overconfidence
subject: reference-dependent preferences

description: Contract compliance is key for economic growth. However, determinants affecting contract breach are not yet well understood. In this paper, we focus on contract situations with a potential hold-up problem, such as contract farming agreements which are prevalent in many developing countries. We examine if agents' payoff expectations serve as a reference point affecting (non-)compliant behavior by inducing a subjective loss when the agent compares the realized payoff and the expected payoff from the contract. Results from our lab experiment in Ghana indicate that overconfident agents, i.e., agents with relatively high payoff expectations, breach more often than underconfident agents, i.e., agents with relatively low payoff expectations. Moreover, more pronounced individual loss aversion amplies the effect of subjective losses on contract breach. In a treatment, we manipulate agent's overestimation exogenously and use it as an instrument to demonstrate that the reported effectects are causal.
Impact of Hypoxia on Radiation-Based Therapies for Liver Cancer
Creators: name: Lee, Jean
name: Westergaard, Sarah A.
name: Kokabi, Nima
name: Villalobos, Alexander
Publisher: name: MDPI
Year: 2024

description: Background: Hypoxia, a state of low oxygen level within a tissue, is often present in primary and secondary liver tumors. At the molecular level, the tumor cells’ response to hypoxic stress induces proteomic and genomic changes which are largely regulated by proteins called hypoxia-induced factors (HIF). These proteins have been found to drive tumor progression and cause resistance to drug- and radiation-based therapies, ultimately contributing to a tumor’s poor prognosis. Several imaging modalities have been developed to visualize tissue hypoxia, providing insight into a tumor’s microbiology. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, and Google Scholar for all reports related to hypoxia on liver tumors. All relevant studies were summarized. Results: This review will focus on the impact of hypoxia on liver tumors and review PET-, MRI-, and SPECT-based imaging modalities that have been developed to predict and assess a tumor’s response to radiation therapy, with a focus on liver cancers. Conclusion: While there are numerous studies that have evaluated the impact of hypoxia on tumor outcomes, there remains a relative paucity of data evaluating and quantifying hypoxia within the liver. Novel and developing non-invasive imaging techniques able to provide functional and physiological information on tumor hypoxia within the liver may be able to assist in the treatment planning of primary and metastatic liver lesions.
Critical Success Factors of Innovative Lithuanian Life Sciences Startups by Karolis Dumbrovas
Creators: name: Dumbrovas, Karolis
Publisher: name: figshare
Year: 2016
Subjects: subject: 150399 Business and Management not elsewhere classified
subject: FOS: Economics and business

description: The purpose of this thesis is to identify the critical success factors of innovative Lithuanian life sciences start-ups that drives them to commercial success. Literature review identified factors that are critical to the success of technology (or knowledge) intensive start-ups in various ecosystems throughout the World, although there was no specific research made on start-ups’ critical success factors in the field of life sciences. Qualitative research was used to collect empirical data about innovative Lithuanian life sciences start-ups, which are developing new technologies, products or services, generating revenue, have more than one employee and are not experiencing any major financial difficulties. The findings of the research revealed that Lithuanian life sciences start-ups correspond to the global tendencies and same factors affect their operations as any other technology (or knowledge) intensive start-up, however start-ups are heavily dependent on the national and European Union funding opportunities.
High-risk prostate cancer treated with a stereotactic body radiation therapy boost following pelvic nodal irradiation
Creators: name: Mendez, Christopher
name: Lischalk, Jonathan W.
name: Haas, Jonathan A.
name: Santos, Vianca F.
name: Wise, David
name: Corcoran, Anthony
name: Katz, Aaron
name: Akerman, Meredith
name: Sanchez, Astrid
name: Carpenter, Todd
name: Lepor, Herbert
name: Repka, Michael C.
Publisher: name: Frontiers
Year: 2024

description: Purpose Modern literature has demonstrated improvements in long-term biochemical outcomes with the use of prophylactic pelvic nodal irradiation followed by a brachytherapy boost in the management of high-risk prostate cancer. However, this comes at the cost of increased treatment-related toxicity. In this study, we explore the outcomes of the largest cohort to date, which uses a stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) boost following pelvic nodal radiation for exclusively high-risk prostate cancer. Methods and materials A large institutional database was interrogated to identify all patients with high-risk clinical node-negative prostate cancer treated with conventionally fractionated radiotherapy to the pelvis followed by a robotic SBRT boost to the prostate and seminal vesicles. The boost was uniformly delivered over three fractions. Toxicity was measured using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version 5.0. Oncologic outcomes were assessed using the Kaplan–Meier method. Cox proportional hazard models were created to evaluate associations between pretreatment characteristics and clinical outcomes. Results A total of 440 patients with a median age of 71 years were treated, the majority of whom were diagnosed with a grade group 4 or 5 disease. Pelvic nodal irradiation was delivered at a total dose of 4,500 cGy in 25 fractions, followed by a three-fraction SBRT boost. With an early median follow-up of 2.5 years, the crude incidence of grade 2+ genitourinary (GU) and gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity was 13% and 11%, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed grade 2+ GU toxicity was associated with older age and a higher American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stage. Multivariate analysis revealed overall survival was associated with patient age and posttreatment prostate-specific antigen (PSA) nadir. Conclusion Utilization of an SBRT boost following pelvic nodal irradiation in the treatment of high-risk prostate cancer is oncologically effective with early follow-up and yields minimal high-grade toxicity. We demonstrate a 5-year freedom from biochemical recurrence (FFBCR) of over 83% with correspondingly limited grade 3+ GU and GI toxicity measured at 3.6% and 1.6%, respectively. Long-term follow-up is required to evaluate oncologic outcomes and late toxicity.
HIV epidemiologic trends among occupational groups in Rakai, Uganda: A population-based longitudinal study, 1999–2016
Creators: name: Reynolds, Steven J.
name: Chang, Larry W.
name: Lessler, Justin
name: Alamo, Stella
name: Kagaayi, Joseph
name: Popoola, Victor O.
name: Wawer, Maria J.
name: Kabatesi, Donna
name: Lutalo, Tom
name: Tobian, Aaron A. R.
name: Santelli, John
name: Grabowski, M. Kate
name: Ssekubugu, Robert
name: Mills, Lisa A.
name: Gray, Ronald H.
name: Kigozi, Grace
name: Serwadda, David
name: Ssekasanvu, Joseph
name: Ndyanabo, Anthony
name: Kigozi, Godfrey
name: Nalugoda, Fred
Publisher: name: Public Library of Science
Year: 2024

description: Certain occupations have been associated with heightened risk of HIV acquisition and spread in sub-Saharan Africa, including female bar and restaurant work and male transportation work. However, data on changes in population prevalence of HIV infection and HIV incidence within occupations following mass scale-up of African HIV treatment and prevention programs is very limited. We evaluated prospective data collected between 1999 and 2016 from the Rakai Community Cohort Study, a longitudinal population-based study of 15- to 49-year-old persons in Uganda. Adjusted prevalence risk ratios for overall, treated, and untreated, prevalent HIV infection, and incidence rate ratios for HIV incidence with 95% confidence intervals were estimated using Poisson regression to assess changes in HIV outcomes by occupation. Analyses were stratified by gender. There were 33,866 participants, including 19,113 (56%) women. Overall, HIV seroprevalence declined in most occupational subgroups among men, but increased or remained mostly stable among women. In contrast, prevalence of untreated HIV substantially declined between 1999 and 2016 in most occupations, irrespective of gender, including by 70% among men (12.3 to 4.2%; adjPRR = 0.30; 95%CI:0.23–0.41) and by 78% among women (14.7 to 4.0%; adjPRR = 0.22; 95%CI:0.18–0.27) working in agriculture, the most common self-reported primary occupation. Exceptions included men working in transportation. HIV incidence similarly declined in most occupations, but there were no reductions in incidence among female bar and restaurant workers, women working in local crafts, or men working in transportation. In summary, untreated HIV infection and HIV incidence have declined within most occupational groups in Uganda. However, women working in bars/restaurants and local crafts and men working in transportation continue to have a relatively high burden of untreated HIV and HIV incidence, and as such, should be considered priority populations for HIV programming.