Swiss School of Archaeology in Greece
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How does on-demand streaming technology promote binge-watching? An exploration and classification of streaming platform design features.
No full textBinge-watching (i.e., watching multiple TV series episodes in one session) has rapidly become the new viewing standard now that on-demand viewing technology allows 24-hr access to almost unlimited content. There is increasing recognition, however, that dysregulated binge-watching can be harmful to viewers. No formal or specific investigation of the design features of streaming platforms has been performed despite this being critical to an understanding of the potential emergence and maintenance of problematic forms of binge-watching. To address this gap, we conducted an in-depth examination of seven popular streaming platforms (i.e., Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Apple TV+, Acorn TV, Crunchyroll, Peacock) by applying a descriptive and systematic auditing method to identify relevant technology design features that can promote binge-watching. From the results, we generated a list of 29 features that were then classified under the four phases of the hook model framework (i.e., trigger, action, variable reward, investment). From this conceptual background and the psychological concepts of the uses and effects of media, we discuss the implications of each category of design features in affecting viewers’ ability to exert control over the on-demand streaming of TV series. These results could inform potential interventions and strategies to mitigate problematic binge-watching behaviors
Bronchial anastomotic infection after lung transplantation - An interdisciplinary review
No full textAirway complications (AC) are an important cause of morbidity and mortality post-lung transplantation (LTx). Bronchial anastomotic infection (BAI) is a complication as well as a risk factor for progressive AC post-lung transplantation. The two are closely related and difficult to untangle. AC affects approximately one in ten LTx-recipients, while BAI is reported in around one in thirty LTx-recipients. Associated bacterial pathogens frequently include Pseudomonas aeruginosa and other gram-negative pathogens, while the most frequent reported fungal pathogen is Aspergillus spp.. Associated complication rates are reported to be high. Although the epidemiology and outcome of AC have been investigated, there is an important lack of BAI-specific literature. The incidence, risk factors, treatment and prevention of BAI are not well known. To close this knowledge gap and to ultimately improve prevention, management and outcome; interdisciplinary investigations and prospective studies are warranted.
© 2025 International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation
Targeting HDAC3 dynamics: Allosteric role of Phe200 in inhibitor binding and breast cancer therapy
No full textHistone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) is a key epigenetic regulator implicated in breast cancer progression and represents a promising therapeutic target. Here, we investigated 14 HDAC3-ligand complexes using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and binding free energy calculations (MM/GBSA) to identify the determinants of inhibitor binding. Key residues consistently engaged across ligands included Gly132, His134-135, Phe144, Asp170, His172, Phe200, Asp259, Leu266, Gly296, Tyr298, and the catalytic Zn2+ ion. Among the compounds, domatinostat and entinostat exhibited the strongest affinities (ΔGbind ≈ -70 kcal/mol), in reasonable agreement with experimental data (r = 0.60). Both ligands also showed small Highest Occupied Molecular Orbital-Lowest Unoccupied Molecular Orbital (HOMO-LUMO) gaps, high softness, and elevated electrophilicity indices, providing chemical cues for the design of next-generation HDAC3 inhibitors. Notably, ligand binding stabilized regions surrounding Phe200 and Asn370, restricting the conformational flexibility required for enzymatic activation. This supports an allosteric inhibition mechanism in which ligands lock HDAC3 into inactive conformations. Collectively, these findings offer mechanistic insights into HDAC3 regulation and highlight structural hot spots for the rational design of selective inhibitors with potential applications in targeted breast cancer therapy.
Copyright © 2025 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved
Optimizing recovery of marginal donor hearts with low ejection fraction: A national retrospective study from Switzerland
No full textIn Switzerland, heart transplantation is limited by donor availability. Marginal donor hearts-characterized by older age, comorbidities, or reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF)-are often declined despite being structurally normal. Since impaired LVEF may be reversible, optimized donor management could improve cardiac function and transplant eligibility.
This retrospective cohort study analyzed 415 brain-dead donors (2017-2021) from the Swiss Organ Allocation System. Donors were categorized as optimal (LVEF ≥50%) or marginal (LVEF 15-49%), irrespective of structural abnormalities, to focus on a modifiable functional parameter. Predictors of heart transplantation were assessed using univariate and multivariable logistic regression. Additional analyses evaluated hemodynamic monitoring, diagnostic strategies, management duration, and functional recovery based on serial echocardiography.
Among 415 donors, 287 were optimal and 62 marginal. Transplantation rates were higher in optimal hearts (62.7% vs. 23.6%, p < 0.001). LVEF ≥50% independently predicted transplantation (adjusted OR = 4.56; 95% CI: 2.34-8.89; p < 0.001), together with younger age, lower norepinephrine dose, central monitoring, and repeated echocardiography. Marginal hearts demonstrated significant improvement in LVEF after optimized management (p < 0.0001), suggesting that reversible dysfunction can be mitigated through tailored hemodynamic and pharmacologic strategies.
Optimized donor management can restore left ventricular function in marginal hearts and enhance transplant eligibility. Standardized national guidelines may help expand the donor pool and improve transplantation outcomes.
© 2025 International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation
The hidden impact of intrauterine growth restriction in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome: Functional and structural alterations in rat visceral adipose tissue
No full textIndividuals born after intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) have a higher risk of developing metabolic syndrome (MetS) in adulthood. In a rat model, male IUGR offspring exhibit MetS features-including elevated systolic blood pressure, glucose intolerance, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and increased visceral adipose tissue (VAT)-by 6 months of age. Female offspring, however, do not. While higher VAT is associated with MetS, its role in IUGR-induced metabolic disorders remains unclear. The objective is to examine structural changes and mechanisms in VAT associated with metabolic disorders in IUGR rats. IUGR was induced via a maternal low-protein (9% casein) and compared to a control diet (23% casein). VAT was collected from 6-month-old offspring. Adipocyte hyperplasia and hypertrophy were analyzed using Ki-67 and hematoxylin/eosin (H/E) staining. Adipogenesis (PPAR-γ by Western blot; ZFP423 by RT-qPCR), inflammation (IL-6, TNF-α by RT-qPCR), macrophage markers (CD68, ITGAM, ITGAX by RT-qPCR), oxidative stress (superoxide anion via hydroethidine; Cu/Zn SOD, catalase by Western blot), and senescence (lipofuscin via autofluorescence, crown-like structures by H/E, p16INK4a, p21WAF1, Sirtuin-1 by Western blot) were evaluated. IUGR males showed increased adipocyte proliferation, hypertrophy, and upregulated adipogenic markers (PPAR-γ, ZFP423; PINK4a, p21WAF1, and Sirtuin-1 were also upregulated (all P<.05). No significant changes were observed in females. VAT from male IUGR offspring exhibits increased adipogenesis, inflammation, oxidative stress, and premature senescence, suggesting a mechanistic link to their higher MetS susceptibility.
Copyright © 2025 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved
Identifiying the ideal point of injection in ICG-assisted lymphatic-sparing Palomo procedure: A case report
No full textWe report a 13-year-old boy with varicocele, testicular hypotrophy, and recurrent torsion-detorsion episodes who underwent combined ICG-assisted lymphatic-sparing laparoscopic Palomo varicocelectomy and bilateral orchidopexy. Three ICG injection sites were tested: (1) transcutaneous near the dartos of the spermatic bundle, (2) directly inside the dartos, and (3) beneath the parietal vaginalis tunica. Only (3) successfully identified lymphatic vessels adjacent to the spermatic vessels. The surgery was uneventful, and at 2 months postoperatively, pain resolved and varicocele improved clinically and sonographically. Injecting ICG into the parietal vaginalis tunica optimizes lymphatic visualization and may help standardize para-testicular ICG administration.
© 2025 The Authors
Brain surgery with safe intraoperative 3-T MRI and neuromonitoring.
No full textThe aim in glioma or glioblastoma neurosurgery is maximal safe resection, knowing patient survival is strongly linked to resection extension. Deliberately leaving scalp subdermal neuromonitoring needle electrodes in place during intraoperative MRI is highly desirable for continued surgery after MRI but raises concerns for safety and image quality. Preclinical tests were performed to determine safe neuromonitoring electrodes and imaging protocols. The first implementations in a consecutive patient series are reported.Electromagnetic coupling between electrodes and MR radiofrequency pulses was measured for 5 different electrode lengths via local changes in the B1 field and temperature elevation around the electrode needle. Once the electrode length was selected, specific absorption rate (SAR) thresholds were determined and applied in the first 12 patients who gave consent. All subdermal scalp needle electrodes required for motor, somatosensory, or brainstem auditory or visual evoked potentials were carefully located perpendicular to the B0 field axis and remained in place. Electrode wires were kept in an axial position as close as possible along the center of the MR magnet tunnel to avoid any loops or crossing.The temperature elevation (mean ± SD 0.49°C ± 0.02°C), coupling (2.25 AngularDegree2.cm2), and minimum wire length for accessing the neuromonitoring head box determined the electrode length (1360 mm). Five to 9 scalp electrodes were kept in place during MRI. Among 12 patients, 6 did not require further SAR limitation below the standard regulation of 2 W/kg. The SAR limit of 1.0 W/kg was safe. Lesion resection was continued after MRI in 3 patients; motor monitoring was reinstalled in 1 patient (frontal glioblastoma). Neither redness nor any sign of burns or complaints were detected. Neither radiofrequency spikes nor significant susceptibility artifacts were observed.This protocol, which included a semiempirical physical model, in situ thermometry, B1 mapping, and cutoff SAR thresholding for controlled electrode length and positioning, was safe for intraoperative 3-T MRI in brain surgical procedures in routine clinical practice
Informed Consent Practices in Research Involving Persons with Disorders of Consciousness
No full textThe Curing Coma Campaign Ethics Working Group sought to understand informed consent practices for research involving persons with disorders of consciousness (DoC) to establish an empirical foundation to formulate common consent elements for research regarding this vulnerable population.
Consent forms for research involving persons with DoC were collected from the Curing Coma Campaign members and Clinicaltrials.gov in the fall of 2024. We abstracted data about study specifics, the consent process, and unique considerations related to persons with DoC and then reviewed and collated them using descriptive statistics.
The collection process yielded 58 consent forms: 40 (69%) from member submissions and 18 (31%) from Clinicaltrials.gov. After excluding duplicates and studies that did not pertain to persons with DoC, there were 43 forms, which included 62 unique terms to describe acute brain injury/consciousness/DoC. Of 41 studies that enrolled persons with DoC, there were 4 (10%) that mentioned an evaluation for covert consciousness. Although only 3 (7%) forms mentioned an evaluation for capacity of the person with DoC/recovered from DoC, 16 (39%) referenced first-person consent if the person with DoC regained capacity. Most studies that involved study-specific medications/interventions/tests included some mention of experiential risks (26/32, 81%), but only 2 (6%) specifically addressed the challenges associated with these risks in a person with DoC.
Consent forms for research involving persons with DoC include inconsistent terminology to describe acute brain injury/consciousness/DoC, the capacity to consent, and the potential experiential risks of study participation in the context of a DoC. There are opportunities to improve transparency and consistency of communication about research involving persons with DoC via creation of common consent elements to ensure the informed consent process protects individual autonomy.
© 2025. Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature and Neurocritical Care Society