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Chih-Hsun Wu,1,2 Wei-Han Chou,3 Yi-Hsun Long,2 Hao-Han Yang,1 Tung Lin,1 Chi-Cheng Yang,1,4 Wei-Zen Sun,3 Chih-Cheng Chen,5 Chih-Peng Lin3 1Department of Psychology, National Chengchi University, Taipei, Taiwan; 2Clinical Psychology Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; 3Department of Anesthesiology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; 4Holistic Mental Health Center, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; 5Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, TaiwanCorrespondence: Chih-Peng Lin, Department of Anesthesiology, National Taiwan University Hospital, 7 Chung Shan S. Road, Taipei, 100225, Taiwan, Tel +886 2 23123456 #262158, Fax +886 2 23415736, Email cplin0123@gmail.comPurpose: People with pain problems are highly vulnerable to cultural disparities, and it is imperative to reduce these inequalities. This cross-sectional study aimed to develop a culturally sensitive Chronic Pain Cognition Scale (CPCS) for Chinese-/Chinese dialect-speaking populations and investigate its psychometric properties.Patients and Methods: Adult patients with chronic low back pain or chronic neck pain who visited pain clinics at a medical center in northern Taiwan were enrolled. Participants completed the demographic, intensity of pain, and two other related sensations, “Sng (痠)” and “Ma (麻)”, often reported in Chinese-speaking populations, CPCS, Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire-8, and Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire.Results: 200 patients were included. Patients’ mean age was 64.84 ± 14.33, 126 (63.0%) were female, and 83 (41.5%) had 13+ years of education. The average duration of pain was 77.25 ± 97.46 months, the intensity of pain was 6.04 ± 2.50, Ma was 3.43 ± 3.24, and Sng was 4.54 ± 3.14. The CPCS comprised four factors: pain impact (how pain impact one’s life), losing face (how one being disrespected due to pain), helplessness, and avoidance, with good structural validity and adequate reliability (Cronbach α, 0.60– 0.81) and satisfactory criterion-related validity. Moreover, losing face, an essential concept in Chinese relationalism, was significantly related to pain, Sng, and Ma (r = 0.19, 0.15 and 0.16), but not to pain acceptance or self-efficacy, indicating a culturally specific element in pain measurement.Conclusion: The CPCS has good psychometric properties and is suitable for evaluating chronic pain in the clinical setting, and might be generalizable to other Chinese-/Chinese dialect-speaking populations.Keywords: low back pain, neck pain, pain impact, losing face, helplessness, avoidance

Chen-Lin Yu,1,2,* Hsiang-Lin Lee,3,4,* Shun-Fa Yang,2,5 Shih-Wei Wang,1,6 Ching-Pin Lin,4,7 Yi-Hsien Hsieh,2,5 Hui-Ling Chiou8,9 1Institute of Biomedical Science, Mackay Medical College, New Taipei City, Taiwan; 2Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; 3Department of Surgery, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan; 4School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; 5Department of Medical Research, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan; 6Graduate Institute of Natural Products, College of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; 7Division of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan; 8School of Medical Laboratory and Biotechnology, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; 9Department of Clinical Laboratory, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Yi-Hsien Hsieh; Hui-Ling Chiou, Tel +886-4-2473-0022, Fax +886-4- 2472-3229, Email hyhsien@csmu.edu.tw; hlchiou@csmu.edu.twObjective: Protodioscin (PD), a steroidal saponin, has a diverse pharmacological activity including neuroprotection, male fertility improvement, and cytotoxicity against various cancers cell lines of different origins. However, the effect of PD on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still unclear.Methods: Cell viability, colony formation and flow cytometry analysis for apoptosis profile, mitochondrial membrane potential endoplasmic reticulum (ER) expansion were employed to determine the effect of PD against HCC cells. Transient transfection of siRNA, immunofluorescent imaging and immunoprecipitation were used to elucidate the anti-cancer mechanism of PD. The in vivo toxicity and efficacy of PD were assessed by a xenograft mouse model.Results: PD induced apoptosis, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and ER expansion in HCC cells. Either downregulation of Mfn1 or Bak reversed PD-induced apoptosis and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential. Further analysis revealed that Mfn1 and Bak will form a complex with IP3R to facilitate the transfer of Ca2+ from ER to mitochondria and apoptosis. In addition, our tumour xenograft model further verifies the in vivo anti-tumour effect of PD.Conclusion: Our study sheds light on the understanding of the anti-HCC effects of PD and may open new aspects for the development of novel treatment for human hepatocellular carcinoma.Graphical Abstract: Keywords: hepatocellular carcinoma, protodioscin, mitochondrial, apoptosis, endoplasmic reticulum

Ke-Vin Chang,1,2 Kamal Mezian,3 Ondřej Naňka,4 Wei-Ting Wu,1 Chih-Peng Lin,5,6 Levent Özçakar7 1Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, National Taiwan University Hospital, Bei-Hu Branch, Taipei, Taiwan; 2Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, National Taiwan University, College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan; 3Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Charles University, First Faculty of Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic; 4Institute of Anatomy, Charles University, First Faculty of Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic; 5Department of Anesthesiology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; 6Department of Anesthesiology, National Taiwan University, College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan; 7Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Hacettepe University Medical School, Ankara, Turkey Abstract: Shoulder pain is a common musculoskeletal disorder of variable etiology, ranging from rotator cuff pathology to peripheral nerve entrapment. Advances in ultrasound (US) technology have allowed static and dynamic evaluation of shoulder problems and most importantly, offer real-time, radiation-free guidance for interventions. The present review aims to describe shoulder anatomy in detail using information from cadaveric models and to illustrate US-guided techniques using clearly labeled figures and videos. The review will also present evidence of specific US-guided therapies for shoulder pain by summarizing landmark studies, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses. The following shoulder structures will be covered: 1) the biceps long head tendon, 2) the acromioclavicular joint, 3) the subacromial–subdeltoid bursa, 4) the glenohumeral joint, 5) the suprascapular nerve, and 6) the axillary nerve. Keywords: pain, sonography, tendon, joint, injection, rehabilitation

Yun-Qian Li,1,* Meng Xu,2,* Udesh Dhawan,3,4 Wai-Ching Liu,5 Kou-Ting Wu,5 Xin-Rui Liu,1 Chingpo Lin,1 Gang Zhao,1 Yu-Chuan Wu,3,6,7 Ren-Jei Chung5 1Department of Neurosurgical Oncology, First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, People’s Republic of China; 2School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Materials and Mineral Resources Engineering, National Taipei University of Technology (Taipei Tech), Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China; 4Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China; 5Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, National Taipei University of Technology (Taipei Tech), Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China; 6Institute of Materials Science and Engineering, National Taipei University of Technology (Taipei Tech), Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China; 7Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Chinese Culture University, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China *These authors contributed equally to this work Introduction: The efficacy of a chemotherapy drug in cancer therapy is highly determined by the ability to control the rate and extent of its release in vivo. However, the lack of techniques to accurately control drug release drastically limits the potency of a chemotherapy drug.Materials and methods: Here, we present a novel strategy to precisely monitor drug release under magnetic stimulation. Methotrexate (MTX), an anticancer drug, was covalently functionalized onto iron–gold alloy magnetic nanoparticles (Fe–Au alloy nanoparticles or NFAs) through 2-aminoethanethiol grafting and the ability of this drug–nanoparticle conjugate (NFA–MTX) in limiting HepG2 (liver carcinoma) cell growth was studied. Well-dispersed NFAs were prepared through pyrolysis.Results and discussion: Transmission electron microscopy revealed the average nanoparticle size to be 7.22±2.6 nm, while X-ray diffraction showed distinct 2θ peaks for iron and gold, confirming the presence of iron and gold nanoparticles. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry revealed that the amount of NFA–MTX conjugate ingested by HepG2 cancer cells was 1.5 times higher than that ingested by L929 fibroblasts, thereby proving a higher selective ingestion by cancer cells compared to normal cells. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy revealed the breakage of Au-S bonds by the heat generated under magnetic field stimulation to release MTX from the NFA–MTX conjugate, triggering a 95% decrease in cellular viability at 100 µg/mL.Conclusion: The ability of NFA–MTX to dissociate under the influence of an applied magnetic field provides a new strategy to induce cancer cell death via hyperthermia. Applications in drug delivery, drug development, and cancer research are expected. Keywords: iron–gold nanoparticles, methotrexate, hyperthermia, superparamagnetic, controlled drug release

Ke-Vin Chang,1,2 Chih-Peng Lin,2,3 Chia-Shiang Lin,4,5 Wei-Ting Wu,1 Manoj K Karmakar,6 Levent Özçakar7 1Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, National Taiwan University Hospital, Bei-Hu Branch, Taipei, Taiwan; 2National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan; 3Department of Anesthesiology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; 4Department of Anesthesiology, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; 5Mackay Medicine, Nursing and Management College, Mackay Medical College, Taipei, Taiwan; 6Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, New Territories, Hong Kong; 7Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Hacettepe University Medical School, Ankara, Turkey Abstract: Delineation of architecture of peripheral nerves can be successfully achieved by high-resolution ultrasound (US), which is essential for US-guided pain management. There are numerous musculoskeletal pain syndromes involving the trunk nerves necessitating US for evaluation and guided interventions. The most common peripheral nerve disorders at the trunk region include thoracic outlet syndrome (brachial plexus), scapular winging (long thoracic nerve), interscapular pain (dorsal scapular nerve), and lumbar facet joint syndrome (medial branches of spinal nerves). Until now, there is no single article systematically summarizing the anatomy, sonographic pictures, and video demonstration of scanning techniques regarding trunk nerves. In this review, the authors have incorporated serial figures of transducer placement, US images, and videos for scanning the nerves in the trunk region and hope this paper helps physicians familiarize themselves with nerve sonoanatomy and further apply this technique for US-guided pain medicine and research. Keywords: ultrasound, nerve, trunk, lumbar, pain

Purpose: Retinal laser photocoagulation is used to treat a variety of retinal diseases. Breakdown of the blood-aqueous barrier has been noted after retinal laser photocoagulation. The effect of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on the function of the blood-aqueous barrier after retinal laser photocoagulation remains undetermined. The current study was designed to evaluate the relationship between intraocular levels of VEGF and breakdown of the blood-aqueous barrier after retinal laser photocoagulation in rabbits.Methods: Pigmented rabbits were treated with retinal laser photocoagulation in one eye; the other served as control. Laser flare photometry was carried out on post-treatment days 1, 3, 7, and 14. Animals were sacrificed at the time period just mentioned postlaser, the eyes were removed, and samples of vitreous and aqueous humor were collected. Intraocular VEGF levels were measured by using an immunoassay. An intravitreal injection of VEGF was administered, and the aqueous flare intensity and VEGF levels in the aqueous and vitreous humor were measured at the time periods just mentioned.Results: A significant increase in the aqueous flare intensity after retinal laser photocoagulation was noticed on postoperative day 1, with the values returning to baseline levels on day 14. The VEGF levels in the vitreous of the lasered eyes were significantly increased on day 1 compared with the nonlasered control eyes. The VEGF levels in the aqueous humor of the lasered eyes were also significantly increased on day 1 compared with the control eyes. An intravitreal injection of VEGF induced a significant increase in the aqueous flare intensity and VEGF levels in the aqueous and vitreous humor.Conclusions: The current results suggested that retinal laser photocoagulation can produce a breakdown of the blood-aqueous barrier. VEGF may play a role in the blood-aqueous barrier dysfunction after retinal laser photocoagulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lin M, Wang Q, Zheng L, Huang Y, Lin F, Lin CP, Yang LY. Prevalence and molecular characterization of abnormal hemoglobin in eastern Guangdong of southern China. Abnormal hemoglobins (Hbs) are the most commonly inherited disorders in humans. Their frequency and types change considerably with geographic location and ethnic group. To investigate the molecular epidemiological characterization of abnormal Hbs in eastern Guangdong of southern China, a total of 11,450 'healthy' subjects were subjected to hemoglobin electrophoresis screening. Samples of EDTA-K2 blood with abnormal Hbs were analyzed by CELL-DYN1700 blood analyzer; thalassemia genotypes and Hb E variant were identified by gap-PCR and/or reverse dot blot (RDB). The genotypes of Hb variants were detected by PCR and sequencing. The incidence of abnormal Hbs was 0.358%(41/11,450) in Chaozhou, including 12.2% (5/41) Hb J, 4.9% (2/41) Hb K, 9.7% (4/41) Hb Q, 31.7% (13/41) Hb G/D and 41.5% (17/41) Hb E. Eight types of Hb variants were found, including 3 cases of Hb J-Bangkok, 2 cases of Hb J-Wenchang-Wuming, 2 cases of Hb New York, 4 cases of Hb Q-Thailand, 5 cases of Hb G-Waimanalo, 4 cases of Hb Ottawa, 4 cases of Hb G-Chinese and 17 cases of Hb E. In comparison with other areas of Guangdong, Chaozhou had a different pattern of abnormal Hbs with a high prevalence of Hb G/D. This study describes the prevalence and molecular characterization of abnormal Hbs in eastern Guangdong. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different diffusivity measurements in diffusion-tensor imaging (DTI) could be helpful for detecting the distinct mechanisms of white matter degeneration in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, few studies have explored the changes of white matter in amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) and AD by whole-brain voxel-wise analyses of all diffusivity indices. The association between grey matter atrophy and white matter damage measured by distinct diffusivities is still uncertain. Structural magnetic resonance imaging and DTI with four diffusivity indices, comprising fractional anisotropy, mean diffusivity, axial diffusivity, and radial diffusivity, were performed in 30 normal controls, 26 mild AD patients, and 40 aMCI patients with isolated memory impairment. T1 voxel-based morphometry and DTI tract-based spatial statistics were applied to compare the grey and white matter changes in the 3 groups. In contrast to the lack of significant white matter change presenting in aMCI patients, extended white matter degeneration over entire cerebral networks was exhibited in mild AD patients. Both axonal degradation and demyelination contributed to the white matter degeneration in AD; nevertheless, demyelination essentially involved the frontal portion of cerebral networks. Axonal degradation and demyelination over the temporal region were associated with the contiguous grey matter atrophy. However, only the severity of demyelination over the frontal region was correlated with the degree of atrophy over adjacent frontal grey matter. Our results suggest that different mechanisms of white matter damage demonstrate discrete regional distribution in AD. Demyelination may independently correlate with contiguous grey matter over the frontal region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Design: A single-institution, single-surgeon retrospective review. Objective: To evaluate the clinical results of long posterior instrumentation with short posterior or posterolateral fusion for pyogenic spondylodiscitis of the thoracic and lumbar spine retrospectively. Summary Of Background Data: There are controversies concerning the optimal treatment for pyogenic spondylodiscitis, in terms of approach, grafting, and instrumentation. Reports of long posterior fixation with short fusion without debridement of infected tissue for pyogenic spondylodiscitis are rare. Methods: From June 1997 to June 2007, 48 patients with pyogenic spondylodiscitis were treated. The indications for surgery were neurological compromise, significant vertebral body destruction with kyphosis and segmental instability, failure of medical treatment, and the need for tissue diagnosis. All patients received long posterior instrumentation with or without posterior decompression, depending on whether the patients had neurological deficit. During operation, no debridement of infected tissue was done. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the criteria of Kirkaldy-Willis and the visual analogue scale for pain. The neurological outcome was graded using Frankel grading system. Segmental kyphotic angle and fusion were recorded and analyzed. Results: The average follow-up time was 64 months. The visual analogue scale scores improved from an average of 7.2 before surgery to 2.2 after surgery. Twenty-eight patients with initial neurological impairment had an average improvement of 1.03 grades, using the Frankel grading system, at the final follow-up. The segmental kyphotic deformity improved by an average of 8.5° immediately after operation and lost an average correction of 3.0° at the final follow-up. No relapse of infection was found among these 48 patients. Conclusion: The posterior approach with long segmental fixation and short posterior or posterolateral fusion without debridement of the infected tissue was effective for pyogenic spondylodiscitis of the thoracic and lumbar spine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cementodentinal tear is rarely detected by noninvasive procedures owing to its clinical picture simulating a root fracture or a periodontal or endodontic lesion. We present a case of complex cementodentinal tears in a 79-year-old woman who presented a repeated swelling at the labial mucosa of the left maxillary central incisor for 6 months. Periapical radiographs demonstrated a vertical radiolucent fracture line extending from the root apex along the mesial aspect of the root to near the middle portion of the root of the left maxillary central incisor. Because endodontic re-treatment failed to cure the disease, periapical surgery was performed, and 2 fractured U-shaped root fragments around the apical root surface were removed. Histologic examination showed that the 2 fractured root fragments were composed mainly of the dentin covered by a thin layer of the cementum and overlying periodontal ligament tissue, suggesting cementodentinal tears. A swelling recurred 8 months after the initial operation. Therefore, a second periapical surgery was performed. Although no obvious fracture line was observed around the root surface, the second surgery did not cure the disease, either. A persistent small swelling was noted at the alveolar mucosa of the affected tooth during the follow-up. We conclude that although a cementodentinal tear can be detected by a careful radiographic examination, its clinical outcome is not predictable by surgical removal only. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the surgical outcomes and intraoperative parameters of 3D visualization system for macular diseases in highly myopic eyes., Methods: In this single-center, prospective, randomized, comparative interventional study, 40 highly myopic eyes (axial length > 26 mm) were randomly assigned to either a 3D visualization system or a conventional microscope group. Surgical outcomes and intraoperative parameters, including the number of indocyanine green injections, surgical time, and epiretinal membrane/internal limiting membrane peeling time, were compared., Results: The 3D group required significantly fewer indocyanine green injections (1.3 ± 0.5 vs. 2.3 ± 0.7, P < 0.001), had shorter epiretinal membrane/internal limiting membrane peeling times (522.8 ± 258.0 vs. 751.8 ± 320.2 seconds, P < 0.05), and experienced fewer intraoperative retinal hemorrhages (0 vs. 7 cases, P < 0.05) compared with the conventional microscope group. Anatomical and functional outcomes were comparable between the two groups., Conclusion: The 3D system exhibited a lower number of indocyanine green injections, shorter epiretinal membrane/internal limiting membrane peeling times, and a reduced incidence of intraoperative retinal hemorrhages, suggesting the 3D visualization system may offer advantages for macular surgery in highly myopic eyes., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. on behalf of the Opthalmic Communications Society, Inc.)

Murine trophoblast organoids present a more balanced array of trophoblast subtypes, rendering them a suitable platform for CRISPR-Cas9-based screening. Here, we present a protocol for the derivation and culture of murine trophoblast organoids from trophoblast stem cells or placentae. We describe steps for establishing and differentiating murine trophoblast organoids, the characterization of trophoblast organoids in both conditions, the generation of focused single guide RNA (sgRNA) libraries, and the subsequent screening using those libraries in murine trophoblast organoids. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Mao et al. 1 ., Competing Interests: Declaration of interests The authors declare no competing interests., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Recent studies have associated total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT) with better treatment adherence, decreased toxicity, improved complete clinical response and anal sphincter preservation rates in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). However, real-world experience with TNT in the management of LARC remains limited., Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety outcomes of TNT for LARC in Western Australia., Methods: Patients with LARC (cT2-4 and/or cN1-2) who underwent induction chemotherapy followed by neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy or neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by consolidation chemotherapy, followed by surgery were recruited from two hospitals in Western Australia. Efficacy outcomes assessed included clinical response (complete, partial, no response), and pathologic complete response (pCR) rate, R0 resection rate, and R1 resection rate were evaluated. Those patients who achieved clinical complete response following TNT were given the option of active surveillance. The safety and tolerability of TNT were assessed., Results: 32 patients with LARC were treated with TNT. In total, 17 patients (53%) received chemoradiotherapy followed by consolidation chemotherapy and 15 patients (47%) received induction chemotherapy followed by chemoradiotherapy. Nine (28%) of the patients with LARC treated with TNT had a complete clinical response, twenty-one (66%) patients had a partial clinical response, and two (6%) patients had no response to TNT. Of the 32 patients, 27 (84%) underwent surgery. There was a 100% R0 resection rate. The pCR rate was 15%. pCR, clinical response, and the R0 resection rate were similar between the two TNT regimens. TNT was well tolerated, with the majority of patients (88%) completing the chemotherapy course with grade 1 and 2 adverse effects., Conclusions: In conclusion, TNT emerges as a promising approach for the management of LARC. However, further research is warranted to refine the optimal TNT protocols, determine its long-term outcomes, and identify patient populations who would benefit the most from this innovative therapeutic strategy.

Background: In Confucian-influenced Asian societies, explicit end-of-life conversations are uncommon and family involvement in decision-making is crucial, which complicates the adoption of culturally sensitive advance care planning., Aim: To develop a consensus definition of advance care planning and provide recommendations for patient-centered and family-based initiatives in Asia., Design: A five-round Delphi study was performed. The rating of a definition and 84 recommendations developed based on systematic reviews was performed by experts with clinical or research expertise using a 7-point Likert scale. A median = 1 and an inter-quartile range = 0-1 were considered very strong agreement and very strong consensus, respectively., Setting/participants: The Delphi study was carried out by multidisciplinary experts on advance care planning in five Asian sectors (Hong Kong/Japan/Korea/Singapore/Taiwan)., Results: Seventy-seven of 115 (67%) experts rated the statements. Advance care planning is defined as "a process that enables individuals to identify their values, to define goals and preferences for future medical treatment and care, to discuss these values, goals, and preferences with family and/or other closely related persons, and health-care providers, and to record and review these preferences if appropriate." Recommendations in the domains of considerations for a person-centered and family-based approach, as well as elements, roles and tasks, timing for initiative, policy and regulation, and evaluations received high levels of agreement and consensus., Conclusions: Our definition and recommendations can guide practice, education, research, and policy-making in advance care planning for Asian populations. Our findings will aid future research in crafting culturally sensitive advance care planning interventions, ensuring Asians receive value-aligned care., Competing Interests: Declaration of conflicting interestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.