bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Perspectives on palliative oxygen for breathlessness: systematic review and meta-synthesis
Authors: Kochovska Slavica , Ferreira Diana H. , Garcia Maja V. , Phillips Jane L. , Currow David C.
Published: March 2021

Oxygen therapy is frequently prescribed for the palliation of breathlessness, despite lack of evidence for its effectiveness in people who are not hypoxaemic. This study aimed to compare and contrast patients’, caregivers’ and clinicians’ experiences of palliative oxygen use for the relief of chronic breathlessness in people with advanced life-limiting illnesses, and how this shapes prescribing.

A systematic review and meta-synthesis of qualitative data was conducted. MEDLINE, CINAHL and PsycINFO were searched for peer-reviewed studies in English (2000–April 2019) reporting perspectives on palliative oxygen use for reducing breathlessness in people with advanced illnesses in any healthcare setting. After data extraction, thematic synthesis used line-by-line coding of raw data (quotes) to generate descriptive and analytical themes.

Of 457 articles identified, 22 met the inclusion criteria by reporting perspectives of patients (n=337), caregivers (n=91) or clinicians (n=616). Themes common to these perspectives were: 1) benefits and burdens of palliative oxygen use, 2) knowledge and perceptions of palliative oxygen use beyond the guidelines, and 3) longitudinal trajectories of palliative oxygen use.

There are differing perceptions regarding the benefits and burdens of using palliative oxygen. Clinicians should be aware that oxygen use may generate differing goals of therapy for patients and caregivers. These perceptions should be taken into consideration when prescribing oxygen for the symptomatic relief of chronic breathlessness in patients who do not quality for long-term oxygen therapy.
QTLs and candidate genes analyses for fruit size under domestication and differentiation in melon (Cucumis melo L.) based on high resolution maps
Authors: Lian Qun , Fu Qiushi , Xu Yongyang , Hu Zhicheng , Zheng Jing , Zhang Aiai , He Yuhua , Wang Changsheng , Xu Chuanqiang , Chen Benxue , Garcia-Mas Jordi , Zhao Guangwei , Wang Huaisong
Published: March 2021

Background

Melon is a very important horticultural crop produced worldwide with high phenotypic diversity. Fruit size is among the most important domestication and differentiation traits in melon. The molecular mechanisms of fruit size in melon are largely unknown.

Results

Two high-density genetic maps were constructed by whole-genome resequencing with two F2 segregating populations (WAP and MAP) derived from two crosses (cultivated agrestis × wild agrestis and cultivated melo × cultivated agrestis). We obtained 1,871,671 and 1,976,589 high quality SNPs that show differences between parents in WAP and MAP. A total of 5138 and 5839 recombination events generated 954 bins in WAP and 1027 bins in MAP with the average size of 321.3 Kb and 301.4 Kb respectively. All bins were mapped onto 12 linkage groups in WAP and MAP. The total lengths of two linkage maps were 904.4 cM (WAP) and 874.5 cM (MAP), covering 86.6% and 87.4% of the melon genome. Two loci for fruit size were identified on chromosome 11 in WAP and chromosome 5 in MAP, respectively. An auxin response factor and a YABBY transcription factor were inferred to be the candidate genes for both loci.

Conclusion

The high-resolution genetic maps and QTLs analyses for fruit size described here will provide a better understanding the genetic basis of domestication and differentiation, and provide a valuable tool for map-based cloning and molecular marker assisted breeding.
Exploring the feasibility and acceptability of integrating screening for gender-based violence into HIV counselling and testing for adolescent girls and young women in Tanzania and South Africa
Authors:   on behalf of the EMPOWER study team, Colombini Manuela , Scorgie Fiona , Stangl Anne , Harvey Sheila , Ramskin Lethabo , Khoza Nomhle , Mashauri Emma , Baron Deborah , Lees Shelley , Kapiga Saidi , Watts Charlotte , Delany-Moretlwe Sinead
Published: March 2021

Background

Gender-based violence (GBV) undermines HIV prevention and treatment cascades, particularly among women who report partner violence. Screening for violence during HIV testing, and prior to offering pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to HIV uninfected women, provides an opportunity to identify those at heightened HIV risk and greater potential for non-adherence or early discontinuation of PrEP. The paper describes our experience with offering integrated GBV screening and referral as part of HIV counselling and testing. This component was implemented within EMPOWER, a demonstration project offering combination HIV prevention, including daily oral PrEP, to young women in South Africa and Tanzania.

Methods

Between February 2017 and March 2018, a process evaluation was conducted to explore views, experiences and practices of stakeholders (study participants and study clinical staff) during implementation of the GBV screening component. This article assesses the feasibility and acceptability of the approach from multiple stakeholder perspectives, drawing on counselling session observations (n = 10), in-depth interviews with participants aged 16–24 (n = 39) and clinical staff (n = 13), and notes from debriefings with counsellors. Study process data were also collected (e.g. number of women screened and referred). Following a thematic inductive approach, qualitative data were analysed using qualitative software (NVivo 11).

Results

Findings show that 31% of young women screened positive for GBV and only 10% requested referrals. Overall, study participants accessing PrEP were amenable to being asked about violence during HIV risk assessment, as this offered the opportunity to find emotional relief and seek help, although a few found this traumatic. In both sites, the sensitive and empathetic approach of the staff helped mitigate distress of GBV disclosure. In general, the delivery of GBV screening in HCT proved to be feasible, provided that the basic principles of confidentiality, staff empathy, and absence of judgment were observed. However, uptake of linkage to further care remained low in both sites.

Conclusion

Most stakeholders found GBV screening acceptable and feasible. Key principles that should be in place for young women to be asked safely about GBV during HIV counselling and testing included respect for confidentiality, a youth-friendly and non-judgmental environment, and a functioning referral network.
Effect of malocclusion severity on oral health related quality of life in Malay adolescents
Authors: Elyaskhil Marghana , Shafai Noor Ayuni Ahmad , Mokhtar Norehan
Published: March 2021

Background

The present study aims to determine the impact of malocclusion on oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL) among 13–16 years old Malay school children.

Methods

School children aged between 13 and 16 years old were randomly selected from a secondary school in Penang. Malay version of Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) questionnaires were given to the subjects. This questionnaire has 14 questions with seven domains which are functional limitation, psychological discomfort, physical pain, physical disability, psychological and social disability, and handicap. Index of orthodontic treatment need dental health component was used to assess the orthodontic treatment need. Overjet (reversed overjet), open bite, overbite, cross bite, impeded eruption, crowding, defects of cleft lip and palate, Class II and Class III buccal occlusion, present of supernumerary and hypodontia were assessed.

Results

255 students participated in this study. Mean score and standard deviation for OHIP-14 were 8.64 (± 7.32) for males and 11.05 (± 9.41) for females respectively. There was statistically significant difference in mean score of OHIP-14 between male and female (p = 0.023). A weak positive correlation was found between malocclusion severity and OHRQoL (r = 0.186;p < 0.01). Malocclusion had a negative impact on OHRQoL of the students in the present study. This impact was prominent in psychological discomfort and psychological disability domains of OHIP-14 (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Increase in severity of malocclusion was associated with a negative impact on OHRQoL. Females exhibited more negative impact of malocclusion on their OHRQoL. Psychological domain was the most affected one.
Practice patterns and outcomes in the management of Thai patients with Graves’ disease
Authors: Thewjitcharoen Yotsapon , Karndumri Krittadhee , Chatchomchuan Waralee , Porramatikul Sriurai , Krittiyawong Sirinate , Wanathayanoroj Ekgaluck , Lekpittaya Nampetch , Kittipoom Worawit , Anuntakulnatee Tawee , Vongterapak Somboon , Butadej Siriwan , Nakasatien Soontaree , Rajatanavin Rajata , Himathongkam Thep
Published: March 2021

Background

The treatment of hyperthyroid Graves’ disease (GD) varies considerably among geographic areas. In this study, we aimed to evaluate practice patterns and treatment outcomes in Thai patients with hyperthyroid GD.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study over 35 years (1985–2019) in patients with hyperthyroid GD was conducted. The trends of treatment options were compared periodically during the study period and the overall remission rate from each option was determined.

Results

A total of 2736 hyperthyroid GD patients were treated and followed-up for at least 3 months over the study period (female 82.0%, mean age at diagnosis 36.3 ± 12.0 years, median duration of follow-up 74.5 months). Anti-thyroid drug (ATD) was the most commonly used treatment (78.0%), followed by RAI (21.0%), and surgery (1.0%). There was a significant downward trend for surgery, from 12.3% in the 1980s to only 0.2% in last phase of the study period. The preference for RAI therapy has also decreased in the last 5 years. Among ATD-treated patients, the remission rate was achieved only in 30.7 and 16.0% of all ATD-treated patients were eventually treated with RAI. Spontaneous hypothyroidism developed in 2.7% of the ATD-treated patients during a follow-up period. Almost all RAI-treated patients (97.1%) developed hypothyroidism.

Conclusions

Our present study highlighted the changing landscape of primary treatments for hyperthyroid GD toward ATD and the sharp downward trend in the surgical option. Even though ATD was associated with a low remission rate, it was preferred by many patients and physicians. The use of RAI as the primary treatment decreased in the last decade. However, RAI was a very effective treatment for Graves’ hyperthyroidism but will inevitably induce hypothyroidism and a requirement for life-long replacement therapy.
Hip osteoarthritis signs and symptoms are associated with increased fall risk among community-dwelling older adults with chronic low back pain: a prospective study
Authors: Knox Patrick J. , Coyle Peter C. , Pugliese Jenifer M. , Pohlig Ryan T. , Sions Jaclyn M. , Hicks Gregory E.
Published: March 2021

Background

Older adults with concurrent low back and hip pain are predisposed to reductions in physical performance and health-related quality of life. Yet no study to date has assessed whether or not coexisting hip impairments increase fall risk in older adults with chronic low back pain (CLBP). The objective of this study was to determine if hip osteoarthritis (OA) signs and symptoms per American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria are associated with fall risk over a 1-year span.

Methods

Falls were prospectively monitored for 1 year via fall calendars. Age, sex, body mass index (BMI), anxiolytic use, balance confidence, LBP-related disability, and prior fall history were identified as covariates. Hip pain, pain with hip internal rotation (IR), hip IR range of motion (ROM) ≥ 15°, and morning stiffness lasting ≤ 60 min were evaluated at baseline and summed to represent hip OA impairment burden. A generalized linear model with a Poisson distribution and log link function assessed the association between ACR criteria and fall risk beyond established covariates. As a secondary analysis, binary logistic regression assessed ACR criteria and the odds of falling two or more times within a year.

Results

Data from two-hundred and ten participants were analyzed. Hip OA signs and symptoms were present in 97.1% of the participants, and hip OA impairment burden was significantly greater (p < 0.050) in participants who fell ≥ 2 times compared to single and non-fallers. Higher hip OA impairment burden was associated with significantly increased fall risk (p = 0.001, risk ratio = 1.23, 95% CI 1.09–1.38) and odds of falling multiple times (p < 0.05, odds ratio = 1.41, 95% CI 1.01–1.95) after adjustment for covariates.

Conclusions

Older adults with CLBP and concomitant hip impairments are an at-risk group for falling. Healthcare professionals should employ falls screening and preventive measures to avoid negative sequelae in this vulnerable population.
Magnetometer data from the GRACE satellite duo
Authors: Olsen Nils
Published: March 2021

This paper describes and discusses the preprocessing and calibration of the magnetic data taken by the navigational magnetometers onboard the two GRACE satellites, with focus on the almost 10 years period from January 2008 to the end of the GRACE mission in October 2017 for which 1-Hz magnetic data are available. A calibration of the magnetic data is performed by comparing the raw magnetometer sensor readings with model magnetic vector values as provided by the CHAOS-7 geomagnetic field model for the time and position of the GRACE data. The presented approach also accounts for magnetic disturbances produced by the satellite’s magnetorquer and for temperature effects, which are parametrized by the Sun incident angle. The root-mean-squared error of the difference between the calibrated data and CHAOS-7 model values is about 10 nT, which makes the GRACE magnetometer data relevant for geophysical investigations.
Combination therapy of midodrine and droxidopa for refractory hypotension in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction per a pharmacist’s proposal: a case report
Authors: Asai Yuki , Sato Tomoaki , Kito Daisuke , Yamamoto Takanori , Hioki Iwao , Urata Yasuhisa , Abe Yasuharu
Published: March 2021

Background

Patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) are often treated using many diuretics for symptom relief; however, diuretic use may have to continue despite hypotension development in these patients. Here, we present a case of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), which is defined as ejection fraction ≥50% in CHF, and refractory hypotension, which was treated with midodrine and droxidopa to normalize blood pressure.

Case presentation

The patient was a 62-year-old man with a history of HFpEF due to mitral regurgitation and complaints of dyspnea on exertion. He had been prescribed multiple medications at an outpatient clinic for CHF management, including azosemide 60 mg/day, bisoprolol 2.5 mg/day, enalapril 2.5 mg/day, spironolactone 50 mg/day, and tolvaptan 15 mg/day. The systolic blood pressure (SBP) of the patient remained at 70–80 mmHg because the use of the diuretic could not be reduced or discontinued owing to edema and weight gain. He was hospitalized for the exacerbation of CHF. Although midodrine 8 mg/day was administered to improve hypotension, the SBP of the patient increased only up to 90 mmHg. On the 35th day after hospitalization, the urine volume decreased significantly (< 100 mL/day) due to hypotension. When droxidopa 200 mg/day replaced intravenous noradrenaline on the 47th day, the SBP remained at 100–120 mmHg and the urine volume increased.

Conclusions

Oral combination treatment with midodrine and droxidopa might contribute to the maintenance of blood pressure and diuretic activity in HFpEF patients with refractory hypotension. However, further long-term studies evaluating the safety and efficacy of this combination therapy for patients with HFpEF are needed.
Squamanitaceae and three new species of Squamanita parasitic on Amanita basidiomes
Authors: Liu Jian-Wei , Ge Zai-Wei , Horak Egon , Vizzini Alfredo , Halling Roy E. , Pan Chun-Lei , Yang Zhu L.
Published: March 2021

The systematic position of the enigmatically mycoparasitic genus Squamanita (Agaricales, Basidiomycota) together with Cystoderma, Phaeolepiota, Floccularia, and Leucopholiota is largely unknown. Recently they were recognized as Squamanitaceae, but previous studies used few DNA markers from a restricted sample of taxa from the family and lacked a formal taxonomic treatment. In this study, with newly generated sequences of the type of the genus Squamanita, S. schreieri, and several additional species of the family, the phylogeny is reinvestigated with a concatenated (18S-5.8S-nrLSU-RPB2-TEF1-α) dataset. This study reveals that Cystoderma, Phaeolepiota, Squamanita, Floccularia, and Leucopholiota are a monophyletic clade with strong statistical support in Bayesian analysis and form Squamanitaceae. Phaeolepiota nested within Cystoderma; Squamanita, Leucopholiota, and Floccularia clustered together as two monophyletic subclades; and Squamanita was present as a monophyletic clade with strong statistical support in both Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian analyses. The family name Squamanitaceae is formally emended and a detailed taxonomic treatment is presented to accommodate the five genera. Meanwhile, another concatenated (18S-ITS-nrLSU-RPB2-TEF1-α) dataset is used to investigate phylogenetic relationships and species delimitation in Squamanita. Our data indicates that “S. umbonata” from the Northern hemisphere forms two species complexes, one complex includes six specimens from North America, Europe, and East Asia, the other includes two specimens from Central America and North America respectively. Futhermore, species of Squamanita can parasitize species of Amanita, besides other fungal species. Squamanita mira parasitizes A. kitamagotake (A. sect. Caesareae), while S. orientalis and S. sororcula are parasites of species belonging to the A. sepiacea complex (A. sect. Validae). “Squamanita umbonata” from Italy occurs on A. excelsa (A. sect. Validae). Three new species of Squamanita from East Asia, viz. S. mira, S. orientalis and S. sororcula are documented with morphological, multi-gene phylogenetic, and ecological data, along with line drawings and photographs, and compared with similar species. A key for identification of the global Squamanita species is provided.
Laryngofissure in comorbid patient under ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia of the neck
Authors: Refaie Bahaa Mohammed , Ahmed Mohammed Elrabie , Ibrahim Mohammed Ahmed , Abdelrahman Farghali
Published: March 2021

Background

Major neck surgery is done typically under general anesthesia (GA). The neural blocks of the neck include blocking of the cervical plexus, superior laryngeal nerve, trans-laryngeal, block of the glossopharyngeal nerve, and local anesthetic infiltration. In patients with a high risk of GA, including those with pulmonary dysfunction, and prior myocardial ischemia or infarction, regional anesthesia is mainly indicated.

Case presentation

We record a case of a comorbid geriatric patient with dysphonia and left glottic mass that was diagnosed as squamous cell papilloma by transoral biopsy using curved biopsy forceps under local spray anesthesia, and after 6 months, this patient developed stridor for which tracheostomy, laryngofissure, and left cordectomy were then performed solely under neck blocks. Surgery was performed while the patient remained pain-free and stable without any morbidity throughout the operation.

Conclusions

In high-risk patients and low-resource health systems, regional anesthesia in neck surgery can be a reasonable and cheap alternate to general anesthetics.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings of Core Muscle Injuries in High Level Athletes
Authors: Dekker Timothy M. , Uppstrom Tyler J. , Emerson Christopher P. , Vickers Robert F. , Greditzer Harry G.
Published: March 2021

Core muscle injuries are common injuries in athletes involved in high speed side-to-side acceleration movements. The term core muscle injury encapsulates several different injuries that occur in the pelvic region that have similar presentations. Along with a good history and physical examination, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be a helpful tool in the diagnostic process. Correct orientation and protocols are needed to show the correct anatomy with an MRI. Furthermore, to determine the exact etiology of the core muscle injury, it is important to know which structures are likely to be involved and be able to recognize the patterns of injury on imaging.
Paleolítico Medio del Guadalquivir: las industrias de pequeñas lascas del yacimiento de Tarazona III (Sevilla, España)
Authors: Caro Gómez José Antonio , Díaz del Olmo Fernando , Barba Herrero Lorena , Garrido Anguita Juan Manuel , Borja Barrera César , Recio Espejo José Manuel
Published: March 2021

Se analizan tecno-tipológicamente las industrias líticas, mayoritariamente elaborada sobre cuarcitas, del yacimiento paleolítico al aire libre de Tarazona III (2.479 piezas líticas), formando parte de la Secuencia Paleolítica del Guadalquivir, que abarca el final del Pleistoceno Medio e inicios del Pleistoceno Superior (129 ka y <104 ka). Se identifican las cadenas operativas del yacimiento, desde la selección de materias primas hasta la fabricación de los útiles con percutor duro. Son cadenas dirigidas especialmente a la obtención de pequeñas lascas (<5 cm), lo que refuerza la selección del tamaño del canto rodado, con patrones de reducción de núcleos elementales, buena representación de los centrípetos y baja presencia del levallois. La serie de N3 es muy equilibrada y completa; y relativamente completas las de N1 y N2 lo que sugiere, o bien la preconfiguración de las cadenas operativa en otros lugares cercanos y el transporte de los productos de talla al yacimiento; o, en N1, el desplazamiento hidro-geomorfológico de las piezas de dimensiones más reducidas. La proporción útiles lasca/lasca es del 24% (N2) y 34,7% (N3), esto es, en los niveles posteriores a 104 ka BP. Esta proporción junto a la baja variabilidad de los tipos sobre lasca, la exigua o nula presencia de macroútiles, define la industria de Tarazona III, como uno de los yacimientos representativos del Paleolítico Medio Antiguo (PMA) del Valle del Guadalquivir.
La ubicación del santuario de Melqart en Gadir: aportación de los datos PNOA-LiDAR
Authors: Monterroso Checa Antonio
Published: March 2021

Los estudios de (geo)morfología arqueológica han sido fundamentales para conocer la costa y paleoestuarios de Tarteso. A esos estudios, y en la misma temática, este trabajo pretende incorporar el procesado de datos obtenidos desde láser aéreo (LiDAR-PNOA) para los casos concretos del entorno del santuario de Melqart y del “Gadir insular”. Ese procesado genera Modelos Digitales del Terreno (MDT) que permiten aproximarse a la geomorfología histórica de la bahía. Calibrados desde las oscilaciones del nivel del mar desde época fenicia arcaica, esos modelos volumétricos permiten incluso ajustar los condicionantes topográficos de los primeros asentamientos fenicios de Gadeira. Entre otros, se han considerado igualmente en la argumentación los análisis batimétricos y la toponimia antigua como factores determinantes y complementarios. Este trabajo aplica este recurso, por vez primera, para la comprensión de la situación y entorno del santuario de Melqart en el contexto paleotopográfico general de Gadir. El resultado de la documentación combinada que se presenta es la invalidez topográfica del entorno del castillo de Sancti Petri y la propuesta de otra situación para el santuario de Melqart gadirita, llamado posteriormente Hercules Gaditanus a partir de su sincretismo romano
Disentangling listening effort and memory load beyond behavioural evidence: Pupillary response to listening effort during a concurrent memory task
Authors: Zhang Yue , Lehmann Alexandre , Deroche Mickael
Published: March 2021

Recent research has demonstrated that pupillometry is a robust measure for quantifying listening effort. However, pupillary responses in listening situations where multiple cognitive functions are engaged and sustained over a period of time remain hard to interpret. This limits our conceptualisation and understanding of listening effort in realistic situations, because rarely in everyday life are people challenged by one task at a time. Therefore, the purpose of this experiment was to reveal the dynamics of listening effort in a sustained listening condition using a word repeat and recall task. Words were presented in quiet and speech-shaped noise at different signal-to-noise ratios (SNR): 0dB, 7dB, 14dB and quiet. Participants were presented with lists of 10 words, and required to repeat each word after its presentation. At the end of the list, participants either recalled as many words as possible or moved on to the next list. Simultaneously, their pupil dilation was recorded throughout the whole experiment. When only word repeating was required, peak pupil dilation (PPD) was bigger in 0dB versus other conditions; whereas when recall was required, PPD showed no difference among SNR levels and PPD in 0dB was smaller than repeat-only condition. Baseline pupil diameter and PPD followed different variation patterns across the 10 serial positions within a block for conditions requiring recall: baseline pupil diameter built up progressively and plateaued in the later positions (but shot up when listeners were recalling the previously heard words from memory); PPD decreased at a pace quicker than in repeat-only condition. The current findings demonstrate that additional cognitive load during a speech intelligibility task could disturb the well-established relation between pupillary response and listening effort. Both the magnitude and temporal pattern of task-evoked pupillary response differ greatly in complex listening conditions, urging for more listening effort studies in complex and realistic listening situations.
Effects of sea ice and wind speed on phytoplankton spring bloom in central and southern Baltic Sea
Authors: Pärn Ove , Lessin Gennadi , Stips Adolf
Published: March 2021

In this study, the effects of sea ice and wind speed on the timing and composition of phytoplankton spring bloom in the central and southern Baltic Sea are investigated by a hydrodynamic–biogeochemical model and observational data. The modelling experiment compared the results of a reference run in the presence of sea ice with those of a run in the absence of sea ice, which confirmed that ecological conditions differed significantly for both the scenarios. It has been found that diatoms dominate the phytoplankton biomass in the absence of sea ice, whereas dinoflagellates dominate the biomass in the presence of thin sea ice. The study concludes that under moderate ice conditions (representing the last few decades), dinoflagellates dominate the spring bloom phytoplankton biomass in the Baltic Sea, whereas diatoms will be dominant in the future as a result of climate change i.e. in the absence of sea ice.
Adult mouse dorsal root ganglia neurons form aberrant glutamatergic connections in dissociated cultures
Authors: Bayat F. Kemal , Polat Budak Betul , Yiğit Esra Nur , Öztürk Gürkan , Gülçür Halil Özcan , Güveniş Albert
Published: March 2021

Cultured sensory neurons can exhibit complex activity patterns following stimulation in terms of increased excitability and interconnected responses of multiple neurons. Although these complex activity patterns suggest a network-like configuration, research so far had little interest in synaptic network formation ability of the sensory neurons. To identify interaction profiles of Dorsal Root Ganglia (DRG) neurons and explore their putative connectivity, we developed an in vitro experimental approach. A double transgenic mouse model, expressing genetically encoded calcium indicator (GECI) in their glutamatergic neurons, was produced. Dissociated DRG cultures from adult mice were prepared with a serum-free protocol and no additional growth factors or cytokines were utilized for neuronal sensitization. DRG neurons were grown on microelectrode arrays (MEA) to induce stimulus-evoked activity with a modality-free stimulation strategy. With an almost single-cell level electrical stimulation, spontaneous and evoked activity of GCaMP6s expressing neurons were detected under confocal microscope. Typical responses were analyzed, and correlated calcium events were detected across individual DRG neurons. Next, correlated responses were successfully blocked by glutamatergic receptor antagonists, which indicated functional synaptic coupling. Immunostaining confirmed the presence of synapses mainly in the axonal terminals, axon-soma junctions and axon-axon intersection sites. Concisely, the results presented here illustrate a new type of neuron-to-neuron interaction in cultured DRG neurons conducted through synapses. The developed assay can be a valuable tool to analyze individual and collective responses of the cultured sensory neurons.
Prevalence, reasons, and determinants of dietary supplements use among undergraduate female students of health and non-health colleges in a Saudi public university
Authors: Islam Md. Ashraful , Al-karasneh Aseel Fuad , Rizvi Mehwish , Nisa Zeb-Un , Albakheet Ahmed Majed , Alshagawi Mohammed Abdullah , Iqbal Muhammad Shahid , Almuzel Abdullah Isa , Al Afif Hani Sadiq , Mahmoud Mansour Adam , Mohamed Ibrahim Alnada Abdalla , Hossain Mohammad Akbar , Maqsood Muhammad Bilal , Naqvi Atta Abbas , Haseeb Abdul , Jamshed Shazia
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The aim of this study was to gather data from female students studying in both health and non-health colleges at Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University and report the prevalence, reasons, and determinants of dietary supplements use.

Methods

A month-long cross-sectional study was conducted in health and non-health colleges affiliated to Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. Convenient sampling was employed, and the data was gathered through an online survey using the English and Arabic versions of the Dietary Supplement Questionnaire (DSQ). The data was analyzed using SPSS version 23 and Medcalc. The study was approved by an ethics committee.

Results

Data from 545 participants was collected. The overall prevalence of dietary supplement use was 32.7% (95% CI: 29.06%– 36.51%). The prevalence was 29.77% (95% CI: 25.29%– 34.56%) among students at all health colleges combined and, it was 37.50% (95% CI: 31.36%– 43.96%) among students at all non-health colleges. Most students used a brand product, spent a monthly cost of SAR 286 (USD 76.3) on supplements and agreed that supplements were good for health (N = 392, 71.9%). Students from non-health- colleges agreed that dietary supplements are good for health in greater numbers as compared to non-health college students (p < 0.001). Students aged ≥ 20 years, studying in a non-health college and up to 3rdyear of study, were more 2 times more likely to agree that dietary supplements are good for health.

Conclusion

Supplements were commonly used among female students at this university however, it was quite low as compared to students from other local and regional universities. Prevalence was higher in non-health colleges as compared to health colleges and the most commonly used supplements were brand products and, multivitamins, used for general health and well-being. This highlights the inclination of students towards supplement use.
Quality testing of veterinary antimicrobial products used for livestock in Vietnam, 2018–2019
Authors: Luu Quynh Huong , Nguyen Thi Bich Thuy , Ta Hoang Long , Erickson Vera Irene , Padungtod Pawin
Published: March 2021

Access to quality veterinary antimicrobial products contributes to efficient treatment of diseases in Vietnamese livestock and to reducing antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Poor quality antimicrobial drugs can lead to treatment failure, potentially influencing the inappropriate use of antimicrobials products, including increasing the dose, combining drugs, or changing to a broader spectrum antimicrobial. The objective of the study was to determine the actual concentration of antimicrobial active ingredient (AAI) in commercially available veterinary antimicrobial products as an indicator of their quality. A total of 144 veterinary antimicrobial products were purchased from randomly selected veterinary drug stores in 34 districts in eight provinces. For the qualitative analysis, we observed criteria linked to form, colour, and labelling information according to the Department of Animal Health regulations. For the quantitative analysis, high-performance liquid chromatography was used to determine the actual concentration of AAI in each sample. Of the 144 samples, 131 (91%) met the national standard of quality of being within ±10% of the labelled concentration. Ten antimicrobials (6.9%) contained less than half of the labelled content concentrations. Veterinary antimicrobial product quality control is an important part of addressing AMR. To support the national action plan to lower AMR, a veterinary drug quality control program should be implemented at all stages of the supply chain to assure high quality drugs and effective treatment of sick animals.
A stochastic network-based model to simulate farm-level transmission of African swine fever virus in Vietnam
Authors: Lee Hu Suk , Thakur Krishna K. , Pham-Thanh Long , Dao Tung Duy , Bui Anh Ngoc , Bui Vuong Nghia , Quang Huy Nguyen
Published: March 2021

African swine fever virus is highly contagious, and mortality rates reach up to 100% depending on the host, virus dose, and the transmission routes. The main objective of this study was to develop a network-based simulation model for the farm-level transmission of ASF virus to evaluate the impact of changes in farm connectivity on ASF spread in Vietnam. A hypothetical population of 1,000 pig farms was created and used for the network-based simulation, where each farm represented a node, and the connection between farms represented an edge. The three scenarios modelled in this way (baseline, low, and high) evaluated the impact of connectivity on disease transmission. The median number of infected farms was higher as the connectivity increased (low: 659, baseline: 968 and high: 993). In addition, we evaluated the impact of the culling strategy on the number of infected farms. A total of four scenarios were simulated depending on the timing of culling after a farm was infected. We found that the timing of culling at 16, 12, 8, and 6 weeks had resulted in a reduction of the number of median infected farms by 81.92%, 91.63%, 100%, and 100%, respectively. Finally, our evaluation of the implication of stability of ties between farms indicated that if the farms were to have the same trading partners for at least six months could significantly reduce the median number of infected farms to two (95th percentile: 413) than in the basic model. Our study showed that pig movements among farms had a significant influence on the transmission dynamics of ASF virus. In addition, we found that the either timing of culling, reduction in the number of trading partners each farm had, or decreased mean contact rate during the outbreaks were essential to prevent or stop further outbreaks.
Changes in Work from the Global Value Change Perspective The Case of Transformation Economies: Bulgaria and Hungary
Authors: Makó Csaba , Illéssy Miklós , Csizmadia Péter , Kirov Vassil , Galev Todor
Published: March 2021

The core aim of this paper is to evaluate to what extent were companies able to join to the global value chains (GVCs) through some selected company case studies.
The Hellenic Parliament’s Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Fitsilis Fotios , Pliakogianni Athanasia
Published: March 2021

Because of their particular nature, representative institutions around the globe are usually well equipped, both legally and capacity-wise, to adequately respond to political crises; this is what political evolution has taught them. Responses to political crises have been developed and take the form of formal or informal rules of procedure that lie at the disposal of the Speaker or other parliamentary functionaries. On the contrary, battling a health crisis does not immediately belong to the issues a parliament under normal circumstances deals with. Hence, the scattered responses by the world’s parliaments, as pointed out by recent studies, come as no surprise. This article showcases the Hellenic Parliament, which constitutes a classic example of a legislature combating the pandemic situation through a gradual and multidimensional response. Its relevant actions are displayed and analysed vis à vis the average global response. As the pandemic seems far from being over, the article attempts a series of future projections on how to deal with it in the long run.
Can Vitamin D Mitigate Osteoarthritic Hip Joint Arthroplasty Infections Among Older Adults? A Narrative Overview of the Literature Amidst COVID-19 Lockdowns and Beyond
Authors: Marks Ray
Published: March 2021

Background
Older adults with hip joint osteoarthritis, a major cause of chronic progressively disabling highly painful functional experiences, may require a surgical joint replacement procedure known as total joint arthroplasty surgery.

Objective
This review aimed to address the question of whether there an association between hip joint arthroplasty infection rates and prevailing pre or preoperative vitamin D levels that warrants consideration in efforts to prevent or minimize infection related hip arthroplasty complications among older adults particularly during the current ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods
PUBMED, SCOPUS, and WEB OF SCIENCE articles related to the topic and published between January 2016-2021 were searched, examined, and summarized.

Results
Older adults with hip joint osteoarthritis and low vitamin D serum levels who undergo total hip joint arthroplasty surgery may be at higher risk for post-operative infections than those with adequate vitamin D serum levels.

Conclusion
More research to verify whether efforts to screen for, and maximize vitamin D levels, before and after surgery, as indicated, may be helpful in the context of minimizing total hip joint arthroplasty surgery infection susceptibility and severity among older vitamin D deficient severely disabled hip osteoarthritis cases.
Percepciones estudiantiles del uso de modelos 3D en la enseñanza de la microscopía en veterinaria
Authors: RIZZO Daniela , BORLIDO Claudia , PASSARINI José , PEDRANA Graciela Martín
Published: March 2021

Mundialmente la impresión 3D ha impactado en la enseñanza de las ciencias. Sin embargo, es poco analizada su utilización en las aulas universitarias desde la perspectiva del estudiante. Es por esto que nos planteamos analizar las percepciones estudiantiles sobre el uso de modelos 3D en cursos de primer año en la Facultad de Veterinaria. Para ello se realizó un cuestionario en línea en el Entorno Virtual de Aprendizaje y en el Instagram de Histología. Los resultados indican una percepción positiva y un interés por el uso de modelos 3D. Asimismo, se realizaron numerosas y variadas sugerencias por parte de los estudiantes de generar nuevos modelos para mejorar la comprensión de ciertos temas. Por lo tanto, los resultados indican que el trabajo de aula utilizando modelos 3D acerca al estudiante a representaciones tridimensionales de imágenes microscópicas. Las actividades con modelos 3D son consideradas por los estudiantes como facilitadores de la comprensión de los temas. El uso de este recurso didáctico promueve el desarrollo de estrategias cognitivas en los estudiantes, como ser la extrapolación de imágenes microscópicas a su representación tridimensional. Se sugiere combinar saberes tecnológicos y didácticos para apoyar a docentes y estudiantes para la generación de dichos modelos.
La “vida social” de las políticas públicas de turismo rural en Argentina
Authors: Pérez Winter Cecilia
Published: March 2021

En este artículo nos interesa discutir las políticas públicas como un proceso dinámico. En particular, indagamos en aquellas vinculadas al turismo rural. En Argentina ellas comenzaron a desarrollarse durante la década de 1990, siendo el Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria/INTA uno de los organismos pioneros en el tema. A partir del mismo nos proponemos examinar: i) en qué contexto político-económico surgen y se desarrollaron; ii) qué actores participaron; iii) bajó qué características y estrategias se configuraron y proliferaron; y iv) qué tensiones se expresaron o emergieron durante el proceso. Así, identificamos y analizamos tres acciones/estrategias claves que posibilitaron consolidar el turismo rural en el INTA: las primeras experiencias desarrolladas en Patagonia y Santa Fe; la conformación de un equipo de trabajo centralizado en la Coordinación Nacional de Transferencia y Extensión en Buenos Aires y la adopción institucional del enfoque de desarrollo territorial.
The Culture of Consumption as a Consequence of the Economic Process in the Context of Changes in the European Union
Authors: Pieszak Eryk
Published: March 2021

In the article, through a comparative analysis of the discourse related to the description of economic free market processes and discourses related to cultural processes, we are looking for a research perspective that allows to examine the mutual influence of these cultural processes.

If we analyze the descriptions of socio-economic changes in countries such as Poland or the Baltic countries, it turns out that their path to increase economic competitiveness is similar. It is associated with market changes but also a cultural change in a broader context.

Thus, one can hypothesize: the individual is free in the world of thought, however, in the world of phenomena, freedom does not exist. This hypothesis developed for societies that introduced a free market would be: the individual in the consumer society is free in the world of his thoughts but in the world of market phenomena he is subject to independent processes.
Funkcja przewodniczącego Rady Europejskiej – kompetencje formalne i nieformalne w świetle postanowień traktatu lizbońskiego i praktyki działań
Authors: Przybylska-Maszner Beata
Published: March 2021

Artykuł skupia się na roli Rady Europejskiej w ramach instytucjonalnych Unii Europejskiej, zgodnie z zapisami traktatu lizbońskiego. W tekście wskazano na jej rosnący wpływ, wykraczający poza sformułowania zawarte w Traktacie, oraz na narastającą krytykę, którą stymuluje ta ewolucja. Dokonując przeglądu krytycznych punktów widzenia odnoszących się do roli, jaką sprawuje, w tekście dokonano analizy czynników warunkujących zmiany formuły funkcjonowania urzędu przewodniczącego Rady Europejskiej. Przedstawione zostały istniejące struktury powiązań międzyinstytucjonalnych warunkujące pełnienie przez niego funkcji. W artykule oparto się na założeniu, iż dotychczasowa zasada korelacji zadań oparta na uzupełnianiu kompetencji uległa modyfikacji. Narastanie sytuacji kryzysowej wpłynęło na zaburzenie dotychczasowej równowagi instytucjonalnej, a jednocześnie zbiegło się z procesem zmian kompetencyjnych.
A review on filler materials for brazing of carbon-carbon composites
Authors: Li Shengnan , Du Dong , Zhang Lei , Song Xiaoguo , Zheng Yongguang , Huang Guoqin , Long Weimin
Published: March 2021

It is needed to join C/C composite to other materials since its individual use is limited. Brazing is a method to join C/C composite that has been studied most, maturest and most widely used in recent decades. The quality of a brazed joint is largely determined by the intermediate layer material. It is significant to choose filler materials reasonably. C/C composite is difficult to be wetted by common brazing filler materials. Moreover, there is a large difference in the coefficient of thermal expansion between C/C composite and metals. At present, there is no brazing filler alloy exclusively recommended for commercial C/C composites and metal brazing. Usually, active elements are added into filler metals to improve the wettability of them on C/C composite surface. The existing research includes Al-based, Ag-based, Cu-based, Ti-based, Ni-based brazing filler metals, and so on. In addition, various particle reinforced composite filler materials and stress buffer metal interlayer added composite filler materials have been studied for brazing C/C composite. The summarization of the overview on the application of intermediate filler metals is made in this paper. The basic reference basis is provided for the subsequent brazing filler metals development and joint performance improvement for C/C composite brazing.
Grinding-stone features from the Pastoral Neolithic at Luxmanda, Tanzania
Authors: Prendergast Mary E. , Grillo Katherine M. , Gidna Agness O. , Mabulla Audax Z.P.
Published: March 2021

The initial spread of food production in eastern Africa is associated with livestock herding during the Pastoral Neolithic. Recent excavation at Luxmanda, Tanzania, a site dating to c. 3000 BP, revealed circular installations of lower grinding stones and numerous handstones. This discovery, unprecedented for this era, challenges previous ideas about pastoralist mobility and subsistence.
Trends in Belief That HIV Treatment Prevents Transmission Among Gay and Bisexual Men in Australia: Results of National Online Surveys 2013–2019
Authors: Holt Martin , MacGibbon James , Bear Brandon , Lea Toby , Kolstee Johann , Crawford David , Murphy Dean , Power Cherie , Ellard Jeanne , de Wit John
Published: March 2021

We have tracked belief in the effectiveness of HIV treatment as prevention (TasP) among Australian gay and bisexual men (GBM) since 2013. National, online cross-sectional surveys of GBM were conducted every 2 years during 2013–2019. Trends and associations were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression. Data from 4,903 survey responses were included. Belief that HIV treatment prevents transmission increased from 2.6% in 2013 to 34.6% in 2019. Belief in the effectiveness of TasP was consistently higher among HIV-positive participants than other participants. In 2019, higher levels of belief in TasP were independently associated with university education, being HIV-positive, using pre-exposure prophylaxis, knowing more HIV-positive people, being recently diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection (STI) and use of post-exposure prophylaxis. Belief that HIV treatment prevents transmission has increased substantially among Australian GBM, but remains concentrated among HIV-positive GBM, those who know HIV-positive people, and GBM who use antiretroviral-based prevention.
Ethical Decision-Making in Marriage and Family Therapy: A Review of the Literature
Authors: Katafiasz Heather , Patton Rikki , Tefteller David , Takeda Momoko
Published: March 2021

It is common knowledge that marriage and family therapists are ethically obligated to provide competent care to their clients and that they need to engage in systematic decision-making processes to ensure they are providing the best care. Yet, a comprehensive guide for ethical decision-making specifically accounting for the unique nuances of working with relational-systemic clients from a relational-systemic conceptual lens is lacking. Thus, the aim of this article is to outline the current understandings of the unique ethical issues experienced when working with relational-systemic clients and to review currently utilized ethical decision making models in the hopes of providing guidance regarding the development of a specific relational-systemic ethical decision-making model.
Psychoanalysis and Psychodynamic Psychiatry in France
Authors: Botbol Michel
Published: March 2021

Even if psychoanalysis in France no longer prevails with the extraordinary enthusiasm it inspired for decades, it still retains an important place, not only in psychiatry and psychology, but also in the humanities and social sciences, including literature, philosophy, art history, linguistics, and cultural anthropology. This essay considers why and how.