bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Arterial chemoembolization for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and elevated lactate dehydrogenase is associated with low survival: a cohort study
Authors: Zhuang Genghui , Xie Yuping , Hong Junfeng , Lin Shan , Chen Tingting , Fang Wenzheng
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) concentration has been used for the evaluation and prediction of prognosis of several tumors, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the relationship between changes in LDH after treatment (ΔLDH) and prognosis is still unclear. Herein, we aimed to determine this association in patients with HCC.

Methods

Multivariate adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for HCC were obtained by Cox proportional hazard regression models. As for ΔLDH and overall survival (OS), the nonlinear relationship was evaluated through a restricted cubic spline regression analysis, and threshold effects were further calculated using a two-piece-wise Cox proportional hazard model.

Results

The study finally selected 749 patients with HCC treated by transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) for the secondary analysis. Considering the ΔLDH within ± 80 U/L group as the baseline, the risk of death in the ΔLDH ≥ 80 U/L group was significantly increased by 131% (95% CI: 1.74–3.06), and the risk of death in the ΔLDH ≤− 80 U/L group was increased by 24% (HR: 1.23, 95% CI: 0.99–1.55). However, this difference was not statistically significant. Furthermore, with ΔLDH = 0 (100 U/L) as the turning point, an upward U-shaped curve could be formed between ΔLDH and OS. After adjusting for confounders, ΔLDH still had a significant effect on the threshold of OS (P = 0.021).

Conclusion

After TACE, with the increase of LDH index, HCC patients will be closely related to worse OS.
Andexanet alfa versus four-factor prothrombin complex concentrate for the reversal of apixaban- or rivaroxaban-associated intracranial hemorrhage: a propensity score-overlap weighted analysis
Authors: Costa Olivia S. , Connolly Stuart J. , Sharma Mukul , Beyer-Westendorf Jan , Christoph Mary J. , Lovelace Belinda , Coleman Craig I.
Published: June 2022

Background

Andexanet alfa is approved (FDA “accelerated approval”; EMA “conditional approval”) as the first specific reversal agent for factor Xa (FXa) inhibitor-associated uncontrolled or life-threatening bleeding. Four-factor prothrombin complex concentrates (4F-PCC) are commonly used as an off-label, non-specific, factor replacement approach to manage FXa inhibitor-associated life-threatening bleeding. We evaluated the effectiveness and safety of andexanet alfa versus 4F-PCC for management of apixaban- or rivaroxaban-associated intracranial hemorrhage (ICH).

Methods

This two-cohort comparison study included andexanet alfa patients enrolled at US hospitals from 4/2015 to 3/2020 in the prospective, single-arm ANNEXA-4 study and a synthetic control arm of 4F-PCC patients admitted within a US healthcare system from 12/2016 to 8/2020. Adults with radiographically confirmed ICH who took their last dose of apixaban or rivaroxaban < 24 h prior to the bleed were included. Patients with a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score < 7, hematoma volume > 60 mL, or planned surgery within 12 h were excluded. Outcomes were hemostatic effectiveness from index to repeat scan, mortality within 30 days, and thrombotic events within five days. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using propensity score-overlap weighted logistic regression.

Results

The study included 107 andexanet alfa (96.6% low dose) and 95 4F-PCC patients (79.3% receiving a 25 unit/kg dose). After propensity score-overlap weighting, mean age was 79 years, GCS was 14, time from initial scan to reversal initiation was 2.3 h, and time from reversal to repeat scan was 12.2 h in both arms. Atrial fibrillation was present in 86% of patients. Most ICHs were single compartment (78%), trauma-related (61%), and involved the intracerebral and/or intraventricular space(s) (53%). ICH size was ≥ 10 mL in volume (intracerebral and/or ventricular) or ≥ 10 mm in thickness (subdural or subarachnoid) in 22% of patients and infratentorial in 15%. Andexanet alfa was associated with greater odds of achieving hemostatic effectiveness (85.8% vs. 68.1%; OR 2.73; 95% CI 1.16–6.42) and decreased odds of mortality (7.9% vs. 19.6%; OR 0.36; 95% CI 0.13–0.98) versus 4F-PCC. Two thrombotic events occurred with andexanet alfa and none with 4F-PCC.

Conclusions

In this indirect comparison of patients with an apixaban- or rivaroxaban-associated ICH, andexanet alfa was associated with better hemostatic effectiveness and improved survival compared to 4F-PCC.

Trial registrationNCT02329327; registration date: December 31, 2014.
Recent advances in microbial ε-poly-L-lysine fermentation and its diverse applications
Authors: Li Shubo , Mao Yunren , Zhang Lifei , Wang Miao , Meng Jinhao , Liu Xiaoling , Bai Yunxia , Guo Yuan
Published: June 2022

The naturally occurring homo-polyamide biopolymer, ε-poly-L-lysine (ε-PL) consists of 25–35 L-lysine residues with amide linkages between α-carboxyl groups and ε-amino groups. ɛ-PL exhibits several useful properties because of its unusual structure, such as biodegradability, water solubility, no human toxicity, and broad-spectrum antibacterial activities; it is widely applied in the fields of food, medicine, clinical chemistry and electronics. However, current industrial production of ε-PL is only performed in a few countries. Based on an analysis of the physiological characteristics of ε-PL fermentation, current advances that enhance ε-PL fermentation, from strain improvement to product isolation are systematically reviewed, focusing on: (1) elucidating the metabolic pathway and regulatory mechanism of ε-PL synthesis; (2) enhancing biosynthetic performance through mutagenesis, fermentation optimization and metabolic engineering; and (3) understanding and improving the biological activity and functional properties of ε-PL. Finally, perspectives on engineering and exploiting ε-PL as a source material for the production of various advanced materials are also discussed, providing scientific guidelines for researchers to further improve the ε-PL fermentation process.
The role of ATP-binding cassette transporter genes expression in treatment failure cutaneous leishmaniasis
Authors: Boozhmehrani Mohammad Javad , Eslami Gilda , Khamesipour Ali , Jafari Abbas Ali , Vakili Mahmood , Hosseini Saeedeh Sadat , Askari Vahideh
Published: June 2022

Leishmaniasis is one of the common diseases transmitted by sand flies in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Currently, antimonial derivatives are the first line of treatment. Some of the members of the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) family ofLeishmaniaare shown to be associated with no response to treatment. In this study, we evaluatedABCI4,ABCG2, ABCC7, ABCB4, andABCC3genes expression inLeishmaniaisolated from patients with non-healing cutaneous leishmaniasis and treatment response isolates. We selected 17 clinical isolates including 8 treatment failure and 9 treatment response samples from September 2020 to March 2021. The isolates were obtained from patients of Health Center Laboratory of Varzaneh, Isfahan, Iran with cutaneous leishmaniasis. The diagnosis was performed using microscopic observation. The samples were directly collected from the lesions. The expression profiling of genes was assessed using SYBR Green real-time PCR that was analyzed with delta-delta Ct. All treatment failure clinical isolates wereL. major. Gene expression analysis in treatment failure isolates showed that the ABC transported genes had a different pattern in each isolate. Treatment failure has been reported for cutaneous leishmaniasis worldwide. Knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of treatment failure could solve this problem. ABC transporter genes are considered controversial over the mechanisms of treatment failure outcomes. In this study, we showed that ABC transporter genes could be considered one of the important mechanisms.
Prevalence and predictors of self-medication with antibiotics in selected urban and rural districts of the Dodoma region, Central Tanzania: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Mabilika Richard James , Mpolya Emmanuel , Shirima Gabriel
Published: June 2022

Background

Antibiotic resistance is a global health threat driven partly by self-medication with antibiotics (SMA). This study aims to assess the prevalence and predictors of SMA in selected rural and urban communities of the Dodoma region, Central Tanzania.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted in Chemba District Council (rural) and Dodoma City Council (urban) from August to November 2019 using multistage stratified random sampling. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using structured questionnaires.

Results

A total of 430 respondents were interviewed in Chemba District Council (rural) (161/430) and Dodoma City Council (urban) (269/430). The prevalence of SMA was 23.6% (38/161) among rural respondents and 23.4% (63/269) among urban respondents. The median amount of SMA in both settings was 2, while the maximum amounts were 4 and 5, respectively. SMA among rural and urban participants was associated mostly with perceived cough (76.3%/82%), body pain (71.1%/41.5%) and fever (63.2%/39.7%), and amoxicillin was the most commonly used antibiotic in both settings (47.3%/41%). Rural participants who reported a shorter perceived distance to a health care facility than to a drug outlet were 58.9% less likely to practise SMA (adjusted OR: 0.421; 95% CI: 0.388, 0.458; p < 0.001), whereas SMA decreased by 16.3% among urban participants who reported a shorter perceived distance to a health care facility than to a drug outlet (adjusted OR: 0.837; 95% CI: 0.755, 0.929; p < 0.001). SMA was 17.3% lower among farmers than among nonfarmers in the urban area (adjusted OR: 0.827; 95% CI: 0.716, 0.955; p = 0.01), while farming had no effect in the rural area.

Conclusions

The prevalence of SMA is similar among participants in rural and urban districts. In both localities, a shorter perceived distance to a drug outlet is an independent risk factor for SMA, while having health insurance reduces the risk. Equally weighted interventions to reduce SMA are required in rural and urban communities.
Gut dysbiosis promotes prostate cancer progression and docetaxel resistance via activating NF-κB-IL6-STAT3 axis
Authors: Zhong Weibo , Wu Kaihui , Long Zining , Zhou Xumin , Zhong Chuanfan , Wang Shuo , Lai Houhua , Guo Yufei , Lv Daojun , Lu Jianming , Mao Xiangming
Published: June 2022

Background

The gut microbiota is reportedly involved in the progression and chemoresistance of various human malignancies. However, the underlying mechanisms behind how it exerts some effect on prostate cancer, as an extra-intestinal tumor, in a contact-independent way remain elusive and deserve exploration. Antibiotic exposure, one of the various factors affecting the gut microbiota community and capable of causing gut dysbiosis, is associated with multiple disorders. This study aims to preliminarily clarify the link between gut dysbiosis and prostate cancer.

Results

First, we discovered that perturbing the gut microbiota by consuming broad-spectrum antibiotics in water promoted the growth of subcutaneous and orthotopic tumors in mice. Fecal microbiota transplantation could transmit the effect of antibiotic exposure on tumor growth. Then, 16S rRNA sequencing for mouse feces indicated that the relative abundance of Proteobacteria was significantly higher after antibiotic exposure. Meanwhile, intratumoral lipopolysaccharide (LPS) profoundly increased under the elevation of gut permeability. Both in vivo and in vitro experiments revealed that the NF-κB-IL6-STAT3 axis activated by intratumoral LPS facilitated prostate cancer proliferation and docetaxel chemoresistance. Finally, 16S rRNA sequencing of patients’ fecal samples revealed that Proteobacteria was enriched in patients with metastatic prostate cancer and was positively correlated with plasma IL6 level, regional lymph node metastasis status, and distant metastasis status. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves showed that the relative abundance of Proteobacteria had better performance than the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level in predicting the probability of distant metastasis in prostate cancer (area under the ROC curve, 0.860; p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Collectively, this research demonstrated that gut dysbiosis, characterized by the enrichment of Proteobacteria due to antibiotic exposure, resulted in the elevation of gut permeability and intratumoral LPS, promoting the development of prostate cancer via the NF-κB-IL6-STAT3 axis in mice. Considering findings from human patients, Proteobacteria might act as an intestinal biomarker for progressive prostate cancer.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Musical poetics in instrumental music: China’s intangible cultural heritage in the information age
Authors: Zhou He Ming
Published: June 2022

Enjoying the benefits presented by the information age can enhance the effectiveness of learning musical poetics in instrumental music, which constitutes intangible cultural heritage. This paper addresses the effectiveness of the academic program in instrumental music poetics (which was uploaded on YouTube) in order to specify cultural heritage popularization options. The survey was conducted among 200 students from two music schools in China. The results of group B demonstrated the effectiveness of video tutorials uploaded on YouTube in learning musical poetics in Chinese instrumental music. The difference between the groups was especially noticeable when evaluating the “theoretical knowledge” and “final exam” criteria. After Group B’s semiannual exposure, a survey addressing the understanding of the musical poetics’ intangible cultural value revealed a large-scale difference in the results compared to the data obtained in January (p-values of 0.034 for questions about cultural value and 0.001 for questions about online promotion), while no statistically significant improvement was observed for group A. Group B saw an intense increase in the understanding of responsibility for preserving the country’s intangible cultural values (+ 26.8%) and confidence in the knowledge of traditional Chinese tools (+ 25.1%) on the Agree scale. This study has practical value and is important for further research because it demonstrates the effectiveness of innovative technology for studying musical poetics and the popularization of intangible cultural values. Research findings may be used by educational institutions, in academic programs and research.
Preparation of turmeric powder with various extraction and drying methods
Authors: Park Junyoung , Do Subeen , Lee Minju , Ha Seungwoo , Lee Kwang-Geun
Published: June 2022

Background

In this study, turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) powder was prepared with various extraction and drying methods. Extractions were performed using three solvents (water, 50% ethanol, and 70% ethanol) and three drying methods, namely, spray drying (SD), freeze drying (FD), and spray-freeze drying (SFD).

Results

Levels of the curcuminoids, curcumin, demethoxycurcumin, and bisdemethoxycurcumin, in turmeric powder preparations were analysed using HPLC, and scanning electron microscopy and laser particle size analysis were used to observe and estimate the surface and size distribution of particles. The total amount of curcuminoids ranged from 0.59–14.35 mg/g turmeric powder, and as the concentration of ethanol increased, the level of curcuminoids, antioxidant activity, and average particle size significantly increased (all p < 0.05). In addition, the abundance of curcuminoids significantly increased in the order of SFD, FD, and SD (p < 0.05), whereas the average particle size significantly increased in the order of FD, SFD, and SD (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

The highest TPC and TFC were detected in SFD turmeric powder preparations, whereas the average particle size significantly increased in the order of FD, SFD, and SD. Based on this study, we also showed that the level of curcuminoids, antioxidant activity, TPC, TFC, and average particle size were most affected by the extraction solvent.

Graphical Abstract
Construct validation of the Research Engagement Survey Tool (REST)
Authors: Goodman Melody S. , Ackermann Nicole , Haskell-Craig Zoé , Jackson Sherrill , Bowen Deborah J. , Sanders Thompson Vetta L.
Published: June 2022

Background

The Research Engagement Survey Tool (REST) was developed to examine the level of partner (e.g., patients, caregivers, advocates, clinicians, community members) engagement in research studies. The REST is aligned with eight engagement principles based on the literature and consensus reached through a five round Delphi process. Each of the engagement principles has three-five corresponding items that are assessed on two Likert type scales quantity (how often: never, rarely, sometimes, often, always, not applicable) and quality (how well: poor, fair, good, very good, excellent, not applicable). We conducted a comprehensive validation of the REST. Despite the importance of partner engagement in research, currently no gold standard measure exists.

Methods

Multiple strategies were employed to validate the REST. Here, we examine the internal consistency of items for each of the eight engagement principles. In addition, we examine the convergent validity of the comprehensive (32-item) REST with other measures (e.g., medical mistrust, Community Engagement in Research Index, Partnership Self-Assessment Tool, Wilder collaboration inventory, Partnership Assessment In community-based Research). We propose two scoring approaches for the REST; one aligned with the engagement principles and the other aligned with levels of community engagement: (1) outreach and education, (2) consultation, (3) cooperation, (4) collaboration, and (5) partnership.

Results

The REST has strong internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha > 0.75) for each of the eight engagement principals measured on both scales (quality and quantity). The REST had negligible (e.g., medical mistrust, community engagement in research index), low (e.g., Partnership Assessment In community-based Research, Partnership Self-Assessment Tool- benefits scale), and moderate (e.g., Wilder collaboration inventory, Partnership Self-Assessment Tool- synergy scale) statistically significant correlations with other measures based on the Spearman rank correlation coefficient. These results suggest the REST is measuring something similar and correlated to the existing measures, but it captures a different construct (perceived research engagement).

Conclusions

The REST is a valid and reliable tool to assess research engagement of community health stakeholders in the research process. Valid tools to assess research engagement are necessary to examine the impact of engagement on the scientific process and scientific discovery and move the field of stakeholder engagement from best practices and lessons learned to evidence-based approaches based on empirical data.
Joint focusing inversion of marine controlled-source electromagnetic and full tensor gravity gradiometry data
Authors: Tu Xiaolei , Zhdanov Michael S.
Published: June 2022

We have developed an approach for integrating the interdependent information of different geophysical methods to obtain a self-consistent geophysical model in offshore exploration. Electromagnetic (EM) and gravity data complement seismic data by providing information about the physical properties of prospective reservoir rocks. We have combined marine EM and gravity gradiometry geophysical data in joint inversion using a joint focusing stabilizer. The method enforces coupling between different physical models and simultaneously promotes focused images of the targets. We also consider the importance of using robust norms to analyze data collected by marine controlled-source EM surveys. The practical effectiveness of the developed method is illustrated by a case study of integrating and imaging marine multiphysics data collected in the Nordkapp Basin, Barents Sea, Norway.
Probabilistic inversion of seismic data for reservoir petrophysical characterization: Review and examples
Authors: Grana Dario , Azevedo Leonardo , de Figueiredo Leandro , Connolly Patrick , Mukerji Tapan
Published: June 2022

The physics that describes the seismic response of an interval of saturated porous rocks with known petrophysical properties is relatively well understood and includes rock physics, petrophysics, and wave propagation models. The main goal of seismic reservoir characterization is to predict the rock and fluid properties given a set of seismic measurements by combining geophysical models and mathematical methods. This modeling challenge is generally formulated as an inverse problem. The most common geophysical inverse problem is the seismic (or elastic) inversion, i.e., the estimation of elastic properties, such as seismic velocities or impedances, from seismic amplitudes and traveltimes. The estimation of petrophysical properties, such as porosity, lithology, and fluid saturations, also can be formulated as an inverse problem and is generally referred to as rock-physics (or petrophysical) inversion. Several deterministic and probabilistic methods can be applied to solve seismic inversion problems. Deterministic algorithms predict a single solution, which is a “best” estimate or the most likely value of the model variables of interest. In probabilistic algorithms, on the other hand, the solution is the probability distribution of the model variables of interest, which can be expressed as a conditional probability density function or a set of model realizations conditioned on the data. The probabilistic approach provides a quantification of the uncertainty of the solution in addition to the most likely model. Our goal is to define the terminology, present an overview of probabilistic seismic and rock-physics inversion methods for the estimation of petrophysical properties, demonstrate the fundamental concepts with illustrative examples, and discuss the recent research developments.
Viscoelastic wave propagation in transversely isotropic media based on constant-order fractional polynomial approximations
Authors: Zhang Yabing , Chen Tongjun , Liu Yang , Zhu Hejun , Zhu Guanghui , Niu Yunfei
Published: June 2022

Accurately simulating viscoelastic wave propagation in the subsurface is essential to image subsurface reservoirs. One established method to investigate constant- Q effects is based on the variable-order fractional viscoelastic wave equation. However, the mixed-domain operators introduced in this approach are cumbersome to calculate and impede a high-efficiency numerical solver. To solve this issue, we approximate the mixed-domain operator by using a polynomial approximation and derive the corresponding viscoelastic wave equation in anisotropic attenuative media. The constant-order fractional polynomial method is further developed to improve the approximation accuracy. Based on these polynomial approximations, only several constant-order Laplacians remain in the new form of the viscoelastic wave equations. Therefore, these equations can be easily solved using Fourier transform and finite-difference methods. In addition, we also perform an accuracy analysis among the conventional quadratic, cubic, and constant-order fractional polynomial approximations. It indicates that the relative error of the constant-order fractional polynomial method is much smaller than that generated by the conventional quadratic and cubic polynomial approximations. Compared to the variable-order fractional viscoelastic wave equation, our constant-order viscoelastic wave equation can simulate seismic wave propagations with comparable accuracy but with high efficiency. Numerical results based on our approach can well match reference solutions in homogeneous and heterogeneous models, demonstrating the accuracy and effectiveness of the new method.
The efficacy and safety of anti–PD-1 antibody toripalimab combined with surufatinib in neoadjuvant treatment of locally advanced thyroid cancer: A phase II study.
Authors: Chen Jiaying , Ji Qinghai , Wang Yu , Huang Naisi , Hu Jiaqian , Wei Wenjun , Huang Caiping , Shen Qiang , Li Duanshu
Published: June 2022

6084

Background: Surgery is the primary treatment for locally advanced thyroid cancer. However, some locally advanced patients are not candidates for R0/1 resection. There is limited evidence of neoadjuvant treatment in locally advanced thyroid cancer. Surufatinib targets multiple kinases (VEGFR1-3, FGFR1 and CSF-1R) involved in tumor angiogenesis and tumor immune evasion. It is efficient, tolerable and safe for patients with radioiodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer to receive surufatinib. In addition, surufatinib plus toripalimab (an anti-PD-1 antibody) showed encouraging antitumor activity and an acceptable safety profile in advanced solid tumors. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of surufatinib plus toripalimab in locally advanced thyroid cancer in the neoadjuvant setting. Methods: In this single-arm phase II study, patients with pathologically confirmed diagnosis of unresectable or borderline resectable differentiated thyroid cancer were eligible and received a combination of 250 mg surufatinib (oral, qd) with 240 mg toripalimab (IV, q3w). Treatment was continued until satisfied for curative surgery, disease progression, withdrawal of consent, unacceptable toxicity or investigator decision. Primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR) by RECIST 1.1. Secondary endpoints included R0/1 resection rate, disease control rate (DCR), time to remission (TTR), adverse events (AEs), etc. Results: This study is ongoing. 10/10 patients were enrolled. 6 patients received ≥4 cycles of surufatinib plus toripalimab treatment and were also evaluated for efficacy. The ORR was 66.7% with 4 partial response (PR) and 2 stable disease (SD). 4 PR and 1 SD patients received R0 resections after neoadjuvant treatment. The safety was consistent with previously reported. No grade ≥3 AEs were observed. Specific AEs data are still being counted. Conclusions: Surufatinib in combination with toripalimab as neoadjuvant therapy for locally advanced thyroid cancer was feasible and majority of patients achieved R0 resection. AEs were mainly grade 1-2, and this combination was well-tolerated. The combination of these two agents should be further investigated for neoadjuvant treatment of locally advanced thyroid cancer based on good results. Clinical trial information: NCT04524884.
The Bacillus subtilis open reading frame ysgA encodes the SPOUT methyltransferase RlmP forming 2′-O-methylguanosine at position 2553 in the A-loop of 23S rRNA
Authors: Roovers Martine , Labar Geoffray , Wolff Philippe , Feller André , Van Elder Dany , Soin Romuald , Gueydan Cyril , Kruys Véronique , Droogmans Louis
Published: June 2022

A previous bioinformatic analysis predicted that the ysgA open reading frame of Bacillus subtilis encodes an RNA methyltransferase of the SPOUT superfamily. Here we show that YsgA is the 2′-O-methyltransferase that targets position G2553 (Escherichia coli numbering) of the A-loop of 23S rRNA. This was shown by a combination of biochemical and mass spectrometry approaches using both rRNA extracted from B. subtilis wild-type or ΔysgA cells and in vitro synthesized rRNA. When the target G2553 is mutated, YsgA is able to methylate the ribose of adenosine. However, it cannot methylate cytidine nor uridine. The enzyme modifies free 23S rRNA but not the fully assembled ribosome nor the 50S subunit, suggesting that the modification occurs early during ribosome biogenesis. Nevertheless, ribosome subunits assembly is unaffected in a B. subtilis ΔysgA mutant strain. The crystal structure of the recombinant YsgA protein, combined with mutagenesis data, outlined in this article highlights a typical SPOUT fold preceded by an L7Ae/L30 (eL8/eL30 in a new nomenclature) amino-terminal domain.
Perception of health care students towards lectures as a teaching and learning method in the COVID era - A multicentric cross-sectional study from India
Authors: Singh Vijay Pratap , Ramakrishna Anand , Sinha Neloy , Khandelwal Bidita , Joseph Nitin , Barua Purnima
Published: June 2022

The sudden precipitation of the pandemic forced undergraduates to take refuge at home, deserting the campus. Consequently, the age-old classroom in person teaching-learning (T-L) method shifted and lessons had to be conducted online. In previous decades, archetypical classroom lectures survived a lot of criticism in the face of the quasi-passive nature of T-L  methodology. There are very few studies that reflect undergraduate students' perceptions of lectures. This study aimed to evaluate undergraduate students’ perceptions of lectures using an online questionnaire with 13 items, which was circulated to undergraduate students of medical, physiotherapy, and nursing courses in three settings at different locations of private and public health schools. There was a total of 877 responses. The surveyed students were in favor of lectures and considered them indispensable for undergraduate learning. They preferred it as a kind of organized learning through the teacher’s own experiences. Our study suggests that it is not the ‘lecture’ that requires mending but possibly teachers require better training, application of effective audio-visual aids, and innovative techniques to sustain students' interest in the class.
The effect of dietary modification on executive function domains in adult individuals with obesity: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Pertiwi Junita Maja , Pramono Adriyan , Kaseke Martha Marie , Mayulu Nelly , Susanto David , Ate Andisty , Rizal Mochammad , Syauqy Ahmad , Gunawan William Ben , Nurkolis Fahrul
Published: June 2022

Background: Recent study suggests that obesity is associated with a broad executive function decline. Several dietary intervention studies may improve executive function domains. This meta-analysis aimed to determine the effect of dietary modification on executive function domains in adult patients with obesity.

Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Pubmed/Medline, Cochrane Library, Science Direct/SCOPUS, and Google Scholar were systematically searched to obtain articles until April 30th, 2022. The main outcome of interest was the change in executive function domains (inhibition, cognitive flexibility, working memory, verbal fluency, decision making, and planning). We extracted data on the standardized mean difference (SMD) between the dietary intervention and control groups in change from baseline executive function domains. The meta-analysis with a random effect model was performed using STATA, and the Risk of Bias (RoB 2.0) tool was used to determine the quality of the included studies. Subsequently, to assess the quality of evidence, we used GRADE tools.

Results: A total of 10 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that met the objectives were obtained. This meta-analysis showed that dietary modification improved cognitive flexibility [SMD=0.303 (-0.527 to -0.079), P=0.008, I2= 0%], working memory [SMD=0.601 (0.076 to 1.125), P=0.025, I2=83.6%], and verbal fluency [(SMD=0.223 (0.002 to 0.428), P=0.033, I2=16.3%]. However, most RCTs (six out of 10) had some concerns due to allocation concealment, unclear blinding assessment or participants, and a high dropout rate. Thus, further well-controlled RCTs are needed to confirm these results.

Conclusions: Dietary modification might improve executive function domains in adult individuals with overweight/obesity.

Registration: This systematic review is registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD42022332572; registered 24 May 2022).
Prospects for using charity lotteries in social marketing
Authors: Evgenievich Barykin Sergey , Bozhuk Svetlana , Kozlova Nelli , Krasnostavskaia Nataliia , Mehta Reena , Vinokurov Stepan , Nimenia Inga , Vasilievna Kapustina Irina , Naumova Elena , Dedyukhina Natalia
Published: June 2022

Background: The purpose of this work is to study the prospects of using charity lotteries as a marketing tool for involving consumers and employees in charitable activities.

Methods: The research methodology is based on the principles of the theory of planned behavior by Ajzen.

Results: The study confirmed that behavioral intention is correlated with actual behavior. Subjective norms factors have the most significant influence on behavioral intention.

Conclusions: Correlation analysis allowed us to establish a weak effect of socio-demographic characteristics (Age, Gender, Capital Status, Ownership of Home, Educational Qualification, Employment, Annual Income) on behavior. The experience of participating in the lottery in the past also turned out to be insignificant. There is reason to believe that Russian consumers' decision to participate in the charity lottery is impulsive or due to pressure from their surroundings.
Insulin and insulin-like growth factor-I receptors in astrocytes exert different effects on behavior and Alzheimer´s-like pathology
Authors: Zegarra-Valdivia Jonathan , Fernandez Ana M. , Martinez-Rachadell Laura , Herrero-Labrador Raquel , Fernandes Jansen , Torres Aleman Ignacio
Published: June 2022

Background: Pleiotropic actions of insulin and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) in the brain are context- and cell-dependent, but whether this holds for their receptors (insulin receptor (IR) and IGF-I receptor (IGF-IR), respectively), is less clear.

Methods: We compared mice lacking IR or IGF-IR in glial fibrillary astrocytic protein (GFAP)-expressing astrocytes in a tamoxifen-regulated manner, to clarify their role in this type of glial cells, as the majority of data of their actions in brain have been obtained in neurons.

Results: We observed that mice lacking IR in GFAP astrocytes (GFAP IR KO mice) develop mood disturbances and maintained intact cognition, while at the same time show greater pathology when cross-bred with APP/PS1 mice, a model of familial Alzheimer´s disease (AD). Conversely, mice lacking IGF-IR in GFAP astrocytes (GFAP-IGF-IR KO mice) show cognitive disturbances, maintained mood tone, and show control-dependent changes in AD-like pathology.

Conclusions: These observations confirm that the role of IR and IGF-IR in the brain is cell-specific and context-dependent.
Impact of COVID-19 on international medical education and the future plans of medical students in Japan
Authors: Goudarzi Houman , Onozawa Masahiro , Takahashi Makoto
Published: June 2022

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the current study methods and future plans of medical students compared to those in the pre-pandemic period.

Methods: Second-grade medical students reported their academic experiences, study methods, and future career plans before (between 2016 and 2019) and during the pandemic (2020) using a questionnaire-based survey at Hokkaido University, Japan (n = 534).

Results: From 2016 to 2019, we found an increasing trend for participation in short-term international exchange programs, taking the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), clinical training, and undertaking research abroad among the students. However, these percentages significantly declined (to 35.5%) during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 for all the assessed future plans, including short-term exchange programs (-27.9%), taking USMLE (-19.8%), clinical training (-24.5%), and undertaking research abroad (-13.2%) compared to 2019, wherein 67.9% of the students wished to have at least one of these four above-mentioned academic activities.

Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic adversely and significantly influenced our medical students’ plans to go abroad for clinical and research training. Future studies are warranted to assess the long-term influence of this pandemic on the career planning of medical students.
Volunteering among pre-clinical medical students: Study of its association with academic performance using institutional data
Authors: Alsuwaidi Laila , Powell Leigh , Alhashmi Deena , Hassan Khamis Amar , Zary Nabil
Published: June 2022

Background: Participating in volunteering activities during students’ higher education experience is becoming more commonplace. Studies have noted that volunteering has a positive impact on the academic performance of undergraduate medical students. However, most of these studies rely on self-reported data like surveys, interviews, and journals. In this study, we leverage actual institutional data to examine the relationship between volunteering and academic performance among medical students in the pre-clinical phases of the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) program. The current study also explores the factors that might influence students’ volunteering behaviours.

Methods: Analysis based on retrospective data was conducted in the College of Medicine at the Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Three years of volunteering records for three cohorts of undergraduate medical students enrolled in the MBBS program between 2016 – 2018 were reviewed and analyzed to complete this study. The correlation between the annual Grade Point Average (GPA) and volunteering was studied across the three cohorts in each study year.

Results:  Analysis of 153 undergraduate medical students' volunteering records revealed a significant positive relationship between the annual GPA and the number of volunteering in year two. The correlation was insignificant in year one, year three, and across the three cohorts.

Conclusions:  The association between academic performance and volunteering among undergraduate medical students appeared to be positive. However, this relationship differs across the pre-clinical study years and is likely influenced by factors associated with volunteering that might influence GPA.
Organization of research activities of students Institute of Physical Culture, Sports and Tourism Petrozavodsk State University
Authors: Kielevyaynen Larisa , Matveeva Valentina
Published: June 2022

The article is devoted to the organization of research work of students as one of the areas of educational activity. The goals and objectives of the research work of students and the student scientific society, system-forming factors, the specifics of research topics, taking into account the physical education orientation of the educational program, are indicated.
Features of Integration of Traditional and Distance Education in Teaching Students in Economic Specialties
Authors: Titova N. , Loginova T.
Published: June 2022

The article summarizes the experience of teaching economic disciplines in the traditional and distance format. The results of a survey of students-economists on the effectiveness of the use of traditional and digital technologies in the educational process are analyzed. The advantages of distance education indicated by students are summarized and ranked; justified shortcomings and negative factors that determine them. The proposals of students to improve the quality of distance learning technologies are systematized. It is concluded that it is necessary to integrate both traditional and digital technologies into the educational process. It is substantiated that the observance of a certain balance, proportions of the use of classroom and distance learning in the educational process depends on the specialization of universities, areas and levels of education.
Entrepreneurship Through a Unified Sociological Neoinstitutional Lens
Authors: Sine Wesley D. , Cordero Arkangel M. , Coles Ryan S.
Published: June 2022

The institutional context, which includes the normative, regulative, and cognitive dimensions of social life within the various constitutive spheres of society, has a strong influence on entrepreneurial processes and outcomes. Institutions shape who becomes an entrepreneur, opportunity creation, identification, and evaluation, as well as how entrepreneurs attempt to start new firms. We introduce a novel framework that unifies the two dominant perspectives in sociological neoinstitutionalism, the institutional logics and the institutional pillars typologies, and apply this unified framework to examine the existing research at the nexus of entrepreneurship and institutional theory while outlining a set of entrepreneurial phenomena to which the framework can be applied. We analyzed the citation pattern of all 77 articles published since 1999 in top management journals (Academy of Management Journal, Academy of Management Review, Administrative Science Quarterly, Organization Science, and Strategic Management Journal) that used institutional theory to examine entrepreneurial phenomena, and we demonstrate how the unified framework effectively organizes past research while also pointing to new and important areas for development.
Antioxidant Activity and Quality Characteristics of Nurungji Prepared with Purple Sweet Potato According to Addition Times and Powder Contents
Authors: Yong Ji-Eun , Kang Sung-Tae
Published: June 2022

This study was performed to evaluate the quality characteristics and antioxidant activity of Nurungji by varying the purple sweet potato powder addition time (AR: added after rice cooking, BR: added before rice cooking) and powder ratio (0, 2, 4, 6, 8%) on the prepared rice during Nurungji’s manufacturing. In both AR and BR samples, water binding capacity, soluble solid content, reducing sugar, and hardness increased with an increasing proportion of purple sweet potato powder; however, the pH and moisture content decreased. The L value and b value decreased and increased with the influence of anthocyanin in purple sweet potato powder. The total polyphenol, flavonoid, anthocyanin contents, DPPH, and ABTS radical scavenging activity were highest in Nurungji with 8% of purple sweet potato powder. Moreover, AR samples showed higher antioxidant activity than BR samples. Based on the study results above, the preparation of Nurungji with 8% purple sweet potato powder by AR process was more favorable based on the content of antioxidants and antioxidant activity.
'Health foodies' com a prescriptors saludables, gastronòmics i publicitaris
Authors: Aznar Íñiguez Cristina , Segarra Saavedra Jesús
Published: June 2022

Objectius: analitzar els continguts publicats pels principals health foodies espanyols amb la finalitat de conèixer tant l'ús que fan d'Instagram des del punt de vista gastronòmic i publicitari com el grau de compromís que aconsegueixen amb la seva audiència social.
 Metodologia: es fa una anàlisi de 1.174 continguts publicats a Instagram per sis health foodies espanyols durant quinze dies. L'estudi es duu a terme des de tres perspectives: el compromís aconseguit amb la seva activitat, la presència d'elements propis de la gastronomia i la inserció de marques, productes i serveis en els continguts difosos.
 Resultats: es detecta que un major nombre de seguidors no implica un major grau de compromís amb l'audiència social ni viceversa, que no solament promocionen marques relacionades amb l'alimentació i la gastronomia, i que l'alimentació vegana i de gust salat prevalen per damunt d'altres estils d'alimentació.
Denuncia y autodefensa de acoso sexual y violencias en Uber : historias de usuarias en Twitter y Tiktok
Authors: Pires Fernanda , Vilasís Pamos Julia , Anglada Pujol Ona , Masanet María José
Published: June 2022

En este artículo nos centramos en explorar las historias compartidas en las redes sociales desde la perspectiva de las mujeres que sufren diferentes violencias e inseguridades al utilizar los servicios de transporte de Uber. Por ello, este artículo tiene los siguientes objetivos específicos: 1) identificar y explorar las historias compartidas en las redes sociales que explican violencias y abusos vividos por las usuarias de Uber por razón de género; y 2) identificar y explorar las medidas de protección y seguridad que se articulan a través de las redes sociales para hacer frente a dichas situaciones de violencia y abusos. Para ello, hemos realizado una observación sistemática no participante en las redes sociales Twitter y TikTok, donde hemos identificado contenidos de denuncia, autodefensa, prevención y sensibilización. Puede concluirse que la mayor parte de las denuncias se sitúan en el ámbito de las experiencias y se trata de historias de usuarias que expresan las violencias y los abusos vividos durante el uso de los servicios de transporte de Uber. Los contenidos de autodefensa compartidos en las redes sociales se configuran como herramientas que sirven para afrontar situaciones de acoso. Sin embargo, estas herramientas carecen de una esfera de movilización colectiva.
Apunts per a una visió crítica de les Biblioteques Humanes dins la funció social de la biblioteca pública
Authors: Draper Martínez Sergi
Published: June 2022

La funció social de la biblioteca pública és un factor intrínsec a la seva essència i als seus valors. La intenció d'influir positivament en la societat que envolta la biblioteca ha estat present, d'una manera o d'una altra, com a mínim des de l'origen de la lectura pública moderna, ara fa uns 150 anys, amb la idea d'accés a l'educació del poble i el foment de l'esperit democràtic (Faus, 2000). Quan diem 'd'una manera o d'una altra', ens referim al fet que el concepte d'acció o intervenció sociocultural ha anat variant al llarg dels anys, i que l'ànim assistencialista i benèfic inicial ha deixat pas, de manera progressiva, a pràctiques més participatives i transformadores. Tot i així, malgrat que aquesta visió social és comunament acceptada en el pla teòric, a les biblioteques encara els resulta difícil definir la planificació al voltant de l'acció social que duen a la pràctica. En aquest escrit, posarem en valor la necessitat de definir l'acció social a les biblioteques públiques, tant des d'un vessant teòric com pràctic. Posteriorment, analitzarem les Biblioteques Humanes com a part de la planificació i programació de serveis i activitats socials de la biblioteca pública, i, des d'una visió crítica, intentarem desentrellar-ne els punts forts i el que considerem que en són les debilitats. Finalment, plantejarem tot un seguit de reflexions que cal tenir en compte a l'hora d'articular una programació d'activitats de sentit social a la biblioteca, partint d'aquesta com a espai accessible, participatiu i transformador.
Performance of the Reed-Solomon-coded underwater optical wireless communication system with orientation-based solar light noise
Authors: Mahapatra Saroj Kumar , Varshney Shailendra Kumar
Published: June 2022

Various physical and chemical properties of seawater degrade the performance of the underwater optical wireless communication (UOWC) system. Implementing a forward error correction (FEC) coding scheme, advanced modulation, and signal processing techniques improves the UOWC system performance. So far, the implementation of FEC codes over the UOWC system has not been discussed with the system receiver (Rx) orientations. The undersea background noise is a challenge to the UOWC system, and the solar noise is robust in this category. The system Rx experiences unequal solar noise density when it faces different orientations. This paper evaluates the performance of the UOWC system, implementing the Reed-Solomon (RS) coding scheme when the Rx meets different orientations, and presents a computational model to find out energy-efficient RS code for a specific direction. The theoretical evaluation demonstrates that a fixed RS code is not always energy-efficient to the system when the Rx moves in various orientations.