bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spatial-Temporal evolution characteristics of pre-Stage-stall in a centrifugal compressor with a vaneless diffuser and a volute
Authors: Shi Lei , Ma Hongwei , Yu Xinghan , Jin Rong , Wang Tianyou
Published: November 2023

The continuous throttling process is of great interest for compressor designers. Previous experimental studies mainly consider the temporal evolution characteristics of the pre-stage stall at the impeller inlet or outlet regions. In this study, we explore the spatial-temporal evolution characteristics of pre-stage-stall using a pressure array consisting of 15 high-response sensors. The dynamic evolution characteristics of the pressure signal on the time and frequency domains and the underlying unsteady flow structure evolution during the transition process were analyzed. We find that the evolution characteristics of pressure irregularity varied with the streamwise positions. The evolution process from the pre-stage stall point to the stage stall point can be divided into three stages based on the disturbance scale and pressure fluctuations, namely (I) the coexistence of the impeller RI, the mild impeller stall, and the mild diffuser stall, (II) the interaction of stall cell and RI disturbance, (III) a single large stall cell. In stage I, the streamwise influential regions of the stall cells are mainly confined in the impeller passage. In stage II, the stall cell expands upstream and gradually interacts with the RI disturbance. The wavelength of RI-related disturbance increases while the related pressure fluctuation decreases. In stage III, several stall cells merge into one large cell.
Referrals to Palliative Care Services for Hospitalised COVID-19 Patients: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Snijders Rolf A. H. , Brom Linda , Simons Sami O. , Langenberg Simone M. C. H. , van der Linden Yvette M. , Raijmakers Natasja J. H.
Published: November 2023

Background

The increase in the incidence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) led to more hospital admissions and deaths, and coincided with an increased need for palliative care. The new circumstances required palliative care services to be flexible and to develop response strategies.

Aim

To synthesise studies including COVID-19 patients to gain insight into how many patients were referred to hospital-based palliative care services, the characteristics and palliative care needs of these patients and the reasons for referral.

Design

A systematic literature search was conducted in January 2022 using the PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and PsycInfo databases.

Results

Twenty-seven studies were identified. The results show that in 16% of all COVID-19 inpatients and 55% of all deceased COVID-19 inpatients were referred to a palliative care service. The median time from hospital admission to referral was 4 days and from referral to death was 2 days. COVID-19 inpatients were frequently referred for end-of-life care management (52%), had ≥1 comorbidities (84%), and suffered from shortness of breath/dyspnea (45%).

Conclusions

The care provided was generally acute, with a high proportion of end-of-life care referrals and a short time period from hospital admission to referral and from referral to death. This highlights the importance of early integration of palliative care into emergency department (ED) care of critically ill patients.
Mucosal Soft Tissue Lesions
Authors: Philipone Elizabeth , Yoon Angela J.
Published: November 2023

Mucosal soft tissue lesions are fairly common in the pediatric population. However, the precise prevalence is unknown. This is the result of the limited number of studies, the use of various diagnostic criteria in those studies, and the transient nature of commonly encountered lesions in this population. In this section, we seek to familiarize the pediatric pathologist with a sampling of mucosal soft tissue lesions encountered in pediatric patients, highlight key diagnostic features and correlations with systemic diseases should they exist.
Leveraging ChatGPT for ophthalmic education: A critical appraisal
Authors: Gurnani Bharat , Kaur Kirandeep
Published: November 2023

In recent years, the advent of artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed many sectors, including medical education. This editorial critically appraises the integration of ChatGPT, a state-of-the-art AI language model, into ophthalmic education, focusing on its potential, limitations, and ethical considerations. The application of ChatGPT in teaching and training ophthalmologists presents an innovative method to offer real-time, customized learning experiences. Through a systematic analysis of both experimental and clinical data, this editorial examines how ChatGPT enhances engagement, understanding, and retention of complex ophthalmological concepts. The study also evaluates the efficacy of ChatGPT in simulating patient interactions and clinical scenarios, which can foster improved diagnostic and interpersonal skills. Despite the promising advantages, concerns regarding reliability, lack of personal touch, and potential biases in the AI-generated content are scrutinized. Ethical considerations concerning data privacy and potential misuse are also explored. The findings underline the need for carefully designed integration, continuous evaluation, and adherence to ethical guidelines to maximize benefits while mitigating risks. By shedding light on these multifaceted aspects, this paper contributes to the ongoing discourse on the incorporation of AI in medical education, offering valuable insights and guidance for educators, practitioners, and policymakers aiming to leverage modern technology for enhancing ophthalmic education.
A hybrid data-driven approach for the analysis of hydrodynamic lubrication
Authors: Zhao Yang , Wong Patrick P L
Published: November 2023

The application of data mining technology has intensively advanced tribology research. While recent lubrication studies have highlighted the importance of data mining, researchers have not fully bridged the gap between massive lubrication data and intrinsic lubrication mechanisms. Thus, by revisiting lubrication modelling from the data-driven and physics-informed perspectives, we aim to construct a hybrid approach for hydrodynamic lubrication classification and prediction, where data-driven methods are combined with physics-informed approaches to achieve a fast and accurate prediction of the hydrodynamic lubrication scenario. Our approach will spur the application of data mining methods in lubrication studies.
How important are prices in long-haul travel? Evidence from New Zealand
Authors: Vatsa Puneet , Balli Faruk
Published: November 2023

Tourism demand theory postulates that tourists’ incomes, prices in destination countries, and prices in tourists’ countries of origin are key determinants of tourism demand—but must this hold for long-haul travel? We find the answer to be no. By analyzing three international tourist archetypes arriving in New Zealand, a remote island nation, from seven countries, we demonstrate that neither incomes nor prices affect tourism demand in the short run. In the long run, some evidence suggests that tourism demand is income-sensitive; however, it remains insensitive to price changes. We also show that estimates of price elasticities are sensitive to how models are specified and should be interpreted cautiously. The results of this study are broadly relevant to long-haul destinations worldwide.
Workers’ right to the subject: The social relations of data production
Authors: Moore Phoebe V
Published: November 2023

The use of data to profile and make decisions about data subjects for citizenship, targeted advertising, job recruitment and other reasons, has been eminently normalised, which is an emerging threat to protected spaces for personal subjectivation and identity formation. The ‘right to the subject’; or to agency via personal subject formation outside bilateral profiling; is at stake. This is especially true for workers. Algorithmic management infused with worker control mechanisms occurs in structurally and objectively unequal conditions within subjective, and unequal, social relations. Data harms protections in European privacy and data protection law, despite being heralded as the strongest in the world, are insufficient to protect workers’ right to the subject. Indeed, structural features of inequality within the capitalist data political economy mean that workers experience different power relations to consumers and citizens. Analysing the social relations surrounding policy features of ‘consent’, and ‘risk’, with focus on the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the negotiations for the AI Act, it is not difficult to see that these policies do not protect all data subjects’ rights to the subject identically. Indeed, workers never have the capacity to truly consent at work; and the risks workers face are different from that of other data subjects, such as consumers. Data subjects do not, across categories, have equal access to equality, within, and because of, the social relations of data production. From a cross-disciplinary perspective and with contributions to sociology, critical theory, media and policy studies, this article argues that workers’ right to the subject is at stake, in datafied social relations.
The Victimised Body: Sexual Violence, Incapacity, and the Materialisation of Unconscious Bodies in Rape Verdicts
Authors: Laugerud Solveig
Published: November 2023

This article considers the relationship between body and crime, particularly the body of the victim and the crime of sexual violence. Most studies have focused on the relationship between the body of the perpetrator and the crime they have committed, in particular how forensic technologies have contributed to materialise the ‘criminal body’. The body figures in different shapes in the legal system, and the law deploys different knowledges to make sense of it. In this article, I focus on how the victim’s physical body becomes a readable entity that the courts evaluate in legal deliberation regarding incapacitated rape. I show how the courts through commonsensical reasoning add meaning to bodily (in)activity and separate the body from the mind in their interpretation of the victim’s (in)capacity to resist unwanted sexual acts. Incapacity is in this way materialised as a passive and limp body, that is, a dormant or unconscious body.
On the Invalidity of Neta and Kim's Argument That Surprise is Always Valenced
Authors: Ortony Andrew , Russell James A.
Published: November 2023

In a challenge to Basic Emotion theories, Ortony suggested in a recent article that the existence of affect-free surprise means that surprise is not necessarily valenced and therefore arguably not an emotion. In an article in response, Neta and Kim argued that surprise is always valenced and therefore is an emotion, with apparent cases of affect-free surprise actually being cases of the cognitive state of unexpectedness rather than surprise. We view Neta and Kim's position as resting on an idiosyncratic stipulation of word usage. We further suggest that rejecting affect-free surprise by appealing to examples of affect-laden surprise has no bearing on whether surprise is always valenced, and propose that when surprise appears to be affect-laden the locus of the experienced valence is a co-occurring emotion.
The CoACH approach to receiving and using feedback effectively
Authors: Fryer Dr Jane
Published: November 2023

There are many models for teaching how to give feedback in medical education, but little attention has been offered on how to receive feedback. It is assumed that giving effective, constructive feedback will be received well. This article offers an approach to enable learners to receive and use feedback more effectively.
Alpha territorialisation in Milan: Framing a research agenda
Authors: Briata Paola , Di Vita Stefano
Published: November 2023

Within the special issue, this paper aims to contribute to the debate on VIP urbanism in specific relation to phenomena of alpha territorialisation. Accordingly, it tries to apply this international figure to long-term analyses of the Milan case study, which can be considered an original intersection between the articulation of urbanisation and socio-spatial polarisation processes in the Italian national context and the dynamics of global cities, integrating international trends with site-specific characteristics. On this background and in relation to a comparison with the London case study, the article retraces the recent evolution of spatial processes, policy and planning in the Milan urban core: on the one hand, by recognising different local strategies, phases and possible meanings of phenomena of alpha territorialisation; on the other hand, by identifying open challenges for further research, policy making and planning. Two issues seem worth to be underlined and further explored: both the characteristics and spatial effects of super-rich in Milan, and the opportunities for value-capture mechanisms to work.
‘It's a horrible situation for everyone’: The impact of over the counter and prescription medication misuse on friends and family
Authors: Gittins Rosalind , Vaziri Roya , Maidment Ian
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Over the counter and prescription-only medication misuse is of concern. Little is known about the impact on friends/family who provide individuals with support. It is important to increase understanding to identify how substance misuse services (SMS) and others can better meet their needs. The aim is to explore the impact of over the counter and prescription-only medication misuse on friends/family and improve an understanding of how this may be reduced.

Methods

Ethical approval was obtained and confidential semi-structured interviews were undertaken with a modified grounded theory approach. Participants were recruited from community adult SMS in England. Verbatim transcripts underwent thematic analysis using NVIVO, and findings are reported in line with COREQ.

Results

Eight telephone interviews (62.5% female) included a variety of different friend/relative relationships. Data saturation was felt to have been achieved, and identified that friends/family were significantly impacted, in long-standing and varying negative ways. Five themes were identified: impact on finances; impact of managing side-effects/withdrawal symptoms; impact on relationships; treatment interventions and personal support. Especially due to the psychological burden, friends/family benefit from holistic support, including improved awareness of over the counter and prescription-only medication misuse and interventions from healthcare/SMS providers, social services, affected others and their personal support network. Relationships where honesty and openness are encouraged, enable friends/family to provide more support and advocacy.

Conclusions

Care providers should include friends/family when delivering holistic interventions. They should be vigilant for safeguarding issues and the impact on children, and improve approaches to withdrawal symptom/side-effect management, medicines optimisation and service responsiveness. Future research should include more participants and other SMS.
Is a telerehabilitation programme for older adults with hip fracture associated with burden of family caregivers who provide support?
Authors: Fernández-González María , Lozano-Lozano Mario , Martín-Martín Lydia , Ortiz-Piña Mariana , Martín-Matillas Miguel , Ariza-Vega Patrocinio
Published: November 2023

Objective

@ctivehip is a home-based multidisciplinary telerehabilitation programme for older adults with hip fracture, conducted with the assistance of their family caregivers. This programme was useful in improving their functional recovery. Nevertheless, we were concerned about how the programme might have affected caregivers, whose assistance was essential for supporting older adults in using new technologies and ensuring their safety during the exercises and activities at home. The aim of the present study was to compare the burden, psychological factors and physical fitness of the family caregivers of older adults who opted the @ctivehip telerehabilitation programme versus those family caregivers of older adults who received the face-to-face rehabilitation provided by the Andalusian Public Healthcare System (in Spain).

Methods

In this single-blinded, non-randomized clinical trial, participants were older adults with hip fracture and their family caregivers. The telerehabilitation group (n = 30) underwent a 12-week multidisciplinary telerehabilitation programme, and the comparative group (n = 32) received face-to-face rehabilitation. Caregivers outcomes measured were (i) the burden using the Zarit Burden Interview, (ii) the anxiety and depression with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and (iii) the Physical Fitness with the International Fitness Scale (IFIS).

Results

There were not statistically significant differences on caregiver burden between family caregivers in the @ctivehip and the comparative group, although there was a trend towards lower values [[Mean (95%CI); 14.73 (9.09 to 20.37) vs 16.03 (10.63 to 21.43); p = 0.771] as well as for anxiety and depression [5.66 (3.21 to 8.78) vs 11.19 (8.52 to 13.86); p = 0.022]. Likewise achieved better, though not statistically significant, scores in physical fitness [19.37 (17.94 to 20.81) vs 17.15 (15.77 to 18.53); p = 0.055].

Conclusion

Caregiver burden is not associated with telerehabilitation. In addition, telerehabilitation is associated with lower anxiety and depression levels among family caregivers who opt for this programme. Physical fitness is not related with telerehabilitation.
University Students’ Dynamic Motivation to Learn Chinese as a Second Language
Authors: Liu Meihua
Published: November 2023

Guided by the complex dynamic systems theory, the present study explored university students’ dynamic motivation to learn Chinese as a second language and its interaction with their learning experiences during a semester while studying in China. The study was conducted in a state-owned university in China and collected data at two time points of the fall semester 2020: 97 Chinese learning motivation questionnaires at each of the two time points and 15 interviews at time point 2. Analysis of the data revealed that the participants’ Chinese learning motivation increased significantly at time point 2 compared with that at time point 1. The study also found that the participants’ Chinese learning motivation was an ongoing process, constantly interwoven with the participants’ learning goals and learning experiences. These findings confirm the dynamic nature of Chinese language learning motivation and the role of learning experiences in the learning of Chinese as a second language. Based on these findings, implications about how to enhance and sustain international students’ Chinese learning motivation are discussed.
Non-state armed groups with territorial control as emergent actors of wartime water governance
Authors: Schillinger Juliane , Özerol Gül
Published: November 2023

In discussions of water management during conflict, non-state armed groups (NSAGs) primarily feature in relation to the strategic use of water resources to gain military or political advantage, but not as actors of civil governance within territories under their control. Given the humanitarian importance of water services, we study the role of NSAGs in wartime water governance and their interactions with other actors, based on empirical data from three cases in the Middle East: (1) the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, (2) the Houthi-controlled north of Yemen, and (3) Northeastern Syria under the control of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria and its Syrian Democratic Forces. Our theoretical framework builds on previous studies on rebel governance to analyze NSAG involvement in local water service provision, water infrastructure development, and institutional processes related to policy-making and long-term planning. We find differences between the three cases regarding the access to external funds and the local expectations toward public water services, and identify financial interests and local legitimacy as main motivations for NSAG’s involvement in water governance. Our results also show several examples of water service provision in NSAG-controlled areas being “outsourced” to other actors, including state authorities, private providers and international organizations.
Huge Renal Leiomyoma Masqurading as Cystic Renal Cell Carcinoma: a case report
Authors: Idowu Najeem Adedamola , Adekunle Ayoade Adebayo , Rasheed Mumini Wemimo , Odeyemi Peter Olalekan
Published: November 2023

Background

Renal leiomyoma is an extremely rare benign tumour of the kidney. It is mostly asymptomatic. Our aim was to report the first case of symptomatic renal leiomyoma in Nigeria which was suspected to be renal cell carcinoma and our objective was to document the clinical, radiological, histological and treatment of this rare lesion.

Case presentation

We describe a 46-year-old woman with a two-week history of right flank pain and intermittent haematuria. The examination was remarkable for the ballotable right kidney. Abdominopelvic sonogram and computed tomography were suggestive of cystic right renal mass with suspicion of right renal cell carcinoma. She had surgical resection of the mass and histopathological analysis showed renal leiomyoma.

Conclusion

We have illustrated our experience on the first case of symptomatic renal leiomyoma masquerading as cystic renal cell carcinoma in Nigeria. A high index of suspicion is required for accurate diagnosis. This may go a long way in considering kidney-sparing surgery rather than radical nephrectomy.
GraphTar: applying word2vec and graph neural networks to miRNA target prediction
Authors: Przybyszewski Jan , Malawski Maciej , Lichołai Sabina
Published: November 2023

Background

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short, non-coding RNA molecules that regulate gene expression by binding to specific mRNAs, inhibiting their translation. They play a critical role in regulating various biological processes and are implicated in many diseases, including cardiovascular, oncological, gastrointestinal diseases, and viral infections. Computational methods that can identify potential miRNA–mRNA interactions from raw data use one-dimensional miRNA–mRNA duplex representations and simple sequence encoding techniques, which may limit their performance.

Results

We have developed GraphTar, a new target prediction method that uses a novel graph-based representation to reflect the spatial structure of the miRNA–mRNA duplex. Unlike existing approaches, we use the word2vec method to accurately encode RNA sequence information. In conjunction with the novel encoding method, we use a graph neural network classifier that can accurately predict miRNA–mRNA interactions based on graph representation learning. As part of a comparative study, we evaluate three different node embedding approaches within the GraphTar framework and compare them with other state-of-the-art target prediction methods. The results show that the proposed method achieves similar performance to the best methods in the field and outperforms them on one of the datasets.

Conclusions

In this study, a novel miRNA target prediction approach called GraphTar is introduced. Results show that GraphTar is as effective as existing methods and even outperforms them in some cases, opening new avenues for further research. However, the expansion of available datasets is critical for advancing the field towards real-world applications.
Beyond the surface: exploring the mycobiome of Norway spruce under drought stress and with Heterobasidion parviporum
Authors: Durodola Blessing , Blumenstein Kathrin , Akinbobola Adedolapo , Kolehmainen Anna , Chano Victor , Gailing Oliver , Terhonen Eeva
Published: November 2023

The mycobiome, comprising fungi inhabiting plants, potentially plays a crucial role in tree health and survival amidst environmental stressors like climate change and pathogenic fungi. Understanding the intricate relationships between trees and their microbial communities is essential for developing effective strategies to bolster the resilience and well-being of forest ecosystems as we adopt more sustainable forest management practices. The mycobiome can be considered an integral aspect of a tree’s biology, closely linked to its genotype. To explore the influence of host genetics and environmental factors on fungal composition, we examined the mycobiome associated with phloem and roots of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) cuttings under varying watering conditions. To test the “mycobiome-associated-fitness” hypothesis, we compared seedlings artificially inoculated with Heterobasidion parviporum and control plants to evaluate mycobiome interaction on necrosis development. We aimed to 1) identify specific mycobiome species for the Norway spruce genotypes/families within the phloem and root tissues and their interactions with H. parviporum and 2) assess stability in the mycobiome species composition under abiotic disturbances (reduced water availability). The mycobiome was analyzed by sequencing the ribosomal ITS2 region. Our results revealed significant variations in the diversity and prevalence of the phloem mycobiome among different Norway spruce genotypes, highlighting the considerable impact of genetic variation on the composition and diversity of the phloem mycobiome. Additionally, specific mycobiome genera in the phloem showed variations in response to water availability, indicating the influence of environmental conditions on the relative proportion of certain fungal genera in Norway spruce trees. In the root mycobiome, key fungi such as Phialocephala fortinii and Paraphaeosphaeria neglecta were identified as conferring inhibitory effects against H. parviporum growth in Norway spruce genotypes. Furthermore, certain endophytes demonstrated greater stability in root ecosystems under low water conditions than ectomycorrhizal fungi. This knowledge can contribute to developing sustainable forest management practices that enhance the well-being of trees and their ecosystems, ultimately bolstering forest resilience.
Effect of aerobic exercise on brain metabolite profiles in the mouse models of methamphetamine addiction: LC-MS-based metabolomics study
Authors: Xu Jisheng , Zhu Zhicheng , Jin Yu , Wei Changling , Wang Yi , Li Xue
Published: November 2023

Methamphetamine (MA) abuse is recognized as a brain disorder, and physical activity has clear benefits for MA use disorders. The specific mechanisms by which physical activity alleviates MA use disorders are currently not fully understood. Based on this, the present study used untargeted metabolomics using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) to analyze the metabolic changes induced by MA in the brains of mice by exercise intervention. It was found that after 2 weeks of treadmill training, aerobic exercise modulated MA-induced brain metabolic disorders, in which 129 metabolites existed that were significantly differentiated in response to MA induction, and 32 metabolites were significantly affected by exercise. These differential metabolites were mainly enriched in glycerophospholipid metabolism, steroid hormone biosynthesis and degradation, and renin-angiotensin system pathways. To our knowledge, this study is the first to use LC-MS to investigate the effects of aerobic exercise on MA-induced brain metabolic profiling. The findings of this study provide new insights into exercise therapy using MA.
The chain mediating roles of anxiety and depression in the relationship between the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and procrastination in adolescents: a longitudinal study
Authors: Qiao Zhengxue , Wu Yongmei , Xie Yunjia , Qiu Xiaohui , Chen Lu , Yang Jiarun , Pan Hui , Gu Simeng , Yang Xiuxian , Hu Xiaomeng , Wei Ping , Zhao Jinxin , Qu Yuanpeng , Zhou Jiawei , Bu Tianyi , Yang Yanjie
Published: November 2023

Background

The relationship between the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, which is a traumatic event for adolescents, and procrastination is not clear. Mental health may play an important role in this relationship; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. This study aimed to construct chain mediation models to examine whether anxiety and depression symptoms mediate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on procrastination in adolescents.

Methods

A convenience sample of 12 middle and high schools in Harbin, China, with four follow-up online surveys was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 4,156 Chinese adolescents were enrolled in this study, of whom ages 11–18 (Mean = 13.55; SD = 1.18), 50.75% were male, and 93.24% were middle school students. Descriptive demographic analysis and Pearson’s correlation analysis of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic (T1), anxiety(T2), depression (T3), and procrastination (T4) were performed in SPSS 22.0. Chain mediation analysis performed with Mplus 8.3.

Results

The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, anxiety symptoms, depression symptoms, and procrastination were positively correlated (P < 0.01). The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have a direct link on adolescent procrastination (effect = 0.156; SE = 0.031; 95%CI: 0.092, 0.214), and have three indirect paths on procrastination: the independent mediating role of anxiety symptoms was 29.01% (effect = 0.047; SE = 0.012; 95%CI: 0.024, 0.072), the independent mediating role of depression symptoms was 29.01% (effect = 0.047; SE = 0.010; 95%CI: 0.030, 0.068), as well as the completely chain mediating role of anxiety and depression symptoms was 15.43% (effect = 0.025; SE = 0.005; 95%CI: 0.017, 0.036).

Conclusions

Our results suggest that anxiety and depressive symptoms are part of a causal chain between the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and procrastination among Chinese adolescents. To effectively reduce their procrastination, attention should be paid to the emotional distress caused to adolescents by major events such as the COVID-19 epidemic. All data were taken from self-reported measures and one city in China, which may bias the results and limit their generalizability.
Global burden of ischemic heart disease associated with high red and processed meat consumption: an analysis of 204 countries and territories between 1990 and 2019
Authors: Yan Dongqing , Liu Kaishan , Li Fajun , Shi Donglei , Wei Li , Zhang Junhang , Su Xin , Wang Zhaojun
Published: November 2023

Background

Multiple studies have indicated an association between red and processed meat consumption and the incidence of ischemic heart disease (IHD). In this study, we aimed to assess the burden of IHD caused by a diet high in red and processed meat in 204 countries and territories between 1990 and 2019, using data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2019.

Methods

We extracted data from the GBD 2019, which included the number of deaths, age-standardized mortality rates (ASMR), disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and age-standardized DALYs rates (ASDR) attributed to IHD caused by a diet high in red and processed meat. We then calculated the burden of IHD attributable to a high intake of red and processed meat in each country and territory, stratified by age, sex, and socio-demographic index (SDI).

Results

Globally, a high intake of red meat was responsible for 351,200 (95% uncertainty interval (UI): 559,000–642,700) deaths from IHD in 2019, while a high intake of processed meat was associated with 171,700 (95% UI: 30,100–320,000) deaths from IHD. Between 1990 and 2019, while the corresponding age-standardized rates declined, the numbers of deaths and DALYs increased. China had the highest number of deaths [98,386.9 (95% UI: 14,999.3–189,812.7)] caused by a high intake of red meat, while United States of America [33,129.6 (95% UI: 7,150–59,593.8)] was associated with the highest number of deaths caused by high intake of processed meat for IHD in 2019. Males experienced a greater burden of IHD caused by a high intake of red and processed meat than females. The ASMR and ASDR of IHD attributed to a high intake of red meat decreased in countries with high SDI, high-middle SDI and low SDI, while the ASMR and ASDR of IHD attributed to a high intake of processed meat decreased only in countries with high SDI and high-middle SDI.

Conclusion

Although there is a decline in the ASMR and ASDR of IHD caused by a high intake of red and processed meat, there is also an increase in deaths and DALYs number globally. Additionally, there is a heterogeneous burden of IHD related to a high intake of red and processed meat across regions and countries, with males experiencing a greater burden than females. Implementing targeted policies and interventions is required to reduce the burden of IHD caused by a high intake of red and processed meat.
Impacts of short-term low-level exposure to air pollutants on hospital admissions for pulmonary sepsis in elderly patients
Authors: Chen Jing , Liu Aiming , Dai JunJie , Li Yichen , Zhang Yu , Chen Rongchang , Shi Fei
Published: November 2023

Background

Acute exposures to high levels of air pollutants are thought to be associated with hospitalization of patients with lung infection, while relatively little is known about the association between air pollutants and HOSPITAL ADMISSIONS FOR pulmonary sepsis.

Objectives

To assess the correlation between low-level exposure to air pollutants and the hospitalizations for pulmonary sepsis in elderly patients.

Methods

A total of 249 elderly patients with pulmonary sepsis from January 2018 to December 2020 in Shenzhen people’s hospital were included. The data regarding hospitalizations for pulmonary sepsis, meteorological factors, and daily average levels of air pollutants on single-day lags (Lag0 to Lag7) in Shenzhen were collected. Low-level exposure was defined as the annual means of air pollutants below the levels of the Ambient Air Quality Standard (AAQS) in China (NO. GB3095-2012) and/or Global Air Quality Guidelines (AQG). A time-stratified case-crossover study design approach was used to evaluate the associations between exposure to air pollutants and incidence of the disease, univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis to analyze the association between levels of air pollutants and hospitalizations for pulmonary sepsis in elderly patients.

Results

Exposure to PM1(P = 0.007, Lag 2 day; P = 0.038, Lag6 day), PM2.5(P = 0.046, Lag2 day), PM10(P = 0.048, Lag4 day), and O3(P = 0.044, Lag6 day) was positively correlated with elevated risk of hospitalizations for pulmonary sepsis. In addition, logistic regression analysis revealed that exposure to PM1 (OR = 1.833, 95%CI:1.032 ~ 3.256, Lag6 day) and O3 (OR = 2.091, 95%CI:1.019 ~ 4.289, Lag6 day) were the independent risk factors of pulmonary sepsis in elderly patients.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrate that short-term low-level exposure to PM1 and O3 could elevate the risk of hospitalizations for pulmonary sepsis in elderly patients in Shenzhen, providing evidence for developing early warning and screening systems for pulmonary sepsis.
Combinative effects of akarkara root-derived metabolites on anti-inflammatory and anti-alzheimer key enzymes: integrating bioassay-guided fractionation, GC-MS analysis, and in silico studies
Authors: Ibrahim Rana M. , Abdel-Baki Passent M. , Elmasry Ghada F. , El-Rashedy Ahmed A. , Mahdy Nariman E.
Published: November 2023

Background

Anacyclus pyrethrum L. (Akarkara root), a valuable Ayurvedic remedy, is reported to exhibit various pharmacological activities. Akarkara root was subjected to bioassay-guided fractionation, to isolate its active constituents and discover their potential bioactivities, followed by computational analysis.

Methods

The methanol extract and its fractions, methylene chloride, and butanol, were assessed for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticholinergic potentials. The antioxidant activity was determined using DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, and ORAC assays. The in vitro anticholinergic effect was evaluated via acetyl- and butyryl-cholinesterase inhibition, while anti-inflammatory effect weas determined using COX-2 and 5-LOX inhibitory assays. The methylene chloride fraction was subjected to GC/MS analysis and chromatographic fractionation to isolate its major compounds. The inhibitory effect on iNOS and various inflammatory mediators in LPS-activated RAW 264.7 macrophages was investigated. In silico computational analyses (molecular docking, ADME, BBB permeability prediction, and molecular dynamics) were performed.

Results

Forty-one compounds were identified and quantified and the major compounds, namely, oleamide (A1), stigmasterol (A2), 2E,4E-deca-2,4-dienoic acid 2-phenylethyl amide (A3), and pellitorine (A4) were isolated from the methylene chloride fraction, the most active in all assays. All compounds showed significant in vitro antioxidant, anticholinergic and anti-inflammatory effects. They inhibited the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) in activated RAW macrophages. The isolated compounds showed good fitting in the active sites of acetylcholinesterase and COX-2 with high docking scores. The ADME study revealed proper pharmacokinetics and drug likeness properties for the isolated compounds. The isolated compounds demonstrated high ability to cross the BBB and penetrate the CNS with values ranging from 1.596 to -1.651 in comparison with Donepezil (-1.464). Molecular dynamics simulation revealed stable conformations and binding patterns of the isolated compounds with the active sites of COX-2 and acetyl cholinesterase.

Conclusions

Ultimately, our results specify Akarkara compounds as promising candidates for the treatment of inflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases.
Prediction and validation of common targets in atherosclerosis and non-small cell lung cancer influenced by atorvastatin
Authors: Li Yu-qian , Li Lu-yao , Yang Xue , Lei Qi-qi , Xiang Liu-yan , Wang Yuan-ru , Gu Si-meng , Cao Ya-jun , Pan Yan , Tie Lu , Li Xue-jun
Published: November 2023

Background

Cardiovascular disease and cancer are the main causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Studies have shown that these two diseases may have some common risk factors. Atorvastatin is mainly used for the treatment of atherosclerosis in clinic. A large number of studies show that atorvastatin may produce anti-tumor activities. This study aimed to predict the common targets of atorvastatin against atherosclerosis and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) based on network pharmacology.

Methods

The target genes of atherosclerosis and NSCLC were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases. The disease–target–component model map and the core network were obtained using Cytoscape 3.7.1. The MTS and wound healing assay were used to detect the effect of atorvastatin on cell viability and migration of A549 cells. The expression of potential common target genes of atorvastatin against atherosclerosis and NSCLC were confirmed in A549 cells and lung cancer tissues of patients.

Results

We identified 15 identical pathogenic genes, and four of which (MMP9, MMP12, CD36, and FABP4) were considered as the key target genes of atorvastatin in anti-atherosclerosis and NSCLC. The MTS and wound healing assays revealed that atorvastatin decreased A549 cells migration significantly. Atorvastatin markedly decreased the expression of MMP9, MMP12, CD36, and FABP4 in A549 cells and patients were treated with atorvastatin.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated 15 common pathogenic genes in both atherosclerosis and NSCLC. And verified that MMP 9, MMP 12, CD 36 and FABP 4 might be the common target genes of atorvastatin in anti-atherosclerosis and NSCLC.
Perceptions of Nigerian medical students regarding their preparedness for precision medicine: a cross-sectional survey in Lagos, Nigeria
Authors: Ogamba Chibuzor F. , Roberts Alero A. , Ajudua Sharon C. , Akinwale Mosopefoluwa O. , Jeje Fuhad M. , Ibe Festus O. , Afolayan Moses M. , Kuyinu Yetunde A.
Published: November 2023

Background

Advances in precision medicine in Nigeria suggest improving genomics education and competency among healthcare practitioners to facilitate clinical translation. Due to the scarcity of research in this area, this study aimed to assess Nigerian medical students’ perceptions about their preparedness to integrate precision medicine into their future clinical practice.

Methods

This was an institution-based cross-sectional study of medicine and surgery students in their clinical years attending the two fully accredited colleges of medicine in Lagos, Nigeria, between April and October 2022 using an adapted tool administered via Google Forms. The survey assessed their awareness, perceptions about knowledge, ability, and attitudes toward precision medicine, ethical concerns, and perceptions about their education in precision medicine. Multivariate linear regression models were used to assess factors associated with students’ perceptions of their knowledge, ability, and attitudes.

Results

A total of 300 students completed the questionnaires with a response rate of 40%. Awareness of genomic medicine terminology was high (92.0%). Responses to knowledge and ability questions revealed notable gaps, however, respondents had positive attitude scores overall. Higher medical school year was independently associated with lower knowledge (ptrend = 0.003) and ability (ptrend = 0.005) scores, and knowledge score was independently associated with a higher ability score (β: 0.76 95%CI: 0.67, 0.84; p < 0.001). Attitude scores significantly increased with increasing medical school year (ptrend = 0.04). The respondents mostly indicated concerns about government and corporate bodies’ misuse of genomic data (35.7%) and the widening of socioeconomic disparities (34.0%). Although 65.0% of the respondents thought it important to learn about precision medicine, only 11.3% felt that their education had adequately prepared them for precision medicine, knew who to ask questions regarding genomic testing (10.7%), and felt their professors had encouraged the use of precision medicine (10.3%).

Conclusion

Despite high awareness of precision medicine terminology and overall positive attitudes, our findings highlight gaps in knowledge and ability to integrate genomics into the care of patients and a need to improve precision medicine education among Nigerian medical students.
Effectiveness of flipped classroom in pharmacy education – a meta-analysis
Authors: Cui He , Xie Xinyu , Wang Boyang , Zhao Yuan
Published: November 2023

Background

Flipped classroom, blended with online and offline learning, was regarded as an effective learning approach in pharmacy education. This meta-analysis was to comprehensively compare the effectiveness of flipped classroom and traditional lecture-based approaches, attempting to generate a unified and firm conclusion of the effectiveness of flipped classroom in pharmacy education.

Methods

Data were collected from 7 databases, involving Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Chinese Biomedical Literature Service System (SinoMed). The studies were included if they included objective evaluation of students’ performance between groups of flipped classroom and traditional approaches. The standardized mean difference (SMD) with a corresponding 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was used as the outcomes for data pooling.

Results

A total of 22 studies (28 comparing groups) with 4379 participants were included in the meta-analysis. The risk of bias was relatively high. Results of the analysis revealed that flipped classroom presented significant advantages over traditional approaches in student performance improvement, with no evidence of publication bias. Through subgroup analysis, it showed better outcomes for flipped classrooms over traditional lectures for the other subgroups, including different performance, degree programs.

Conclusions

Current evidence reveals that the flipped classroom approach in pharmacy education yields a statistical improvement in student learning compared with traditional methods. In the future, instructors should introduce more online technology into classroom and construct an interactive learning environment.
First molecular characterization of Dirofilaria Immitis in Cuba
Authors: Roblejo-Arias Lisset , Díaz-Corona Cristian , Piloto-Sardiñas Elianne , Díaz-Sánchez Adrian A. , Zając Zbigniew , Kulisz Joanna , Woźniak Aneta , Moutailler Sara , Obregon Dasiel , Foucault-Simonin Angélique , Corona-González Belkis , Cabezas-Cruz Alejandro
Published: November 2023

Background

Dirofilarioses are widespread diseases caused by mosquito-borne nematodes of the family Onchocercidae, genus Dirofilaria. The major etiologic agent of canine dirofilariosis in the American continent is the zoonotic parasite Dirofilaria immitis. Existing reports of filarioid nematodes in Cuba are based solely on morphological and immunological analysis which do not allow unambiguous identification and/or direct detection of causal agents.

Results

Here we present the molecular characterization of filarioid nematodes found in a dog in Cuba. Based on the molecular and phylogenetic analysis of the 5.8S-ITS2-28S region and cox1 gene fragments, the worms were unambiguously classified as D. immitis. Sequence analysis showed high identity of the gene fragments in this study with others previously obtained from D. immitis found in dogs, wolfs and jackals but also from mosquito vectors of D. immitis.

Conclusions

Further studies are guarantee to better understand the epidemiological impact of canine dirofilariosis in Cuba as well as the competence of different species of culicid mosquitoes as vectors of Dirofilaria in the country.