bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An economic incentive package to support the wellbeing of caregivers of adolescents living with HIV during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa: a feasibility study protocol for a pilot randomised trial
Authors: Carries Stanley , Mkhwanazi Zibuyisile , Sigwadhi Lovemore , Moshabela Mosa , Nyirenda Makandwe , Goudge Jane , Govindasamy Darshini
Published: January 2023

Background

The mental and financial strain linked to unpaid caregiving has been amplified during the COVID-19 pandemic. In sub-Saharan Africa, carers of adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) are critical for maintenance of optimum HIV treatment outcomes. However, the ability of caregivers to provide quality care to ALHIV is undermined by their ability to maintain their own wellbeing due to multiple factors (viz. poverty, stigma, lack of access to social support services) which have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Economic incentives, such as cash incentives combined with SMS reminders, have been shown to improve wellbeing. However, there is a lack of preliminary evidence on the potential of economic incentives to promote caregiver wellbeing in this setting, particularly in the context of a pandemic. This protocol outlines the design of a parallel-group pilot randomised trial comparing the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of an economic incentive package versus a control for improving caregiver wellbeing.

Methods

Caregivers of ALHIV will be recruited from public-sector HIV clinics in the south of the eThekwini municipality, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of the following groups: (i) the intervention group (n= 50) will receive three cash payments (of ZAR 350, approximately 23 USD), coupled with a positive wellbeing message over a 3-month period; (ii) the control group (n= 50) will receive a standard message encouraging linkage to health services. Participants will be interviewed at baseline and at endline (12 weeks) to collect socio-demographic, food insecurity, health status, mental health (stigma, depressive symptoms) and wellbeing data. The primary outcome measure, caregiver wellbeing, will be measured using the CarerQoL instrument. A qualitative study will be conducted alongside the main trial to understand participant views on participation in the trial and their feedback on study activities.

Discussion

This study will provide scientific direction for the design of a larger randomised controlled trial exploring the effects of an economic incentive for improving caregiver wellbeing. The feasibility of conducting study activities and delivering the intervention remotely in the context of a pandemic will also be provided.

Trial registration

PACTR202203585402090. Registry name: Pan African Clinical Trials Registry (PACTR); URL:https://pactr.samrc.ac.za/; Registration. date: 24 March 2022 (retrospectively registered); Date first participant enrolled: 03 November 2021
Dynamic spatiotemporal correlation coefficient based on adaptive weight
Authors: Mo Guoli , Tan Chunzhi , Zhang Weiguo , Yu Xuezeng
Published: January 2023

Risk management is an important aspect of financial research because correlations among financial data are essential in evaluating portfolio risk. Among various correlations, spatiotemporal correlations involve economic entity attributes and are interrelated in space and time. Such correlations have therefore drawn increasing attention in financial risk management. However, classical correlation measurements are typically based on either time series correlations or spatial dependence; they cannot be directly applied to financial data with spatiotemporal correlations. The spatiotemporal correlation coefficient model with adaptive weight proposed in this paper can (1) address the absolute quantity, dynamic quantity, and dynamic development of financial data and (2) be used for risk grading, financial risk evaluation, and portfolio management. To verify the validity and superiority of this model, cluster analysis results and portfolio performance are compared with a classical model with time series correlation or spatial correlation, respectively. Empirical findings show that the proposed coefficient is highly effective and convenient compared to others. Overall, our method provides a highly efficient financial risk management method with valuable implications for investors and financial institutions.
Khangchiu: the youth dormitory of Liangmai Naga
Authors: Daimai Kailadbou
Published: January 2023

This paper is an attempt to highlight the significance of youth dormitory system of the Liangmai Naga of Manipur. This traditional institution played a vital role in imparting value education and maintaining the social fabric among the pre-literate Liangmai community. In the past, it serves as the cultural center, where young boys and girls are molded to become responsible adult members of the community. However, this highly developed institution of the Liangmai Naga has now disintegrated. Change in religious belief and the advent of modern education has been attributed for the decline of khangchiu. The paper reflexively analyzes the origin and decline of this traditional institution as well as the roles and functions it played in the traditional Liangmai society. The main objective of the paper is to document the systematic operation of the youth dormitory system so as to bring better understanding of this traditional institution to the younger generations.
Developmental assessment of infants with congenital heart disease: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Sheta Sahar , Amin Omnia R. , Elkateb Ahmed , El Toukhy Noha , Sayed Shaimaa
Published: January 2023

Background

Recently, marked improvement of medical and surgical care for infants with congenital heart disease led to a growing population with a high risk of developmental delay. We aimed to identify developmental delay in these infants and its risk factors. So, we performed a cross-sectional study on 100 infants with congenital heart disease to assess their development by using Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scale. We searched for risk factors for developmental delay in these infants. Correlations were conducted between the degree of developmental delay and the potential risk factors. To our knowledge, this study has not been conducted in developing countries before.

Results

The median age of the study group is 12.5 months, but it is equivalent to 9.5 months by using Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scale. There was a statistically significant developmental delay in infants who had risk factors such as prematurity, history of neonatal intensive care unit admission, anemia, stunted growth, underweight, central cyanosis, or abnormal electroencephalographic.

Conclusions

Developmental delay is a common complication in infants with congenital heart disease. It has many risk factors; some of them could be modifiable as anemia, stunted growth, and underweight. Thus, early screening for developmental delay and its risk factors is of a great value. This could help in applying preventive measures and early intervention programs. Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scale is a reliable tool in determination of developmental delay in infants with congenital heart disease.
Imaging of tubercular mastitis presenting as recurrent breast nodules and abscesses: a rare case report
Authors: Singhal Annu , Kataria Bhavya , Sharma Swati
Published: January 2023

Background

Tubercular mastitis could be a rare diagnostic find clinically. It is largely seen in Asian, African and alternative non-developed countries and might occur with coincident primary tuberculosis of the respiratory tract or spine. Primary breast tuberculosis (TB) is even rarer and presents with non-specific clinical signs of continual breast masses, inflammation and sinus tracts. It can be similar to bacterial inflammation/abscess and malignant pathologies on imaging. The key to identification could be a holistic combination of imaging, clinical, biochemical and histopathological analysis.

Case presentation

We discuss a case of a 41-year-old lady who conferred at the start with tender breast nodules that progressed to continual, multiple abscesses and sinus tract formation. It had been an unusual and unanticipated presentation in breast followed by uncommon events throughout the course of the treatment forcing us to re-evaluate the primary diagnosis. A sequence of multiple diagnostic imaging and histopathological evaluations confirmed the identification of tubercular mastitis. Following prolonged treatment, there was vital reduction within the range and size of nodules and abscesses.

Conclusions

Such cases imitate bacterial abscess and cancer in their clinical presentation and imaging findings and are imperative to be diagnosed via a myriad of diagnostic tests with histopathology. Such a clinical presentation should warrant a differential of granulomatous inflammation of the breast in cases of non-responders to incision and drainage, prolonged antibiotic medical therapy and prolonged anti-tubercular treatment up to twenty four months after assessment of the individual response.
Prevalence of coronary artery fistula in adults performing coronary CT angiography among Egyptian population: a single center study
Authors: Mubarak Amr Ahmed
Published: January 2023

Background

The prevalence of coronary artery fistula (CAF) among Egyptian population is increasing due to widespread availability of coronary CT angiography using high-end CT scanners. The purpose of this observational study was to determine the incidence and types of CAF detected among Egyptian population during routinely performed coronary CT angiography.

Results

Among the 2263 retrospectively evaluated CT coronary angiography studies, CAF was detected only in 17 (0.75%) patients with proximal LAD being the commonest vessel of origin; in 5 cases (29.4%) and main pulmonary artery (MPA) the commonest site of fistula termination; in 3 cases (17.6%). Indeterminate site of fistula termination was present in two cases (11.7%) due to limited scan coverage.

Conclusions

Multislice coronary CT angiography is a useful non-invasive imaging modality for diagnosis of CAF by demonstrating vessel of origin, course and site of termination, with CAF prevalence and types among Egyptian population being reported in this study based on routinely performed coronary CT angiography.
Effect of hesperetin on the pharmacokinetics of metoprolol succinate in rats
Authors: Pingili Ravindra Babu , Vemulapalli Sridhar , Mullapudi Surya Sandeep , Dirisala Vijaya R. , Chanumolu Harsha Sai , Kilaru Naveen Babu
Published: January 2023

Background

Metoprolol is a substrate of CYP3A4, 2B6, CYP2D6, CYP2C9, and p-glycoprotein (p-gp). Hesperetin was reported as an inhibitor of cytochrome P-450 (CYP) enzymes and p-gp. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of hesperetin on the pharmacokinetics of metoprolol in rats and in vitro models. In in vivo studies, male Wistar rats were treated with metoprolol (30 mg/kg) once a day for 15 consecutive days alone and in combination with hesperetin (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg). Blood samples were withdrawn from the tail vein on the 1st day in the single-dose pharmacokinetic study and on the 15th day in the repeated-dose pharmacokinetic study. In in vitro studies, metoprolol was incubated in the presence or absence of hesperetin and traditional p-gp inhibitors using rat-everted gut sacs. Reverse phase-high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) was used to determine the amounts of metoprolol in the plasma and incubated samples (RP-HPLC).

Results

The Cmax, AUC, and half-life (t1/2) of metoprolol significantly increased by twofold compared to the metoprolol group in rats pre-treated with hesperetin. The clearance and volume of distribution both decreased significantly. Metoprolol transport was dramatically increased in the presence of hesperetin and quinidine (standard p-gp inhibitor) in in vitro study.

Conclusion

The present study results revealed that hesperetin significantly increased the absorption of metoprolol in rats and everted gut sacs in vitro might be due to the inhibition of CYP and p-gp.
Varied presentations of complicated rhinosinusitis in COVID era: a rational approach to management
Authors: Thakur Shivali , Patnaik Uma , Saxena Pavitra , Tevatia Manvir Singh , Dwivedi Gunjan , Kumari Abha , Rao Nusumu Purnachandra , Sood Amit
Published: January 2023

Aim

To study the various presentations and manifestations of complicated rhinosinusitis in COVID era- ranging from bacterial rhino sinusitis to invasive fungal rhino sinusitis.

Methods

Design-A retrospective observational study was carried out from March 2020 to May 2021. Setting-Tertiary care hospital subjects—all COVID-positive patients who had paranasal sinus involvement. Methods-Patients were evaluated based on their symptomatology profile. Fungal stains and culture were carried out for all. They underwent Magnetic resonance Imaging and Computed Tomography scan on case-to-case basis, apart from routine nasal endoscopy. All were managed both medically and surgically depending upon their diagnosis. The natural course including outcomes, was studied, documented and analyzed.

Results

Out of 496 patients presenting with sinonasal disease, 126 were COVID-positive, 16 patients had complicated rhino sinusitis, of which 4 patients had complicated rhinosinusitis with intraorbital, intracranial or combined complications. All patients were managed successfully with combined medical and surgical approach. Twelve patients had invasive mucormycosis with overall mortality rate of 37%.

Conclusion

Complicated sinusitis was encountered in COVID-positive patients either when they were being actively treated for COVID-19 or as part of post-COVID sequalae. Though rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis constituted the major disease burden in such patients but the possibility of bacterial rhino sinusitis with or without complications must also be kept in mind while evaluating such patients. We must remember every complicated rhinosinusitis in COVID-positive patient may not be mucor and manage appropriately.
The devil is in the detail: a critique of nine editorials published by the International Task Force on Benzodiazepines
Authors: Brandt Jaden
Published: January 2023

Since 2018, the International Task Force on Benzodiazepines (ITFB), a group of academic psychiatrists and academic psychologists, has advocated that clinical guidelines should change to promote benzodiazepines from second- to first-line treatment for anxiety disorders, accept their use as maintenance treatment for anxiety conditions (in particular, panic disorder) and increase their use in gastrointestinal disorders. There is merit in much of what the ITFB argues, but in this article I analyse four major claims it has made in opinion editorials that I believe are not fully supported by the available evidence.
The first appearance of EEG evidence in a UK court of law: a cautionary tale
Authors: Barrett Ken
Published: January 2023

Electroencephalogram-based evidence was accepted in a UK law court for the first time in 1939. This paper gives an account of that case, not previously clinically reported, and the individuals involved. Why it was not published in the literature at the time is explored and parallels with more recent technologies are highlighted.
Supporting return to work after psychiatric hospitalization—A cluster randomized study (RETURN-study)
Authors: Hamann Johannes , Lang Anne , Riedl Lina , Blank Daniela , Kohl Monika , Brucks Adele , Goretzko David , Bühner Markus , Waldmann Tamara , Kilian Reinhold , Falkai Peter , Hasan Alkomiet , Keck Martin E. , Landgrebe Michael , Heres Stephan , Brieger Peter
Published: January 2023

Background

If people with episodic mental-health conditions lose their job due to an episode of their mental illness, they often experience personal negative consequences. Therefore, reintegration after sick leave is critical to avoid unfavorable courses of disease, longer inability to work, long payment of sickness benefits, and unemployment. Existing return-to-work (RTW) programs have mainly focused on “common mental disorders” and often used very elaborate and costly interventions without yielding convincing effects. It was the aim of the RETURN study to evaluate an easy-to-implement RTW intervention specifically addressing persons with mental illnesses being so severe that they require inpatient treatment.

Methods

The RETURN study was a multi-center, cluster-randomized controlled trial in acute psychiatric wards addressing inpatients suffering from a psychiatric disorder. In intervention wards, case managers (RTW experts) were introduced who supported patients in their RTW process, while in control wards treatment, as usual, was continued.

Results

A total of 268 patients were recruited for the trial. Patients in the intervention group had more often returned to their workplace at 6 and 12 months, which was also mirrored in more days at work. These group differences were statistically significant at 6 months. However, for the main outcome (days at work at 12 months), differences were no longer statistically significant (p = 0.14). Intervention patients returned to their workplace earlier than patients in the control group (p = 0.040).

Conclusions

The RETURN intervention has shown the potential of case-management interventions when addressing RTW. Further analyses, especially the qualitative ones, may help to better understand limitations and potential areas for improvement.
Evolutionary dynamics in networked trust games with diverse investment patterns
Authors: Shang Lihui , Zhang Tiantian , Chang Min
Published: January 2023

Most previous works study the evolution of trust by commonly assuming that investors adopt a deterministic investment strategy. In this work, we propose a mechanism of diverse investment in the trust game model on social networks, where each investor adopts a probabilistic strategy by considering the trustworthiness level in the local group to decide whether to invest or not. Extensive simulation results suggest that the proposed mechanism inhibits the untrustworthy behavior and limits its spread, thus stabilizing the cooperative cluster of investors and trustworthy trustees. Therefore, the trust level and global wealth are greatly enhanced comparing to the traditional setup with homogeneous investment pattern. The strong investment diversity can even eliminate untrustworthiness completely despite the fact that the severe temptation condition is disadvantageous to the evolution of trust. We also investigate the impact of investment diversity on trust game model embedding in different network structures with different initial conditions, where we observe similarly positive evolutionary outcomes. We hope these observations can provide valuable insights into further exploring the improvement of trust in real life.
Preconception Thyrotropin Levels and Thyroid Function at Early Gestation in Women With Hashimoto Thyroiditis
Authors: Moleti Mariacarla , Alibrandi Angela , Di Mauro Maria , Paola Giuseppe , Perdichizzi Laura Giovanna , Granese Roberta , Giacobbe Annamaria , Scilipoti Angela , Ragonese Marta , Ercoli Alfredo , Benvenga Salvatore , Vermiglio Francesco
Published: January 2023

Context

Preconception optimization of thyroid function in women with Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT) is highly recommended to prevent/reduce the risk of thyroid insufficiency at early gestation.

Objective

This work aimed to evaluate the prevalence of first-trimester thyroid insufficiency in HT women with preconception thyrotropin (T0-TSH) values consistently less than or equal to 2.5 mIU/L with or without levothyroxine (LT4) treatment, and to calculate T0-TSH cutoffs that best preconceptionally identified HT women requiring first-trimester LT4 adjustment/prescription.

Methods

Serum TSH was obtained at 4- to 6-week intervals from 260 HT pregnant women (122 on LT4 [Hypo-HT]; 138 euthyroid without LT4 [Eu-HT]), prospectively followed from preconception up to pregnancy term. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted to identify T0-TSH cutoffs best predicting first-trimester TSH levels greater than 2.5 mIU/L (diagnostic criterion [DC] 1) and greater than 4.0 mIU/L (DC 2).

Results

At first trimester, TSH was greater than 2.5 mIU/L in approximately 30% of both Hypo-HT and Eu-HT women, and greater than 4.0 mIU/L in 19.7% Hypo-HT and 10.1% Eu-HT women (P = .038). The optimal ROC-based T0-TSH cutoffs found were 1.24 mIU/L/1.74 mIU/L in Hypo-HT, and 1.73 mIU/L/2.07 mIU/L in Eu-HT women, for DC 1 and DC 2, respectively. T0-TSH values exceeding these cutoffs resulted in a statistically significantly increased risk of first-trimester thyroid insufficiency (odds ratio [OR] [95% CI)] 15.92 [5.06-50.15] and 16.68 [5.13-54.24] in Hypo-HT; 16.14 [6.47-40.30] and 17.36 [4.30-70.08] in Eu-HT women, for DC 1 and DC 2, respectively).

Conclusion

The preconception TSH cutoffs that guaranteed a first-trimester TSH less than 2.5 mU/L in hypothyroid- and euthyroid-HT women were, respectively, almost 50% (1.24 mU/L) and 30% (1.73 mU/L) lower than this gestational target, and 1.74 mU/L and 2.07 mU/L in hypothyroid- and euthyroid-HT women, respectively, for a gestational target of 4.0 mU/L.
The Minister of Mercy Is a Homegirl
Authors: Gill-Sadler Randi
Published: January 2023

This review essay on Laurie R. Lambert’s Comrade Sister: Caribbean Feminist Revisions of the Revolution (2020) considers the narrative and rhetorical strategies that Black women political figures use in their memoirs to represent US imperial presence and violence in the aftermath of the Grenada Revolution. As it highlights Lambert’s attention to Joan Purcell’s truncated temporal framing of the Grenada Revolution, the essay offers a close reading of Phyllis Coard’s memoir to elaborate the significance of temporality in literary representations of the revolution and to question how the memoir as a genre both elaborates and dulls trauma. Rather than emphasize and celebrate the exceptional quality of Black women political figures and their careers, the essay points to a close reading practice that more seriously considers Black womanhood and empire.
The Complicated Legacies of a Comrade Sister
Authors: Lambert Laurie R.
Published: January 2023

This essay responds to the essays by Belinda Deneen Wallace and Randi Gill-Sadler on the author’s Comrade Sister: Caribbean Feminist Revisions of the Grenada Revolution (2020). It uses the concepts of pushing-into-consciousness and narrative dulling, introduced by Wallace and Gill-Sadler, respectively, to inform a close reading of Phyllis Coard’s memoir Unchained: A Caribbean Woman’s Journey through Invasion, Incarceration, and Liberation (2019). The author argues that Coard’s representation of her body under incarceration serves to push her humanity into the consciousness of her readers. It also revisits how the author pushed Coard out of consciousness in order to write about the Grenada Revolution. Theorizing the different valences of omission that characterize certain writings on Grenada, the essay examines how this book discussion affords the opportunity to push beyond an earlier silence to situate Coard among the Caribbean feminists who helped shape the Revolution.
The Birth of “Quow”
Authors: Etherington Ben
Published: January 2023

This essay revisits the early phases of the history of poetry written primarily in an anglophone Caribbean Creole by closely examining the circumstances in which the White Guyanese administrator Michael McTurk launched his Creole-speaking persona “Quow.” It focuses on an 1870 verse letter to the editor in which McTurk dons the racialized mask of his persona to warn that an inquiry into the abuse of indentured Indian laborers will provoke a violent response from the Afro-Guyanese community. The essay argues that the versification of Quow’s voice seeks to implant him as a “found” character from oral culture within the crossfire of heated yet formal public letters regarding the inquiry. The ballad supplies the means for McTurk to “Black up” the planter voice. In the process, he unwittingly inaugurated a regional tradition of public Creole verse authorship, one whose later exponents would, in different ways, have to contend with McTurk’s minstrel legacy.
Actomyosin-mediated cellular tension promotes Yap nuclear translocation and myocardial proliferation through α5 integrin signaling
Authors: Li Xiaofei , McLain Callie , Samuel Michael S. , Olson Michael F. , Radice Glenn L.
Published: January 2023

The cardiomyocyte phenotypic switch from a proliferative to terminally differentiated state results in the loss of regenerative potential of the mammalian heart shortly after birth. Nonmuscle myosin IIB (NM IIB)-mediated actomyosin contractility regulates cardiomyocyte cytokinesis in the embryonic heart, and NM IIB levels decline after birth, suggesting a role for cellular tension in the regulation of cardiomyocyte cell cycle activity in the postnatal heart. To investigate the role of actomyosin contractility in cardiomyocyte cell cycle arrest, we conditionally activated ROCK2 kinase domain (ROCK2:ER) in the murine postnatal heart. Here, we show that α5/β1 integrin and fibronectin matrix increase in response to actomyosin-mediated tension. Moreover, activation of ROCK2:ER promotes nuclear translocation of Yap, a mechanosensitive transcriptional co-activator, and enhances cardiomyocyte proliferation. Finally, we show that reduction of myocardial α5 integrin rescues the myocardial proliferation phenotype in ROCK2:ER hearts. These data demonstrate that cardiomyocytes respond to increased intracellular tension by altering their intercellular contacts in favor of cell–matrix interactions, leading to Yap nuclear translocation, thus uncovering a function for nonmuscle myosin contractility in promoting cardiomyocyte proliferation in the postnatal heart.
NANOGP1, a tandem duplicate of NANOG, exhibits partial functional conservation in human naïve pluripotent stem cells
Authors: Maskalenka Katsiaryna , Alagöz Gökberk , Krueger Felix , Wright Joshua , Rostovskaya Maria , Nakhuda Asif , Bendall Adam , Krueger Christel , Walker Simon , Scally Aylwyn , Rugg-Gunn Peter J.
Published: January 2023

Gene duplication events can drive evolution by providing genetic material for new gene functions, and they create opportunities for diverse developmental strategies to emerge between species. To study the contribution of duplicated genes to human early development, we examined the evolution and function of NANOGP1, a tandem duplicate of the transcription factor NANOG. We found that NANOGP1 and NANOG have overlapping but distinct expression profiles, with high NANOGP1 expression restricted to early epiblast cells and naïve-state pluripotent stem cells. Sequence analysis and epitope-tagging revealed that NANOGP1 is protein coding with an intact homeobox domain. The duplication that created NANOGP1 occurred earlier in primate evolution than previously thought and has been retained only in great apes, whereas Old World monkeys have disabled the gene in different ways, including homeodomain point mutations. NANOGP1 is a strong inducer of naïve pluripotency; however, unlike NANOG, it is not required to maintain the undifferentiated status of human naïve pluripotent cells. By retaining expression, sequence and partial functional conservation with its ancestral copy, NANOGP1 exemplifies how gene duplication and subfunctionalisation can contribute to transcription factor activity in human pluripotency and development.
Intravital imaging of Wnt/β-catenin and ATF2-dependent signalling pathways during tumour cell invasion and metastasis
Authors: Stoletov Konstantin , Sanchez Saray , Gorroño Irantzu , Rabano Miriam , Vivanco Maria d. M. , Kypta Robert , Lewis John D.
Published: January 2023

Wnt signalling has been implicated as a driver of tumour cell metastasis, but less is known about which branches of Wnt signalling are involved and when they act in the metastatic cascade. Here, using a unique intravital imaging platform and fluorescent reporters, we visualised β-catenin/TCF-dependent and ATF2-dependent signalling activities during human cancer cell invasion, intravasation and metastatic lesion formation in the chick embryo host. We found that cancer cells readily shifted between states of low and high canonical Wnt activity. Cancer cells that displayed low Wnt canonical activity showed higher invasion and intravasation potential in primary tumours and in metastatic lesions. In contrast, cancer cells showing low ATF2-dependent activity were significantly less invasive both at the front of primary tumours and in metastatic lesions. Simultaneous visualisation of both these reporters using a double-reporter cell line confirmed their complementary activities in primary tumours and metastatic lesions. These findings might inform the development of therapies that target different branches of Wnt signalling at specific stages of metastasis.
Η κινητή μάθηση «αειφορεί»; Βιβλιογραφική ανασκόπηση της αξιοποίησης φορητών συσκευών μάθησης στην περιβαλλοντική εκπαίδευση για την αειφορία
Authors: Μουτσινάς Γεώργιος , Καραματσούκη Αγγελική , Καραγιαννίδης Χαράλαμπος
Published: January 2023

Στο πλαίσιο της ραγδαίας εισόδου καινοτόμων τεχνολογιών στη διδακτική πράξη, η μεταχείριση κινητών συσκευών αναφαίνεται ως μια πολλά υποσχόμενη παιδαγωγική προσέγγιση, που κατευθύνει ουσιωδώς τους μαθητευομένους προς την τροχιά της βιώσιμης ανάπτυξης. Ως εκ τούτου, η παρούσα εργασία αποπειράται μια συστηματική βιβλιογραφική ανασκόπηση στον τομέα της εισαγωγής φορητών συσκευών μάθησης στην περιβαλλοντική εκπαίδευση για την αειφορία. Επισκοπήθηκαν πέντε εμπειρικές μελέτες δημοσιευμένες στο διάστημα 2017-2020, οι οποίες αναζητήθηκαν, αξιολογήθηκαν και αναλύθηκαν πληρώντας αυστηρά προδιαγεγραμμένα κριτήρια, ύστερα από την περιήγηση σε 43 διεθνείς επιστημονικές βάσεις δεδομένων και την ανάσυρση 86 συναφών πηγών. Σύμφωνα με τα κύρια συμπεράσματα της εργασίας, τα εν λόγω ηλεκτρονικά εργαλεία χρησιμοποιήθηκαν στη διδασκαλία συνδυαστικά με εφαρμογές λογισμικού και τεχνολογία κωδικών γρήγορης απόκρισης, ακολουθώντας πολυαισθητηριακές, μαθητοκεντρικές και συνεργατικές προσεγγίσεις. Η πλειοψηφία των ερευνών τεκμηριώνει ότι η παιδαγωγική χρήση των κινητών συσκευών απέφερε τη βελτίωση των οικολογικών γνώσεων και των αειφορικών στάσεων των μαθητών, όπως και της επαφής τους με τη φύση. Ανάλογα, ενισχύθηκαν η επικέντρωση των εκπαιδευομένων στη διδακτική διαδικασία, η αποδιδόμενη αξία από εκείνους σε αυτήν, αλλά και η μαθησιακή αυτεπάρκεια και διασκέδαση των μαθητευομένων. Αξιοσημείωτα, οι γνώσεις, οι στάσεις και η μαθησιακή ευχαρίστηση ήταν περισσότερο προηγμένες στους νεότερους διδασκομένους, ενώ οι μαθήτριες είχαν προβάδισμα στις ευαισθητοποιημένες στάσεις. Τα αποτελέσματα της ανασκόπησης καταδεικνύουν τη σφαιρική υποστήριξη των εκπαιδευομένων βάσει φορητών τεχνολογικών πόρων, παράλληλα με τη διασφάλιση της εμπεριστατωμένης σπουδής τους στη βιώσιμη ανάπτυξη.
From head to rootlet: comparative transcriptomic analysis of a rhizocephalan barnacle Peltogaster reticulata (Crustacea: Rhizocephala)
Authors: Nesterenko Maksim , Miroliubov Aleksei
Published: January 2023

Background: Rhizocephalan barnacles stand out in the diverse world of metazoan parasites. The body of a rhizocephalan female is modified beyond revealing any recognizable morphological features, consisting of the interna, a system of rootlets, and the externa, a sac-like reproductive body. Moreover, rhizocephalans have an outstanding ability to control their hosts, literally turning them into “zombies”. Despite all these amazing traits, there are no genomic or transcriptomic data about any Rhizocephala.

Methods: We collected transcriptomes from four body parts of an adult female rhizocephalan Peltogaster reticulata: the externa, and the main, growing, and thoracic parts of the interna. We used all prepared data for the de novo assembly of the reference transcriptome. Next, a set of encoded proteins was determined, the expression levels of protein-coding genes in different parts of the parasite’s body were calculated and lists of enriched bioprocesses were identified. We also in silico identified and analyzed sets of potential excretory / secretory proteins. Finally, we applied phylostratigraphy and evolutionary transcriptomics approaches to our data. 

Results: The assembled reference transcriptome included transcripts of 12,620 protein-coding genes and was the first for any rhizocephalan. Based on the results obtained, the spatial heterogeneity of protein-coding gene expression in different regions of the adult female body of P. reticulata was established. The results of both transcriptomic analysis and histological studies indicated the presence of germ-like cells in the lumen of the interna. The potential molecular basis of the interaction between the nervous system of the host and the parasite's interna was also determined. Given the prolonged expression of development-associated genes, we suggest that rhizocephalans “got stuck in their metamorphosis”, even at the reproductive stage.

Conclusions: The results of the first comparative transcriptomic analysis for Rhizocephala not only clarified but also expanded the existing ideas about the biology of these extraordinary parasites.
The influence of strategic innovation management on firm innovation performance in the Indonesian mid-size telecommunication industry
Authors: Rismayani Risris , Manuel Bram , Latifah Umi
Published: January 2023

Background: The telecommunication industry was one of the Indonesian government's priorities in the national development plan 2015-2035. “Primary Industry” was the term for the priority industries with the central role as the prime mover in the future national economy. Various natural, human, technological, innovative, and creative resources were imperative in supporting the underlining national industry development plan. Strategic innovation management refers to the entire sequence of innovation practices, including competition mechanism analysis, such as creating an innovative vision, business strategy alignment, disseminating strategy at an entire organizational level, market tendency, technology, and competitor’s action. Firm innovation performance refers to the measurement of innovation efficiency (the number of new products, product novelty, new product development speed, and new product success rate) and innovation profitability (new product revenue proportion, quality enhancement, cost reduction, and value improvement) conducted by the firm. This study investigates the effect of Innovation Strategy, Organizational Structure, Innovation Culture, Technological Capability, and Customer-Supplier Relationship (these were the practice of Strategic Innovation Management mentioned in various literature) on Firm Innovation Performance. 

Methods: A quantitative method, from a practical perspective, was employed to investigate the causal relationship between strategic innovation management and firm innovation performance. Data was gathered through a validated and reliable questionnaire disseminated to 90 respondents. It included a representative from the four sub-sectors of the telecommunication industry, namely fixed networks, wireless networks, telecommunication services, and special telecommunication. 

Results: The survey found that firms within the telecommunication industry already employed Strategic Innovation Management practices. Moreover, this study also found that Innovation Culture, Technological Capability, and Customer-Suppler Relationship significantly influence Firm Innovation Performance. 

Conclusion:  

The implementation of Strategic Innovation Management in the mid-size companies within Indonesia's telecommunication industry appears to be relatively high. It indicates that firms within the industry were able to strategically compete by implementing Strategic Innovation Management.
Ex vivo comparative investigation of suprachiasmatic nucleus excitotoxic resiliency
Authors: Acharyya Debalina , Cooper Joanna , Prosser Rebecca A.
Published: January 2023

Background: Glutamate signaling in the brain is regulated by release, reuptake, and receptor responsiveness. In diseased conditions, glutamate signaling can exceed normal regulatory processes, giving rise to a condition called excitotoxicity. Although regional differences in the excitotoxic effects of glutamate in the brain have been reported, the extent and characteristics of these potential differences are not clear.  Here we compared the excitotoxic resiliency of the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), anterior hypothalamus (AH) and cortex. 

Methods: We treated acute brain slices containing either the SCN and AH or the cortex from adult male mice at different times across the diurnal cycle with varying concentrations of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), NMDA+ α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) or control medium. The extent of cell damage was assessed using propidium iodide (PI), a cell death marker.

Results: The results indicate that all three brain regions exhibited increasing cell damage/death when treated with increasing concentrations of NMDA. However, higher concentrations of NMDA were needed to significantly increase cell damage in the SCN compared to the cortex and AH.  All three brain regions also exhibited greater cell death/damage when treated in the nighttime compared to the daytime, although the SCN exhibited increased cell death during a more restricted time interval compared to the AH and cortex. 

Conclusions: Together, these data confirm previous studies showing excitotoxic resiliency in the SCN, while extending them in two ways.  First, we demonstrate a dose-dependency in excitotoxic susceptibility that differentiates the SCN from the surrounding AH and the cortex using a brain slice preparation. Second, we demonstrate a diurnal rhythm in excitotoxic susceptibility with a broadly similar phase across all three brain regions. These data increase our understanding of the extent and nature of the SCN excitotoxic resiliency, which will inform future studies on the cellular mechanisms underlying this phenomenon.
Dance/movement therapy as a holistic approach to diminish health discrepancies and promote wellness for people with schizophrenia: a review of the literature
Authors: Biondo Jacelyn
Published: January 2023

Individuals with a diagnosis of schizophrenia face a myriad of obstacles to wellness, beginning with diagnostic discrepancies including over- and misdiagnoses on the schizophrenia spectrum. People with schizophrenia experience profound amounts of stigmatization from the general population, their healthcare providers, and even themselves. Such stigmatization creates a barrier for wellness, poorer prognoses, and often limits adherence to physical and mental healthcare. Moreover, it can exacerbate the already stifling symptomatology of their diagnoses, including specific bodily-related symptomatology. Oftentimes, a diagnosis of schizophrenia disrupts one’s relationship with their body including a diminished mind-body connection, decreased interoceptive awareness, and thus unsuccessful intra- and interpersonal relationships. Some recent research suggests the use of mind-body therapies, however, if these practices are internalizing, they may not be appropriate for people with schizophrenia experiencing more acute symptomatology excluding them from treatment. Dance/movement therapy (DMT) is an embodied psychotherapeutic treatment option that can support participants in improving mind-body connection, social relationships, and self-regulatory skill development. Research on DMT has shown promising results for people with schizophrenia, however such research is limited and would benefit from increased studies that particularly measure the effects of DMT on mind-body connection and increased interoception for people with schizophrenia. Moreover, integrative and collaborative treatment models that couple DMT and biofeedback may further our understanding of the physiological and neurological effects of DMT interventions for people with schizophrenia and beyond. This review will examine the recent literature on health inequities for people with schizophrenia, their specific body-based disruptions and needs, and DMT as a promising treatment model, particularly when coupled with biofeedback.
Attitudes of medical students towards the ethical and legal aspects of abortion: a cross-sectional study from Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alhumaid Fatima I. , Almohammedhusen Najyah A. , AlMohammedsalem Nada A. , Busbaih Zainab A. , Menezes Ritesh G.
Published: January 2023

Abortion is defined as the termination of pregnancy which is a crucial issue to be addressed by multiple regulating systems such as health care providers and policy makers. The main aim of the study was to assess the attitudes of medical students in Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal university towards abortion in different circumstances. This is a descriptive cross-sectional study in which a 20-items online questionnaire was distributed through social media platforms to medical students. The results of the study showed that the majority of the students believe abortion should be determined by law, religion and spousal consent. The majority as well support abortion in cases of endangered mother’s life, fetal life compromise and rape victims. However, they were against abortion in cases of financial incapacity of the parents and cases of unplanned pregnancy. The results of the study can be applied to improve medical education of abortion. More studies in this field of research are recommended for the purpose of providing more inclusive assessment of abortion attitudes in different medical education settings.
Publicidad y campañas sociales: Una aproximación desde organizaciones de beneficencia en Chile.
Authors: Vergara Leyton Enrique
Published: January 2023

Como resultado de la etapa inicial de un proyecto mayor, sobre la publicidad de campañas sociales en Chile, este artículo estudia las formas en que dos de las principales organizaciones de beneficencia con orientación católica en el país —Fundación Las Rosas, dedicada al cuidado de adultos mayores, y Techo, al apoyo a personas que viven en asentamientos precarios— construyen sus marcas desde claves publicitarias, apelando a valores religiosos. Mediante un análisis multimodal del discurso se advirtió que, mientras Las Rosas representa a los ancianos desde un punto de vista cristiano, con la promesa de un ‘ser/estar’ acogedor, digno y reflexivo, Techo habla de la pobreza y los campamentos en clave secular, ofreciendo un ‘hacer’ contingente y que entra en el debate público sobre este tema. Esta diferencia argumental se explica desde la distinción entre los conceptos de caridad y solidaridad. Los resultados permiten advertir que las organizaciones católicas de beneficencia no son un conjunto homogéneo en sus estrategias de marca, y que esta diversidad encubre cierta tensión, pues implícitamente cada entidad sugiere que su manera de entender la beneficencia es la que mejor representa al ideario católico.
Inwigilacja w parlamencie. Analiza procesu legislacyjnego projektów dotyczących czynności operacyjno-rozpoznawczych w dobie rozwoju technologicznego
Authors: Kolaszyński Mateusz , Stolicki Dariusz
Published: January 2023

SURVEILLANCE IN PARLIAMENT: AN ANALYSIS OF THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS OF PROJECTS CONCERNING SECRET SURVEILLANCE IN THE ERA OF TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT
Secret surveillance is one of the core activities of the intelligence services. Covert collection of information about individuals is often necessary for the effective performance of their tasks. On the other hand, the development of information technologies enables mass and virtually unlimited covert surveillance, thereby compromising democratic values such as privacy or transparency. Thus, balancing security and individual rights requires the creation of appropriate legal and political checks on surveillance. The responsibility for delineating the permissible boundaries of surveillance authorities rests primarily upon parliaments. However, Polish surveillance law tends to successively expand surveillance powers at the expense of the constitutional balance, as confirmed by multiple Constitutional Court rulings. One of the theories put forward to explain this fact is the regulatory capture theory, according to which legislators, through close cooperation with intelligence agency personnel, adopt the latter’s perspective and values, becoming co-opted to further their interests. This is exacerbated because the intelligence personnel has greater expertise on surveillance issues, and, as noted by J. Widacki, an exceptional capability to charm discussants, strong motives for exercising it, and substantial experience with significant successes in this area. This article seeks to ‘un-charm’ this area. Through a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods, and by reference to objective, measurable indicators, we seek to assess the extent of regulatory capture on the Polish legislative process in the area of secret surveillance, and thereby contribute to explaining the weakness of the legal and political checks on intelligence services in Poland.
Percepcja bezpieczeństwa ekonomicznego gospodarstw domowych
Authors: Kosowski Bogdan , Kułakowska Aneta
Published: January 2023

PERCEPTIONS OF HOUSEHOLDS’ ECONOMIC SAFETY
In the triad of major economic entities, households play a key role in economic processes. They make one of the fundamental pillars of the domestic market economy. Their economic condition is of great significance to other participants of commercial exchange and affects the functioning of other entities. Currently, every modern entity which manages limited resources strives to satisfy its needs in a way that maximizes benefits. By meeting their needs, households strive to develop a specific sense of economic safety. It is primarily conditioned by a certain level and quality of life and provides opportunities for development. Nowadays, economic safety has become the basic need and goal of every economic unit, including households.
Abiotrophia defectiva Endocarditis: A Rare Cause with Aggressive Systemic Embolisation and Need of Valve Replacement
Authors: Cochicho Ramalho Ana , Marques Santos Sofia , Abecasis João , Rodrigues Rui , Araújo Francisco , Cantante Helena
Published: January 2023

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a well-described infectious disease, one with increased morbidity and mortality being the third or fourth most common life-threatening infection syndrome. Abiotrophia defectiva is a non-motile, catalase negative, gram-positive coccus in a chain, which can be isolated from the oral cavity, intestinal, and genitourinary tracts. IE due to this agent is rare and associated with heart valve destruction, congestive heart failure, and high embolisation rates, these being the major mortality causes. We present a case of IE due to this agent, complicated with a stroke, and splenic and renal infarction, with the need for aortic valve replacement.  This article highlights the gaps of knowledge left by the rarity of this disease, which range from its diagnosis to its treatment, and what we need to mitigate such gaps, supported with a case description of a successful treatment of this infection.
IDENTIFICAÇÃO DOS RISCOS NA PRODUÇÃO DE FLORES E PLANTAS ORNAMENTAIS: EVIDÊNCIAS A PARTIR DA REGIÃO DE HOLAMBRA/ SP
Authors: Alvarenga Mayara Davoli , Silveira Rodrigo Lanna Franco da , Buainain Antônio Márcio
Published: January 2023

O objetivo deste trabalho é identificar os principais fatores de risco existentes no segmento produtor de flores e plantas ornamentais. A partir de entrevistas com produtores da região de Holambra-SP, foram avaliados os eventos de risco mais frequentes e aqueles de maior impacto financeiro na atividade. Os resultados mostram que, dentre os cinco principais fatores de risco deste setor, três deles estão associados ao risco de produção – possibilidade de incidência de praga e doenças na planta e ocorrência de vento. Eventos atrelados ao risco de mercado, relativo à oscilação do preço da flor, e ao risco operacional, ligado a problemas de qualificação da mão-de-obra, também se fizeram presentes. As evidências obtidas se constituem em um primeiro passo para análise e execução de políticas de gestão integrada de risco para esta atividade.