bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dietetics Students’ Experiences and Perspectives of Storytelling to Enhance Food and Nutrition Practice
Authors: Brady Jennifer L. , Gingras Jacqui
Published: December 2022

Within the formal setting of professional dietetic practice, storytelling may be used to communicate factual nutrition information in a way that acknowledges the socio-cultural and emotional experience of food, eating, and the body. Previous research has suggested that storytelling enriches undergraduate nutrition students’ understanding of information, critical thinking, and problem solving skills, uncovers prejudice and diversity, fosters emotional connections that lead to increased mutual respect, and brings the social and cultural context of professional dietetic practice to life. Dietetic educators, however, seldom incorporate narrative as a learning tool in the undergraduate nutrition classroom. To explore the possibilities of doing so, this study asked undergraduate dietetic students about their experiences with and perspectives on storytelling via a qualitative survey and focus group interview. The results indicate that storytelling can help students connect the academic and hands-on aspects of dietetic training and practice, can help bring about shifts in power among students and educators, and may allow students to develop their dietitian persona as they find their professional voice. 
Muhasebe Meslek Mensuplarının Muhasebe Eğitimine Yönelik Görüşlerinin Belirlenmesi: Denizli İlinde Odak Grup Çalışması
Authors: YÜREKLİ Emin , TETİK Nevzat
Published: December 2022

Muhasebe mesleği insanlık tarihi kadar eski olup, insan var olduğu sürece muhasebenin de var olduğu bilinmektedir. Günümüzde ise artık Endüstri 4.0 ile birlikte muhasebede kendi dönüşümünü yaşamaktadır. Bu çalışmada geçmişten geleceğe muhasebe eğitimimin nasıl olduğu ve nasıl olması gerektiği konusunda Denizli ilinde faaliyet gösteren mesleğinde en az 20 yılını doldurmuş muhasebe meslek mensupları ile derinlemesine araştırma yöntemi tekniklerinden odak grup çalışması yapılarak muhasebe meslek mensuplarının görüşleri bire bir aynen çalışmada yer almıştır. Bu bağlamda çalışmanın amacı, muhasebe meslek mensuplarının bakış açısı ile muhasebe eğitiminin yenilenebilmesi için görüşlerin bölgesel olarak alınarak, farklı bölgeler ile karşılaştırmalara olanak sağlanabilmesi olarak ifade edilebilir. Çalışmanın sonucunda, bölgesel olarak muhasebe eğitiminin güncel yetkinliklerle zenginleştirildiği bir düzenlemenin zorunluluğu ortaya konmakla birlikte uygulamanın ağırlıklı olduğu bir yapının zorunluluğuna vurgu yapılmıştır. Geleceğe ilişkin muhasebe eğitimine önemli katkısı olacağı düşülen bu çalışmada, muhasebe meslek mensuplarının görüş ve önerileri de yer almıştır.
Biosimilars in rare diseases: a focus on paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria
Authors: Kulasekararaj Austin , Brodsky Robert , Kulagin Alexander , Jang Jun Ho
Published: December 2022

Biologics, a class of medicines grown in and purified from genetically engineered cell cultures, have transformed the management of many cancers and rare diseases, such as paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. As prescription drug spending has increased and exclusivity periods have expired, manufacturers have developed biosimilars–biologics that may be more affordable and highly similar to a licensed biological therapeutic, with no clinically meaningful differences in terms of safety or efficacy. With biosimilars gaining regulatory approval around the globe and broadening patient access to biologics, this review aims to help rare disease healthcare providers familiarize themselves with biosimilars, understand their development and regulatory approval process, and address practical considerations that may facilitate their use.
Food controls to build workable human resource in Muslim countries for poverty reduction: An Islamic view
Authors: Uddin Mohammad Nazim
Published: December 2022

Food controls, also known as multi-functional physical and economic prevention, are significant for maintaining a healthy mind, body, and energy, as well as reducing consumption and poverty. As a result, the study aims to look at the impact of food controls on both human resource development and poverty reduction. The Holy Qur'an and Hadith, as well as the circumstances of Muslim nations, are utilized to describe food behavior and its influence on the workforce, poverty removal, and knowledge development. First, the investigation finds Mohammad's (PBUH) eating pattern and guiding principles, both of which are supported by the Qur'an in terms of food behavior and management. When it comes to eating behavior, the study finds that failing to learn Islam's guiding principles on food control leads to a plethora of problems such as poverty, sickness, greed, corruption, and waste. Those who waste less food and eat less are highly driven to enhance their health and knowledge generation abilities, both of which are advantageous to poverty reduction. As a result of decreased consumption and waste conservation, excess money and food may be used to help people get out of poverty.
IIUC Studies Vol.18, December 2021: 33-46
Pengembangan soal matematika model programme for international student assessment (PISA) konten quantity dalam konteks budaya Jember
Authors: Putri Aisyah Maylani Ariyatma Utami , Ningtyas Yoga Dwi Windy Kusuma , Galatea Chusnul Khotimah
Published: December 2022

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mendeskripsikan proses dan mengetahui hasil pengembangan soal matematika model PISA konten quantity dalam konteks Budaya Jember. Metode penelitian yang dipakai adalah penelitian dan pengembangan dengan model penelitian ADDIE. Subjek uji coba pada penelitian ini untuk uji kelompok kecil siswa kelas VIII H SMP Negeri 1 Wuluhan sebanyak 6 anak dan uji kelompok besar siswa kelas VIII F SMP Negeri 1 Wuluhan sebanyak 23 siswa dalam satu kelas uji. Instrumen pengumpulan data berupa lembar validasi, lembar angket, dan soal. Teknik analisis data yang digunakan adalah analisis kevalidan, analisis kepraktisan, analisis butir soal, dan analisis keefektifitas produk. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian dan pengembangan diperoleh bahwa produk dikembangkan sesuai dengan tahapan ADDIE dan hasil pengembangan menunjukkan bahwa produk memenuhi tiga kriteria yang valid dengan skor 4,03, praktis dengan skor 73,9% dan efektif dengan skor 70,9%, sehingga produk dapat digunakan untuk membantu evaluasi siswa pada materi quantity atau bilangan dan pola bilangan.
Kuru ve sulu koşullarda yetiştirilen ekmeklik buğdayın azotlu gübre gereksinimlerinin tahmin edilmesinde Mitscherlich-Bray eşitliğinin uygulanması
Authors: KORKMAZ Ayşegül , GÖKMEN YILMAZ Fatma , HARMANKAYA Mustafa , GEZGİN Sait
Published: December 2022

Bu çalışmada, kuru ve sulu koşullarda artan dozlarda azot uygulamalarının üründe sağladığı arıtışa ve toprakta bulunan KCl ile ekstrakte edilebilir NO3-N’u miktarına bağlı olarak Mitscherlich-Bray Eşitliği kullanılarak ekmeklik buğdayın azot ihtiyacının belirlenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Tesadüf blokları deneme desenine göre kuru koşullarda yürütülen denemelerde dekara 0, 3, 6, 9 ve 12 kg N uygulanırken sulu koşullarda 0, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 ve 24 kg N olacak şekilde üre (%46 N) gübresi kullanılarak uygulanmıştır. Çalışma sonucunda, topraktaki KCl ile ekstrakte edilebilir NO3-N içeriği ile ürün artışı arasında elde edilen ilişkinin önemli olduğu ve Mitscherlich-Bray eşitliğinin kullanılabileceği belirlenmiştir. Bitkinin azot ihtiyacının belirlenmesinde kuru koşullar için log (100-y)= log 100-b1*0.091-0.107*x ve sulu koşullar için log (100-y)= log 100-b1*0.043-0.076*x eşitlikleri belirlenmiştir. Ayrıca kuru koşullarda teorik maksimum verim 435 kg da-1 iken sulu koşullarda 574.3 kg da-1 olduğu bulunmuştur. Ekmeklik buğdayın teorik maksimum verimin %90’ını hedef alan bir üretim için kuru koşullarda toprakta 10 kg veya daha fazla, sulu koşullarda ise 22 kg veya daha fazla NO3-N’u olması gerektiği belirlenmiştir. Bu durumda üründe artışlar sağlanabildiği ancak ekonomik analizin yapılması gerekliği ifade edilmiştir. Sonuçta, kuru ve sulu koşullarda ekmeklik buğday için Mitscherlich-Bray eşitliği kullanarak belirlenmiş ve ekonomik olarak uygulanması gerekli azotlu gübre miktarları, eksik veya gereğinden fazla azotlu gübre kullanımın önüne geçecektir. Dahası, ihtiyaç kadar gübre kullanımı ile hem üreticiler hem de ülke ekonomisine büyük katkılar sağlanacaktır.
Transformation of South Korean Government Digital Communications
Authors: Cho Kyounghee
Published: December 2022

This study investigates the process of digital communication transformation following the specific policies of each South Korean administration. During the last twenty-five years, various political issues have arisen within Korean digital society, and each South Korean government has had to cope with those issues. However, the attitudes of the various political parties in South Korea toward the social issues resulting from digital communication have been very different.These attitudes can be generally divided into either mobilizational or controlling in relation to digital communication, which this paper will refer to as either “progressive” or “conservative.” Although digital communication technology has continuously evolved alongside political transformation, the development of South Korean democracy has varied depending on the strategies and approaches of different administrations
Does South Korea Exercise Middle-Power Diplomacy Toward Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan?
Authors: Varpahovskis Eriks
Published: December 2022

It is widely accepted that South Korea has obtained middle-power status because it has fulfilled the necessary behavioral principles in its diplomacy. Even though the Republic of Korea is an active player in Central Asia, the topic of relationships between South Korea and Central Asian republics has barely been explored. Using case studies, the author attempts to evaluate how much South Korea’s policy matches its middle-power status in relationships with two major partners in the region—Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. The author concludes that South
Korea’s policy toward the two Central Asian partners only partly matches middle-power behavior criteria. The article discusses the practical obstacles to South Korea’s middle-power diplomacy toward Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan and elaborates on the shortcomings of the middle-power concept as an analytical framework.
Hipotesis Penelitian Kuantitatif
Authors: Yam Jim Hoy , Taufik Ruhiyat
Published: December 2022

The objective of this paper is to discuss the understanding of hypothesis writing, by reviewing some related literature. Hypothesis is an important part of research, which needs to be designed from the beginning of the study. Since the hypothesis is a temporary answer to a research question, which is expected to guide the research’s path. So that it requires an in-depth understanding of the meaning and types of directional and non-directional hypotheses, as well as the application of 1 tailed and 2 tailed t-test techniques. At the eventually, There are 3 conclusions, are the written hypothesis can be expressed in 3 forms, consists of positively directional, negatively directional and non-directional.

 Keywords: Hypothesis, t test, quantitative research
Peculiarities of the Nesting Ecology of Some Mass Bird Species in the Conditions of the Fergana Valley
Authors: Mamashukurov A.
Published: December 2022

This article is devoted to the features of the nesting ecology of some common bird species in the Fergana Valley. Data on the distribution, distribution by nesting stations, clutch size, oological indicators of eggs, density of incubation of clutches and postembryonic growth and development of chicks of the white stork, green bee-eater, myna, Indian and field sparrow in the anthropogenic landscapes of the valley are given. In the Fergana Valley, the white stork is distributed mainly in settlements, the green bee-eater nests on loess cliffs along the banks of the river of large canals, the myna nests in anthropogenic objects, occupies the nests of rollers, Indian sparrows, the tree sparrow nests in anthropogenic landscapes, rarely in ravines, Indian Sparrow mainly lives in ravines and trees, forming large colonies. The clutch size for storks is on average 4.7, for bee-eater — 5.5, myna — 4.6, field sparrow — 4.5 eggs, Indian sparrow — 3.9 eggs. The density of incubation of eggs in a stork at the beginning of incubation is 96.3%, bee-eaters — 68.0%, myna — 67.7%, field sparrow — 93.1%, Indian sparrow — 92.4%, at the end of incubation, the incubation density changes and is 89.9% for the stork, 94.0% for the green bee-eater, 82.5% for the lane, 98.2% for the field sparrow, and 97.3% for the Indian sparrow.
Chronicle of a Deceleration Foretold Income inequality in Latin America in the 2010s
Authors: Gasparini Leonardo , Cruces Guillermo , Tornarolli Leopoldo
Published: December 2022

After a decade of strong progress toward the goal of reducing the high levels of income disparities, there are clear signs of a deceleration in the pace of inequality reduction in Latin America. This paper argues that the deceleration is the result of two set of reasons. First, several of the driving factors of the fall in inequality in the 2000s have lost strength, due to “natural” motives; and second, the external conditions faced by the Latin American economies have worsened in the early 2010s, making further reductions in inequality more difficult.
Issuance Value, Issuance Rating and Life of Sharia Bond on Sharia Capital Market Reaction
Authors: Mais Rimi Gusliana , Maharani Dea , Prasetyo Agus
Published: December 2022

This study aims to examine whether the value of islamic bonds issuance, rating of islamic bonds issuance, and age of islamic bonds issuance to the capital market reaction. The value of islamic bonds issuance is proxied by sukuk equity ratio, rating of islamic bonds issuance, and age of islamic bonds are used as independent variables. The capital market reaction is proxied by abnormal return as the dependent variable on Companies Issuing Bonds on the Indonesia Stock Exchange. This study uses a descriptive quantitative approach, which is measured using a multiple regression analysis method with Eviews 10. The population of this study is Companies Issuing Bonds on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) from 2017 to 2019. With a total sample size of 16 companies with the amount of islamic bonds as much as 135. The results of this study prove that (1) The value of islamic bonds issuance has an effect on the capital market reaction, (2) The rating of islamic bonds issuance has an effect on the capital market reaction, and (3) The age of islamic bonds has no effect on the capital market reaction on Companies Issuing Bonds on the Indonesia Stock Exchange 2017-2019.
Pelatihan Prevensi Peningkatan Berat Badan Wanita Menopause pada Kader Kesehatan
Authors: Simangunsong Dame Evalina , Marlisa Marlisa
Published: December 2022

Menopause is the end of the biological process of the menstrual cycle that occurs due to a decrease in the hormone estrogen produced by the ovaries. The reduction in hormones results in metabolic changes in the female body, so there is a tendency to increase body weight, which accumulates in the stomach and can further interfere with physical and psychological health. Low information about menopause results in women being unable to maintain their weight balance, which impacts the potential incidence of non-communicable diseases (degenerative diseases) and low quality of life. Cadres as resources from the community are trained and prepared to provide information to women in their work areas in the face of menopause. The training was conducted for two days with the provision of material on menopause and prevention of weight gain as well as physical activity training and food measurements for 30 health cadres in the Cinta Damai village of Deli Serdang Regency.
ABSTRAK
Menopause merupakan akhir proses biologis dari siklus menstruasi yang terjadi karena penurunan hormon estrogen yang dihasilkan ovarium. Penurunan hormon mengakibatkan perubahan metabolisme dalam tubuh wanita, sehingga terjadi kecenderungan peningkatan berat badan, yang terakumulasi pada perut yang selanjutnya dapat mengganggu kesehatan fisik maupun psikologis. Rendahnya informasi tentang menopause, mengakibatkan wanita tidak dapat menjaga keseimbangan berat badannya, yang berdampak pada potensial kejadian penyakit tidak menular (penyakit degenerative) dan kualitas hidup yang rendah pada seorang wanita. Kader sebagai sumberdaya yang berasal dari masyarakat dilatih dan dipersiapkan untuk memberikan informasi pada wanita yang berada di wilayah kerjanya dalam menghadapi masa menopause. Pelatihan dilakukan selama dua hari dengan pemberian materi tentang menopause dan pencegahan peningkatan berat badan serta pelatihan aktivitas fisik dan pengukuran bahan makanan, terhadap 30 orang kader kesehatan yang berada di desa Cinta Damai Kabupaten Deli Serdang.
Penguatan Peran Bidan dalam Memberikan Konseling Asuhan Kebidanan Berkelanjutan melalui Pelatihan Web Centric Course
Authors: Susanti Ari Indra , Ali Mohammad , Hernawan Asep Herry , Darmawan Flora Honey
Published: December 2022

One of the competencies that must be possessed by midwives is communication and counseling techniques. Currently, there are still some midwives who have not been able to communicate and counsel properly, so that the health information conveyed cannot be understood and is not implemented by the client. This community service activity aims to provide health education to clients starting from pregnancy, childbirth, to postpartum by the village midwife. The method of this activity includes the preparation, implementation, and evaluation of activities. As many as 25 midwives were given refreshing in the form of counseling training first, before providing direct counseling to 25 people consisting of pregnant women and postpartum mothers. The results of this activity, it was found that midwives had an increase in counseling competence with a mean value before (79.54), and after (87.03), so that after training the village midwives could provide counseling to clients more optimally. Recommendations for this community service activity can be carried out in an integrated and sustainable manner with other teams of health workers in providing counseling to clients.
ABSTRAK
Salah satu kompetensi yang harus dimiliki bidan adalah teknik komunikasi dan konseling. Saat ini, masih ada sebagian bidan yang belum dapat melakukan komunikasi dan konseling dengan baik, sehingga informasi kesehatan yang disampaikan tidak dapat dimengerti dan tidak dilaksanakan oleh klien. Kegiatan pengabdian masyarakat ini bertujuan untuk memberikan edukasi kesehatan kepada klien dimulai sejak kehamilan, persalinan, sampai dengan nifas oleh bidan desa. Metode kegiatan ini, meliputi persiapan, pelaksanaan, dan evaluasi kegiatan. Bidan sebanyak 25 orang diberikan refreshing berupa pelatihan konseling terlebih dahulu, sebelum memberikan konseling secara langsung kepada 25 orang yang terdiri dari ibu hamil dan ibu nifas. Hasil kegiatan ini, didapatkan bahwa bidan memiliki peningkatan kompetensi konseling dengan nilai mean sebelum (79,54), dan sesudah (87,03), sehingga setelah pelatihan bidan desa dapat memberikan konseling kepada klien dengan lebih optimal. Rekomendasi untuk kegiatan pengabdian masyarakat ini dapat dilakukan secara terintegrasi dan berkesinambungan bersama tim tenaga kesehatan lain dalam memberikan konseling kepada klien.
Optimalisasi Perawatan Orang dengan Gangguan Jiwa (ODGJ) Berbasis Komunitas
Authors: Putri Adita Lintang Kharisma , Lestari Sri , Asyanti Setia , Indriati Sepi , Hasanah Mir'atun
Published: December 2022

Treatment of people with mental disorders (ODGJ) is one of the problems in Village C in realizing the Mental Health Alert Village. Lack of family understanding about the care of ODGJ makes the family tend to have a negative attitude towards ODGJ. This activity aims to obtain an overview of the efforts to cure ODGJ, and the obstacles experienced, as well as to design and implement an intervention program to increase the knowledge and skills of families in caring for ODGJ. This activity aims to obtain an overview of the efforts to cure ODGJ, and the obstacles experienced, as well as to design and implement an intervention program to increase the knowledge and skills of families in caring for ODGJ. Data collection techniques used are observation, interviews, and focus group interview. The intervention methods used are advocacy and psychoeducation. The data obtained were analyzed by the Wilcoxon test. From psychoeducation activities, it is known that there is an increase in the participants’s knowledge, understanding, and skills. as indicated by the change in the scale score from 37.25 to 39.25. The family shows behavioral changes in providing care and treatment for ODGJ. Through advocacy activities, it is possible to create a Mental Health Post which will provide services every month to ODGJ families.
ABSTRAK
Perawatan orang dengan gangguan jiwa (ODGJ) menjadi salah satu permasalahan Desa C dalam mewujudkan Desa Siaga Sehat Jiwa. Pemahaman keluarga yang minim mengenai perawatan ODGJ membuat keluarga cenderung bersikap negatif terhadap ODGJ. Kegiatan ini bertujuan untuk memperoleh gambaran mengenai upaya meyembuhkan ODGJ, dan hambatan yang dialami, serta merancang dan melaksanakan program intervensi untuk meningkatkan pengetahuan dan keterampilan keluarga dalam merawat ODGJ. Kegiatan ini melibatkan 18 orang yang terdiri dari keluarga yang merawat ODGJ, serta masyarakat dan pemerintah desa. Teknik pengumpulan data yang digunakan yaitu observasi, wawancara dan FGI. Metode intervensi yang digunakan yaitu advokasi dan psikoedukasi. Data yang diperoleh dianalisis dengan uji Wilcoxon. Dari kegiatan psikoedukasi diketahui bahwa ada peningkatan pengetahuan, pemahaman, dan keterampilan pada peserta yang ditunjukkan pada perubahan skor skala dari 37,25 menjadi 39,25. Keluarga menunjukkan perubahan perilaku dalam memberikan perawatan dan pengobatan bagi ODGJ. Melalui kegiatan advokasi dapat terwujud Posyandu Jiwa yang akan memberikan layanan setiap bulan pada keluarga ODGJ.
Peptide hydrogel based sponge patch for wound infection treatment
Authors: Li Lanxin , Zhou Yuan , Li Peizhe , Xu Qi , Li Kaiyan , Hu Hai , Bing Wei , Zhang Zhijun
Published: December 2022

Dressing with the function of anti-wound infection and promoting skin repair plays an important role in medicine, beauty industry, etc. In terms of anti-wound infection, traditional dressings, such as gauze, have problems such as excessive bleeding in the process of contact or removal, and slow wound healing due to poor biological compatibility. The development of new functional and biocompatible dressings has essential application value in biomedical fields. In this study, a new type of dressing based on polypeptide functional sponge patch was constructed. The porous sponge patch is made of antimicrobial peptide and medical agarose through gel and freeze-drying technology. In vitro antibacterial experiments and small animal skin wound infection model experiments show that the porous sponge has excellent antibacterial and anti-skin infection activities, as well as the function of promoting wound healing.
Prediction of in vivo hip contact forces during common activities of daily living using a segment-based musculoskeletal model
Authors: Amiri Pouya , Bull Anthony M. J.
Published: December 2022

Background: Quantifying in vivo hip muscle and contact forces during activities of daily living (ADL) provides valuable information for diagnosis and treatment of hip-related disorders. The objective of this study was to utilize Freebody, a segment-based musculoskeletal model, for the prediction of hip contact forces using a novel objective function during seven common ADLs and validate its performance against the publicly available HIP98 dataset.

Methods: Marker data, ground reaction forces, and hip contact forces during slow, normal, and fast walking, stair ascent and descent, and standing up and sitting down were extracted for 3 subjects from the HIP98 dataset. A musculoskeletal anatomical dataset was scaled to match the dimensions of each subject, and muscle and hip contact forces were estimated by minimizing a novel objective function, which was the summation of the muscle stresses squared and body weight-normalised hip contact force. The accuracy of predictions were quantified using several metrics, and muscle forces were qualitatively compared to experimental EMGs in the literature.

Results: FreeBody predicted the hip contact forces during the ADLs with encouraging accuracy: The root mean squared error of predictions were 44.0 ± 8.5, 47.4 ± 6.5, and 59.8 ± 7.1% BW during slow, normal, and fast walking, 44.2 ± 16.8% and 53.3 ± 12.2% BW for stair ascent and descent, and 31.8 ± 8.2% and 17.1 ± 5.0% BW for standing up and sitting down, respectively. The error in prediction of peak hip contact forces were 14–18%, 24–28%, 17–35% for slow, normal, and fast walking, 7–25% and 15–32% in stair ascent and descent, and around 10% for standing up and sitting down. The coefficient of determination was larger than 0.90 in all activities except in standing up (0.86 ± 0.08).

Conclusion: This study has implemented a novel objective function in a segment-based musculoskeletal model, FreeBody, for the prediction of hip contact forces during a large range of ADLs. The model outputs compare favourably for all ADLs and are the best in standing up and sitting down, while muscle activation patterns are consistent with experimental EMGs from literature. This new objective function addresses one of the major limitations associated with musculoskeletal models in the literature, namely the high non-physiological predicted hip joint contact forces.
BCI, an inhibitor of the DUSP1 and DUSP6 dual specificity phosphatases, enhances P2X7 receptor expression in neuroblastoma cells
Authors: Benito-León María , Gil-Redondo Juan Carlos , Perez-Sen Raquel , Delicado Esmerilda G. , Ortega Felipe , Gomez-Villafuertes Rosa
Published: December 2022

P2X7 receptor (P2RX7) is expressed strongly by most human cancers, including neuroblastoma, where high levels of P2RX7 are correlated with a poor prognosis for patients. Tonic activation of P2X7 receptor favors cell metabolism and angiogenesis, thereby promoting cancer cell proliferation, immunosuppression, and metastasis. Although understanding the mechanisms that control P2X7 receptor levels in neuroblastoma cells could be biologically and clinically relevant, the intracellular signaling pathways involved in this regulation remain poorly understood. Here we show that (E)-2-benzylidene-3-(cyclohexylamino)-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-one (BCI), an allosteric inhibitor of dual specificity phosphatases (DUSP) 1 and 6, enhances the expression of P2X7 receptor in N2a neuroblastoma cells. We found that exposure to BCI induces the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases p38 and JNK, while it prevents the phosphorylation of ERK1/2. BCI enhanced dual specificity phosphatase 1 expression, whereas it induced a decrease in the dual specificity phosphatase 6 transcripts, suggesting that BCI-dependent inhibition of dual specificity phosphatase 1 may be responsible for the increase in p38 and JNK phosphorylation. The weaker ERK phosphorylation induced by BCI was reversed by p38 inhibition, indicating that this MAPK is involved in the regulatory loop that dampens ERK activity. The PP2A phosphatase appears to be implicated in the p38-dependent dephosphorylation of ERK1/2. In addition, the PTEN phosphatase inhibition also prevented ERK1/2 dephosphorylation, probably through p38 downregulation. By contrast, inhibition of the p53 nuclear factor decreased ERK phosphorylation, probably enhancing the activity of p38. Finally, the inhibition of either p38 or Sp1-dependent transcription halved the increase in P2X7 receptor expression induced by BCI. Moreover, the combined inhibition of both p38 and Sp1 completely prevented the effect exerted by BCI. Together, our results indicate that dual specificity phosphatase 1 acts as a novel negative regulator of P2X7 receptor expression in neuroblastoma cells due to the downregulation of the p38 pathway.
Contribution of TEX15 genetic variants to the risk of developing severe non-obstructive oligozoospermia
Authors: Guzmán-Jiménez Andrea , González-Muñoz Sara , Cerván-Martín Miriam , Rivera-Egea Rocío , Garrido Nicolás , Luján Saturnino , Santos-Ribeiro Samuel , Castilla José A. , Gonzalvo M. Carmen , Clavero Ana , Vicente F. Javier , Maldonado Vicente , Villegas-Salmerón Javier , Burgos Miguel , Jiménez Rafael , Pinto Maria Graça , Pereira Isabel , Nunes Joaquim , Sánchez-Curbelo Josvany , López-Rodrigo Olga , Pereira-Caetano Iris , Marques Patricia Isabel , Carvalho Filipa , Barros Alberto , Bassas Lluís , Seixas Susana , Gonçalves João , Lopes Alexandra M. , Larriba Sara , Palomino-Morales Rogelio J. , Carmona F. David , Bossini-Castillo Lara ,   IVIRMA Group,   Lisbon Clinical Group
Published: December 2022

Background: Severe spermatogenic failure (SPGF) represents one of the most relevant causes of male infertility. This pathological condition can lead to extreme abnormalities in the seminal sperm count, such as severe oligozoospermia (SO) or non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA). Most cases of SPGF have an unknown aetiology, and it is known that this idiopathic form of male infertility represents a complex condition. In this study, we aimed to evaluate whether common genetic variation in TEX15, which encodes a key player in spermatogenesis, is involved in the susceptibility to idiopathic SPGF.

Materials and Methods: We designed a genetic association study comprising a total of 727 SPGF cases (including 527 NOA and 200 SO) and 1,058 unaffected men from the Iberian Peninsula. Following a tagging strategy, three tag single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of TEX15 (rs1362912, rs323342, and rs323346) were selected for genotyping using TaqMan probes. Case-control association tests were then performed by logistic regression models. In silico analyses were also carried out to shed light into the putative functional implications of the studied variants.

Results: A significant increase in TEX15-rs1362912 minor allele frequency (MAF) was observed in the group of SO patients (MAF = 0.0842) compared to either the control cohort (MAF = 0.0468, OR = 1.90, p = 7.47E-03) or the NOA group (MAF = 0.0472, OR = 1.83, p = 1.23E-02). The genotype distribution of the SO population was also different from those of both control (p = 1.14E-02) and NOA groups (p = 4.33–02). The analysis of functional annotations of the human genome suggested that the effect of the SO-associated TEX15 variants is likely exerted by alteration of the binding affinity of crucial transcription factors for spermatogenesis.

Conclusion: Our results suggest that common variation in TEX15 is involved in the genetic predisposition to SO, thus supporting the notion of idiopathic SPGF as a complex trait.
Prediction of wax deposit thickness in waxy crude oil pipelines using improved GM(1,1) model
Authors: Xu Shiqi , Fan Chengyang , Song Peijian , Liu Chuanyou
Published: December 2022

In this paper, the GM(1,1) model with function arccosx transformation and GM(1,1) model with function transformation are established by using arccosine function transformation method and aarccosx function transformation method, and the GM(1,1) model with function cosx2 transformation is established by using function transformation theory, and GM(1,1) model with function cosx2+c transformation is established by using translational transformation theory on the basis of this model. The prediction accuracy of GM(1,1) model, GM(1,1) model with function arccosx transformation, GM(1,1) model with function aarccosx transformation, GM(1,1) model with function cosx2 transformation, and GM(1,1) model with function cosx2+c transformation are compared by modeling with the field pipeline data and the indoor loop data. The influence of a value in GM(1,1) model with function aarccosx transformation on prediction accuracy is discussed, and the influence of c value in GM(1,1) model with function cosx2+c transformation on prediction accuracy is discussed. With the increase of a and c values, the average relative error show a trend of decreasing and then increasing, by comparing the average relative errors under different a and c values, the optimal a value and c value and the optimal prediction accuracy are obtained. The results show that the GM(1,1) model with function cosx2+c transformation in the indoor loop has an average relative error of 0.6490% when c=0.114, which is the minimum average relative error compared to other models and achieves the highest prediction accuracy. The GM(1,1) model with function cosx2+c transformation in the field pipeline has an average relative error of 1.94156% when c=−0.555, which is the minimum average relative error compared to other models and achieves the highest prediction accuracy. Among the five models, only the GM(1,1) model with function cosx2+c transformation has fitted and predicted values that are closer to the actual thickness values in the indoor loop experimental data and the field pipeline data, and the predicted values are more consistent with the actual conditions in the field pipeline. This paper verifies the feasibility of using the GM(1,1) model with function cosx2+c transformation to predict the wax deposition thickness of the pipe wall, and provides a reference for subsequent research on accurate prediction of wax deposition thickness.
Enhanced non-linear optical properties of porphyrin-based polymers covalently functionalized with graphite phase carbon nitride
Authors: Liang Chen , Cui Xu , Dong Wenyue , Qin Jieming , Duan Qian
Published: December 2022

In our work, a flurry of original porphyrin-based polymers covalently functionalized g-C3N4 nanohybrids were constructed and nominated as PPorx-g-C3N4 (x = 1, 2 and 3) through click chemistry between porphyrin-based polymers with alkyne end-groups [(PPorx-C≡CH (x = 1, 2 and 3)] and azide-functionalized graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4-N3). Due to the photoinduced electron transfer (PET) between porphyrin-based polymers [PPorx (x = 1, 2 and 3)] group and graphite phase carbon nitride (g-C3N4) group in PPorx-g-C3N4 nanohybrids, the PPorx-g-C3N4 nanohybrids exhibited better non-linear optical (NLO) performance than the corresponding PPorx-C≡CH and g-C3N4-N3. It found that the imaginary third-order susceptibility (Im [χ(3)]) value of the nanohybrids with different molecular weight (MW) of the pPorx group in the nanohybrids ranged from 2.5×103 to 7.0 × 103 g mol−1 was disparate. Quite interestingly, the Im [χ(3)] value of the nanohybrid with a pPorx group’s MW of 4.2 × 103 g mol−1 (PPor2-g-C3N4) was 1.47 × 10–10 esu, which exhibited the best NLO performance in methyl methacrylate (MMA) of all nanohybrids. The PPorx-g-C3N4 was dispersed in polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) to prepare the composites PPorx-g-C3N4/PMMA since PMMA was widely used as an alternative to glass. PPor2-g-C3N4/PMMA showed the excellent NLO performance of all nanohybrids with the Im [χ(3)] value of 2.36 × 10–10 esu, limiting threshold of 1.71 J/cm2, minimum transmittance of 8% and dynamic range of 1.09 in PMMA, respectively. It suggested that PPorx-g-C3N4 nanohybrids were potential outstanding NLO materials.
Gut microbiota and fecal metabolic signatures in rat models of disuse-induced osteoporosis
Authors: Qiao Xiaochen , Zhang Kun , Li Xiaoyan , Lv Zhi , Wei Wenhao , Zhou Ruhao , Yan Lei , Pan Yongchun , Yang Sen , Sun Xiaojuan , Li Pengcui , Xu Chaojian , Feng Yi , Tian Zhi
Published: December 2022

Background

Assessing the correlation between gut microbiota (GM) and bone homeostasis has increasingly attracted research interest. Meanwhile, GM dysbiosis has been found to be associated with abnormal bone metabolism. However, the function of GM in disuse-induced osteoporosis (DIO) remains poorly understood. In our research, we evaluated the characteristics of GM and fecal metabolomics to explore their potential correlations with DIO pathogenesis.

Methods

DIO rat models and controls (CON) underwent micro-CT, histological analyses, and three-point bending tests; subsequently, bone microstructures and strength were observed. ELISAs were applied for the measurement of the biochemical markers of bone turnover while GM abundance was observed using 16S rDNA sequencing. Metabolomic analyses were used to analyze alterations fecal metabolites. The potential correlations between GM, metabolites, and bone loss were then assessed.

Results

In the DIO group, the abundance of GM was significantly altered compared to that in the CON group. Moreover, DIO significantly altered fecal metabolites. More specifically, an abnormally active pathway associated with bile acid metabolism, as well as differential bacterial genera related to bone/tissue volume (BV/TV), were identified. Lithocholic acid, which is the main secondary bile acid produced by intestinal bacteria, was then found to have a relationship with multiple differential bacterial genera. Alterations in the intestinal flora and metabolites in feces, therefore, may be responsible for DIO-induced bone loss.

Conclusions

The results indicated that changes in the abundance of GM abundance and fecal metabolites were correlated with DIO-induced bone loss, which might provide new insights into the DIO pathogenesis. The detailed regulatory role of GM and metabolites in DIO-induced bone loss needs to be explored further.
Association between frailty and short- and long-term mortality in patients with critical acute myocardial infarction: Results from MIMIC-IV
Authors: Bai Weimin , Hao Benchuan , Meng Wenwen , Qin Ji , Xu Weihao , Qin Lijie
Published: December 2022

Background

Frailty has been recognized as an important prognostic indicator in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, no study has focused on critical AMI patients. We aimed to determine the impact of frailty on short- and long-term mortality risk in critical AMI patients.

Methods

Data from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care (MIMIC)-IV database was used. Frailty was assessed using the Hospital Frailty Risk Score (HFRS). Outcomes were in-hospital mortality and 1-year mortality. Logistic regression and Cox proportional-hazards models were used to investigate the association between frailty and outcomes.

Results

Among 5,003 critical AMI patients, 2,176 were non-frail (43.5%), 2,355 were pre-frail (47.1%), and 472 were frail (9.4%). The in-hospital mortality rate was 13.8%, and the 1-year mortality rate was 29.5%. In our multivariable model, frailty was significantly associated with in-hospital mortality [odds ratio (OR) = 1.30, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.20–1.41] and 1-year mortality [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.29, 95% CI: 1.24–1.35] as a continuous variable (per five-score increase). When assessed as categorical variables, pre-frailty and frailty were both associated with in-hospital mortality (OR = 2.80, 95% CI: 2.19–3.59 and OR = 2.69, 95% CI: 1.93–3.73, respectively) and 1-year mortality (HR = 2.32, 95% CI: 2.00–2.69 and HR = 2.81, 95% CI: 2.33–3.39, respectively) after adjustment for confounders. Subgroup analysis showed that frailty was only associated with in-hospital mortality in critically ill patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) but not STEMI (p for interaction = 0.012). In addition, frailty was associated with 1-year mortality in both STEMI and non-STEMI patients (p for interaction = 0.447). The addition of frailty produced the incremental value over the initial model generated by baseline characteristics for both in-hospital and 1-year mortality.

Conclusion

Frailty, as assessed by the HFRS, was associated with both in-hospital and 1-year mortality in critical AMI patients. Frailty improves the prediction of short- and long-term mortality in critical AMI patients and may have potential clinical applications.
Association of QT interval-prolonging drugs with clinical trial eligibility in patients with advanced cancer
Authors: Rowe Elizabeth J. , Shugg Tyler , Ly Reynold C. , Philips Santosh , Rosenman Marc B. , Callaghan John T. , Radovich Milan , Overholser Brian R. , Schneider Bryan P. , Tisdale James E. , Skaar Todd C.
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Drug-induced prolongation of the heart rate-corrected QT interval (QTc) is associated with increased risk for the potentially fatal arrhythmia torsades de pointes. Due to arrhythmia risk, clinical trials with cancer therapeutics often exclude patients based on thresholds for QTc prolongation. Our objective was to assess associations between prescriptions for QT-prolonging drugs and the odds of meeting cancer trial exclusionary QTc thresholds in a cohort of adults with advanced cancer.

Methods

Electronic health records were retrospectively reviewed for 271 patients seen at our institutional molecular solid tumor clinic. Collected data included demographics, QTc measurements, ventricular arrhythmia-related diagnoses, and all inpatient and outpatient prescriptions. Potential associations were assessed between demographic and clinical variables, including prescriptions for QT-prolonging drugs, and QTc measurements.

Results

Women had longer median QTc measurements than men (p = 0.030) and were prescribed more QT-prolonging drugs during the study (p = 0.010). In all patients, prescriptions for QT-prolonging drugs were associated with longer median and maximum QTc measurements at multiple assessed time points (i.e., for QT-prolonging drugs prescribed within 10, 30, 60, and 90 days of QTc measurements). Similarly, the number of QT-prolonging drugs prescribed was correlated with longer median and maximum QTc measurements at multiple time points. Common QTc-related exclusionary criteria were collected from a review of ClinicalTrials.gov for recent cancer clinical trials. Based on common exclusion criteria, prescriptions for QT-prolonging drugs increased the odds of trial exclusion.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that prescriptions for QT-prolonging drugs were associated with longer QTc measurements and increased odds of being excluded from cancer clinical trials.
Fluid inclusion, zircon U-Pb geochronology, and O-S isotopic constraints on the origin and evolution of ore-forming fluids of the tashvir and varmazyar epithermal base metal deposits, NW Iran
Authors: Kouhestani Hossein , Mokhtari Mir Ali Asghar , Chang Zhaoshan , Qin Kezhang , Aghajani Marsa Soheila
Published: December 2022

Tashvir and Varmazyar deposits are part of the epithermal ore system in the Tarom–Hashtjin Metallogenic Belt (THMB), NW Iran. In both deposits, epithermal veins are hosted by Eocene volcanic-volcaniclastic rocks of the Karaj Formation and are spatially associated with late Eocene granitoid intrusions. The ore assemblages consist of pyrite, chalcopyrite, chalcocite, galena, and sphalerite (Fe-poor), with lesser amounts of bornite and minor psilomelane and pyrolusite. Fluid inclusion measurements from the Tashvir and Varmazyar revealed 182–287 and 194–285°C formation temperatures and 2.7–7.9 and 2.6–6.4 wt.% NaCl equivalent salinities, respectively. The oxygen isotope data suggested that the mineralizing fluids originated dominantly from a magmatic fluid that mixed with meteoric waters. The sulfur isotope data indicated that the metal and sulfur sources were largely a mixture of magma and surrounding sedimentary rocks. LA-ICP–MS zircon U–Pb dating of the granitoid intrusion at Tashvir and Varmazyar, yielded a weighted mean age of 38.34–38.31 and 40.85 Ma, respectively, indicating that epithermal mineralization developed between 40.85 and 38.31 Ma. Our data indicated that fluid mixing along with some fluid boiling were the main drives for hydrothermal alteration and mineralization at Tashvir and Varmazyar. All these characteristics suggested an intermediate-sulfidation epithermal style of mineralization. The THMB is proposed to be prospective for precious and base metal epithermal mineralization. Considering the extensional tectonic setting, and lack of advanced argillic lithocaps and hypersaline fluid inclusions, the THMB possibly has less potential for economically important porphyry mineralization.
Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) requiring Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission between 1996-2020 in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland
Authors: Abbara Ali , Patel Bijal , Parekh Isha , Garg Akanksha , Jayasena Channa N. , Comninos Alexander N. , Dhillo Waljit S.
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) is a life-threatening iatrogenic complication of In vitro fertilisation (IVF). This study aimed to quantify rates of Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) requiring intensive care unit (ICU) admission and assess whether trends have changed between 1996-2020 commensurate with the introduction of safer IVF practices.

Methods

Data regarding Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission across England, Wales and Northern Ireland was gathered retrospectively from the Intensive Care National Audit and Research Centre (ICNARC) database. 38,957 female patients aged between 18-55 years were admitted to ICU for OHSS or related conditions between 1996-2020. The primary outcome was the rate of OHSS requiring ICU admission expressed as a proportion of the number of fresh IVF cycles conducted in that year according to Human Fertility and Embryology Authority (HFEA) records. Baseline characteristics (for example, age, ethnicity, BMI), biochemical parameters (such as renal function, serum electrolytes), length of ICU stay and duration and need for organ support, were also compared between ICU patients with ‘confirmed OHSS’ and those ‘without OHSS’.

Results

There were 238 cases of ‘confirmed OHSS’ requiring ICU admission recorded between 1996-2020. Rates of OHSS requiring ICU admission declined over the study period (P=0.006); the annual rate of severe OHSS requiring intensive care admission halved when comparing those occurring between 1996-2007 and 2008-2020 (OR=0.37, 95% CI 0.37-0.45; P<0.0001). Patients spent a mean of 3.5 days in the ICU, with 86.3% of patients with ‘confirmed OHSS’ requiring at least 2 days of higher level (i.e., level 2 or 3) care. Patients with ‘confirmed OHSS’ required a shorter duration of renal, advanced cardiovascular, and advanced respiratory support than patients ‘without OHSS’ (P<0.0001 for all comparisons). There was no significant difference in BMI or ethnicity between those with ‘confirmed OHSS’ and those ‘without OHSS’, however women with ‘confirmed OHSS’ were younger (34 versus 41 years old, p<0.0001).

Discussion

Although absolute rates of OHSS requiring ICU admission recorded in this study are likely to represent a significant underestimate of all clinically significant OHSS, rates of OHSS requiring ICU admission have decreased since 1996 in concordance with the introduction of modern IVF practices.
Insulin resistance in ischemic stroke: Mechanisms and therapeutic approaches
Authors: Ding Peng-Fei , Zhang Hua-Sheng , Wang Jie , Gao Yong-Yue , Mao Jian-Nan , Hang Chun-Hua , Li Wei
Published: December 2022

The pathological condition of insulin resistance prevents the neuroprotective effects of insulin. Numerous studies have demonstrated that insulin resistance, as an independent risk factor for ischemic stroke, accelerates the formation of thrombosis and promotes the development of atherosclerosis, both of which are major mechanisms of ischemic stroke. Additionally, insulin resistance negatively affects the prognosis of patients with ischemic stroke regardless of whether the patient has diabetes, but the mechanisms are not well studied. We explored the association between insulin resistance and the primary mechanisms of brain injury in ischemic stroke (inflammation, oxidative stress, and neuronal damage), looking for potential causes of poor prognosis in patients with ischemic stroke due to insulin resistance. Furthermore, we summarize insulin resistance therapeutic approaches to propose new therapeutic directions for clinically improving prognosis in patients with ischemic stroke.