bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Whole-genome sequencing of copy number variation analysis in Ethiopian cattle reveals adaptations to diverse environments
Authors: Ayalew Wondossen , Xiaoyun Wu , Tarekegn Getinet Mekuriaw , Tessema Tesfaye Sisay , Chu Min , Liang Chunnian , Naboulsi Rakan , Van Damme Renaud , Bongcam-Rudloff Erik , Ping Yan
Published: November 2024

Background

Genomic structural variations (GSVs), notably copy number variations (CNVs), significantly shape genetic diversity and facilitate adaptation in cattle populations. Despite their importance, the genome-wide characterization of CNVs in indigenous Ethiopian cattle breeds—Abigar, Fellata, and Gojjam-Highland remains largely unexplored. In this study, we applied a read-depth approach to whole genome sequencing (WGS) data to conduct the first comprehensive analysis of CNVs in these populations.

Results

We identified 3,893 CNV regions (CNVRs) covering 19.15 Mb (0.71% of the cattle genome). These CNVRs ranged from 1.60 kb to 488.0 kb, with an average size of 4.92 kb. These CNVRs included deletions (1713), duplications (1929), and mixed events (251) showing notable differences in distribution among the breeds. Four out of five randomly selected CNVRs were successfully validated using real time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Further analyses identified candidate genes associated with high-altitude adaptation (GBE1 and SOD1), heat stress adaptation (HSPA13, DNAJC18, and DNAJC8) and resistance to tick infestations (BoLA and KRT33A). In addition, variance stabilizing transformation (VST) statistics highlighted population-specific CNVRs, emphasizing the unique genetic signatures of high-altitude adaptation in the Gojjam-Highland cattle breed. Among the detected CNVRs, 4.93% (192 out of 3,893) overlapped with 520 quantitative traits loci (QTLs) associated with six economically important trait categories suggesting that these CNVRs may significantly contribute to the genetic variation underlying these traits.

Conclusions

Our comprehensive analysis reveals significant CNVRs associated with key adaptive traits in Ethiopian cattle breeds highlighting their genetic diversity and resilience. These findings offer valuable insights into the genetic basis of adaptability and can inform sustainable breeding practices and conservation efforts. Future research should prioritize the functional validation of these CNVRs and their integration into breeding programs to enhance traits such as disease resistance and environmental adaptability.
Distalization of mandibular molar with iatrogenic root fracture in Class III malocclusion: a case report
Authors: Kim Hyojin , Hong Hyeon Gi , Jeon Ji Yoon , Lee Kee-Joon
Published: November 2024

Background

Placement of interradicular orthodontic miniscrews poses a potential risk of root damage, including superficial root contact and root fracture. This case report describes the iatrogenic root-injured tooth movement of a 27-year-old male with skeletal Class III malocclusion as nonsurgical orthodontic treatment.

Case presentation

An orthodontic miniscrew between the mandibular right first and second molars perforated the distal root of the mandibular first molar. A root fracture was discovered 4 months after miniscrew placement. Owing to the potential risk of ankylosis related to surgical intervention, a direct orthodontic distalizing force was applied towards the fractured distal root segment without additional treatment, resulting in considerable movement of the fractured tooth with maintaining tooth vitality. However, gradual root resorption of a fractured tooth with a separate root segment was observed. The mandibular arch distalization of skeletal Class III malocclusion was successfully performed and retained for 3 years 8 months with stable occlusion.

Conclusions

This case reveals a clinical remedy when root movement of a tooth with root fracture is indicated. The use of extra-alveolar miniscrews or miniplates can be considered for mandibular arch distalization to prevent potential root injuries caused by miniscrew placement.

Clinical trial number

Not applicable.
“I think all of us should have […] much better training in ethics.” Ethical challenges in policy making during the COVID-19 pandemic: Results from an interview study with Swiss policy makers and scientists
Authors: Brall Caroline , Gille Felix , Schlaufer Caroline , Porz Rouven , Jox Ralf J.
Published: November 2024

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic posed many unprecedented challenges to health care systems and public health efforts worldwide. Policy making and science were deeply intertwined, in particular with regard to the justification of health policy measures. In this context, ethical considerations were often at the core of decision-making trade-offs. However, not much is known about the actual ethical challenges encountered by policy makers and scientists involved in policy advice. With this study, we therefore aim to explore the ethical challenges during COVID-19-related political decision-making in Switzerland as perceived by policy makers and scientists involved in policy making. We also explore the role ethics advice had during the pandemic response and what can be learned for future public health crises.

Methods

We conducted thirteen qualitative expert interviews with policy makers and scientists involved in decision-making on COVID-19 policy responses in Switzerland on the regional and national level. We used inductive content analysis to analyse the interviews.

Results

Among the multitude of ethical challenges highlighted, interviewees perceived making trade-offs between the common good vs. the individual good and between economic welfare vs. health of the population, as well as proportionality of the policy measures, and the capacity of the public to accept uncertainty as central. Interviewees had diverging opinions on whether ethical considerations were sufficiently raised and discussed on the Swiss policy level during the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the reasons why ethics was not sufficiently discussed, they mentioned a lack of time in the fast-paced dynamic of the pandemic, ethics as a complex subject area, the interconnectedness between ethics and law, too much focus on few topics (mostly on vaccination-related ethical questions), and power relationships, such as dominance of medical professionals over ethicists. They evaluated ethics support to have been adequately present in the decision-making process, but wished for ethics training, involvement of the public in the discourse and for accompanying communication to build trust among the population for the future.

Conclusions

The study provides empirical insights into the ethical considerations of COVID-19 policy making in practice in Switzerland. It can help to develop ethics assistance for future crises and inform ethical health policy and decision-making not only in Switzerland, but also in other countries.
Peripheral immune signatures associated with the risk of hepatocarcinogenesis in cirrhotic Egyptian HCV patients before and after treatment with direct-acting antivirals
Authors: El-Shenawy Reem , Moustafa Rehab I. , Helmy Naiera M. , El-Abd Yasmine S. , Tabll Ashraf A. , Elesnawy Yasser K. , Shawky Heba
Published: November 2024

Background

Although direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) have revolutionized the management of chronic HCV, the debatable association with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) occurrence/recurrence has raised major concerns about their long-term use, especially in cirrhotic cases. The role of epithelial tight junction proteins (TJPs) in hepatocarcinogenesis has been highlighted; however, the association of their expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) with HCC has rarely been reported. This study aimed to explore the role of peripheral claudin (Cldn)1 in liver pathogenesis and its crosstalk with soluble immune mediators in HCC prognosis.

Methods

The study population included six independent subgroups: healthy controls, cirrhotic/non-cirrhotic treatment-naïve HCV patients, DAA-SVR patients, and anticancer treatment-naïve de novo HCC patients. The laboratory tests included serum levels of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), albumin, liver transaminases, total bilirubin, and CBC profiling. The serum levels of soluble cluster of differentiation (sCD)163, IL-10, and IL-12 were estimated by corresponding ELISA kits, whereas the levels of Cldn1 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β in PBMCs were quantified using quantitative PCR (qPCR).

Results

Serum sCD163, IL-10, and IL-12 levels were significantly higher in the HCC patient group than in the control and non-malignant patient groups (P < 0.0001). No significant difference was detected in the serum levels of the three markers between cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic patients of chronic HCV, whereas their levels were significantly different between cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic SVRs (P < 0.0001). Similarly, the transcriptional levels of peripheral Cldn1 and TGF-β were significantly higher in patients with HCC and non-malignant cirrhosis than in patients without cirrhosis (P = 0.0185–<0.0001 and 0.0089–<0.0001, respectively). Logistic regression analysis revealed a significant association between all the abovementioned markers and HCC (P = 0.0303 to < 0.0001), which was further confirmed by the results of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, which revealed an area under the curve (AUC) value ranging from 0.883 to 0.996. The calculated cutoff values demonstrated remarkable prognostic capacity, with ranges of 88–99.41% and 82.14–97.92% and positive/negative predictive values ranging from 84.62 to 98.3% and 92–98%, respectively.

Conclusion

Serum sCD163, IL-10, IL-12 and peripheral Cldn1 and TGF-β expression levels represent novel non-invasive HCC biomarkers that maintain their predictive power under different pathological conditions and circumvent the drawbacks of conventional prognostic markers in patients with mild cirrhosis and/or normal AFP, albumin, and/or platelet counts.
Implementing a colostrum-kit reduces the time to first colostrum for neonates admitted to the NICU – a retrospective observational study
Authors: Hellström Sara , Linden Karolina , Sengpiel Verena , Elfvin Anders
Published: November 2024

Background

The World Health Organisation states that newborns should receive colostrum as soon as possible after birth. However, among newborns needing neonatal intensive care, initiation of lactation and access to colostrum might be delayed. At the centre of this study, a tertiary care hospital in Sweden (10,000 deliveries/year), few admitted infants received colostrum within the day of birth, warranting a quality improvement. In order to reduce the time from birth to first colostrum received by infants admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), a new clinical routine including a colostrum-kit, was implemented as standard care in June 2018. The colostrum-kit contained information about hand expression of breastmilk as well as material for collecting, labelling and transporting the colostrum. The kit should be handed to all birthing parents with infants admitted to the NICU.

Methods

Data on time in minutes from birth to first colostrum administered to the infant (oral mouth care, oral feeding or gavage feeding) was retrieved for all infants born between 1 September 2016 and 31 October 2023, admitted to the NICU within 1h from birth. Infants were divided into four time-cohorts, compared with nonparametric ANOVA.

Results

The study included 3618 infants born at 22 + 0 – 43 + 0 weeks gestational age, of whom 2814 (78%) had available data on time to colostrum. Median (IQR) time in hours was 35 (20–36) pre-implementations, followed by 18 (7–38), 11 (4–26) and 8 (3–22) in the subsequent follow-up cohorts, p < 0.001. Subgroups of mode of delivery had median (IQR) pre-implementation of 30 (19–54) for vaginal and 47 (23–72) for caesarean section that reached 7 (2–18) and 9 (3–26) in the last follow-up. Subgroups of gestational age (< 28, 28–31, 32–36, > 36 weeks) had a pre-implementation time of 48 (26–80), 46 (23–73), 33 (20–60) and 32 (19–57), that in the last follow-up was reduced to 4 (2–20), 7 (2–29), 9 (2–33) and 9 (4–19).

Conclusions

Implementing a colostrum-kit for infants admitted to the NICU significantly reduced the time to first colostrum administered to the infant in all gestational ages. The difference between subgroups of gestational age or mode of delivery was reduced. The effect persisted over time.
Outcomes of patients with acute myeloid leukemia and bone marrow fibrosis
Authors: Urrutia Samuel , Kantarjian Hagop M. , Ravandi-Kashani Farhad , Bueso-Ramos Carlos , Kanagal-Shamanna Rashmi , Jabbour Elias , Montalban-Bravo Guillermo , Short Nicholas J. , Daver Naval , Borthakur Gautam , Dinardo Courtney D. , Kadia Tapan M. , Masarova Lucia , Bose Prithviraj , Pemmaraju Naveen , Garcia-Manero Guillermo , Sasaki Koji
Published: November 2024

The outcomes of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and bone marrow fibrosis (MF) are not well defined. The study objectives were to evaluate the degrees of MF in AML, and corresponding response rates and outcomes. We performed a retrospective review of 2302 patients with AML. We annotated the clinical and molecular characteristics, response to therapy, and survival outcomes of patients with bone marrow fibrosis. Overall, 492 patients (21.4%) had a reported microscopic evaluation of MF: 344 (69.9%) had MF grade 0–1 and 148 (30.1%) had MF grade 2–3. Patients with MF 2–3 had a higher proportion of complex cytogenetics (39.2% vs. 24.7%, p = 0.002) JAK2 mutations (25.7% vs. 18%, p = 0.07) and lower proportion of IDH2 (16.9% vs. 25.9%, p = 0.03) and CEBPA (15.5% vs. 27.6%, p = 0.006) mutations. 64% were treated with low-intensity chemotherapy (LIT) and 36.1% with intensive chemotherapy (IT). The complete remission (CR)/CR with incomplete count recovery (CRi) rates were 63.5% with IC versus 37.9% with LIT (p = 0.007). In patients aged 60 or older 4-week mortality was 12.5% with IC vs. 9.3% with LIT (p = 0.8). The median overall survival (OS) was 14.2 with MF 0–1 versus 7.5 months with MF 2–3 (p < 0.005). In patients aged 60 or older with MF 2–3 median OS was 6.5 months with IT versus 7.0 months with LIT (p = 0.19). In a multivariate analysis, grade 2–3 MF (HR 2.0, 95%CI 1.59–2.51) was the strongest prognostic factor for survival. In summary, grade 2–3 MF in AML is associated with worse outcomes.
How should trial teams make decisions about the proportions and diversity of the ethnic groups in their trial?
Authors: Treweek Shaun , Gillies Katie , Witham Miles D. , Devane Declan , Khunti Kamlesh , Bower Peter , Parker Adwoa , Soulsby Irene , Ostrovska Bārbala , Prowse Sarah , Green Heidi
Published: November 2024

Background

The benefits of randomised trials are not shared equally, and people from ethnic minority groups are a key constituency under-served by clinical research and clinical care. The STRIDE project aimed to give trialists practical information about how to decide which ethnic groups should be in their trials, and at what proportion.

Methods

We considered trials in six clinical areas: cancer, cardiovascular, diabetes, maternal health, mental health, and smoking cessation. We created a summary for each, including participants–intervention–comparators–outcomes, and data on disease prevalence by ethnicity. These were discussed with panels with clinical expertise, trial and methodology expertise, lived experience, funding, and experience of working with and on behalf of ethnic communities. For each trial, we asked panel members to decide which ethnic groups should have been involved and at what proportion.

Results

We discussed 23 trials with 40 individual panel members. Panels found our questions difficult to answer. The lack of publicly available data on prevalence by ethnicity was central to this. Where data were available, decision-making was easier but not simple.

The discussions led to eight STRIDE recommendations. We recommend that discussions involve diverse teams and that discussions need time, with access to the best available data. In the absence of data or consensus, we recommend the adoption of ‘default’ minimum rates of inclusion, with oversampling considered. These discussions should inform site selection, and the practical challenges of recruitment and retention should not determine which groups are to be included.

We also suggest five policy initiatives to support implementation of the recommendations. Broadly, these are (1) funders need to signal that ethnic diversity is expected, (2) trial teams need access to better data, (3) funders and others need to signal that ethnic diversity means better science, (4) more funding is needed for evaluation, and (5) Good Clinical Practice training should cover ethnic diversity.

Conclusions

Agreeing targets for which ethnic groups to involve in a trial is essential but difficult. Our eight recommendations could help to make trials more ethnically diverse if followed, and we suggest five policy initiatives that would create a supportive environment for their implementation.
Genomic characterisation of an extended-spectrum β-Lactamase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae isolate assigned to a novel sequence type (6914)
Authors: Akinyemi Muiz O. , Oyedele Oluwawapelumi A. , Kleyn Mariska S. , Onarinde Bukola A. , Adeleke Rasheed A. , Ezekiel Chibundu N.
Published: November 2024

Background

Cow milk, which is sometimes consumed raw, hosts a plethora of microorganisms, some of which are beneficial, while others raise food safety concerns. In this study, the draft genome of an extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae subsp. pneumoniae strain Cow102, isolated from raw cow milk used to produce traditional foods in Nigeria, is reported.

Result

The genome has a total length of 5,359,907 bp, with 70 contigs and a GC content of 57.35%. A total of 5,244 protein coding sequences were detected with 31% mapped to a subsystem, and genes coding for amino acids and derivatives being the most prevalent. Multilocus sequence typing revealed that the strain had new allelic profile assigned to the novel 6914 sequence type possessing capsular and lipopolysaccharide antigen K locus 122 with an unknown K type (KL122) and O locus O1/O2v2 with type O2afg, respectively. A total of 28 resistance-related genes, 98 virulence-related genes, two plasmids and five phages were identified in the genome. The resistance genes oqxA, oqxB and an IS3 belonging to cluster 204 were traced to bacteriophage Escher 500,465. Comparative analysis predicted one strain specific orthologous group comprising three genes.

Conclusion

This report of a novel sequence type (ST6914) in K. pneumoniae presents a new allelic profile, indicating ongoing evolution and diversification within the species. Its uniqueness suggests it may represent a locally evolved lineage, although further sampling would be necessary to confirm this hypothesis. The strain’s multidrug resistance, virulence gene repertoire, and isolation from animal milk render it a potentially significant public health concern, underscoring the importance of genomic surveillance in non-clinical settings to detect emerging strains. Further research is required to fully characterise the capsular K type of ST6914.
Faecal sample storage without ethanol for up to 24 h followed by freezing performs better than storage with ethanol for shotgun metagenomic microbiome analysis in patients with inflammatory and non-inflammatory intestinal diseases and healthy controls
Authors: Grønbæk Ida Marie Bruun , Mollerup Sarah , Halkjær Sofie Ingdam , Paulsen Sarah Juel , Pinholt Mette , Westh Henrik , Petersen Andreas Munk
Published: November 2024

Objective

The influence of different faecal collection methods on metagenomic analyses remains under discussion, and there is no general agreement on which collection method is preferable for gut microbiome research. We compared faecal samples collected in tubes without preservatives with those containing 10 mL of 96% ethanol for gut microbiome research when the timeframe from defecation to freezing at – 80 °C was up to 24 h. We aimed to compare the collection methods on faeces from participants with inflammatory and non-inflammatory gastrointestinal disorders and healthy controls to investigate the most suitable method when considering data yield, human fraction of sequencing reads, and ease of use. We also examined the faecal sample homogeneity.

Results

Faeces collected in tubes without preservatives resulted in more sequencing reads compared to faeces collected in tubes with 96% ethanol and were also easier to handle. The human fraction of total reads in faeces collected in ethanol from participants with inflammatory bowel disease was higher than all other samples. DNA extraction and sequencing from two different locations in the same faecal sample gave similar results and showed sample homogeneity.
Effects of establishing infection control program with core components of World Health Organization on reducing the risk of residents’ infections and improving staff infection control competency in a nursing home
Authors: Lee Min Hye , Yi Yu Mi , Noh Eun-Young , Park Yeon-Hwan
Published: November 2024

Background

Nursing homes (NHs) are high-risk facilities with limited infection control resources and residents susceptible to infectious diseases. The evidence regarding World Health Organization (WHO) core components in NHs is lacking. This study evaluates the effectiveness of establishing an infection prevention and control (IPC) program with WHO’s core components in an NH.

Methods

The IPC program, encompassing evidence-based guidelines, education and training, surveillance, multimodal strategies, monitoring and feedback, workload and staffing considerations, and the built environment, was implemented in a 130-bed NH for one year. The effects were assessed based on the number of infections among residents, the level of knowledge, and the performance of infection control among staff. The risk of infection was analyzed across three phases: pre-implementation phase, implementation phase (6 and 12 months after intervention initiation), and sustainability phase (3, 6, and 12 months after intervention was finished). Staff data were analyzed before and after the intervention.

Results

Analysis of 18,124 resident-days revealed that during the sustainability phase, the risk of respiratory tract infection was significantly lower than before intervention implementation (odds ratio [OR] 0.51, 95% CI 0.30–0.86, p = 0.012). Moreover, a significant improvement was observed in staff knowledge (p = 0.002) and performance (p < 0.001) after the intervention compared to before.

Conclusions

WHO’s core components may have a potential effect on reducing healthcare-associated infections among residents and enhancing the infection control competency of staff in the NH with limited IPC resources.
Malignant pleural effusion facilitates the establishment and maintenance of tumor organoid biobank with multiple patient-derived lung tumor cell sources
Authors: Wang Lingwei , Yu Yanli , Fang Yanhua , Li Yanjiao , Yu Weiting , Wang Zhe , Lv Jinyan , Wang Ruoyu , Liang Shanshan
Published: November 2024

The Patient-Derived Organoids (PDOs) has demonstrated significant potential in personalized medicine. However, the initial establishment of lung cancer organoids (LCOs), and timely therapeutic recommendations face several challenges. Particularly, the current culture systems have not yet achieved the capability to long-term cultivation of all lung tumor sample sources, including malignant pleural effusion (MPE), which poses significant barriers to the rapid clinical translation of PDOs. Here, we established a LCOs biobank derived from various tumor cell origins and investigated the impact of supplementing culture media with MPE supernatant on organoid formation, culture duration, and drug sensitivity. Our findings indicate that MPE can enhance the successful rate of LCOs by extending the passage number and promoting the initial formation of difficult-to-culture samples, such as those derived from MPE or cell lines that were previously unsuccessful in Airway Organoid (AO) medium. MPE also facilitates the rapid proliferation of LCOs, reducing the culture duration by over 50%. Additionally, LCOs exhibit increased chemoresistance in the presence of MPE, which modifies stem cell distribution and reshapes the internal structure of the organoids. Overall, this study highlights the significance of MPE in facilitating the establishment and maintenance of LCOs, and its potential for translational applications in lung cancer research and personalized.
Hepatic methotrexate-associated lymphoproliferative disease: a case report and literature review
Authors: Sakamoto Shinya , Tabuchi Motoyasu , Yoshimatsu Rika , Matsumoto Manabu , Iwata Jun , Okabayashi Takehiro
Published: November 2024

Background

Methotrexate-associated lymphoproliferative disease (MTX–LPD) is a rare and life-threatening complication of MTX administration. MTX–LPD features more extranodal lesions than malignant lymphoma; however, the liver is an extremely rare organ that develops LPD. Herein, we present a case of hepatic MTX–LPD treated with surgical resection. We also reviewed the literature on hepatic MTX–LPD.

Case presentation

A 66-year-old man with a history of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was admitted to our department for the treatment of hepatic solitary liver tumor. The patient had been receiving MTX (14 mg/week) for RA for 6 years. MTX was withdrawn and salazosulfapyridine was prescribed 3 weeks prior to admission because of mediastinal MTX–LPD. Abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed a slightly ring-like enhanced hypovascularized mass (80 mm) in the lateral section of the liver. Carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (78.1 U/mL) level was elevated. No evidence was observed on esophagogastroduodenoscopy or colonoscopy. The tumor was suspected to be an intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. The patient underwent hepatic lateral sectionectomy and lymphadenectomy. Pathological examination revealed that the hepatic mass was coagulative necrosis of the CD20-positive B-cell lymphocytes. These histological findings were similar to those of rapid necrotic lymphoma. MTX–LPD is known to spontaneously regress after withdrawing MTX, and the patient was diagnosed with hepatic MTX–LPD.

Conclusions

MTX–LPD can occur in the liver. Clinician should suspect hepatic MTX–LPD when a liver mass is detected in patient who had been treating with MTX for RA.
Quantification of breast biopsy clip marker artifact on routine breast MRI sequences: a phantom study
Authors: Kremser Christian , Gruber Leonhard , Dietzel Matthias , Amort Birgit , Santner Wolfram , Daniaux Martin
Published: November 2024

Background

To investigate the artifact sizes of four common breast clip-markers on a standard breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocol in an in vitro phantom model.

Methods

Using 1.5-T and 3-T whole-body scanners with an 18-channel breast coil, artifact dimensions of four breast biopsy markers in an agarose-gel phantom were measured by two readers on images obtained with the following sequences: T2-weighted fast spin-echo short inversion time fat-suppressed inversion-recovery with magnitude reconstruction (T2-TIRM); T1-weighted spoiled gradient-echo with fat suppression (T1_FL3D), routinely used for dynamic contrast-enhanced imaging; diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), including a readout segmented echo-planar imaging (RESOLVE-DWI) and echo-planar imaging sequence (EPI-DWI). After outlining the artifacts by freehand regions of interest, sagittal and lateral diameters in axial images were measured.

Results

Interreader agreement for artifact size quantification was high, depending on the sequence (80.4–94.8%). Overall, the size, shape, and appearance of artifacts depended on clip type and MRI sequence. The artifact size ranged from 5.7 × 8.5 mm2 to 13.4 × 17.7 mm2 at 1.5 T and from 6.6 × 8.2 mm2 to 17.7 × 20.7 mm2 at 3 T. Clip artifacts were largest on EPI-DWI and RESOLVE-DWI (p ≤ 0.016). In three out of four clips, T2-TIRM showed the smallest artifact (p ≤ 0.002), while in one clip the artifact was smallest on T1_FL3D (p = 0.026). With the exception of one clip in the RESOLVE sequence, all clips showed a decrease in the artifact area from DWI to ADC images (p ≤ 0.037).

Conclusion

Breast clip-marker MRI artifact appearances depend on clip type, field strength, and sequence and may reach a significant size, potentially obscuring smaller lesions and hindering accurate assessment of breast tumors.

Relevance statement

Considerable variations in artifact size and characteristics across different breast clips, MRI sequences, and field strengths exist. Awareness of these artifacts and their characteristics is essential to ensure accurate interpretation of scans and appropriate treatment planning.

Key Points

Awareness of breast clip artifacts is essential for accurate interpretation of MRI.

The appearance of artifacts depends on breast clip type, field strength, and sequence.

Clip-related artifacts might hinder the visibility of small lesions.

Graphical Abstract
Relationships between cognition, functioning, and quality of life of euthymic patients with bipolar disorder: Structural equation modeling with the FACE-BD cohort
Authors: Roux P , Frileux S , Vidal N , Aubin V , Belzeaux R , Courtet P , Dubertret C , Etain B , Haffen E , Leboyer M , Lefrere A , Llorca PM , M’Bailara K , Marlinge E , Olié E , Polosan M , Schwan R ,   The FACE-BD (FondaMental Academic Centers of Expertise for Bipolar Disorders) group, Brunet-Gouet E , Passerieux C
Published: November 2024

Background

Quality of life is decreased in bipolar disorders (BD) and contributes to poor prognosis. However, little is known about the causal pathways that may affect it. This study aimed to explore health-related QoL (HRQoL) in BD and investigate its relationship with cognition and psychosocial functioning.

Methods

This multicenter cross-sectional study used a neuropsychological battery to assess five cognition domains. Functioning was evaluated using global and domain-based tools, and health-related HRQoL was assessed using the EQ-5D-3L. Structural equation modeling was used to test whether the association between cognition and HRQoL would be mediated by functioning in BD while controlling for covariates such as residual depression, anxiety, antipsychotic medication, and psychotic features.

Results

We included 1 190 adults with euthymic BD. The model provided a good fit for the data. In this model, the direct effect of cognition on HRQoL was not significant (β = − 0.03, z = −0.78, p = 0.433). The total effect of cognition on HRQoL was weak, albeit significant (β = 0.05, z = 3.6, p < 0.001), thus suggesting that cognition affected HRQoL only indirectly through functioning. Anxiety was associated with decreased functioning (β = −0.27, z = −7.4, p < 0.001) and QoL (β = −0.39, z = −11.8, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

These findings suggest that improving cognition may not directly lead to a higher HRQoL. Cognitive remediation is expected to improve HRQoL only through functioning enhancement. They also reveal the potential importance of functional remediation and reduction of comorbid anxiety symptoms in improving HRQoL in BD.
Does Experience of Vaccination Improve Vaccine Confidence and Trust? Policy Feedback Effects of Mass COVID-19 Vaccination in the United States
Authors: Choi Yongjin , Fox Ashley
Published: November 2024

Context: Policy feedback research has demonstrated that a highly tangible policy that shapes public attitudes through direct and day-to-day experiences often reshapes public opinion, with the effect of generating supportive or skeptical constituencies that determine the sustainability of future programs. This paper examines the impact of mass vaccination efforts on attitudes towards vaccines in a context of high vaccine hesitancy in the U.S.

Methods: We analyzed 73,092 survey responses from 9,229 participants in the longitudinal data from the Understanding America Study project, covering December 2020 to July 2023. Using two-way fixed-effects ordinary least squares regression and ordinal logistic regression, we estimated the changes in attitudes towards vaccines, including trust in vaccine manufacturing and approval processes, following COVID-19 vaccinations.

Findings: COVID-19 vaccination was associated with improved perceptions of vaccine effectiveness and social benefits and reduced mistrust in vaccine-related processes. However, it did not significantly alleviate concerns regarding vaccine side effects and illness. The strongest effects were observed among respondents initially hesitant but who eventually vaccinated.

Conclusions: The experience of COVID-19 vaccination generally improved attitudes and confidence in COVID-19 vaccines among the U.S. public, particularly among vaccine-hesitant people. These effects could have positive impacts on future immunization programs by mitigating vaccine hesitancy.
The impact of Perspective-Taking on weight stigma among Chinese University students: The mediating role of Common ingroup identity
Authors: Wang Xue Lian , Chen I-Hua
Published: November 2024

Background/Objective Weight stigma has significant psychological and social implications, yet studies on perspective-taking as an intervention strategy remain scarce. This study aimed to investigate the effect of perspective-taking on weight stigma among Chinese university students and examine the potential mediating role of common ingroup identity. Methods A randomized controlled experiment with 202 Chinese university students (experimental group, perspective-taking group: n = 102; control group: n = 100) was conducted. Weight stigma was measured pre- and post-intervention using the Anti-Fat Attitudes Test. The study employed a 2 × 2 mixed design with ANCOVA and mediation analysis. Results The experimental group showed significantly lower post-test weight stigma when controlling for pre-test scores (F(1, 199) = 25.69, p < .001). Perspective-taking engagement was significantly higher in the experimental group (t = 3.13, p = .002). Common ingroup identity negatively correlated with post-test weight stigma (r = -.28, p < .001) but did not significantly mediate the perspective-taking and weight stigma reduction relationship. Conclusion Perspective-taking effectively reduces weight stigma among Chinese university students, contributing to stigma reduction strategies in university settings. Further research on underlying mechanisms is warranted.
Community-based exercise (ComEx Pain) for older adults with chronic musculoskeletal pain: a protocol for a randomised controlled feasibility trial
Authors: Conneely Mairead , O’ Sullivan Kieran , Ryan Cormac , Clifford Amanda , Coote Susan , Eshghimanesh Zohreh , O’ Sullivan Vincent , Robinson Katie , Shiely Frances , Glynn Liam , Woods Catherine , Harmon Dominic , Macken Phelim , Meaney Ryan , Phelan Martina , Panel of Aging Research Centre Public and Patient Involvement , McCreesh Karen
Published: November 2024

Background Chronic musculoskeletal pain is a key societal challenge in Ireland, affecting one in three adults over the age of 50, with societal and healthcare costs of over €5.34 billion per year. Physical activity can form a key part of the management of people living with chronic pain, along with providing a myriad of health-enhancing and disease-prevention benefits for older adults. However, pain can limit engagement in physical activity, leading to the negative effects of chronic pain in older adults. Public and Patient involvement in this study identified that people with chronic pain fear exacerbation of their symptoms with exercise, and value having an experienced exercise leader who understands their needs. The primary aim of this study was to examine the feasibility and acceptability of a community-based exercise intervention, ComEx Pain, specifically tailored to older adults with chronic musculoskeletal pain. This paper reports a protocol designed to evaluate the feasibility of conducting a two-arm randomized controlled trial (RCT). Methods ComEx Pain is a randomised controlled feasibility trial with embedded economic and process evaluations. Community-dwelling adults aged ≥50 years living with chronic musculoskeletal pain will be recruited in the mid-western region of Ireland. Randomisation will be conducted using a 1:1 allocation ratio into two groups: (1) an intervention group receiving a community-based exercise program led by trainers educated in supporting people with chronic pain and (2) a control group who will receive a paper-based education manual. Primary outcomes for feasibility include recruitment rate, retention rate, and adherence to the intervention. The secondary outcomes will include changes in pain, physical function, emotional function, and physical activity. Discussion If this pilot feasibility study finds evidence to support feasibility and acceptability, a future larger-scale definitive trial will be conducted to examine the effectiveness of ComEx Pain in older adults living with chronic musculoskeletal pain. Trial registration number: Registered at Clinical Trials.gov NCT06535633.
THE ROLE OF DIGITAL EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES IN STUDENT LEARNING CHINESE LANGUAGE
Authors: Kalita Anna V. , Shishlova Ekaterina E.
Published: November 2024

Background. The trend of digital transformation of society and education provides special opportunities for improving the quality of foreign language teaching in a modern university. Among the wide range of educational resources, the determination of the place and role of authentic digital tools in mastering the Chinese language deserves special attention.
Purpose. The objectives of the study are: to substantiate the advantages and disadvantages of using digital resources in the process of teaching a foreign language; in studying the potential of neural networks and artificial intelligence in the conditions of classroom and extracurricular work of students; in analyzing the meaning and ways of using authentic digital tools in the process of teaching Chinese.
Materials and methods. The article develops the idea of the special effectiveness of digital resources in the process of teaching a foreign language, and specifies the role of authentic digital tools in teaching the Chinese language. The methodological basis of the study consists of competency-based, sociocultural and environmental approaches.
Results. The work selected and systematized authentic platforms and applications that allow optimizing the classroom and extracurricular work of students in mastering the Chinese language, including: Xiaoice; Weibo; QQ; WeChat; Xiaohongshu ect. A theoretical and methodological substantiation of the concept «Digital authentic resources in the process of teaching a foreign language» is presented, which constitutes the novelty of the research. Conclusion. The work argues that the special value and educational potential of using digital resources and tools in the educational process is associated with the possibility of creating a natural sociocultural language environment. The selection and systematization of authentic digital tools is implemented in the context of the main aspects of the language being studied: hieroglyphs, phonetics, grammar and vocabulary. As a promising direction of research, it is proposed to determine the place and role of authentic digital means in building individual educational routes for the successful learning of a foreign language, including Chinese.
PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE OF A TEACHER TO DEAL WITH DIFFERENT TYPES OF BULLYING IN THE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT (RESULTS OF AN EMPIRICAL STUDY IN NABEREZHNYE CHELNY)
Authors: Khakimova Nailya G. , Gumerova Marina М. , Magsumov Timur A.
Published: November 2024

Background. Teachers are often the first to encounter bullying among school learners, and their intervention can contribute in many ways to stopping and overcoming bullying. The teacher’s identification, attribution and reaction to bullying depending on its type contribute to the effectiveness of addressing the bullying situation.
Purpose. The article aims to identify the level of school teachers’ professional competence (in terms of “know” and “be able to” levels), as regards prevention and avoidance of bullying by its main types within the system “pupil – pupil (group of pupils)” at school.
Materials and methods. The authors carried out diagnostics of anti-bullying competence decomposed into levels by means of testing and case solving by types of bullying, involving 86 teachers representing all schools in Naberezhnye Chelny chosen from the cumulative body of teachers, evenly distributed by age, length of service and category.
Results. The teachers’ anti-bullying competence was diagnosed to be at low and average levels, not exceeding 60% of the formed competence. The teachers’ knowledge of bullying and how to respond to it was better formed than the corresponding skills. The success of anti-bullying actions was directly proportional to the levels of maturity of the cognitive and activity components of anti-bullying competence. Teachers proved to be most knowledgeable and efficient in the prevention and prophylaxis of physical and economic bullying in the school environment and least knowledgeable and effective when it concerned factual psychological- and cyber-bullying.
COMMUNICATIVE COMPETENCE AS A PREDICTOR OF SUCCESSFUL ADAPTATION OF PEDAGOGICAL STUDENTS
Authors: Shcherbakova Tatyana N. , Misirov Dinamutdin N. , Tamaskhanova Khava K.
Published: November 2024

Background. The role of communicative competence in students' adaptation in educational and professional situations and in the implementation of professional pedagogical communication in the future is shown. The study of indicators of the expression of students' characteristics and typical interaction strategies makes it possible to build a forecast of adaptation and success in professional situations in the future, to allocate resources and risks for the development of communicative competence and to develop targeted programs of psychological support for the development of a competent communication style.
Purpose. The aim is to study the characteristics of sociability, empathy, conflict management strategies and communicative control of students majoring in pedagogy with different levels of adaptation.
Materials and methods. The aim of the study was achieved through the use of diagnostic tools aimed at identifying the degree of development of elements of communicative competence, such as: empathy, level of sociability, communicative self-control, type of behavior in conflict situations, the use of the portfolio method and analysis of academic performance made it possible to identify groups of students with different levels of adaptation according to objective criteria of “successful” and “less successful”.
Results. It has been proven that "successful" and more adapted students have more pronounced empathy, demonstrate sociability and high communicative self-control, and tend to choose constructive strategies of behavior in conflict: "cooperation" and "compromise". It has been revealed that empathy correlates with the level of sociability and with the "cooperation" strategy, which in turn is associated with self-control in communication. The adaptation risks of "less successful students" are shown: low empathy, choice of non-constructive strategies of behavior in conflict situations, less pronounced sociability, low communicative self-control.
THE EXPERIENCE OF HUMANITARIAN DISCIPLINE LECTURE DELIVERING USING DIGITAL EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
Authors: Dunayenko Elena V. , Nazarova Irina P. , Burtceva Tatyana A.
Published: November 2024

Background. Digitalization of education has actualized the need to search for new methodological solutions adequate to the organizational conditions of blended learning, which would contribute to a high educational results achievement in engineering specialties students’ humanitarian training in the university’s lecture-based humanitarian disciplines.
Purpose. To develop an effective teaching methodology for a lecture-based humanitarian discipline "Business Communication in Russian" using digital educational resources as a means of ensuring independent students’ theoretical and practical work, their educational activities results monitoring.
Materials and methods. The article presents the experience of the results of theoretical scientific and methodological literature analysis and our own pedagogical practice generalization. The comparison of pedagogical documentation analyses results and the results of the groups in the traditional form and using digital educational resources was used.
Results. A methodology for teaching the lecture discipline "Business Communication in Russian" relevant for technical universities has been developed in the context of transferring students' practical work to digital educational resources. It ensures effective formation of communicative competence from the standpoint of information and linguistic approaches.
The lecture format of training implements the idea of ​​"immersion", which is achieved by: 1) presenting the content of the discipline as a system of modules formed on the basis of information "compression" into oriented graphs reflecting the logical and value aspects of learning; 2) using digital means of visualizing the semantic accents of the lecture; 3) dialogization of learning. Independent work of students implements a practical training format, involves parallel with classroom classes taking an electronic course on the digital educational platform of the university: completing theoretical and practical tasks aimed at updating and enriching the communicative experience of students.
Modular control is carried out in the form of testing. The assessment is point-rating; the final one is cumulative, with permission to correct the current result.
VALUE ORIENTATIONS OF TEENAGERS WITH DIFFERENT LEVELS OF EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE
Authors: Anisimova Yulia N. , Khusnutdinova Rezida R. , Kameneva Galina N.
Published: November 2024

Background. The formation of values in adolescence is one of the priority tasks of school education and upbringing, since it is values that determine a person's relationship with society. In the course of communication and interaction with the surrounding world, adolescents form personal characteristics, including emotional intelligence, adolescents' perception of values and meanings.
Purpose. To study the features of value orientations in adolescents with different levels of emotional intelligence.
Materials and methods. In the course of studying the value orientations of adolescents with different levels of emotional intelligence, an empirical study was conducted with the participation of 50 adolescents aged 14-15 years of Naberezhnye Chelny city schools.
Diagnostic tools of the study included the use of the following methods: ‘Diagnostics of value orientations of adolescents’ (V.F. Sopov L.V. Karpushina), “Value orientations” (M. Rokich), questionnaire “Emotional intelligence” (D.V. Lyusin). Mathematical processing of the results was carried out by Student's t-criterion method.
Results. Adolescent children learn to understand their own emotions, but still have difficulty recognising the emotional states of other people, more often by external expression, while showing little sensitivity to the mental state of others. They have poor control over their emotions and are unable to manage the emotions of their peers and are unable to manage external expressive manifestations of their emotions and restrain facial expressions and gestures. Teenagers display the values ‘cognition’, ‘I-value’, ‘other-value’, socially useful activity is not so significant for teenagers, and they do not consider responsibility a valuable quality.
In the ‘terminal values’ category, it is more important for adolescents to have loyal friends, health, freedom and material well-being. Adolescents are least interested in happiness in family life, happiness of others and social recognition. In the ‘instrumental values’ category, it is more important for adolescents to enjoy life, to be useful in a common cause, and to be well-mannered and educated. Adolescents pay the least attention to responsibility, high demands, and broad-mindedness.