bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Scaling up community wind energy: the relevance of autonomy and community
Authors: Warlenius Rikard Hjorth , Nettelbladt Sonja
Published: September 2023

Background

Renewable energy, especially wind power, is expanding rapidly in Sweden and elsewhere and has left the “niche” to become part of the mainstream energy socio-technical “regime”. However, the social innovation of community-owned wind energy is not expanding alongside. Despite its potential for an inclusive energy transition and for alleviating conflicts, community energy remains a niche phenomenon. In this article, we explore the conditions for community energy to scale up. Upscaling is sometimes regarded as alien to the spirit of community energy, but we argue that it can be positive and, assuming the existence of a “community wind energy trap”—increased market competition and decreased governmental support—even necessary for the long-term survival of community wind energy. We particularly study how two variables relate to upscaling: autonomy and community, the latter divided into communities of interest and place.

Results

A case study on four wind cooperatives and their main partners, municipal energy companies, based in western Sweden is conducted to generate a theory of how autonomy and community are related to their ambitions and capabilities to scale up their operations. The results indicate that for scaling up, autonomy is a more important factor than community, while communities of interest are more likely to scale up than communities of place. A provisional theory on possibilities for community energy to scale up is developed based on the case study results.

Conclusions

Even when upscaling is the will and ambition of a community energy initiative, neither autonomy nor community alone is a guarantee for it to happen—yet in combination, the likelihood increases: with autonomy as a prerequisite for action, and community as a motivation for action. Both communities of place and of interest can act as a motivational force and mobilise resources. Yet local rootedness can be difficult to combine with upscaling beyond a certain point, while a community of interest lacks physical borders. If regulators are keen on counteracting the community energy trap, our research suggests that they need to intervene and support these initiatives—yet without intruding on their autonomy.
Do police stations deter crime?
Authors: Boivin Rémi , de Melo Silas Nogueira
Published: September 2023

Purpose

The introduction of community policing led to a significant increase in the number of police stations, particularly in urban settings. Police stations are largely assumed to have an impact on crime but there are few studies dedicated to the issue.

Methods

The concept of deterrence suggests a negative relationship between police and crime: an increased police presence should lead to a reduction of crime. While it is difficult to directly test that relationship, the present study takes advantage of two recent events in Montreal (Canada) to test the hypothesis that the closure of a police station causes an increase of crime in the surrounding area. Andresen’s Spatial point pattern tests and Wheeler and Ratcliffe’ weight displacement difference tests were conducted.

Findings

While tests suggest that crime geographic patterns were dissimilar pre- and post-closure, none of those differences support the deterrence hypothesis because the number of areas in which an increase in crime was recorded is lower than would be expected by chance. Similarly, decreases in breaking and entering, mischief, theft in or on vehicles and total crime were found, which does not support the deterrence hypothesis.

Conclusions

The study of hotspot policing led to the belief that police presence needs to be concentrated in both time and space if it is to have a significant preventive impact on crime. It also led to the development of strategies of concentrated policing that encompass a variety of prevention actions aimed at specific individuals, specific crime types, and/or specific areas. Police stations provide something different: a concentrated presence at one point location with the ability to deploy to respond to any crime, at any time, in a particular area.
Translocator protein (18kDA) (TSPO) marks mesenchymal glioblastoma cell populations characterized by elevated numbers of tumor-associated macrophages
Authors: Weidner Lorraine , Lorenz Julia , Quach Stefanie , Braun Frank K. , Rothhammer-Hampl Tanja , Ammer Laura-Marie , Vollmann-Zwerenz Arabel , Bartos Laura M. , Dekorsy Franziska J. , Holzgreve Adrien , Kirchleitner Sabrina V. , Thon Niklas , Greve Tobias , Ruf Viktoria , Herms Jochen , Bader Stefanie , Milenkovic Vladimir M. , von Baumgarten Louisa , Menevse Ayse N. , Hussein Abir , Sax Julian , Wetzel Christian H. , Rupprecht Rainer , Proescholdt Martin , Schmidt Nils O. , Beckhove Philipp , Hau Peter , Tonn Joerg-Christian , Bartenstein Peter , Brendel Matthias , Albert Nathalie L. , Riemenschneider Markus J.
Published: September 2023

TSPO is a promising novel tracer target for positron-emission tomography (PET) imaging of brain tumors. However, due to the heterogeneity of cell populations that contribute to the TSPO-PET signal, imaging interpretation may be challenging. We therefore evaluated TSPO enrichment/expression in connection with its underlying histopathological and molecular features in gliomas. We analyzed TSPO expression and its regulatory mechanisms in large in silico datasets and by performing direct bisulfite sequencing of the TSPO promotor. In glioblastoma tissue samples of our TSPO-PET imaging study cohort, we dissected the association of TSPO tracer enrichment and protein labeling with the expression of cell lineage markers by immunohistochemistry and fluorescence multiplex stains. Furthermore, we identified relevant TSPO-associated signaling pathways by RNA sequencing.

We found that TSPO expression is associated with prognostically unfavorable glioma phenotypes and that TSPO promotor hypermethylation is linked to IDH mutation. Careful histological analysis revealed that TSPO immunohistochemistry correlates with the TSPO-PET signal and that TSPO is expressed by diverse cell populations. While tumor core areas are the major contributor to the overall TSPO signal, TSPO signals in the tumor rim are mainly driven by CD68-positive microglia/macrophages. Molecularly, high TSPO expression marks prognostically unfavorable glioblastoma cell subpopulations characterized by an enrichment of mesenchymal gene sets and higher amounts of tumor-associated macrophages.

In conclusion, our study improves the understanding of TSPO as an imaging marker in gliomas by unveiling IDH-dependent differences in TSPO expression/regulation, regional heterogeneity of the TSPO PET signal and functional implications of TSPO in terms of tumor immune cell interactions.
Biomimetic and bioorthogonal nanozymes for biomedical applications
Authors: Keum Changjoon , Hirschbiegel Cristina-Maria , Chakraborty Soham , Jin Soyeong , Jeong Youngdo , Rotello Vincent M.
Published: September 2023

Nanozymes mimic the function of enzymes, which drive essential intracellular chemical reactions that govern biological processes. They efficiently generate or degrade specific biomolecules that can initiate or inhibit biological processes, regulating cellular behaviors. Two approaches for utilizing nanozymes in intracellular chemistry have been reported. Biomimetic catalysis replicates the identical reactions of natural enzymes, and bioorthogonal catalysis enables chemistries inaccessible in cells. Various nanozymes based on nanomaterials and catalytic metals are employed to attain intended specific catalysis in cells either to mimic the enzymatic mechanism and kinetics or expand inaccessible chemistries. Each nanozyme approach has its own intrinsic advantages and limitations, making them complementary for diverse and specific applications. This review summarizes the strategies for intracellular catalysis and applications of biomimetic and bioorthogonal nanozymes, including a discussion of their limitations and future research directions.
Estimation of relative biological effectiveness of 225Ac compared to 177Lu during [225Ac]Ac-PSMA and [177Lu]Lu-PSMA radiopharmaceutical therapy using TOPAS/TOPAS-nBio/MEDRAS
Authors: Rumiantcev Mikhail , Li Wei Bo , Lindner Simon , Liubchenko Grigory , Resch Sandra , Bartenstein Peter , Ziegler Sibylle I. , Böning Guido , Delker Astrid
Published: September 2023

Aim

Over recent years, [225Ac]Ac-PSMA and [177Lu]Lu-PSMA radiopharmaceutical therapy have evolved as a promising treatment option for advanced prostate cancer. Especially for alpha particle emitter treatments, there is still a need for improving dosimetry, which requires accurate values of relative biological effectiveness (RBE). To achieve that, consideration of DNA damages in the cell nucleus and knowledge of the energy deposition in the location of the DNA at the nanometer scale are required. Monte Carlo particle track structure simulations provide access to interactions at this level. The aim of this study was to estimate the RBE of 225Ac compared to 177Lu. The initial damage distribution after radionuclide decay and the residual damage after DNA repair were considered.

Methods

This study employed the TOol for PArtcile Simulation (TOPAS) based on the Geant4 simulation toolkit. Simulation of the nuclear DNA and damage scoring were performed using the TOPAS-nBio extension of TOPAS. DNA repair was modeled utilizing the Python-based program MEDRAS (Mechanistic DNA Repair and Survival). Five different cell geometries of equal volume and two radionuclide internalization assumptions as well as two cell arrangement scenarios were investigated. The radionuclide activity (number of source points) was adopted based on SPECT images of patients undergoing the above-mentioned therapies.

Results

Based on the simulated dose–effect curves, the RBE of 225Ac compared to 177Lu was determined in a wide range of absorbed doses to the nucleus. In the case of spherical geometry, 3D cell arrangement and full radionuclide internalization, the RBE based on the initial damage had a constant value of approximately 2.14. Accounting for damage repair resulted in RBE values ranging between 9.38 and 1.46 for 225Ac absorbed doses to the nucleus between 0 and 50 Gy, respectively.

Conclusion

In this work, the consideration of DNA repair of the damage from [225Ac]Ac-PSMA and [177Lu]Lu-PSMA revealed a dose dependency of the RBE. Hence, this work suggested that DNA repair is an important aspect to understand response to different radiation qualities.
A review of PET attenuation correction methods for PET-MR
Authors: Krokos Georgios , MacKewn Jane , Dunn Joel , Marsden Paul
Published: September 2023

Despite being thirteen years since the installation of the first PET-MR system, the scanners constitute a very small proportion of the total hybrid PET systems installed. This is in stark contrast to the rapid expansion of the PET-CT scanner, which quickly established its importance in patient diagnosis within a similar timeframe. One of the main hurdles is the development of an accurate, reproducible and easy-to-use method for attenuation correction. Quantitative discrepancies in PET images between the manufacturer-provided MR methods and the more established CT- or transmission-based attenuation correction methods have led the scientific community in a continuous effort to develop a robust and accurate alternative. These can be divided into four broad categories: (i) MR-based, (ii) emission-based, (iii) atlas-based and the (iv) machine learning-based attenuation correction, which is rapidly gaining momentum. The first is based on segmenting the MR images in various tissues and allocating a predefined attenuation coefficient for each tissue. Emission-based attenuation correction methods aim in utilising the PET emission data by simultaneously reconstructing the radioactivity distribution and the attenuation image. Atlas-based attenuation correction methods aim to predict a CT or transmission image given an MR image of a new patient, by using databases containing CT or transmission images from the general population. Finally, in machine learning methods, a model that could predict the required image given the acquired MR or non-attenuation-corrected PET image is developed by exploiting the underlying features of the images. Deep learning methods are the dominant approach in this category. Compared to the more traditional machine learning, which uses structured data for building a model, deep learning makes direct use of the acquired images to identify underlying features. This up-to-date review goes through the literature of attenuation correction approaches in PET-MR after categorising them. The various approaches in each category are described and discussed. After exploring each category separately, a general overview is given of the current status and potential future approaches along with a comparison of the four outlined categories.
A proper protocol for routine 18F-FDG uEXPLORER total-body PET/CT scans
Authors: Hu Huiran , Huang Yanchao , Sun Hongyan , Zhou Kemin , Jiang Li , Zhong Jinmei , Chen Li , Wang Lijuan , Han Yanjiang , Wu Hubing
Published: September 2023

Background

Conventional clinical PET scanners typically have an axial field of view (AFOV) of 15–30 cm, resulting in limited coverage and relatively low photon detection efficiency. Taking advantage of the development of long-axial PET/CT, the uEXPLORER PET/CT scanner with an axial coverage of 194 cm increases the effective count rate by approximately 40 times compared to that of conventional PET scanners. Ordered subset expectation maximization (OSEM) is the most widely used iterative algorithm in PET. The major drawback of OSEM is that the iteration process must be stopped before convergence to avoid image degradation due to excessive noise. A new Bayesian penalized-likelihood iterative PET reconstruction, named HYPER iterative, was developed and is now available on the uEXPLORER total-body PET/CT, which incorporates a noise control component by using a penalty function in each iteration and finds the maximum likelihood solution through repeated iterations. To date, its impact on lesion visibility in patients with a full injected dose or half injected dose is unclear. The goal of this study was to determine a proper protocol for routine 18F-FDG uEXPLORER total-body PET/CT scans.

Results

The uEXPLORER total-body PET/CT images reconstructed using both OSEM and HYPER iterative algorithms of 20 tumour patients were retrospectively reviewed. The quality of the 5 min PET image was excellent (score 5) for all of the dose and reconstruction methods. Using the HYPER iterative method, the PET images reached excellent quality at 1 min with full-dose PET and at 2 min with half-dose PET. The PET image reached a similar excellent quality at 2 min with a full dose and at 3 min with a half dose using OSEM. The noise in the OSEM reconstruction was higher than that in the HYPER iterative. Compared to OSEM, the HYPER iterative had a slightly higher SUVmax and TBR of the lesions for large positive lesions (≥ 2 cm) (SUVmax: up to 9.03% higher in full dose and up to 12.52% higher in half dose; TBR: up to 8.69% higher in full dose and up to 23.39% higher in half dose). For small positive lesions (≤ 10 mm), the HYPER iterative had an obviously higher SUVmax and TBR of the lesions (SUVmax: up to 45.21% higher in full dose and up to 74.96% higher in half dose; TBR: up to 44.91% higher in full dose and up to 93.73% higher in half dose).

Conclusions

A 1 min scan with a full dose and a 2 min scan with a half dose are optimal for clinical diagnosis using the HYPER iterative and 2 min and 3 min for OSEM. For quantification of the small lesions, HYPER iterative reconstruction is preferred.
Resection of high-grade glioma involving language areas assisted by multimodal techniques under general anesthesia: a retrospective study
Authors: Cui Meng , Liu Yukun , Zhou Chunhui , Chen Hewen , Gao Xin , Liu Jiayu , Guo Qingbao , Guan Bing , Ma Xiaodong
Published: September 2023

Background

Multimodal techniques-assisted resection of glioma under general anesthesia (GA) has been shown to achieve similar clinical outcomes as awake craniotomy (AC) in some studies. In this study, we aim to validate the use of multimodal techniques can achieve the maximal safe resection of high-grade glioma involving language areas (HGILAs) under GA.

Methods

HGILAs cases were reviewed and collected between January 2009 and December 2020 in our center. Patients were separated into multimodal group (using neuronavigation, intraoperative MRI combined with direct electrical stimulation [DES] and neuromonitoring [IONM]) and conventional group (neuronavigation alone) and clinical outcomes were compared between groups. Studies of HGILAs were reviewed systematically and the meta-analysis results of previous (GA or AC) studies were compared with our results.

Results

Finally, there were 263 patients in multimodal group and 137 patients in conventional group. Compared to the conventional group, the multimodal group achieved the higher median EOR (100% versus 94.32%, P < 0.001) and rate of gross total resection (GTR) (73.8% versus 36.5%, P < 0.001) and the lower incidence of permanent language deficit (PLD) (9.5% versus 19.7%, P = 0.004). The multimodal group achieved the longer median PFS (16.8 versus 10.3 months, P < 0.001) and OS (23.7 versus 15.7 months, P < 0.001) than the conventional group. The multimodal group achieved a higher rate of GTR than the cohorts in previous multimodal studies under GA and AC (73.8% versus 55.7% [95%CI 32.0–79.3%] versus 53.4% [35.5–71.2%]). The multimodal group had a lower incidence of PLD than the cohorts in previous multimodal studies under GA (9.5% versus 14.0% [5.8–22.1%]) and our incidence of PLD was a little higher than that of previous multimodal studies under AC (9.5% versus 7.5% [3.7–11.2%]). Our multimodal group also achieved a relative longer survival than previous studies.

Conclusions

Surgery assisted by multimodal techniques can achieve maximal safe resection for HGILAs under GA. Further prospective studies are needed to compare GA with AC for HGILAs.
Are gender attitudes and gender division of housework and childcare related to fertility intentions in Kazakhstan?
Authors: Kan Maxim
Published: September 2023

Previous research has found evidence of positive associations between gender-egalitarian attitudes or more equal division of housework/childcare and short-term fertility intentions in developed countries of Europe and East Asia. This study extends the literature to the context of a developing country in the post-communist region—Kazakhstan, which has progressed well in public gender equality but may not have developed private gender equality to the same extent as more developed countries. The study explores how (1) gender attitudes, (2) gender behaviour (housework and childcare division), and (3) consistency between gender attitudes and gender behaviour are associated with fertility intentions in this country. Kazakhstan’s Generations and Gender Survey of 2020 was used for the analyses. The dependent variable was treated as an interval measure, where intentions move along a continuum of certainty. Linear regressions were employed to test the hypotheses. The results show that gender-egalitarian attitudes were negatively associated with short-term fertility intentions for women with two and more children. Likewise, a more equal division of housework was negatively associated with short-term fertility intentions for both women and men, whereas more equal sharing of childcare was negatively associated with men’s fertility intentions. Also, in contrast to studies in more developed contexts, an egalitarian match of gender attitudes and behaviour (either housework or childcare) was negatively associated with short-term childbearing intentions for both women and men. Overall, greater gender equality in the family has a negative relationship with short-term fertility intentions in Kazakhstan. The study provides new and compelling evidence about the relationship between gender equality and fertility in a context that has not previously been studied.
Technical improvements in preparing 3D printed anatomical models for comminuted fracture preoperative planning
Authors: Paxton Naomi C. , Wilkinson Brandon G. , Fitzpatrick Daniel , Owen Erin C. , Luposchainsky Simon , Dalton Paul D.
Published: September 2023

Preoperative planning of comminuted fracture repair using 3D printed anatomical models is enabling surgeons to visualize and simulate the fracture reduction processes before surgery. However, the preparation of such models can be challenging due to the complexity of certain fractures, particularly in preserving fine detail in bone fragments, maintaining the positioning of displaced fragments, and accurate positioning of multiple bones. This study described several key technical considerations for preparing 3D printed anatomical models for comminuted fracture preoperative planning. An optimized segmentation protocol was developed that preserves fine detail in bone fragments, resulting in a more accurate representation of the fracture. Additionally, struts were manually added to the digital model to maintain the positioning of displaced fragments after fabrication, reducing the likelihood of errors during printing or misrepresentation of fragment positioning. Magnets were also used to enable separation and visualization of accurate positioning of multiple bones, making it easier to visualize fracture components otherwise obscured by the anatomy. Finally, the infill for non-target structures was adjusted to minimize print time and material wastage. These technical optimizations improved the accuracy and efficiency of preparing 3D printed anatomical models for comminuted fracture preoperative planning, improving opportunities for surgeons to better plan surgical treatment in advance, reducing the likelihood of errors, with the goal of improving surgical outcomes.
Translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the ICHOM standard set for stroke: the Dutch version
Authors: Oosterveer Daniëlla M , van Meijeren-Pont Winke , van Markus-Doornbosch Frederike , Stegeman Etienne , Terwee Caroline B , Ribbers Gerard M , Vliet Vlieland Thea PM
Published: September 2023

Introduction

The International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurement (ICHOM) developed a standard set of patient-centered outcome measures for use in stroke patients. In addition to the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Global Health, it is comprised of 25 questions that are not part of a specific questionnaire. This study aimed to translate these 25 single questions into Dutch.

Methods

Two native Dutch-speaking translators independently translated the original ICHOM questions into Dutch. A consensus translation was made by these translators and a third person. This translation was subsequently translated back to English independently by two native English-speaking translators. Afterwards a pre-final version was made by consensus of a committee. After field-testing among 30 stroke patients, a final version was made.

Results

The forward and backward translations led to eight cross-cultural adaptations. Based on the interviews with stroke patients, 12 questions were changed to enhance comprehensibility leading to a final Dutch translation of the 25 single questions.

Conclusions

A Dutch translation of the 25 single questions of the ICHOM Standard Set for Stroke was developed. Now a complete ICHOM Standard Set for Stroke can be used in Dutch populations allowing comparison and improvement of stroke care.
Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in pregnancy: a case report
Authors: Cordivani Jonathan , Clotilde Lamy , Michel Boulvain , Catherine Riera
Published: September 2023

Background

Dyslipidemia and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease are well-known diseases and are part of a very broad spectrum evolving toward non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). This entity has not been described in pregnant women and could have obstetrical repercussions.

Case presentation

A 26-year-old woman with 28 + 5 weeks of pregnancy presented with preterm labor. At admission, a significant hepatic cytolysis was detected (AST/ALT 265/485 U/L—GGT/alkaline phosphatase 60/164 U/L). She had normal blood pressure and negative 24-h proteinuria. She did not have intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (bile acid at 7) and also no organic hepatic etiology (negative serologies and imaging). This cytolysis worsened until a more detailed history revealed a potential etiology: a diet very rich in sugars and fatty acids corresponding to a NASH syndrome. Dietary rebalancing improved the cytolysis. Complications such as intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy and preterm birth favored by significant dyslipidemia could not be avoided.

Conclusions

It is important to consider the lipid profile of our patients. This will allow for a more personalized follow-up given the possible obstetrical repercussions that can arise from this pathology. It should also be considered in the differential diagnosis of liver test alterations during pregnancy. A healthy diet seems to help control the disease.
XrvB regulates the type III secretion system by directly repressing hrpG transcription in Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzicola
Authors: Peng Jian-Ling , Shi Jia-Feng , Ma Zeng-Feng , Zhou Xiao-Long , Ye Wen-Xin , Su Qian , Zhu Gui-Ning , Tang Ji-Liang , Li Rui-Fang , Lu Guang-Tao
Published: September 2023

Xrv proteins are a group of regulators in Xanthomonas spp., belonging to the histone-like nucleoid-structuring (H-NS) proteins of Gram-negative bacteria. The rice bacterial leaf streak pathogen Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzicola (Xoc) harbors three Xrv proteins, the XrvA, XrvB, and XrvC. Here, we report that in Xoc, the XrvB but not XrvA and XrvC is involved in negative regulation of the type III secretion system (T3SS) encoded by hrp genes. As with other Xanthomonas spp., the T3SS is an essential virulence determinant of Xoc and the expression of the hrp genes in Xoc is controlled by the HrpG/HrpX regulatory cascade. HrpG positively regulates the expression of HrpX, which in turn activates the transcription of the hrp genes. We provide evidences to demonstrate that the XrvB binds to the promoter region of hrpG and represses its transcription. Furthermore, we found that XrvB production was induced in the Xoc cells cultured in a nutrient-rich medium compared to a hrp-inducing minimal medium. We also found that in Xoc, the hrpG expression level is inversely correlated with the content of XrvB, and XrvB occupancy at hrpG promoter region is positively correlated with XrvB levels. Our data suggest that XrvB is a determinative factor controlling the expression levels of HrpG. In addition, mutation analysis revealed that the Xoc XrvB also plays positive roles in regulating bacterial growth, cell motility, and stress tolerance. Our findings provide important insights into the molecular mechanism of T3SS expression regulation in Xoc.
Drug resistance and extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBLs) - producing Enterobacteriaceae, Acinetobacter and Pseudomonas species from the views of one-health approach in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Abayneh Mengistu , Zeynudin Ahmed , Tamrat Rahel , Tadesse Mulualem , Tamirat Abraham
Published: September 2023

Background

Although antimicrobial resistance (AMR) bacteria present a significant and ongoing public health challenge, its magnitude remains poorly understood, especially in many parts of the developing countries. Hence, this review was conducted to describe the current pooled prevalence of drug resistance, multidrug- resistance (MDR), and Extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae, Acinetobacter, and Pseudomonas species in humans, the environment, and animals or food of animal origin in Ethiopia.

Methods

PubMed, Google Scholar, and other sources were searched for relevant articles as per the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. A critical appraisal for screening, eligibility, and inclusion in the meta-analysis was made based on the Joanna Briggs Institute’s (JBI) essential appraisal tools. The meta-analysis was done on Statistical Software Package (STATA) version 17.0.

Results

A total of 33 research articles were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. Escherichia coli, Klebsiella species, Acinetobacter, and Pseudomonas species were the most frequently reported bacteria from two or more sources. More than 50% of Klebsiella species and 25% to 89% of Escherichia coli from two or more sources were resistant to all analysed antibiotics, except carbapenems. Fifty-five percent (55%) to 84% of Acinetobacter species and 33% to 79% of Pseudomonas species from human and environmental sources were resistant to all analyzed antibiotics. Carbapenem resistance was common in Acinetobacter and Pseudomonas species (38% to 64%) but uncommon in Enterobacteriaceae (19% to 44%). Acinetobacter species (92%), Klebsiella species (86%), and Pseudomonas species (79%) from human sources, and Proteus species (92%), and Acinetobacter species (83%), from environmental sources, were the common multidrug-resistant isolates. About 45% to 67% of E. coli, Klebsiella, Acinetobacter, and Pseudomonas species from human and environmental sources were ESBL producers.

Conclusion

Our review report concluded that there was a significant pooled prevalence of drug resistance, MDR, and ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae, Acinetobacter, and Pseudomonas species from two or more sources. Hence, our finding underlines the need for the implementation of integrated intervention approaches to address the gaps in reducing the emergence and spread of antibiotic- resistant bacteria.
Spatial distribution of Türkiye’s local Turkish coffee kinds
Authors: Demir Yeliz , Bertan Serkan
Published: September 2023

This research aims to determine the contents, cooking, and serving styles of local Turkish coffee kinds in Türkiye and to reveal their differences from traditional Turkish coffee. In addition, the distribution of local Turkish coffee kinds determined according to cities and regions was determined. Document analysis was applied to determine the features of local Turkish coffee kinds. In the document analysis, local Turkish coffee kinds are divided into three basic categories according to the codes of “coffee content,” “serving style,” “cooking method,” and “difference from traditional Turkish coffee.” Turkish coffee in the first category is prepared without using coffee powder, and local Turkish coffee kinds in the second category differ from traditional Turkish coffee with their features such as the coffee beans are roasted and ground, the presentation of the coffee, the degree of cooking, and the cooking method of the coffee. Different products (local products) are mixed into the coffees in the last local Turkish coffee category. Additionally, local Turkish coffees specific to cities were collected under the “city/region authenticity” code. Black Cumin Coffee, Mırra Coffee, Menengic Coffee, Kenger Coffee, Turkish coffee cooked in a cup, and Dibek Coffee are common local Turkish coffee kinds in some cities and regions.
Alignment analysis of teaching–learning-assessment within the classroom: how teachers implement project-based learning under the curriculum standards
Authors: Zhao Liu , Zhao Bo , Li Chunmi
Published: September 2023

This multi-case study examined the strengths and weaknesses of aligning teaching–learning-assessment of classroom project-based learning to curriculum standards and offered suggestions for teacher training and instructional improvement. The study constructed an alignment analysis framework for analyzing the cognitive dimension of classroom project-based learning and analyzed the situation of two junior high schools in Zhejiang Province using deductive and inductive content analysis. According to the results, the cognitive demands of classroom instruction activities and classroom assessments were much higher than those of teaching objectives and curriculum standards. Simultaneously, classroom instruction paid insufficient attention to engineering topics, and all instructional implementation elements exhibited content and cognitive deficiencies. The study suggests that teachers' dearth of engineering knowledge and the characteristics of project-based learning in the classroom are the primary reasons for the lack of alignment among three instructional implementation elements with curriculum standards. Similarly, it was discovered that classroom project-based learning has the characteristics of co-development of physical knowledge and engineering content and that future research can focus on developing more effective forms of classroom content organization and time distribution.
Outcome and prognostic factors of pediatric patients with Hodgkin lymphoma: a single-center experience
Authors: Ali Nesreen , Mansour Mohamed , Khalil Ehab , Ebeid Emad
Published: September 2023

Background

Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is a highly curable malignant tumor. Risk-adapted treatment for children with HL aims to maximize survival while minimizing toxicity. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the outcome and prognostic characteristics of Egyptian pediatric HL patients treated at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), Cairo University.

Methods

All newly diagnosed cases of classic HL treated between January 2016 and December 2018 were included in this study.

Results

The median age at initial presentation was 8 years in 69 eligible individuals, with a male-to-female ratio of 4.7:1. Eighteen percent of patients had an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) of more than 50, 42% had more than three lymph node (LN) group involvements, 18.8% had bulky disease, 52.2% were at an advanced stage, and 34% had B symptoms. Age  > 15 years, B symptoms,  > 3 LN group involvement, extra-nodal disease, and advanced stages significantly affected the overall survival rate (OS) (P-values = 0.03, 0.033, 0.008, 0.017, and 0.032). There was no statistically significant difference between patients who got combined modality therapy (CMT) and those who received chemotherapy alone (3-year OS and event-free survival (EFS) were 95.5% and 87.6% vs. 89.9% and 83.3%, P-values of 0.70 and 0.90). Patients with an interim-negative positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) had a 3-year OS of 94.7%, compared to 74.1% in patients with an interim-positive PET-CT (P = 0.06), suggesting that rapid early response (RER) is a significant prognostic factor. There was no statistically significant survival difference between patients with a negative interim PET-CT who got CMT and those who received chemotherapy alone (3-year OS and EFS: 100% and 88.2% vs. 95% and 90%; P = 0.35 and 0.70, respectively). Three-year OS was 93.3% and 100%, and EFS was 74.3% and 100% (P = 0.495 and 0.196%) for those who got 15 Gy versus those who received 20 Gy or more, respectively. At the end of the study, the OS and EFS at 3 years for the whole group were 91.9% and 83.6%.

Conclusion

Treatment with risk- and response-adaptive treatment should be the standard of care for treating pediatric patients with HL.
Correlation between serum uric acid and pulmonary arterial hypertension based on echo probability in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome
Authors: Sweed Rania Ahmad , Bedair Ghadeer Mostafa Mohamed , Shaban Ahmed Yousef , Shaarwy Hany Amin
Published: September 2023

Background

Obstructive sleep apnea–hypopnea syndrome is the most common form of SRBDs. Recurrent hypoxia, which accompanies OSAHS, increases the degradation of ATP, which in turn increase uric acid concentration that can be used as a biomarker of tissue hypoxia in OSAHS. There is still debate about whether OSAHS is an independent contributor to pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Aim of the work

This study aimed to correlate serum uric acid levels and PAH in OSAHS patients.

Methods

We enrolled 100 patients diagnosed with OSAHS using polysomnography. Patients were divided into three severity groups: mild OSA (5 ≤ AHI < 15), moderate OSA (15 ≤ AHI < 30), and severe (30 ≤ AHI < 60). Serum uric acid was measured the morning after polysomnography. All patients underwent standard echocardiograms, and pulmonary artery systolic pressure calculation was done.

Results

Among our studied patients (66% males, 34% females), the mean age was 53.04 ± 8.45 years. Six percent, 38%, and 56% were diagnosed as mild, moderate, and severe OSAHS, respectively. The mean AHI was 31.93 ± 11.78 event. Pulmonary HTN was detected in 78% of patients. Those with elevated uric acid levels represented 92.3% of patients versus 9.1% of patients without pulmonary HTN, p < 0.001. The level of serum uric acid positively correlated with pulmonary HTN level.

Conclusion

Pulmonary arterial pressure correlated positively with serum uric acid level. Both serum uric acid level and PAP positively correlated with the severity of OSA. Further confirmation with right heart catheterization is essential.

Trial registration

NCT05967754, on July 22, 2023 — retrospectively registered.
The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals: Darwin's forgotten masterpiece
Authors: Abed Riadh , St John-Smith Paul
Published: September 2023

The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals has been considered Charles Darwin's forgotten masterpiece and is his only book on psychology. It is also the first ever systematic application of Darwinian theory to the expression of emotions and has been considered by some to be the foundational text of evolutionary psychology. This article explores some key concepts in the book and gives reasons why both psychiatry and psychology can benefit greatly from becoming better acquainted with this work.
Autism care pathway in Europe
Authors: Mendez Maria A. , Oakley Bethany , Canitano Roberto , San José-Cáceres Antonia , Tinelli Michela , Knapp Martin , Cusack James , Parellada Mara , Violland Pierre , Derk Plas Jan R. , Canal-Bedia Ricardo , Bejarano-Martin Alvaro , Murphy Declan G.M. , Quoidbach Vinciane , Arango Celso
Published: September 2023

Background

Autism is a lifelong complex neurodevelopmental condition that affects brain development and behaviour with significant consequences for everyday life. Despite its personal, familial, and societal impact, Europe-wide harmonised guidelines are still lacking for early detection, diagnosis, and intervention, leading to an overall unsatisfactory autistic person and carer journey.

Methods

The care pathway for autistic children and adolescents was analysed in Italy, Spain and the UK from the perspective of carers (using a survey aimed at caregivers of autistic children 0–18 years old), the autistic community, and professionals in order to identify major barriers (treatment gaps) preventing carers from receiving information, support, and timely screening/diagnosis and intervention.

Results

Across all three countries, analysis of the current care pathway showed: long waits from the time carers raised their first concerns about a child’s development and/or behaviour until screening and confirmed diagnosis; delayed or no access to intervention once a diagnosis was confirmed; limited information about autism and how to access early detection services; and deficient support for families throughout the journey.

Conclusions

These findings call for policy harmonisation in Europe to shorten long wait times for diagnosis and intervention and therefore, improve autistic people and their families’ journey experience and quality of life.
Blackness Out of Place and In Between in the Sahara
Authors: Hagan Ampson
Published: September 2023

This chapter revolves around an ethnographic moment in which the police interrogated two unauthorized Liberian migrants in Niger and uses this moment to highlight how unauthorized Black African migrants in Niger escape police and surveillance and humanitarian aid. The conditions of being an unauthorized migrant, along with this practice of escaping the police who seek to deport migrants and the nongovernmental organizations that want to repatriate migrants as a form of aid, collectively produce a geographic and embodied space of the in-between. The geographies of the in-between represent the complexities of Black geographies when articulated through Black African migration within West Africa.
Formation of Novel Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds by Scholl Reactions of Di(1-anthryl) Ketones via Cyclization and Rearrangement
Authors: Toyota Shinji , Sekikawa Hiroshi , Fukuda Hiroki , Ikeda Hiroshi , Tsurumaki Eiji
Published: September 2023

The Scholl reactions of di(1-anthryl) ketones were performed with chloranil under an acidic condition. The reaction of the parent ketone gave a cyclized product containing a seven-membered ring, which was enantiomerically separable. In contrast, the reaction of 4-(mesityloxy)-1-anthryl derivative mainly afforded an unexpected polycyclic aromatic ketone consisting of eight six-membered rings via skeletal rearrangement. The structure and properties of these products and the reaction mechanism are reported.
Effect of nickel ions on ecotoxicological responses of the great ramshorn Planorbarius corneus allospecies (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Pulmonata: Planorbidae) of the Ukrainian river network
Authors: Uvayeva Olena , Ikonnikova Yuliia , Stadnychenko Agnessa
Published: September 2023

This ecotoxicological study analyzed the impact of Ni2+ ions in different concentrations on the ecotoxicological and physiological features of the western and eastern vicariant allospecies of the great ramshorn superspecies Planorbarius corneus (Linnaeus, 1758) sensu lato in Ukrainian populations from rivers in two different nature-geographic zones: Forest (Polissia) and Forest-Steppe. The two allospecies differed from each other significantly (p≤0.05–0.001) in their responses to the main ecotoxicological indexes (LC0, LC50, LC100) in terms of the duration of the latent period, lethal time and mortality rate. By all these indices, the western allospecies had significantly more tolerance than the eastern allospecies. The same was true also for respiratory responses. Under the MPC (maximum permissible concentration) of Ni2+ ions in the environment, no changes were registered compared to the control. Increase in toxicant concentration up to 2 MPC was followed by increase in the rate, number, volume and duration of inspirations. At 3 MPC of Ni2+, however, the indices of direct diffusive respiration progressively decreased. In all measures, the western allospecies appeared better able to adjust to, and to survive increasing concentrations of Ni2+ than that from the east.
Relationship of Emotional Intelligence with academic scores and gender in students of Masters in Health Professions Education (MHPE) at a Public Sector University
Authors: Fatima Afzal , Ali Syeda Kauser
Published: September 2023

Objective: To determine the correlation between Emotional Intelligence (EI) scores and academic scores and identify other factors that have a relationship with EI.

Methods: Cross-sectional analytical study was conducted in the year 2021 on 52 students enrolled in three batches of the MHPE program of a public sector university in Karachi. Data was collected by using Sterrett’s Emotional Quotient Self-Assessment Checklist along with a self-constructed form for obtaining demographic profile information. Descriptive analysis was done by calculating percentage, mean and standard deviation. The correlation was done by using Spearman rho and association was tested by Chi-square.

Results: Data from forty-one participants showed that the majority need to improve their EI. Females and married participants had higher EI scores. There was a significant positive correlation between EI scores and academic performance but no significant association was found between EI and gender of the participants.

Conclusion: The study showed that EI competencies have a strong positive correlation with the academic performance of MHPE students. Hence, it emphasizes the need for including development of EI in the outcomes and curricula of the existing MHPE program.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.6.7399

How to cite this: Fatima A, Ali SK. Relationship of Emotional Intelligence with academic scores and gender in students of Masters in Health Professions Education (MHPE) at a Public Sector University. Pak J Med Sci. 2023;39(6):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.6.7399

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
The potential of peritoneal dialysis as a cost-effective and sustainable treatment option for chronic kidney disease: A perspective from a resource-limited country like Pakistan
Authors: Rahima Azam  , Maryam Raza
Published: September 2023

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.6.8560

How to cite this: Azam R, Raza M. The potential of peritoneal dialysis as a cost-effective and sustainable treatment option for chronic kidney disease: a perspective from a resource-limited country like Pakistan. Pak J Med Sci. 2023;39(6):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.6.8560
Εκπαιδευτικές προσεγγίσεις της έννοιας του όγκου με την παραδοσιακή μέθοδο διδασκαλίας της γεωμετρίας και με τη βοήθεια των ΤΠΕ για μαθητές γυμνασίου
Authors: Νικολόπουλος Ιωάννης
Published: September 2023

Η παρούσα διατριβή ασχολήθηκε με την κατάλληλη διδακτική για τη Μάθηση του «Όγκου των Στερεών». Υπήρξε έντονος προβληματισμός, εφόσον στη μακρόχρονη διδακτική μας εμπειρία, παρατηρήθηκε μεγάλη δυσκολία των παιδιών που αποφοιτούν από το Γυμνάσιο, να εξηγήσουν/διατυπώσουν με απλά λόγια την Έννοια του Όγκου και να υπολογίσουν τους Όγκους στα Στερεά, εντούτοις αναγνώριζαν σε ικανοποιητικό επίπεδο τα εν λόγω Στερεά αφού τα ζουν καθημερινά. Ο «Όγκος των Στερεών» είτε ως έννοια είτε ως υπολογισμός, απασχόλησε την ανθρωπότητα από την αρχαιότητα. Οι πληροφορίες που έχουμε από τα Στοιχεία του Ευκλείδη αναφέρουν ότι η κορύφωση της ανάπτυξης της Γεωμετρίας του Χώρου πραγματοποιήθηκε την εποχή της μεγαλοφυΐας του Αρχιμήδη και των αξεπέραστων μεθόδων που εφάρμοσε για τον υπολογισμό εμβαδών και όγκων. Εφαρμόστηκε μια μικτή μέθοδος που συνδύασε την Παραδοσιακή Διδασκαλία με τις ΤΠΕ, αξιοποιήθηκαν τα κοινά σημεία από τις Θεωρίες των Παιδαγωγών: Piaget, Vygotsky, Bandura και Pierre van Hiele και η Νευροεπιστήμη της Εκπαίδευσης. Τα αποτελέσματα υποδεικνύουν πως οι μαθητές του γυμνασίου κατανοούν καλύτερα τις γεωμετρικές έννοιες, ύστερα από τον συνδυασμό της παραδοσιακής διδασκαλίας και των εκπαιδευτικών λογισμικών. Εικάζεται ότι, διδακτική επιτυχία, αποτελεί, η εφαρμογή των λογισμικών δομών GeoGebra στις σχολικές τάξεις στο μάθημα της Πληροφορικής.