bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cumulative ecological risk and cyberbullying among college students: a chain mediation model
Authors: Miao Ruikai , Li Zhuoyang
Published: February 2024

Introduction

Cyberbullying among college students has been receiving increased research attention. Previous studies have focused primarily on the impact of a single risk factor on cyberbullying among college students. However, individual behavior is influenced by multiple ecosystems simultaneously, including family, school, and peers. To explore the effects of a single risk factor alone is not in line with the reality of everyday life, and the effect of the single risk factor can often be overestimated. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the impact of multiple risk factors, namely cumulative ecological risk, on cyberbullying, while analyzing the mediating roles of belief in a just world and moral disengagement.

Methods

A survey was conducted among 805 college students from two universities in Hebei Province, China, using the cumulative ecological risk questionnaire, the cyberbullying scale, the belief in a just world scale, and the moral disengagement scale.

Results

The results showed that: (a) Cumulative ecological risk was positively correlated with moral disengagement and cyberbullying, and negatively correlated with belief in a just world. Belief in a just world was negatively correlated with moral disengagement and cyberbullying. Moral disengagement was positively correlated with cyberbullying; (b) Belief in a just world partially mediated the relationship between cumulative ecological risk and cyberbullying; (c) Moral disengagement partially mediated the relationship between cumulative ecological risk and cyberbullying; (d) Belief in a just world and moral disengagement played a chain mediating role between cumulative ecological risk and college students’ cyberbullying.

Discussion

This study provides valuable insight for the reduction of cyberbullying behavior among college students, and offers suggestions on how to create a more favorable online environment.
Effects of chronic home radon exposure on cognitive, behavioral, and mental health in developing children and adolescents
Authors: Taylor Brittany K. , Pulliam Haley , Smith OgheneTejiri V. , Rice Danielle L. , Johnson Hallie J. , Coutant Anna T. , Glesinger Ryan , Wilson Tony W.
Published: February 2024

Introduction

It is well-established that chronic exposure to environmental toxins can have adverse effects on neuropsychological health, particularly in developing youths. However, home radon, a ubiquitous radiotoxin, has been seldom studied in this context. In the present study, we investigated the degree to which chronic everyday home radon exposure was associated with alterations in transdiagnostic mental health outcomes.

Methods

A total of 59 children and adolescents ages 6- to 14-years-old (M = 10.47 years, SD = 2.58; 28 males) completed the study. Parents completed questionnaires detailing aspects of attention and executive function. We used a principal components analysis to derive three domains of neuropsychological functioning: 1) task-based executive function skills, 2) self-and emotion-regulation abilities, and 3) inhibitory control. Additionally, parents completed a home radon test kit and provided information on how long their child had lived in the tested home. We computed a radon exposure index per person based on the duration of time that the child had lived in the home and their measured home radon concentration. Youths were divided into terciles based on their radon exposure index score. Using a MANCOVA design, we determined whether there were differences in neuropsychological domain scores across the three groups, controlling for age, sex, and socioeconomic status.

Results

There was a significant multivariate effect of radon group on neuropsychological dysfunction (λ = 0.77, F = 2.32, p = 0.038, ηp2 = 0.12). Examination of univariate effects revealed specific increases in self-and emotion-regulation dysfunction among the youths with the greatest degree of chronic home radon exposure (F = 7.21, p = 0.002, ηp2 = 0.21). There were no significant differences by group in the other tested domains.

Discussion

The data suggest potential specificity in the neurotoxic effects of everyday home radon exposure in developing youths, with significant aberrations in self-and emotion-regulation faculties. These findings support the need for better public awareness and public health policy surrounding home radon safety and mitigation strategies.
Designing stepping-stones landscapes: a 2D perspective does not lead to more standardization than an in-situ perspective
Authors: Jeschke Amy M. , Caljouw Simone R. , Zaal Frank T. J. M. , Withagen Rob
Published: February 2024

Previous research found that when participants across the lifespan could be the architect of their own stepping-stones landscapes, they create nonstandardized configurations with gap-width variation. Yet, architects often use standardized dimensions in their designs for playgrounds and outdoor fitness areas. To scrutinize why architects tend to seek for more standardized designs than the examined target users, we tested the hypothesis that the difference is caused by a different perspective during the making process. After all, landscape architects generally design on 2D maps, while the participants designed in situ. We asked 67 participants to design a stepping-stones landscape on a 2D map and 67 other participants to create the landscape in situ. Contrary to our expectations, we found no indications that designing on a 2D map leads to more standardized configurations. We end with discussing other characteristics of the design processes that could potentially explain the omnipresent standardization in design.
Relationship between workplace violence and mental/physical health of security guards during the COVID-19 pandemic in Taiwan
Authors: Lee Ying-Han , Wu Yun-Hsuan , Chen Chiu-Ying , Chiao-Tzu Lee Patricia , Lin Tzu-Hsien , Lai Chane-Yu
Published: February 2024

Objectives

To investigate the relationship between workplace violence (WPV) and mental and physical health (MPH) of security guards during the COVID-19 pandemic in Taiwan.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 15 representative security companies across northern, central, and southern Taiwan, and outlying islands from July 2021 to June 2022 during the COVID-19 pandemic. 1,200 questionnaires were distributed. A total of 1,032 valid questionnaires were collected.

Results

13.18% of the participants reported that they had experienced WPV during the COVID-19 pandemic, including physical violence (PhV), psychological violence (PsV), verbal violence (VV), and sexual harassment (SH). The most common violence was VV (54.19%), followed by PsV (20.69%). Community residents and property owners were the primary perpetrators, followed by strangers. The study showed that the security guards who had experienced WPV had higher scores on the 12-item Chinese Health Questionnaire (Taiwan version) (CHQ-12), indicating poorer MPH than those who had never experienced WPV. The result showed that VV had strong correlations with the lack of effective communication, dissatisfaction with treatment and service attitude, and work stress. PsV was strongly associated with excessive waiting times.

Conclusion

There were correlations among PhV, VV, and PsV and they had adverse impacts on MPH, except for SH. The study found that the primary perpetrators of WPV against security guards were community residents and property owners. The causes were the lack of effective communication, dissatisfaction with treatment and service attitude, excessive waiting times, and work stress, which further led to turnover intention and poor MPH. The findings of this study have useful implications and it is recommended to enhance the understanding of workplace violence against security guards and to formulate appropriate local and international strategies to address it.
Influences of communication ability, organizational intimacy, and trust among colleagues on job satisfaction of nurses in comprehensive nursing care service units
Authors: Hahm Sue Young , Gu Minkyung , Sok Sohyune
Published: February 2024

Background

Communication abilities, organizational intimacy, trust among colleagues, and job satisfaction of nurses in comprehensive nursing care service units are emphasized more than any other ward, and research on this is necessary.

Objective

The study was to examine the influences of communication ability, organizational intimacy, and trust among colleagues on the job satisfaction of nurses in the comprehensive nursing care service units.

Methods

This study used a cross-sectional descriptive design. The participants were 155 nurses caring for patients in the comprehensive nursing care service units in Seoul. Measures included the general characteristics of study participants, communication ability, organizational intimacy, trust among colleagues, and job satisfaction. The data were analyzed using the SPSS/WIN version 27.0 program. The data collection period was from August to September 2022.

Results

Factors influencing the job satisfaction of nurses at the comprehensive nursing care service units were organizational intimacy (β = 0.36), communication abilities (β = 0.26), trust among colleagues (β = 0.22), and the average number of patients assigned to a nurse (β = −0.19), which explained 67% of the variance.

Conclusions

Organizational intimacy was the greatest factor influencing the job satisfaction of nurses in the comprehensive nursing care service units. To increase the job satisfaction of ward nurses working in the comprehensive nursing care service, securing manpower is required, and it is necessary to provide effective nursing care with an average number of patients of 5 or less. In particular, a systematic job training program is needed to increase organizational intimacy among team nurses.
Attention-based speech feature transfer between speakers
Authors: Lee Hangbok , Cho Minjae , Kwon Hyuk-Yoon
Published: February 2024

In this study, we propose a simple yet effective method for incorporating the source speaker's characteristics in the target speaker's speech. This allows our model to generate the speech of the target speaker with the style of the source speaker. To achieve this, we focus on the attention model within the speech synthesis model, which learns various speaker features such as spectrogram, pitch, intensity, formant, pulse, and voice breaks. The model is trained separately using datasets specific to the source and target speakers. Subsequently, we replace the attention weights learned from the source speaker's dataset with the attention weights from the target speaker's model. Finally, by providing new input texts to the target model, we generate the speech of the target speaker with the styles of the source speaker. We validate the effectiveness of our model through similarity analysis utilizing five evaluation metrics and showcase real-world examples.
Performance management of generalist care for hospitalised multimorbid patients—a scoping review for value-based care
Authors: Khoo Jia En Joy , Lim Cher Wee , Lai Yi Feng
Published: February 2024

Objectives

Given the shift towards value-based healthcare and the increasing recognition of generalist care, enacting value-based healthcare for generalist care is critical. This work aims to shed light on how to conduct performance management of generalist care to facilitate value-based care, with a focus on medical care of hospitalised patients.

Design and setting

A scoping review of published literature was conducted. 30 publications which were relevant to performance management of generalist medical inpatient care were included in the review.

Outcome measures

The performance measures used across the studies were analysed and other qualitative findings were also obtained.

Results

We report an overall lack of research on performance management methods for generalist inpatient care. Relevant performance measures found include both outcome and process of care measures and both clinical and reported measures, with clinical outcome measures the most frequently reported. Length of stay, readmission rates and mortality were the most frequently reported. The insights from the papers emphasise the relevance of process of care measures for performance management, the advantages and disadvantages of types of measures and provide suggestions relevant for performance management of generalist inpatient care.

Conclusion

The findings of this scoping review outline a variety of performance measures valuable for generalist inpatient care including clinical outcome measures, reported outcome measures and process of care measures. The findings also suggest directions for implementation of such performance management, including emphasis on physician level performance management and the importance of documentation training. Further research for selecting and operationalising the measures for specific contexts and developing a comprehensive performance management system involving these measures will be important for achieving value-based healthcare for generalist inpatient care.
Overcoming barriers to prostate cancer care in the Philippines
Authors: Vergara Thomas Vincent , Magsanoc Juan Martin , Mendoza Marvin Jonne , Cornelio Gerardo Tomas , De Guzman Rudolfo , Magsanoc Nikko , Serrano Dennis
Published: February 2024

Prostate cancer (PCa) is a health concern affecting millions of men globally, with a concerning rise in incidence in the Philippines, a country that faces a complex set of barriers to equitable access to quality PCa care. In this article, we describe the unique geographic, economic, socio-cultural, and political factors that influence access to screening, diagnosis, treatment, and supportive services in the country, and explore avenues for development. The country lacks a nationwide PCa registry to inform resource allocation and guide PCa cancer care programs and policy. Misconceptions, cultural barriers and negative attitudes about PCa among Filipino men adversely influence health-seeking behavior. Inadequate insurance coverage, and high out-of-pocket costs obstruct access to essential care. Geographic and political factors contribute to the uneven distribution of healthcare resources needed for comprehensive PCa care, including access to medical specialists, essential medicines, and surgical and radiotherapeutic equipment. Overcoming these challenges requires a collaborative effort encompassing robust data collection, awareness campaigns to reshape societal norms, policy and economic reforms, infrastructure improvements, and enhanced collaboration among healthcare professionals to provide evidence-based care. Addressing these issues holistically can pave the way to better outcomes and improved quality of life for Filipino men with this life-altering disease.
Innovative approach: utilizing silver nanoparticles sheet for improved rabbit cecal anastomosis healing
Authors: Almohamad Zakriya , Fahmy Reham , Farag Amany , Abdellatif Ahmed , Mossallem Wael , Abdallah Abdelnaser A. , Abass Marwa
Published: February 2024

Introduction

Anastomotic leakage is a severe complication associated with gastrointestinal surgery. The process of intestinal wound healing is crucial for the successful outcome of digestive tract surgical repair procedures. This research aimed to determine the impact of silver nanoparticles sheet (Acticoat) on the anastomotic healing of the cecum in rabbits.

Methods

A total of 48 New Zealand male rabbits in good health were used for cecum transection and anastomosis. The animals were randomized into the control group (C) and the silver nanoparticles group (AgNPs). In the C group, the transected cecum was end-to-end anastomosed with a single layer of simple continuous suture pattern using 3–0 polyglyconate. In contrast, a silver nanoparticle sheet (Acticoat) was covered around the sutured anastomotic line in the AgNPs group. Postoperatively, abdominal ultrasound imaging and the Bristol Rabbit Pain Score (BRPS) were measured on days 7, 15, and 30. Eight rabbits from each group were euthanized at each time point to assess macroscopic findings, bursting pressure tests, tensile strength tests, histopathological examinations, and immunohistochemical analyses.

Results

The AgNPs group demonstrated a significant increase in the cecal lumen diameter wall (p ≤ 0.001), burst pressure measurement (p ≤ 0.02), and tensile strength (p ≤ 0.01). Conversely, the AgNPs group had significantly lower BRPS scores (p ≤ 0.01). In addition, histopathological examinations revealed that AgNPs significantly reduced inflammatory cell infiltration (neutrophils and macrophages) and enhanced collagen deposition. Immunohistochemical analyses revealed a significant increase (p ≤ 0.01) of α-SMA and a reduction of CD31 in the anastomotic tissue of the AgNPs group.

Discussion

The results of the present study indicate that the utilization of the AgNPs sheet (Acticoat®) effectively enhanced the strength of cecum anastomosis, resulting in a reduction in anastomosis leakages, pain scores, and abdominal adhesions. Additionally, the bursting pressure values in the rabbit model were significantly increased.
Evaluation of the Periotest Device as an Objective Measuring Tool for Tooth Mobility—A Clinical Evaluation Study
Authors: Gerasimidou Olga , Watson Timothy F. , Millar Brian J.
Published: February 2024

Objective: The aim of this study was to allow researchers to evaluate the Periotest device as a reproducible tool that can be trusted to carry out accurately reproducible and comparable tooth mobility readings. Methods: A reproducibility test was initially conducted taking Periotest recordings for #16 every 10 min with 1 min intervals. Each time, three readings were recorded, and the average of the three was noted. This was followed by recordings for three different subject groups varying in age that were seen three times in 4 weeks, with 2-week intervals between each appointment; recordings were taken of #11, #13 and #16. Nonparametric analysis using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test was carried out. Results: For the reproducibility test, the values of all three readings for each recording session were either exactly the same or differed by up to ±2 Periotest value units. p-value results in the three patient groups showed no significant difference in Periotest values between appointments, with the minor exception of #16 in all three groups, but this was well within the limits of error of the device. Conclusions: Analysis of the Periotest readings in this study indicates that positive (higher) Periotest values correspond to increased tooth mobility.
Damage Characteristics and Dynamic Response of RC Shells Subjected to Underwater Shock Wave
Authors: Lin Fantong , Zhou Xianxiang , Zhao Jian , Xiao Lan , Tang Lubo , Liu Ziye , Wang Jianshuai
Published: February 2024

Underwater bottom-sitting shell structures face threats from underwater explosion shock waves. To investigate the damage characteristics and dynamic response of bottom-sitting shell structures under underwater explosion shock waves, three-dimensional numerical models of semi-spherical and semi-cylindrical bottom-sitting reinforced concrete (RC) shells under underwater shock waves were established based on the Arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian (ALE) algorithm using LS-DYNA software. The influences of the shock wave transmission medium, explosive equivalent, explosive distance, hydrostatic pressure, and reinforcement on the damage characteristics and dynamic response of semi-spherical and semi-cylindrical bottom-sitting RC shell structures were studied. The results indicated that the damage and center vertical deformation of RC shells under underwater shock waves are significantly greater than those under air shock waves. With an increase in explosive equivalent or decrease in explosive distance, the damage and center vertical deformation of RC shells are increased. The damage to the inner surface of RC shells is more severe than the outer surface. The damage and center vertical deformation of RC shells can be reduced by bottom reinforcement and an increase in the diameter of the steel bar. The ‘hoop effect’ caused by hydrostatic pressure restrains the horizontal convex deformation and slightly decreases the macroscopic damage and vertical center deformation of the semi-spherical RC shell with an increase in hydrostatic pressure within the range of 0–2.0092 MPa. The hydrostatic pressure restrains the horizontal convex deformation of the semi-cylindrical RC shell. However, inward concave deformation of the shell center is increased by hydrostatic pressure, inducing an increase in the damage to and center vertical deformation of the semi-cylindrical RC shell. These findings may offer a reference for the construction and design of protective measures for underwater bottom-sitting shell structures.
Exploring Electrospun Scaffold Innovations in Cardiovascular Therapy: A Review of Electrospinning in Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Broadwin Mark , Imarhia Frances , Oh Amy , Stone Christopher R. , Sellke Frank W. , Bhowmick Sankha , Abid M. Ruhul
Published: February 2024

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of mortality worldwide. In particular, patients who suffer from ischemic heart disease (IHD) that is not amenable to surgical or percutaneous revascularization techniques have limited treatment options. Furthermore, after revascularization is successfully implemented, there are a number of pathophysiological changes to the myocardium, including but not limited to ischemia-reperfusion injury, necrosis, altered inflammation, tissue remodeling, and dyskinetic wall motion. Electrospinning, a nanofiber scaffold fabrication technique, has recently emerged as an attractive option as a potential therapeutic platform for the treatment of cardiovascular disease. Electrospun scaffolds made of biocompatible materials have the ability to mimic the native extracellular matrix and are compatible with drug delivery. These inherent properties, combined with ease of customization and a low cost of production, have made electrospun scaffolds an active area of research for the treatment of cardiovascular disease. In this review, we aim to discuss the current state of electrospinning from the fundamentals of scaffold creation to the current role of electrospun materials as both bioengineered extracellular matrices and drug delivery vehicles in the treatment of CVD, with a special emphasis on the potential clinical applications in myocardial ischemia.
Principled Limitations on Self-Representation for Generic Physical Systems
Authors: Fields Chris , Glazebrook James F. , Levin Michael
Published: February 2024

The ideas of self-observation and self-representation, and the concomitant idea of self-control, pervade both the cognitive and life sciences, arising in domains as diverse as immunology and robotics. Here, we ask in a very general way whether, and to what extent, these ideas make sense. Using a generic model of physical interactions, we prove a theorem and several corollaries that severely restrict applicable notions of self-observation, self-representation, and self-control. We show, in particular, that adding observational, representational, or control capabilities to a meta-level component of a system cannot, even in principle, lead to a complete meta-level representation of the system as a whole. We conclude that self-representation can at best be heuristic, and that self models cannot, in general, be empirically tested by the systems that implement them.
Hierarchical Cache-Aided Networks for Linear Function Retrieval
Authors: Zhang Lingyu , Kong Yun , Wu Youlong , Cheng Minquan
Published: February 2024

In a hierarchical caching system, a server is connected to multiple mirrors, each of which is connected to a different set of users, and both the mirrors and the users are equipped with caching memories. All the existing schemes focus on single file retrieval, i.e., each user requests one file. In this paper, we consider the linear function retrieval problem, i.e., each user requests a linear combination of files, which includes single file retrieval as a special case. We propose a new scheme that reduces the transmission load of the first hop by jointly utilizing the two layers’ cache memories, and we show that our scheme achieves the optimal load for the second hop in some cases.
Extended Hellwig’s Method Utilizing Entropy-Based Weights and Mahalanobis Distance: Applications in Evaluating Sustainable Development in the Education Area
Authors: Roszkowska Ewa , Filipowicz-Chomko Marzena , Łyczkowska-Hanćkowiak Anna , Majewska Elżbieta
Published: February 2024

One of the crucial steps in the multi-criteria decision analysis involves establishing the importance of criteria and determining the relationship between them. This paper proposes an extended Hellwig’s method (H_EM) that utilizes entropy-based weights and Mahalanobis distance to address this issue. By incorporating the concept of entropy, weights are determined based on their information content represented by the matrix data. The Mahalanobis distance is employed to address interdependencies among criteria, contributing to the improved performance of the proposed framework. To illustrate the relevance and effectiveness of the extended H_EM method, this study utilizes it to assess the progress toward achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 of the 2030 Agenda within the European Union countries for education in the year 2021. Performance comparison is conducted between results obtained by the extended Hellwig’s method and its other variants. The results reveal a significant impact on the ranking of the EU countries in the education area, depending on the choice of distance measure (Euclidean or Mahalanobis) and the system of weights (equal or entropy-based). Overall, this study highlights the potential of the proposed method in addressing complex decision-making scenarios with interdependent criteria.
Effects of an Exhaust System Equipped with a Thermoelectric Generator on Combustion, Performance, Emissions, and Energy Recovery in a Diesel Engine Using Biodiesel
Authors: Karabulut Murat , Sayın Cenk , Erdoğan Sinan
Published: February 2024

The predominance of petroleum-based fuels is lessened by the preference for biodiesel as an alternative. However, one of the adverse effects arising from the use of biodiesel is the formation of waste heat. The novel aspect of this study proposes a sustainable solution that will decelerate global warming by recovering waste heat through a new exhaust design equipped with thermoelectric generators. The study obtained test fuels by blending vegetable-derived biodiesel in five different volumetric ratios (0, 10%, 20%, 50%, and 100%). The experiments were carried out at three different constant engine speeds (1000, 1250, and 1500 RPM) and five different engine loads (25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%) on a single-cylinder diesel engine. At the end of the experiment, the combustion characteristics, engine performance, exhaust emissions, waste heat values, and electrical energy gained from the thermoelectric system of biodiesel blend fuels compared to diesel were evaluated. Specific fuel consumption, effective efficiency, exhaust gas temperatures, exhaust emissions, and electrical power generation with TEG in the diesel engine were evaluated, focusing on the different biodiesel blend ratios, engine load, and engine speeds.
Cogging Torque Reduction Techniques in Axial Flux Permanent Magnet Machines: A Review
Authors: Pranjić Franjo , Virtič Peter
Published: February 2024

Axial flux permanent magnet machines have garnered significant attention in recent years due to their numerous advantages in various applications, including electric vehicles, wind turbines, and robotics. However, one of the critical challenges associated with these machines is the presence of cogging torque, which can hinder their efficiency and performance. This review article provides a comprehensive overview of the state-of-the-art techniques employed for cogging torque reduction in Axial Flux Permanent Magnet Machines. Different techniques are described, encompassing geometric optimization, magnet placement, and skewing methods. Firstly, the significance of Axial Flux Permanent Magnet Machines is described, as well as the issue of the cogging torque. In the methods section, a review of the strategies for the reduction of cogging torque is described from various articles, and finally, in the discussion section, a list of actions is presented for cogging torque reduction for different topologies. The novelty of the study is that it combines strategies for cogging torque reduction in a single article.
Low-Voltage Distribution Network Loss-Reduction Method Based on Load-Timing Characteristics and Adjustment Capabilities
Authors: Huangfu Cheng , Wang Erwei , Yi Ting , Qin Liang
Published: February 2024

The primary contributors to elevated line losses in low-voltage distribution networks are three-phase load imbalances and variations in load peak–valley differentials. The conventional manual phase sequence adjustment fails to capitalize on the temporal characteristics of the load, and the proliferation of smart homes has opened up new scheduling possibilities for managing the load. Consequently, this paper introduces a loss-reduction method for low-voltage distribution networks that leverages load-timing characteristics and adjustment capabilities. This method combines dynamic and static methods to reduce energy consumption from different time scales. To commence, this paper introduced a hierarchical fuzzy C-means algorithm (H-FCM), taking into account the distance and similarity of load curves. Subsequently, a phase sequence adjustment method, grounded in load-timing characteristics, was developed. The typical user load curve, derived from the classification of user loads, serves as the foundation for constructing a long-term commutation model, therefore mitigating the impact of load fluctuations on artificial commutation. Following this, this paper addressed the interruptible and transferable characteristics of various smart homes. This paper proposed a multi-objective transferable load (TL) optimal timing task adjustment model and a peak-shaving control strategy specifically designed for maximum sustainable power reduction of temperature-controlled loads (TCL). These strategies aim to achieve real-time load adjustment, correct static commutation errors, and reduce peak-to-valley differences. Finally, a simulation verification model was established in MATLAB (R2022a). The results show that the proposed method mainly solves the problems of three-phase imbalance and large load peak–valley difference in low-voltage distribution networks and reduces the line loss of low-voltage distribution networks through manual commutation and load adjustment.
Importance of Utilizing Non-Communicable Disease Screening Tools; Ward-Based Community Health Care Workers of South Africa Explain
Authors: Malau Elelwani , Ramavhoya Irene Thifhelimbilu , Rasweswe Melitah Molatelo
Published: February 2024

The screening of patients in the community is important and is a commonly used indicator to detect, prevent, and treat abnormal health changes. As such, the South African Department of Health following the initiative of the World Health Organization has appointed ward-based community health care workers through a primary health care reengineering program. The main objective of their appointment was to screen household members to reduce the burden of diseases such as diabetes mellitus and hypertension. As such, the study investigated the importance of using non-communicable disease screening tools by ward-based community health care workers in South Africa. A qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive design was used. A non-probability purposive sampling method was used to select forty participants from primary health care facilities. Four focus group discussions were held with ten participants in each group. Semi-structured focus group discussions were held with participants in their workplaces. Content data analysis was applied to come up with one theme and six subthemes. The study findings revealed that the use of screening tools facilitated comprehensive household assessments, helped identify risk factors and symptoms, and facilitated health education and patient referrals. The continuous supply of screening tools and updates on their use was recommended to reduce the rate and burden caused by non-communicable diseases to society at large.
Maternal Depressive Symptoms in the First Year after Childbirth Predict Long-Term Developmental Risks in Sons and Daughters
Authors: Pagani Linda S. , Harandian Kianoush , Necsa Beatrice , Harbec Marie-Josée , Tarabulsy George M.
Published: February 2024

Under-diagnosed and thus under-treated, maternal depression remains the most common complication of childbearing. Varying symptoms suggest persistence up to more than a decade following childbirth. This implies distinct vulnerabilities for the physical and emotional care of children. Using a prospective-longitudinal sex-stratified birth cohort of 2120 infants, we examined the relationship between early maternal depression symptoms and subsequent child psycho-social and relational characteristics. Mothers self-reported the severity and frequency of depressive symptoms 5 months after childbirth. Parents, teachers, and target participants reported on child mental health and relationships with adults, from kindergarten to tenth grade. A series of least-squares regressions were estimated, while controlling for pre-existing/concurrent child and family confounds. Both sons and daughters of mothers with more depressive symptoms were at risk of experiencing greater psycho-social impairment, classroom rule defiance, difficult relationships with teachers, less enjoyable mealtimes (age 6 years) and sleep, and coercive or inconsistent parenting practices in childhood and adolescence. For boys, these prospective associations were mostly consistent through ages 12 and 15 years. Girls also experienced more problematic interactions through to age 15 years. This study provides observations of distinct long-term vulnerabilities for sons and daughters in association with early maternal distress at important transitional periods of development in early, middle, and later childhood.
Salivary Biomarkers for Oral Cancer Detection: An Exploratory Systematic Review
Authors: Bastías Daniel , Maturana Alejandro , Marín Constanza , Martínez René , Niklander Sven Eric
Published: February 2024

Different efforts have been made to find better and less invasive methods for the diagnosis and prediction of oral cancer, such as the study of saliva as a source of biomarkers. The aim of this study was to perform a scoping review about salivary molecules that have been assessed as possible biomarkers for the diagnosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). A search was conducted using EBSCO, PubMed (MEDLINE), Scopus, and Web of Science. The research question was as follows: which molecules present in saliva have utility to be used as biomarkers for the early detection of oral cancer? Sixty-two studies were included. Over 100 molecules were assessed. Most of the markers were oriented towards the early diagnosis of OSCC and were classified based on their ability for detecting OSCC and oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs), OSCC outcome prediction, and the prediction of the malignant transformation of OPMDs. TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 IL-8, LDH, and MMP-9 were the most studied, with almost all studies reporting high sensitivity and specificity values. TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 IL-8, LDH, and MMP-9 are the most promising salivary biomarkers. However, more studies with larger cohorts are needed before translating the use of these biomarkers to clinical settings.
H9N2 Avian Influenza Virus Downregulates FcRY Expression in Chicken Macrophage Cell Line HD11 by Activating the JNK MAPK Pathway
Authors: Sun Zhijian , Zhang Wenjie , Li Jian , Yang Kang , Zhang Yanhao , Li Zili
Published: February 2024

The H9N2 avian influenza virus causes reduced production performance and immunosuppression in chickens. The chicken yolk sac immunoglobulins (IgY) receptor (FcRY) transports from the yolk into the embryo, providing offspring with passive immunity to infection against common poultry pathogens. FcRY is expressed in many tissues/organs of the chicken; however, there are no reports investigating FcRY expression in chicken macrophage cells, and how H9N2-infected HD11 cells (a chicken macrophage-like cell line) regulate FcRY expression remains uninvestigated. This study used the H9N2 virus as a model pathogen to explore the regulation of FcRY expression in avian macrophages. FcRY was highly expressed in HD11 cells, as shown by reverse transcription polymerase chain reactions, and indirect immunofluorescence indicated that FcRY was widely expressed in HD11 cells. HD11 cells infected with live H9N2 virus exhibited downregulated FcRY expression. Transfection of eukaryotic expression plasmids encoding each viral protein of H9N2 into HD11 cells revealed that nonstructural protein (NS1) and matrix protein (M1) downregulated FcRY expression. In addition, the use of a c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activator inhibited the expression of FcRY, while a JNK inhibitor antagonized the downregulation of FcRY expression by live H9N2 virus, NS1 and M1 proteins. Finally, a dual luciferase reporter system showed that both the M1 protein and the transcription factor c-jun inhibited FcRY expression at the transcriptional level. Taken together, the transcription factor c-jun was a negative regulator of FcRY, while the live H9N2 virus, NS1, and M1 proteins downregulated the FcRY expression through activating the JNK signaling pathway. This provides an experimental basis for a novel mechanism of immunosuppression in the H9N2 avian influenza virus.
Application of Aquaporins as Markers in Forensic Pathology: A Systematic Review of the Literature
Authors: Alfieri Letizia , Montana Angelo , Frisoni Paolo , D’Errico Stefano , Neri Margherita
Published: February 2024

The study of aquaporins (AQPs) in various forensic fields has offered a promising horizon in response to the need to have reliable elements for the identification of the manner of death and for the individuation of forensic markers for the timing of lesions and vitality of injury. In the literature, various tissues have been studied; the most investigated are the lungs, brain, kidneys, skin, and blood vessels. A systematic literature review on PubMed following PRISMA 2020 guidelines enabled the identification of 96 articles. In all, 34 of these were enrolled to identify Aquaporin-like (AQP-like) forensic markers. The analysis of the literature demonstrated that the most significant markers among the AQPs are as follows: for the brain, AQP4, which is very important in brain trauma and hypoxic damage; AQP3 in the skin lesions caused by various mechanisms; and AQP5 in the diagnosis of drowning. Other applications are in organ damage due to drug abuse and thrombus dating. The focus of this review is to collect all the data present in the literature about the forensic application of AQPs as forensic markers in the most important fields of application. In the current use, the individuation, validation, and application of markers in forensic investigation are very useful in real forensic applications in cases evaluated in court.
Unlocking Predictive Power: Quantitative Assessment of CAR-T Expansion with Digital Droplet Polymerase Chain Reaction (ddPCR)
Authors: Galli Eugenio , Viscovo Marcello , Fosso Federica , Pansini Ilaria , Di Cesare Giacomo , Iacovelli Camilla , Maiolo Elena , Sorà Federica , Hohaus Stefan , Sica Simona , Bellesi Silvia , Chiusolo Patrizia
Published: February 2024

Flow cytometry (FCM) and quantitative PCR (qPCR) are conventional methods for assessing CAR-T expansion, while digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) is emerging as a promising alternative. We monitored CAR-T transcript expansion in 40 B-NHL patients post-infusion of CAR-T products (axi-cel; tisa-cel; and brexu-cel) with both His-Tag FCM and ddPCR techniques. Sensitivity and predictive capacity for efficacy and safety outcomes of ddPCR were analyzed and compared with FCM. A significant correlation between CAR-T counts determined by FCM and CAR transcripts assessed by ddPCR (p < 0.001) was observed. FCM revealed median CD3+CAR+ cell counts at 7, 14, and 30 days post-infusion with no significant differences. In contrast, ddPCR-measured median copies of CAR-T transcripts demonstrated significant lower copy numbers in tisa-cel recipients compared to the other products at day 7 and day 14. Patients with a peak of CAR transcripts at day 7 exceeding 5000 copies/microg gDNA, termed “good CAR-T expanders”, were more likely to achieve a favorable response at 3 months (HR 10.79, 95% CI 1.16–100.42, p = 0.036). Good CAR-T expanders showed superior progression-free survival at 3, 6, and 12 months compared to poor CAR-T expanders (p = 0.088). Those reaching a peak higher than 5000 copies/microg gDNA were more likely to experience severe CRS and ICANS. DdPCR proves to be a practical method for monitoring CAR-T expansion, providing quantitative information that better predicts both treatment outcomes and toxicity.
New Insights into Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Response in Neurodegenerative Diseases
Authors: Scarian Eveljn , Viola Camilla , Dragoni Francesca , Di Gerlando Rosalinda , Rizzo Bartolo , Diamanti Luca , Gagliardi Stella , Bordoni Matteo , Pansarasa Orietta
Published: February 2024

Oxidative stress (OS) and inflammation are two important and well-studied pathological hallmarks of neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs). Due to elevated oxygen consumption, the high presence of easily oxidizable polyunsaturated fatty acids and the weak antioxidant defenses, the brain is particularly vulnerable to oxidative injury. Uncertainty exists over whether these deficits contribute to the development of NDDs or are solely a consequence of neuronal degeneration. Furthermore, these two pathological hallmarks are linked, and it is known that OS can affect the inflammatory response. In this review, we will overview the last findings about these two pathways in the principal NDDs. Moreover, we will focus more in depth on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) to understand how anti-inflammatory and antioxidants drugs have been used for the treatment of this still incurable motor neuron (MN) disease. Finally, we will analyze the principal past and actual clinical trials and the future perspectives in the study of these two pathological mechanisms.
The Role of Sargahydroquinoic Acid and Sargachromenol in the Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Sargassum yezoense
Authors: Park Yena , Cao Lei , Baek Suhyeon , Jeong Seungjin , Yun Hyun Jung , Kim Mi-Bo , Lee Sang Gil
Published: February 2024

The anti-inflammatory effect of the ethanol extract of Sargassum yezoense and its fractions were investigated in this study. The ethanol extract exhibited a strong anti-inflammatory effect on lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages and effectively suppressed the M1 polarization of murine bone-marrow-derived macrophages stimulated by lipopolysaccharides and IFN-γ (interferon-gamma). Through a liquid–liquid extraction process, five fractions (n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, butanol, and aqueous) were acquired. Among these fractions, the chloroform fraction (SYCF) was found to contain the highest concentration of phenolic compounds, along with two primary meroterpenoids, sargahydroquinoic acid (SHQA) and sargachromenol (SCM), and exhibit significant antioxidant capacity. It also demonstrated a robust anti-inflammatory effect. A direct comparison was conducted to assess the relative contribution of SHQA and SCM to the anti-inflammatory properties of SYCF. The concentrations of SHQA and SCM tested were determined based on their relative abundance in SYCF. SHQA contributed to a significant portion of the anti-inflammatory property of SYCF, while SCM played a limited role. These findings not only highlight the potential of the chloroform–ethanol fractionation approach for concentrating meroterpenoids in S. yezoense but also demonstrate that SHQA and other bioactive compounds work additively or synergistically to produce the potent anti-inflammatory effect of SYCF.
Current Advances in the Use of Tissue Engineering for Cancer Metastasis Therapeutics
Authors: Katti Preeya D. , Jasuja Haneesh
Published: February 2024

Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide and results in nearly 10 million deaths each year. The global economic burden of cancer from 2020 to 2050 is estimated to be USD 25.2 trillion. The spread of cancer to distant organs through metastasis is the leading cause of death due to cancer. However, as of today, there is no cure for metastasis. Tissue engineering is a promising field for regenerative medicine that is likely to be able to provide rehabilitation procedures to patients who have undergone surgeries, such as mastectomy and other reconstructive procedures. Another important use of tissue engineering has emerged recently that involves the development of realistic and robust in vitro models of cancer metastasis, to aid in drug discovery and new metastasis therapeutics, as well as evaluate cancer biology at metastasis. This review covers the current studies in developing tissue-engineered metastasis structures. This article reports recent developments in in vitro models for breast, prostate, colon, and pancreatic cancer. The review also identifies challenges and opportunities in the use of tissue engineering toward new, clinically relevant therapies that aim to reduce the cancer burden.
Shaman Pots, Sympathetic Magic, and Spinning Souls among the Medio Period Casas Grandes: Altered States of Consciousness in Other-than-Human Persons
Authors: VanPool Christine S.
Published: February 2024

Medio Period (AD 1200 to 1450) Casas Grandes shamans used tobacco and possibly other entheogens to initiate trance states that allowed their spirits to travel across the cosmos. These trance experiences involved a sense of vertigo and soul flight that is cross-culturally common and occurs with tobacco-based nicotine intoxication. The Medio Period shamans also relied on and interacted with other-than-human persons during their travels, including macaw- and serpent-linked deities, as well as animated objects designed to participate in their shamanic journeys. The animated objects included Playas Red and Chihuahuan Polychrome pottery effigies of humans, macaws, and snakes with shamanic themes that represented the spirit world. I propose these pots were animate “pot-people” created for shamanic rituals. They were created with unusual designs including painted images and incised patterns that emphasized the spinning/vertigo that was central to the shamans’ soul flight experience. In some cases, the pots were literally spun, as evidenced by the distinctive wear patterns on their bases. The shamanic designs on the pots that reflected the upper and lower worlds, the depiction of spinning in the pottery decorations, and the literal spinning of some pots reflected the sympathetic and mimetic magic that linked them to the spirit world. They were imbued with the liminal nature of the creatures they depicted, and the symbolic and occasional literal emphasis on spinning would allow them to enter into a shamanic trance in a manner similar to their human counterparts. They, thus, were designed to enter into ASC in a manner that paralleled their human counterparts.