bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring key challenges for healthcare providers and stakeholders in delivering adolescent sexual and reproductive health services and information during the COVID-19 pandemic in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe: a qualitative study
Authors: Munakampe Margarate Nzala , Matenga Tulani Francis L. , Chewe Mwimba , Gold-Watts Anise , Lahidji Reza
Published: December 2024

Introduction

This study aimed to explore the direct and indirect influences of COVID-19-related restrictions on adolescents and young people’s (AYP’s) sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, with a focus on teenage pregnancy and access to and utilization of HIV testing and counselling services.

Methods

Thirty-four purposively sampled interviews that comprised of selected representatives of organizations involved in activities aimed at addressing adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights (ASRHR), teenage pregnancies, and HIV testing were conducted in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe. In Zambia, the study conducted an additional four group discussions with adolescents and young people. Adolescents and young people were asked to describe their experience and perceptions of the impact of COVID-19 on their SRHR. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data.

Results

Priority shifts resulted in the focus of service provision to the COVID-19 response. This led to shortages of already insufficient human resources due to infection and/or isolation, supply chain disruptions leading to shortages of important sexual and reproductive health (SRH)-related commodities and supplies, compromised quality of services such as counselling for HIV and overall limited AYP’s access to SRH information. Suggestions for interventions to improve SRH services include the need for a disaster preparedness strategy, increased funding for ASRHR, the use of community health workers and community-based ASRHR strategies, and the use of technology and social media platforms such as mHealth.

Conclusion

Disruption of SRH services for adolescents and young people due to pandemic related-restrictions, and diversion of resources/funding has had a ripple effect that may have long-term consequences for adolescents and young people throughout the East and Southern African region. This calls for further investment in adolescents and young people’s access to SRHR services as progress made may have been deterred.
Aging-associated sensory decline and Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Hong Suji , Baek Seung-Hyun , Lai Mitchell K. P. , Arumugam Thiruma V. , Jo Dong-Gyu
Published: December 2024

Multisensory decline is common as people age, and aging is the primary risk of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Recent studies have begun to shed light on the possibility that age-related sensory decline could accelerate AD pathogenesis, or be a prodromal indicator of AD. Sensory impairments, specifically in taste and smell, often emerge before cognitive symptoms in AD, indicating their potential as early biomarkers. Olfactory dysfunction has been frequently associated with AD and may offer valuable insights into early detection. Hearing impairment is significantly associated with AD, but its causal impact on AD progression remains unclear. The review also discusses visual and tactile deficits in AD, including retinal thinning and changes in tactile perception, highlighting their links to disease progression. Focusing on molecular mechanisms, the review explores the roles of amyloid-β (Aβ) accumulation and tau protein pathology in sensory decline and their bidirectional relationship with AD. In summary, the evidence presented conclusively supports advocating for an integrated approach to understanding AD and sensory decline, to enhance early detection, implementing preventive strategies, and developing therapeutic interventions for AD. This approach underscores the significance of sensory health in addressing neurodegenerative diseases, particularly AD.
A review of UK publicly funded non-inferiority trials: is the design more inferior than it should be?
Authors: Totton Nikki , Julious Steven , Walters Stephen , Coates Elizabeth
Published: December 2024

Background

The number of non-inferiority (NI) trials, those aiming to show a new treatment is no worse than a comparator, is increasing. However, their added complexity over superiority trials can create confusion. Most guidance and reviews to date have an industry focus with research suggesting these trials may differ from publicly funded NI trials. The aim of this work is to review the design and reporting characteristics of UK publicly funded NI trials. This assessment will show how well recommendations from industry are translating to publicly funded trials.

Methods

The International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number web registry and the National Institute for Health and Care Research’s Funding and Awards Library and Journals Library were searched using the term non-inferiority and logical synonyms. Inclusion requirements were a UK publicly funded NI randomised controlled trial. Characteristics of the design, analyses and results as available were recorded on a dedicated data extraction spreadsheet. Appropriate summary statistics were used to present the results.

Results

Searches completed on the 14th of January 2022 identified 477 potential trials which after exclusions resulted in a database of 114 NI trials to be summarised. Non-inferiority margins were defined for most trials with a median of 8% (IQR: 3–10%) used for risk differences (n = 58) and 0.35 (IQR: 0.26–0.43) standardised mean difference for continuous outcomes (n = 30). Justifications for the margin chosen (n = 62) were more commonly based on the clinical importance (49/62) and less commonly using statistical considerations (13/62). The most prevalent primary analysis population was solely on an intention-to-treat basis (49/114). The superiority of the treatment was well described but not always included as an outcome and only powered for in about a third of cases.

Conclusions

Aspects of NI trial design are well described but not always in line with current recommendations. Of particular note, is the absence of statistical considerations when setting the non-inferiority margin, which eliminates the ability to confirm indirect superiority over placebo for the new treatment. Additionally, despite suggestions that it can increase the type 1 error in NI trials, the use of the intention-to-treat alone is the most common analysis population.

Trial registration

Research on Research ID: 3171 (registration date: 31st May 2023).
Thermobifida fusca Cel6B moves bidirectionally while processively degrading cellulose
Authors: Johnson Madeline M. , DeChellis Antonio , Nemmaru Bhargava , Chundawat Shishir P. S. , Lang Matthew J.
Published: December 2024

Background

Cellulose, an abundant biopolymer, has great potential to be utilized as a renewable fuel feedstock through its enzymatic degradation into soluble sugars followed by sugar fermentation into liquid biofuels. However, crystalline cellulose is highly resistant to hydrolysis, thus industrial-scale production of cellulosic biofuels has been cost-prohibitive to date. Mechanistic studies of enzymes that break down cellulose, called cellulases, are necessary to improve and adapt such biocatalysts for implementation in biofuel production processes. Thermobifida fusca Cel6B (TfCel6B) is a promising candidate for industrial use due to its thermostability and insensitivity to pH changes. However, mechanistic studies probing TfCel6B hydrolytic activity have been limited to ensemble-scale measurements.

Results

We utilized optical tweezers to perform single-molecule, nanometer-scale measurements of enzyme displacement during cellulose hydrolysis by TfCel6B. Records featured forward motility on the order of 0.17 nm s−1 interrupted by backward motions and long pauses. Processive run lengths were on the order of 5 nm in both forward and backward directions. Motility records also showed rapid bidirectional displacements greater than 5 nm. Single-enzyme velocity and bulk ensemble activity were assayed on multiple crystalline cellulose allomorphs revealing that the degree of crystallinity and hydrogen bonding have disparate effects on the single-molecule level compared to the bulk scale. Additionally, we isolated and monitored the catalytic domain of TfCel6B and observed a reduction in velocity compared to the full-length enzyme that includes the carbohydrate-binding module. Applied force has little impact on enzyme velocity yet it readily facilitates dissociation from cellulose. Preliminary measurements at elevated temperatures indicated enzyme velocity strongly increases with temperature.

Conclusions

The unexpected motility patterns of TfCel6B are likely due to previously unknown mechanisms of processive cellulase motility implicating irregularities in cellulose substrate ultrastructure. While TfCel6B is processive, it has low motility at room temperature. Factors that most dramatically impact enzyme velocity are temperature and the presence of its native carbohydrate-binding module and linker. In contrast, substrate ultrastructure and applied force did not greatly impact velocity. These findings motivate further study of TfCel6B for its engineering and potential implementation in industrial processes.
Microfabricated sensors for non-invasive, real-time monitoring of organoids
Authors: Kim Yoojeong , Chica-Carrillo Erick C. , Lee Hyunjoo J.
Published: December 2024

Organoids are three-dimensional cell clusters derived from stem cells and closely resemble the physiological characteristics of human tissues. As the next-generation biological model, organoids provide new opportunities for drug discovery, disease modeling, and personalized medicine. To fully harness the potential of organoids, real-time monitoring of biological states and functional evaluation of organoids are crucial. This review highlights recent advances in real-time, in situ biosensing technologies, including microelectrode arrays for electrophysiological recordings, chemical sensors for biochemical detection, and strain sensors for monitoring mechanical properties. While the development of miniature sensors for non-invasive, long-term, and real-time monitoring of organoids is in the early stage, these sensors are an essential part of organoid technology which would provide new insights into human developmental biology, pathophysiology, and drug discovery. After reviewing the seminal works on the microfabricated sensors for organoids, we also provide an outlook of the field including a discussion on the remaining challenges and future directions with a focus on integration of multiple sensors to facilitate organoid research and applications.
Student comprehension of biochemistry in a flipped classroom format
Authors: Harris Edward N. , Schroder Evan A. , Berks Teryn J.
Published: December 2024

Concept-heavy courses such as Biochemistry in life and physical science curricula are challenging for many college-aged students. It is easy for students to disengage in a lecture and not learn the subject matter while in class. To improve student learning and participation, we employed a flipped format for the first half of the course and compared learning outcomes and attitudes with the traditional lecture in the second half of the course. The experimental course was an upper-level biochemistry course taken primarily by juniors (49%), seniors (40%), and some graduate students (10%) at the college level. Our results indicate that lower-performing students academically benefited from the flipped format (twofold lower failure rate as compared to previous years), whereas, there was no change with higher performing students when comparing student grades from previous courses. Academic assessments were derived from exams, quizzes, in-class activity/participation, and out-of-class homework. Participation and overall satisfaction with the course was significantly much higher in the flipped format (88% of students) than in the traditional lecture (< 10%) for all students. In-class activities in both faculty preparation and execution were crucial to the success of the flipped format. Our conclusions are that the flipped pedagogy is better for the reinforcement of difficult concepts for struggling students (95% students in agreement) and merits higher participation than the traditional lecture. Two-way communication between instructor and students is encouraged and enhanced with in-class activities and case studies. Due to the success of this project and in agreement with ~ 75% of the students, the entire course will be flipped going forward.
Association between periodontal disease and systemic diseases: a cross-sectional analysis of current evidence
Authors: Huang Di , Wang Yun-Yun , Li Bing-Hui , Wu Lan , Xie Wen-Zhong , Zhou Xia , Ma Bin
Published: December 2024

Background

Numerous systematic reviews and meta-analyses have been published that evaluate the association between periodontal disease and systemic diseases, many of which address similar topics. Moreover, their quality requires assessment. Therefore, we performed a cross-sectional analysis to examine the evidence on the relationship between periodontal disease and systemic diseases.

Methods

The PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library databases were systematically searched to identify relevant systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Only studies that considered periodontal disease as the exposure factor and various systemic diseases as the outcome were included. The basic characteristics and pertinent data from the selected studies were extracted. The modified version of A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews 2 (AMSTAR 2) was employed for quality assessment, while R software was used for statistical analysis.

Results

Among the 212 relevant systematic reviews and meta-analyses, 57 were finally included in our analysis. These studies involved 75 diseases and 81 disease-related outcomes, with cancer (19/81) being the most frequently addressed topic. Of the 81 outcomes, 67 demonstrated a significant association. Notably, the highest risk estimate was found for head and neck cancer [odds ratio (OR) = 3.17, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.78 − 5.64], while the lowest was observed for premature rupture of the amniotic sac [relative risk (RR) = 1.10, 95% CI 1.08 − 1.12]. The methodological quality ratings indicated that approximately 71.93% of included studies were classified as “Critically low”, with another 17.54% rated as “Low”, and only about 10.53% categorized as “Moderate”.

Conclusions

Periodontal disease significantly elevates the risks associated with 15 cancer-related, 8 cardiovascular-related, 8 metabolic-related, and 5 neurological-related outcomes. However, the overall methodological quality of existing systematic reviews and meta-analyses is generally suboptimal and requires enhancement to generate higher-quality evidence in the future.
A case of simultaneous pancreatoduodenectomy and living donor liver transplantation for biliary cancer complicated with congenital biliary dilatation
Authors: Shimamura Tsuyoshi , Watanabe Masaaki , Koshizuka Yasuyuki , Goto Ryoichi , Kawamura Norio , Orimo Tatsuya , Kamachi Hirofumi , Kamiyama Toshiya , Mitsuhashi Tomoko , Hibi Taizo , Taketomi Akinobu
Published: December 2024

Background

In patients with pancreaticobiliary maljunction complicated by congenital biliary dilatation, the pancreatic enzyme flows back into the bile, leading to bile duct carcinogenesis. Although the biliary tract resection and reconstruction is well documented to decrease the rate of malignancy, cancer occurrence has been reported in the residual intrahepatic or intrapancreatic bile duct, even after resection. We report a case of multiple biliary tract cancers in the liver complicated by congenital biliary dilatation, whose tumor lesions were resected en bloc without disconnecting the biliary tract by simultaneous pancreatoduodenectomy and living donor liver transplantation.

Case presentation

A 27-year-old woman presented with epigastric discomfort. Examination indicated multiple biliary tract cancers complicated by congenital biliary dilatation. Computed tomography scan revealed three papillary tumors in the right hepatic duct with increased 18F-FDG accumulation on positron emission tomography. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound revealed another lesion in the left hepatic duct. Adenocarcinoma cells were detected using bile and choledochal brush cytology. Tumors resection by right lobectomy or trisegmentectomy of the liver and extrahepatic bile duct resection indicated a high risk of postoperative liver failure; the residual liver volumes were calculated only 277 ml or 176 ml, respectively. In addition, tumor recurrence owing to bile leakage during the surgery and carcinogenesis from the remaining bile duct were concerned. Pancreatoduodenectomy was performed without disconnecting the biliary tract, and the tumors were resected en bloc with the whole liver. The left lobe liver graft from the husband was then transplanted. After 5 years of adjuvant treatment with tegafur/gimeracil/oteracil potassium, she remained in remission eight and half years after the surgery.

Conclusions

Given the mechanism and development of cancer in the congenital biliary dilatation, simultaneous pancreatoduodenectomy and liver transplantation may be considered, especially in the case of young patients.
Unveiling the bacterial diversity and potential of the Avicennia marina ecosystem for enhancing plant resilience to saline conditions
Authors: Alghamdi Amal Khalaf , Parween Sabiha , Hirt Heribert , Saad Maged M.
Published: December 2024

Background

Avicennia marina ecosystems are critical for coastal protection, water quality enhancement, and biodiversity support. These unique ecosystems thrive in extreme saline conditions and host a diverse microbiome that significantly contributes to plant resilience and growth. Global food security is increasingly threatened by crop yield losses due to abiotic stresses, including saline soils. Traditional plant breeding for salt tolerance is both costly and time-consuming. This study explores the potential of bacteria from A. marina to enhance plant growth under saline conditions, emphasizing their ecological significance.

Results

We analyzed the microbiome of A. marina from the Red Sea coast using high-throughput Illumina sequencing and culture-dependent methods across various compartments (bulk soil, rhizosphere, rhizoplane, roots, and leaves). Our findings revealed distinct compartment-specific microbial communities, with Proteobacteria being the dominant phylum. Functional predictions indicated diverse microbial roles in metal uptake and plant growth promotion (PGP). Remarkably, our culture-dependent methods allowed us to recover 56% of the bacterial diversity present in the microbiome, resulting in the isolation and characterization of 256 bacterial strains. These isolates were screened for PGP traits, including salt and heat tolerance, siderophore production, and pectinase activity. Out of the 77 bacterial isolates tested, 11 demonstrated a significant ability to enhance Arabidopsis growth under salt stress.

Conclusions

Our study highlights the ecological significance of mangrove microbiomes and the potential of culture collections in offering innovative solutions for ecological restoration and crop production in saline conditions. The unique collection of mangrove bacteria, particularly from the rhizosphere and endophytes, showcases significant PGP traits and stress tolerance capabilities. These findings emphasize the importance of functional traits, such as salt tolerance, in the recruitment of endophytic bacteria by plants over taxonomic affiliation. The identified bacterial strains hold potential not only for developing biofertilizers to improve crop productivity but also for ecological restoration projects aimed at rehabilitating saline-degraded lands, thereby contributing to overall ecosystem health and sustainability.
Adult and juvenile-onset inflammatory myopathy: autoantibodies and muscle MRI in a cohort of Egyptian patients
Authors: Eid Yosra Fahmy , Shehab Abeer Elsayed , Hussein Dahlia Abdel Mohsen , Fahmy Nagia Aly
Published: December 2024

Background

Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies are a group of autoimmune conditions primarily affecting the proximal muscles and can involve other organs, such as the skin, joints, and lungs. Many diagnostic and classification criteria have been suggested for myositis depending on the clinical picture, laboratory investigations, electromyography, muscle biopsy and, recently, myositis-specific antibodies, in our cross-sectional observational study we analyzed data of a cohort of 77 patients all of whom presented with clinical manifestations indicative of myositis. The investigations involved the detection of 17 myositis autoantibodies, aiming to detect the presence of those autoantibodies in a sample of adult and juvenile-onset myositis Egyptian patients. Additionally, whole-body muscle magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), encompassing T1, T2 and STIR (short-tau inversion recovery) sequences, was performed.

Results

A total of 34 (44%) patients, comprising 23 adults and 11 juvenile-onset patients, exhibited positive results for myositis autoantibodies. In the adult group, dermatomyositis emerged as the predominant subtype, with a notable female sex predominance. In the juvenile group, overlap myositis was the most common antibody subtype, with a predominance of males. Detailed presentations of the clinical features, laboratory results, and MRI findings were obtained for both the adult and juvenile age groups.

Conclusion

Autoantibodies and MRI of muscles are important tools for the diagnosis of myositis subtypes in all patients with inflammatory myopathy, which paves the way for accurate diagnoses and therapies.
Essential neuromuscular advice for pathologists (first of two parts)
Authors: Cotta Ana , Carvalho Elmano , da-Cunha-Júnior Antonio Lopes , Antunes Julio Salgado , de Souza Francineide Sadala , de Moura Heveline Becker , de Brito Pinto Andreia Portilho , Valicek Jaquelin , Navarro Monica Machado , Godinho Frederico , da Silveira Eni Braga , Lima Maria Isabel , Cordeiro Bruno Arrivabene , Cauhi Alexandre Faleiros , Menezes Miriam Melo , Nunes-Neves Simone Vilela , Vargas Antonio Pedro , da-Silva-Neto Rafael Xavier , Giron Renata Lobo , Costa-e-Silva Cynthia , Takata Reinaldo Issao , Paim Julia Filardi
Published: December 2024

Background

Neuromuscular disorders are characterized by disturbances in any part of the neurologic pathways, including: the Central Nervous System, the motor neuron of the anterior horn of the spinal cord; the peripheral nerve, the neuromuscular junction, and the muscle. Neuromuscular disorders are considered rare affections but when the prevalences of all subtypes are analysed together they may be encountered by general neurologists and pathologists. Therefore, basic knowledge in this field is necessary to timely guide serologic, molecular, or muscle biopsy investigation for appropriate treatment and/or genetic counselling.

Main body

The aims of this review are: (1) to briefly describe the prevalence of common neuromuscular disorders; (2) to present basic concepts of topographic neuromuscular diagnosis; (3) to provide essential information for pathologists about the diagnostic approach of common neuromuscular disorders; (4) to present basic concepts of muscle imaging for myopathologists; (5) to provide muscle imaging, and biopsy examples of common neuromuscular disorders.

Conclusion

A multiprofessional integrated approach is essential for precise neuromuscular diagnosis. Detailed clinical examination with the formulation of phenotypic hypothesis is the basis for appropriate diagnosis in the Surgical-Molecular Pathology era. Clinical, epidemiological, neurophysiological, laboratorial, imaging, molecular, and physiopathologic aspects are essential for adequate neuromuscular diagnosis.
Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor sitagliptin ameliorates inflammation and autophagy in mice hindlimb ischemia–reperfusion injury
Authors: Mohammed Marwa Abdeltawab , Mohamed Dalia Abdel-Wahab , Zeid Asmaa A. Abo , Abdelmalak Marian F. L. , Mohamed Maha Tarek , Abdelrahim Dina Sayed
Published: December 2024

Background

Ischemia-reperfusion injury (I/R) for skeletal muscle usually results from vascular injuries or trauma. Sitagliptin (STG) is an effective member of the dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors drug family that plays roles in oxidative stress regulation, inflammation, and autophagy control. In this study, we evaluated the protective roles of STG against I/R of gastrocnemius muscle and the underlying mechanisms.

Materials and methods

Forty-eight mice were randomly allocated into three groups: Group I (n = 24): control group which was subdivided equally into subgroup IA; negative control, subgroup IB; sitagliptin (STG), Group II (n = 12): ischemia–reperfusion injury (I/R), and Group III (n = 12): sitagliptin pretreatment (300 mg/kg/ day; p.o.) for two weeks followed by ischemia–reperfusion injury (STG + I/R). We measured SOD activity and MDA level to assess oxidative stress. Moreover, GLP-1/p-PI3K/ p-AKT expression levels were investigated. Autophagy was estimated by assessing lncRNA H19, Beclin-1 and ATG7 expression by RT-qPCR analysis. Inflammatory markers were assessed by iNOS and NF‐κB expression using immunohistochemistry.

Results

Our results revealed that STG pretreatment significantly attenuated oxidative stress and inflammation and upregulated GLP-1, p-PI3K, and p-AKT protein levels. Also, LnRNA H19, Becline-1, and ATG7 mRNA expression were downregulated as well as decrease the expression of the inflammatory markers iNOS and NF‐κB with STG pretreatment.

Conclusion

Our results highlighted the useful effects of Sitagliptin during hind limb I/R that could be mediated by antioxidant, anti-inflammatory effects, and attenuation of excessive autophagy.
Empirical tests of the Marshall–Lerner condition: evidence from Egypt–BRICS commodity trade using ARDL approach
Authors: Soliman Hebatallah Ahmed
Published: December 2024

This study seeks to test the validity of the Marshall–Lerner (M-L) condition between Egypt and BRICS countries (five countries: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) to determine which industries will benefit from depreciation in the long run by employing the import and export models between Egypt and the BRICS countries at the bilateral and commodity levels by selecting 69 commodities according to the harmonized system (H.S.) 2-digits—these commodities represent a significant portion of Egypt–BRICS trade—and applying the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) bounds test over 2001–2022. The results indicate that the M-L condition is not met at the bilateral trade level. At the commodity level, the M-L condition is held only in 8 out of 69 industries. Egypt has a comparative advantage in five of these eight industries—coded 17, 32, 55, 62, and 96—while 71, 79, and 84 have a comparative disadvantage. However, all these industries’ sizes, reflected by their trade share in 2022, are small. The paper builds on previous theoretical and empirical work in this field and fills a knowledge gap by examining the M-L condition in Egypt–BRICS trade. Moreover, addressing aggregation bias through disaggregated analysis—at the bilateral level as well as at the commodity level—the study results may motivate the government and policymakers to ask for more consideration of the structure of Egypt’s exports and imports with BRICS countries to capture the benefits of devaluation and joining the BRICS bloc and provide comprehensive backing for the industries where the M-L condition was met.
Antipsychotic medications and risk of respiratory failure in the respiratory high dependency unit
Authors: Winter Sara , Kirkpatrick Tara , Winckel Karl , Honarparvar Faraz , Robinson Lewis , Tanzer Timothy , Smith Lesley , Warren Nicola , Siskind Dan , Ellender Claire Michelle
Published: December 2024

Background

There is a high incidence of serious mental illness (SMI) and antipsychotic use in the respiratory high dependence unit (HDU) compared with the general population. However, there is a paucity of data in the extant literature evaluating the relationships between respiratory failure and antipsychotics.

Aims

To investigate the relationship between antipsychotics and respiratory failure in people admitted to a respiratory HDU, and to gain a better understanding of the potential impact of antipsychotic medications on respiratory outcomes.

Method

Medical, demographic and clinical outcome data were collected for a consecutive sample of 638 individuals admitted to a respiratory HDU between the dates 1 January 2018 and 29 May 2021 at a large quaternary hospital.

Results

Multivariate models controlling for confounders found that antipsychotic medications increased risk of admission for type 2 respiratory failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation without hypercapnia by 3.7 and 11.45 times, respectively. For people admitted with type 2 respiratory failure, antipsychotic use increased the risk of requiring non-invasive ventilation by 4.9 times. Those prescribed an antipsychotic were more likely to be readmitted within 30 days. Over 30% of individuals were prescribed antipsychotics for an unlicensed indication.

Conclusions

Poor respiratory outcomes may be a previously unknown adverse drug reaction of antipsychotics. Modifications to clinical care and clinical pathways for those with SMI prescribed antipsychotic medications, including optimising their chronic health and deprescribing where appropriate, should be prioritised.
The anomalous effect of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on the duration of untreated psychosis
Authors: Nicholls-Mindlin Jessica , Hazan Hadar , Zhou Bin , Li Fangyong , Ferrara Maria , Levine Nina , Riley Sarah , Karmani Sneha , Mathis Walter S. , Keshavan Matcheri S. , Srihari Vinod H.
Published: December 2024

We investigated the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on the duration of untreated psychosis (DUP). First-episode psychosis admissions (n = 101) to the STEP Clinic in Connecticut showed DUP reduction (P = 0.0015) during the pandemic, with the median reducing from 208 days pre-pandemic to 56 days in the early pandemic period, and subsequently increasing to 154 days (P = 0.0281). Time from psychosis onset to antipsychotic prescription decreased significantly in the pandemic (P = 0.0183), with the median falling from 117 to 35 days. This cohort study demonstrates an association between greater pandemic restrictions and marked DUP reduction, and provides insights for future early detection efforts.
Gender inequalities in the disruption of long-term life satisfaction trajectories during the COVID-19 pandemic and the role of time use: evidence from a prospective cohort study
Authors: Moreno-Agostino Darío , Chanfreau Jenny , Knowles Gemma , Pelikh Alina , Das-Munshi Jayati , Ploubidis George B.
Published: December 2024

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected women's mental health. However, most evidence has focused on mental illbeing outcomes, and there is little evidence on the mechanisms underlying this unequal impact.

Aims

To investigate gender differences in the long-term trajectories of life satisfaction, how these were affected during the pandemic and the role of time-use differences in explaining gender inequalities.

Method

We used data from 6766 (56.2% women) members of the 1970 British Cohort Study (BCS70). Life satisfaction was prospectively assessed between the ages of 26 (1996) and 51 (2021) years, using a single question with responses ranging from 0 (lowest) to 10 (highest). We analysed life satisfaction trajectories with piecewise latent growth curve models, and investigated whether gender differences in the change in the life satisfaction trajectories with the pandemic were explained by self-reported time spent doing different paid and unpaid activities.

Results

Women had consistently higher life satisfaction than men before the pandemic (Δintercept,unadjusted = 0.213, 95% CI 0.087–0.340; P = 0.001) and experienced a more accelerated decline with the pandemic onset (Δquad2,unadjusted = −0.018, 95% CI −0.026 to −0.011; P < 0.001). Time-use differences did not account for the more accelerated decrease in women's life satisfaction levels with the pandemic (Δquad2,adjusted = −0.016, 95% CI −0.031 to −0.001; P = 0.035).

Conclusions

Our study shows pronounced gender inequalities in the impact of the pandemic on the long-term life satisfaction trajectories of adults in their 50s, with women losing their pre-pandemic advantage over men. Self-reported time-use differences did not account for these inequalities. More research is needed to tackle gender inequalities in population mental health.
A Research Note on Maternity Leave and Children's Outcomes: The Case of Parental Teachers
Authors: Nguyen Cuong Viet
Published: December 2024

This research note examines the long-term effect of female teachers’ longer maternity leave on children's education and disability in Vietnam. Having a child a few months before or just after the summer vacation can increase paid leave for female teachers. Using variation in months of childbirth and applying difference-in-differences with family fixed-effect estimators, I find that female teachers in Vietnam tend to avoid giving birth during summer vacation. In the long run, longer maternity leave is positively associated with their children's education and negatively associated with the probability of child disability.
Gender Differences in Self-assessed Measures of Health: How Does the Structure of Self-rated Health Compare Across Transgender and Cisgender Groups?
Authors: Smith-Johnson Madeline
Published: December 2024

Self-rated health (SRH) is consistently related to mortality and morbidity. Yet, health ratings are subjective and reflect an individual's social context. Prior work has found differences in the structure of SRH—that is, in how self-assessments relate to underlying health conditions—across social groups, including by gender. However, prior work has not included transgender adults despite evidence that widespread interpersonal and structural stigma uniquely shapes their subjective experience of health. This study draws on information about 12 health conditions for a sample of transgender men, transgender women, nonbinary adults, cisgender men, and cisgender women. It examines whether the probabilities of reporting poor or fair SRH are similar among those with various underlying health problems. Findings reveal differences by gender identity and age group. For more than half of the examined conditions, self-rated health is poorer among nonbinary adults and younger transgender men than among other gender groups. These differences likely reflect distinct self-assessment processes that consider minority stress and structural stigma, as well as underlying differences in severity and comorbidity that stem from such stigma processes. SRH remains a useful, holistic measure of well-being, including for transgender groups.
A General Framework for Characterizing Inaccuracy in Stereotactic Systems
Authors: Jensen Michael A. , Neimat Joseph S. , Kerezoudis Panagiotis , Ali Rushna , Richardson R. Mark , Halpern Casey H. , Ojemann Steven , Ponce Francisco A. , Lee Kendall H. , Haugen Laura M. , Klassen Bryan T. , Kondziolka Douglas , Miller Kai J.
Published: December 2024

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Identifying and characterizing sources of targeting error in stereotactic procedures is essential to maximizing accuracy, potentially improving surgical outcomes. We aim to describe a generic framework which characterizes sources of stereotactic inaccuracy.

METHODS:

We assembled a list of stereotactic systems: ROSA, Neuromate, Mazor Renaissance, ExcelsiusGPS, Cirq, STarFix (FHC), Nexframe, ClearPoint, CRW, and Leksell. We searched the literature for qualitative and quantitative work identifying and quantifying potential sources of inaccuracy and describing each system's implementation using Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research guidelines. Our literature search spanned 1969 to 2024, and various studies were included, with formats ranging from phantom studies to systematic reviews. Keyword searches were conducted, and the details about each system were used to create a framework for identifying and describing the unique targeting error profile of each system.

RESULTS:

We describe and illustrate the details of various sources of stereotactic inaccuracies and generate a framework to unify these sources into a single framework. This framework entails 5 domains: imaging, registration, mechanical accuracy, target planning and adjustment, and trajectory planning and adjustment. This framework was applied to 10 stereotactic systems.

CONCLUSION:

This framework provides a rubric to analyze the sources of error for any stereotactic system. Illustrations allow the reader to understand sources of error conceptually so that they may apply them to their practice.
Gonadal sex reversal at single-cell resolution in Znrf3-deficient mice
Authors: Kay Raissa G. G. , Reeves Richard , Siggers Pam , Greenaway Simon , Mallon Ann-Marie , Wells Sara , Koo Bon-Kyoung , Mayère Chloé , Nef Serge , Greenfield Andy , Simon Michelle M.
Published: December 2024

The role of anti-WNT ZNRF3 is central to determining gonadal fate: XY mice lacking functional ZNRF3 exhibit a highly variable gonadal sex reversal phenotype in the fetal period, characterised by appearance of ovarian tissue. To investigate this sex reversal further, we used single-cell RNA-seq to examine the transcriptomes of XY Znrf3-deficient gonads during the mouse sex-determining period. Analyses of cell trajectories in mutant gonads reveal the failure of pre-supporting cells to commit to the Sertoli cell fate, XY granulosa cell development, unstable commitment in those cells that reach the Sertoli path and enhanced contribution to a supporting-like cell fate. By developing a machine learning-based score for transcriptomic similarity to Sertoli and granulosa, we show pervasive disruption to acquisition of testicular cell fate in the mutant supporting cell lineage, with large numbers of cells co-expressing pro-Sertoli and pro-granulosa markers. These data reveal that loss of Znrf3 results in transcriptomic and cellular heterogeneity, with shifts in cellular sex identity that undermine a simple binary model in which mutant supporting cell precursors achieve either Sertoli or granulosa cell differentiation.
Fate specification triggers a positive feedback loop of TEAD–YAP and NANOG to promote epiblast formation in preimplantation embryos
Authors: Hirono Naoki , Hashimoto Masakazu , Shimojo Hiromi , Sasaki Hiroshi
Published: December 2024

In preimplantation embryos, epiblast (EPI) fate specification from the inner cell mass is controlled by the segregation of NANOG and GATA6 expression. TEAD–YAP interaction is activated during EPI formation and is required for pluripotency factor expression. These events occur asynchronously with similar timing during EPI formation, and their relationship remains elusive. Here, we examined the relationship between NANOG–GATA6 and TEAD–YAP. The nuclear accumulation of YAP takes place only in EPI-specified cells, and a positive feedback loop operates between NANOG and TEAD–YAP. The effects of TEAD–YAP on SOX2 upregulation in EPI-specified cells are likely indirect. EPI fate specification also alters the response of Nanog, Sox2 and Cdx2 to TEAD–YAP. These results suggest that EPI-fate specification alters the transcriptional network from the morula-like to the EPI-specified state and activates TEAD–YAP to trigger a positive feedback loop with NANOG, which stabilizes the EPI fate. The coordinated occurrence of these processes in individual cells likely supports proper EPI formation under the condition of asynchronous EPI-fate specification.
A microcontroller-based system for flexible oxygen control in laboratory experiments
Authors: Mucha Stefan
Published: December 2024

Environmental control systems are important tools for experimental researchers studying animal–environment interactions. Commercial systems for the measurement and regulation of environmental oxygen conditions are relatively expensive and cannot always be adapted to varying experimental applications. Here, I present a low-cost and highly flexible oxygen control system using Arduino microcontrollers in combination with a commercial optical oxygen sensor. Hardware and software examples are provided for three different applications: single-setpoint, sequential and long-term dissolved oxygen (DO) control. All tested control systems created the desired DO conditions with high accuracy and repeatability across trials. The resources provided shown here can be adapted and modified to be used in a variety of experimental contexts.
Οι αντιλήψεις πρωτοετών φοιτητών Φυσικής για την ποιότητα των πειραματικών μετρήσεων
Authors: Γεωργόπουλος Κωνσταντίνος , Στύλος Γεώργιος , Πανάγου Δημήτρης , Κώτσης Κωνσταντίνος
Published: December 2024

Η παρούσα εργασία διερευνά τις αντιλήψεις 70 πρωτοετών φοιτητών/τριών του Τμήματος Φυσικής του Πανεπιστημίου Ιωαννίνων σχετικά με την αξιοπιστία των πειραματικών δεδομένων και ειδικότερα για την ανάγκη λήψης επαναληπτικών μετρήσεων καθώς και τις επιπτώσεις του εύρους της μέτρησης που σχετίζεται με τα δεδομένα. Το ερευνητικό εργαλείο αποτελείται από 6 σενάρια εργασίας (ανοικτού τύπου ερωτήσεις). Οι απαντήσεις τους κατηγοριοποιήθηκαν σε δύο ομάδες: Το «πρότυπο σημείου» (Point paradigm) και το πρότυπο ομάδων σημείων (set paradigm). Τα αποτελέσματα της έρευνας αναδεικνύουν πως οι ακολουθούμενες διαδικασίες και οι αιτιολογήσεις των φοιτητών/τριών σχετικά με τις πειραματικές μετρήσεις  και τη σύγκριση συνολικά των δεδομένων χαρακτηρίζονται, κυρίως, από την αντίληψη του «πρότυπου σημείου»
Η διδασκαλία για το οικολογικό αποτύπωμα σε μαθητές/τριες Γυμνασίου ως μέσου για την προώθηση αειφορικών τρόπων διαβίωσης
Authors: Γαλάνης Νικόλαος , Μαλανδράκης Γεώργιος , Παπαδοπούλου Πηνελόπη , Σέρογλου Φανή
Published: December 2024

Το Οικολογικό Αποτύπωμα (ΟΑ) αποτελεί ένα εργαλείο μέτρησης των περιβαλλοντικών επιπτώσεων των καθημερινών μας δραστηριοτήτων. Προσβλέποντας στην προώθηση ενός πιο αειφορικού τρόπου ζωής, σχεδιάστηκε και υλοποιήθηκε μία Διδακτική Μαθησιακή Ακολουθία (ΔΜΑ) διάρκειας 20 ωρών, σε 81 μαθητές/τριες Α΄ Γυμνασίου Θεσσαλονίκης, με σκοπό τη μείωση του ΟΑ τους. Στην παρούσα έρευνα παρουσιάζεται η αξιολόγηση μέτρησης του ΟΑ των συμμετεχόντων/ουσών πριν και μετά τη ΔΜΑ και η ανίχνευση τυχόν βελτιώσεων στην κατανάλωση φυσικών πόρων. Εργαλείο συλλογής δεδομένων αποτέλεσε ο ελληνικός διαδικτυακός μετρητής ΟΑ του ΑΠΘ. Σύμφωνα με τα αποτελέσματα, το ΟΑ των συμμετεχόντων/ουσών μετά τη ΔΜΑ μειώθηκε κατά 29,7%, και ειδικά στις κατηγορίες μετακίνησης (61%) και αγαθών (43,4%).
Η μετασχηματίζουσα μάθηση ως βασικό διδακτικό πλαίσιο του φυτικού κόσμου
Authors: Αμπράζης Αλέξανδρος , Παπαδοπούλου Πηνελόπη
Published: December 2024

Η ανάδειξη της σημασίας του φυτικού κόσμου από την εκπαιδευτική κοινότητα αποτελεί ένα ζήτημα μείζονος σημασίας λόγω του ρόλου των φυτικών οργανισμών στην προσπάθεια για βιώσιμη ανάπτυξη και του φαινομένου της «Τυφλότητας Απέναντι στα Φυτά». Οι μέχρι τώρα προτεινόμενες εκπαιδευτικές απόπειρες αντιμετώπισης του παραπάνω φαινομένου φαίνεται να αποδίδουν αποσπασματικά και σε μικρή κλίμακα. Σκοπός της παρούσας έρευνας είναι μέσα από βιβλιογραφική επισκόπηση να προσδιοριστούν τα χαρακτηριστικά αυτών των εκπαιδευτικών επιλογών και να προταθεί ένα εναλλακτικό διδακτικό πλαίσιο που θα επιφέρει μια μακροπρόθεσμη αναμόρφωση των υπαρχόντων νοητικών σχημάτων, αξιών και αντιλήψεων που σχετίζονται με τους φυτικούς οργανισμούς. Εξετάζοντας τα αποτελέσματα, η μετασχηματίζουσα μάθηση εντός ενός σύγχρονου, βιώσιμου σχολείου φαίνεται να αποτελεί μια τέτοια επιλογή που μέχρι τώρα δεν έχει διερευνηθεί επαρκώς.
Η ερμηνεία αλλαγής κατάστασης από μαθητές ΣΤ τάξης Δημοτικού
Authors: Νταλαούτη Παρασκευή
Published: December 2024

Μαθητές Στ΄ τάξης δημοτικού σχολείου ερμηνεύουν φαινόμενα αλλαγής κατάστασης, συζητώντας σε μικρές ομάδες, αφού πρώτα έχουν διδαχθεί ένα στοιχειώδες σωματιδιακό μοντέλο. Στην αρχή των συζητήσεων χρησιμοποιούν εναλλακτικές απόψεις, ωστόσο η χρήση σωματιδιακού μοντέλου για την ερμηνεία μιας σειράς φαινομένων, που σχετίζονται με την αλλαγή κατάστασης, βοηθά τους μαθητές να βελτιώσουν σημαντικά τις αντιλήψεις τους. Η μεγαλύτερη δυσκολία παρουσιάστηκε στην συμπύκνωση αερίου. Προτείνουμε συζητήσεις σε ομάδες που βελτιώνουν τις ερμηνείες και ξεπερνούν τις εναλλακτικές.
20 χρόνια έρευνας στην Ελλάδα για τη διδακτική των Φυσικών Επιστημών μέσα από πανελλήνια συνέδρια
Authors: Κώτσης Κωνσταντίνος Θ.
Published: December 2024

Η ένωση η οποία εκφράζει σήμερα επιστημονικά την έρευνα για τη Διδακτική των Φυσικών Επιστημών και την εφαρμογή Τεχνολογίας στην εκπαίδευση αυτών, είναι η ΕΝΕΦΕΤ. Κάθε δύο χρόνια οργανώνεται ένα Πανελλήνιο Συνέδριο, όπου παρουσιάζονται ότι καινούργιο έχει να δώσει η έρευνα στον τομέα αυτό, στην Ελλάδα. Για ένα μεγάλο διάστημα λειτούργησε παράλληλα και η ΕΔΙΦΕ με τα δικά της συνέδρια, έως ότου οι δύο ενώσεις εκφράζονται μέσου της ΕΝΕΦΕΤ. Στην εργασία αυτή παρουσιάζονται συγκεντρωτικά διάφορα χαρακτηριστικά των εργασιών που παρουσιάστηκαν στα συνέδρια για τη διδακτική των Φυσικών Επιστημών από το 2004 και μετά.
Κεραυνός και αστραπή: Μια διδακτική πρόταση φυσικών φαινομένων στο Νηπιαγωγείο βάσει του νέου ΑΠΣ
Authors: Χατζηγεωργιάδου Σοφία , Ρατκίδου Φωτεινή , Τόζιου Σουλτάνα
Published: December 2024

Η παρούσα διδακτική πρόταση βασίστηκε στο Νέο ΠΣ του Νηπιαγωγείου κι επικεντρώνεται στη διδασκαλία των φυσικών εννοιών που αφορούν στο καιρικό φαινόμενο της καταιγίδας σε παιδιά προσχολικής ηλικίας. Υλοποιήθηκε σε τρία νηπιαγωγεία και αξιοποιήθηκε διδακτικά το μοντέλο 5E. Βασικοί στόχοι ήταν η  κατανόηση της αστραπής και του κεραυνού, η ανάπτυξη δεξιοτήτων συνεργασίας, δημιουργικής έκφρασης και η αναγνώριση της αξία της ψηφιακής πληροφορίας. Σύμφωνα με προηγούμενες έρευνες, τα παιδιά προσχολικής ηλικίας έχουν εναλλακτικές αντιλήψεις για το φαινόμενο της καταιγίδας. Τα αποτελέσματα έδειξαν ότι οι αρχικές τους αντιλήψεις, που ήταν θεοκρατικές ή βασίζονταν στις αισθητηριακές τους εμπειρίες, αντικαταστάθηκαν με μια πιο επιστημονική κατανόηση. Τα παιδιά έδειξαν ενδιαφέρον για τις δραστηριότητες και συμμετείχαν ενεργά σε αυτές. Η χρήση του διδακτικού μοντέλου 5E, καθώς και των ψηφιακών τεχνολογιών, υποστήριξε την ενεργή εμπλοκή των παιδιών στη μαθησιακή διαδικασία και την πληρέστερη κατανόηση των φυσικών φαινομένων.
Κατασκευάζοντας ανασυνδυασμένο DNA μέσα στην τάξη
Authors: Φωτιάδου Άννα , Μιχαλάτου Ελένη
Published: December 2024

Στην παρούσα εργασία παρουσιάζουμε μια "hands on" διδακτική πρόταση για την υποστήριξη της διδασκαλίας της τεχνολογίας του ανασυνδυασμένου DNA με την κατασκευή μοντέλων πλασμιδίων από απλά υλικά. Περιγράφουμε τις δραστηριότητες, τους διδακτικούς στόχους καθώς και τα φύλλα εργασίας για 3 διαφορετικές κατασκευές ανασυνδυασμένων πλασμιδίων. Η κατασκευή των  μοντέλων και κυρίως οι διαδικασίες στις οποίες θα προβούν οι μαθητές/τριες για να πραγματοποιήσουν τον ανασυνδυασμό, αναμένεται να συνεισφέρουν με εποπτικό τρόπο στη βαθύτερη κατανόηση των σχετικών διεργασιών και να βοηθήσουν στην αποσαφήνιση λεπτομερειών που δε σχολιάζονται στο σχολικό βιβλίο. Είναι μια πρόταση που υποστηρίζει την διδασκαλία και δεν απαιτεί ειδικό εξοπλισμό.