bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gazi Süleyman Paşa’nın İzmit Vakıflarına Dair Yeni Bulgular
Authors: ÖZDEMİR Kerim , KARAZEYBEK Mustafa
Published: December 2023

Süleyman Paşa’nın İzmit’te inşa ettirdiği cami, medrese, hamam ne yazık ki aynı ölçüde zamana direnememiştir. Medrese tamamen yok olmuş ve günümüzde kalıntısı bulunmamaktadır. Hamam özgünlüğünü kaybetse de bugün aynı yerinde durmaktadır. Cami ise yapıların içinde en çok ihtimam gösterilenidir. İnşa edildiğinden beri Süleyman Paşa Camii faal olarak kullanılmış, ihtiyaç halinde yenilenmiş, tamir edilmiştir. Ahşap yapısından kaynaklı sıklıkla geçirmiş olduğu tamirler cami vakfının muhasebesine yansımıştır.

Bu çalışmada Süleyman Paşa’nın İzmit’te bulunan camii akarları ile ilgili bazı yeni tespitlere yer verilmiştir. Cami için vakfedilen köyler, mezralar ve iskele zaman içinde gerek idari taksimattaki birtakım düzenlemeler gerek vakıf mallarının suistimal edilmesi gibi çeşitli sorunlar vasıtasıyla davalara konu olmuştur. Yüzyıllar içinde cami görevlilerine ait vakıf gelirlerinde tür ve miktar olarak değişimler yaşanmıştır. Vakıf akarlarına bazı yeni gelirler eklenirken vergi gelirleri gibi bir kısım gelir türü de işlerliğini yitirmiştir. Süleyman Paşa’nın kendisinin tesis ettiği vakıflar konuya dâhil edilip hariçten tesis edilen vakıflar incelemeye alınmamıştır. Böylelikle XIX. yüzyılda vakfın akarlarında yaşanan değişim daha net ortaya çıkarılmıştır.
Mümeyyiz Çocuk Dergisinde [1869-1870] İdeal ve Gerçek Çocukluk
Authors: Kahya Hayrullah
Published: December 2023

Dünyada çocukluk çalışmalarının büyük çoğunluğu Batı toplumları ekseninde yürütülmüştür. Osmanlı toplumundaki çocukluk kavramı üzerinde fazla çalışma yapılmamıştır. Alandaki boşluğu doldurmak için bu çalışma, Arap harfli ilk Türkçe çocuk dergisi Mümeyyiz (1869-1870) ekseninde ideal ve gerçek çocukluk kavramını ortaya koymak üzere yürütülmüştür. Dergideki çocukluk anlayışının ortaya konmasında övgü ve yergi kriterleri ölçü alınmıştır. Buna göre Mümeyyiz çocuk dergisinde ideal çocuğun, İslâm dini bakımından dindar, bilgili, erdemli ve çalışkan; padişaha, ebeveyne, öğretmene itaat etmesi beklenir. İdeal çocuk cömert, dürüst, kanaatkâr, iyiliksever gibi başka olumlu niteliklere de sahip olmalıdır. Diğer taraftan, gerçek çocuk ev, okul ve sokak ortamlarında davranış bozukluğu sergileyen, güdülenme ve eğitim kazanımları açısından eksiklikler gösteren birey olarak tasvir edilmiştir. Dergide bilgi ve beceri bakımından gelişmiş, davranış bakımından olgun ve eğitimli gerçek çocuklar sayıca az olduklarından bunlardan örnek vak’alar çerçevesinde söz edilmektedir. Bu çalışma, tek bir kaynağın genel durumu yansıtamayacağı gerçeğinden hareketle son dönem Osmanlı çocukluk algısının tam anlamıyla ortaya konabilmesi için döneme ilişkin önemli diğer belgelerin de araştırılmasını önermektedir.
The Significance of Teaching English literature in Schools in Iraq
Authors: Waham Jihad Jaafar
Published: December 2023

The teaching of English literature in schools in Iraq has been a topic of debate for a long time. While some believe that teaching English literature is not important, others argue that it is crucial for the development of students' language skills, critical thinking abilities, and cultural awareness. This article presents an analysis of the importance of teaching English literature in schools in Iraq, highlighting the benefits that students can derive from the study of literary works in English. The article also discusses the challenges that teachers face in teaching English literature in Iraq and suggests possible solutions to address these challenges. English literature is a valuable field of study that plays an important role in the development of language and communication skills. Despite its significance, English literature is often overlooked in the Iraqi education system. This article aims to highlight the importance of teaching English literature in schools in Iraq, and the benefits that it can offer students. The article presents a problem statement, objectives, findings, and a conclusion based on a thorough analysis of relevant literature and studies.
Is the Symmetry of Classical Ballet Positions Perfect?
Authors: Gorwa Joanna , Kabaciński Jarosław , Murawa Michał , Śpikowska-Pawelec Wiktoria , Fryzowicz Anna
Published: December 2023

OBJECTIVE: It is expected that in classical ballet dancers would be able to execute all the techniques symmetrically from the right as well as from the left side of the body. This study aimed to evaluate the symmetry of kinematic parameters of hip joints, knee joints, and foot progression
angle of the left and right lower extremities (LE) in five classical ballet positions, as well as the symmetry of active and passive turnout and range of passive hip external rotation. METHODS: The experimental testing involved 12 female pre-professional ballet dancers. Three measurements
of range of motion, made using a standard goniometer, were carried out to characterize the study group. Kinematic data of left and right LE in the five classical ballet positions were recorded using a motion capture system. RESULTS: The comparisons revealed significantly lower (p < 0.01)
hip external rotation values by 9.8% (1st position), 5.4% (2nd position), and 8.5–11.8% (3rd position) for the right LE than the left LE. Moreover for 3rd, 4th and 5th positions, there was significantly higher (p < 0.05) hip external rotation values by 7.0%–27.2% in the back
LE than the front LE. In 4th position there was asymmetry in foot progression angle with significantly lower values (p < 0.01) by 5.3% in the front LE (left) than the back LE (right). In case of goniometric measurements, the results showed significantly higher (p < 0.05) passive hip
external rotation values by 10.8% for the right LE than the left LE. CONCLUSION: The perfect ballet symmetry pursued by dancers is not in fact so ideal. The most astonishing result was the existence of statistically significant differences in hip external rotation in the case of the 1st and
2nd positions.
CRIMINAL LAW FORMULATION AGAINST UNDERAGE CHILD MARRIAGE
Authors: Huda Mohammad Nurul , Saadah Khulasotun Nuroiyah Ummi , Silva Cristovao Adao Da , Wahyudi Wahyudi
Published: December 2023

The phenomenon that is developing in Indonesia today, especially in rural communities where the continuity of marriage is vulnerable to minors. This happens due to 2 (two) factors, namely internal and external. This type of research uses normative juridical methods and the approach to theproblemuses 2 (two) kinds of approaches. First, through a statutory approach, namely by examining laws and regulations related to legal issues or problems being studied, isthere any suitability and consistency between the law and other laws. Second, the Conceptual Approach, the conceptual approach departs from the views and doctrines that develop in the science of law. Children are an investment for every country in the world, because they are future human resources for the development of a country. Juridically, each State is responsible for providing a good life for children, providing welfare both physically and mentally, and keeping away from all kinds of dangers that threaten a child. In everyday life, people are less aware of the importance of limiting the age of marriage as stipulated in Law Number 1 of 1974 concerning Marriage.
On the Criteria for Evaluating Human Actions in Ismailism
Authors:   Institute of Philosophy, Russian Academy of Sciences, Korneeva Tatyana
Published: December 2023

The article is devoted to the problem of evaluating an act in the light of Ismaili teaching. In the first part of the article, a pair of meta-categories of the Arab-Muslim reflective tradition “explicit-hidden” is considered, which is reflected in all theoretical disciplines of Islamic culture. An act is understood as an action (external) connected with an intention (internal). A person can perform actions on two levels: at the level of relationship with God and at the level of relationship with society. Due to the absolute transcendence of God, the relationship with God is transformed into reverence and worship, but at the same time there is an active development and sacralization of relationships at the level of man and society. The second part of the article begins with an analysis of the role of the imam, compensating for the “lack” of divine providence and participation in the Ismaili view of the world. The Imam is endowed with divine knowledge, he knows the “hidden” meanings of Revelation. At the same time, Ismaili philosophers emphasized the need to observe the “explicit” meanings expressed in the laws of Sharia. The third part of the article is devoted to the consideration of the Ismaili society as a place of connection of the “explicit” and “hidden”. The full realization of the “explicit” and “hidden” generates “truth”. To take his place in the Ismaili society is the goal and obligation of a person within the framework of human – andhuman relationships: only by taking his place can he reveal his own dichotomy as much as possible – to become both a “benefit taker” and a “benefit giver”. Moreover, the Ismaili philosophers endowed the correct behavior and relationships of a person in the Ismaili society with a global meaning: a person became a co-creator of the universe, since the development of higher spiritual entities depended on the knowledge he received from the Ismaili imam of the time. The readers are offered a fragment of a treatise of the 11th century Ismaili philosopher Nasir Khusraw “Six Chapters” (Shish fasl), dedicated to the need for the guidance of the imam and explaining the meaning of the Ismaili hierarchy.
The Category of Conscience in Moral Theology in the 18th and the First Half of the 19th Centuries
Authors:   Moscow Theological Academy, Domuschi Stefan
Published: December 2023

The article presents a general overview of the interpretation of the category of conscience in the Synodal period. As a theological term, the word “conscience” entered the Old Russian language together with Christianity, that is why virtually all its meanings were associated with the New Testament and the texts of the Holy Fathers. Speaking of conscience, the scribes of the pre-Synodal pore understood it in a traditional way for Eastern Christianity. In the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries, a systematic description of conscience as a moral category emerged under the influence of a methodology that had taken shape in the West, primarily in the context of what was commonly referred to as casuistry. A peculiarity of this approach was the emphasis on a vague or scrupulous conscience and its errors. Later in the second half of the 18th century, the Catholic influence was replaced by a Protestant one, which affected the way of thinking about conscience in the first half of the next century as well. The doctrine of conscience became more balanced, because the emphasis was no longer only on error, but on its transformation by the grace of baptism. Finally, in the first half of the nineteenth century, the first experiments in the independent courses in moral theology appeared, the authors of which considered conscience in the context of sacred theology.
Richard Swinburne’s Ethical Theology and Some Facets of Christian Creationism
Authors:   Institute of Philosophy, Russian Academy of Sciences, Shokhin Vladimir
Published: December 2023

Several subjects in Richard Swinburne’s analytic theology are estimated from the points of both rational conclusiveness and Christian tradition. Inductive proofs of the existence of God and criterium of simplicity in the explanation of the universe are being criticized. The first ones by such a reason that in the main theistic claims, in opposition to those in natural sciences, only abductive inferences, i.e. to the best explanation are applicable, the second one as not sufficiently warranted both by the progress of rational knowledge and Christian dogmatics. The idea of God’s obligations toward His creatures is interpreted as contradictory to creationism, the idea of His legalistic rights to hurt them as contradictory to morality, while the idea of His obligations and rights in general seems more natural for anthropomorphic religiosity (some cases of polytheistic interrelations between humans and gods in the past along with contemporary lawsuits against God are referred to in this context as extremal developments of a similar stance) than for classical theism advocated by Swinburne himself. Imposing restrictions on any “successful” generalized theodicy as built by means of calculation of God’s reasonings (cf. the ethics of calculations in Jeremy Bentham’s utilitarianism) from the side of created human mind is also offered, along with illustrative arguments in defence of the so-called sceptical theism which more properly could be called judicious one. By contrast, the idea of God’s emotions sui generis is approved as both reasonable and not contradicting to theistic personalism (without lowering it to anthropomorphism). The paper is concluded by appreciation of large perspectives as growing out of the subjects dealt with by Richard Swinburne.
Anthropological Prerequisites of Kant’s Ethico-theology
Authors:   Institute of Philosophy, Russian Academy of Sciences, Sudakov Andrey
Published: December 2023

In Kant’s main treatise on philosophy of religion, the doctrine of religion itself is forestalled by a discourse about the moral quality of human nature, which has an outward appearance of an overt declaration of anthropological pessimism. This paper aims to investigate this introductory anthropological survey within the context of Kant’s ethical principles and philosophical methodology, as an anthropological framework of his philosophy of religion. Dogmatic optimism as well as dogmatic pessimism in anthropology equally eliminate the possibility of ethico-theology, conceived as religious extension of the ethics of duty. Between the positions of good and evil, between the two versions of rigorism, no mid-point is possible; they cannot be united in an abstract, external manner. Good and evil in Kant’s philosophy exists only as definitions of freedom, are traceable to an act of freedom and imputable to free actors. According to Kant, in human nature there is an inborn potential for the good: a receptivity for the moral law as self-sufficing incentive for an action. The moral law, although it is objectively (in the idea) the prevailing incentive, is at the same time subjectively (in the experience) weaker than the incentive from inclination. The reflection upon this circumstance uncovers an antinomy in the foundations of Kant’s doctrine of religion; transcendental idealism, specifically the notion of intelligible deed, which chooses the supreme maxim of one’s moral disposition, gives a clue for its solution. The problem of the moral quality of the will is therefore determined, not by the character of the performed action itself, but by the “form of a maxim”, by the interrelation of incentives in the rule which determines the action. And so the radical evil of human nature in the appearance does not revoke, for Kant, the unconditional relevance of the moral goal guiding free human beings.
Genetically modified MSCs into neuraland endothelial cell-like cells inducedby a branched peptide amphiphile hydrogel
Authors: Yin Peiyi , Zeng Zhihua , Li Yixiu , Zhou Tiantian , Wu Kai , song yulin
Published: December 2023

Background： Spinal cord injury (SCI) remain one of the great clinical challenges because of their considerable long-term disability potential. In this study, A branched amphiphilic peptide (B-PA) segments were constructed and self-assembled into hydrogels to support bone marrow derived mesenchymal stromal cells (BMSCs) encoding Recombinant Rat VEGF165（VEGF165）, neurotrophins-3(NT-3)and angiopoietin-1(ANG-1) genes. In addition, B-PAS promoted the transdifferentiation of BMSCs into nerve and vascular endothelial cells.
Methods：Self-assembly of b-PA into a nanofiber hydrogel was triggered by the culture medium and analysed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Rat BMSCs were cultivated using the differential adhesion method and assessed by flow cytometry. Cells were inoculated into the hydrogel and investigated using calcein-AM/PI, CCK-8, and cell adhesion assays. Cells transfected with adenoviral vectors of biocarrier (Adv-Bic) and adenoviral vectors of NT-3 gene (AdvNT-3) were cultured for 7 days and evaluated by immunofluorescence and real time quantitative reverse transcription-PCR.
Results：The molecular weight and purity of b-PA were 2191.72 and >95%, respectively. Self-assembled nanofibers had a diameter of 5-8 nm and a length ranging from hundreds of nanometres to micrometres. The resulting CD29+/44+ cells could differentiate into osteoblasts and fat cells, and the hydrogel supported cell growth, proliferation and adhesion. Cells in the hydrogel overexpressed VEGF165, NT-3 and Ang-1, and NSE and Nestin markers of CD31+/34+ cells were also abundant.
Conclusions： The hydrogel has potential as a tissue engineering scaffold with good cytocompatibility, and can induce genetically modified BMSCs to transdifferentiate into neural and endothelial cell (EC)-like cells. The article have selected preprint on the research platform, this article has been assigned a DOI, The DOI is:10.21203/rs.3.rs-1822746/v1.
Evaluating the population-based utilization and benefit of digitally collected patient-reported outcomes and experiences in patients with chronic diseases: The PROMchronic study protocol
Authors: Nikkhah Janis , Steinbeck Viktoria , Grobe Thomas , Breitkreuz Thorben , Pross Christoph , Busse Reinhard
Published: December 2023

Background
Chronic diseases are associated with a high disease burden. Under- and overprovision of care as well as quality variation between healthcare providers persists, while current quality indicators rarely capture the patients’ perspective. Capturing patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) as well as patient-reported experience measures (PREMs) is becoming more and more important to identify gaps in care provision, prioritize services most valuable to patients, and aid patients' self-management.
Methods
This prospective cohort study aims to evaluate the potential benefits of PROM usage in patients with chronic diseases. We evaluate whether (1) digitally collected PROMs and PREMs can be used for health system performance assessment (HSPA) by generating a representative response of chronically diseased individuals with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes, and coronary artery disease (CAD) across Germany and (2) whether, based on the PROMs and PREMs, low-value care can be identified. As patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are rarely presented back to patients, (3) this study also examines patients’ reactions to their PROM scores in the form of digital PRO feedback. For these purposes, randomly selected patients from a nationwide German insurer are digitally surveyed with generic and disease-specific PROMs and PREMs as well as additional questions on their health-related behavior four times over one year. Individual PRO feedback is presented back to patients longitudinally and compared to a peer group after each survey period. Patient-reported data is linked with health insurance data. Response rates, changes in health and experience outcomes over time, self-reported changes in health behavior, and healthcare system utilization will be analyzed.
Discussion
We aim to fill the research gap on the population-based utilization of PROMs and PREMs in patients with chronic diseases and add to the current understanding of PROM data-sharing with patients. The study’s results can thereby inform whether a healthcare system-wide approach of collecting PROMs and PREMs can be utilized to identify low-value care, assess quality variation within and across chronic conditions, and whether PRO feedback is helpful and associated with any changes in patient’s health behaviors.
Trial registration
German Clinical Trials Register - DRKS00019916. Registration date: August 22, 2023.
Anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion-derived adjacent segment disease managed via channel-repairing anterior endoscopic transcorporeal cervical discectomy: A case report
Authors: Qin Jianpu , Qian Hu , Xin Zhijun , Liu Guangyi , Jun Ao , Liao Wenbo
Published: December 2023

Background: Management of anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF)-derived adjacent segment disease (ASD) represented a challenge facing the surgeons.
Methods: A 41-year man diagnosed as C3-4 level ASD derived from C5-level ACCF surgery 13 years ago was admitted to the hospital for numbness and pain in the right shoulder and upper limb. Percutaneous full-endoscopic anterior transcorporeal cervical discectomy (PEATCD) was performed, and pre- and postoperative clinical and imaging data were collected.
Results: The operation was completed within 70 min, and no clinical or radiological complication was reported. The visual analog scale (VAS) score decreased from preoperative 5 points to postoperative 1 point. Numbness was relieved postoperatively and disappeared completely at postoperative 3 months. Imaging data indicated sufficient spinal cord decompression, good channel repairing and cervical alignment.
Conclusions: Channel-repairing PEATCD was successfully performed to treat ACCF-derived ASD, which could be an effective and minimally invasive option for ACCF-derived ASD.
Cultural-Responsiveness of the Mental Health First Aid Training for Asian Immigrant Populations in Greater Boston, Massachusetts
Authors: Kim Min Kyung , Su Grace S. , Chan Angel N.Y. , Fu Yuxin , Huang Yanqing , Huang Chien-Chi , Hires Ben , Chu MyDzung
Published: December 2023

Background
The COVID-19 pandemic and rise in anti-Asian racism have had adverse mental health impacts in Asian communities. The lack of culturally-responsive and linguistically-accessible mental health trainings hinders access to mental health services for Asian populations. In this study, we assessed the mental health needs of Asian communities in Greater Boston and evaluated cultural responsiveness of the Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), a first-responder training teaching participants skills to recognize signs of mental health and substance use challenges, and how to appropriately respond.
Methods
This community-based participatory research with the Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center (BCNC), Asian Women For Health (AWFH), and the Addressing Disparities in Asian Populations through Translational Research (ADAPT) Coalition employed two phases. In phase 1, we conducted focus groups with BCNC and AWFH staff and peer educators to assess mental health priorities of Asian populations in Boston. Findings informed phase 2, which evaluated cultural responsiveness of the MHFA through pre- and post-training questionnaires and focus groups with community participants. The pre-training questionnaire asked about mental health needs and barriers, help-seeking behaviors, and literacy; and personal and Asian community stigma. The post-training questionnaire and focus group with community participants asked about cultural competence of MHFA training for Asian populations. Paired t-tests were used to evaluate questionnaire responses. Thematic analysis was used to analyze interviews.
Results
In total, 10 staff/educators and 8 community members participated in focus groups. They identified common mental health needs and workforce and culturally-responsive community strategies to support persons with mental health issues. Twenty-four community participants completed pre- and post-training questionnaires. They reported the MHFA training reduced mental health care stigma and increased mental health literacy. Recommendations to increase cultural-responsiveness of the MHFA were to include mental health case studies common in Asian populations and provide the training in other languages (e.g., Chinese, Vietnamese).
Conclusion
Cultural responsiveness of the MHFA for Asian populations could be improved with the inclusion of case studies specific to the Asian communities and accessibility of the training in other languages. Increasing the cultural relevance and language accessibility of these trainings could help reduce mental health stigma and gaps in mental health awareness and service utilization among Asian populations.
Adoption of multiple strategies to reduce the rate of marker detachment during radiotherapy in patients with cancer
Authors: Yang Huei-Fan , Tsai Hsueh-Ya , Chou Ying-Hsiang , Hsieh Yu-Chen , Li Shao-Ti , Huang Hsiao-Ju , Ke Ya-Fang , Tsai Pei-Fang , Chan Hsiu-Man , Lee Yueh-Chun
Published: December 2023

Background: In the process of radiation therapy, the patient’s body surface needs to be marked as the basis for treatment positioning. The positioning mark may fade or disappear during the treatment because of various factors, which will not only affect the accuracy of the treatment, but also increase the time and cost of medical treatment if the mark needs to be re-established. For patients, it can reduce the time spent on the treatment table and decrease the anxiety level associated with waiting for treatment.
Purpose: For family members: To shorten the time spent in treatment and reduce the disturbance of family members accompanying the examination. For patients: To increase the patient’s satisfaction with the assistance of the radiation oncology staff in completing treatment. For hospitals: To reduce the cost of labor and materials.
Methods: From January to June, the main causes of the disappearance or fading of surface markers in patients treated with radiation therapy were identified. Patients who dropped out of the treatment were annotated on the Medical System for Radiation Oncology (MOSAIQ), to keep track of them. We used our in-house-designedradiotherapy red and green light markers to distinguish individual measures after the provision of the initial nursing care to new patients, added a homemade health education leaflet to collect data via actual observation, and counted the disappearance or fading of patients’ body markers. The effectiveness of the dropout was analyzed, and the improvement measures to reduce dropout were incorporated into the clinical care and health education routine, to improve the accuracy of treatment and ensure the quality and safety of patient treatment.
Conclusions: Marker repositioning on the treatment table decreased significantly after the improvement, from 82 instances totaling 1,230 min (average,102.5 min/month) to seven instances totaling 70 min (average, 23.4 min/month). Moreover, the anxiety level while waiting for treatment decreased from 5 points to 3 points (Beck Anxiety Inventory). In the future, the improvement plan can be incorporated into the routine process of radiation oncology, which will not only reduce the time and cost of medical treatment, but also improve its accuracy, to ensure the quality and safety of patient treatment.
Trial Registration
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT06132295
Structural dynamics of GluK2 kainate receptors in apo and partial agonist bound states.
Authors: Tajima Nami , Bogdanović Nebojša , Segura-Covarrubias Guadalupe , Zhang Lisa
Published: December 2023

Kainate receptors (KARs) belong to the family of ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs) and are tetrameric ligand-gated ion channels that regulate neurotransmitter release and excitatory synaptic transmission in the central nervous system. While KARs share overall architectures with other iGluR subfamilies, their dynamics are significantly different from those of other iGluRs. KARs are activated by both full and partial agonists. While there is less efficacy with partial agonists than with full agonists, the detailed mechanism has remained elusive. Here, we used cryo-electron microscopy to determine the structures of homomeric rat GluK2 KARs in the absence of ligands (apo) and in complex with a partial agonist. Intriguingly, the apo state KARs were captured in desensitized conformation. This structure confirms the KAR desensitization prior to activation. Structures of KARs complexed to the partial agonist domoate populate in domoate bound desensitized and non-active/non-desensitized states. These previously unseen intermediate structures highlight the molecular mechanism of partial agonism in KARs. Additionally, we show how N-glycans stabilized the ligand-binding domain dimer via cation/anion binding and modulated receptor gating properties using electrophysiology. Our findings provide vital structural and functional insights into the unique KAR gating mechanisms.
Effect of an exercise program, in addition to diet, to avoid insulin prescription in women with gestational diabetes: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Boulvain Michel , Othenin-Girard Véronique , Jornayvaz François R. , Kayser Bengt
Published: December 2023

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of an exercise intervention, in addition to usual care, to prevent or delay insulin prescription in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).
Design: Randomised controlled trial
Setting: University hospital
Population: Women at 25-35 weeks pregnancy upon diagnosis of GDM.
Methods: In the intervention arm, women had weekly, supervised, 30-45 min long exercise sessions and were encouraged to accumulate more than 5000 steps per day, monitored by a pedometer, in addition to usual care. Women in the control group had usual care only.
Main outcome measure: Insulin prescription.
Results: From February 2008 through April 2013, 109 women were randomized into intervention (n=57) or usual care (n=52). Two women, both in the intervention group, were excluded from the analysis (one randomised in error and one lost to follow-up). Six women never attended the exercise sessions and two women participated to less than two sessions, while two-third of women were considered as compliant to the intervention. Incidence of insulin prescription was not significantly different between groups: 31 (56%) in the intervention and 24 (46%) in the control group (RR 1.22, 95% CI 0.84 to 1.78); the median time between randomization and insulin prescription was not different between groups (14 and 13 days, respectively).
Conclusion: We were unable to show that an exercise program reduces or delays insulin prescription. Low compliance with the intervention, small sample size and the short duration of the program may explain the apparent lack of benefit.
Registered at clinicaltrials.gov, NCT03174340, 02/06/2017.
Protocol for the development and validation of a Polypharmacy Assessment Score for potentially problematic polypharmacy
Authors: Tsang Jung Yin , Sperrin Matthew , Blakeman Thomas , Payne Rupert , Ashcroft Darren M
Published: December 2023

Background
An increasing number of people are using multiple medications each day, named polypharmacy. This is driven by an ageing population, increasing multimorbidity, and single disease focussed guidelines. Medications carry obvious benefits, yet problematic polypharmacy is linked to adverse consequences including adverse drug events, drug-drug and drug-disease interactions, poor patient experience and wasted resources. There is a need to improve how we identify and evaluate these patients.
Aim
To produce a clinically representative PolypharmacyAssessment Score that can be implemented in practice to improve how we identify and evaluate people with potentially problematic polypharmacy
Methods
Analyses will be performed in three parts:
1. A regression model will explore predictors of polypharmacy and inform the development of a “Polypharmacy Assessment Score”. This will be constructed through calculating the discrepancies between the observed and expected count of prescribed medications, given an individual’s age, gender and clinical diagnoses, thereby highlighting people that have unexpected levels of prescribing and thus identifying potentially problematic polypharmacy.
Parts 2 and 3 will examine different aspects of validity of the Polypharmacy Assessment Score:
2. To assess ‘construct validity’ of the score, cross-sectional analyses will evaluate high-risk prescribing (using both explicit and implicit measures of inappropriate prescribing) within populations with a range of different Polypharmacy Assessment Scores
3. To assess ‘predictive validity’ of the score, a retrospective cohort study will explore differences in clinical outcomes (adverse drug reactions, unplanned hospitalisation and all-cause mortality) between differing scores.
Discussion
Developing a robust and cross-cutting measure of polypharmacy has the potential to empower healthcare professionals to provide more effective and tailored care to patients with complex medication needs and better health outcomes. Our novel approach to producing a Polypharmacy Assessment Score uses unusual levels of prescribing to provide an indication of patients who may be at higher risk of potentially problematic polypharmacy.
Mycoplasma pneumoniae detections in Children with lower respiratory infection before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: a large sample study in China from 2019-2022
Authors: Qiu WeiLing , Ding Jiaying , Zhang Homgmei , Huang Shumin , Huang Zuowei , Lin Ming , Zhang Yuanyuan , Chen Zhimin
Published: December 2023

Background
Non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) implemented to reduce the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) also suppressed the spread the other respiratory viruses during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This study aimed to explore the epidemiological trend and clinical characteristics of Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) infection among inpatient children with lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) before and during COVID-19 pandemic, and to investigate the long-term effects of the China’s NPIs against COVID-19 on the epidemiology of MP among inpatient children with LRTI.
Methods
Common respiratory pathogens were detected in hospitalized children due to LRTI at the Department of pulmonology, The Children’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine(Hangzhou, China) from January 2019 to December 2022. All respiratory specimens were tested for seven common viruses, Mycoplasma pneumonia(MP), Chlamydia trachomatis༈CT༉and bacteria. The clinical data of age, gender, season of onset, disease spectrum and combined infection in children with MP induced LRTI in the past 4 years were collected and analyzed.
Results
A total of 15909 patients were enrolled, and MP positive cases were 1971(34.0%), 73(2.4%), 176(5.8%), 952(20.6%) in 2019, 2020, 2021,2022, respectively, with a significant statistical difference of the MP positive rate among the 4 years(p < 0.001). The median age of these children was pre-school age (> 3y, ≤ 6y), except for 2022 when they were in school age (> 6y, ≤ 12y), with statistical differences. In term of the seasonal distribution, children of LRTI with MP infection were admitted mostly in summer and autumn, while in 2020, most of them were admitted in winter and spring. The number of cases reached a peak in August 2019, remained a low level from 2020 to 2021, and rebounded until 2022. In terms of disease spectrum composition, severe pneumonia accounted for the highest proportion༈46.3%༉ before the epidemic, and it accounted for the lowest༈0%༉in 2020.
Conclusion
The collection of MP detections in LRTI children shows correlation between COVID-19 NPIs and significantly reduced detection numbers. The positive rate of MP basically recovered after two years, while the susceptible population and epidemic season showed some differences compared to that before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Carbon farming in the Living Soils of the Americas
Authors: Cerri Carlos Eduardo Pellegrino , Cherubin Maurício Roberto , Villela João Marcos , Locatelli Jorge Luiz , Carvalho Martha Lustosa , Villarreal Federico , Mello Francisco Fujita Castro , Lal Rattan
Published: December 2023

Soil represents Earth's largest terrestrial reservoir of carbon (C) and is an important sink of C from the atmosphere. It remains unclear to which extent the inclusion of best management practices (BMPs) can contribute to increasing soil C sequestration in large-scale agrosystems. Solving the lack of soil C references can also allow the implementation of the C market, envisioned by the Paris Agreement. This study brings an overview of thousands of research articles and reveals that upscaling BMPs over 30% of the agricultural area (334 Mha) of the Americas would promote a soil C sequestration of 13.3 (± 7.30) Pg CO2eq in 20 years, offsetting ~ 39% of agricultural emissions in the same period. These results suggest that BMPs have great potential for C removal from the atmosphere and represent a positive impact in terms of climate change mitigation and adaptation, combatting land degradation, and promoting food security.
You better run: macroevolutionary study reveals the differentiated impacts/constraints of mechanics, physics, and history in ruminants’ ankle bone
Authors: Mennecart Bastien , Orgebin Pierre , Dziomber Ilya Laura , Aiglstorfer Manuela
Published: December 2023

The astragalus is a hinged bony organ common to many tetrapods. Its morphology is constrained by several factors: allometry, environment, and phylogeny. Morphological features connected to these factors are discussed here for one of the most successful large mammal groups today, for ruminants. 3D Geometric morphometrics not only confirms previous linear measurements but also identifies other areas that were previously undetected by biometrics data. The relative height of the distal trochlea is influenced by the body mass. The functional length of the astragalus and certain articular and ligament insertion surfaces are influenced by the preferred mode of locomotion and thus represent habitat. Clade-specific characters were identified in this study. Cervidae have a more “bean-shaped” distal facet (articulation surface to calcaneus) while Bovidae have an “egg-shaped” one. These zones do not seem to have been affected by the previous constraints. Neutral and random evolution can take place on these structures and provide essential information for phylogeny. These new data can complement the character matrices used in cladistics.
Use of medications to treat inflammatory bowel diseases before and during pregnancy in Switzerland between 2012 and 2019: an observational study using the claims-based MAMA cohort.
Authors: Gerbier Eva , Dupuis Marc , Baggio Stéphanie , Oppliger Byron , Kandhasamy Sreemanjari , Favre Guillaume , Maisonneuve Emeline , Winterfeld Ursula , Schmid Christian P.R , Legardeur Helene , Ceulemans Michael , Baud David , Spoendlin Julia , Panchaud Alice
Published: December 2023

Background: Effective management of Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) before and during pregnancy is crucial as women with well-controlled IBD at conception tend to remain in remission throughout pregnancy, experiencing outcomes similar to women without IBD. Most IBD medications are considered safe during pregnancy, except for methotrexate. Despite reassuring data, previous studies have highlighted that women often have negative perceptions and fears related to IBD medications, leading to poor adherence. There is a lack of data regarding how IBD is treated before and during pregnancy in Switzerland.
We aimed to assess the prevalence and usage patterns of various IBD medications in Switzerland before and during pregnancy over time.
Methods: A descriptive study using the MAMA cohort based on Swiss health insurance claims from 2012 to 2019. We identified pregnancies with a pharmaceutical cost group (PCG) indicating IBD and at least one prescribed IBD medication before pregnancy. We defined three groups based on dispensation timing: continuers (dispensation in pre-pregnancy and in or after trimester 2), switchers (different dispensation between pre-pregnancy and in or after trimester 2), and discontinuers (dispensation in pre-pregnancy but no dispensation in or after trimester 2).
Results: Among 104,098 deliveries, 0.3% had a PCG code for IBD with an IBD medication dispensed in pre-pregnancy. Over half of these pregnancies were exposed to Aminosalicylates, with a consistent proportion over time. Pregnancies exposed to biologics increased over time, while immunosuppressant use remained steady. Roughly one-third with IBD medication before pregnancy discontinued treatment, a consistent rate throughout the study.
Conclusions: Aminosalicylates were the most prescribed medication to treat IBD despite the lack of evidence to support their use as first-line therapy. The increase in biologics' prescriptions likely reflects the growing evidence on the safety of these medications during pregnancy. One in three women discontinued all treatment during pregnancy, with a stable proportion over time. It is not known whether women discontinued treatment due to quiescent disease or concerns about medication harm. If the latter, these women should be identified and counseled, preferably during the pre-conception period, about the risks and benefits of disease and treatment.
Assessing the Impact of Triiodothyronine Treatment on the Lung Microbiome of Mice with Pulmonary Fibrosis
Authors: Guo Xiaoshu , Xu Kai , Wang Qiwen , Han Zongyuan , Yu Guoying
Published: December 2023

Background
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is an interstitial lung disease characterized by progressive pulmonary fibrosis (PF) exacerbation. IPF primarily affects older individuals and can lead to respiratory failure. This study aimed to assess the effects of triiodothyronine (T3) treatment on the lung microbiome of mice with PF.
Methods
Mice were perfused with bleomycin (BLM) to establish a PF model. Using a randomized design, 40 female specific pathogen-free (SPF) C57BL6/N mice were divided into four groups: saline, saline + T3, BLM, and BLM + T3. Hematoxylin and eosin and Masson’s trichrome staining were used to detect histological morphology, and 16S rRNA microbial sequencing was used to identify lung bacteria. An Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay was used to measure total T3 (TT3), free T3 (FT3, and reverse T3 (rT3) levels in the peripheral serum.
Results
T3 treatment ameliorated BLM-induced lung fibrosis and structural damage. The microbiome experienced a decrease in the abundance of Proteobacteria, Bacteroides, and Actinomycetes and an increase in the abundance of Firmicutes when exposed to BLM; however, T3 treatment reversed this effect. The four groups showed no significant difference in alpha and beta microbiome diversity (P > 0.05), and the effect of T3 treatment and BLM treatment on lung microbial alpha diversity was in the opposite direction, which was of positive significance; beta-diversity analysis suggested a relatively stable microbiome). Serum concentrations of TT3 and FT3 were positively correlated with microbiome abundance (P < 0.05). Administration of T3 enhanced the microbiota in PF without affecting the diversity and biological functions of the microbiome (P > 0.05).
Conclusion
T3 treatment had a positive effect on the lung microbiome of mice with PF. This finding partially supports the use of T3 as a potential drug for the treatment of PF.
An Improved FMEA-MABAC Method Based on Prospect Theory in a Q-Rung Orthopair Hesitant Fuzzy Environment: A Case Study on Risk Assessment of Aircraft Landing System
Authors: Köseoğlu Ali , Altun Fatma , Şahin Rıdvan
Published: December 2023

This study presents an approach by considering a risk assessment problem handled as a decision problem. The main purpose of this study is to observe how results are affected with more sensitive calculations and how results change including psychological behavior of decision maker to the process. For this reason, prospect theory is integrated to the MABAC method in which probability information is included in the process by probability density function with normal distribution. Also, Best-Worst method is used to determine weights of criteria according to each decision maker. Besides, weights of each decision maker are obtained using TOPSIS arguments. In addition, the proposed approach is applied under Q-rung orthopair hesitant fuzzy environment for more comprehensive study field. In the numerical part of this study, aircraft landing system is handled as an FMEA problem and by combining MABAC method, the novel method is applied to test how practical and consistent under improvements.
Molecular Marker Discovery and effect Evaluation of KRT17 and COL1A1 in Esophageal Cancer Detection
Authors: Huiwen Pan , Hong Jie , Shao Aizhong , Zhao Zhiguo , Ding Guowen , Fang Zhijie , chen Keping , Zhu Jingfeng
Published: December 2023

Esophageal cancer is one of the malignant tumors in the digestive system. Because the early symptoms of esophageal cancer are occult and lack effective screening of specific molecular markers of esophageal cancer, most patients are in the middle or advanced stage at the time of treatment, and the 5-year survival rate is low. This study aimed to find molecular biomarkers of clinical value in the development and diagnosis of esophageal cancer. The factors affecting esophageal cancer were identified by clinical factor analysis and tissue transcriptome sequencing of 180 cases of esophageal cancer in Jiangsu, China. The results of the Chi-square test and correlation analysis demonstrated that: a). relative expression of KRT17 was higher in esophageal cancer with diabetes (P = 0.036); b). expression of KRT17 correlated with blood glucose levels (r = 0.186, P = 0.013) and tumor size (r = -0.197, P = 0.009) in esophageal cancer patients; c). and expression of COL1A1 correlated with age (r = -0.148, P = 0.047) and blood glucose levels (r = 0.212, P = 0.004) in esophageal cancer patients; d). Experimental results of QRT-RCR: KRT17 and COL1A1 genes were highly expressed in esophageal cancer, respectively (P < 0.05); when the two genes were used as a combination test, the positive detection rate of esophageal cancer was 90.6%, ROC curve, specificity, and sensitivity had greater power, and KRT17 and COL1A1 genes had the potential to be biomarkers for the diagnosis of esophageal cancer.
Does Different Application Modes of Universal Adhesives with Universal Resin Composites Affect the Microleakage in Class V Cavities? An In Vitro Study
Authors: SARI Ceyda , AKGUL Sinem , BALA Oya
Published: December 2023

Objective
The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the levels of microleakage of different modes of the Scotchbond Universal (3M ESPE, St. Paul, MN, USA) and the two novel resin composites.
Materials and Methods
Sixty-six freshly extracted sound human central incisors of the similar size were randomly assigned to 2 groups (n:33 per group) according to the brand of resin composite. Each group was further divided into 3 subgroups based on the universal adhesive application protocol used: (a) total etch, (b) self-etch and (c) selective etch. Each tooth was immersed in a 0.5% basic fuchsin dye solution at 37C0 for 24 hours. After dye penetration, teeth were sectioned and evaluated with conventional (scoring) and digital methods (Image J). The intra- and inter-examiner agreement was estimated according to the Kappa statistics and the results were analyzed with the one-way ANNOVA and the Kruskal Wallis statistical tests (p < 0.05).
Results
The microleakage of the gingival and incisal margins are statistically similar, regardless of the composite brand and the method of application of the universal adhesive.
Conclusion
The microleakage exhibited by current adhesives and resins is independent of the adhesive application mode and measurement method.
Clinical relevance:
Evaluation of microleakage in Class V cavities using novel universal composites (Omnichroma and 3M Filtek Universal) with Scotchbond Universal adhesive, providing essential insights for clinicians grappling with challenges in adhesive restorations, such as aesthetic outcomes, polymerization stresses, and optimal adhesive protocols.