bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spliceosome inhibitor induces human hematopoietic progenitor cell reprogramming toward stemness
Authors: Dong Liaoliao , Wei Chuijin , Xiong Shumin , Yu Ping , Zhou Ren , Cheng Lin
Published: June 2022

The application of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) has been restricted due to limited cell sources and conventional methods for generating these cells by cell expansion and pluripotent stem cell differentiation have not been clinically achieved. Cell reprogramming technique provides a new hope for generating desirable cells. We previously reported that mouse differentiated hematopoietic cell reprogramming could be induced by small molecule compounds to generate hematopoietic stem/progenitor-like cells, whether the human hematopoietic cells could also be reprogrammed into HSCs by chemical compounds remains elusive. Here, we demonstrated for the first time that human committed hematopoietic progenitors could be reprogrammed into multipotent progenitors by spliceosome inhibitor. Combination of single cell RNA-sequencing and genetic lineage tracing including exogenous barcodes and endogenous mitochondrial DNA mutations confirmed the reprogramming procession. Although the small chemical compound inhibiting spliceosome function only induces the differentiated hematopoietic progenitors to acquire plasticity and reprograms them into multipotent progenitors but not stem cells so far, this study still provides a proof-of-concept strategy for generating HSCs based on combining two independent steps together in future, first differentiating rare HSCs into large number of progenitors then reprogramming these progenitors into huge number of HSCs. Further dissecting the mechanism underlying spliceosome inhibitor-induced human hematopoietic cell reprogramming in future will help us comprehensively understanding not only the chemical reprogramming to generate desirable human cells for clinical translation but also hematopoiesis under physiological and pathological conditions.
Linking gastrointestinal microbiota and metabolome dynamics to clinical outcomes in paediatric haematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Vaitkute Gintare , Panic Gordana , Alber Dagmar G. , Faizura-Yeop Intan , Cloutman-Green Elaine , Swann Jonathan , Veys Paul , Standing Joseph F. , Klein Nigel , Bajaj-Elliott Mona
Published: June 2022

Background

Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation is a curative procedure for a variety of conditions. Despite major advances, a plethora of adverse clinical outcomes can develop post-transplantation including graft-versus-host disease and infections, which remain the major causes of morbidity and mortality. There is increasing evidence that the gastrointestinal microbiota is associated with clinical outcomes post-haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Herein, we investigated the longitudinal dynamics of the gut microbiota and metabolome and potential associations to clinical outcomes in paediatric haematopoietic stem cell transplantation at a single centre.

Results

On admission (baseline), the majority of patients presented with a different gut microbial composition in comparison with healthy control children with a significantly lower alpha diversity. A further, marked decrease in alpha diversity was observed immediately post-transplantation and in most microbial diversity, and composition did not return to baseline status whilst hospitalised. Longitudinal trajectories identified continuous fluctuations in microbial composition, with the dominance of a single taxon in a significant proportion of patients. Using pam clustering, three clusters were observed in the dataset. Cluster 1 was common pre-transplantation, characterised by a higher abundance of Clostridium XIVa, Bacteroides and Lachnospiraceae; cluster 2 and cluster 3 were more common post-transplantation with a higher abundance of Streptococcus and Staphylococcus in the former whilst Enterococcus, Enterobacteriaceae and Escherichia predominated in the latter. Cluster 3 was also associated with a higher risk of viraemia. Likewise, further multivariate analysis reveals Enterobacteriaceae, viraemia, use of total parenteral nutrition and various antimicrobials contributing towards cluster 3, Streptococcaceae, Staphylococcaceae, Neisseriaceae, vancomycin and metronidazole contributing towards cluster 2. Lachnospiraceae, Ruminococcaceae, Bifidobacteriaceae and not being on total parenteral nutrition contributed to cluster 1. Untargeted metabolomic analyses revealed changes that paralleled fluctuations in microbiota composition; importantly, low faecal butyrate was associated with a higher risk of viraemia.

Conclusions

These findings highlight the frequent shifts and dominations in the gut microbiota of paediatric patients undergoing haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The study reveals associations between the faecal microbiota, metabolome and viraemia. To identify and explore the potential of microbial biomarkers that may predict the risk of complications post-HSCT, larger multi-centre studies investigating the longitudinal microbial profiling in paediatric haematopoietic stem cell transplantation are warranted.
Can substance abuse media literacy increase prediction of drug use in students?
Authors: Barati Majid , Bashirian Saeed , Jormand Hanieh , Babamiri Mohammad , Rezapur-Shahkolai Forouzan
Published: June 2022

Objective

The present study aimed to determine the predictors of drug use among students based on the Extended Prototype willingness model (EPWM).

Methods

This cross-sectional study was performed at Hamadan universities. The participants were selected via multi-stage sampling. Finally, out of 721 students participated. The questionnaire consisted of four sections: (a) socio-demographic characteristics, (b) Questionnaire about the prototype willingness model constructs, (c) Questionnaire about the status of drug use behavior, (d) Substance Abuse Media Literacy (SAML) scale. Data were analyzed using a structural equations partial least squares confirmatory composite approach and SPSS-23.

Results

The mean age of students was of 23.47 ± 4.14 years. Based on results, behavioral willingness (β = 0.420, t-value = 9.010, p < 0.001) and behavioral intention (β = 0.291, t-value = 6.957, p < 0.001) significantly predicted drug use. The presented results of analysis, 66% of the variance of the drug use, 62% of the variable of the behavioral willingness, and 56% of the behavioral intention could be explained by the EPWM.

Conclusion

The present study demonstrated that EPWM could predict drug use in students. Therefore, designing and implementing educational and promotional intervention programs to reduce behavioral willingness and increase students’ skills in substance abuse media literacy is necessary to prevent drug use behavior.
Prevalence, risk factors and perceptions of caregivers on burns among children under 5 years in Kisenyi slum, Kampala, Uganda
Authors: Tusiime Marcia , Musoke David , Muneza Fiston , Mutto Milton , Kobusingye Olive
Published: June 2022

Background

Globally, burn related deaths are disproportionately higher among children below 5 years of age compared to other age groups. Although rarely fatal, most burns in this group occur within homes specifically in kitchens. This study assessed the prevalence, risk factors and perceptions of caregivers regarding burns among children under 5 years in an urban slum in Kampala, Uganda.

Methods

The study used an analytic cross-sectional design with quantitative and qualitative techniques. Quantitative data were collected using a structured questionnaire and observational checklist, while qualitative data involved use of a key informant interview guide. A total of 426 children were involved in the study, while 6 key informants namely an adult mother, teenage mother, community health worker, health practitioner, father and local leader were interviewed. A modified Poisson regression model was used to determine the correlates of burn injuries, prevalence rate ratios and 95% confidence intervals, while thematic analysis was used for qualitative data.

Results

The prevalence of burns among under-fives was 32%, highest among those aged 24 to 35 months (39%), and least in those below 12 months (10%). Children with single parents (adj PR = 1.56 95% CI 1.07–2.29) and those from households in the middle and least poor wealth quintile (adj.PR = 1.72; 95% CI 1.02–2.89 and adj.PR = 1.77; 95% CI 1.02–3.05, respectively) were more likely to get burns compared to their counterparts in other quintiles. In households where flammables were safely stored, children were less likely to suffer from burn injuries (adj.PR = 0.61; 95% CI 0.44–0.83). Congestion, negligence of caregivers, and use of charcoal stoves/open cooking were the commonest determinants of burns. Although many caregivers offered first aid to burn patients, inadequate knowledge of proper care was noted. Crawling children were perceived as being at highest risk of burns.

Conclusion

The prevalence of burns among children under 5 years was high, with several household hazards identified. Health education, household modification and applicable public health law enforcement are recommended to reduce hazards and minimise burn risks among children.
Measurement properties of the minimal insomnia symptom scale (MISS) in adolescents
Authors: Hedin Gita , Garmy Pernilla , Norell-Clarke Annika , Tønnesen Hanne , Hagell Peter , Westergren Albert
Published: June 2022

Background

The Minimal Insomnia Symptom Scale (MISS) is a three-item screening instrument that has been found to be psychometrically sound and capable of screening for insomnia among adults and older people. This study aimed to test the measurement properties of the MISS together with an additional item focusing on daytime functioning among adolescents using the Rasch measurement model.

Methods

A cross-sectional design was used, and data from adolescents (age 13–17 years, n = 3022) were analyzed using the Rasch measurement model.

Results

The MISS had good measurement properties. When adding the item “daytime disturbance”, the measurement properties deteriorated. When replacing the original MISS item “not rested by sleep” with the item “daytime disturbance”, the measurement properties slightly improved. We label this new scale the MISS-Revised (MISS-R). The reliability was better for the MISS-R (0.55) compared to the MISS (0.50). The optimal cut-off was found to be > 6 points, both for the MISS and the MISS-R.

Conclusions

This study provides general support that both the MISS as well as the MISS-R have good fit to the Rasch model. At this stage, neither the MISS nor the MISS-R can be advocated over the other for use among adolescents, although the MISS-R had slightly better reliability than the MISS. Additional studies are needed to determine the clinically optimal cut-score for identification of insomnia.
Identification and evaluation of isolated entomopathogenic fungus from Egyptian soil against the black cutworm larvae of Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
Authors: Ahmed Adel Anwar Ismail , Khalil Shimaa Sayed Hassan , Sahab Ahmed Farahat
Published: June 2022

Background

The black cutworm,Agrotis ipsilon(Hufnagel) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is considered as one of the most destructive pests of many field crops in Egypt. Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) have long been accepted as relatively safe alternatives to chemical insecticides. In the past decades, many researchers have compared the effective local isolates of EPF to the formulated product of the same fungus and reported that local isolates were more efficient than formulations when used against target insects.

Results

The present study discussed the pathogenic activity of local isolate after scientific characterization. Two insect species [Galleria mellonellaL. andAgrotis ipsilon(Hufn.)] were used in this evaluation. The fungus was isolated from soil samples by trapping method, and fourth-instar larvae ofGalleriawere used to evaluate the pathogenicity of the isolate. The isolate was identified asBeauveria bassiana.Different levels of the fungus development depending on the test temperatures (20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 °C) were tested. Optimal growth of the isolate fungus was recorded at 25 °C. The corrected mortality rate for fourth-instar larvae ofG. mellonellatreated with the isolate spores at 6.4 × 105spores/ml was (96%) after 10 days, while the mortality of last instar larvae ofA. ipsilonwas (48 and 100%) at the concentrations of 9.2 × 104and 2.9 × 106spores/ml, respectively, after 14 days compared to (24%) in the control. Both pupation and the sex ratio in adults were affected at different levels according to the concentration. The effect was also very clear in the increased rates of malformation in adults.

Conclusion

The EPF,B. bassiana,isolated from the soil, was highly effective againstG. mellonellalarvae in storage andA. ipsilonlarvae in soil; therefore, it could be recommended as an alternative control agent for chemical pesticides.
Vegetation’s influence on fire behavior goes beyond just being fuel
Authors: Loudermilk E. Louise , O’Brien Joseph J. , Goodrick Scott L. , Linn Rodman R. , Skowronski Nicholas S. , Hiers J. Kevin
Published: June 2022

Background

The structure and function of fire-prone ecosystems are influenced by many interacting processes that develop over varying time scales. Fire creates both instantaneous and long-term changes in vegetation (defined as live, dead, and decomposing plant material) through combustion, heat transfer to living tissues, and subsequent patterns of recovery. While fuel available for combustion may be relative to the amount of vegetation, it is equally instructive to evaluate how the physical structure and other characteristics of vegetation influence fire dynamics, and how these interactions change between fire events. This paper presents a conceptual framework for how vegetation not only embodies the legacy of previous fires but creates the physical environment that drives fire behavior beyond its combustion as a fuel source.

Results

While many environmental factors affect both the post-fire vegetation trajectory and fire dynamics themselves, we present a conceptual framework describing how vegetation’s structural characteristics control the local microclimate and fluid dynamics of fire-induced flows, and how that is influenced by ecosystem and atmospheric processes. Shifting our focus from fuels to vegetation allows us to integrate spatial and temporal feedbacks between fire, vegetation, soil, and the atmosphere across scales. This approach synthesizes the combustion and flammability science, the physical influence on fire behavior, and the ecosystem dynamics and processes that occur between fires and within a fire regime.

Conclusions

We conclude that fire behavior, including its prediction and ecological effects, should be broadened to include the dynamic processes that interact with vegetation, beyond its role as fuel. Our conceptual framework illustrates the crucial feedbacks across scales that link the finer details of vegetation and fire behavior processes that occur within a fire and have additive effects that feedback into the coarser scale processes and functions within an ecosystem. Shifting the fuels paradigm to integrate the combustion, physical, and ecological roles of vegetation as complex drivers of fire behavior and outcomes will broaden discovery within wildland fire science and ecology.
Undocumented Irish Need Apply
Authors: Townsend Sarah L.
Published: June 2022

In the late 1980s, amid immigration reform in the United States, legislators and lobbyists secured generous visa allotments for Irish immigrants, whose path to legal residency in the United States narrowed after the 1965 Hart-Celler Act abolished the national origins quota system. Claiming that the new law discriminated against Europeans, Irish advocates framed their campaign as an effort to diversify the post-1965 immigrant pool, which was predominantly Asian and Latin American. By examining the rhetoric deployed in congressional hearings and media appearances, this article considers how groups like the Irish negotiated the terms of their whiteness in the post–civil rights era. It also addresses the global dimensions of this case study, including Irish lobbyists’ coalition with other (nonwhite) immigrant groups, concurrent immigration reform in Australia and Canada, the effect of the Northern Irish civil war and US-Irish diplomatic relations, and its legacies in a newly multicultural contemporary Ireland.
Women’s Agency, Catholic Morality, and the Irish State
Authors: Appeltová Michaela
Published: June 2022

The text reviews four new books in Irish women’s history and the history of sexuality: Mary McAuliffe’s biography of the revolutionary Margaret Skinnider; Jennifer Redmond’s Moving Histories, exploring the discourses about Irish women migrants to Great Britain in the first few decades of the Irish state, and their everyday lives in Britain; Lindsey Earner-Byrne and Diane Urquhart’s The Irish Abortion Journey, which documents the repressive discourses and policies surrounding abortion in twentieth-century Ireland and relates stories of traveling to Great Britain to obtain it; and finally, Sonja Tiernan’s book examining the ultimately successful political and legal campaign for marriage equality in Ireland. These highly readable, well-researched books place gender and sexuality at the center of Irish history; provide insight into the contradictory political, religious, and medical discourses about Irish women, gays, and lesbians; and document the lives of women both in and out of Ireland.
A Diaphanous and Enabled-dependent asymmetric actin cable array repositions nuclei during Drosophila oogenesis
Authors: Logan Gregory , Chou Wei-Chien , McCartney Brooke M.
Published: June 2022

Cells reposition their nuclei for diverse specialized functions through a wide variety of cytoskeletal mechanisms. During Drosophila oogenesis, 15 nurse cells connected by ring canals to each other and the oocyte contract, ‘dumping’ their cytoplasm into the oocyte. Prior to dumping, actin cables initiate from the nurse cell cortex and elongate toward their nuclei, pushing them away from ring canals to prevent obstruction. How the cable arrays reposition nuclei is unknown. We found that these arrays are asymmetric, with regional differences in actin cable growth rate dependent on the differential localization of the actin assembly factors Enabled and Diaphanous. Enabled mislocalization produces a uniform growth rate. In oocyte-contacting nurse cells with asymmetric cable arrays, nuclei move away from ring canals. With uniform arrays, these nuclei move toward the adjacent ring canal instead. This correlated with ring canal nuclear blockage and incomplete dumping. Our data suggest that nuclear repositioning relies on the regulated cortical localization of Diaphanous and Enabled to produce actin cable arrays with asymmetric growth that push nuclei away from ring canals, enabling successful oogenesis.
Οργάνωση πολυτροπικών συστημάτων αστικών μετακινήσεων, με έμφαση στις παραμέτρους ποιότητας του αστικού περιβάλλοντος
Authors: Τσουκαλά Αντωνία
Published: June 2022

Η διδακτορική διατριβή με τίτλο «Οργάνωση πολυτροπικών συστημάτων αστικών μετακινήσεων, με έμφαση στις παραμέτρους ποιότητας του αστικού περιβάλλοντος» πραγματεύεται το ζήτημα του ορθολογικού αστικού συγκοινωνιακού σχεδιασμού, θέτοντας στο επίκεντρο τη μετακίνηση, τον μετακινούμενο και τα χαρακτηριστικά τους, υπό το πρίσμα της βιώσιμης κινητικότητας. Αντικείμενο της διδακτορικής διατριβής αποτέλεσε η διερεύνηση των πρακτικών αστικού συγκοινωνιακού σχεδιασμού σε ευρωπαϊκές χώρες με προεξάρχουσα τη Γαλλία. Μελετήθηκαν ενδελεχώς τα γαλλικά Σχέδια Αστικών Μετακινήσεων (Plans de Déplacements Urbains - P.D.U.), που, πλήρως εμπνευσμένα από την έννοια της βιώσιμης κινητικότητας, αποτελούν επιτυχημένο πρότυπο ορθολογικής οργάνωσης των μετακινήσεων στον αστικό χώρο. Τα γαλλικά P.D.U. μελετήθηκαν τόσο ως προς τη σύλληψη και τη φιλοσοφία τους, όσο και ως προς τη μεθοδολογία εκπόνησής τους και πραγματοποιήθηκε η σύγκρισή τους με την πρακτική αστικού συγκοινωνιακού σχεδιασμού στη χώρα μας. Επίσης, εξετάσθηκαν τα αντίστοιχα σχέδια του Ηνωμένου Βασιλείου (Local Transport Plans - L.T.P.) και της Ιταλίας (Piano Urbano della Mobilità - P.U.M.), συγκρινόμενα μεταξύ τους. Η θεωρητική γνώση μεταφράστηκε σε πρακτική εφαρμογή μέσω της εκπόνησης Σχεδίου Αστικών Μετακινήσεων στην ευρύτερη περιοχή της Έδεσσας, κατά το πρότυπο των P.D.U. Τελικός στόχος και αποτέλεσμα της διδακτορικής διατριβής ήταν η αξιοποίηση της τεχνογνωσίας των P.D.U. και της δοκιμής του Σχεδίου Αστικών Μετακινήσεων στην Έδεσσα για τη διατύπωση πρότασης προτύπου ελληνικού Σχεδίου Αστικών Μετακινήσεων (Σ.Α.Μ.). Προτάθηκε μεθοδολογία και διαδικασία εκπόνησης Σ.Α.Μ. για τις ελληνικές πόλεις, που στοχεύει στην εξισορρόπηση της ανάγκης για κινητικότητα και προσπελασιμότητα, με την υποχρέωση προστασίας του περιβάλλοντος και της δημόσιας υγείας, καθώς και στην ενδυνάμωση της κοινωνικής συνοχής.
Διερεύνηση των δυνατοτήτων εφαρμογής της τρισδιάστατης ανασύνθεσης και εκτύπωσης στη μελέτη περιεδρικών συριγγίων
Authors: Μπαγγέας Πέτρος
Published: June 2022

Εισαγωγή – Σκοπός. Η τρισδιάστατη εκτύπωση είναι μια ταχέως εξελισσόμενη τεχνολογία. Στον τομέα της χειρουργικής, συμβάλει στους τομείς του χειρουργικού σχεδιασμού, της βασικής εκπαίδευσης αλλά και της εξειδικευμένης χειρουργικής κατάρτισης. Στην παρούσα διδακτορική διατριβή, μελετήθηκε η διερεύνηση της δυνατότητας των εφαρμογών της τριασδιάστης ανασύνθεσης και εκτύπωσης στην μελέτη ασθενών με περιεδρικά συρίγγια. Συγκεκριμένα μελετήθηκε η δυνατότητα χρησιμοποίησης της τεχνολογίας τόσο σε επίπεδο προεγχειρητικού σχεδιασμού όσο και για διδακτικούς σκοπούς. Υλικό – ΜέθοδοιΚατά την διάρκεια διεξαγωγής της μελέτης, επιλέχθηκαν δέκα ασθενείς (n=10) με περιεδρικό συρίγγιο. Οι ασθενείς υποβλήθηκαν σε πλήρη κλινική εξέταση και μαγνητική τομογραφία (MRI). Τα δεδομένα της μαγνητικής τομογραφίας μοντελοποιήθηκαν και εκτυπώθηκαν σε τρισδιάστατο εκτυπωτή. Είκοσι (n=20) χειρουργοί κατά το τελευταίο έτος της ειδίκευσής τους χωρίστηκαν τυχαία σε δύο ομάδες. Η ομάδα Α μελέτησε τις μαγνητικές τομογραφίες των ασθενών, ενώ η ομάδα Β τα εκτυπωμένα μοντέλα. Οι συμμετέχοντες αξιολογήθηκαν στην ικανότητα αντίληψης και περιγραφής του περιεδρικού συριγγίου ενώ στο τέλος αξιολόγησαν την εμπειρία τους.ΑποτελέσματαΗ στατιστική ανάλυση αποκάλυψε ότι οι χειρουργοί που μελέτησαν μόνο τα εκτυπωμένα μοντέλα πρωκτικού συριγγίου (Ομάδα Β) πέτυχαν υψηλότερη συνολικά βαθμολογία στη δοκιμή αξιολόγησης συριγγίου (87,2 (82,6-91,6) σε σύγκριση με τους χειρουργούς (Ομάδα Α) που μελέτησαν μόνο εικόνες MRI (74,85 (66,8-73,5). Παράλληλα αξιολόγησαν την εμπειρία τους ως αποδοτική, χρήσιμη και εν τέλει θετική για την αύξηση των γνώσεων τους αλλά και την πληρέστερη εκπαίδευσης τους.ΣυμπεράσματαΗ τεχνολογία τρισδιάστατης εκτύπωσης μπορεί να οδηγήσει στην βελτίωση της ακρίβειας του προεγχειρητικού σχεδιασμού, ακολουθούμενη από αποτελεσματική βελτιστοποίηση της θεραπευτικής στρατηγικής. Επιπρόσθετα, η τεχνολογία αποτελεί ιδανικό εκπαιδευτικό εργαλείο και θα μπορούσε να εφαρμοστεί με ασφάλεια και στην περίπτωση διαφόρων άλλων χειρουργικών εφαρμογών.
Μελέτη συσχέτισης της λειτουργικότητας των αρτηριών με κλινικούς και υπερηχοκαρδιογραφικούς δείκτες σε ασθενείς με καρδιακή ανεπάρκεια
Authors: Χασικίδης Χρήστος
Published: June 2022

«Μελέτη συσχέτισης της λειτουργικότητας των αρτηριών με Κλινικούς και Υπερηχοκαρδιογραφικούς δείκτες σε ασθενείς με Καρδιακή Ανεπάρκεια»Η αρτηριακή σκληρία ως αποτέλεσμα αρτηριοσκλήρυνσης, έχει συσχετισθεί σαφώς με αυξημένη επίπτωση καρδιαγγειακών συμβαμάτων τόσο στον γενικό πληθυσμό, όσο και στους ασθενείς με συννοσηρότητες. Παρά το γεγονός ότι βάσει παθοφυσιολογικών δεδομένων η αρτηριακή σκληρία επιδρά αρνητικά στο μεταφόρτιο και κατά συνέπεια στην απόδοση της αριστερής κοιλίας (LV), δεν υπάρχουν σαφή στοιχεία όσον αφορά στην επίδρασή της στην ανάπτυξη, την πρόοδο και την εκδήλωση της Καρδιακής Ανεπάρκειας (ΚΑ).Σκοπός: Η συσχέτιση της ταχύτητας των σφυγμικών κυμάτων (PWV), ως δείκτη αρτηριακής σκληρίας, με υπερηχοκαρδιογραφικούς δείκτες σε ασθενείς με ΚΑ.Μέθοδος: Μόνιμοι κάτοικοι του Ν. Κορινθίας, ηλικίας ≥40 ετών, εθελοντικά συμμετείχαν στην μελέτη Κορινθία και υποβλήθηκαν σε κλινική, εργαστηριακή και υπερηχοκαρδιογραφική εξέταση. Καταγράφηκαν υπερηχοκαρδιογραφικοί δείκτες συστολικής απόδοσης LV (EFLV), μετρήσεις συστολικής πίεσης πνευμονικής αρτηρίας (PASP) και ενδείξεις παρουσίας αυξημένων τελοδιαστολικών πιέσεων LV.Η αρτηριακή σκληρία μετρήθηκε με την μη επεμβατική μέθοδο SphygmoCorΗ διάγνωση της ΚΑ έγινε βάσει συμπτωμάτων, σημείων, απεικονιστικών και εργαστηριακών ευρημάτων σύμφωνα με τις πρόσφατες κατευθυντήριες οδηγίες, ενώ στην μελέτη αναλύθηκαν ασθενείς με EFLV<50%.Η στατιστική ανάλυση πραγματοποιήθηκε μέσω SPSS.Αποτελέσματα: 103 ασθενείς με ΚΑ συμπεριελήφθηκαν στην ανάλυση (5% πληθυσμού μελέτης). Συγκρίθηκαν 2 ομάδες με και χωρίς ΚΑ, με παρόμοια χαρακτηριστικά. Οι τιμές του PWV δεν διέφεραν στατιστικά μεταξύ ασθενών με και χωρίς ΚΑ.Αντίθετα, αυξημένες στατιστικά τιμές PWV καταγράφηκαν στην ομάδα των ασθενών με ΚΑ και αυξημένες τιμές PASP≥40mmHg σε σύγκριση με ασθενείς με ΚΑ και τιμές PASP<40mmHg. Επίσης, αυξημένες σημαντικά τιμές PWV καταγράφηκαν σε ασθενείς με ΚΑ και ενδείξεις αυξημένων τελοδιαστολικών πιέσεων LV, σε σχέση με ασθενείς με ΚΑ και φυσιολογικές πιέσεις.Συμπέρασμα: Αυξημένες τιμές αρτηριακής σκληρίας συσχετίζονται με δυσμενή υπερηχοκαρδιογραφικά και λειτουργικά χαρακτηριστικά σε ασθενείς με ΚΑ, καθιστώντας σαφή την αλληλεπίδραση των ιδιοτήτων του αρτηριακού τοιχώματος και της καρδιακής λειτουργικής απόδοσης.
Pharmaceutical advertising and the consumption of over the counter (OTC) medicines in users of the SUPERFAR drugstore in Barrios Altos-Cercado de Lima, 2022.
Authors: Esteves Pairazaman Ambrocio Teodoro , Ibarra Fretell Walter Gregorio , Huapaya Cuzcano Jessica Noelia , De La Cruz Rojas Ronald Alan , Esteves Cardenas Veronica Liset , Rincon Chavez Jose , Ochoa Ayvar Leydi , Palacios Valverde Francisco
Published: June 2022

Background: To determine the relationship between pharmaceutical advertising and the consumption of over-the-counter (OTC) medicines in users of the SUPERFAR drugstore in Barrios Altos-Cercado de Lima, 2022.

Methods: The methodology used was a quantitative approach, non-experimental, cross-sectional, descriptive-correlational design. The sample consisted of 269 users, who were administered a questionnaire with 20 questions; the technique used was the survey. The results were obtained using SPSS Version 22 and Spearman's correlation statistical test with a significance level of 5%.

Results: The correlation for the general hypothesis was determined with a P value of 0.000 and a Spearman's Rho value of r=0.729 indicating a strong and direct correlation between Variable 1 pharmaceutical advertising and Variable 2 consumption of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. For the pharmaceutical advertising message dimension, a P value of 0.000 was obtained, Spearman's Rho value of r=0.597 indicating a moderate and direct correlation, for the mass media dimension (P value is 0.000), Spearman's Rho value of r=0.525 indicating a moderate and direct correlation, for the pharmaceutical product promotion dimension (P value 0.000) Spearman's Rho value of r=0.637 showing a moderate and direct correlation and for the dimension of excessive consumption of medicines under the influence and responsibility of the pharmaceutical industry (P value 0.000) was obtained. Spearman's Rho value of r=0.670 indicating a moderate and direct correlation.

Conclusion: The conclusion is that there is a significant relationship between the variables pharmaceutical advertising and drug consumption.
Research data management for bioimaging: the 2021 NFDI4BIOIMAGE community survey
Authors: Schmidt Christian , Hanne Janina , Moore Josh , Meesters Christian , Ferrando-May Elisa , Weidtkamp-Peters Stefanie ,   members of the NFDI4BIOIMAGE initiative
Published: June 2022

Background

Knowing the needs of the bioimaging community with respect to research data management (RDM) is essential for identifying measures that enable adoption of the FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperable, reusable) principles for microscopy and bioimage analysis data across disciplines. As an initiative within Germany's National Research Data Infrastructure, we conducted this community survey in summer 2021 to assess the state of the art of bioimaging RDM and the community needs.

Methods

An online survey was conducted with a mixed question-type design. We created a questionnaire tailored to relevant topics of the bioimaging community, including specific questions on bioimaging methods and bioimage analysis, as well as more general questions on RDM principles and tools. 203 survey entries were included in the analysis covering the perspectives from various life and biomedical science disciplines and from participants at different career levels.

Results

The results highlight the importance and value of bioimaging RDM and data sharing. However, the practical implementation of FAIR practices is impeded by technical hurdles, lack of knowledge, and insecurity about the legal aspects of data sharing. The survey participants request metadata guidelines and annotation tools and endorse the usage of image data management platforms. At present, OMERO (Open Microscopy Environment Remote Objects) is the best known and most widely used platform. Most respondents rely on image processing and analysis, which they regard as the most time-consuming step of the bioimage data workflow. While knowledge about and implementation of electronic lab notebooks and data management plans is limited, respondents acknowledge their potential value for data handling and publication.

Conclusions

The bioimaging community acknowledges and endorses the value of RDM and data sharing. Still, there is a need for information, guidance, and standardization to foster the adoption of FAIR data handling. This survey may help inspiring targeted measures to close this gap.
Projecting future health and service use among older people in Ireland: an overview of a dynamic microsimulation model in The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA)
Authors: May Peter , Normand Charles , Matthews Soraya , Kenny Rose Anne , Romero-Ortuno Roman , Tysinger Bryan
Published: June 2022

Background: Demographic ageing is a population health success story but poses unprecedented policy challenges in the 21st century. Policymakers must prepare health systems, economies and societies for these challenges. Policy choices can be usefully informed by models that evaluate outcomes and trade-offs in advance under different scenarios.

Methods: We developed a dynamic demographic-economic microsimulation model for the population aged 50 and over in Ireland: the Irish Future Older Adults Model (IFOAM).  Our principal dataset was The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA). We employed first-order Markovian competing risks models to estimate transition probabilities of TILDA participants to different outcomes: diagnosis of serious diseases, functional limitations, risk-modifying behaviours, health care use and mortality. We combined transition probabilities with the characteristics of the stock population to estimate biennial changes in outcome state. 

Results: IFOAM projections estimated large annual increases in total deaths, in the number of people living and dying with serious illness and functional impairment, and in demand for hospital care between 2018 and 2040.  The most important driver of these increases is the rising absolute number of older people in Ireland as the population ages. The increasing proportion of older old and oldest old citizens is projected to increase the average prevalence of chronic conditions and functional limitations. We deemed internal validity to be good but lacked external benchmarks for validation and corroboration of most outcomes.

Conclusion: We have developed and validated a microsimulation model that projects health and related outcomes among older people in Ireland.  Future research should address identified policy questions. The model enhances the capacity of researchers and policymakers to quantitatively forecast health and economic dynamics among older people in Ireland, to evaluate ex ante policy responses to these dynamics, and to collaborate internationally on global challenges associated with demographic ageing.
Risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence following the first pandemic wave in UK healthcare workers in a large NHS Foundation Trust
Authors: Colton Hayley , Hodgson David , Hornsby Hailey , Brown Rebecca , Mckenzie Joanne , Bradley Kirsty L. , James Cameron , Lindsey Benjamin B. , Birch Sarah , Marsh Louise , Wood Steven , Bayley Martin , Dickson Gary , James David C. , Nicklin Martin J. , Sayers Jon R. , Zafred Domen , Rowland-Jones Sarah L. , Kudesia Goura , Kucharski Adam ,   CMMID COVID-19 Working Group, Darton Thomas C. , de Silva Thushan I. , Collini Paul J.
Published: June 2022

Background: We aimed to measure SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in a cohort of healthcare workers (HCWs) during the first UK wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, explore risk factors associated with infection, and investigate the impact of antibody titres on assay sensitivity.

Methods: HCWs at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust were prospectively enrolled and sampled at two time points. We developed an in-house ELISA for testing participant serum for SARS-CoV-2 IgG and IgA reactivity against Spike and Nucleoprotein. Data were analysed using three statistical models: a seroprevalence model, an antibody kinetics model, and a heterogeneous sensitivity model.

Results: Our in-house assay had a sensitivity of 99·47% and specificity of 99·56%. We found that 24·4% (n=311/1275) of HCWs were seropositive as of 12th June 2020. Of these, 39·2% (n=122/311) were asymptomatic. The highest adjusted seroprevalence was measured in HCWs on the Acute Medical Unit (41·1%, 95% CrI 30·0–52·9) and in Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists (39·2%, 95% CrI 24·4–56·5). Older age groups showed overall higher median antibody titres. Further modelling suggests that, for a serological assay with an overall sensitivity of 80%, antibody titres may be markedly affected by differences in age, with sensitivity estimates of 89% in those over 60 years but 61% in those ≤30 years.

Conclusions:  HCWs in acute medical units and those working closely with COVID-19 patients were at highest risk of infection, though whether these are infections acquired from patients or other staff is unknown. Current serological assays may underestimate seroprevalence in younger age groups if validated using sera from older and/or more severe COVID-19 cases.
Tanya Pollard. Greek Tragic Women on Shakespearean Stages. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2017. Pp. 331. Hardback £60.00. ISBN: 9780198793113.
Authors: Suthren Carla
Published: June 2022

This review considers Greek Tragic Women on Shakespearean Stages.
Ayanna Thompson, ed. The Cambridge Companion to Shakespeare and Race. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2021. Pp 280.
Authors: Assaf Kafantaris Mira
Published: June 2022

This review considers The Cambridge Companion to Shakespeare and Race.
Technical Note—Average Cost Optimality in Partially Observable Lost-Sales Inventory Systems
Authors: Bai Xingyu , Chen Xin , Stolyar Alexander L.
Published: June 2022

In many real-life situations, the inventory record may not match the actual stock perfectly. This can happen due to distortion of inventory data, such as transaction errors, misplaced inventories, and spoilage. In these cases, because the decision maker only has incomplete information about the inventory levels, many well-known inventory policies are not even admissible, and our understanding of the optimal policies, even their existence, is very limited. In “Average Cost Optimality in Partially Observable Lost-Sales Inventory Systems,” Bai et al. consider the classical lost-sales inventory model, in which the inventory level is only observed when it becomes zero. They formulate the cost-minimization problem as a partially observable Markov decision process. By exploiting the vanishing discount factor approach, they provide a way to verify the existence of optimal policies under the average cost criterion. The key step in their analysis is the construction of a valid policy, which, in a certain sense, copies the actions of another policy for the process starting from another initial state.
A CRIMEAN TATAR LEGEND: WHY IS THE BLACK SEA WAVY?
Authors: KÜÇÜK Abonoz
Published: June 2022

The Black Sea which is an iner sea, extends in the southeast of European, between Balkan and Anatolia Penin sula and eastern Europe plains and Caucasia, in the east-west direction. The Black Sea that has been besieged by great civilizations and nations throughout history, has a great importance in terms of world history as well as the history of the region. The Black Sea, which brings life to many civilizations and nations with its strategic location and economy, has been the subject of many narrative species with this feature. In narrative species, The Black Sea stands out for its beauty, abundance, generosity and anchovy as well as its harshness.

The Black Sea, which is the source of hope, life, abundance and fertility, sometimes the journeys and beliefs that are not returned, is combative and wavy. His frustration seems to have spread to the nations around it. The harshness and wavy of the Black Sea has been one of the leading themes of narrative species. Some legends have tried to explain this ferocity and being wavy of the Black Sea. Of course, there has to a cause of this brutality and being wavy of the Black Sea. What is the cause of the sudden outburst of the Black Sea? Who or what has made it so mad-minded? The traditional world view that seeing generally the whole nature, in paricular the Black Sea as a living being, must answer this questions. In fact, it is seen that some narratives have been created to find answers to this question. One of these narrations is the legend named “Why is the Black Sea Wavy?”, which is from Crimean Tatars.

The legend, “Why the Black Sea is Wavy?” will be tried to be interpreted on the basis of the perceptions, interpretations and definitions of the traditional world view.
Effective operational capacity of brushcutter with different cutting tools
Authors: Parcianello Carolina Fogliarini , Brandelero Catize , Werner Valmir , Bertollo Gilvan Moisés , Silva Lucas Caye da , Rodrigues Luigi de Almeida , Russini Alexandre
Published: June 2022

Brushcutters use different cutting tools with variations in operating capacity. Thus, the present study evaluate the effective operational capacity of a brushcutter equipped with different cutting tools in different areas of plant cover. It was subdivided into three experiments with 44 replicates of 4m2 each. The first was carried out in an area with plants cover with wheat and ryegrass, with blades of triple and double discs, and double wire. The second was carried out in another area with a cover composed of wheat, ryegrass, and fallow (composed of different species plants), with double- and triple-discs blades. The last experiment was carried out in a fallow area, with all cutting tools, except for the double wire. The results indicate that the brushcutter equipped with the triple-disc blade had greater operational capacity compared to the other cutting tools. For a working day of 8 h.day-1, the highest amount of mowed biomass was obtained with the triple-disc blade in areas with ryegrass and wheat cover, while for the fallow area, there is no significant difference between the double- and triple-disc blades. The adequate selection of the cutting tool contributes to the increase of the cut biomass in a shorter time, reducing the exposition of the operator to the vibrations and noise produced by the machine.
A Possible Way to Unify Four Types of Interactions: Gravitational, Electromagnetic, Nuclear and Electroweak Interactions by using a Hydrodynamic Analogy
Authors: BERBENTE Corneliu , BERBENTE Sorin , BREBENEL Marius
Published: June 2022

A principle of equivalence and a unique particle are used for a possible unification of four types of interaction. For gravity, the hydrodynamic analog consists of the interaction of two sources, giving attraction for both emission and absorption. For electromagnetics, sources and vortices are used together with the formula Biot-Savart- Laplace. For nuclear forces, the HD equivalent of pi-mesons (Yukawa) is given. As electroweak interaction, the beta decay for neutron and proton via their quark structure is considered. The unique connecting particle used is called HD-graviton, a photon-like particle having the wave length of the Universe radius at a certain age of the Universe.
Issues of planning, preparing and conducting remote audits in aerospace organizations
Authors: KOBLEN Ivan
Published: June 2022

The article focuses on the issue of selected aspects related to the planning, preparation and implementation processes of remote audits in aerospace organizations. It informs about the definition of remote audit and the main advantages and disadvantages of this type of audit. The author describes the criteria that should be assessed in terms of the decision-making process for conducting remote audits. Emphasis is placed on general criteria, criteria in the information and technology (ICT) area and risk-based criteria. At the same time, the author pays attention to aspects, factors and information that should be taken into account in the process of planning, preparation and performing of remote audits in aerospace organizations (which are generally applicable in these processes, and also in the use of remote audits in other sectors and organizations).
Application of torque sensitivity in the alignment of a Cassegrain system
Authors: Qian Junhong , Ma Xiugang , Wu Xiaoyan , Li Jiawen , Liu Hewei , Liu Ting , Tao Ye , Zhang Rongzhu
Published: June 2022

In order to improve the alignment accuracy of a Cassegrain system, to the best of our knowledge, a novel computer-aided alignment method based on torque sensitivity is proposed. Different from the traditional position sensitivity curve guiding scheme, the accurate position of the secondary mirror is not necessary while the torque sensitivity curve is generated. By establishing the relationship between the torque of the secondary mirror setting screw and the Zernike coefficients of the system, a practical quantitative alignment scheme for the Cassegrain system can be realized. For a two-mirror Cassegrain optical-mechanical system, an alignment scheme based on torque sensitivity is designed. The results show that the wavefront aberrations of three Cassegrain systems reach

0.0479

λ

,

0.0537

λ

, and

0.0698

λ

respectively. It proves that the torque sensitivity curves can well guide the real alignment process.
Line-scanning SD-OCT for in-vivo, non-contact, volumetric, cellular resolution imaging of the human cornea and limbus
Authors: Han Le , Tan Bingyao , Hosseinaee Zohreh , Chen Lin Kun , Hileeto Denise , Bizheva Kostadinka
Published: June 2022

In-vivo, non-contact, volumetric imaging of the
cellular and sub-cellular structure of the human cornea and limbus
with optical coherence tomography (OCT) is challenging due to
involuntary eye motion that introduces both motion artifacts and blur
in the OCT images. Here we present the design of a line-scanning (LS)
spectral-domain (SD) optical coherence tomography system that combines
2 × 3 × 1.7 µm (x, y, z) resolution in biological
tissue with an image acquisition rate of ∼2,500 fps, and
demonstrate its ability to image in-vivo and without
contact with the tissue surface, the cellular structure of the human
anterior segment tissues. Volumetric LS-SD-OCT images acquired over a
field-of-view (FOV) of 0.7 mm × 1.4 mm reveal fine
morphological details in the healthy human cornea, such as epithelial
and endothelial cells, sub-basal nerves, as well as the cellular
structure of the limbal crypts, the palisades of Vogt (POVs) and the
blood microvasculature of the human limbus. LS-SD-OCT is a promising
technology that can assist ophthalmologists with the early diagnostics
and optimal treatment planning of ocular diseases affecting the human
anterior eye.
Nanoparticles in optical fiber, issue and opportunity of light scattering [Invited]
Authors: Blanc Wilfried , Lu Zhuorui , Robine Thibaut , Pigeonneau Franck , Molardi Carlo , Tosi Daniele
Published: June 2022

Since its first creation, glass has always fascinated with its optical properties, its ability to let light through without being invisible. One of the most spectacular achievements of optical glass is the optical fiber for which considerable work has been done to make it as transparent as possible. However, for twenty years, contrary to this quest for transparency, nanoparticles have been inserted into optical fibres. First designed to develop new lasers and amplifiers, the lowest possible particle-induced light scattering then sought has for the last four years, on the contrary, been exacerbated in order to develop new sensors.
Tailoring magnetic dipole emission by coupling to magnetic plasmonic anapole states
Authors: Pan Gui-Ming , Yang Li-Feng , Shu Fang-Zhou , Meng Yan-Long , Hong Zhi , Yang Zhong-Jian
Published: June 2022

The interaction between magnetic quantum emitters and the local electromagnetic environment is a promising method to manipulate the spontaneous emission. However, it is severely limited by the weak interactions between the magnetic component of light and natural materials. Herein, we demonstrate that the special type of anapole states associated with the “onefold” electric toroidal dipole moment can be excited by efficient interaction between magnetic dipole emitters and silver oligomers. Based on magnetic anapole states, the radiative power is effectively suppressed with significant coupling between the emitter and the silver nonamer, physically providing an ideal playground for the study of non-radiative transitions. These findings not only introduce magnetic anapoles to plasmonics but also open a door for the development of new high-performance magnetic-dipole-based optoelectronic devices.
Does brain activity cause consciousness? A thought experiment
Authors: Gidon Albert , Aru Jaan , Larkum Matthew Evan
Published: June 2022

Rapid advances in neuroscience have provided remarkable breakthroughs in understanding the brain on many fronts. Although promising, the role of these advancements in solving the problem of consciousness is still unclear. Based on technologies conceivably within the grasp of modern neuroscience, we discuss a thought experiment in which neural activity, in the form of action potentials, is initially recorded from all the neurons in a participant’s brain during a conscious experience and then played back into the same neurons. We consider whether this artificial replay can reconstitute a conscious experience. The possible outcomes of this experiment unravel hidden costs and pitfalls in understanding consciousness from the neurosciences’ perspective and challenge the conventional wisdom that causally links action potentials and consciousness.