bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Abnormality in field physical test predicts a reduced quadriceps strength in patients with hip- or knee-osteoarthritis. A prospective observational study
Authors: Fanget Quentin , Verdilos Anargyros , Adelou Samuel , Reynaud Vivien , Boisgard Stéphane , Descamps Stéphane , Pereira Bruno , Richard Ruddy , Coudeyre Emmanuel , Costes Frédéric
Published: December 2024

Background

In osteoarthritis quadriceps strength is an important outcome to assess exercise capacity and recovery after arthroplasty. However, its measurement is limited due to lack of time and the need for trained personnel and equipment whose accuracy is verified.

Objectives

To find out the determinants of a reduced quadriceps strength and to establish a score to screen for it.

Methods

In an observational prospective study, we evaluated patients presenting with an unilateral knee (KOA) or a hip (HOA) osteoarthritis before a scheduled arthroplasty. We measured body composition, exercise capacity, muscle strength, balance, WOMAC score, quality of life and physical activity. Isometric maximal voluntary quadriceps force (MVCq) was determined on both lower limbs and a reduced strength was retained when at least one measurement was lower than 1 standard deviation of normal value.

Results

We included 376 patients, 247 (66%) with KOA and 129 (34%) with HOA. Their mean age was 67±8 years, and mean BMI 31.4±6.9 kg/m2. MVCq was reduced in 217 (58%). Compared those with a preserved MVCq, these patients had a significant higher BMI and lean mass, a sex ratio (more men), an altered field physical tests and WOMAC score. The best logistic regression model for a decreased quadriceps force included pathology, age, sex, BMI, five sit to stand test (FTSST) and maximal gait speed (AUC was 0.87 [95%CI 0.83–0.90]). We developed a predictive equation for a reduced MVCq as follows: Y = 1/1+ exp[-(-0.051*age -1.25*max gait speed + 0.09*FTSST + 0.16*BMI + 1.1 (for KOA) + 2.41 (for male) -1.79].

Conclusion

MVCq is reduced with a high prevalence on patients with KOA or HOA. A low performance in one the selected field physical test associated with age and BMI allows to screen for those in whom a measurement of MVCq could be of interest before arthroplasty.
Smear layer removal comparing conventional irrigation, passive ultrasonic irrigation, EndoActivator System, and a new sonic device (Perfect Clean System) by scanning electron microscopy: An ex vivo study
Authors: Gonçalves Bruna Fernanda Alionço , Reddy Divya , Machado Ricardo , Soares Júunior Paulo César , Ignácio Sérgio Aparecido , Fernandes Couto Douglas Augusto , Frasquetti Karine Santos , Ditzel Westphalen Vânia Portela , Carneiro Everdan , Silva Neto Ulisses Xavier da
Published: December 2024

Aim

This study evaluated the smear layer removal provided by conventional, sonic, and ultrasonic irrigation techniques.

Methodology

Forty extracted human mandibular first premolars were selected and instrumented using the ProTaper Next System files and 2.5% sodium hypochlorite. Afterward, they were divided into 4 groups (n. 10) according to the irrigation technique used to perform the final irrigation with a chelating solution (17% EDTA): conventional irrigation (CI), passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI), EndoActivator System (EAS), and Perfect Clean System (PCS). The smear layer removal was determined through a score after evaluating scanning electron microscope images (1.000x) obtained at 1, 5, 8, and 12mm from the working length (WL). Statistical analyses were carried out by the Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn’s tests with a significance level of 5% (P < 0.05).

Results

All irrigation techniques were unable to promote an effective smear layer removal at 1mm from the WL in comparison with the other locations (P < .05). At 5, 8, and 12mm from the WL, no statistically significant differences were observed among CI, PUI, EAS, and PCS (P > 0.05). At 12mm from the WL, statistically significant differences were only identified after comparing PCS and CI (P < .05).

Conclusion

The smear layer removal was only efficient at 5, 8, and 12 from the WL with no significant statistical differences among CI, PUI, EAS, and PCS (P > 0.05).
Reasoning and interpretation cognitive biases related to psychotic characteristics: An umbrella-review
Authors: Samson Crystal , Livet Audrey , Gilker Andy , Potvin Stephane , Sicard Veronik , Lecomte Tania
Published: December 2024

Cognitive biases have been studied in relation to schizophrenia and psychosis for over 50 years. Yet, the quality of the evidence linking cognitive biases and psychosis is not entirely clear. This umbrella-review examines the quality of the evidence and summarizes the effect sizes of the reasoning and interpretation cognitive biases studied in relation to psychotic characteristics (psychotic disorders, psychotic symptoms, psychotic-like experiences or psychosis risk). It also examines the evidence and the effects of psychological interventions for psychosis on cognitive biases. A systematic review of the literature was performed using the PRISMA guidelines and the GRADE system for 128 analyses extracted from 16 meta-analyses. Moderate to high-quality evidence with medium to large effect sizes were found for the following interpretation biases: externalization of cognitive events and self-serving bias, when people with psychotic symptoms were compared to control conditions. Regarding reasoning biases, moderate to high quality evidence with medium to large effect sizes were found for belief inflexibility when linked to delusion conviction and global severity in people with active delusions, although measures from the MADS, overlapping with symptoms, may have inflated effect sizes. Moderate quality evidence with medium to large effect sizes were found for jumping to conclusion biases when clinical samples with psychosis were compared to controls, when using data-gathering tasks. Other cognitive biases are not supported by quality evidence (e.g., personalizing bias, belief about disconfirmatory evidence), and certain measures (i.e., IPSAQ and ASQ) systematically found no effect or small effects. Psychological interventions (e.g., MCT) showed small effect sizes on cognitive biases, with moderate-high-quality evidence. This umbrella review brings a critical regard on the reasoning and interpretation biases and psychotic symptoms literature—although most biases linked to psychotic symptoms are supported by meta-analyses in some way, some have only demonstrated support with a specific population group (e.g., aberrant salience and hostility attribution in healthy individuals with psychotic-like experiences), whereas other biases are currently insufficiently supported by quality evidence. Future quality studies, particularly with clinical populations with psychotic symptoms, are still warranted to ascertain the psychosis-cognitive bias link for specific biases.
Configurations associated with the efficiency of the ophthalmology departments in public hospitals of Central South China
Authors: Li Yimeng , Chen Yao , Ma Bosheng , Chen Jyu-lin , Zhong Jie , Jiang Yan , Luo Jing , Guo Jia
Published: December 2024

Background

Improving the efficiency of ophthalmology service is a global challenge to fight vision impairment, yet there is little concrete evidence of the current efficiency status. This study aimed to examine the efficiency of ophthalmology departments in the Hunan Province, China, and determine the associating factors of low-efficiency and high-efficiency ophthalmology departments.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included a province-level survey of ophthalmology departments of public hospitals. All the ophthalmology departments of public hospitals in Hunan Province were invited to complete an online survey on ophthalmic competence resources. Bootstrap Data Envelopment Analysis was conducted to describe the service efficiency status of the ophthalmology departments using Maxdea (version 8.0) software. Then, we employed Fuzzy Set-Qualitative Comparative Analysis to explore the recipes of low-efficiency and high-efficiency ophthalmology departments using Fs-QCA (version 3.0) software.

Results

One hundred and ninety-five ophthalmology departments (87 in tertiary and 108 in secondary public hospitals) completed the survey. The mean efficiency score was 0.78 for ophthalmology departments in tertiary hospitals and 0.82 for secondary hospitals. The number of ophthalmologists and equipment positively contributed to the efficiency of ophthalmology departments in tertiary and secondary hospitals. While increasing the bed capacity was not always beneficial to improving the efficiency of ophthalmology departments in secondary hospitals. For ophthalmology departments in tertiary hospitals, simply increasing the number of nurses did not universally increase efficiency unless there were enough ophthalmologists and equipment to support the nurses’ work. This study also revealed 2 configurations for ophthalmology departments in secondary hospitals and 5 configurations for those in tertiary hospitals that could guide their efficiency improvement efforts.

Conclusions

Moderate efficiency levels in ophthalmology departments at both tertiary and secondary hospitals were found. Prioritizing the number of ophthalmologists and equipment was recommended to achieve high efficiency for ophthalmology departments in tertiary and secondary hospitals. We also proposed that blindly increasing the number of beds and nurses was meaningless, and ophthalmology departments should flex the bed capacity and number of nurses after premising having high numbers of ophthalmologists and equipment.
Is increased mutation driving genetic diversity in dogs within the Chornobyl exclusion zone?
Authors: Dillon Megan N. , Dickey Allison N. , Roberts Reade B. , Betz Jennifer A. , Mousseau Timothy A. , Kleiman Norman J. , Breen Matthew
Published: December 2024

Environmental contamination can have lasting impacts on surrounding communities, though the long-term impacts can be difficult to ascertain. The disaster at the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant in 1986 and subsequent remediation efforts resulted in contamination of the local environment with radioactive material, heavy metals, and additional environmental toxicants. Many of these are mutagenic in nature, and the full effect of these exposures on local flora and fauna has yet to be understood. Several hundred free-roaming dogs occupy the contaminated area surrounding the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant, and previous studies have highlighted a striking level of genetic differentiation between two geographically close populations of these dogs. With this work, we investigate mutation as a possible driver of this genetic differentiation. First, we consider large-scale mutation by assessing the karyotypic architecture of these dogs. We then search for evidence of mutation through short tandem repeat/microsatellite diversity analyses and by calculating the proportion of recently derived alleles in individuals in both populations. Through these analyses, we do not find evidence of differential mutation accumulation for these populations. Thus, we find no evidence that an increased mutation rate is driving the genetic differentiation between these two Chornobyl populations. The dog populations at Chornobyl present a unique opportunity for studying the genetic effects of the long-term exposures they have encountered, and this study expands and builds on previous work done in the area.
Discovery of novel TACE inhibitors using graph convolutional network, molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulation, and Biological evaluation
Authors: Yasir Muhammad , Park Jinyoung , Han Eun-Taek , Han Jin-Hee , Park Won Sun , Hassan Mubashir , Kloczkowski Andrzej , Chun Wanjoo
Published: December 2024

The increasing utilization of deep learning models in drug repositioning has proven to be highly efficient and effective. In this study, we employed an integrated deep-learning model followed by traditional drug screening approach to screen a library of FDA-approved drugs, aiming to identify novel inhibitors targeting the TNF-α converting enzyme (TACE). TACE, also known as ADAM17, plays a crucial role in the inflammatory response by converting pro-TNF-α to its active soluble form and cleaving other inflammatory mediators, making it a promising target for therapeutic intervention in diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Reference datasets containing active and decoy compounds specific to TACE were obtained from the DUD-E database. Using RDKit, a cheminformatics toolkit, we extracted molecular features from these compounds. We applied the GraphConvMol model within the DeepChem framework, which utilizes graph convolutional networks, to build a predictive model based on the DUD-E datasets. Our trained model was subsequently used to predict the TACE inhibitory potential of FDA-approved drugs. From these predictions, Vorinostat was identified as a potential TACE inhibitor. Moreover, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation were conducted to validate these findings, using BMS-561392 as a reference TACE inhibitor. Vorinostat, originally an FDA-approved drug for cancer treatment, exhibited strong binding interactions with key TACE residues, suggesting its repurposing potential. Biological evaluation with RAW 264.7 cell confirmed the computational results, demonstrating that Vorinostat exhibited comparable inhibitory activity against TACE. In conclusion, our study highlights the capability of deep learning models to enhance virtual screening efforts in drug discovery, efficiently identifying potential candidates for specific targets such as TACE. Vorinostat, as a newly identified TACE inhibitor, holds promise for further exploration and investigation in the treatment of inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis.
Policy evaluation of place-based strategies on upgrading county industrial structures amid economic structural transformation: Insights from pilot counties of China’s returning entrepreneurs
Authors: Tian Xianghui , Juan Zhang
Published: December 2024

In the context of the transformation of urban-rural dual economic structure, one of the important ways to realize urban-rural integrated development is to carry out county industrial structure upgrading. Based on the policy of returning home to start business as a quasi-natural experiment, this paper empirically analyzes the relationship between returning home to start business and upgrading of county industrial structure. Selecting 1997 counties across the country from 2000 to 2021 as the research sample, a multi-temporal double-difference model is used to test the impact of the place-based policy on county industrial structure and the mechanism of the impact, and the result confirms that the implementation of the pilot policy of returning home entrepreneurship plays a positive and obvious role in promoting the level of industrial development of county-level areas. Subsequent investigations reveal diverse regional impacts, notably in Central and Western and the significantly older regions; thus, the influence of the prototype program of reintroducing home entrepreneurship on enhancing industrial development is more pronounced. Viewing from a mechanistic standpoint, the pilot initiative, which motivates entrepreneurs to go back and establish new businesses, aids in enhancing industrial frameworks by boosting innovation and stimulating the market. The article offers valuable direction and understanding to decision-makers aiming to enhance the combined growth of urban and rural sectors, as well as to elevate and reform the economy.
Shrimp allergen extract immunotherapy induces prolonged immune tolerance in a gastro-food allergy mouse model
Authors: Marhaeny Honey Dzikri , Rohmah Lutfiatur , Pratama Yusuf Alif , Kasatu Salsabilla Madudari , Miatmoko Andang , Addimaysqi Rafi , van den Bogaart Geert , Ho Franz Y. , Taher Muhammad , Khotib Junaidi
Published: December 2024

Food allergies are a global health problem that continues to grow annually, with a prevalence of more than 10%. Shrimp allergy is the most common and life-threatening allergy. There is no cure for food allergies, but shrimp allergen extract (SAE) offers promise as a treatment through allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT). However, whether SAE induces immunological tolerance in seafood allergies remains to be established. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of SAE in inducing immunological tolerance in a gastro-food allergy mouse model. For the immunotherapy evaluation, mice (n = 24) were intraperitoneally (i.p.) sensitized with 1 mg alum and 100 μg SAE in PBS on days 0, 7, and 14 and randomly divided into four groups of six: a negative control (NC) and high- to low-dose immunotherapy (HI, MI, and LI). The untreated group (n = 6) only received 1 mg alum in PBS (i.p.). All groups were challenged with 400 μg SAE (i.g.) on days 21, 22, 23, 53, and 58. Following the challenge, SAE-sensitized mice from the immunotherapy group were treated (i.p.) with 10 μg SAE for LI, 50 μg SAE for MI, and 100 μg SAE for HI on days 32, 39, and 46. The untreated and NC groups only received PBS (i.p.). All mice were euthanized on day 59. As the results, we found that SAE immunotherapy reduced systemic allergy symptom scores, serum IL-4 levels, IL-4 and FcεR1α mRNA relative expression, and mast cell degranulation in ileum tissue in allergic mice while increasing Foxp3 and IL-10 mRNA relative expression. Notably, we observed an increased ratio of IL-10 to IL-4 mRNA expression, demonstrating the efficacy of SAE immunotherapy in promoting desensitization. Thus, SAE can be developed as an immunotherapeutic agent for food allergies by inducing prolonged allergy tolerance with a wide range of allergen targets.
Assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on uptake and experiences of gestational diabetes mellitus screening in Ontario: A parallel convergent mixed-methods study
Authors: Hadid Dima , Correia Rebecca H. , McDonald Sarah D. , Darling Elizabeth K. , Kirkwood David , Jones Aaron , Carruthers Andrea , Kuyvenhoven Cassandra , Howard Michelle , Greyson Devon , Kandasamy Sujane , Vanstone Meredith
Published: December 2024

Objective

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common medical complication of pregnancy that leads to adverse outcomes for both infants and pregnant people. Early detection and treatment can mitigate these negative outcomes. The COVID-19 pandemic strained healthcare and laboratory services, including GDM screening programs. Adapted GDM screening guidelines were introduced in many jurisdictions. This study examined changes in uptake, modality, and experiences of GDM screening in Ontario, Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

This convergent mixed-method study involved a population-based retrospective cohort analysis of Ontario-based health administrative data to describe and compare gestational diabetes screening rates among 85,228 individuals with live, in-hospital births between January 1-March 31 before (2019) and during the COVID-19 pandemic (2021 and 2022). Descriptive analyses were conducted for GDM screening pathways aligning with usual and pandemic-adapted screening guidance. Qualitative descriptive interviews were conducted about experiences and decision-making of GDM screening with 43 Ontario residents who gave birth between May 2020 and December 2021. Data were integrated during the design and interpretation phases.

Results

There were small but significant increases in GDM screening during the pandemic; likelihood of screening completion using any modality increased in 2021 and 2022 compared to 2019. Testing modality shifted; the alternate screening strategies introduced during COVID-19 were adopted by clinicians. Interview participants perceived GDM screening to be important and obligatory but accompanied by a degree of stress about potential COVID-19 exposure.

Conclusion

Despite health system challenges experienced in Ontario during the COVID-19 pandemic, GDM screening rates increased in the study population, demonstrating the success of adapted GDM screening guidelines. Decisions about screening modalities were driven by clinician expertise, and interview participants were satisfied to provide informed consent to these recommendations.
Association between exposure to urinary metal and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in US adults
Authors: Cheng Ting , Yu Dongdong , Li Geng , Chen Xiankun , Zhou Li , Wen Zehuai
Published: December 2024

Background

Further evidence is required regarding the influence of metal mixture exposure on mortality. Therefore, we employed diverse statistical models to evaluate the associations between eight urinary metals and the risks of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality.

Methods

We measured the levels of 8 metals in the urine of adults who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 1999 to 2018. Based on follow-up data, we determined whether they died and the reasons for their deaths. We estimated the association between urine metal exposure and all-cause mortality using Cox regression, weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression, and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) models. Additionally, we used a competing risk model to estimate the relationship between metal exposure and cardiovascular mortality.

Results

Among the 14,305 individuals included in our final analysis, there were 2,066 deaths, with 1,429 being cardiovascular-related. Cox regression analysis showed that cobalt (Co) (HR: 1.21; 95% CI: 1.13, 1.30) and antimony (Sb) (HR: 1.26; 95% CI: 1.12, 1.40) were positively associated with all-cause mortality (all P for trend <0.001). In the competing risk model, Co (HR: 1.29; 95% CI: 1.12, 1.48), lead (Pb) (HR: 1.18; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.37), and Sb (HR: 1.44; 95% CI: 1.18, 1.75) were significantly associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular mortality (all P for trend <0.001). Sb, Pb, cadmium (Cd), and molybdenum (Mo) had the highest weight rankings in the final WQS model. All metals showed a complex non-linear relationship with all-cause mortality, with high posterior inclusion probabilities (PIPs) in the final BKMR models.

Conclusions

Combining all models, it is possible that Sb may have a more stable impact on all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. Meaningful metal effects in individual statistical models still require careful attention.
Simulated low-dose dark-field radiography for detection of COVID-19 pneumonia
Authors: Schick Rafael C. , Bast Henriette , Frank Manuela , Urban Theresa , Koehler Thomas , Gassert Florian T. , Sauter Andreas P. , Renger Bernhard , Fingerle Alexander A. , Karrer Alexandra , Makowski Marcus R. , Pfeiffer Daniela , Pfeiffer Franz
Published: December 2024

Background

Dark-field radiography has been proven to be a promising tool for the assessment of various lung diseases.

Purpose

To evaluate the potential of dose reduction in dark-field chest radiography for the detection of the Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pneumonia.

Materials and methods

Patients aged at least 18 years with a medically indicated chest computed tomography scan (CT scan) were screened for participation in a prospective study between October 2018 and December 2020. Patients were included if they had a CO-RADS (COVID-19 Reporting and Data System) score ≥ 4 (COVID-19 group) or if they had no pathologic lung changes (controls). A total of 89 participants with a median age of 60 years (interquartile range 48 to 68 yrs.) were included in this study. Dark-field and attenuation-based radiographs were simultaneously obtained by using a prototype system for dark-field radiography. By modifying the image reconstruction algorithm, low-dose radiographs were simulated based on real participant images. The simulated radiographs corresponded to 50%, 25%, and 13% of the full dose (41.9 μSv, median value). Four experienced radiologists served as blinded readers assessing both image modalities, displayed side by side in random order. The presence of COVID-19-associated lung changes was rated on a scale from 1 to 6. The readers’ diagnostic performance was evaluated by analyzing the area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC) using Obuchowski’s method. Also, the dark-field images were analyzed quantitatively by comparing the dark-field coefficients within and between the COVID-19 and the control group.

Results

The readers’ diagnostic performance in the image evaluation, as described by the AUC value (where a value of 1 corresponds to perfect diagnostic accuracy), did not differ significantly between the full dose images (AUC = 0.86) and the simulated images at 50% (AUC = 0.86) and 25% of the full dose(AUC = 0.84) (p>0.050), but was slightly lower at 13% dose (AUC = 0.82) (p = 0.038). For all four radiation dose levels, the median dark-field coefficients within groups were identical but different significantly by 15% between the controls and the COVID-19 pneumonia group (p<0.001).

Conclusion

Dark-field imaging can be used to diagnose the Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pneumonia with a median dose of 10.5 μSv, which corresponds to 25% of the original dose used for dark-field chest imaging.
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on lung cancer diagnosis in northern Poland–addressing the COVID-19 debt
Authors: Romaszko-Wojtowicz Anna , Doboszyńska Anna , Piechnik Anna , Kuziemski Krzysztof , Szplit Dariusz , Cofta Szczepan , Glińska-Lewczuk Katarzyna
Published: December 2024

Introduction

Lung cancer, one of the leading causes of death due to neoplasms, requires prompt diagnosis and immediate treatment. The COVID-19 pandemic affected healthcare systems worldwide, having adverse effects on all aspects, particularly on the fate of patients with suspected neoplastic diseases. Limited access to healthcare, disruptions in regular operations (reassigning roles to some wards), postponed hospital admissions, prolonged diagnostic processes, and other factors have collectively led to the phenomenon known as COVID-19 debt.

Material and methods

A retrospective analysis covered statistical data concerning the diagnosis of lung cancer obtained from three centres in northern Poland (Olsztyn, Bydgoszcz, Gdansk) and concerning years 2016 to 2022. Relative risks (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for cancer event were calculated. Before the pandemic, these centers prioritized the diagnosis of suspected lung cancer cases, which was subsequently disrupted during the pandemic due to various factors.

Results

The COVID-19 pandemic led to a decrease in diagnosed lung cancer cases, especially in hospitals repurposed for COVID-19 care. A statistically significant trend in lung cancer incidence per 100,000 inhabitants was observed specifically in healthcare centers that maintained normal operations without disruption.

Conclusion

The concept of the COVID debt helps explain changes in lung cancer diagnosis during and post-pandemic, highlighting the need for increased public awareness and intensified diagnostic efforts to facilitate earlier disease detection.
St-N, a novel alkaline derivative of stevioside, reverses docetaxel resistance by targeting lysosomes in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Guo Yanxia , Wang Shikang , Liu Qun , Dong Yan , Liu Yongqing
Published: December 2024

Drug resistance of cancers remains a major obstacle due to limited therapeutics. Lysosome targeting is an effective method for overcoming drug resistance in cancer cells. St-N (ent-13-hydroxy-15-kaurene-19-acid N-methylpiperazine ethyl ester) is a novel alkaline stevioside derivative with an amine group. In this study, we found that docetaxel (Doc)-resistant prostate cancer (PCa) cells were sensitive to St-N. Mechanistically, the alkaline characteristic of St-N led to targeting lysosomes, as evidenced by lysosomal swelling and rupture through transmission electron microscopy and Lyso-tracker Red staining. St-N destabilized lysosomal membrane by impairing lysosomal membrane proteins and acid sphingomyelinase. As a result, St-N caused cathepsins to release from the lysosomes into the cytosol, eventually triggering apoptotic and necrotic cell death. Meanwhile, the cytoprotective role of lysosomal activation under docetaxel treatment was interrupted by St-N, leading to significant synergistic cytotoxicity of docetaxel and St-N. In docetaxel-resistant PCa homograft mice, St-N significantly inhibited the growth of RM-1/Doc homografts and enhanced the anticancer effects of docetaxel, but did not show significant toxicity. Taken together, these findings demonstrated that St-N reversed docetaxel resistance in vitro and in vivo by destabilizing lysosomal membranes to promote cell death, thus providing a strong rationale for applying St-N in docetaxel-resistant PCa.
Bringing ‘it’ out of the body and into matter: Fostering a contemplative and corresponsive methodology for costume design pedagogy
Authors: Suurla Susanna
Published: December 2024

Using materially oriented, embodied and reflective design methods can significantly enrich the educational experience in costume design by deepening students’ understanding of their design processes while increasing their creativity. This article analyses the pedagogical benefits of applying body-awareness-based devising methods, typically used in contemporary performance creation as a starting point, combined with a contemplative teaching approach. With the increased popularity of various devising and process-led approaches to performance-making, there is a growing need to build new knowledge on devised, process-oriented costume design approaches. This inquiry corresponds to the current shift in costume research and pedagogy, emphasizing the influence of costume’s material agency and the embodied experience of costume in enriching the performance-making process. The article is based on a research workshop held at Aalto University, Finland, in May 2023, with master-level students in costume design and fashion. The workshop employed an observational, stimulus–response methodology that focused on observing the variety of stimuli that materials ‘in’ and ‘of’ themselves evoked through an iterative sequence of sensitizing exercises. The students became mindful of and attuned to the materials they worked with, gradually guided towards instinctive, associative ideation alongside material engagement. The study shows that by engaging in material-led and body-aware work through reflective practice, students can empathetically access their own experiences and use them as a source of inspiration, resulting in a creative process that feels natural and responsive. The article argues that such methods applied to costume design pedagogy promote emancipatory and transformative aspects of learning, as they foster a connection between the students’ ‘self’ and their artistic work.
Jumping off a cliff: In conversation with Shawn Kerwin
Authors: Schweitzer Marlis
Published: December 2024

This conversation with award-winning Canadian designer Shawn Kerwin explores the need for emerging designers to embrace risk and create their own opportunities for learning and professional development. Kerwin has designed sets and costumes for theatre for over forty-five years and has taught at the post-secondary level for over twenty-five. Her design work has been on stages across North America and across the world. While she holds a passion for opera and the classic repertoire, she has also been involved in numerous world premieres of plays and opera. As a teacher, she is passionate about helping students find their own creative voice and introducing them to the work of Canadian playwrights, many of whom she has had the pleasure of working with on new scripts. Over the past two years, in collaboration with the Charlottetown Festival and other organizations, she has mentored numerous young designers as they make the transition from being a student to becoming an active professional. She is currently exploring virtual costume design in an ongoing effort to continue learning and building her own skills.
Diva, curated by Kate Bailey and Veronica Castro, Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 24 June 2023–10 April 2024
Authors: Gesse Filip Jan
Published: December 2024

Review of: Diva, curated by Kate Bailey and Veronica Castro, Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 24 June 2023–10 April 2024
Parking Capacity Implementation Evaluation Tool
Authors: Dostál R. , Dostálová A. , Johanidesová A. , Kocourek J. , Kremlík V.
Published: December 2024

This paper presents a novel tool for optimising residential parking allocation in urban environments using linear programming techniques. The tool addresses the growing challenge of parking space management in cities by quantifying parking utilisation and accessibility. It employs a unique application of the transport problem from Graph Theory to allocate parking supply to household demand while considering real-world constraints such as walking distances and infrastructure limitations. The methodology involves the pre-processing of supply, demand, and distance matrix data, followed by an optimization process that minimises total walking distance and penalises unmet demand. The tool’s effectiveness is demonstrated through an experiment in the Czech town of Slany, showcasing its ability to evaluate current parking situations and assess the impact of potential changes in parking supply. Key outputs include the percentage of satisfied demand, utilization rates of parking supply, and detailed allocation maps. This approach provides urban planners and policymakers with valuable insights for developing efficient and sustainable parking solutions, while also highlighting areas for further research in data preparation and model refinement.
Vasily Dmitrievich Shervinsky: an outstanding endocrinologist and pioneering scientist.
Authors: Editorial Article
Published: December 2024

Vasily D. Shervinsky was an outstanding physician and scientist who made a significant contribution to the development of endocrinology in Russia. In the early 20th century, he actively promoted the introduction of scientific achievements in the field of hormones and diseases of the endocrine system into medical practice. Vasily D. Shervinsky played a key role in the formation of the endocrinological care system, which will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2025. His works became the basis of modern approaches to the treatment of diseases such as diabetes mellitus and thyroid pathologies. In addition, he paid great attention to the training of doctors, creating educational programmes for future specialists. His achievements had a huge impact on the development of medical science and practice. Vasily D. Shervinsky’s legacy remains relevant today, inspiring new specialists in the field of endocrinology.
World's first indoor ai-based vertical berry farm in Virginia:revolutionizing agriculture with 90% water savings
Authors: Thirunahari Ugandhar Dr.
Published: December 2024

The establishment of the world’s first AI-based indoor vertical berry farm in Virginia, USA, marks a pivotal advancement in agriculturaltechnology, integrating artificial intelligence (AI) with innovative vertical farming techniques. This facility, spanning 1081 acres and utilizing 30-foot-high towers, redefines traditional agricultural practices by optimizing space and resource use, enabling food production inurban environments where conventional farming may not be viable. Vertical farming allows for the cultivation of crops in stacked layers,effectively addressing land scarcity and reducing transportation costs while enhancing food security.The AI-driven management system at the Virginia facility plays a crucial role in regulating essential growth factors such as temperature,light, humidity, and nutrient delivery. By continuously monitoring these parameters and adjusting them in real time, the system ensuresoptimal conditions for plant development, leading to healthier crops and superior berry quality. One of the standout features of this innovative farm is its remarkable water-saving capability; the AI technology facilitates a 90% reduction in water usage by delivering preciseamounts of water only when needed. This efficiency is particularly significant given the growing global challenges of water scarcity andthe need for sustainable agricultural practices.Furthermore, this AI-based approach utilizes 17% less land compared to traditional farming methods, underscoring its potential as a highlyefficient model for future food production. With its commitment to resource conservation and enhanced productivity, this vertical farminginitiative exemplifies how technology can revolutionize agriculture, offering promising solutions to meet the increasing demand for foodwhile minimizing environmental impact. As the world grapples with pressing issues related to food security and environmental sustainability, the Virginia vertical berry farm stands as a beacon of innovation, paving the way for the future of agriculture.
Air Quality Trends and Pollution Analysis in Nigerian Cities Using Time Series Methods
Authors: A R Akanji , M O FRANCIS , A . F AKINTOLA
Published: December 2024

Air pollution is a significant environmental and public health issue in rapidly urbanizing cities, particularly in developing countries like Nigeria. This study analyzes air quality trends in five major Nigerian cities Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Port Harcourt, and Enugu using satellite-based remote sensing data from January 2021 to December 2023. Key pollutants, including PM2.5, PM10, CO, NO2, SO2, and O3, were analyzed using time series models (ARIMA, SARIMA), seasonal decomposition (STL), and correlation analysis. The results reveal that Lagos and Kano experience the highest pollution levels, particularly during the Harmattan season, when Saharan dust exacerbates particulate matter. Abuja also sees significant pollution spikes, while Port Harcourt and Enugu show moderate pollution driven by industrial emissions and traffic. The study underscores the need for better air quality monitoring, seasonal interventions, and policies to reduce pollution, particularly during Harmattan.
Fungal Population Analysis of Hydrocarbons Contaminated Soil
Authors: Mohammed Srwa A. , Omar Taha J. , Hassan Ayad H.
Published: December 2024

Petroleum is often regarded as one of the environmental hazards that pose the greatest threat to human health. After radiation, petroleum and all of its byproducts and wastes are considered to have the second-worst effect on the environment. Demonstrating fungal microbiomes that flourish on soil heavily polluted by petroleum and moderately contaminated soil samples, comparing them with uncontaminated soil samples from Taq-taq (TTOPCO) through metagenomic analysis through sequencing of the 18S-V4 region. Metagenomic analysis is conducted using high-throughput sequencing technology, targeting 18 subunit ribosomal ribonucleic acid amplicons through the Illumina-HiSeq platform. In general, an increase in fungal community richness and diversity is reported in soil contaminated with petroleum. This is determined by counting the number of operational taxonomic units, performing principal coordinate analysis, and calculating α (Chao1 and Shannon indices) and ß diversity. The composition of microbial communities is significantly altered by crude oil exposure. At the phylum level, there are considerable transitions between groups B and C for Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, Chytridiomycota, Olpidiomycota, Zoopagomycota, Cryptomycota, and Mucoromycota. In examining Group D relative to Group C, there are significant differences in Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, Chytridiomycota, Olpidiomycota, and Cryptomycota. This study is an important first step in determining and understanding the fungal population of soil extensively contaminated with crude oils of the Taq-taq/Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
Historia legislacyjna dekretu Rady Regencyjnej z 31 października 1918 r. o opiece nad zabytkami sztuki i kultury
Authors: Staniszewski Damian
Published: December 2024

Dekret Rady Regencyjnej z 31 października 1918 r. o opiece nad zabytkami sztuki i kultury był pierwszą polską regulacją prawną poświęconą ochronie zabytków. Akt ten pozwolił stworzyć podstawy prawne potrzebne do zbudowania struktury organizacyjnej związanej z ochroną zabytków, a także określił ramy przyszłej ochrony. W piśmiennictwie prawniczym szczegółowo omówiono dekret oraz historyczne tło towarzyszące jego przyjęciu, ale mniej miejsca poświęcono historii legislacyjnej prac nad tym aktem (pre-legislative history). W literaturze często podkreśla się, że wydanie przepisów prawnych dotyczących zabytków na tak wczesnym etapie tworzenia się państwa polskiego świadczy o ważkości tego tematu i wizjonerstwie ówczesnych elit politycznych. Tymczasem przyjęcie dekretu o opiece nad zabytkami sztuki i kultury było dla ówczesnych decydentów równie ważne co inne sprawy publiczne i społeczne, dlatego nie należy zbyt mocno amplifikować okoliczności przyjęcia dekretu.
Prawo karne materialne Pierwszej Republiki Czechosłowackiej
Authors: Krzymkowski Stanisław
Published: December 2024

Prawo karne Pierwszej Republiki Czechosłowackiej opierało się na austriackim kodeksie karnym z 1852 r. na terenie Czech i Moraw oraz na kodeksie karnym węgierskim z 1878 r. na Słowacji i Rusi Zakarpackiej. Regulacje tych kodeksów były przez wielu uczonych uznawane za przestarzałe w dobie niepodległej Czechosłowacji. Uchwalono zatem kilka istotnych ustaw reformujących prawo karne, m.in. ustawę o ochronie Republiki z 1923 r., ustawę o sądownictwie nad młodzieżą z 1931 r. oraz ustawę o ochronie czci z 1933 r. Choć zmodernizowały one niektóre elementy prawa karnego, to dziewiętnastowieczne kodeksy pozostały jego podstawą. Przygotowano też dwa projekty kodeksu karnego, jednak nigdy ich nie uchwalono. Poważniejsze reformy były niemożliwe ze względu na brak zainteresowania politycznego, jak również na obawy co do ich kosztów i na czechosłowacki konserwatyzm prawniczy.
Kwestia włościańska i reforma sądowa Aleksandra II na łamach ,,Gazety Sądowej Warszawskiej” (1873–1915). Ocena z perspektywy poglądów Józefa Kasznicy na istotę prawa
Authors: Tarkowski Mikołaj
Published: December 2024

Celem artykułu jest przedstawienie wybranych zagadnień poświęconych reformie włościańskiej i sądowej na łamach periodyku prawniczego ,,Gazeta Sądowa Warszawska”. Jednocześnie powołując się na prawno-naturalne poglądy profesora prawa Józefa Kasznicy na temat głównych cech prawa, przywołano argumenty na potwierdzenie tezy, że reformy włościańska i sądowa w Królestwie Polskim były w dużej mierze tworem politycznym, nie prawnym. Należały do nich zagadnienia charakteryzowane na szpaltach ,,Gazety” po wprowadzeniu obu reform, takie jak: sprzeczności występujące w prawodawstwie Królestwa Polskiego, brak zaufania prawników zamieszkujących obszar Królestwa Polskiego do nowych instytucji prawnych czy utylitarny, a nie deontologiczny charakter norm prawnych.
Koncepcje ustroju państwowego w ruchu antybolszewickim w czasie wojny domowej w Rosji w latach 1917–1920
Authors: Sadłowski Michał Patryk
Published: December 2024

Artykuł zawiera analizę koncepcji ustrojowych głównych ośrodków antybolszewickich w czasie wojny domowej w latach 1917–1920. Jest to okres od obalenia Rządu Tymczasowego przez bolszewików w 1917 r. do upadku rządów gen. Piotra Wrangla na Krymie. Autor dokonał analizy najważniejszych aktów prawnych, koncepcji politycznych, ideologicznych oraz projektów głównych reform społecznych i gospodarczych następujących centrów antybolszewickich: Białego Ruchu na południu Rosji (pod kierownictwem generałów: Michaiła Aleksiejewa, Ławra Korniłowa, Antona Denikina oraz Piotra Wrganla), Komitetu Członków Zgromadzenia Konstytucyjnego (Komucz), Ufimskiego Dyrektoriatu oraz białej Syberii pod rządami admirała Aleksandra Kołczaka.
Organista jako pracownik umysłowy w świetle polskiego prawa pracy okresu międzywojennego
Authors: Kamiński Konrad
Published: December 2024

Celem artykułu jest określenie pozycji prawnej zawodu organisty w Kościele katolickim w kontekście międzywojennego prawa pracy II Rzeczypospolitej oraz prawa kanonicznego. Przedstawiono w nim charakterystykę zawodu oraz prawa i obowiązki organisty wynikające z prawa powszechnego i partykularnego Kościoła katolickiego. Szczególna pozycja organisty, którego praca podlegała dwóm autonomicznym porządkom prawnym, skłania do refleksji nad relacją organisty jako pracownika kościelnego do prawa państwowego. Badania wskazują, że zawód organisty kwalifikowano jako pracownika umysłowego według ówczesnych przepisów prawa pracy. W artykule opisano próby ustawowego uregulowania zawodu organisty oraz trudności w dokładnym określeniu podmiotu zatrudniającego organistę. Zagadnienia te były szczególnie istotne w kontekście ubezpieczenia osób wykonujących ten zawód.
European University Initiative in the context of digital transformation: A discussion paper
Authors: Morawska Joanna , Carayannis Elias G.
Published: December 2024

The digital transformation (DT) has undoubtedly become one of the main challenges of modern organisations, including universities. The discussion is oriented towards the new learning tools, contexts, needs and skills needed on the institutional level, academic teachers and in connection to the demands of the labour market. This paper does not refer to potential ethical and safety risks but rather tries to understand how universities should approach those challenges from the perspective of their key missions, including education as a top priority. To do that, we use the example of the concept of the European University Initiative (EUI) case, as it has become one of the flagship programmes of the European Commission supporting the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) and European Research Area (ERA). With the purpose to build inter-university campuses, joint degree programmes, support seamless mobility, strengthen socially relevant research, promote sustainability etc., they also have become the lighthouses of the green and digital transformations. In this paper we aim to start a discussion about what digital transformation means in the context of teaching and try to define the most urgent questions that will help to define the future university model responding to the dynamically changing learning context.
Związek troski duchowej i przebaczenia u osób duchownych: mediacyjna funkcja współczucia sobie i innym
Authors: Półtorak Magdalena , Krok Dariusz
Published: December 2024

Celem projektu było zbadanie potencjalnych związków, występujących między troską duchową, samowspółczuciem, współczuciem wobec innych i przebaczeniem dyspozycyjnym u osób duchownych. Zweryfikowano mediacyjną rolę samowspółczucia i współczucia innym w relacji między troską duchową a dyspozycją do przebaczenia. W badaniu wzięły udział 183 osoby duchowne. Wykorzystano następujące narzędzia: Kwestionariusz Troski Duchowej, Skala Współczucia dla Samego Siebie, Skala Współczucia dla Innych oraz Skala Przebaczenia. Analizy korelacyjne wykazały pozytywne, istotne statystycznie, związki między troską duchową i przebaczeniem dyspozycyjnym, jak również między współczuciem sobie i innym a przebaczeniem i troską duchową. Ponadto, dzięki analizom mediacyjnym, stwierdzono, iż zarówno samowspółczucie, jak i współczucie innym pełniły funkcję mediacyjną w relacji troski duchowej i przebaczenia dyspozycyjnego u osób duchownych.
Przesłania metafory obersturmführera przywołanej przez Victora Klemperera w książce LTI. Notatnik filologa
Authors: Czykwin Elżbieta
Published: December 2024

Treść artykułu stanowi analiza poruszającego cytatu z książki V. Klemperera LTI. Notatnik filologa. Autor, wybitny filolog pochodzenia żydowskiego, analizuje Lingua Tertii Imperii – Język Trzeciej Rzeszy, czasów rządów NSDAP, w których przyszło mu żyć. Wybrany cytat przedstawia autentyczną sytuację z życia codziennego, mającą metaforyczny, ukryty sens i przesłanie. Dociekanie sensu i znaczenia przytoczonego zdarzenia angażuje analizę językową, semantyczną w oparciu o tzw. pentadę Kennetha Burke, ale w jednakim stopniu teologiczną, egzegetyczną. Przedstawione dociekania nie stanowią zamkniętej i kompletnej odpowiedzi interpretacyjnej. Stawiają szereg pytań angażujących czytelnika w dyskurs sensu przesłania. W takim rozumieniu, tekst zakłada intelektualną współpracę czytelnika.