bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PESSI, Bruno Stelmach e SILVA, Graziela Souza e (Coordenação). Documentos da escravidão: processos crime: o escravo como vítima ou réu. Porto Alegre: Companhia RioGrandense de Artes Gráficas (CORAG), 2010.
Authors: Parcianello Katya dos Santos Schmitt
Published: November 2023

PESSI, Bruno Stelmach e SILVA, Graziela Souza e (Coordenação). Documentos da escravidão: processos crime: o escravo como vítima ou réu. Porto Alegre: Companhia RioGrandense de Artes Gráficas (CORAG), 2010.
busca da sagrada face
Authors: Santos Magno Francisco de Jesus
Published: November 2023

Em São Cristóvão, Sergipe, todos os anos é realizada na quaresma a procissão do Senhor dos Passos, em torno da imagem achada às margens de um rio. Os romeiros seguem em busca do contato com a imagem sacralizada e tenta alimentar o divino com suas práticas de sacrifícios. Este trabalho visa analisar as diferentes formas de percepção da celebração religiosa pelos devotos e discutir a tradição culinária associada ao evento. O alvo central dos romeiros é alimentar o sagrado por meio do pagamento de promessas na perspectiva de expurgar os tormentos cotidianos. No mesmo compasso, a celebração religiosa constituiu uma tradição culinária peculiar, com quitutes e peixadas. Trata-se de uma tentativa de compreender o passado a partir dos registros de ruídos que perpassaram o tempo.
tempos de pós-pentecostalismo
Authors: Passos Mauro , Rocha Daniel
Published: November 2023

Este artigo analisa as transformações ocorridas no pentecostalismo brasileiro nos últimos anos: transformações relativas às suas convicções teológicas e às relações estabelecidas entre as igrejas pentecostais e as conjunturas sócio-políticas nas quais estão inseridas. Inicialmente, traça-se um breve panorama histórico sobre o surgimento e consolidação do pentecostalismo brasileiro e suas principais crenças, enfatizando-se sua perspectiva escatológica. Em seguida, analisa-se o trabalho do historiador Paulo Siepierski sobre as transformações do pentecostalismo brasileiro e seu conceito de pós-pentecostalismo. Partindo-se das reflexões de Siepierski, busca-se fazer uma leitura das novas características do pentecostalismo brasileiro e de suas concepções escatológicas. Por fim, são feitas algumas observações sobre a atual configuração do pentecostalismo e propõe-se uma releitura do conceito de pós-pentecostalismo.
Para além do espiritual
Authors: Coelho Fabiano
Published: November 2023

O trabalho objetiva refletir sobre algumas questões que orientaram as atividades da Igreja junto aos trabalhadores rurais sem-terra, em fins dos anos de  1970 e início da década seguinte. Nessa época, devido à situação política, econômica e social que o Brasil estava vivendo, grupos organizados dentro da Igreja, sob a ótica da Teologia da Libertação, passaram a desenvolver inúmeros trabalhos com grupos marginalizados pela sociedade. No campo, as ações da Igreja, especialmente por meio das Comunidades Eclesiais de Base (CEBs) e Comissão Pastoral da Terra (CPT), tiveram um papel ímpar junto aos trabalhadores rurais sem-terra, auxiliando na organização de diversos movimentos sociais na luta pela terra.  Nas atividades desenvolvidas pelos agentes religiosos, havia o imbricamento entre religião e política, em que os sujeitos sem-terra eram estimulados a serem atores de sua própria história,  lutando por sua libertação e a caminho da “terra prometida”.
De Las Peñas de Santa María de Guadalupe à atual cidade de Puerto Vallarta, México
Authors: Scartascini Spadaro Gabriela , Alves Julia Batista , Maranhão Filho Eduardo Meinberg de Albuquerque
Published: November 2023

Um dos destinos turísticos de nível mundial com o qual conta o México é Puerto Vallarta, situado no estado de Jalisco, na costa do oceano Pacífico. Desde a sua fundação, o culto mariano está associado a este destino, pois o nome original foi Las Peñas de Santa María de Guadalupe. Ao longo da história da comunidade provinciana, a Guadalupana se converteu em elemento de identidade para a coesão social. Neste ano se cumprem 90 anos de sua hierarquização como Paróquia, feito que provocará inumeráveis celebrações assim como a certeza da permanência incontestável da Virgem Morena neste destino turístico que, em 1918 passou a ser chamado de Puerto Vallarta.
sinal de decadência”
Authors: Dias Cláudio José Piotrovski
Published: November 2023

Este artigo apresenta parte da discussão que fiz em minha monografia de conclusão de curso, defendida em novembro de 2008, na Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa. Com efeito, analisei as respostas sócio-culturais arroladas na luta contra a epidemia da Aids no Brasil. Especificamente, busquei refletir sobre as críticas elaboradas por clérigos da Igreja Católica às campanhas e programas de prevenção empreendidos pelo Governo Federal dentre os anos de 1993 a 2007 para conter os avanços da epidemia no segmento jovem da população. Aqui apresento as campanhas de prevenção à Aids destinadas aos jovens, seguidas das críticas arroladas por três católicos: o teólogo Felipe Aquino, o Cardeal Rafael Llano Cifuentes e o Bispo Eduardo Benes, encerrando com minha análise sobre a celeuma, sob a luz do conceito de Representação.
abrir das cortinas
Authors: Andrade Ana Luíza Mello Santiago de
Published: November 2023

O trabalho que se segue destina-se a discutir temas como os usos das memórias para a História e as vontades de comemorar percebidas nos festejos de uma instituição de ensino, católica, na cidade de Florianópolis entre os anos 1988 e 1998. O artigo é um breve resumo de pesquisa que buscar entender, através de fontes escritas, sejam elas crônicas, reportagens de jornal ou livros, as formas de fazer comemorações e os usos das memórias para os atos aqui analisados.
Memórias femininas enunciadoras da história
Authors: Bianchezzi Clarice , Tramonte Cristiana de Azevedo
Published: November 2023

Este artigo visa compreender o papel da memória na constituição coletiva de grupos femininos religiosos, especialmente umbandistas e católicas. O cenário do desenrolar dos fatos é a cidade de Florianópolis, estado de Santa Catarina, no sul do Brasil. O estudo centra-se essencialmente nos recursos da memória evidenciados pela história oral - como esta contribui para fundamentar estratégias de sujeitos e grupos, evidenciando identidades e destacando aspectos e momentos marcantes da história pessoal e coletiva, dando especial destaque à consolidação de espaços históricos e reconhecimento social que resultam de tais processos.
Ulisses Retornado
Authors: Paiva Felipe
Published: November 2023

Pretende-se, neste artigo, fazer do conceito de pátria - presente na obra do filósofo alemão Ernst Bloch - como chave de leitura para a perspectiva africana, conforme a define Joseph Ki-Zerbo. Argumenta-se que a citada perspectiva desemboca em uma original “ideia de África” que pode ser sintetizada na pátria blochiana: o lugar de regresso da humanidade não mais reificada.
Cidadãos, quem?
Authors: Oliveira Luciana Garcia de
Published: November 2023

Sob a ótica de alguns conceitos extraídos da obra Dialética do Esclarecimento de autoria de Adorno & Horkheimer, ao adentrarmos mais atentamente na atual questão dos palestinos que vivem hoje no Estado de Israel, podemos de fato considera-los verdadeiros cidadãos do Estado de Israel? Muito embora, a situação social dos palestinos israelenses sejam comprovadamente melhor, quando comparado a situação das comunidades palestinas na Cisjordânia, Faixa de Gaza e nos países árabes vizinhos, muitos temem a perda da identidade palestina, através de diversos artifícios sociais, culturais e jurídicos que impedem a sua livre manifestação como árabe, palestino e alguns como muçulmanos. Ao longo do texto, algumas formas de limitação da vida palestina serão detalhadas, e o modo como alguns exemplos reconhecidos em Israel, os palestinos-israelense Sayed Kashua e Haneen Zoabi, conseguiram se destacar, contrariando grupos ultranacionalistas hostis à presença árabe-palestina em território israelense e o modo como algumas instituições de parceria judaicas-palestinas têm se dedicado na esfera da educação contra o racismo e o preconceito em prol da coexistência pacífica.
Identidade e cultura em Porto Alegre no Pós-abolição
Authors: Bohrer Felipe Rodrigues
Published: November 2023

Este artigo tem como tema a cultura musical de Porto Alegre nas primeiras décadas do século XX. Para isso será analisada a formação da Banda Municipal de Porto Alegre, uma instituição que foi criada e financiada pelo poder público (carregando, inclusive, o nome da cidade consigo), enfatizando a relação entre a população, as suas atividades artísticas e a sua identidade desejada. Colocar-se-á em diálogo a elite letrada, o poder público e setores da comunidade afrodescendente, em frente às tensões resultantes da transformação desse conjunto musical. A análise dessa instituição musical tem por fim perceber quais eram os termos desse debate e como estava articulada a relação entre a música e a população.
Cultura, memória e cotidiano
Authors: Pereira Júnior Paulo Alves
Published: November 2023

O regime cívico-militar de Alfredo Stroessner (1954-1989) desenvolveu um sistema controlador que reprimiu a oposição feita ao governo. Os alvos dessa repressão foram os setores populares, os políticos vinculados a partidos opositores, os padres e os jornalistas. A historiografia sobre a resistência ao stronismo destaca as ações dos grupos “intelectualizados” da sociedade paraguaia e dos trabalhadores urbano-industriais, organizados em sindicatos e partidos políticos. Além disso, prioriza como formas de refutação as manifestações públicas, as contestações político-partidárias e a atuação de grupos armados, “esquecendo-se” das práticas oposicionistas no âmbito privado. O presente trabalho tem como escopo a análise das táticas desenvolvidas pelos camponeses durante a presidência de Stroessner a partir dos depoimentos existentes no tomo V do Informe Final da Comisión de Verdad y Justicia.
Tortura em foco
Authors: Meirelles Renata
Published: November 2023

Durante o regime militar brasileiro, a organização Anistia Internacional (AI) trabalhou na defesa de presos políticos e na divulgação de denúncias de tortura entre a comunidade internacional. Como parte de um projeto de pesquisa mais amplo, cujo objetivo é investigar a atuação da Anistia Internacional no Brasil, o presente artigo pretende mostrar como foi a abordagem da Anistia em relação às denúncias de tortura cometidas por agentes do regime militar brasileiro. O artigo propõe identificar aspectos relevantes das origens e da história da Anistia Internacional para compreender dois de seus princípios fundamentais: o princípio da não-violência e a ênfase no indivíduo.
Contrastive Metapragmatics and the Shifting Semantics of “Sarcasm” in English and Danish
Authors: Goddard Cliff , Levisen Carsten
Published: November 2023

Despite valuable studies into the uses/functions of sarcasm, no previous investigation

has focused on the semantics of “sarcasm” as an emic metapragmatic category. We provide a contrastive lexical study of English and Danish using the Natural Semantic Metalanguage (NSM) approach. We find that the English noun sarcasm has been undergoing semantic innovation and is now polysemous, as is its corresponding adjective. Roughly, older sarcasm1 expresses a positive message with an obvious negative intention, while newer sarcasm2 expresses a negative message with the aim of being amusing. For Danish, sarkasme is shown to closely align with sarcasm1, but semantic innovation has been happening in Danish too. A new expression sarkastisk humor overlaps with sarcasm2 but is tailored to fit into Danish humor discourses. The study sheds light on insider understandings and metapragmatic discourses in Anglo and Danish linguacultures. There are cautionary implications for the use of “sarcasm” as a second-order concept.
Against Embodiment: Subjectivity Viewed from a Materialist Perspective
Authors: Kolozova Katerina
Published: November 2023

Just as in philosophy, truth—pure, immaterial “meaning” or simply value—takes a life of its own, even when purported to be materialist. The equation, M-C-M, can be transposed in P (Phallus) and C (femininity as commodity) amounting to P-C-P, and the argument is made by resorting to Marx and Irigaray via Laruelle.
A new subfamily of ulmarid scyphomedusae, the Santjordiinae, with a description of Santjordia pagesi gen. et sp. nov. (Cnidaria: Scyphozoa: Discomedusae: Semaeostomeae: Ulmaridae) from the Sumisu Caldera, Ogasawara Islands, Japan
Authors: LINDSAY DHUGAL JOHN , GROSSMANN MARY MATILDA , MONTENEGRO JAVIER , MORANDINI ANDRÉ CARRARA
Published: November 2023

An undescribed species of ulmarid medusa was observed in situ and captured at 812 m depth within the Sumisu Caldera, Ogasawara Islands, Japan. Morphological and molecular evidence points to it being distinct from other ulmarid medusae and a new species (pagesi), genus (Santjordia) and subfamily (Santjordiinae) are herein erected to contain it. This new subfamily of semaeostome ulmarid medusae has both marginal and subumbrellar rhopalia, making it unique within the order Semaeostomeae. Although the combination of subumbrellar tentacles and the lack of branched canals should warrant the erection of a new family within the Semaeostomeae, a lack of information on the gonad structure and poor bootstrap support in the molecular phylogenetic tree cause us to relegate it to the catch-all family Ulmaridae, until greater taxon sampling and phylogenetic analyses are carried out for the Semaeostomeae.
Neighborhood Built Environments and Health in Later Life: A Literature Review
Authors: Finlay Jessica , Westrick Ashly C. , Guzman Viveka , Meltzer Gabriella
Published: November 2023

Objectives: This literature review aims to assess the current state of the field linking neighborhood environments to later-life health and wellbeing. Methods: We used electronic databases (e.g., PubMed, Google Scholar, and ProQuest) to search for studies published between 2010 and 2022 examining associations between neighborhood built environmental variables and later-life physical, cognitive, mental, and social health outcomes. Results: Among 168 studies reviewed, the majority were quantitative ( n = 144) and cross-sectional ( n = 122). Neighborhood environmental variables significantly associated with later-life health outcomes included population density/rurality, walkability/street connectivity, access to services and amenities, neighborhood quality and disorder, and parks/green/blue/open space. Neighborhoods operated through behavioral and biological pathways including hazardous exposures, affective states (e.g., stress and restoration), and lifestyle (e.g., exercise, socialization, and diet). Discussion: Neighborhoods and healthy aging research is a burgeoning interdisciplinary and international area of scholarship. Findings can inform upstream community interventions and strengthen clinical care.
Incidence, temporal trends and risk factors of puerperal infection in Mainland China: a meta-analysis of epidemiological studies from recent decade (2010–2020)
Authors: Li Peng , Li Yan , Zhang Youjian , Zhao Lina , Li Xiaohong , Bao Junzhe , Guo Jianing , Yan Jun , Zhou Ke , Sun Mingjie
Published: November 2023

Background

Puerperal infection (PI) is a severe threat to maternal health. The incidence and risk of PI should be accurately quantified and conveyed for prior decision-making. This study aims to assess the quality of the published literature on the epidemiology of PI, and synthesize them to identify the temporal trends and risk factors of PI occurring in Mainland China.

Methods

This review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42021267399). Putting a time frame on 2010 to March 2022, we searched Cochrane library, Embase, Google Scholar, MEDLINE, Web of Science, China biology medicine, China national knowledge infrastructure and Chinese medical current contents, and performed a meta-analysis and meta-regression to pool the incidence of PI and the effects of risk factors on PI.

Results

A total of 49 eligible studies with 133,938 participants from 17 provinces were included. The pooled incidence of PI was 4.95% (95%CIs, 4.46–5.43), and there was a statistical association between the incidence of PI following caesarean section and the median year of data collection. Gestational hypertension (OR = 2.14), Gestational diabetes mellitus (OR = 1.82), primipara (OR = 0.81), genital tract inflammation (OR = 2.51), anemia during pregnancy (OR = 2.28), caesarean section (OR = 2.03), episiotomy (OR = 2.64), premature rupture of membrane (OR = 2.54), prolonged labor (OR = 1.32), placenta remnant (OR = 2.59) and postpartum hemorrhage (OR = 2.43) have significant association with PI.

Conclusions

Maternal infection remains a crucial complication during puerperium in Mainland China, which showed a nationwide temporal rising following caesarean section in the past decade. The opportunity to prevent unnecessary PI exists in several simple but necessary measures and it’s urgent for clinicians and policymakers to focus joint efforts on promoting the bundle of evidence-based practices.
Deep learning approaches for differentiating thyroid nodules with calcification: a two-center study
Authors: Chen Chen , Liu Yuanzhen , Yao Jincao , Wang Kai , Zhang Maoliang , Shi Fang , Tian Yuan , Gao Lu , Ying Yajun , Pan Qianmeng , Wang Hui , Wu Jinxin , Qi Xiaoqing , Wang Yifan , Xu Dong
Published: November 2023

Background

Calcification is a common phenomenon in both benign and malignant thyroid nodules. However, the clinical significance of calcification remains unclear. Therefore, we explored a more objective method for distinguishing between benign and malignant thyroid calcified nodules.

Methods

This retrospective study, conducted at two centers, involved a total of 631 thyroid nodules, all of which were pathologically confirmed. Ultrasound image sets were employed for analysis. The primary evaluation index was the area under the receiver-operator characteristic curve (AUROC). We compared the diagnostic performance of deep learning (DL) methods with that of radiologists and determined whether DL could enhance the diagnostic capabilities of radiologists.

Results

The Xception classification model exhibited the highest performance, achieving an AUROC of up to 0.970, followed by the DenseNet169 model, which attained an AUROC of up to 0.959. Notably, both DL models outperformed radiologists (P < 0.05). The success of the Xception model can be attributed to its incorporation of deep separable convolution, which effectively reduces the model’s parameter count. This feature enables the model to capture features more effectively during the feature extraction process, resulting in superior performance, particularly when dealing with limited data.

Conclusions

This study conclusively demonstrated that DL outperformed radiologists in differentiating between benign and malignant calcified thyroid nodules. Additionally, the diagnostic capabilities of radiologists could be enhanced with the aid of DL.
Older adults’ awareness of modifiable risk and protective factors for dementia and interest in eHealth interventions for brain health: a comparison between the Netherlands and Germany
Authors: Zülke Andrea E. , Luppa Melanie , van Boxtel Martin , Deckers Kay , Heger Irene , Köhler Sebastian , Riedel-Heller Steffi G.
Published: November 2023

Background

Evidence on modifiable risk factors for dementia is accumulating rapidly, including e.g. smoking, hypertension, and diabetes. Comparing knowledge of risk factors for dementia and factors associated with knowledge and motivation to learn about dementia risk reduction in different countries may support the design of tailored public health campaigns. We investigated (1) differences in knowledge of risk and protective factors for dementia between the Netherlands and Germany, and interest in (2) information on brain health and (3) eHealth for brain health.

Materials and methods

Population-based telephone (Germany) or web-based surveys (Netherlands) were conducted among adults aged 60–75 (ntotal=614; Germany: n = 270; Netherlands: n = 344), assessing sociodemographic factors, knowledge of risk and protective factors for dementia, interest in information on brain health and respective eHealth-tools. Correlates of knowledge, interest in information on brain health and eHealth for brain health were analyzed using multivariable regression, by country and in pooled analyses.

Results

In the total sample (Mage: 67.3 (SD: 4.3) years; %female: 48.6), knowledge of risk and protective factors (sum score assessing number of correctly identified factors) was higher among German participants (M (SD) = 7.6 (2.5) vs. 6.0 (4.3), p < .001). This was confirmed using linear regression analyses, controlling for sociodemographic covariates (b = 1.51; 95% CI: 1.00; 2.01). High education was linked to better knowledge of risk and protective factors (b = 1.61; 95% CI: 0.89; 2.34). Controlling for covariates, interest in information on brain health (OR: 0.05, 95% CI: 0.02; 0.09) and eHealth for brain health (OR: 0.40, 95% CI: 0.25; 0.65) was lower in German participants. Widowed participants were less interested in information on brain health, while widowed and single participants expressed less interest in eHealth for brain health in pooled analyses. Further associations between sociodemographic factors, interest in information on brain health and eHealth for brain health by country were detected.

Discussion

Engaging older adults in the design of eHealth interventions and cooperation with trusted sources, e.g., general practitioners, might enhance appreciation of eHealth for brain health. Education on risk and protective factors for dementia is warranted in both countries. However, differences in recruitment and assessment need to be acknowledged.
Experiences of the older spousal caregivers of patients with cancer during palliative chemotherapy: a qualitative descriptive study
Authors: Hirayama Kengo , Kuribara Tomoki , Oshikiri Miho
Published: November 2023

Background

Several studies have characterized the experiences of family members caring for patients undergoing chemotherapy; however, information about the experiences of older spousal caregivers with intensive caregiving burdens is unclear. Recently, more older patients have been diagnosed with cancer due to the aging population worldwide. Therefore, this study evaluated the patterns in the experiences of older spousal caregivers of patients undergoing palliative chemotherapy for advanced cancer.

Methods

Qualitative research using semi-structured interviews was used in this study involving 10 older spousal caregivers of patients undergoing palliative chemotherapy at a hospital providing advanced cancer care in Japan. The data obtained were analyzed qualitatively and inductively using thematic analysis by Braun and Clarke.

Results

Four themes were identified from the narratives of the participants in this study. The first theme was “getting used to living with the disease,” indicating that the older spouses gradually became accustomed to living with the patient through continued caregiving. The second theme was “deepening view of life and death,” indicating that the older spouses’ views of life and death were deepened by being confronted with patients’ quality of life until death. The third theme was “anxious about the future,” indicating the fear regarding the patient’s progressive diseases and anxiety pertaining to continuing care for the patient while dealing with their health problems. The final theme was “desire for a better rest of life,” indicating that the couple felt their bond was strengthened through caregiving and wishes to live well for the rest of their lives.

Conclusions

The patterns in the experience of older spousal caregivers caring for patients undergoing palliative chemotherapy indicated an aspect of rebuilding their lives as they became accustomed to caregiving, while strengthening their marital bond. The caregiving process involved a mix of emotions, including anxiety about the spousal caregiver’s health problems worsening. However, the caregivers recognized the value of their remaining time. Therefore, they had deep concern for the patient’s comfort, concealing their feelings so that the patient would feel comfortable. This study can contribute to understanding the challenges faced and support needed by older spousal caregivers.
Longitudinal qualitative study of paired mentor-mentee perspectives on the abstract submission process
Authors: Mancuso Carol A. , Robbins Laura , Paget Stephen A.
Published: November 2023

Background

Submitting research abstracts to scientific societies is expected in academic medicine and requires dedicated time and effort. The authors queried mentors and mentees to ascertain what topics and proposed strategies should be included in a new curriculum to enhance the abstract submission process.

Methods

Between May 2019 and March 2020, the authors enrolled 14 senior-rank mentors from diverse disciplines at a tertiary musculoskeletal center and their 14-paired mentees (mostly residents and fellows) into a several-component qualitative study consisting of in-depth interviews several months before abstract submission addressing prior experiences, and longitudinal follow-up interviews 1 month before, 1 week before, and 1 week after submission to uncover challenges faced during the actual process and strategies that were effective in overcoming these challenges. Additional contacts occurred through November 2020 to ascertain outcomes of submissions. Mentors and mentees were unaware of each other’s responses. Responses were grouped into categories using grounded theory and a comparative analytic strategy.

Results

At enrollment participants recounted details from prior abstracts that included experiences with the submission process such as format, content, and online requirements, and experiences with interpersonal interactions such as managing coinvestigators’ competing priories and consulting with statisticians in a timely manner. Benefits of submitting abstracts included advancing mentees’ careers and increasing research methodology rigor. Challenges encountered during the submission process included meeting deadlines before all data were acquired, time away from other responsibilities, and uncertainty about handling changing conclusions as more data accrued. Delayed feedback from coinvestigators and broadening the scope or changing the focus of the abstract compounded the time crunch to meet the submission deadline. At the time of abstract submission mentor-mentee pairs agreed that major challenges were dealing with collaborators, incomplete data/limited results, and different work styles. The authors developed a proposal for a comprehensive curriculum to include organizational, technical and interpersonal topics.

Conclusions

This longitudinal qualitative study involving mentor-mentee pairs revealed multiple benefits and challenges associated with submitting research abstracts. These findings provide the foundation for a comprehensive curriculum to enhance this recurring labor-intensive undertaking and cornerstone of academic medicine.
“Meet the patient” session: a strategy to teach medical students about autonomic dysfunction after spinal cord injury
Authors: Cazzaniga Juliana , Solman Susan , Fortun Jenny
Published: November 2023

Dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system is an important long-term consequence of spinal cord injury (SCI). Yet, there is a scarcity of teaching resources about this topic for preclinical medical students. Given the association of SCI sequelae with emergency complications and mortality, it is imperative to equip medical students with the ability to recognize them. We designed a “Meet the Patient” (MTP) session with the primary goal to enhance student learning about SCI sequelae by interacting with patients and listening to real-life stories. The session primarily focused on recognizing triggers and symptoms of autonomic dysreflexia (AD) and discussing the loss of bowel and bladder control, while providing opportunities to learn more about living with SCI from patients’ real-life experiences. During the MTP session, patients living with SCI discussed their experience with AD, neurogenic bowel and bladder, and spasticity, among other SCI sequelae. We evaluated the outcomes of the MTP session by assessing numerical performance in questions related to the session (post-session quiz and final exam) and students’ satisfaction (post-session survey) in two subsequent academic years. The numerical performance in SCI-questions was high for both academic years (and higher than national average for the final exam question), indicating adequate acquisition of knowledge. Satisfaction with the session was high, with most students indicating that the session helped them consolidate their knowledge about the topic.
Public willingness to receive chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and trichomoniasis vaccines: a scoping review
Authors: Valleroy T. , Garon Colin , Perroud Janamarie , Wagner Abram L.
Published: November 2023

Background

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and trichomoniasis contribute significantly to global morbidity and mortality. Researchers are pursuing vaccines for these STIs, and a clinical trial is currently underway for a chlamydia vaccine. However, there is little research available on individuals’ willingness to receive chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and trichomoniasis vaccines. The purpose of this analysis was to map the existing literature we have on individuals’ willingness to receive these bacterial/parasitic STI vaccines and understand what information on vaccine acceptability is still needed.

Methods

We searched seven databases for literature on STI vaccine acceptability, then conducted title/abstract and full-text reviews to assess eligibility. All reviews and abstractions were conducted blindly by two reviewers, with discrepancies settled by discussion or the input of a third reviewer.

Results

Eight of the original 2,259 texts of interest met inclusion criteria. After data abstraction, we found that gonorrhea was the most commonly examined, followed by chlamydia and syphilis. Trichomoniasis vaccine acceptability was not reported. Most texts reported high acceptability, but there did not appear to be data describing how vaccine characteristics affect acceptability. Similarly, while the literature covers a variety of populations, most of the study populations were based out of the United States or Canada and were patrons of healthcare facilities or participants from a larger health intervention study. Therefore, more information is needed on populations outside North America, and on groups with lower healthcare access and utilization.

Conclusion

As the incidence of bacterial and parasitic STIs increase, and as we grow nearer vaccines for these illnesses, understanding how likely the public is to accept and receive these vaccines is crucial to their success. While the existing literature describes STI vaccine acceptability in a variety of populations, their overall number is small. More research into STI vaccine acceptability outside of North America, and especially examining how factors like number of doses, timing, and cost influence vaccine acceptability is needed to ensure effective future vaccine rollouts.
Benchmarking MicrobIEM – a user-friendly tool for decontamination of microbiome sequencing data
Authors: Hülpüsch Claudia , Rauer Luise , Nussbaumer Thomas , Schwierzeck Vera , Bhattacharyya Madhumita , Erhart Veronika , Traidl-Hoffmann Claudia , Reiger Matthias , Neumann Avidan U.
Published: November 2023

Background

Microbiome analysis is becoming a standard component in many scientific studies, but also requires extensive quality control of the 16S rRNA gene sequencing data prior to analysis. In particular, when investigating low-biomass microbial environments such as human skin, contaminants distort the true microbiome sample composition and need to be removed bioinformatically. We introduce MicrobIEM, a novel tool to bioinformatically remove contaminants using negative controls.

Results

We benchmarked MicrobIEM against five established decontamination approaches in four 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing datasets: three serially diluted mock communities (108–103 cells, 0.4–80% contamination) with even or staggered taxon compositions and a skin microbiome dataset. Results depended strongly on user-selected algorithm parameters. Overall, sample-based algorithms separated mock and contaminant sequences best in the even mock, whereas control-based algorithms performed better in the two staggered mocks, particularly in low-biomass samples (≤ 106 cells). We show that a correct decontamination benchmarking requires realistic staggered mock communities and unbiased evaluation measures such as Youden’s index. In the skin dataset, the Decontam prevalence filter and MicrobIEM’s ratio filter effectively reduced common contaminants while keeping skin-associated genera.

Conclusions

MicrobIEM’s ratio filter for decontamination performs better or as good as established bioinformatic decontamination tools. In contrast to established tools, MicrobIEM additionally provides interactive plots and supports selecting appropriate filtering parameters via a user-friendly graphical user interface. Therefore, MicrobIEM is the first quality control tool for microbiome experts without coding experience.
RIPK1 polymorphisms and expression levels: impact on genetic susceptibility and clinical outcome of epithelial ovarian cancer
Authors: Wang Xuedong , Deng Kui , Tao Jing , Zou Juan , Du Yiting , Dai Li
Published: November 2023

Background

The aim of this study was to explore the associations of RIPK1 polymorphisms, plasma levels and mRNA expression with susceptibility to epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) and clinical outcome.

Methods

Three hundred and nineteen EOC patients included in a 60-month follow-up program and 376 controls were enrolled. Two tag SNPs (rs6907943 and rs9392453) of RIPK1 were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method. Plasma levels of RIPK1 and RIPK1 mRNA expression in white blood cells were determined by ELISA and qPCR, respectively.

Results

For rs9392453, significantly increased EOC risk was found to be associated with C allele (P = 0.002, OR = 1.49, 95%CI  1.15–1.92), and with CT/CC genotypes in the dominant genetic model (P = 0.006, OR = 1.54, 95%CI  1.12–2.08). CC haplotype (rs6907943-rs9392453) was associated with increased EOC susceptibility. CC genotype of rs6907943 and CT/CC genotypes of rs9392453 were associated with early onset (age ≤ 50 years) of EOC (OR = 2.5, 95%CI  1.03–5.88, and OR = 1.64, 95%CI  1.04–2.63, respectively). AC genotype of rs6907943 was associated with better overall survival of EOC patients in the over-dominant genetic model (P = 0.035, HR = 0.41, 95%CI  0.18–0.94). Multivariate survival analysis identified the AC genotype of rs6907943 as an independent protective factor for survival of early onset patients (P = 0.044, HR = 0.12, 95%CI  0.02–0.95). Compared to controls, significantly increased plasma levels of RIPK1 and reduced RIPK1 mRNA expression were observed in patients.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that tag SNPs of RIPK1, increased plasma levels of RIPK1 protein and reduced RIPK1 mRNA expression in white blood cells, may influence the susceptibility to EOC. SNP rs6907943 may be a useful marker to distinguish EOC patients with high risk of death.
Plasmodium vivax merozoite-specific thrombospondin-related anonymous protein (PvMTRAP) interacts with human CD36, suggesting a novel ligand–receptor interaction for reticulocyte invasion
Authors: Nguyen Thau Sy , Park Ji-Hoon , Nguyen Tuyet-Kha , Nguyen Truong Van , Lee Seong-Kyun , Na Sung-Hun , Han Jin-Hee , Park Won-Sun , Chun Wanjoo , Lu Feng , Han Eun-Taek
Published: November 2023

Background

The Plasmodium vivax merozoite restrictively invades immature erythrocytes, suggesting that its ligand(s) might interact with corresponding receptor(s) that are selectively abundant on reticulocytes to complete the invasion. Finding the ligand‒receptor interaction involved in P. vivax invasion is critical to vivax malaria management; nevertheless, it remains to be unraveled.

Methods

A library of reticulocyte receptors and P. vivax ligands were expressed by a HEK293E mammalian cell expression system and were then used to screen the interaction using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A flow cytometry-based erythrocyte binding assay and bio-layer interferometry experiment were further utilized to cellularly and quantitatively identify the ligand‒receptor interaction, respectively.

Results

Plasmodium vivax merozoite-specific thrombospondin-related anonymous protein (PvMTRAP) was found to interact with human CD36 using systematic screening. This interaction was specific at a molecular level from in vitro analysis and comparable to that of P. vivax Duffy binding protein (PvDBP) and Duffy antigen receptor for chemokines (DARC) (KD: 37.0 ± 1.4 nM and 7.7 ± 0.5 nM, respectively). Flow cytometry indicated that PvMTRAP preferentially binds to reticulocytes, on which CD36 is selectively present.

Conclusions

Human CD36 is selectively abundant on reticulocytes and is able to interact specifically with PvMTRAP, suggesting that it may function as a ligand and receptor during the invasion of reticulocytes by P. vivax.

Graphical Abstract
Final-year medical students’ perspective: a survey on the use of computed tomography in sepsis
Authors: Pohlan Julian , Hernando Maria Isabel Opper , Waschinsky Roderic , Biavati Federico , Peters Harm , Knauss Samuel , Steinhagen Peter Richard , Rubarth Kerstin , Witham Denis , Dewey Marc
Published: November 2023

Objectives

To determine the perspective of final-year medical students on the use of computed tomography (CT) in patients with sepsis.

Methods

A total of 207 questionnaires were distributed to final-year medical students at a large university medical center, and 113 returned questionnaires met the criteria for inclusion in the analysis. Questions referred to sepsis guidelines, CT indications, and the use of contrast agents. Control variables included a level of practical experience as a final-year student (trimester of student’s practical year) and previous radiological experience. Statistical hypothesis tests such as the Mann-Whitney U test and chi-square test were performed.

Results

The majority of participating students, 85% (n = 91/107), considered a Systemic Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score ≥ 2 as a diagnostic criterion for sepsis. The presence of ≥ 2 positive systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) criteria was considered relevant for diagnosing sepsis by 34% (n = 34/100). Ninety-nine percent (n = 64/65) of the participants who fully agreed with a SOFA score ≥ 2 being relevant for diagnosing sepsis would also use it as an indication for a CT scan. Seventy-six percent (n = 78/103) of the students rated a known severe allergic reaction to contrast agents as an absolute contraindication for its administration. Ninety-five percent (n = 78/82) considered radiation exposure as problematic in CT examinations, especially in repeat CTs.

Conclusion

Most final-year medical students were familiar with the sepsis criteria. Still, some referred to outdated diagnostic criteria. Participants saw the ability to plan further patient management based on CT as a major benefit. Most participants were aware of radiation as a risk of CT.

Critical relevance statement

More detailed knowledge of CT in septic patients should be implemented in the medical curriculum. Retraining of medical students could help increase student confidence potentially improving patient care.

Key points

1. Whereas the majority of final-year medical students were familiar with sepsis criteria, some referred to outdated diagnostic criteria.

2. Participants saw the ability to plan further patient management based on CT as a major benefit.

3. Most participants were aware of radiation as a risk of CT.

Graphical Abstract
Lactate: an alternative pathway for the immunosuppressive properties of mesenchymal stem/stromal cells
Authors: Pradenas Carolina , Luque-Campos Noymar , Oyarce Karina , Contreras-Lopez Rafael , Bustamante-Barrientos Felipe A. , Bustos Andrés , Galvez-Jiron Felipe , Araya María Jesús , Asencio Catalina , Lagos Raúl , Herrera-Luna Yeimi , Abba Moussa Daouda , Hill Charlotte Nicole , Lara-Barba Eliana , Altamirano Claudia , Ortloff Alexander , Hidalgo-Fadic Yessia , Vega-Letter Ana María , García-Robles María de los Ángeles , Djouad Farida , Luz-Crawford Patricia , Elizondo-Vega Roberto
Published: November 2023

Background

The metabolic reprogramming of mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSC) favoring glycolysis has recently emerged as a new approach to improve their immunotherapeutic abilities. This strategy is associated with greater lactate release, and interestingly, recent studies have proposed lactate as a functional suppressive molecule, changing the old paradigm of lactate as a waste product. Therefore, we evaluated the role of lactate as an alternative mediator of MSC immunosuppressive properties and its contribution to the enhanced immunoregulatory activity of glycolytic MSCs.

Materials and methods

Murine CD4+ T cells from C57BL/6 male mice were differentiated into proinflammatory Th1 or Th17 cells and cultured with either L-lactate, MSCs pretreated or not with the glycolytic inductor, oligomycin, and MSCs pretreated or not with a chemical inhibitor of lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA), galloflavin or LDH siRNA to prevent lactate production. Additionally, we validated our results using human umbilical cord-derived MSCs (UC-MSCs) in a murine model of delayed type 1 hypersensitivity (DTH).

Results

Our results showed that 50 mM of exogenous L-lactate inhibited the proliferation rate and phenotype of CD4+ T cell-derived Th1 or Th17 by 40% and 60%, respectively. Moreover, the suppressive activity of both glycolytic and basal MSCs was impaired when LDH activity was reduced. Likewise, in the DTH inflammation model, lactate production was required for MSC anti-inflammatory activity. This lactate dependent-immunosuppressive mechanism was confirmed in UC-MSCs through the inhibition of LDH, which significantly decreased their capacity to control proliferation of activated CD4+ and CD8+ human T cells by 30%.

Conclusion

These findings identify a new MSC immunosuppressive pathway that is independent of the classical suppressive mechanism and demonstrated that the enhanced suppressive and therapeutic abilities of glycolytic MSCs depend at least in part on lactate production.
The distortion in the EU feed market due to import constraints on genetically modified soy
Authors: Basnet Shyam Kumar , Ghosh Ranjan Kumar , Eriksson Mattias , Lagerkvist Carl-Johan
Published: November 2023

Feed importers in some EU member states face constraints on imports of genetically modified (GM) soy, a practice that may compromise the interests of EU livestock farmers. Using the cases of Sweden and Austria, we analyzed price transmission in the soy supply chain originating from Brazil, applying an asymmetric non-linear auto-regressive distributed lag (ARDL) model to identify short-run and long-run asymmetries. The results revealed significant asymmetric effects in how positive and negative price changes are absorbed within the feed industry. Notably, increases in the cost of Brazilian soy swiftly affect the prices for EU farmers, while cost reductions fail to trigger corresponding price decreases. Consequently, stronger constraints on GM soy imports are likely to exacerbate the competitiveness challenges faced by livestock farmers, primarily due to their reliance on non-GM soy. This implies that the restrictions on GM imports need to be relaxed or that low-cost local protein alternatives need to be developed.
Exosome derived from tumor-associated macrophages: biogenesis, functions, and therapeutic implications in human cancers
Authors: Zhou Manli , He Xiaoyun , Mei Cheng , Ou Chunlin
Published: November 2023

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), one of the most abundant immune cell types in the tumor microenvironment (TME), account for approximately 50% of the local hematopoietic cells. TAMs play an important role in tumorigenesis and tumor development through crosstalk between various immune cells and cytokines in the TME. Exosomes are small extracellular vesicles with a diameter of 50–150 nm, that can transfer biological information (e.g., proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids) from secretory cells to recipient cells through the circulatory system, thereby influencing the progression of various human diseases, including cancer. Recent studies have suggested that TAMs-derived exosomes play crucial roles in malignant cell proliferation, invasion, metastasis, angiogenesis, immune responses, drug resistance, and tumor metabolic reprogramming. TAMs-derived exosomes have the potential to be targeted for tumor therapy. In addition, the abnormal expression of non-coding RNAs and proteins in TAMs-derived exosomes is closely related to the clinicopathological features of patients with cancer, and these exosomes are expected to become new liquid biopsy markers for the early diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring of tumors. In this review, we explored the role of TAMs-derived exosomes in tumorigenesis to provide new diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for cancer prevention.
Neuronal SNCA transcription during Lewy body formation
Authors: Kon Tomoya , Forrest Shelley L. , Lee Seojin , Martinez‑Valbuena Ivan , Li Jun , Nassir Nasna , Uddin Mohammed J. , Lang Anthony E. , Kovacs Gabor G.
Published: November 2023

Misfolded α-synuclein (α-syn) is believed to contribute to neurodegeneration in Lewy body disease (LBD) based on considerable evidence including a gene-dosage effect observed in relation to point mutations and multiplication of SNCA in familial Parkinson’s disease. A contradictory concept proposes early loss of the physiological α-syn as the major driver of neurodegeneration. There is a paucity of data on SNCA transcripts in various α-syn immunoreactive cytopathologies. Here, the total cell body, nuclear, and cytoplasmic area density of SNCA transcripts in neurons without and with various α-syn immunoreactive cytopathologies in the substantia nigra and amygdala in autopsy cases of LBD (n = 5) were evaluated using RNAscope combined with immunofluorescence for disease-associated α-syn. Single-nucleus RNA sequencing was performed to elucidate cell-type specific SNCA expression in non-diseased frontal cortex (n = 3). SNCA transcripts were observed in the neuronal nucleus and cytoplasm in neurons without α-syn, those containing punctate α-syn immunoreactivity, irregular-shaped compact inclusion, and brainstem-type and cortical-type LBs. However, SNCA transcripts were only rarely found in the α-syn immunoreactive LB areas. The total cell body SNCA transcript area densities in neurons with punctate α-syn immunoreactivity were preserved but were significantly reduced in neurons with compact α-syn inclusions both in the substantia nigra and amygdala. This reduction was also observed in the cytoplasm but not in the nucleus. Only single SNCA transcripts were detected in astrocytes with or without disease-associated α-syn immunoreactivity in the amygdala. Single-nucleus RNA sequencing revealed that excitatory and inhibitory neurons, oligodendrocyte progenitor cells, oligodendrocytes, and homeostatic microglia expressed SNCA transcripts, while expression was largely absent in astrocytes and microglia. The preserved cellular SNCA expression in the more abundant non-Lewy body type α-syn cytopathologies might provide a pool for local protein production that can aggregate and serve as a seed for misfolded α-syn. Successful segregation of disease-associated α-syn is associated with the exhaustion of SNCA production in the terminal cytopathology, the Lewy body. Our observations inform therapy development focusing on targeting SNCA transcription in LBD.