bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and patterns of multimorbidity in Australian baby boomers: the Busselton healthy ageing study
Authors: Hunter Michael L. , Knuiman Matthew W. , Musk Bill , Hui Jennie , Murray Kevin , Beilby John P. , Hillman David R. , Hung Joseph , Newton Robert U. , Bucks Romola S. , Straker Leon , Walsh John P. , Zhu Kun , Bruce David G. , Eikelboom Robert H. , Davis Timothy M. E. , Mackey David A. , James Alan L.
Published: August 2021

Background and objective

Chronic medical conditions accumulate within individuals with age. However, knowledge concerning the trends, patterns and determinants of multimorbidity remains limited. This study assessed the prevalence and patterns of multimorbidity using extensive individual phenotyping in a general population of Australian middle-aged adults.

Methods

Participants (n = 5029, 55% female), born between 1946 and 1964 and attending the cross-sectional phase of the Busselton Healthy Ageing Study (BHAS) between 2010 and 2015, were studied. Prevalence of 21 chronic conditions was estimated using clinical measurement, validated instrument scores and/or self-reported doctor-diagnosis. Non-random patterns of multimorbidity were explored using observed/expected (O/E) prevalence ratios and latent class analysis (LCA). Variables associated with numbers of conditions and class of multimorbidity were investigated.

Results

The individual prevalence of 21 chronic conditions ranged from 2 to 54% and multimorbidity was common with 73% of the cohort having 2 or more chronic conditions. (mean ± SD 2.75 ± 1.84, median = 2.00, range 0–13). The prevalence of multimorbidity increased with age, obesity, physical inactivity, tobacco smoking and family history of asthma, diabetes, myocardial infarct or cancer. There were 13 pairs and 27 triplets of conditions identified with a prevalence > 1.5% and O/E > 1.5. Of the triplets, arthritis (> 50%), bowel disease (> 33%) and depression-anxiety (> 33%) were observed most commonly. LCA modelling identified 4 statistically and clinically distinct classes of multimorbidity labelled as: 1) “Healthy” (70%) with average of 1.95 conditions; 2) “Respiratory and Atopy” (11%, 3.65 conditions); 3) “Non-cardiometabolic” (14%, 4.77 conditions), and 4) “Cardiometabolic” (5%, 6.32 conditions). Predictors of multimorbidity class membership differed between classes and differed from predictors of number of co-occurring conditions.

Conclusion

Multimorbidity is common among middle-aged adults from a general population. Some conditions associated with ageing such as arthritis, bowel disease and depression-anxiety co-occur in clinically distinct patterns and at higher prevalence than expected by chance. These findings may inform further studies into shared biological and environmental causes of co-occurring conditions of ageing. Recognition of distinct patterns of multimorbidity may aid in a holistic approach to care management in individuals presenting with multiple chronic conditions, while also guiding health resource allocation in ageing populations.
The association of osteoporosis knowledge and beliefs with preventive behaviors in postmenopausal breast cancer survivors
Authors: Bailey Stacyann , Lin Jenny
Published: August 2021

Background

Postmenopausal breast cancer survivors (PBCS) are at increased risk of bone loss and fractures due to age-related decline of estrogen, and this risk is compounded by aromatase inhibitor cancer therapy. Several patient-level targetable risk factors can mitigate osteoporosis risk; however, adequate health behavior and risk perception in this population are underreported. The goal of this study was to evaluate osteoporosis knowledge and beliefs and assess their association with engagement in osteoporosis preventive behaviors among PBCS.

Methods

In this cross-sectional descriptive study, early stage I–IIIA PBCS (ages 55–86 years) completed the Facts on Osteoporosis Quiz, Osteoporosis Health Beliefs Scale, and Osteoporosis Preventive Behaviors questionnaires. Participants who were non-English speaking or declined to participate were excluded. Clinical and sociodemographic information were obtained from chart review and baseline questionnaire, respectively. Fisher’s exact test, Student t-test, and Wilcoxon Mann–Whitney tests were used where appropriate to assess the association between knowledge and beliefs with engagement in osteoporosis preventive behaviors.

Results

The mean participant age was 66.1 years with 20% self-reporting as non-Hispanic White, 40% non-Hispanic Black, 27% Hispanic, and 13% other. Approximately 83% of the cohort had estrogen receptor positive breast cancer and received a bone density scan within the last six years. Osteoporosis knowledge (10.5 ± 3.4), seriousness (14.9 ± 3.8), and susceptibility (14.0 ± 3.5) mean scores were low among PBCS. Most PBCS (75%) were adherent to calcium and vitamin D supplements, but only 47% reported engagement in strength-training exercises. Married/partnered, higher osteoporosis knowledge and health motivation scores were associated with strength-training exercise. After adjustment for marital status and osteoporosis knowledge, only health motivation score remained significantly associated with strength-training exercise (OR 5.56, 95% CI 1.35–22.93).

Conclusions

PBCS are highly motivated to keep a healthy lifestyle despite limited osteoporosis knowledge, perceived risk, and susceptibility. However, < 50% participated in strength-training exercise. Our findings suggest that oncologic care should include osteoporosis and fracture prevention strategies, directed at encouraging cancer survivors to increase their engagement in osteoporosis preventive behaviors, particularly strength-training exercises.
Stakeholders perceptions regarding implementing maternal and newborn health care programs in Rwanda
Authors: Nishimwe Clemence , Mchunu Gugu G.
Published: August 2021

Background

While maternal and newborn deaths has been decreasing since 2008 in Rwanda, there is room for improvement to meet its sustainable development goals. The maternal and newborn health care program needs to be monitored to ensure its effective implementation. This study therefore aimed to explore stakeholder’s perceptions of the Rwandan maternal and newborn health care program to identify areas for improvement.

Methods

The convergent, parallel, mixed method study used quantitative and qualitative data in a single phase. The quantitative data was obtained from 79 health care workers, ranging from maternal community health care workers to program supervisors. The 10 areas of the Project Implementation Profile (PIP) instrument checklist with a five-point Likert scale were used to indicate their perceptions (strongly disagree to strongly agree). The qualitative interviews of five nurse managers used a manifest inductive content analysis, directed approach that entailed using existing theory and prior research to develop the initial coding scheme before starting data analyse.

Results

There was disagreement about the level of top management support, human resources was regarded as an area of concern, with 18.7% (n = 14/79) indicating that they did not agree that this was adequately provided for; urgent solutions for unexpected problems was regarded as an areas of concern by 46.8% (n = 36/79). Top management support weakness were inadequate support training, materials, money for home visits, supervision and leaderships, and training of newly recruited maternity health care workers. For human resources, there were insufficient trained staff to take care of mothers and newborns due to the shortages of health providers. The management of unexpected problems was also an area of concerns and related to getting patients to health facilities during pregnancy emergencies and the lack of qualified birth attendants at health facilities.

Conclusion

The study identified three areas for improvement: top management support, human resources and urgent solutions for unexpected problems, as they may be affecting the provision of maternal and newborn health care program services. Using the PIP enable managers to improve the country’s maternal and newborn health care program, and to provide ongoing monitoring and evaluation of with respect to the desired outcomes of reducing maternal and neonatal mortality.
Organisational responses to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 on healthcare workers: a qualitative case study from Bogotá, Colombia
Authors: Turner Simon , Niño Natalia , Segura Carolina , Botero-Tovar Natalia
Published: August 2021

Background

Healthcare organisations have undergone organisational change to respond to COVID-19. This pandemic has presented challenges for employee adjustment, with impacts on the availability and coordination of human resources in healthcare. This study aimed to characterise the organisational actions regarding the coordination of human resources in healthcare within Bogotá, Colombia, to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

We followed a case study approach to understand the response to the emergency taking into account the narratives of managerial actors who have been directly involved in the planning of guidelines oriented to face the pandemic or in the implementation of health services for COVID-19. Twenty-two interviews with multiple health system organisations within Bogotá were conducted between May and September 2020 and analysed thematically.

Results

Three themes emerged from the analysis of the interview data: to retain human resources, to implement actions to improve the mental and physical health of the healthcare workers, and to enhance healthcare workers knowledge, skills and availability to respond to COVID-19.

Conclusions

Organisational actions led by hospital managers to retain, protect, and train human health resources in the dynamic context of the COVID-19 pandemic were identified. Other system-wide organisations like scientific associations contributed to the coordination of human resources across hospitals to respond to COVID-19 in Bogotá, Colombia. The actions of hospital managers, and roles of system-wide intermediary organisations, in coordinating human resources need to be explored in other health system contexts facing COVID-19.
Toceranib phosphate (Palladia) for the treatment of canine exocrine pancreatic adenocarcinoma
Authors: Musser Margaret L. , Johannes Chad M.
Published: August 2021

Background

Canine pancreatic carcinoma is a rare, aggressive tumour that is often diagnosed late in the course of disease. Effective treatment strategies have been elusive, and overall survival time is short. In humans, treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors alone, or in combination with IV gemcitabine, have been moderately effective. As canine and human pancreatic carcinomas share many clinical aspects, strategies that mimic human treatment regimens may confer a better outcome in canine patients. The aim of this study was to assess the role of the veterinary tyrosine kinase inhibitor, toceranib phosphate, in the treatment of cytologically or histologically confirmed canine pancreatic carcinomas.

Results

Retrospectively, medical records of dogs with confirmed pancreatic carcinoma treated with toceranib were reviewed. Eight dogs were identified that fit the inclusion criteria. Toceranib was well-tolerated by all patients. Six were treated in the gross disease setting. Four had image-based evaluation of clinical benefit (complete response, partial response, or stable disease of > 10 weeks). Of those patients, 1 achieved a partial response, 2 stable disease, and 1 had progressive disease, for an overall clinical benefit rate of 75 %. An additional dog had clinically stable disease that was not confirmed via imaging. The toceranib-specific median overall survival time was 89.5 days (range: 14–506 days).

Conclusions

Although limited in patient number, this small study suggests that toceranib may have biologic activity in dogs with pancreatic carcinoma. Larger, prospective studies are needed to confirm these preliminary results and define the use of toceranib in the microscopic disease setting.
Public health-relevant consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on malaria in sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review
Authors: Heuschen Anna-Katharina , Lu Guangyu , Razum Oliver , Abdul-Mumin Alhassan , Sankoh Osman , von Seidlein Lorenz , D’Alessandro Umberto , Müller Olaf
Published: August 2021

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in unprecedented challenges to health systems worldwide, including the control of non-COVID-19 diseases. Malaria cases and deaths may increase due to the direct and indirect effects of the pandemic in malaria-endemic countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This scoping review aims to summarize information on public health-relevant effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the malaria situation in SSA.

Methods

Review of publications and manuscripts on preprint servers, in peer-reviewed journals and in grey literature documents from 1 December, 2019 to 9 June, 2021. A structured search was conducted on different databases using predefined eligibility criteria for the selection of articles.

Results

A total of 51 papers have been included in the analysis. Modelling papers have predicted a significant increase in malaria cases and malaria deaths in SSA due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many papers provided potential explanations for expected COVID-19 effects on the malaria burden; these ranged from relevant diagnostical and clinical aspects to reduced access to health care services, impaired availability of curative and preventive commodities and medications, and effects on malaria prevention campaigns. Compared to previous years, fewer country reports provided data on the actual number of malaria cases and deaths in 2020, with mixed results. While highly endemic countries reported evidence of decreased malaria cases in health facilities, low endemic countries reported overall higher numbers of malaria cases and deaths in 2020.

Conclusions

The findings from this review provide evidence for a significant but diverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on malaria in SSA. There is the need to further investigate the public health consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on the malaria burden.

Protocol registered on Open Science Framework:https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/STQ9D
Becker’s nevus syndrome: a case report
Authors: Chikani Ugo N. , Ohuche Ijeoma N. , Bisi-Onyemaechi Ada I.
Published: August 2021

Background

Becker’s nevus syndrome is a syndrome characterized by the presence of a Becker’s nevus with ipsilateral breast hypoplasia or hypoplastic defects of the muscle, skin, or skeleton. The nevus usually consists of a circumscribed, unilateral, irregularly shaped hyperpigmented macule, commonly occurring around the anterior upper trunk, with/without hypertrichosis and/or acneiform lesions. This rare syndrome has not been reported in our locality to the best of our knowledge.

Case presentation

We report the case of a 15-year-old Igbo female patient who presented to our pediatric endocrinology clinic, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, with complaints of asymmetry of the breasts and hyperpigmented macules on the side. Based on her symptoms, diagnosis of Becker’s nevus syndrome was made. The diagnosis of Becker’s nevus syndrome is mostly clinical, based on the presence of a Becker’s nevus with ipsilateral breast hypoplasia or hypoplastic defects of the muscle, skin, or skeleton. In our patient, there was a Becker’s nevus with ipsilateral breast hypoplasia. This syndrome, belonging to the class of epidermal nevus syndromes, is very rare, and is usually benign. She was placed on spironolactone tablets 50 mg daily, which have been associated with an improvement in the size of the hypoplastic breast, and her fears were allayed.

Conclusion

This syndrome has not been reported in our locality to the best of our knowledge and, therefore, has a propensity for misdiagnosis by clinicians because of its rarity. We therefore report this to create awareness among clinicians regarding this condition that is associated with much psychosocial trauma among patients, and that can be easily managed with oral spironolactone.
Intraoperative detection of parathyroid glands by autofluorescence identification using image-based system: report of 15 cases
Authors: Gorobeiko Maksym , Dinets Andrii
Published: August 2021

Background

A detection of parathyroid glands by the evaluation of their autofluorescence in the near-infrared spectrum is considered as a promising tool in addition to their visual verification. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of near-infrared autofluorescence application by using two different image-based systems for the identification of parathyroid glands during surgery of thyroid and parathyroid benign and malignant lesions.

Methods

Evaluation of near-infrared autofluorescence was performed in 15 patients by using two different image-based systems equipped with a near-infrared laser camera. Intravenous injection of fluorophore indocyanine green was used for the enhancement of near-infrared autofluorescence signal.

Results

Normal parathyroid glands were identified and mobilized after visual inspection in 12 (80%) patients, which was confirmed by near-infrared autofluorescence evaluation. Confident recognition of parathyroid glands by near-infrared autofluorescence signal and their subsequent distinction from lymph nodes was achieved in two (13%) patients with prior surgery for papillary thyroid carcinoma. In one (7%) case, parathyroid gland was identified as fragments of tissue within the postoperative scarring area by near-infrared autofluorescence evaluation, but not by visual inspection. A less intensive near-infrared autofluorescence signal was detected in the parathyroid gland owing to unintentional excision in one (7%) case. Better signal intensity from parathyroid glands was noticed after changes of the near-infrared camera in Fluobeam 800 image-based system in position to an angle of approximately 45–65° in relation to area of interest in all cases as compared with holding straight on the parathyroid gland. Fluobeam LX demonstrated a good near-infrared autofluorescence signal without any specific changes in the camera angle. Thyroid carcinoma demonstrated low-intensity signal in the case of invasion to thyroid capsule. No fluorescent signal was identified from metastatic, or from normal, lymph nodes.

Conclusions

The application of near-infrared autofluorescence imaging is considered as a useful, but additional, tool for the visual assessment of parathyroid gland in the case of primary neck exploration. The utility of near-infrared autofluorescence imaging for parathyroid detection is increased in the case of repeated surgical intervention owing to increased risk of unintentional parathyroid removal as well as for discrimination of parathyroids from the lymph nodes in cases of thyroid malignancy.
The impact of Israel’s Front-of-Package labeling reform on consumers' behavior and intentions to change dietary habits
Authors: Shahrabani Shosh
Published: August 2021

Background

In January 2020, Israel launched a reform mandating Front-of-Package (FOP) labeling on food products. The current study examined the factors affecting consumers’ decision-making regarding the use of FOP labels a year after the reform was implemented.

Methods

The survey was conducted between December 2020 and January 2021 and included a sample of 507 participants age 21 and over. The questionnaire included Health Belief Model (HBM) constructs related to food labeling, nutrition habits, media exposure and extent of support for the reform, frequency of using FOP labels, intention to change purchasing and consumption habits in the coming year, and personal details.

Results

The study found that 58.5% reported using the FOP labels to some extent. In addition, 70% indicated willingness to change to healthier products in the coming year. The results of the analytical model confirm the validity of the HBM and the other behavioral constructs. In particular, the frequency of using FOP labels increases as the following factors increase: levels of perceived benefits and perceived importance of reading FOP labels, level of perceived importance of healthy nutrition, frequency of conforming to healthy nutrition, and support for the reform.

Conclusions

The study's findings are important for understanding the impact of the new reform and for guiding future complementary actions to increase people’s motivation to use FOP labels. More advertisement about the FOP labels in the media and also through the HMOs is needed to increase people’s awareness of the reform. In addition, information about the reform provided to the public should emphasize the benefits and health implications of using FOP labels.
The association between hospital financial performance and the quality of care—a scoping review protocol
Authors: Dubas-Jakóbczyk Katarzyna , Kocot Ewa , Tambor Marzena , Quentin Wilm
Published: August 2021

Background

Hospitals operate under constant pressure to contain costs and improve the quality of care. The literature suggests that there is an association between health care providers’ financial performance and the quality of care. On the one hand, providers that are financially more stable might have better capacity to maintain reliable systems and resources for quality improvement. On the other hand, providing better quality of care might lead to financial gains in the form of increased revenues or achieved savings and, in consequence, a higher profitability. The general objective of this scoping review is to identify and map the available evidence on the association between hospital financial performance and the quality of care. It aims to (1) provide a broad overview of the topic and (2) indicate a more precise research question for a future systematic review.

Methods

This scoping review will follow five stages: (1) defining the research question; (2) identifying relevant literature; (3) study selection; (4) data extraction; (5) collating, summarizing, and reporting the results; and (6) the consultation process and engagement of knowledge users. The following databases will be searched: MEDLINE via PubMed, (2) EMBASE, (3) Web of Science, (4) Scopus, (5) EconLit, (6) ABI/INFORM, and (7) Business Source Premier. The reference lists of relevant papers will be visually scanned with the aim of identifying further studies of interest. Also, a gray literature search will be conducted by screening the websites of diverse organizations dealing with hospital performance and/or quality of care. The review will not apply a publication date limit and will include both quantitative and qualitative empirical studies as well as theoretical papers, technical reports, books/chapters, and thesis. The reporting will utilize the PRISMA extension for a Scoping Review checklist.

Discussion

This scoping review will provide an overview of the existing literature on the association between hospital financial performance and the quality of care. The review process will apply a rigorous methodological approach while broad inclusion criteria should assure comprehensive coverage of the available literature. The main limitation of the review is related to the general limitation of scoping reviews, i.e., the lack of a systematic quality and risk of bias assessment of included studies. In addition, the review will include only publications in English.

Systematic review registration

Open Science Frameworkosf.io/z25ag
Galacto-oligosaccharides improve barrier function and relieve colonic inflammation via modulating mucosa-associated microbiota composition in lipopolysaccharides-challenged piglets
Authors: Gao Ren , Tian Shiyi , Wang Jing , Zhu Weiyun
Published: August 2021

Background

Galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) have been shown to modulate the intestinal microbiota of suckling piglets to exert beneficial effects on intestinal function. However, the modulation of intestinal microbiota and intestinal function by GOS in intestinal inflammation injury models has rarely been reported. In this study, we investigated the effects of GOS on the colonic mucosal microbiota composition, barrier function and inflammatory response of lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-challenged suckling piglets.

Methods

A total of 18 newborn suckling piglets were divided into three groups, the CON group, the LPS-CON group and the LPS-GOS group. Piglets in the LPS-GOS group were orally fed with 1 g/kg body weight of GOS solution every day. On the d 14, piglets in the LPS-CON and LPS-GOS group were challenged intraperitoneally with LPS solution. All piglets were slaughtered 2 h after intraperitoneal injection and sampled.

Results

We found that the colonic mucosa of LPS-challenged piglets was significantly injured and shedding, while the colonic mucosa of the LPS-GOS group piglets maintained its structure. Moreover, GOS significantly reduced the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activity of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the LPS-challenged suckling piglets, and significantly increased the activity of total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC). GOS significantly increased the relative abundance of norank_f__Muribaculaceae and Romboutsia, and significantly decreased the relative abundance of Alloprevotella, Campylobacter and Helicobacter in the colonic mucosa of LPS-challenged suckling piglets. In addition, GOS increased the concentrations of acetate, butyrate and total short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the colonic digesta of LPS-challenged suckling piglets. GOS significantly reduced the concentrations of interleukin 1β (IL-1β), interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and cluster of differentiation 14 (CD14), and the relative mRNA expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (MyD88) in the LPS-challenged suckling piglets. In addition, GOS significantly reduced the relative mRNA expression of mucin2 (MUC2), and significantly increased the protein expression of Claudin-1 and zonula occluden-1 (ZO-1) in LPS-challenged suckling piglets.

Conclusions

These results suggested that GOS can modulate the colonic mucosa-associated microbiota composition and improve the intestinal function of LPS-challenged suckling piglets.
Metastatic Medullary Thyroid Cancer: The Role of 68Gallium-DOTA-Somatostatin Analogue PET/CT and Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy
Authors: Hayes Aimee R , Crawford Alexander , Al Riyami Khulood , Tang Christine , Bomanji Jamshed , Baldeweg Stephanie E , Wild Damian , Morganstein Daniel , Harry Alice , Grozinsky-Glasberg Simona , Oleinikov Kira , Khoo Bernard , Caplin Martyn E , Nicolas Guillaume P , Grossman Ashley B
Published: August 2021

Context

Metastatic medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) is a rare malignancy with minimal treatment options. Many, but not all, MTCs express somatostatin receptors.

Objective

Our aim was to explore the role of 68Ga-DOTA-somatostatin analogue (SSA) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) in patients with metastatic MTC and to determine their eligibility for peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT).

Methods

We retrospectively identified patients with metastatic MTC who had 68Ga-DOTA-SSA PET/CT at 5 centers. We collected characteristics on contrast-enhanced CT, 68Ga-DOTA-SSA and 18F-FDG PET/CT. The efficacy of PRRT was explored in a subgroup of patients. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to estimate time to treatment failure (TTF) and overall survival (OS).

Results

Seventy-one patients were included (10 local recurrence, 61 distant disease). Of the patients with distant disease, 16 (26%) had ≥50% of disease sites with tracer avidity greater than background liver, including 10 (10/61, 16%) with >90%. In 19 patients with contemporaneous contrast-enhanced CT, no disease regions were independently identified on 68Ga-DOTA-SSA PET/CT. Thirty-five patients had an 18F-FDG PET/CT, with 18F-FDG positive/68Ga-DOTA-SSA negative metastases identified in 15 (43%). Twenty-one patients had PRRT with a median TTF of 14 months (95% CI 8-25) and a median OS of 63 months (95% CI 21-not reached). Of the entire cohort, the median OS was 323 months (95% CI 152-not reached). Predictors of poorer OS included a short calcitonin doubling-time (≤24 months), strong 18F-FDG avidity, and age ≥60 years.

Conclusions

The prevalence of high tumor avidity on 68Ga-DOTA-SSA PET/CT is low in the setting of metastatic MTC; nevertheless, PRRT may still be a viable treatment option in select patients.
The Gramscian Moment of the Spanish Crisis
Authors: Gómez López-Quiñones Antonio
Published: August 2021

One of the surprising outcomes of the 2008 economic crisis in Spain has been the emergence of Antonio Gramsci as a fashionable figure. This “all-purpose Gramsci” forces us to regain some historical perspective on the Spanish reception of his ideas. In the 1970s, different clans within the camp opposing Franco's regime came up with their own self-serving—liberal, Leninist, autonomist, Eurocommunist—versions of Gramsci. The theoretical discussion about these uses and abuses of Gramsci gravitated around the Italian communist's idealist epistemology and the role of “ideology” and “culture” within it. Since 2008, we find two different approaches to this same Gramscian issue: one that peddles a political theory of discursive rearrangement of a semi-emptied and adjustable social landscape; and a second one that embraces a movementist, horizontal, and anti-state organizational work on the ground. The political efficiency of these two approaches is significantly impaired by the lack of a sober historical explanation of why the rapprochement with Gramsci only during times of economic turmoil and political rupture is highly paradoxical.
“They Don't Represent Us!”: From the Crisis of the Organic Intellectuals of 1978 to the Exhumation of Buried Imaginaries
Authors: Becerra Mayor David , Mushro Lauren
Published: August 2021

Based on the notion of événement (event), elaborated by the French philosopher Alain Badiou, this essay aims to offer a definition of the 15M movement as an event. According to Badiou, the event has the capacity to perforate established knowledge and to transform the codes of communication. The event destabilizes the regime of truth to the extent that what was assumed to be obvious now appears as unstable, and, consequently, the need arises to explore and construct other discourses capable of naming the new situation. In this essay, I locate two moments of the event: the political moment and the theoretical moment; the first is the time of the revolution, while the second is devoted to the study and theorization of this revolution. I argue that the radical effects of the event can be registered in the second moment. In the theoretical moment, there is a crisis of the organic intellectuals of the Regime of ’78, and the empty space they leave behind may begin to be occupied by other voices that were previously barely heard. In the same way, during the theoretical moment, the revolution without a genealogical tree that was the 15M, which was not inscribed in a revolutionary continuity, begins to seek its roots in discourses of the past that were silenced or forgotten, or that simply did not have a framework that would give them back their conditions of legibility.
A Populist Experiment in Spanish Political Culture? On the Cultural Politics of Podemos
Authors: Rubio-Pueyo Vicente
Published: August 2021

The goal of this essay is to explain Podemos's 2014 emergence in Spanish politics in terms of its contributions to a possible long-term shift in Spanish political culture. For doing that, the essay focuses not so much on the party's electoral ups and downs but on a series of main discursive lines and elements of the party's trajectory that help explain its relevance in the context of recent Spanish political and cultural history: the crisis of middle classes; the plebeian as political subject linked to an alliance between precarized middle classes and precarious working classes; plurinationality and the Spanish territorial debates; historical memory and Spanish Republicanism; and popular sovereignty.
Research culture: science from bench to society
Authors: Canti Lorenzo , Chrzanowska Anna , Doglio M. Giulia , Martina Lia , Van Den Bossche Tim
Published: August 2021

Research is a long process in which the collaboration between stakeholders involved in academia, industry and governments is crucial. Ideally, these stakeholders should work together to better align the innovation process with the values, needs and expectations of the research community. Reflecting on how we perform research and how our discoveries can benefit society is therefore of the utmost importance. The complete system of shared values concerning the research process is embedded in the concept of research culture, which has been gaining more attention in recent years. With the hope of increasing awareness of research culture among established scientists and early-career professionals, in this manuscript we discuss what research culture is, what it consists of and how it can positively influence scientific developments.
Total tumor burden in lymphoma – an evolving strong prognostic parameter
Authors: Meignan Michel , Cottereau Anne-Segolene , Specht Lena , Mikhaeel N. George
Published: August 2021

Total metabolic tumor volume (TMTV), a new parameter extracted from baseline FDG-PET/CT, has been recently proposed by several groups as a prognosticator in lymphomas before first-line treatment. TMTV, the sum of the metabolic volume of each lesion, is an index of the metabolically most active part of the tumor and highly correlates with the total tumor burden. TMTV measurement is obtained from PET images processed with different software and techniques, many being now freely available. In the various lymphoma subtypes where it has been measured, such as diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, Follicular Lymphoma, and Peripheral T-cell lymphoma, TMTV has been reported as a strong predictor of outcome (progression-free survival and overall survival) often outperforming the clinical scores, molecular predictors, and results of interim PET. Combined with these scores, TMTV improves the stratification of the populations into risk groups with different outcomes. TMTV cut-off separating the high-risk from the low-risk population impacts the outcome whatever the technique used for its measurement and an international harmonization is ongoing. TMTV is a unique and easy tool that could replace the surrogate of tumor burden included in the prognostic indexes used in lymphoma and help tailor therapy. Other parameters extracted from the baseline PET may give an information on the dissemination of this total tumor volume such as the maximum distance between the lesions. Trials based on TMTV would probably demonstrate its predictive value.
Association between traumatic brain injury (TBI) patterns and mortality: a retrospective case-control study
Authors: Koome Gilbert , Thuita Faith , Egondi Thaddaeus , Atela Martin
Published: August 2021

Background: Low and medium income countries (LMICs) such as Kenya experience nearly three times more cases of traumatic brain injury (TBI) compared to high income countries (HICs). This is primarily exacerbated by weak health systems especially at the pre-hospital care level. Generating local empirical evidence on TBI patterns and its influence on patient mortality outcomes is fundamental in informing the design of trauma-specific emergency medical service (EMS) interventions at the pre-hospital care level. This study determines the influence of TBI patterns and mortality.

Methods: This was a case-control study with a sample of 316 TBI patients. Data was abstracted from medical records for the period of January 2017 to March 2019 in three tertiary trauma care facilities in Kenya. Logistic regression was used to assess influence of trauma patterns on TBI mortality, controlling for patient characteristics and other potential confounders.

Results: The majority of patients were aged below 40 years (73%) and were male (85%). Road traffic injuries (RTIs) comprised 58% of all forms of trauma. Blunt trauma comprised 71% of the injuries. Trauma mechanism was the only trauma pattern significantly associated with TBI mortality. The risk of dying for patients sustaining RTIs was 2.83 times more likely compared to non-RTI patients [odds ratio (OR) 2.83, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.62-4.93, p=0.001]. The type of transfer to hospital was also significantly associated with mortality outcome, with a public hospital having a two times higher risk of death compared to a private hospital [OR 2.18 95%CI 1.21-3.94, p<0.009].

Conclusion: Trauma mechanism (RTI vs non-RTI) and type of tertiary facility patients are transferred to (public vs private) are key factors influencing TBI mortality burden. Strengthening local EMS trauma response systems targeting RTIs augmented by adequately resourced and equipped public facilities to provide quality lifesaving interventions can reduce the burden of TBIs.
The effects of government policy on organizational performance of provincial administration organization: mediating role of public entrepreneurship
Authors: Karnsomdee Panitee
Published: August 2021

Background: The new paradigm of government management has stimulated public organizations to establish innovative and competitive management policies through public entrepreneurship in order to provide excellent public service and to enhance public organizational performance. This research study aims to investigate the effects of government policy on organizational performance through the mediating role of public entrepreneurship of provincial administration organization in the upper northeastern region 2 in Thailand.

Methods: This research employs a cross-sectional questionnaire study. Data were collected from 216 government officials through five-point Likert scale questionnaires with validity and reliability analyses. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and inferential statistics toward path analysis.

Results: The research results reveal that government policy has a significant direct influence on organizational performance with a standardized coefficient of 0.655. Government policy has a significant indirect effect on organizational performance through the mediating role of public entrepreneurship with a standardized coefficient of 0.566. The total effects can be described with a standardized coefficient of 0.733 at a 0.05 significance level.

Conclusions: The government should establish innovative and competitive public policies to support a rapid change of entrepreneurial orientation, and transform policies into action. As public entrepreneurship has a significant mediating role in enhancing organizational performance, conventional public structures of performance management are being replaced by more innovative, adaptive, and competitive public entrepreneurship in order to get the desired and effective public outcomes for a provincial administration organization.
Sea grapes powder with addition of tempe rich in collagen: An anti-aging functional food
Authors: Permatasari Happy Kurnia , Nurkolis Fahrul , Vivo Christopherous Diva , Noor Sutamara Lasurdi , Rahmawati Rahmawati , Radu Son , Hardinsyah Hardinsyah , Taslim Nurpudji Astuti , Mayulu Nelly , Wewengkang Defny Silvia , Kuswari Mury , Batubara Siti Chairiyah , Gunawan William Ben , Nahdi Maizer Said
Published: August 2021

Background: This study aimed to determine the potential anti-aging effects of sea grapes and tempe (Fermented soybeans) collagen particle size, by measuring the activities of anti-glycation, antioxidant and tyrosinase inhibitors. Methods: Collagen was isolated from sea grapes and tempe freeze dried powder and treated with different NaOH concentrations (0.10 M; 0.20 M; 0.30 M), and CH3COOH 1 M solution, separately. The collagen particle size was adjusted by stirring at 1000 rpm for 5 and 10 hours. 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) was used to measure the antioxidant activity, and L-tyrosine and L-DOPA (l-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine) were used as a marker of tyrosine inhibition.  Results:  The collagen treated with 0.10 M NaOH produced the highest collagen yield (11.65%), and largest particle size (2455 nm). Additionally, this collagen, when treated for 5 hours, exhibited 24.70% antioxidant activity, 62.60% anti-glycation, 8.97% L-tyrosine, and 26.77% L-Dopa inhibition activities. Meanwhile, the collagen treated for 10 hours had a 9.98% antioxidant activity, 41.48% anti-glycation, 7.89% L-tyrosine, and 2.67% L-Dopa inhibition activity.  Conclusion: Sea grapes and tempe collagen powder treated with 0.10 M NaOH and stirred for 5 hours, as functional foods have anti-aging properties.
On the degree of approximation of continuous functions by a specific transform of partial sums of their Fourier series
Authors: Krasniqi Xhevat
Published: August 2021

Using the Mean Rest Bounded Variation Sequences or the Mean Head Bounded Variation Sequences, we have proved four theorems pertaining to the degree of approximation in sup-norm of a continuous function f by general means τλn;A(f) of partial sums of its Fourier series. The degree of approximation is expressed via an auxiliary function H(t) ≥ 0 and via entries of a matrix whose indices form a strictly increasing sequence of positive integers λ := {λ(n)}∞n=1.
On Riemann problem in weighted Smirnov classes with general weight
Authors: Bilalov Bilal , Guliyeva Aysel , Sadigova Sabina
Published: August 2021

Weighted Smirnov classes in bounded and unbounded domains are defined in this work. Nonhomogeneous Riemann problems with a measurable coefficient whose argument is a piecewise continuous function are considered in these classes. A Muckenhoupt type condition is imposed on the weight function and the orthogonality condition is found for the solvability of nonhomogeneous problem in weighted Smirnov classes, and the formula for the index of the problem is derived. Some special cases with power type weight function are also considered,and conditions on degeneration order are found.
Technical graphics
Authors: Vasilenko Evgeniy , Chekmarev Al'bert
Published: August 2021

The textbook contains three sections: general (theoretical foundations of images on one, two and three projections), mechanical engineering and technical drawing.
Meets the requirements of the federal state educational standards of secondary vocational education of the latest generation.
It is recommended for training specialists in the professions of mechanical engineering and construction profiles.
For practical tasks, the "Workbook on the first, general part of technical graphics" is intended (Moscow: INFRA-M, 2014. — www.dx.doi.org/10.12737/814) and "Collection of tasks on technical graphics" (Moscow: INFRA-M, 2014. — www.dx.doi.org/10.12737/994).
Integrated quality management system at the enterprises of the military-industrial complex
Authors: Grigoryan Ekaterina
Published: August 2021

In modern conditions, an integrated quality management system (ISMC) that meets the requirements of several international standards and contributes to improving the efficiency of enterprise management, creating conditions for its sustainable development, as well as the competitiveness of the enterprise and its products is becoming more and more popular.
The monograph considers theoretical and methodological approaches to quality management at the enterprise. The relevance of the application of an integrated quality management system, including at the enterprises of the military-industrial complex (MIC), consisting in the most effective management of the enterprise, energy efficiency and resource conservation, is justified.
The assessment of the use of quality management tools at the defense industry enterprises was carried out, the trends in the development of defense industry enterprises were substantiated, a marketing approach was applied to the classification of defense industry enterprises, in particular by market type, which allows identifying potential consumers of enterprises ' products, the degree of production diversification.
Organizational and economic approaches to the formation of an integrated quality management system are presented. The procedure for creating an ISMC is considered. The methodology and criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of ISMC are substantiated.
The presented material is of practical importance and can be useful to specialists in quality management, graduate students, researchers, teachers.
Financial accounting: theory and practice
Authors: Voronina Larisa
Published: August 2021

The textbook is based on the normative acts of the system of regulatory regulation of accounting currently in force in the Russian Federation in accordance with the latest amendments to the Tax Code of the Russian Federation and the Labor Code of the Russian Federation.
The basics of the organization of accounting and the principles of its differentiation into financial and managerial accounting are considered. The methodology of accounting for the assets, liabilities and capital of the organization is described, the main aspects of taxation are presented. Numerous practical examples, questions for self-examination and interviews, tests and workshops are given for all chapters.
The content of the textbook and the professional competencies formed based on the results of its study meet the requirements of the federal state educational standards of higher education of the latest generation, the Main Professional Educational Program of Higher Education (OPOP HE) "Accounting, analysis and audit" in the direction of training 38.03.01 "Economics" and the working program of the discipline "Accounting financial Accounting" (MFUA).
For students of economic universities and faculties, students of the system of advanced training and retraining, for practitioners of accounting services, audit companies and administrative and managerial personnel.
Geoecology of the city: models of environmental quality
Authors: Sokol'skaya Elena , Kochurov Boris
Published: August 2021

The monograph examines the features of studying the geoecological state of urbanized territories, reveals the use of integrated assessment and mapping in urban diagnostics, and finds a solution to geoecological problems on the example of world cities that are leading in the rating for quality of life.
The components of an information and analytical model of the urban environment for assessing the geoecological situation are described; an algorithm for a comprehensive study of the geoecological state aimed at an adequate assessment of the quality of the urban environment. Special attention is paid to the methodology of geoecological assessment of the quality of the urban environment based on multifactor modeling, which allows making recommendations for improving the comfort of living of the population.
It is intended for a wide range of specialists in the field of geoecology of the city, and can also be used as a textbook for students of environmental, natural-geographical, engineering specialties.