bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The telephone nursing dialogue process: an integrative review
Authors: Gustafsson Silje Rysst , Wahlberg Anna Carin
Published: February 2023

Background: Telephone nursing involves triage, advice, and care management provided by a nurse over the telephone. The telephone nursing dialogue process has been used clinically in telephone nursing in Sweden for several years to structure the communication and ensure a safe assessment and advice. Studies are needed to determine whether there is sufficient scientific evidence to support the method.
Aim: To describe the scientific basis of the phases of the telephone nursing dialogue process.
Design: This was an integrative review.
Methods: The literature searches were performed in March 2021, in the PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and SwePUB databases. Fifty-five articles were included. Data was sorted deductively according to the five phases of the telephone nursing dialogue process and categorized inductively to form subcategories describing the content of each phase.
Result: All five phases in the telephone nursing dialogue process were supported by a range of articles (n=26–43): Opening (n= 26), Listening (n= 39), Analysing (n= 43), Motivating (n= 42), and Ending (n= 31). During the opening of the call, the nurse presents herself, welcomes the caller and establishes a caring relationship. In the listening phase, the nurse invites the caller to tell their story, listens actively and confirms understanding. During the analyzing phase, the nurse gathers, assesses, and verifies information. In the motivating phase, the nurse reaches a final assessment, informs the caller, gives advice and creates a mutual agreement and understanding while supporting the caller. Ultimately, the nurse ends the call after checking for mutual agreement and understanding, giving safety-net advice, deciding on whether to keep monitoring the caller and rounding off the call.
Conclusion: The phases of the telephone nursing dialogue process as described in the scientific literature are well aligned with the theoretical descriptions of the telephone nursing dialogue process.
Exploring variation in implementation of multifactorial falls risk assessment and tailored interventions: A realist review
Authors: Alvarado Natasha , McVey Lynn , Wright Judy , Healey Frances , Dowding Dawn , Cheong V-Lin , Gardner Peter , Hardiker Nick , Lynch Alison , Zaman Hadar , Smith Heather , Randell Rebecca
Published: February 2023

Background
Falls are the most common safety incident reported by acute hospitals. In England national guidance recommends delivery of a multifactorial falls risk assessment (MFRA) and interventions tailored to address individual falls risk factors. However, there is variation in how these practices are implemented. This study aimed to explore the variation by examining what supports or constrains delivery of MFRAs and tailored interventions.
Methods
A realist review of literature was conducted with searches completed in three stages: (1) to construct hypotheses in the form of Context, Mechanism, Outcome configurations (CMOc) about how MFRAs and interventions are delivered, (2) to scope the breadth and depth of evidence available in Embase to test the CMOc’s, and (3) following prioritisation of CMOc’s, to refine search strategies for use in multiple databases. Citations were managed in EndNote; titles, abstracts, and full texts were screened, with 10% independently screened by two reviewers.
Results
Two CMOcs were prioritised for testing labelled: Facilitation via MFRA tools, and Patient Participation in interventions. Analysis indicated that MFRA tools can prompt action, but the number and type of falls risk factors included in tools differ across organisations leading to variation in practice. Furthermore, the extent to which tools work as prompts is influenced by complex ward conditions such as changes in patient condition, bed swaps, and availability of falls prevention interventions. Patient participation in falls prevention interventions is more likely where patient directed messaging takes individual circumstances into account, e.g., not wanting to disturb nurses by using the call bell. However, interactions that elicit individual circumstances can be resource intensive and patients with cognitive impairment may not be able to participate despite appropriately directed messaging.
Conclusions
Organisations should consider how tools can be developed in ways that better support consistent and comprehensive identification of patients’ individual falls risk factors and the complex ward conditions that can disrupt how tools work as facilitators. Ward staff should be supported to deliver patient directed messaging that is informed by their individual circumstances to encourage participation in falls prevention interventions, where appropriate.
Trial registration:
PROSPERO: CRD42020184458
A Comparison of the Effects of Ticagrelor and Clopidogrel in Patients with Acute ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction: A systematic review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Geravandi Mehdi , Nourabi Mohammad , Navabifar Sepehr , Dolatshahi Sina , Zand Sara , Hooshanginezhad Zahra
Published: February 2023

Background
Rupture of unstable coronary atherosclerotic plaque leads to acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction which is the most critical type of acute coronary syndrome. Dual anti-platelet therapy is one the main treatments and the combination of Aspirin and Clopidogrel is recognized as the standard oral regimen in most cases. Ticagrelor is a new generation of P2Y12 receptor inhibitors, which is a direct P2Y12 receptor antagonist. The goal of this study is to compare the effect of Ticagrelor and Clopidogrel in treatment of STEMI.
Methods
In this study, Pub Med, Scopus, Google Scholar Web of Science, Embase and Cochrane library clinical trials.gov databases were investigated. Inhomogeneity between studies was assessed using the I2 index and the Q statistic. The random effects model was used to combine studies. The Funnel plot and Egger's test were used to assess the publication bias. A probability value of less than 5 percent was considered a significant level.
Results
Eleven studies were included in this meta-analysis. Five thousand two hundred seventy-four patients in the Ticagrelor group and 5,295 patients in the Clopidogrel group were examined. The mean (standard deviation) age of the patients was 58.84 years (2.70) and 59.92 years (3.19) in the Ticagrelor group and the Clopidogrel group, respectively. Based on the results of the meta-analysis, compared to Clopidogrel, Ticagrelor had a protective effect on the outcomes of recurrent myocardial infarction, stroke, Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events (MACE), post-myocardial infarction bleeding according to Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC) criteria, mortality, and reperfusion state regarding thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) Flow Grading system. However, this effect was not statistically significant, and the publication bias was not statistically significant either.
Conclusions
According to the present study, although Ticagrelor increased the chance of bleeding according to the BARC score, compared to Clopidogrel, there was more improvement in TIMI score and fewer problems related to stroke, mortality, MI, and MACE in patients who took Ticagrelor.
Diagnosis of Felty Syndrome prior to onset of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Samander Rylee , Moore Timothy
Published: February 2023

Felty Syndrome is the triad of rheumatoid arthritis, neutropenia, and splenomegaly. The cause of Felty Syndrome is unknown, but neutropenia is thought to be due to a disruption in the balance between granulocyte production and removal. There is splenomegaly due to sequestration of faulty blood cells, fostering an extra-hematopoietic site. Felty Syndrome usually presents many years after diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis and affects 1–2% of rheumatoid arthritis cases. There have been only 2 documented cases of Felty Syndrome occurring prior to the onset of rheumatoid arthritis making it a rare presentation but should be on the differential diagnosis. The medical management of Felty Syndrome includes treating the underlying cause of Rheumatoid Arthritis with systemic steroids and disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) such as methotrexate. For Felty syndrome that is refractory to medical therapy as in this case, splenectomy is usually successful. In this case presentation, this patient presented with splenomegaly and neutropenia but had not had a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. The patient later tested positive for anti-CCP antibody, confirming a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. Days after initial admission, the patient had onset of wrist swelling, likely from the rheumatoid arthritis. This case was complex and multiple therapies were trialed, but eventually the patient underwent a splenectomy. In conclusion, Felty Syndrome, although rare in patients with years of rheumatoid arthritis, should be considered in patients who present with splenomegaly and neutropenia and do not have a known diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. If caught and treated early, splenectomy may be avoided and the joint damage from rheumatoid arthritis halted.
Introduction to widely used regression models in medical research using R, STATA, and SPSS : A tutorial
Authors: Loeloe Mohammad Sadegh , Madadizadeh Farzan
Published: February 2023

Background: Regression models are often used to discover the relationship between variables. According to the type and scale of response variables, there are different type of regression models. Determining the type of regression is difficult for medical researchers.
Methods: In this tutorial, How to use different regressions models (ie, linear Regression, Ridge Regression, Polynomial Regression, Lasso Regression, Bayesian Linear Regression, Principal Components Regression, Partial Least Squares Regression, Elastic Net Regression, Support Vector Regression, Logistic Regression, Quantile Regression, Ordinal Regression, Poisson regression, Negative binomial regression, Quasi Poisson Regression, Fractional Regression, Cox Regression, Tobit Regression ), their computational difficulties and their assumptions are shown. The application of each regression model is also specified with a medical example, then the model is implemented in different software (ie, SPSS, STATA, R) and its output is described.
Results: The models in this study are introduced according to the dependent variable’s type and scale; some models were used to increase the efficiency and improve the estimation of the relationship between specific types of variables.
Conclusion: Today, the use of regression models is growing and new statistical methods such as data mining basically use regression as a tool for forecasting. In this tutorial, we tried to help researchers to gain a better understanding of the computational implementation of different regression models by introducing widely used regression models, providing software instructions and interpretation.
Oral Pathology and Overweight among Pupils in Government Primary Schools in Cameroon: A Cross-sectional study
Authors: BOUKENG LIONEL BERTHOLD KEUBOU , MINKANDI CLAUDE AXEL , DAPI LEONIE NZEFA
Published: February 2023

Background
Tooth decay and periodontal diseases are the main oral pathologies in the world. In Cameroon, a prevalence of 43% and 75% for tooth decay and periodontal disease respectively was reported in 2015. Studies shown that the prevalence of overweight was between 12.5% and 18.8% among pupils in Cameroon. These diseases share common factors associated with their burden and the consequence is the resurgence of their complications. In Cameroon, primary school enrolment rate for children aged 6 to 11 years is 93.5% and the demographic burden of pupils represent an important target. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between oral pathologies and overweight in pupils of primary schools of Cameroon.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was carried out from June to August 2020 in four government primary schools selected through cluster sampling in Yaounde, capital city of Cameroon. Up to 650 pupils aged between 6 and 11 years whose parents gave their approval were enrolled in this study. Data collected included anthropometric, oral pathologies, quality of oral hygiene and feeding habits. The anthropometric and socio-demographic data of their mothers was also collected. Data was analyzed with the SPSS 26.0 statistical software and binary logistic regression was used to determine the risks of oral pathologies in overweight pupils. P-value of 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results
Out of 650 pupils sampled, 352 were girls (54.2%) and 298 boys (45.8%). The prevalence of overweight was 27% (95% CI: 23.5–30.5). The main oral pathologies were tooth decay (60.3%), gingivitis (33.1%) and periodontitis (20.2%). Binary logistic regression revealed that overweight pupils were significantly 1.5 times more likely to develop tooth decay than non-overweight pupils (95% CI: 1.1–2.4).
Conclusion
Overweight, tooth decay, gingivitis and periodontitis are prevalent among pupils in Cameroon. Overweight pupils have a higher risk of developing tooth decay compared to non-obese pupils. An integrated package of oral and nutritional health promotion activities is needed in primary schools in Cameroon.
MiR-183-5p Promotes Migration and Invasion of Prostate Cancer by Targeting TET1
Authors: Feng Yuehua , Wang Kai , Qin Minchao , Zhuang Qianfeng , Chen Zhen
Published: February 2023

Background:Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the common malignant tumors and it is difficult to diagnose at its early stage. MiR-183-5p has been reported involved in the proliferation of human PCa, this study aimed to investigate how miR-183-5p affects the migration and invasion of prostate cancer.Methods:In this study, we analyzed the expression of miR-183-5p in PCa patients and its correlation with clinicopathological parameters based on TCGA data portal. CCK-8, migration assay and invasion and wound-healing assay were performed to detect proliferation, migration and invasion in PCa cells.Results:We found the expression of miR-183-5p was significantly increased in PCa tissues, and high expression of miR-183 was positively associated with poor prognosis of PCa patients. Over-expression of miR-183-5p promoted the migration, invasion capacities of PCa cells, whereas knockdown of miR-183-5p showed reversed function. Furthermore, luciferase reporter assay showed TET1 was identified as a direct target of miR-183-5p, which was negatively correlation with miR-183-5p expression level. Importantly, rescue experiments demonstrated TET1 over-expression could reverse miR-183-5p mimic induced-acceleration of PCa malignant progression.Conclusion:Our results indicated that miR-183-5p could act as a tumor promoter in PCa and it accelerated the malignant progression of PCa by directly targeting and down-regulating TET1.
Bioinformatic analysis and in vitro experiments reveal that N-linked glycosylation related genes STT3A, DDOST and TMEM165 participate in the promotion of hepatocellular carcinoma and Its role in immunotherapy
Authors: Lin Shu-sheng , Zhu Ke , Yang Cai-ni , Zhou Zi-yu , Qin Chao , Liu Chao-qun , Zhang Hong-hua , Zhang Rui , Zhu Xiang ping
Published: February 2023

Background: The complex tumor microenvironment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has led to a low response to immune checkpoints inhibitors (ICIs) and a poor prognosis. PD-L1, as one of the indications for ICIs, is rich in glycosylation modifications, which result in untimely ICIs. Our study constructed a prognostic model based on N-linked glycosylation related genes for predicting the prognosis and the response to ICIs.
Methods: The patients in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) cohorts were enrolled. The Cox regression was performed to develop a prognostic model and patients were divided into a low-and high-risk subgroup. 21 recurrent HCC patients who received postoperative adjuvant ICIs were recruited and evaluated the response to ICIs. siRNA was used for in vitro validation.
Results: 59 N-linked glycosylation related differentially expressed genes were screened from of HCC and normal tissues in the TCGA cohort. The prognostic model was developed with DDOST, STT3A and TMEM165. The risk score could be an independent prognostic factor. Patients in high-risk subgroup showed worse prognosis than patients in low-risk. ssGSEA showed that patients in the low-risk subgroup were more tend to be immune-activated state. Immunohistochemistry studies showed that DDOST, STT3A and TMEM165 are highly expressed in tumor tissues and patients with high risk score correlated with poor progression free survival and worse immunotherapeutic response. Knockdown of the three genes significantly reduce the proliferation of HCC cell lines.
Conclusion: In this study, we establish that the risk model based on N-linked glycosylation related genes could efficiently predict the prognosis and tumor microenvironment immune state of HCC patients, and the risk score could serve as an indicator of ICIs.
Perception of Gratitude During a Mindfulness-Based Intervention in Patients with Interstitial Lung Disease
Authors: Miranda Siliana Maria Duarte , Pires Gabriela Patrus Ananias de Assis , MANCUZO ELIANE , Leal Andrew Nogueira Albuquerque , Paiva Sara Pinho Cunha
Published: February 2023

Background: Interstitial lung diseases (ILDs), regardless of their etiology, have an impact on patient quality of life at some point. Dyspnea, which is the most common symptom, cannot be treated with the main drugs available. Alternatives such as pulmonary rehabilitation, oxygen supplementation, yoga, and mindfulness practices can help in the care of patients with ILD.
Objective: To explore the perceptions of gratitude by patients with various ILDs during a mindfulness-based intervention.
Methodology: This was a qualitative study involving 50 patients with various ILDs. Data were collected through transcription of expressions of gratitude during weekly sessions. For the qualitative evaluation of the data, a six-phase thematic analysis was used.
Results: The results obtained allowed the construction of five thematic categories of gratitude: recognition of the existence of a God, religious beliefs being evident in the statements of several patients, who relied on it as a strategy for coping with the disease; the possibility of autonomy, perceived in the importance placed upon being able to perform simple, routine tasks; the presence of family and friends; the assurance of treatment by the health care team and the treatment itself; and the changes achieved through the mindfulness training.
Conclusion: Despite the severity and limitations imposed by the disease, the participants were able to perceive the importance and meaning of the presence of family and friends, spirituality, the medical team, and mindfulness in their lives.
Genetic diversity and phylogenetic analysis of Robinia pseudoacacia L. populations using ISSR Markers, ITS1 and trnL-F Intergenic spacer sequences
Authors: Uras Mehmet Emin , Ozyigit Ibrahim Ilker , Filiz Ertugrul , Sen Ugur
Published: February 2023

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Long-term monitoring of immune response to recombinant lumpy skin disease virus in dairy cattle from small-household farms in western Thailand
Authors: Suwankitwat Nutthakarn , Bhakha Kultyarat , Molee Lamul , Songkasupa Tapanut , Puangjinda Kanokwan , Chamchoy Tapakorn , Arjkumpa Orapun , Nuansrichay Bundit , Srisom Smit , Pongphitcha Phitcha , Lekcharoensuk Porntippa , Arunvipas Pipat
Published: February 2023

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) was firstly reported in Thailand in 2021. It was known that antibody against LSD virus (LSDV) could be detected until 7 months post infection. There was a limited report on immune response of LSDV infection in Thailand where recombinant vaccine strain circulated. The aim of research was to study the duration of LSD immune response of subclinical and clinical animals after natural infection in dairy cattle as well as cell-mediated immunity (CMI). Total 66 dairy cattle from ten farms affected by LSD in central and western regions of Thailand were investigated. Blood and skin nodules were tested by molecular methods. Antibody was detected by serum neutralization test (SNT) and ELISA. CMI was evaluated by gene expressions of cytokines. LSDV genome was detected in blood and skin tissues until 75 and 77 days after symptom. Antibody was detected until at least 15 months after symptom. Subclinical animals had antibody level substantially less than in clinical animals during the studied period. IFNG and TNFa levels were increased, while IL-10 level was decreased in the infected animals compared to the controls. This study elucidated immune response in dairy cattle herd affected by the first recombinant LSDV outbreak in Thailand.
Kappa statistics a method of measuring agreement in dental examinations
Authors: Madadizadeh Farzan , Ghafari Hesam , Bahariniya Sajjad
Published: February 2023

Statistical methods have always been the solution to medical problems. Due to the problem of inconsistency in the diagnosis of dentists, the statistical science has been provided for measuring the compatibility of diagnosis and reliability of dentists. One of the most important statistical methods for examining the agreement between the two experiments or diagnosis is Kapa statistics that can be used in dental sciences. The present study examined different type of Kappa statistics for assessing agreement, including Cohen's kappa, Fleiss' kappa and Cohen's weighted kappa.
Animal Experimental Study on Magnetic Anchor Technique-Assisted Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection of Early Gastric Cancer
Authors: Pan Min , Zhang Miaomiao , Zhao Lin , Lyu Yi , Yan Xiaopeng
Published: February 2023

Background
Gastric cancer (GC) has high morbidity and mortality. Moreover, because GC has no typical symptoms in the early stages, most cases are already in the advanced stages by the time the symptoms appear, thus resulting in poor prognosis and a low survival rate. Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) can realize the early detection and diagnosis of GC and become the main surgical method for early GC. However, ESD has a steep learning curve and high technical skill requirements for endoscopists, which is not conducive to its widespread implementation and advancement. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of magnetic anchor technique (MAT)-assisted ESD in early GC.
Method
This was an ex vivo animal experiment. The experimental model was the isolated stomachs of pigs. The magnetic anchor device for auxiliary ESD comprised three parts, an anchor magnet (AM), a target magnet (TM), and a soft tissue clip. Under gastroscopic guidance, the soft tissue clip and the TM were delivered to the pre-marked mucosal lesion through the gastroscopic operating hole. The soft tissue clip and the TM were connected by a thin wire through the TM tail structure. The soft tissue clip was released by manipulating the operating handle of the soft tissue clip in a way that the soft tissue clip and the TM were fixed to the lesion mucosa. In vitro, ESD is aided by maneuvering the AM such that the mucosal dissection surface is exposed.
Result
During the operation, there was no detachment of the soft tissue clip and TM and no mucosal tearing. The magnetic force between the AM and TM provided good mucosal exposure and sufficient tissue tension for ESD. The mucosal lesion was completely peeled off, and the operation was successful.
Conclusion
MAT-ESD is safe and effective for early gastric cancer. It provides a preliminary basis for subsequent internal animal experiments and clinical research.
Does the Women Empowerment is the driving force of Access to Skilled Delivery Services in Pakistan?
Authors: Malik Muhammad Irfan , Nadeem Muhammad , Amin Sajid
Published: February 2023

Proper medical attention and hygienic conditions during delivery reduce the risk of complications and infections that may cause death or serious illness for the mother and baby. To reduce the health risks is to increase the proportion of deliveries in safe, clean environment under the supervision of skilled health professionals. Unfortunately, in Pakistan, around 34% of births took place at home. The role of various factors behind the access to skilled birth attendants has been investigated however the role of women empowerment is not given due consideration by the researcher, particularly in the case of Pakistan. This paper examined the influence of women’s empowerment on access to skilled delivery services. The data from PDHS 2017-18 has been used. The results reveal that variables of women empowerment have a significant impact on female access to a skilled birth attendant. Specifically, significant associations have been found between women’s media and information technology empowerment, economic empowerment and socio-cultural empowerment, interpersonal empowerment, and access to skilled birth attendants. This study suggests that there is a need to focus on women’s access to media and information technology, women's decision-making autonomy, economic enhancement, and education to increase the use of skilled birth attendants in Pakistan.
Causal relationships between breast cancer mammogram risk scores based on textural features and density
Authors: Ye Zhoufeng , Nguyen Tuong L. , Dite Gillian S. , MacInnis Robert J. , Schmidt Daniel F. , Makalic Enes , Al-Qershi Osamah M. , Bui Minh , Esser Vivienne F.C. , Dowty James G. , Trinh Ho N. , Evans Christopher F. , Tan Maxine , Sung Joohon , Jenkins Mark A. , Giles Graham G. , Southey Melissa C. , Hopper John L. , Li Shuai
Published: February 2023

Background
Mammographic risk scores based on texture (Cirrus) and density defined by different brightness thresholds Cumulus, Altocumulus, and Cirrocumulus) are associated with breast cancer risk in different ways and could reveal different information about breast cancer risk. Whether there are causal relationships between the mammographic risk measures based on texture and density is unknown.
Methods
We digitised mammogramsfor 371 monozygotic twin pairs, none diagnosed with breast cancer at the time. We generated normalised, age-adjusted, and standardised risk scores for Cirrus, and for three spatially independent density measures, the light areas (Cumulus minus Altocumulus), the bright areas (Altocumulus minus Cirrocumulus) and the brightest areas (Cirrocumulus). Causal inference was made using the Inference about Causation from Examination of FAmilial CONfounding (ICE FALCON) methodology.
Results
The risk scores were correlated within twin pairs and with each other (r = 0.22 to 0.81; all P < 0.005). We estimated that 8–72% of the latter associations could be attributed to familial confounding between the risk scores with remainder attributed to causal relationships. There was consistent evidence for positive causal relationships: of Cirrus, the light areas, and the bright areas on the brightest areas (accounting for 34%, 55% and 85% of the associations); and of the light areas and bright areas on Cirrus (accounting for 37% and 28% of the associations).
Conclusions
The lighter (less dense) areas could be having a causal effect on the brightest (highly dense) areas, including a causal pathway through the mammographic risk score based on textural features. These findings would explain the consistent observations that the associations of Cumulus with breast cancer risk (including screen-detected, younger-age-at-diagnosis, and contralateral breast cancer) attenuate to the null after adjusting for Cirrocumulus and/or Cirrus; they could be due to, at least in part, the causal relationships between the less dense areas and the highly dense areas (and/or the texture-based measure). These findings also demonstrate how ICE FALCON can decompose associations between familial biomarkers into pathways.
Blockchain Technology for Financial Services & Globalization
Authors: Yan Li , Miraj Mahabubur Rahman
Published: February 2023

Objectives: Modern blockchain technology has created unknown phenomena in developed countries. Countries like China, Japan, and India use the advantages of blockchain technology. This research work also highlighted the concept of blockchain technology eliminating corruption and fraud, which is the biggest problem in Bangladesh and Pakistan.
Methods: Using data from two countries, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, blockchain technology for financial service and globalization. The researcher uses STATA 15.0 for data analysis. The techniques proposed by these methodologies simplify systematically and straightforwardly, which guarantees significant thoroughness, reliability, and regression. For the regression analysis, we use the OLS method.
Findings: Blockchain is a technology that allows currency transactions to occur without a third party’s intervention. In Pakistan and Bangladesh, blockchain systems are very poor compared to other south Asian countries such as China, Alipay, and WeChat’s massive use of digital currency services. Blockchain technology-based currency and financial industries can be decentralized and accountable, beneficial for the digital economy. But Pakistan and Bangladesh are still too far away from blockchain technology.
Novelty: There is growing interested in tracking actual assets on overseas shipments, where this technology can meet the needs of merchants, carriers, lenders, insurers, and regulators. Moreover, blockchain technology can control transaction costs and eliminate fraud. Blockchain systems are free from the middleman, which is why we can profit more and more without fraud and corruption in business. The digital economy plays a critical role in developing businesses and society in this fastest-growing situation.
Vaccine coverage and effectiveness against laboratory-confirmed symptomatic and severe Covid-19 in indigenous people in Brazil: a cohort study
Authors: Pescarini Julia M. , Cardoso Andrey Moreira , Santos Ricardo Ventura , Scaff Priscila , Paixao Enny S. , Ranzani Otavio T. , Cerqueira-Silva Thiago , Boaventura Viviane S , Bertoldo-Junior Juracy , Oliveira Vinicius A , Werneck Guilherme L , Barreto Mauricio L , Barral-Netto Manoel
Published: February 2023

Background
Indigenous people have historically suffered devastating impacts from epidemics and continue to have lower access to healthcare and be especially vulnerable to respiratory infectious. We estimated the coverage and effectiveness of Covid-19 vaccines against laboratory-confirmed Covid-19 cases among indigenous people in Brazil.
Methods
We linked nationwide Covid-19 vaccination data with flu-like surveillance records and studied a cohort of vaccinated indigenous people aged ≥ 5 years between 18th Jan 2021 and 1st Mar 2022. We considered individuals unexposed from the date they received the first dose of vaccine until the 13th day of vaccination, partially vaccinated from the 14th day after the first dose until the 13th day after receiving the second dose, and fully vaccinated onwards. We estimated the Covid-19 vaccination coverage and used Poisson regression to calculate the relative risks (RR) and vaccine effectiveness (VE) of CoronaVac, ChAdOx1, and BNT162b2 against Covid-19 laboratory-confirmed cases incidence, mortality, hospitalisation, and hospital-progression to Intensive Care Unit (ICU) or death. VE was estimated as (1-RR)*100, comparing unexposed to partially or fully vaccinated.
Results
By 1st Mar 2022, 48·7% (35·0–62·3) of eligible indigenous people vs 74·8% (57·9–91·8) overall Brazilians had been fully vaccinated for Covid-19. VE for the three Covid-19 vaccines combined was 53% (95%CI:44–60%) for symptomatic cases, 53% (95%CI:-56-86%) for mortality and 41% (95%CI:-35-75%) for hospitalisation. Among hospitalised patients, VE was 87% (95%CI:27–98%) for progression to ICU and 96% (95%CI: 90–99%) for death.
Conclusions
Lower coverage but similar Covid-19 VE among indigenous people than overall Brazilians suggest the need to expand access, timely vaccination, and urgently offer booster doses to achieve a great level of protection among this group.
A Volumetric Analysis of Handaxe Symmetry Referencing a Known Symmetrical Ideal
Authors: Hicks James M.
Published: February 2023

This article outlines a novel volumetric approach to analyzing 3D symmetry in Acheulean handaxes. This method offers a high-resolution analysis of Acheulean handaxe symmetry in three dimensions. It increases the resolution of the analytical model by orders of magnitude over current 2D planar and 3D geometric morphometric methods. After reviewing the history, conceptualization, application, and debate of symmetry, I focus on the archaeological discussion and evolutionary importance of symmetry in Acheulean handaxes. I review and critique previous analytical methods before introducing a volumetric approach using digitized stone artifacts and an ideal cordiform. I introduce theOmega (ω) Coefficient of Symmetry, a ratio describing the quotient of 1) the numerator — the maximum volume of an Ideal Cordiform (whereIdealis defined as bilaterally and bifacially symmetrical) that can occupy the topology of a digitized handaxe, and 2) the denominator, the volume of the digitized handaxe. I conclude by discussing the limitations and future applications of this method and its possible applications to unresolved debates in the field of evolutionary cognitive archaeology and beyond.
When and how to enlighten citizens on genetics and hereditary cancer: A Web survey of online video viewers
Authors: Sogawa Reimi , Wada Takahito , Yamashita Noriyuki , Kochi Mariko , Futagawa Mashu , Kato Fumino , Urakawa Yusaku , Tanimura Yayoi , Yamamoto Hideki , Tomida Shuta , Kosugi Shinji , Hirasawa Akira
Published: February 2023

With the rapid expansion of genomic medicine, citizens are compelled to think about genetics in daily life. Therefore, this study aims to explore appropriate types of educational media and methods of enlightenment activities for genetics and hereditary cancer. For this purpose, we launched the public awareness project, planned and run by genetic medicine experts. In this study, we presented an 18-minute YouTube video on genetics and hereditary cancer to participants at Science Agora 2020, and administered a web questionnaire to investigate their opinions about when and how citizens should start learning about genetics and hereditary cancer. We recruited 133 participants who watched the video. Among them, only 35 (26.3%) responded to the questionnaire. Most of the respondents understood and appreciated the contents of the video. They identified websites, videos, manga, and books as suitable learning media, irrespective of sex, age, or profession. Moreover, they highlighted upper elementary school or junior high school as appropriate educational stages to start learning about genetics and hereditary cancer to facilitate collecting their own genetic information by themselves. Our findings show that educational institutions should provide opportunities to learn about genetics and hereditary cancers, especially for upper elementary school and junior high school students, using learning media, such as videos, depending on their level or demand.
Regulation of monopoly and abuse of dominant position in the digital economy: Comparative analysis of the Chinese and Congolese competition laws
Authors: FABRICE MFUAMBA MUTOMBO
Published: February 2023

The rapid transformation of digital platforms has created huge digital economies worldwide, replacing old ways of doing business, and in the process providing stiff challenges for the competition laws of many countries, which have had to adapt to the new realities. Both China and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) are considered developing nations but are clearly at the opposite ends of the development spectrum. While China has over the last three decades developed a flourishing digital economy, the DRC is still in the early stages of developing its own. Therefore, competition laws in China have been tried and tested, and have evolved to tackle challenges in the digital economy, which has resulted into some land mark rulings against giant digital platforms such as Alibaba and Meituan, who have attempted to abuse their market dominance. This paper compares and contrasts the size and nature of the DRC and China’s digital economy, evolution of competition laws in the two countries, and application of competition laws in the two jurisdictions, so as to generate lessons that the DRC can learn from China’s journey in adapting its competition law to tackle challenges in the digital economy.
An active and targeted survey reveals asymptomatic malaria infections among high-risk populations in Mondulkiri, Cambodia
Authors: Doum Dyna , Mclver David J , Hustedt John , Hii Jeffrey , Sovannaroth Siv , Lek Dysoley , Richardson Jason H. , Tatarsky Allison , Lobo Neil F.
Published: February 2023

Background
Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease that is one of the most serious public health issues globally and a leading cause of mortality in many developing countries worldwide. Knowing the prevalence of both symptomatic and asymptomatic malaria on a subnational scale allows for the estimation of the burden of parasitemia present in the transmission system, enabling targeting and tailoring of resources towards greater impact and better use of available capacity. This study aimed to determine the PCR-based point prevalence of malaria infection, by parasite species, among three high risk populations in Mondulkiri province, Cambodia: forest rangers, forest dwellers, and forest goers.
Methods
A cross-sectional survey was performed during the transmission season in November and December 2021. Blood samples collected on filter paper from participants (n = 1,301) from all target groups were screened for Plasmodium spp. using PCR.
Results
Malaria prevalence among all study participants was 6.7% for any Plasmodium species. Malaria prevalence in the forest ranger group (8.1%) was higher than that seen in forest goer (6.8%) and forest dweller (6.4%) groups; all infections were asymptomatic. Plasmodium vivax was detected in all participant groups, while the few P. falciparum infections were found in goers and dwellers. 81% of all infections were due to Plasmodium vivax, 9% were due to P. falciparum, 3% due to Plasmodium cynomolgi, and the rest (7%) remained undefined. Gender was associated with malaria infection prevalence, with male participants having higher odds of malaria infection than female participants. Passively collected malaria incidence data from the Cambodian government were also investigated. Health facility-reported malaria cases, based on rapid diagnostic tests, for the period Jan-Dec 2021 were 521 Plasmodium vivax (0.89% prevalence), 34 P. falciparum (0.06%) and four P. falciparum + mixed (0.01%) – a total of 559 cases (0.95%) for all of Mondulkiri.
Conclusion
This reservoir of asymptomatic parasitemia may be perpetuating low levels of transmission, and thus, new strategies are required to realize the goal of eliminating malaria in Cambodia by 2025.
Target delivery of a PD-1-TREM2 scFv by CAR-T cells enhances anti-tumor efficacy in Colorectal cancer
Authors: Chen Jian , Zhu Tianchuan , Jiang Guanmin , Zeng Qi , Li Zhijian , Huang Xi
Published: February 2023

Background
Chimeric antigen receptor- T (CAR-T) cell therapy is an efficient therapeutic strategy for specific hematological malignancies. However, positive outcomes of this novel therapy in treating solid tumors are restricted by the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), wherein, checkpoint molecular programmed death-1 (PD-1)/PD-L1 signaling directly inhibits T-cell responses. Although checkpoint immunotherapy succeeds in increasing the number of T cells produced to control tumor growth, the desired effect is mitigated by the action of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) present in the TME. Previous studies have confirmed that targeting triggering-receptor-expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) on TAMs and MDSCs enhances the outcomes of anti-PD-1 immunotherapy.
Methods
Therefore, we constructed carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)-specific CAR-T cells for colorectal cancer (CRC)-specific antigens with autocrine PD-1-TREM2 single-chain variable fragment (scFv) to target the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway, MDSCs and TAMs.
Results
We found that the PD-1-TREM2-targeting scFv inhibited the activation of the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway. In addition, these secreted scFvs blocked the binding of ligands to TREM2 receptors present on MDSCs and TAMs, reduced the proportion of MDSCs and TAMs, and enhanced T-cell effector function, thereby mitigating immune resistance in the TME. Meanwhile, the scFv secreted by CAR-T cells remained localized within tumors and exhibited an extended half-life.
Conclusions
The PD-1-TREM2 scFv-secreting CAR-T cells exhibited substantially potent anti-tumor effects, evidenced by highly effective elimination of tumors compared to that achieved with PD-1 scFv-secreting CAR-T therapy in a subcutaneous CRC mouse model. Together, these results indicate that PD-1-TREM2 scFv-secreting CAR-T cells have strong potential as an effective therapy for CRC.
Effects of Dual-earner Couples’ Different Gender Views on Their Division of Domestic Work and Satisfaction with It in Korea
Authors: Rhee Sarah
Published: February 2023

This research investigated how gender view is distributed among the dual-earner couples differently in Korea, and observed if it affects their division of domestic work, and the wife’s satisfaction with it. By using the Time-Diary data of 2019 from Statistics Korea, the study looked into the Korean dual-earner couples who are living together, and put them into different groups by their gender views to see if gender ideology is adequate to explain the division of their domestic work time. The results revealed that a husband’s gender view had significant effects on the domestic work time of both husband and wife, but the wife’s gender view did not affect much. When the husbands have egalitarian gender views, they are more likely to spend their time in domestic work, and their wives are less likely to spend their time in domestic work, but the wives’ egalitarian gender view affected neither for the wives nor husbands. The husband’s gender view was also closely associated with the wife’s satisfaction with the division of domestic work. The wife is more likely to be satisfied with the division of domestic work when her husband has an egalitarian gender view. This research argues that the husband’s egalitarian gender view can be an important indicator for the equal division of domestic work and the wife’s satisfaction with it.
Thinking big: the role of mega trails in creating meaning and sense of place for large landscapes
Authors: de Castro Ernesto B. Viveiros , Stein Taylor V. , Monroe Martha C.
Published: February 2023

ContextProviding access to natural areas through recreation is a valuable strategy for garnering social support for nature conservation. Direct experiences bring landscapes into people’s perceptible realms and create sense of place and place meaning. This meaning can even be transferred to similar areas through a brand effect. Mega trails can play a role in creating meaning and sense of place for large landscapes.ObjectivesWe investigated the sense of place and its spatial scale among hikers on the three national scenic trails forming the triple crown of hiking in the USA and discusses their potential to promote large-scale conservation at large landscape scales.MethodsWe surveyed 602 hikers and assessed the level of sense of place and its spatial scale using Likert scales and heatmaps. Analyses of variance were performed to explore their relationships with hike duration, motivation, and trail section popularity.ResultsResults suggest that the longer the hiking, the stronger and broader the sense of place. Hikers motivated by national scenic trails present a stronger and broader sense of place, and this difference occurs even among day hikers, suggesting a brand effect.ConclusionsImplementing mega trails can create extensive meaningful places, facilitating the understanding of ecological processes and helping to promote large-scale nature conservation. Through the brand effect, mega trails have the potential to reach a wider audience, going beyond long-distance hikers and raising the awareness of millions of people who visit natural attractions about the importance of large-scale conservation.
An econophysical and system dynamical analysis of the cross-price elasticity and the price elasticity of demand by Bishop as key factors to determine the market structure of an industry
Authors: Franck Oliver
Published: February 2023

A precise understanding of the market structure of an industry forms the basis for any entrepreneurial decisions. The combination of Bishop's cross-price elasticity of demand and price elasticity of demand forms the mathematical basis for determining the market structure. However, these formulas are time-independent, which does not adequately capture the complex dynamics of today's economy. This paper attempts a systemic dynamic extension of the cross-price elasticity of demand and the price elasticity of demand by adding a temporal dimension to these formulas. This ensures that entrepreneurial and industry-specific decisions can be made more accurately by following a system-dynamic approach. This paper provides a methodological extension based on Estola's econophysical theory and combining it with Bishop’s approach for determining the market structure of an industry. Econophysics ensures that the temporal dimension is taken into account in economic formulas and therefore providing a more accurate view on current economic issues.
JEL Code: D4, D40, D01
No associations between type 1 diabetes and atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, or asthma in childhood: a nationwide Danish case-cohort study
Authors: Berg Anna Korsgaard , Svensson Jannet , Thyssen Jacob Pontoppidan , Chawes Bo , Zachariae Claus , Egeberg Alexander , Thorsen Steffen Ullitz
Published: February 2023

Studies examining the association between type 1 diabetes (T1D) and atopic diseases, i.e., atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis and asthma have yielded conflicting results due to different algorithms for classification, sample size issues and risk of referral bias of exposed groups with frequent contact to prescribers. Using Danish national registries and well-established disease algorithms, we examined the bidirectional association between T1D and atopic diseases in childhood and adolescence using Cox Proportional Hazard regression compared to two different unexposed groups from a population of 1.5 million Danish children born from 1997–2018. We found no associations between T1D and atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, or asthma (defined after age five). However, in multivariate analysis we found an increased risk of persistent wheezing (defined as asthma medication before age five) after T1D with an adjusted Hazard Ratio (aHR) of 1.70 [1.17–2.45]. We also identified an increased risk of developing T1D after persistent wheezing with aHR of 1.24 [1.13–1.36]. This study highlights similar risks of atopic diseases in children with T1D and of T1D in children with atopic disease after age of five years versus healthy controls, however more research is needed to understand the possible early immunological effects of the link between persistent wheezing and T1D.