bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic polymorphisms of pri-let-7f, gene–environment and gene–gene interactions, and associations with ischemic stroke risk in Liaoning Province
Authors: Qiu Luying , Wang Yuye , Liu Fang , Deng Shumin , He Zhiyi , Zheng Wenxu , Wang Yanzhe
Published: May 2023

Objective

The incidence of stroke has been rising annually and investigations into traditional risk factors have led to increased attention on genetic factors. In this study, we focused on the pri-let-7f gene, and investigated the association between pri-let-7f gene polymorphisms and ischemic stroke (IS).

Methods

This case–control study included 1803 patients and 1456 healthy controls of Han ethnicity living in Liaoning Province. We carried out genotyping analysis of two loci, pri-let-7f-1 rs10739971 and pri-let-7f-2 rs17276588, and performed statistical analysis controlling for confounding factors by logistic regression.

Results

The A alleles and AA genotypes of both loci were significantly associated with an increased risk of IS. Variant genotypes of rs17276588 may also increase the risk of IS in females with alcohol intake. Gene–gene interaction analysis showed combined effects of mutations in both these single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs).

Conclusions

This study demonstrated an association between pri-let-7f SNPs and IS, providing potential latent biomarkers for the risk of IS. However, more detailed studies are needed to clarify these results.
Hepatic proinflammatory myeloid phenotypes are a hallmark of Ebola virus Kikwit pathogenesis in rhesus monkeys
Authors: Tseng Anna E. , Carossino Mariano , Gertje Hans P. , O’Connell Aoife K. , Gummuluru Suryaram , Kolachalama Vijaya B , Balasuriya Udeni B. R. , Connor John H. , Bennett Richard S. , Liu David X. , Hensley Lisa E. , Crossland Nicholas A.
Published: May 2023

The liver is an early systemic target of Ebola virus (EBOV), but characterization beyond routine histopathology and viral antigen distribution is limited. We hypothesized Ebola virus disease (EVD) systemic proinflammatory responses would be reflected in temporally altered liver myeloid phenotypes. We utilized multiplex fluorescent immunohistochemistry (mfIHC), multispectral whole slide imaging, and image analysis to quantify molecular phenotypes of myeloid cells in the liver of rhesus macaques ( Macaca mulatta; n = 21) infected with EBOV Kikwit. Liver samples included uninfected controls ( n = 3), 3 days postinoculation (DPI; n = 3), 4 DPI ( n = 3), 5 DPI ( n = 3), 6 DPI ( n = 3), and terminal disease (6–8 DPI; n = 6). Alterations in hepatic macrophages occurred at ≥ 5 DPI characterized by a 1.4-fold increase in CD68+ immunoreactivity and a transition from primarily CD14−CD16+ to CD14+CD16− macrophages, with a 2.1-fold decrease in CD163 expression in terminal animals compared with uninfected controls. An increase in the neutrophil chemoattractant and alarmin S100A9 occurred within hepatic myeloid cells at 5 DPI, followed by rapid neutrophil influx at ≥ 6 DPI. An acute rise in the antiviral myxovirus resistance protein 1 (MxA) occurred at ≥ 4 DPI, with a predilection for enhanced expression in uninfected cells. Distinctive expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II was observed in hepatocytes during terminal disease. Results illustrate that EBOV causes macrophage phenotype alterations as well as neutrophil influx and prominent activation of interferon host responses in the liver. Results offer insight into potential therapeutic strategies to prevent and/or modulate the host proinflammatory response to normalize hepatic myeloid functionality.
The others’ others: When taking our natives seriously is not enough
Authors: Fians Guilherme
Published: May 2023

Since Malinowski, taking the natives seriously has been a core issue for ethnographers, as this principle encloses two terms nurturing much theoretical debate in sociocultural anthropology: ‘native’ and ‘point of view’. Yet, this entails a parallel issue: aside from taking one’s natives seriously, have anthropologists been taking other anthropologists’ natives equally seriously? The discipline came to take for granted the legitimacy of Others constituted by discourses of race, sex, class, ethnicity and colonialism. However, anthropology seems to continuously marginalize groups – from children and speakers of ‘invented’ languages to UFO witnesses – whose practices are routinely mocked or dismissed as foolish. This article analyzes certain anthropologists and their ethnographies of unsanctioned interlocutors who were cast aside by scholarship. I argue that ‘taking seriously’ must be not only an experiment that builds rapport between individual anthropologists and natives, but also one that makes room for the natives’ viewpoints to flow within the discipline.
Children’s place experiences in high-rise mass housing in Ankara
Authors: Can Severcan Yucel
Published: May 2023

This article investigates from a gender perspective the places preferred and used by 161 nine-to-twelve year-old children living in inner- and outer-city high-rise mass housing built in the context of squatter housing regeneration. Data were obtained from a participatory photography study in Ankara, Turkey. Results show the differences in the way boys and girls experience their environments in various locations of the city.
A computationally effective singularity avoidance method for redundant manipulators with non-spherical wrists
Authors: Yu Tiantian , Gao Lifu , Cao Huibin , Wang Daqing , Jiang Man
Published: May 2023

For redundant manipulators with non-spherical wrists, we propose a general and computation-effective method of singularity avoidance. Firstly, the dimension of the Jacobian of the redundant manipulator is reduced by the elementary transformation method to obtain the singular factors. Secondly, we use the damped reciprocal method to solve the inverse kinematics solutions of the redundant manipulator. Thirdly, the singularities of the redundant manipulator are divided into non-escapable and escapable singularities, and the singular conditions are determined with the singular factors. Then taking the singularity avoidance as the secondary task of the control system, we propose a singular factor optimization method to avoid both types of singularities of the redundant manipulator. The complexity analysis shows that no need to calculate the pseudo-inverses or partial derivatives of the Jacobian, the proposed method has lower computational complexity. Finally, simulations have been made on the non-escapable and escapable singularities to verify the proposed methods.
Flow dynamics and convective transport analysis of two-layered dissipative Casson hybrid nanofluid flow in a vertical channel
Authors: Amin Ammara , Munir Shahzad , Farooq Umer
Published: May 2023

This paper undertakes a thorough study to examine heat and mass transfer of two-layer hybrid nanofluid flow in a vertical channel. Casson fluid model is used to investigate the non-Newtonian nature of blood flow (base fluid) in this study. The problem is formulated which includes laminar, incompressible flow with additional viscous dissipation effects. Titanium dioxide and Graphene nanoparticles are employed in this study for the hybrid notion. At the interface, it is considered that the velocity and temperature remain continuous. A group of non-dimensional transformations are used to non-dimensionalized the set of ordinary differential equations and those non-linear differential equations are then solved using an analytical method known as homotopy analysis method (HAM). The behavior of physical parameters on velocity and temperature are presented graphically. Variation of Nusselt number against emerging parameters are tabulated to provide numerical data for validation. The findings of present study can provide insight into the behavior of blood flow in diseased conditions atherosclerosis, thrombosis, and other cardiovascular diseases. This study can also help in designing more effective drug delivery systems for targeted therapies.
Acoustic velocity analogy formulation for sources in quiescent medium
Authors: He Jiahua , Xue Sidan , Liu Qiuhong , Yang Dangguo , Wang Liangquan
Published: May 2023

The prediction of near field acoustic velocity is necessary when using equivalent source method and evaluating multi acoustic fields problem. According to the idea of acoustic analogy, this paper induces a vector wave equation of aeroacoustics by rearranging the conservation equations of mass and momentum with a permeable surface. Then, an analytical formulation of the acoustic velocity, called formulation V2A, is derived for sources in a quiescent medium by solving the vector wave equation with the free-space Green’s function. The validity of the formulation is confirmed by numerical results for a stationary monopole, a stationary dipole source, and a rotating monopole source in a quiescent medium. The result indicates that the predication of formulation V2A is nearly identical to the exact solutions no matter in far-field or near-field.
Micro shear bond strength of mineral trioxide aggregate to different innovative dental restorative materials
Authors: Durmazpinar Parla Meva , Recen Duygu , Çeliksöz Özge , Yazkan Başak
Published: May 2023

The objective of this in vitro study was to investigate the micro shear bond strength (µSBS) of mineral trioxide aggregate to four different restorative materials. Sixty mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) samples were randomly assigned into four experimental groups based on the restorative materials used: nanohybrid resin composite as a control, giomer, alkasite and ormocer. µSBS samples were prepared for each group ( n = 15). These samples were then submitted to a µSBS test (crosshead speed, 0.5 mm/min). The resulting data were statistically analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Levene, and Bonferroni tests (α = 0.05). The bond strength of the alkasite group was statistically significantly higher than all the tested groups ( p<0.05), while there were no significant differences between the nanohybrid resin composite, giomer, or ormocer groups ( p > 0.05). Within the limitations of this study, alkasite restorative material could be a promising material when placed over MTA.
Surviving Racism and Sexism: What Votes in the Television Program Survivor Reveal About Discrimination
Authors: O’Mara Kunz Erin M. , Howell Jennifer L. , Beasley Nicole
Published: May 2023

We examined whether there is evidence for racial and gender bias in the voting patterns of contestants on Survivor, a reality-television zero-sum game in which contestants compete for up to 39 days to win $1 million. Among 731 contestants across 40 seasons, we found evidence of racial and gender bias at multiple stages of Survivor. Compared with men, women were more likely to be voted out of their tribe first and were less likely to make it to the individual-competition stage of the game (i.e., the “merge”). They were also less likely to win Survivor. Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) contestants, compared with White contestants, were more likely to be voted out of their tribe first and were less likely to make it to the individual-competition stage of the game. These findings suggest a systemic bias in favor of White men and against women of color.
Reliability and Validity of the Malay BREAST-Q in Women Undergoing Breast Cancer Surgery in Malaysia
Authors: Shunnmugam Bairave , Islam Tania , Sinnadurai Siamala , Seng Hui Chua , Mee Hong See , Chinna Karuthan , Aishah Mohd Taib Nur
Published: May 2023

This study aims to translate the BREAST-Q into Malay and validate it in breast cancer patients undergoing surgery. The English BREAST-Q was translated to Malay using the back-translation method. A total of 144 newly diagnosed breast cancer patients were sampled conveniently between December 2015 and November 2016. Test-retest was done after two to three weeks. Data were analyzed using SPSS and AMOS software. Content experts agreed the items in the Malay BREAST-Q were measuring the constructs appropriately. Internal consistencies were good for all items in each subscale (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.83-0.95). The highest inter-item correlation for each item with at least one other item in the construct ranged from 0.47 to 0.90. The lowest corrected item-total correlation values ranged from 0.47 to 0.72. The test-retest analysis showed good reproducibility (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.71-0.98). In exploratory factor analysis, the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin values were excellent in all four subscales (0.76, 0.92, 0.91, and 0.86). For all subscales, the number of factors extracted cumulatively explained more than 50% of the variance. The Malay BREAST-Q demonstrated good reliability, face validity, content validity, and construct validity.
The Australian Early Psychosis Collaborative Consortium (AEPCC): Improving Clinical Care in Early Psychosis
Authors: Thompson Andrew , Fitzsimons Joanna , Killackey Eoin , Ahern Susannah , Amminger Paul , Alvarez-Jimenez Mario , Berk Michael , Cotton Sue , McNeil John , McGorry Patrick , Nelson Barnaby , O'Donoghue Brian , Ratheesh Aswin , Rickwood Debra , Yung Alison , Wood Stephen
Published: May 2023

Objectives

The field of early psychosis has undergone considerable expansion over the last few decades and has a strong evidence base of effectiveness. Like all areas of healthcare, however, early psychosis services need to more consistently deliver higher quality care to achieve better outcomes for patients and families. A national clinical research infrastructure is urgently required to enable the sector to deliver the highest quality care and expand and translate evidence more quickly and efficiently. This paper describes the establishment of the Australian Early Psychosis Collaborative Consortium (AEPCC) that aims to achieve this.

Conclusion

AEPCC is the first of its kind in Australia (and internationally). It will deliver the required clinical research infrastructure through the implementation of a clinical quality registry, clinical trials and translation network, and lived experience network. AEPCC will provide a critical resource to better understand the state of early psychosis care, and trial new interventions on a scale that has not previously been possible in Australia.
Expression of p16 Tumor Suppressor Protein in Malignant Ovarian Germ Cell Tumors; Immunohistochemical Study
Authors: Hosny Ghada , Ahmed Omar A , Ahmed Rania Makboul , Fadel Sabah Ahmed
Published: May 2023

Background

Malignant ovarian germ cell tumors represent small percentage of malignant ovarian neoplasms but they affect significantly young age group.

Aim of the study

To investigate the immunohistochemical expression of p16 tumor suppressor protein in malignant ovarian germ cell tumors.

Materials and Methods

Twenty-two malignant ovarian germ cell tumors (five dysgerminoma, eight immature teratoma, and nine yolk sac tumors), twenty mature cystic teratoma tumors and twenty normal ovarian tissue were immunohistochemically stained with p16 monoclonal antibody. Ki67 immunohistochemical staining was done for malignant ovarian germ cell tumors to assess proliferation.

Results

We found that p16 tumor suppressor protein is overexpressed in all malignant ovarian germ cell tumors in both nuclear and cytoplasmic locations compared to control and to mature cystic teratoma ( p-value <0.001). Cytoplasmic p16 expression was significantly correlated to Ki67 proliferation index in malignant ovarian germ cell tumors ( p-value = 0.033, r = 0.445).

Conclusion

Overexpression of p16 in malignant ovarian germ cell tumors denotes that dysfunction of the cyclin dependent kinase pathway is involved in tumorigenesis of malignant ovarian germ cell tumors.
Adaptive tracking control of a new nonlinear energy harvester system based on the cantilever beam structure
Authors: Oveysi Sarabi Ali , Shooshtari Alireza
Published: May 2023

In this paper, an energy harvester consisting of a cantilever beam, magnets, and magnetic springs embedded on its structure is proposed to harvest electricity energy. In order to extract energy from the system permanently, an adaptive controller is proposed. With the help of the proposed controller, it is prevented from damping the oscillations of the beam or excessive increasing in the amplitude of these oscillations. Also, the use of the proposed controller provides the possibility that despite the presence of unknown external disturbances such as wind waves and sudden changes of sea waves, as well as the uncertainty of the parameters of the cantilever beam, a permanent energy is harvested from the proposed mechanism. The equations describing the electromechanical behavior of the proposed mechanism are derived from Lagrange equations. On the other hand, dynamic surface control technique is employed to design the adaptive and control laws. The stability of the closed-loop system is shown using Lyapunov stability theory, and the tracking error converges to a small neighborhood around the origin. Numerical simulation for cantilever beam is investigated to clarify the effectiveness of the proposed mechanism and controller.
Toxic hepatitis in metastatic breast cancer patient using ribociclib and denosumab
Authors: Bayram Doğan , Aktürk Esen Selin , Uçar Gökhan , Köş Fahriye Tuğba
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Hepatotoxicity is observed due to cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK4/6) inhibitors used to treat hormone receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer. However, it should not be ignored that denosumab may be hepatotoxic, although it is rare.

Case Report

A 73-year-old female patient with breast cancer with axillary lymph node, adrenal gland and bone metastases was started on ribociclib letrozole and denosumab treatment. Ribociclib treatment was discontinued due to grade 4 hepatotoxicity during treatment, but liver function tests did not decrease. After discontinuation of denosumab treatment, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase values regressed to baseline values.

Management and Outcome

Despite the discontinuation of ribociclib treatment, other causes of liver toxicity were investigated due to persistence of hepatic transaminases and elevation. Autoimmune hepatitis markers were negative. Hepatobiliary USG did not reveal any pathological findings except hepatosteatosis. Liver biopsy was performed to determine the etiology. Pathology result was compatible with acute hepatocellular damage (in favor of toxic hepatitis). A decrease in liver values was detected after discontinuation of denosumab treatment.

Discussion

Although cases with improvement in liver enzymes have been reported after discontinuation of ribociclib, no improvement in hepatotoxicity was observed in our case. Since the liver biopsy was toxic hepatitis, it was thought that other drugs used by the patient might cause this toxicity, and a significant decrease was observed in liver values after discontinuation of denosumab. Denosumab-induced liver toxicity is very rare, and there are only a limited number of cases in the literature.
Czech Parents Under Lockdown: Different Positions, Different Temporalities
Authors: Dudová Radka , Křížková Alena
Published: May 2023

Using an intersectional approach, we explore how parents in the Czech Republic coped with the increased demands of childcare and how their perceptions of childcare changed throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Building on Nancy Fraser’s theory of the social contradiction of capitalism, we address the question of whether the pandemic situation can be viewed as an opportunity to increase recognition of care. Qualitative interviews with parents from various socioeconomic backgrounds conducted from spring 2020 to summer 2021 demonstrate ambivalent experiences of care during the COVID-19 pandemic. The first school closure in spring 2020 was perceived as a rather positive interruption to everyday affairs. As the pandemic became protracted, the long-term negative effects of care under lockdown arose, especially among mothers, which included weakening labour market position, deteriorating economic situation, and growing dependence on a male breadwinner or social welfare. Our research shows the temporality of the COVID-19 care crisis. In the first stage of the pandemic, care was (also) assessed as an opportunity, a source of purpose, and a new value. In the next period, the experiences and expectations were rather negative. Over time, gender inequality at home increased as women took on most of the increased care burden and the social inequalities deepened, with some using their resources to compensate for the risks associated with the care crisis and others facing further exhaustion and income losses. Overall, parental care did not win greater societal recognition during the pandemic.
Looking back to look forward: Surviving COVID-19 and the future of the NHS
Authors: Vacek Adam , Chandran Siddharthan , Bauld Linda , Lunan Carey , Horne Andrew , Kerr Steve , Whitworth Caroline , Wojtek Wojcik
Published: May 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic affected healthcare systems worldwide, including the National Health Service (NHS). It drastically changed the practice and delivery of healthcare and laid bare longstanding structural flaws. It also brought a time of innovation and digitalisation and renewed appreciation of the role of public health. This paper offers a thematic summary of a debate held in December 2021 by the University of Edinburgh School of Medicine. It featured a multi-specialty panel of doctors and patient representative discussing the likely impact of the pandemic on the future of NHS. It serves as a reflection point on the pressures the NHS has faced since and their likely genesis at a time when the impact of the pandemic on staff risks being forgotten.
The Flutie and Anti-Flutie Effect: The Impact of Football Championships and Athletic Malfeasance on the University
Authors: Cormier Abigail , Eggers Austin F. , Groothuis Peter A. , Rotthoff Kurt W.
Published: May 2023

Athletics can impact the entire university, and there is evidence that administrators’ peer rankings are influenced by athletics as well. We analyze both the positive effect of winning championships and the negative effects of football bowl bans and vacated games. We find that championship effects are positive: increasing peer rankings, alumni giving, and student academic quality. Surprisingly, peer rankings increase the year of the football bowl ban but decrease the year after the ban. Additionally, there is evidence that bowl bans increase a school's acceptance rate and decrease academic quality at the sanctioned university, whereas vacated games lower alumni giving.
Alterations of Spatial Memory and Gut Microbiota Composition in Alzheimer’s Disease Triple-Transgenic Mice at 3, 6, and 9 Months of Age
Authors: Wei Zhang , Li Daidi , Shi Jingshan
Published: May 2023

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurological disease. Gut microbial dysbiosis is associated with AD. This study involves the comparative assessment of spatial learning, β-amyloid peptide accumulation, and fecal microbiota alterations in 3×Tg-AD mice from 3 age groups: AD asymptomatic stage (3 m), presymptomatic stage (6 m), and the symptomatic stage of AD (9 m). We demonstrate that spatial memory deficits, brain Aβ accumulation, and weight gain in 3×Tg-AD mice gradually appear after 6 months of age. However, the total gut bacterial counts underwent changes from 3 to 6 months of age and were further altered at 9 months of age. Importantly, changes in gut bacteria abundance of Desulfobacterota and Actinobacteriota phyla in 6-month-old mice preceded apparent spatial memory deficits. In summary, Changes in the gut microbial community are one of the mechanisms of early AD pathology.
A case study of behaviour: Differences between a head coach and player-coach
Authors: Vickery Will , Bhardwaj Dhanur , Feros Simon , Bruce Lyndell , Nichol Adam
Published: May 2023

Background

Coach behaviour has received extensive attention in our literature base. This is particularly the case in recent times where systematic observations have highlighted common behaviours exhibited by coaches across various contexts. The current literature, however, lacks significant focus on the behaviours and practices of player-coaches. This is surprising given that these individuals may represent a significant proportion of the non-professional sporting industry.

Purpose

The purpose of this case study was to investigate the differences in behaviours used by a player-coach and head coach within the sport of cricket and provide a position statement as to how and why further research in this area could be conducted.

Method

One head coach (age  =  26 y; Level 1 Cricket Australia coaching accreditation) and one player-coach (age  =  30 y; Level 2 Cricket Australia coaching accreditation) were filmed during their typical practice sessions at various points of the cricket season. The behaviours of each coach were coded using a modified, cricket-specific version of the Coach Analysis and Intervention System. 1

Findings

Across 12 practice sessions (head coach n  =  4, number of minutes recorded  =  1004; player-coach n  =  8, number of minutes recorded  =  567), observation (on task) and questioning (convergent) were the two most frequent behaviours, irrespective of the coach's role. The player-coach tended to use more instruction when compared to the head-coach, in addition to asking fewer (divergent) questions. Significantly more of the session was spent observing (on task) by the head coach than the player-coach. Specific to this study, the player-coach spent significantly more time involved in training as a player than the head coach. Based on the current findings, it appears that the role of the player-coach is likely to shape practice and behaviour. Indeed, we deploy social theory to provide tentative explanations for these key differences.

Conclusion

Overall, this paper is among the first to explore the role and practices of the player-coach. Given that player-coaches likely make up a significant proportion of the non-professional sporting industry, much greater research and attention is needed on this area moving forward. In particular, we feel that multiple or mixed-method studies that engage with social theory would be well positioned to develop generative insights into a) intentions behind the deployment of player-coach behaviour, b) actual behaviours engaged, and c) athlete (and others’) perceptions of such practice. Doing so would provide significant opportunities to develop bespoke education for this highly specialised – yet under examined – role.
Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy
Authors: Thornton Emma
Published: May 2023

Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy (NVP) is one of the most common presenting complaints to primary care during pregnancy. Although often referred to as ‘morning sickness’ symptoms may be present at any time of the day. Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is the most severe presentation of NVP and can lead to hospitalisation due to dehydration and other metabolic complications. HG can lead to psychological and socioeconomic difficulties in those affected, and there also may be more long term sequalae for the developing foetus. This article aims to highlight the issues to consider when managing patients presenting with NVP and HG in primary care.
Critical perspectives on Arts on Prescription
Authors: Bungay H , Jensen A , Holt N
Published: May 2023

The positive outcomes of engaging in the arts are increasingly reported in the research literature, supporting the use of the arts to enhance individual and community health and wellbeing. However, little attention is given to the less positive aspects of arts engagement. In some countries, healthcare practitioners and link workers can refer service-users experiencing mental health issues to social interventions such as Arts on Prescription (AoP) programmes. This critical review identifies problematic issues across such social prescriptions and AoP, including failures in arts and health projects, participants’ negative experiences, and an absence of ethical guidelines for arts and health practice. Furthermore, it is evident that there is a lack of awareness and knowledge within healthcare systems, leading to inappropriate referrals, failure to take account of individual preferences, and a lack of communication between the third sector and healthcare services. Significantly, it is also unclear who holds the health responsibility for AoP participants. This article raises more questions than it answers, but for AoP to be effectively embedded in healthcare practice, the issues highlighted need to be addressed in order to safeguard participants and support the effective implementation of programmes more widely.
From Stressful to Mindful: Reactions to a Proposed Emergency Department Design for Enhancing Mindfulness and Stress Reduction Among Healthcare Clinical Staff
Authors: Valipoor Shabboo , Bosch Sheila J. , Chiu Leong Yin Tanya
Published: May 2023

Objectives:

This study explored design solutions that can help clinicians manage work-related stress, pursue mindful work, and practice relaxation and coping strategies.

Background:

Clinicians are experiencing burnout at increasingly higher rates, leading to compromised patient care. While self-care and stress management strategies are shown to be effective in healthcare settings, little is known about how the design of healthcare settings can facilitate these strategies.

Methods:

Using findings of a preceding study by the authors, a virtual walk-through video of a design proposal for a free-standing emergency department was built. Feedback data were collected from clinicians in 10 in-depth interviews, and emerging themes were identified using qualitative content analysis.

Results:

Our findings suggest that work environments that reflect intentional efforts to meet clinicians’ needs for stress management can enhance their feeling of being valued and sense of professional worth. Clinicians are more likely to step away from work if there are multiple spaces for bio breaks and rest breaks. Primary break rooms are preferred to be close to patient care areas, but respite/escape spaces are preferred to be distant and private from patient care areas. Participants endorsed the provision of at least one staff bathroom large enough for extra seating and one outdoor respite space. Multiple workspaces should allow the completion of various tasks with adjustable levels of privacy.

Conclusions:

We suggest special attention to non-institutional aesthetics, providing choice and control, increasing flexibility, promoting privacy for focused work, maximizing access to daylight and outdoors, and providing opportunities for grief support.
The Bridge Builder: Nadia Lopez
Authors: Langan Elise
Published: May 2023

Often unrecognized for their accomplishments, women of color in educational leadership positions are change agents whose practices must be analyzed in order to transform education at all levels. Dr. Nadia Lopez is the founding principal of Mott Hall Bridges Academy (MHBA) Middle School in Brownsville, New York City—one of the poorest congressional districts in the United States. Due to Dr. Lopez’s leadership, MHBA has a 98% graduation rate and students gain admittance to some of the most academically competitive high schools in New York City. This article examines the leadership role and work of Dr. Lopez, and how she operationalized Lipman-Blumen’s Connective Leadership model to overcome poverty, low academic expectations, and racial stereotypes. As evidenced by the data, Dr. Lopez presents as a connective leader by monitoring and reacting to situational cues while determining the appropriate combinations of behaviors/achieving styles to address unique sets of circumstances.
Hereditary Neuropathy With Liability to Pressure Palsy Detected During the Use of Recreational Drugs
Authors: Castellucci Giovanni , Figueroa Michelle , Sivaswamy Lalitha
Published: May 2023

Background: Nitrous oxide (N2O) has been an increasingly popular recreational drug over the past few years. Abuse is associated with severe neurological complications and even fatal outcomes.

Purpose: Here we present a case of chronic nitric oxide abuse in a teenager presenting with rapidly progressive mixed sensory and motor polyneuropathy.

Results: The initial diagnostic workup excluded electrolyte derangement, heavy metal intoxication, autoimmune neuropathy, myopathy, hematological disorders, and thyroid disease. On further questioning, patient reported 8-months of inhalation of nitrous oxide, commonly known as “whippets”. Subsequent tests revealed low Vitamin B12 and elevated homocysteine level. Eventual genetic test demonstrated a heterozygous deletion in the gene that encodes the peripheral myelin protein 22 (PMP22), consistent with a diagnosis of Hereditary Neuropathy with Liability to Pressure Palsies (HNPP).

Conclusion: The association of neurologic and genetic findings with the timeline of nitrous oxide inhalation suggests a multifactorial etiology of her symptoms, with the N2O acting as a trigger to the axonal degeneration and demyelination detected on electrodiagnostic studies.
Liver cystic echinococcosis: a parasitic review
Authors: Govindasamy Avaan , Bhattarai Pushpa Raj , John Jeff
Published: May 2023

Liver cystic echinococcosis (CE), known as hydatid disease, is caused by the tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato. Humans are accidental hosts in this zoonotic disease process, and hepatic infection accounts for over two-thirds of all cases. Since signs and symptoms are mainly non-specific, especially in early disease, clinicians should have a low threshold to include CE as a differential diagnosis in patients with positive serology and suggestive radiological findings, especially in endemic regions. The standard management for liver CE depends on the patient’s symptoms, the radiological stage, the size and location of the cyst, the presence of complications and the treating clinicians’ expertise. In this review, we discuss the lifecycle of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato and its epidemiology and then focus on discussing the clinical features, diagnosis and treatment options of CE of the liver.
Mapping the research trends on political communication in Asia: A bibliometric analysis using R package and VOS
Authors: Saravanan J , Thomas Vineeth , Ashikho Aviini
Published: May 2023

Political communication refers to developing and exchanging political ideas and opinions among the general public, elected officials, political parties and affiliated organisations like the media. Recent years have seen an enormous amount of literature in the area of political communication owing to the growing interest of academics in the subject. Using the R package bibliometrix and the Visualisation of Similarities viewer programme, this study aims to enhance graphical mapping of the bibliographic data for political communication publications in select countries of Asia. The results show that, especially since 2016, scholars have been paying more and more attention to the study of political communication in the age of fake news, hyperpolarization, etc. They also show that research publications on the topics of communication, China, Taiwan, India, the USA, social media, articles, politics, the internet, decision-making, democracy, governance and elections are gaining momentum in recent years. Additionally, the findings show that the top three nations for publishing articles on political communication are the USA, China and Russia. The findings also reveal that even scholars from non-democratic or less democratic countries have made substantial attempts to improve political communication studies, despite the fact that political communication is one of the most crucial components in democratic countries.
The Impact of Materialism and Well-being on Buycotts
Authors: Mizukoshi Kosuke
Published: May 2023

This study identifies materialism and well-being as the determinants of buycott behaviour. A buycott is a form of prosocial behaviour that supports the targets through purchasing behaviour, contrary to boycotts, and is a new form of value creation in society. Value creation in marketing goes beyond prices and profitability but includes doing social good and improving well-being as a co-creation phenomenon with customers. A buycott is also more than just consumption behaviour; it is the behaviour of consumers who support and aid companies and is a co-creation of new social value. Although it is expected to be related to materialism because it involves consumption behaviour, the relationship has not yet been discussed. This study examines the possibility that materialism, altruism and well-being promote not only charity behaviour intentions but also buycotts and boycotts. By using Structural Equation Modelling based on Japanese data, where buycott studies have not been widely conducted, this article generalizes previous studies and clarifies the relationship between materialism and prosocial behaviour. The findings reveal that while materialism promotes charity, buycotts and boycotts, it does not necessarily affect buycotts via well-being. This indicates the relationship between materialism and buycotts and demonstrates the differences between buycotts and charity as prosocial behaviour.
Sex differences in associations between creatinine and cystatin C-based kidney function measures with stroke and major bleeding
Authors: Lees Jennifer Susan , De La Mata Nicole L , Sullivan Michael K , Wyld Melanie L , Rosales Brenda M , Cutting Rachel , Hedley James Alan , Rutherford Elaine , Mark Patrick Barry , Webster Angela C
Published: May 2023

Purpose:

We sought to explore whether adding kidney function biomarkers based on creatinine (eGFRCr), cystatin C (eGFRCys) or a combination of the two (eGFRCr-Cys) could improve risk stratification for stroke and major bleeding, and whether there were sex differences in any additive value of kidney function biomarkers.

Method:

We included participants from the UK Biobank who had not had a previous ischaemic or haemorrhagic stroke or major bleeding episode, and who had kidney function measures available at baseline. Cause-specific Cox proportional hazards models tested associations between eGFRCr, eGFRCys and eGFRCr-Cys (mL/min/1.73 m2) with ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke, major bleeding (gastrointestinal or intracranial, including haemorrhagic stroke) and all-cause mortality.

Findings:

Among 452,879 eligible participants, 246,244 (54.4%) were women. Over 11.5 (IQR 10.8–12.2) years, there were 3706 ischaemic strokes, 795 haemorrhagic strokes, 26,025 major bleeding events and 28,851 deaths. eGFRCys was more strongly associated with ischaemic stroke than eGFRCr: an effect that was more pronounced in women (men – HR: 1.16, 95% CI: 1.12–1.19; female to male comparison – HR: 1.11, 95% CI: 1.05–1.16, per 10 mL/min/1.73 m2 decline in eGFRCys). This interaction effect was also demonstrated for eGFRCr-Cys, but not eGFRCr. eGFRCys and eGFRCr-Cys were more strongly associated with major bleeding and all-cause mortality than eGFRCr in both men and women. Event numbers were small for haemorrhagic stroke.

Discussion:

To a greater degree than is seen in men, eGFRCr underestimates risk of ischaemic stroke and major bleeding in women compared to eGFRCys. The difference between measures is likely explained by non-GFR biology of creatinine and cystatin C.

Conclusion:

Enhanced measurement of cystatin C may improve risk stratification for ischaemic stroke and major bleeding and clinical treatment decisions in a general population setting, particularly for women.
COVID 19 prevention practice of patients with known chronic illness in Ethiopia: A systemic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Zewdie Amare , Mose Ayenew , Sahle Tadesse , Kasahun Abebaw Wasie , Melaku Elyas , Zemene Melkamu Aderajew
Published: May 2023

Introduction

There were different studies done and found a highly variable level of COVID 19 prevention practice; however, there was no summarized evidence on the prevention practice of chronic disease patients in Ethiopia. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to assess the pooled prevalence of COVID 19 prevention practice and associated factors among chronic disease patients in Ethiopia.

Method

Systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted using PRISMA guidelines. Comprehensive literature was searched in international databases. A weighted inverse variance random effect model was used to estimate pooled prevalence. Cochrane Q-test and I2 statistics were computed to assess heterogeneity among studies. Funnel plot and Eggers test were done to assess publication bias. Review manager software was used to identify determinants of COVID 19 prevention practice.

Result

Overall, 437 articles were retrieved and finally 8 articles were included in this review. The pooled prevalence of good COVID 19 prevention practices was 44.02% (95%CI (35.98%–52.06%). Being rurally reside (AOR = 2.39, 95% CI (1.30–4.41)), having educational status of cannot read and write (AOR = 2.32, 95% CI (1.22–4.40)), and poor knowledge (AOR = 2.43, 95% CI (1.64–3.60)) positively associated with poor practice.

Conclusion

Good COVID 19 prevention practices of chronic disease patients in Ethiopia was low. Rural residence, educational status of cannot read and write and poor knowledge was positively associated with poor practice. Therefore, policymakers and program planners should target those high-risk groups in improving their awareness to enhance their practice specifically focusing on those who are rural reside and with low educational status.
Risk control drives risk assessment and risk review: A cause and effect model of pharmaceutical drug recall on patient safety
Authors: Lin Irene D , Hertig John B
Published: May 2023

Background:

Pharmaceutical drug recall is a relentless issue that is composed of multidimensional criteria. The distinct criteria that contributed to drug recalls have been identified in previous literature; however, there is limited information regarding the causal relationships between each criterion. Highlighting key influential aspects and criteria of pharmaceutical drug recall is critical in addressing this ongoing issue and promoting patient safety.

Objective:

The objective of this study is as follows: (1) identify critical criteria of pharmaceutical drug recalls for improvements, (2) determine the interrelationships among the criteria, and (3) define the causal relationships of pharmaceutical drug recall and provide theoretical insights and practice recommendations to minimize risks associated with pharmaceutical recalls and maximize patient safety.

Design:

This study proposes five aspects and 42 criteria to identify the impact of pharmaceutical drug recalls on patient safety by evaluating the interrelationships between the criteria by employing the fuzzy decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory method.

Methods:

A group of 11 professionals across the pharmaceutical industry, hospitals, ambulatory care, regulatory authority, and community care settings were selected for interviews.

Results:

Risk control is the influencing aspect of pharmaceutical drug recalls that has the most substantial impact on risk assessment and risk review; it generates medium effects on risk communication and technology. Risk assessment, risk communication, and risk review demonstrated comparative weak interrelationships, while risk communication exhibits a weak unidirectional effect on risk review. Finally, risk assessment exerts a weak influence on technology application and development. Product contamination, product subpotent or superpotent, injury to patients, product not sterile or impure, and system detectability of hazards have the strongest influence in the causal group of pharmaceutical drug recalls.

Conclusion:

The study shows that risk control drives risk assessment and risk review in the pharmaceutical industry manufacturing process. To achieve patient safety, this study suggests focusing on risk control strategies, as this aspect displays the most substantial effect on influencing other critical risk management aspects such as risk assessment and risk review.
High-grade B-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified: a multi-institutional retrospective study
Authors: Zayac Adam S. , Landsburg Daniel J. , Hughes Mitchell E. , Bock Allison M. , Nowakowski Grzegorz S. , Ayers Emily C. , Girton Mark , Hu Marie , Beckman Amy K. , Li Shaoying , Medeiros L. Jeffrey , Chang Julie E. , Stepanovic Adam , Kurt Habibe , Sandoval-Sus Jose , Ansari-Lari M. Ali , Kothari Shalin K. , Kress Anna , Xu Mina L. , Torka Pallawi , Sundaram Suchitra , Smith Stephen D. , Naresh Kikkeri N. , Karimi Yasmin H. , Epperla Narendranath , Bond David A. , Farooq Umar , Saad Mahak , Evens Andrew M. , Pandya Karan , Naik Seema G. , Kamdar Manali , Haverkos Bradley , Karmali Reem , Oh Timothy S. , Vose Julie M. , Nutsch Heather , Rubinstein Paul G. , Chaudhry Amina , Olszewski Adam J.
Published: May 2023

In this multi-institutional retrospective study, we examined the characteristics and outcomes of 160 patients with high-grade B-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified (HGBL-NOS)—a rare category defined by high-grade morphologic features and lack of MYC rearrangements with BCL2 and/or BCL6 rearrangements ("double hit"). Our results show that HGBL-NOS tumors are heterogeneous: 83% of patients had a germinal center B-cell immunophenotype, 37% a dual-expressor immunophenotype (MYC and BCL2 expression), 28% MYC rearrangement, 13% BCL2 rearrangement, and 11% BCL6 rearrangement. Most patients presented with stage IV disease, a high serum lactate dehydrogenase, and other high-risk clinical factors. Most frequent first-line regimens included dose-adjusted cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and etoposide, with rituximab and prednisone (DA-EPOCH-R; 43%); rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP; 33%); or other intensive chemotherapy programs. We found no significant differences in the rates of complete response (CR), progression-free survival (PFS), or overall survival (OS) between these chemotherapy regimens. CR was attained by 69% of patients. PFS at 2 years was 55.2% and OS was 68.1%. In a multivariable model, the main prognostic factors for PFS and OS were poor performance status, lactate dehydrogenase >3 × upper limit of normal, and a dual-expressor immunophenotype. Age >60 years or presence of MYC rearrangement were not prognostic, but patients with TP53 alterations had a dismal PFS. Presence of MYC rearrangement was not predictive of better PFS in patients treated with DA-EPOCH-R vs R-CHOP. Improvements in the diagnostic criteria and therapeutic approaches beyond dose-intense chemotherapy are needed to overcome the unfavorable prognosis of patients with HGBL-NOS.
The genome of Candidatus phytoplasma ziziphi provides insights into their biological characteristics
Authors: Xue Chaoling , Zhang Yao , Li Hongtai , Liu Zhiguo , Gao Weilin , Liu Mengjun , Wang Huibin , Liu Ping , Zhao Jin
Published: May 2023

Phytoplasmas are obligate cell wall-less prokaryotic bacteria that primarily multiply in plant phloem tissue. Jujube witches’ broom (JWB) associated with phytoplasma is a destructive disease of jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.). Here we report the complete ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma ziziphi’ chromosome of strain Hebei-2018, which is a circular genome of 764,108-base pairs with 735 predicted CDS. Notably, extra 19,825 bp (from 621,995 to 641,819 bp) compared to the previously reported one complements the genes involved in glycolysis, such as pdhA, pdhB, pdhC, pdhD, ackA, pduL and LDH. The synonymous codon usage bias (CUB) patterns by using comparative genomics analysis among the 9 phytoplasmas were similar for most codons. The ENc-GC3s analysis among the 9 phytoplasmas showed a greater effect under the selection on the CUBs of phytoplasmas genes than mutation and other factors. The genome exhibited a strongly reduced ability in metabolic synthesis, while the genes encoding transporter systems were well developed. The genes involved in sec-dependent protein translocation system were also identified.The expressions of nine FtsHs encoding membrane associated ATP-dependent Zn proteases and Mn-SodA with redox capacity in the Ca. P. ziziphi was positively correlated with the phytoplasma concentration. Taken together, the genome will not only expand the number of phytoplasma species and provide some new information about Ca. P. ziziphi, but also contribute to exploring its pathogenic mechanism.