bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sleep in neurointensive care patients, and patients after brain tumor surgery
Authors: Nyholm Lena , Zetterling Maria , Elf Kristin
Published: June 2023

Background

Severely brain injured patients treated in the neuro intensive care unit (NICU) are usually sedated. Sedation may affect not only the ability to sleep, but also the EEG rhythms used to identify sleep.

Aim

The aims were:

To study if sleep patterns could be identified in the severely brain injured and sedated patients in the NICU

To study if sleep patterns could be identified in patients the night after brain tumor surgery in the neurointermediate care unit (NIMCU)

To search for risk factors for not being able to sleep after brain tumor surgery

Study design

Two populations were included; one with patients affected by severe brain injury and one with patients who had undergone planned brain tumor surgery. This was a quantitative observational study using EEG. Eligible neurointensive care patients for this study had to be suffering from a neurosurgical condition (for example subarachnoid haemorrhage, acute subdural hematoma, intracerebral haemorrhage and meningitis), have affected consciousness and age over 18 years. Thirty-seven patients were included from NICU. Ninety-eight patients, with a suspected glioma (WHO grade II-IV) planned for surgery were also included.

Results

Neuro intensive care patients, sedated and treated in ventilator, showed no EEG sleep patterns at all. After brain tumor surgery, sleep occurred in 74% of the patients, despite frequent wake-up tests. The patients with sleep patterns were on average 8 years younger, p = 0.03.

Conclusions

Patients with severe brain injury are at risk of having no sleep when treated at the NICU, whereas after brain tumor surgery, sleep occurs in three-fourths of the patients. Further studies and new methods are warranted to identify sleep and investigate how the loss of sleep affects these patients and how sleep disturbances can be managed.
Bifidobacterium longum BORI inhibits pain behavior and chondrocyte death, and attenuates osteoarthritis progression
Authors: Oh Dong Keon , Na Hyun Sik , Jhun Joo Yeon , Lee Jeong Su , Um In Gyu , Lee Seung Yoon , Park Myeong Soo , Cho Mi-La , Park Sung-Hwan
Published: June 2023

Osteoarthritis (OA), the most common form of arthritis, is characterized by pain and cartilage damage; it usually exhibits gradual development. However, the pathogenesis of OA remains unclear. This study was undertaken to improve the understanding and treatment of OA. OA was induced in 7-week-old Wistar rats by intra-articular injection of monosodium iodoacetate (MIA); subsequently, the rats underwent oral administration of Bifidobacterium longum BORI (B. BORI). The effects of B. BORI were examined in chondrocytes and an MIA-induced OA rat model. In the rats, B. BORI-mediated effects on pain severity, cartilage destruction, and inflammation were recorded. Additional effects on mRNA and cytokine secretion were analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Paw withdrawal threshold, paw withdrawal latency, and weight-bearing assessments revealed that pain severity in MIA-induced OA rats was decreased after B. BORI treatment. Histopathology analyses and three-dimensional surface renderings of rat femurs from micro-computed tomography images revealed cartilage protection and cartilage loss inhibition effects in B. BORI-treated OA rats. Immunohistochemical analyses of inflammatory cytokines and catabolic markers (e.g., matrix metalloproteinases) showed that the expression levels of both were reduced in tissue from B. BORI-treated OA rats. Furthermore, B. BORI treatment decreased the expression levels of the inflammatory cytokine monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and inflammatory gene factors (e.g., inflammatory cell death markers) in chondrocytes. The findings indicate that oral administration of B. BORI has therapeutic potential in terms of reducing pain, progression, and inflammation in OA.
Muslim women’s knowledge, views, and attitudes towards sexually transmitted infections in Saudi Arabia: A qualitative study
Authors: Alomair Noura , Alageel Samah , Davies Nathan , Bailey Julia V.
Published: June 2023

Background

The cultural sensitivity surrounding sexuality in Islamic communities has an impact on awareness and prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This study explores Muslim women’s knowledge, views, and attitudes towards STIs and people living with HIV/AIDs in Saudi Arabia.

Methods

We conducted qualitative semi-structured interviews with Muslim women from Saudi Arabia. Interviews took place in a public hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 2019. Data were transcribed, coded, and analysed using a reflexive thematic analysis.

Results

Twenty-eight women were interviewed, the majority were college educated and employed. Participants lacked knowledge about STIs, and there were significant misconceptions. The majority of women expressed extremely negative attitudes towards STIs, particularly towards people living with HIV/AIDS. Participants believed that judgemental attitudes and stigmatisation of people with HIV/AIDS were justified if an infection was transmitted through extramarital sex. Men were believed to be the source of STIs, and STIs were viewed as punishment from God for extramarital sexual relations that are forbidden in Islam. Protection against STIs was believed to be achieved by strengthening religious beliefs.

Conclusion

Attitudes towards people with STIs, HIV/AIDS in particular, were highly influenced by religious views towards extramarital sex, as well as lack of knowledge and misconceptions. There is an urgent need for accurate information and improved awareness of sexual health including STIs among Muslims in Saudi Arabia. Public health efforts should be directed towards reducing stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS in Saudi Arabia and other Islamic communities.
Deep-Fuzz: A synergistic integration of deep learning and fuzzy water flows for fine-grained nuclei segmentation in digital pathology
Authors: Das Nirmal , Saha Satadal , Nasipuri Mita , Basu Subhadip , Chakraborti Tapabrata
Published: June 2023

Robust semantic segmentation of tumour micro-environment is one of the major open challenges in machine learning enabled computational pathology. Though deep learning based systems have made significant progress, their task agnostic data driven approach often lacks the contextual grounding necessary in biomedical applications. We present a novel fuzzy water flow scheme that takes the coarse segmentation output of a base deep learning framework to then provide a more fine-grained and instance level robust segmentation output. Our two stage synergistic segmentation method, Deep-Fuzz, works especially well for overlapping objects, and achieves state-of-the-art performance in four public cell nuclei segmentation datasets. We also show through visual examples how our final output is better aligned with pathological insights, and thus more clinically interpretable.
NMR spectroscopy-based analysis of gallstones of cancerous and benign gallbladders from different geographical regions of the Indian subcontinent
Authors: Siddiqui Mohd Adnan , Dwivedi Navneet , Siddiqui Mohammed Haris , Rana S. V. , Sharma Anil , Dash N. R. , Pradeep Rebala , Vijayahari Ranjit , Behari Anu , Kapoor V. K. , Sinha Neeraj
Published: June 2023

Analysis of the chemical composition of gallstones is vital for the etiopathogenesis of gallstone diseases that can ultimately help in the prevention of its formation. In the present study, gallstones from seven different regions of India were analyzed to highlight the major difference in their composition. Also, gallstones of different pathological conditions i.e., benign (chronic cholecystitis, CC) and malignant gallbladder disease (gallbladder cancer GBC) were characterized. The type of polymorphs of cholesterol molecules was also studied to provide insight into the structure of gallstones. 1H solution state NMR spectroscopy 1D experiments were performed on a total of 94 gallstone (GS) samples collected from seven different geographical regions of India. Solid-State NMR spectroscopy 13C cross-polarization magic angle spinning (CPMAS) experiments were done on the 20 CC GS samples and 20 GBC GS samples of two regions. 1H NMR spectra from the solution state NMR of all the stones reveal that cholesterol was a major component of the maximum stones of the north India region while in south Indian regions, GS had very less cholesterol. 13C CPMAS experiments reveal that the quantity of cholesterol was significantly more in the GS of CC in the Lucknow region compared with GBC stones of Lucknow and Chandigarh. Our study also revealed that GS of the Lucknow region of both malignant and benign gallbladder diseases belong to the monohydrate crystalline form of cholesterol while GS of Chandigarh region of both malignant and benign gallbladder diseases exists in both monohydrate crystalline form with the amorphous type and anhydrous form. Gallstones have a complicated and poorly understood etiology. Therefore, it is important to understand the composition of gallstones, which can be found in various forms and clinical conditions. Variations in dietary practices, environmental conditions, and genetic factors may influence and contribute to the formation of GS. Prevention of gallstone formation may help in decreasing the cases of gallbladder cancer.
A predictive molecular signature consisting of lncRNAs associated with cellular senescence for the prognosis of lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Liu Anbang , Wang Xiaohuai , Hu Liu , Yan Dongqing , Yin Yin , Zheng Hongjie , Liu Gengqiu , Zhang Junhang , Li Yun
Published: June 2023

The role of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) has been verified by more and more researches in recent years. However, there are few reports on cellular senescence-associated lncRNAs in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). Therefore, to explore the prognostic effect of lncRNAs in LUAD, 279 cellular senescence-related genes, survival information and clinicopathologic parameters were derived from the CellAge database and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Then, we constructed a novel cellular senescence-associated lncRNAs predictive signature (CS-ALPS) consisting of 6 lncRNAS (AC026355.1, AL365181.2, AF131215.5, C20orf197, GAS6-AS1, GSEC). According to the median of the risk score, 480 samples were divided into high-risk and low-risk groups. Furthermore, the clinicopathological and biological functions, immune characteristics and common drug sensitivity were analyzed between two risk groups. In conclusion, the CS-ALPS can independently forecast the prognosis of LUAD, which reveals the potential molecular mechanism of cellular senescence-associated lncRNAs, and provides appropriate strategies for the clinical treatment of patients with LUAD.
Cost analysis of an intrapartum quality improvement package for improving preterm survival and reinforcing best practices in Kenya and Uganda
Authors: Smith Hughes Carolyn , Butrick Elizabeth , Namutundu Juliana , Olwanda Easter , Otieno Phelgona , Waiswa Peter , Walker Dilys , Kahn James G.
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Preterm birth is a leading cause of under-5 mortality, with the greatest burden in lower-resource settings. Strategies to improve preterm survival have been tested, but strategy costs are less understood. We estimate costs of a highly effective Preterm Birth Initiative (PTBi) intrapartum intervention package (data strengthening, WHO Safe Childbirth Checklist, simulation and team training, quality improvement collaboratives) and active control (data strengthening, Safe Childbirth Checklist).

Methods

In our analysis, we estimated costs incremental to current cost of intrapartum care (in 2020 $US) for the PTBi intervention package and active control in Kenya and Uganda. We costed the intervention package and control in two scenarios: 1) non-research implementation costs as observed in the PTBi study (Scenario 1, mix of public and private inputs), and 2) hypothetical costs for a model of implementation into Ministry of Health programming (Scenario 2, mostly public inputs). Using a healthcare system perspective, we employed micro-costing of personnel, supplies, physical space, and travel, including 3 sequential phases: program planning/adaptation (9 months); high-intensity implementation (15 months); lower-intensity maintenance (annual). One-way sensitivity analyses explored the effects of uncertainty in Scenario 2.

Results

Scenario 1 PTBi package total costs were $1.11M in Kenya ($48.13/birth) and $0.74M in Uganda ($17.19/birtth). Scenario 2 total costs were $0.86M in Kenya ($23.91/birth) and $0.28M in Uganda ($5.47/birth); annual maintenance phase costs per birth were $16.36 in Kenya and $3.47 in Uganda. In each scenario and country, personnel made up at least 72% of total PTBi package costs. Total Scenario 2 costs in Uganda were consistently one-third those of Kenya, largely driven by differences in facility delivery volume and personnel salaries.

Conclusions

If taken up and implemented, the PTBi package has the potential to save preterm lives, with potential steady-state (maintenance) costs that would be roughly 5–15% of total per-birth healthcare costs in Uganda and Kenya.
A compassion-based program to reduce psychological distress in medical students: A pilot randomized clinical trial
Authors: Rojas Blanca , Catalan Elena , Diez Gustavo , Roca Pablo
Published: June 2023

Objectives

Physicians and medical students are subject to higher levels of psychological distress than the general population. These challenges have a negative impact in medical practice, leading to uncompassionate care. This pilot study aims to examine the feasibility of Compassion Cultivation Training (CCT) to reduce psychological distress and improve the well-being of medical students. We hypothesize that the CCT program, as compared to a waitlist control group, will reduce psychological distress (i.e., stress, anxiety, and depression) and burnout symptoms, while improving compassion, empathy, mindfulness, resilience, psychological well-being, and emotion-regulation strategies after the intervention. Furthermore, we hypothesize that these improvements will be maintained at a two-month follow-up.

Methods

Medical students were randomly assigned to an 8-week CCT or a Waitlist control group (WL). They completed self-report assessments at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and a 2-month follow-up. The outcomes measured were compassion, empathy, mindfulness, well-being, resilience, emotional regulation, psychological distress, burnout, and COVID-19 concern. Mixed-effects models and Reliable Change Index were computed.

Results

Compared with WL, CCT showed significant improvements in self-compassion, mindfulness, and emotion regulation, as well as a significant decrease in stress, anxiety, and emotional exhaustion component of burnout. Furthermore, some of these effects persisted at follow-up. No adverse effects of meditation practices were found.

Conclusions

CCT enhanced compassion skills while reducing psychological distress in medical students, this being critical to preserving the mental health of physicians while promoting compassionate care for patients. The need for institutions to include this type of training is also discussed.
Spatial and temporal characteristics analysis and prediction model of PM2.5 concentration based on SpatioTemporal-Informer model
Authors: Ma Zhanfei , Luo Wenli , Jiang Jing , Wang Bisheng , Ma Ziyuan , Lin Jixiang , Liu Dongxiang
Published: June 2023

The primary cause of hazy weather is PM2.5, and forecasting PM2.5 concentrations can aid in managing and preventing hazy weather. This paper proposes a novel spatiotemporal prediction model called SpatioTemporal-Informer (ST-Informer) in response to the shortcomings of spatiotemporal prediction models commonly used in studies for long-input series prediction. The ST-Informer model implements parallel computation of long correlations and adds an independent spatiotemporal embedding layer to the original Informer model. The spatiotemporal embedding layer captures the complex dynamic spatiotemporal correlations among the input information. In addition, the ProbSpare Self-Attention mechanism in this model can focus on extracting important contextual information of spatiotemporal data. The ST-Informer model uses weather and air pollutant concentration data from numerous stations as its input data. The outcomes of the trials indicate that (1) The ST-Informer model can sharply capture the peaks and sudden changes in PM2.5 concentrations. (2) Compared to the current models, the ST-Informer model shows better prediction performance while maintaining high-efficiency prediction (MAE≈7.50μg/m3,RMSE≈4.31μg/m3,R2≈0.88). (3) The ST-Informer model has universal applicability, and the model was applied to the concentration of other pollutants prediction with good results.
Reliability of mechanical properties of the plantar flexor muscle tendon unit with consideration to joint angle and sex
Authors: Crotty Evan D. , Furlong Laura-Anne M. , Harrison Andrew J.
Published: June 2023

The reliability of mechanical measures can be impacted by the protocol used, including factors such as joint angle and the sex of participants. This study aimed to determine the inter-day reliability of plantar flexor mechanical measures across ankle joint angles and contraction types and consider potential sex-specific effects. 14 physically-active individuals participated in two identical measurement sessions involving involuntary and voluntary plantar flexor contractions, at three ankle angles (10° plantarflexion (PF), 0° (anatomical zero (AZ)), and 10° dorsiflexion (DF)), while torque and surface EMG were recorded. The reliability of mechanical parameters of maximal voluntary torque (MVT), rate of torque development (RTD), electromechanical delay, and tendon stiffness were assessed using absolute and relative reliability measures. MVT measures were reliable across ankle angles. RTD measures showed good group level reliability and moderate reliability for an individual during the early phase of contraction across ankle angles. Explosive voluntary torque measures tended to be less reliable from 50 ms onward, with varied reliability across angles for late-phase RTD. Tendon stiffness demonstrated the best reliability at the DF angle. Sex-based differences in the reliability of tendon measures found that females had significantly different initial tendon length between testing sessions. Despite this, tendon excursion, force, and stiffness measures demonstrated similar reliability compared to males. Ankle angle changes influence the reliability of plantar flexor mechanical measurements across contraction types, particularly for voluntary contractions. These results highlight the importance of establishing potential protocol effects on measurement reliability prior to quantifying plantar flexor mechanical measures.
Demonstration project of oral TDF-containing PrEP, administered, once-daily orally to men having sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW) in India: Study protocol
Authors: Sahay Seema , Bangar Sampada , Chandhiok Nomita
Published: June 2023

Background

India has successfully reduced Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV) incidence, with a 66% decline since the year 2000 has been seen; however, control among Men having sex with Men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW) remains a critical challenge. Oral Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) may help close a critical HIV prevention gap for MSM and TGW in India; however, no studies to date have evaluated the feasibility of oral PrEP among MSM and TGW in India.

Methods

The proposed study aims at understanding the implementation of the provision of daily oral-Tenofovir (TDF) containing PrEP among MSM and TGW through the clinic and community-based delivery models in Pune, Maharashtra, and Jalandhar, Punjab respectively in India. The study aims at estimating PrEP adherence, facilitators, and barriers to PrEP use, retention, acceptability, and willingness to pay for PrEP. After the screening, eligible participants (n = 600) will receive PrEP medicines and will be monitored quarterly for HIV, STIs, and renal and liver toxicity for 12 months as per the schedule of events. The primary outcomes of interest are PrEP acceptability, PrEP adherence, retention rate, adverse medical events, and sexual behavioural changes with PrEP use and breakthrough infections while on PrEP. The study will assess the feasibility of two service delivery models; however, the data from the two service delivery models will be analyzed independently and will not be compared for feasibility and other outcome indicators. The study has been initiated after obtaining appropriate regulatory approvals.

Discussion

PrEP is efficacious in preventing HIV among high-risk population however there are scarce data on providing PrEP to MSM and TGW. The study will provide critical evidence to programs and policymakers on the implementation of PrEP in a “real world” setting, among MSM and TGW in India including identifying populations that can benefit most from this additional HIV prevention intervention along with acceptable delivery strategies and means of support for adherence.

Trial registration

Not applicable being a demonstration project. Efficacy is already proven.
Modeling the “F” in “SAFE”: The dynamic game of facial cleanliness in trachoma prevention
Authors: Barazanji Mary , Ngo Janesah D. , Powe Jule A. , Schneider Kimberley P. , Rychtář Jan , Taylor Dewey
Published: June 2023

Trachoma, a neglected tropical disease (NTDs) caused by bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis, is a leading cause of infectious blindness. Efforts are underway to eliminate trachoma as a public health problem by using the “SAFE” strategy. While mathematical models are now standard tools used to support elimination efforts and there are a variety of models studying different aspects of trachoma transmission dynamics, the “F” component of the strategy corresponding to facial cleanliness has received very little attention so far. In this paper, we incorporate human behavior into a standard epidemiological model and develop a dynamical game during which individuals practice facial cleanliness based on their epidemiological status and perceived benefits and costs. We found that the number of infectious individuals generally increases with the difficulty to access a water source. However, this increase happens only during three transition periods and the prevalence stays constant otherwise. Consequently, improving access to water can help eliminate trachoma, but the improvement needs to be significant enough to cross at least one of the three transition thresholds; otherwise the improved access will have no noticeable effect.
Effectiveness and feasibility of structured emotionally focused family therapy for parents and adolescents: Protocol of a within-subjects pilot study
Authors: Conradi Henk Jan , Meuwese Daphne , Rodenburg Lenny , Dingemanse Pieter , Mooren Trudy
Published: June 2023

Mental health issues are widespread among children and adolescents worldwide. Although mental health difficulties may manifest themselves in many different diagnoses, there is growing support for a limited number of underlying transdiagnostic processes. Attachment encompasses a key transdiagnostic mechanism, namely emotional regulation. This study protocol aims to evaluate the feasibility and potential effectiveness of structured emotionally focused family therapy (EFFT), the goal of which is to develop secure attachment between parents and their children to reduce children’s vulnerability to mental health problems. A within-subjects design with three waves, a waiting period, treatment, and follow-up, will be conducted. Families will serve as their own controls. Approximately 15 to 20 families with adolescents (aged 12−18 years) as the ‘identified patients’ will be included. They will participate in 16−21 sessions of EFFT. The study will use a multi-method approach. Self-report questionnaires will be administered repeatedly (i.e., pre-waiting period, pre-treatment, halfway treatment, post-treatment, and follow-up), measuring parent-adolescent attachment, partner-partner attachment, negative interactions, and adolescent psychological complaints. Multi-level analyses will be conducted. Semi-structured interviews will be administered at follow-up to evaluate feasibility and acceptability of EFFT. Treatment integrity will be assessed. The present study is the first to evaluate feasibility of structured EFFT and obtain a first impression of its effectiveness. This information will help us to improve EFFT. Limitations are discussed.

Trial registration: Recruitment commenced in June 2022. The approximate trial duration is 36 months. The trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05657067) on December 9, 2022, and Open Science Framework (https://osf.io/39dt2/) on June 14, 2022.
Chemical profile and analysis of biosynthetic pathways and genes of volatile terpenes in Pityopsis ruthii, a rare and endangered flowering plant
Authors: Chen Xinlu , Nowicki Marcin , Wadl Phillip A. , Zhang Chi , Köllner Tobias G. , Payá‐Milans Miriam , Huff Matthew L. , Staton Margaret E. , Chen Feng , Trigiano Robert N.
Published: June 2023

It is critical to gather biological information about rare and endangered plants to incorporate into conservation efforts. The secondary metabolism of Pityopsis ruthii, an endangered flowering plant that only occurs along limited sections of two rivers (Ocoee and Hiwassee) in Tennessee, USA was studied. Our long-term goal is to understand the mechanisms behind P. ruthii’s adaptation to restricted areas in Tennessee. Here, we profiled the secondary metabolites, specifically in flowers, with a focus on terpenes, aiming to uncover the genomic and molecular basis of terpene biosynthesis in P. ruthii flowers using transcriptomic and biochemical approaches. By comparative profiling of the nonpolar portion of metabolites from various tissues, P. ruthii flowers were rich in terpenes, which included 4 monoterpenes and 10 sesquiterpenes. These terpenes were emitted from flowers as volatiles with monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes accounting for almost 68% and 32% of total emission of terpenes, respectively. These findings suggested that floral terpenes play important roles for the biology and adaptation of P. ruthii to its limited range. To investigate the biosynthesis of floral terpenes, transcriptome data for flowers were produced and analyzed. Genes involved in the terpene biosynthetic pathway were identified and their relative expressions determined. Using this approach, 67 putative terpene synthase (TPS) contigs were detected. TPSs in general are critical for terpene biosynthesis. Seven full-length TPS genes encoding putative monoterpene and sesquiterpene synthases were cloned and functionally characterized. Three catalyzed the biosynthesis of sesquiterpenes and four catalyzed the biosynthesis of monoterpenes. In conclusion, P. ruthii plants employ multiple TPS genes for the biosynthesis of a mixture of floral monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes, which probably play roles in chemical defense and attracting insect pollinators alike.
Optineurin deficiency impairs autophagy to cause interferon beta overproduction and increased survival of mice following viral infection
Authors: Fukushi Masaya , Ohsawa Ryosuke , Okinaka Yasushi , Oikawa Daisuke , Kiyono Tohru , Moriwaki Masaya , Irie Takashi , Oda Kosuke , Kamei Yasuhiro , Tokunaga Fuminori , Sotomaru Yusuke , Maruyama Hirofumi , Kawakami Hideshi , Sakaguchi Takemasa
Published: June 2023

Background

Optineurin (OPTN) is associated with several human diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and is involved in various cellular processes, including autophagy. Optineurin regulates the expression of interferon beta (IFNβ), which plays a central role in the innate immune response to viral infection. However, the role of optineurin in response to viral infection has not been fully clarified. It is known that optineurin-deficient cells produce more IFNβ than wild-type cells following viral infection. In this study, we investigate the reasons for, and effects of, IFNβ overproduction during optineurin deficiency both in vitro and in vivo.

Methods

To investigate the mechanism of IFNβ overproduction, viral nucleic acids in infected cells were quantified by RT-qPCR and the autophagic activity of optineurin-deficient cells was determined to understand the basis for the intracellular accumulation of viral nucleic acids. Moreover, viral infection experiments using optineurin-disrupted (Optn-KO) animals were performed with several viruses.

Results

IFNβ overproduction following viral infection was observed not only in several types of optineurin-deficient cell lines but also in Optn-KO mice and human ALS patient cells carrying mutations in OPTN. IFNβ overproduction in Optn-KO cells was revealed to be caused by excessive accumulation of viral nucleic acids, which was a consequence of reduced autophagic activity caused by the loss of optineurin. Additionally, IFNβ overproduction in Optn-KO mice suppressed viral proliferation, resulting in increased mouse survival following viral challenge.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that the combination of optineurin deficiency and viral infection leads to IFNβ overproduction in vitro and in vivo. The effects of optineurin deficiency are elicited by viral infection, therefore, viral infection may be implicated in the development of optineurin-related diseases.
Impact of a passive upper-body exoskeleton on muscle activity, heart rate and discomfort during a carrying task
Authors: Garcia Gabriela , Arauz Paul Gonzalo , Alvarez Isabel , Encalada Nicolas , Vega Shirley , Martin Bernard J.
Published: June 2023

Objective

The goal of this study was to compare erector spinae muscle fatigue, upper limb muscle activity, body areas discomfort, and heart rate during a 10-min carrying task with and without a passive upper-body exoskeleton (CarrySuitⓇ) while considering sex influences.

Background

Passive exoskeletons are commercially available to assist lifting or carrying task. However, evidence of their impact on muscle activity, fatigue, heart rate and discomfort are scarce and/or do not concur during carrying tasks.

Method

Thirty participants (16 females and 14 male) performed a 10-min, 15kg load-carrying task with and without the exoskeleton in two non-consecutive days. Heart rate, and erector spinae, deltoid, biceps and brachioradialis muscle activity were recorded during the carrying tasks. In addition, erector spinae electromyography during an isometric hold test and discomfort ratings were measured before and after the task.

Results

While without the exoskeleton upper limb muscle activity increased or remained constant during the carrying task and showing high peak activation for both males and females, a significant activity reduction was observed with the exoskeleton. Low back peak activation, heart rate and discomfort were lower with than without the exoskeleton. In males muscle activation was significantly asymmetric without the exoskeleton and more symmetric with the exoskeleton.

Conclusion

The tested passive exoskeleton appears to alleviate the physical workload and impact of carrying heavy loads on the upper limbs and lower back for both males and females.
Deficiency in Galectin-3, -8, and -9 impairs immunity to chronic Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection but not acute infection with multiple intracellular pathogens
Authors: Morrison Huntly M. , Craft Julia , Rivera-Lugo Rafael , Johnson Jeffery R. , Golovkine Guillaume R. , Bell Samantha L. , Dodd Claire E. , Van Dis Erik , Beatty Wandy L. , Margolis Shally R. , Repasy Teresa , Shaker Isaac , Lee Angus Y. , Vance Russell E. , Stanley Sarah A. , Watson Robert O. , Krogan Nevan J. , Portnoy Daniel A. , Penn Bennett H. , Cox Jeffery S.
Published: June 2023

Macrophages employ an array of pattern recognition receptors to detect and eliminate intracellular pathogens that access the cytosol. The cytosolic carbohydrate sensors Galectin-3, -8, and -9 (Gal-3, Gal-8, and Gal-9) recognize damaged pathogen-containing phagosomes, and Gal-3 and Gal-8 are reported to restrict bacterial growth via autophagy in cultured cells. However, the contribution of these galectins to host resistance during bacterial infection in vivo remains unclear. We found that Gal-9 binds directly to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (Stm) and localizes to Mtb in macrophages. To determine the combined contribution of membrane damage-sensing galectins to immunity, we generated Gal-3, -8, and -9 triple knockout (TKO) mice. Mtb infection of primary macrophages from TKO mice resulted in defective autophagic flux but normal bacterial replication. Surprisingly, these mice had no discernable defect in resistance to acute infection with Mtb, Stm or Listeria monocytogenes, and had only modest impairments in bacterial growth restriction and CD4 T cell activation during chronic Mtb infection. Collectively, these findings indicate that while Gal-3, -8, and -9 respond to an array of intracellular pathogens, together these membrane damage-sensing galectins play a limited role in host resistance to bacterial infection.
Small Bowel Transit Scintigraphy in Children With Pediatric Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction
Authors: Chanpong Atchariya , Morris Elizabeth , Biassoni Lorenzo , Easty Marina , Goodwin Bruce , Lindley Keith J. , Rybak Anna , Eaton Simon , Thapar Nikhil , Borrelli Osvaldo
Published: June 2023

INTRODUCTION:

Objective evidence of small intestinal dysmotility is a key criterion for the diagnosis of pediatric intestinal pseudo-obstruction (PIPO). Small bowel scintigraphy (SBS) allows for objective measurement of small bowel transit (SBT), but limited data are available in children. We aimed to evaluate the utility of SBS in children suspected of gastrointestinal dysmotility.

METHODS:

Patients undergoing gastric emptying studies for suspected foregut dysmotility, including PIPO, from 2016 to 2022 at 2 tertiary children's hospitals were recruited to an extended protocol of gastric emptying studies to allow for assessment of SBT. PIPO was classified based on antroduodenal manometry (ADM). SBT was compared between PIPO and non-PIPO patients. Scintigraphic parameters were assessed and correlated against ADM scores.

RESULTS:

Fifty-nine patients (16 PIPO and 43 non-PIPO diagnoses) were included. SBS was performed with liquid and solid meals in 40 and 26 patients, respectively. As compared to the non-PIPO group, PIPO patients had a significantly lower median percentage of colonic filling at 6 hours, with both liquid (48% vs 83%) and solid tests (5% vs 65%). SBT in PIPO patients with myopathic involvement was significantly slower than in patients with neuropathic PIPO, both for liquid and solid meal. A significant correlation was found between solid SBT and ADM scores (r = −0.638, P = 0.036).

DISCUSSION:

SBS provides a practically feasible assessment of small intestinal motility. It shows a potential utility to help diagnose and characterize PIPO. SBS seems most discriminative in PIPO patients with myopathic involvement. Studies in a larger pediatric population and across different ages are required.
Digital healthcare in Europe and efficient patient care: role of analytics
Authors: Ying Fen Hui , Nguyen Hog Duy
Published: June 2023

Big data analytics is beneficial for small businesses but using BDA to leverage profitability is a vital issue confronting practitioners. Although earlier research has examined the result that BDA has on business development, there is an absence of study, that explains the entire intricacy of BDA implementations. Analysis of exactly how and under what conditions BDA attain organizational performance from a holistic view is deficient in the present literature. To lengthen the theoretical view from the conventional views on the configuration idea, we have developed a conceptual look of BDA achievement, that seeks to examine how BDA includes speak with complementary organizational power as well as organizational capabilities in all configuration therapies, bringing about better quality of therapy in healthcare organizations. To assess this specific device, we have fuzzy ready qualitative family member analysis to evaluate multi supply specifics acquired from a survey, and also sources maintained by the Centre for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Our results suggest that BDA, when provided on your own, is not adequate to get the end result, but is a synergy effect wherein BDA characteristics, analytical personnel's capabilities coupled with organizational power and useful functionality, could increase readmission costs as well as patient satisfaction in healthcare organizations.
Financial innovation at large financial services businesses: Evidence from Eastern Europe
Authors: Liu Chih-hung Mien , Meng Xie Ching Kung
Published: June 2023

Purpose: Big data analytics is a recently offered state of the art technology with potential business influence. Nevertheless, the roadmap for the effective implementation of its also the street to exploit its essential value remains unclear. This specific analysis seeks to create a much greater understanding of the enablers facilitating BDA implementation in the banking, in addition to the financial service part, from the view of interdependencies and interrelations. Design/Methodology/Approach: We use an integrated approach that incorporates Delphi assessment, interpretive structural modeling, and fuzzy MICMAC technique to identify the interactions between enablers, which determine the accomplishments of BDA implementation. Our incorporated method uses experts' domain understanding and gains a novel insight into the underlying causal relations about enablers, linguistic evaluation of the mutual impacts among variables, and also like two revolutionary techniques for visualizing the results. Findings: Our findings highlight the main key role of enabling components, including technical and skilled workforce, infrastructure readiness, financial assistance, and also selecting good main details strategies. These elements have considerable driving impacts on other enablers in a hierarchical style. The outcomes provide reliable, robust and easy insights into the qualities of BDA implementation in banking and financial programs as a whole system, while demonstrating attainable influences of all interconnected crucial components. Originality/Value: This analysis explores the main key enablers for good BDA implementation in the banking and financial service sector. Much more enough, it reveals the interrelationships of components by calculating operating as well as dependence degrees. This particular exploration provides managers with a clear strategic path toward effective BDA implementation.
The Zangazur Corridor as the new haulage hub for integration and cooperation in the South Caucasus
Authors: Gulahmadov Muhammad , Huseyn Ramil
Published: June 2023

This paper examines the economic significance of the South Caucasus' Zangazur Corridor in terms of achieving long-term peace, connectivity and integration in the region, and boosting regional growth. It further claims that the Zangazur Corridor will aid future South Caucasus reconciliation and economic cooperation.Upon the signing of the declaration, the establishment of the Zangazur corridor became even more critical. The Zangazur Corridor will connect the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic via the Republic of Armenia's Meghri area. The route was important in regional and international railway and highway transportation between Azerbaijan, Armenia, Iran, Turkey, and Russia during the Soviet era. However, the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan disrupted transportation for thirty years. The transportation links will then be extended from China to Europe. The Zangazur Corridor will play a vital part in the construction of East-West and North-South haulage. Many countries will benefit from the restoration of railways and roadways in the future. Hence, the study discusses the prospect of utilizing the Zangezur corridor - which is specified in the tripartite agreement dated 10 November 2020 - and emphasizes its significance as a vital element of the international transport network.
Adaptive Air Stream Control Algorithm
Authors: Rząsa Mariusz
Published: June 2023

The paper presents an adaptive air stream control algorithm for use in a bioreactor for waste composting. The system controls the streams of air supplied to the six ducts of the bireactor. Bioreactors of this type are characterized by the fact that the porosity of the charge is very heterogeneous throughout the volume. In addition, during the process, the charge is compacted and blockages for the gas flow often occur. The control algorithm should take into account the formation of blockages and attempt to clear them. In situations where unblocking is impossible, it should ensure proper distribution of air flow in other ducts despite the presence of blockages. The overriding goal of this algorithm is to ensure equal air flow streams in all channels, regardless of differences in flow resistance. Since the air circulation in bioreactors is forced by fans with constant capacity, the algorithm should adaptively determine the maximum average value of air streams that is possible to obtain under given conditions and adjust the control system to achieve it. The paper proposes a solution to meet these requirements.
Spur der Scherben
Authors: Mende Christiane
Published: June 2023

Im März 1970 übernahm die Belegschaft der Glashütte Süßmuth im nordhessischen Immenhausen selbst den Betrieb. Dieser in der Geschichte der Bundesrepublik nahezu einmalige Vorgang erregte landesweit Aufmerksamkeit und wurde zum Politikum - geriet aber völlig in Vergessenheit. Christiane Mende gewährt mit ihrer mikrohistorischen Fallstudie zur Glashütte Süßmuth und dem Vergleich mit acht weiteren Mundglashütten einen tiefen Einblick in die Dynamiken der betrieblichen Auseinandersetzungen um und nach »1968«. Sie verbindet die Analyse des Strukturwandels in der Glasbranche mit der des basisdemokratischen Aufbruchs in der Arbeitswelt und historisiert dessen Vergessen als Ausdruck einer Niederlage.
Asyl, Sexualität und Wahrheit
Authors: Schoenes Katharina
Published: June 2023

Woran machen Asylrichter*innen fest, ob Geflüchtete »wirklich« schwul oder lesbisch sind? Wer hat die Macht zu definieren, was Homosexualität bedeutet und unter welchen Umständen sie im Sinne des Flüchtlingsrechts schutzwürdig ist? Katharina Schoenes geht diesen Fragen aus der Perspektive der Gender und Queer Studies sowie der Rassismusforschung nach. Dabei rekonstruiert sie das in Asylentscheidungen verwendete Wissen und ordnet es historisch ein. Dies verschafft Einblicke in die bislang kaum erforschten Erfahrungen und Sichtweisen von Asylrichter*innen - und leistet einen wichtigen Beitrag zur Rechtssoziologie.
Schulbauten - Debatten, Darstellungen und Aneignungspraktiken von 1968 bis heute
Authors: Zepp Eva
Published: June 2023

In der Debatte um die Demokratisierung von Bildungseinrichtungen änderte sich der Blick auf Schulgebäude und ihre Nutzung seit den 1960er Jahren grundlegend und es rückte eine weitere Funktion in den Vordergrund: die Rolle von Schularchitektur als Imageträger. Eva Zepp rekonstruiert den Diskurs um ein höheres Maß an Mitbestimmung bei der Planung von Schulbauten und deren mediale Repräsentationen. Anhand von Dokumenten aus Forschungsarchiven, Berichten und Bildstrecken in Architekturzeitschriften sowie zwei prominent diskutierten Schulbauten analysiert sie die Rollen und Praktiken von Nutzer*innen und zeigt: Wo verschiedene Interessen aufeinandertreffen, braucht es eine partizipative Planungspraxis, die Raum für Eigensinn und Dissens öffnet.
Stadtführer in wechselhaftem touristischem und pädagogischem Umfeld
Authors: Bopst Hans-Joachim
Published: June 2023

Hans-Joachim Bopst widmet sich in diesem Beitrag der Frage, wie touristische Stadtführer zum Gegenstand von akademischen Unterrichtsprojekten gemacht werden können: Wie sind diese Projekte didaktisch zu organisieren? Welchen Verlauf nehmen sie (erfahrungsgemäß)? Welche Bilanz forschenden Lernens ergibt sich dabei - aus Sicht von Studierenden und Dozierenden? Der Beitrag stützt sich auf Unterrichtsprojekte, die an in- und ausländischen Universitäten durchgeführt wurden und bei denen sich z.B. Stadtführer vom Typ »Stadt XY - von Studis für Studis« ergaben, von Faltblättern über Broschüren bis hin zu zweisprachigen Büchern. Vorab werden das (DaF-relevante) touristische Geschehen der jüngsten Zeit ausgeleuchtet als auch Inhalte und Stile des Mediums ,(Print-)Reiseführer'.
Aus Notwendigkeit eine Möglichkeit machen
Authors: Nyári Izabella
Published: June 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic shaped all facets of our professional and academic lives, such as mobility, academic work, teaching strategies, and access to various research materials. The rapid shift to e-learning and e-training has overturned the well-crafted structure of undergraduate courses. The Porajmos project is part of an undergraduate proseminar at the Centre for Translational Studies at the University of Vienna. The online proseminar made scientific databases and open access materials accessible to examine the Porajmos and the genocide and persecution of the European Roma and Sinti, the two languages and cultures in Hungary and Austria, and different perspectives, including the politics of remembrance, the legal situation in the two countries, and gender. The extraordinary circumstances and conditions required greater flexibility and adaptation from all participants in the digital teaching process. However, it simultaneously created a space for more innovative approaches in research-based teaching-the project aimed to sensitise student researchers to the self-image of a marginalised group. Student researchers acquired knowledge through the narrative of Porajmos and oral history sources and incorporated this knowledge into their research in a scientifically reflective way.
The Impact of Increasing Performance and Productivity in the Management of Human Resources in Albanian Enterprises
Authors: VELA Fioralba , SINAJ Zamira
Published: June 2023

The importance of improving the efficiency of enterprises in Albania and, consequently, the role of personnel management in the implementation of this task has increased especially in recent years when the number of workers has decreased significantly due to the increase in emigration. The purpose of the study is to determine the most effective system of motivation and planning for them, considering the characteristics and national mentality of agricultural workers, and to form recommendations for the most acceptable management style for this group. The Holfstede typology of cultural dimensions was used as a primary method to identify the cultural and behavioral characteristics of the target audience. As a result of the survey conducted among 1514 staff representatives and the processing of its results, the average indicators for cultural dimensions were calculated and the evaluations of these indicators were given. According to the data obtained for the typology of cultural dimensions, it was found that the values in the examined social group are mainly determined by traditions and customs, which means that a management model is required that will not impose the existing principles of Western management but uses the tools own based on relatively democratic principles. Based on the obtained characteristics, recommendations were formed for such main management tools as the principles of subordination, the system of defining tasks and monitoring their implementation, as well as for effective motivation of personnel. The practical importance of the study lies in the development of recommendations for improving personnel management and, as a result, increasing efficiency in agricultural enterprises in Albania.