bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association between vitamin D level and respiratory distress syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Kim Yoo Jinie , Lim Gina , Lee Ran , Chung Sochung , Son Jae Sung , Park Hye Won
Published: January 2023

Background

Growing evidence suggests an association between the vitamin D levels and respiratory outcomes of preterm infants. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to explore whether premature neonates with a vitamin D deficiency have an increased risk of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).

Methods

We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library up through July 20, 2021. The search terms were ‘premature infant’, ‘vitamin D’, and ‘respiratory distress syndrome’. We retrieved randomized controlled trials and cohort and case-control studies. For statistical analysis, we employed the random-effects model in Comprehensive Meta-Analysis Software ver. 3.3. We employed the Newcastle-Ottawa Scales for quality assessment of the included studies.

Results

A total of 121 potentially relevant studies were found, of which 15 (12 cohort studies and 3 case-control studies) met the inclusion criteria; the studies included 2,051 preterm infants. We found significant associations between RDS development in such infants and vitamin D deficiency within 24 h of birth based on various criteria, thus vitamin D levels < 30 ng/mL (OR 3.478; 95% CI 1.817–6.659; p < 0.001), < 20 ng/mL (OR 4.549; 95% CI 3.007–6.881; p < 0.001), < 15 ng/mL (OR 17.267; 95% CI 1.084–275.112; p = 0.044), and < 10 ng/ml (OR 1.732; 95% CI 1.031–2.910; p = 0.038), and an even lower level of vitamin D (SMD = –0.656; 95% CI –1.029 to –0.283; p = 0.001).

Conclusion

Although the vitamin D deficiency definitions varied and different methods were used to measure vitamin D levels, vitamin D deficiency or lower levels of vitamin D within 24 h of birth were always associated with RDS development. Monitoring of neonatal vitamin D levels or the maintenance of adequate levels may reduce the risk of RDS.
Accuracy and repeatability of the Microsoft Azure Kinect for clinical measurement of motor function
Authors: Bertram Johannes , Krüger Theresa , Röhling Hanna Marie , Jelusic Ante , Mansow-Model Sebastian , Schniepp Roman , Wuehr Max , Otte Karen
Published: January 2023

Quantitative assessment of motor function is increasingly applied in fall risk stratification, diagnosis, and disease monitoring of neuro-geriatric disorders of balance and gait. Its broad application, however, demands for low-cost and easy to use solutions that facilitate high-quality assessment outside laboratory settings. In this study, we validated in 30 healthy adults (12 female, age: 32.5 [22 – 62] years) the performance and accuracy of the latest generation of the Microsoft RGB-D camera, i.e., Azure Kinect (AK), in tracking body motion and providing estimates of clinical measures that characterise static posture, postural transitions, and locomotor function. The accuracy and repeatability of AK recordings was validated with a clinical reference standard multi-camera motion capture system (Qualisys) and compared to its predecessor Kinect version 2 (K2). Motion signal quality was evaluated by Pearson’s correlation and signal-to-noise ratios while the accuracy of estimated clinical parameters was described by absolute and relative agreement based on intraclass correlation coefficients. The accuracy of AK-based body motion signals was moderate to excellent (RMSE 89 to 20 mm) and depended on the dimension of motion (highest for anterior-posterior dimension), the body region (highest for wrists and elbows, lowest for ankles and feet), and the specific motor task (highest for stand up and sit down, lowest for quiet standing). Most derived clinical parameters showed good to excellent accuracy (r .84 to .99) and repeatability (ICC(1,1) .55 to .94). The overall performance and limitations of body tracking by AK were comparable to its predecessor K2 in a cohort of young healthy adults. The observed accuracy and repeatability of AK-based evaluation of motor function indicate the potential for a broad application of high-quality and long-term monitoring of balance and gait in different non-specialised environments such as medical practices, nursing homes or community centres.
Analysis of land subsidence caused by hydrodynamic force in Loess Hilly and gully region based on SBAS-InSAR
Authors: Liu Xuan , Ma Chao , Ling Han , Yan Weitao , Zhang Hebing , Jiang Xuhai
Published: January 2023

After large-scale land consolidation in hilly loess region of the Loess Plateau in China, land subsidence has a wide affecting area and considerable difficulty of prevention. Hence, large-scale, stabilized, and continuous deformation monitoring is urgently needed for slopes. In this study, land consolidation zone in the loess platform area of Weinan, China, was selected as the object, and the 30-scene Sentinel-1A data in Jan, 2018 to Dec, 2019 were analyzed. The mean annual velocity of ground deformation was from -6.19 mm∙a-1 to 3.86 mm∙a-1, and Accumulated deformation velocity was within -8.49 mm∙a-1 to 7.24 mm∙a-1. Accumulated deformation of land consolidation changed with the seasons changing. The interrelationship between the spatiotemporal variations in ground subsidence and the precipitation, ground water, loess engineering properties was also discussed. Accumulated deformation of land consolidation changed with the seasons changing. The precipitation accelerated the subsidence by unexpected strong precipitation reflects that the infiltration of rainwater can lead to compacted loess deformation which caused by moistening effect. Under varying ground water environment, external loads may lead to soil collapse, resulting in non-uniform land subsidence. Co-compression deformation of original loess and compacted loess is main influencing factors of subsidence. These findings have important implications and significant positive effects on the prevention of potential hazard such as subsidence and side slope slip.
Distance to innovations, kinship intensity, and psychological traits
Authors: le Bris David , Gay Victor
Published: January 2023

Psychological traits display substantial variation worldwide. These psychological variations could be explained by the intensity of kinship ties which, we hypothesize, depends on the reception of innovations that gradually complexified family organizations. These innovations originated from several centers across the world that also spread other crucial novelties such as agriculture. Less exposed to these family innovations, areas far from centers of innovation should exhibit lower kinship intensity. Indeed, we show that distance to innovation centers is strongly associated with kinship intensity. This distance is also associated with psychological traits especially outside Western Europe in which exposure to the Church seems to play an additional role.
Effect of menstrual irregularity on academic performance of undergraduate students of Debre Berhan University: A comparative cross sectional study
Authors: Demeke Enguday , Zeru Abayneh Birlie , Tesfahun Esubalew , Mohammed Woineshet Bedru
Published: January 2023

Background

Menstrual period is a critical time in the life of females. For the first few years after menarche, irregular cycle is common due to premature hypothalamic-pituitary ovarian (HPO) axis physiologically. If persistent, it becomes a major problem in student’s life. But few studies conducted on effect of menstrual cycle irregularity on academic performance among university students were descriptive. However assessing the effect of menstrual irregularity on academic performance by using average grade point approach is critically important to magnify its effect.

Objective

To compare effects of menstrual irregularity on academic performance among undergraduate students of Debre Berhan University, Ethiopia 2020.

Methods

A comparative cross sectional study was conducted among 404 students in Debre Berhan University, Ethiopia, 2020. A standard tool of menstrual cycle regularity which is prepared by international federation of gynecologist and obstetrics (IFGO) was used to screen students who have menstrual irregularity. Independent sample t- test was done to compare the mean difference of academic performance between the two groups of students.

Results

The age of study participants ranges between 18 and 26 years with a mean age of 20.69 ± 1.43 years. The mean age at menarche was 14.9 ± 1.67 ranging from 9 to 18 years. Students who had menstrual irregularity had mean average grade point (AGP) of (2.78 ± 0.57) and students who had regular menstruation had mean AGP of (2.97 ± 0.53). Students who had menstrual irregularity had lower mean average grade point by a mean difference of 0.19 (95%CI: 0.09–0.30).

Conclusion

This study found that students who had menstrual irregularity had significantly lower mean AGP as compared with students who had regular menstruation.
Adolescents’ reports of chaos within the family home environment: Investigating associations with lifestyle behaviours and obesity
Authors: Van Hulst Andraea , Jayanetti Sujani , Sanson-Rosas Ana Maria , Harbec Marie-Josée , Kakinami Lisa , Barnett Tracie A. , Henderson Mélanie
Published: January 2023

Objective

Disorganised and chaotic home environments may hinder the adoption of healthy lifestyle behaviours and contribute to excessive weight gain among adolescents. We examined whether self-reported level of chaos within the family home environment is associated with lifestyle behaviours and obesity in adolescent girls and boys.

Methods

Cross-sectional data from the 3rd wave of the Québec Adipose and Lifestyle Investigation in Youth (QUALITY) study were analyzed. The sample consisted of n = 377 White adolescents with a history of parental obesity. Home environment chaos was measured using the Confusion, Hubbub, and Order Scale (CHAOS) analyzed both continuously and dichotomized as high vs. low chaos. Body Mass Index z-scores (zBMI) were computed using WHO standards from measured weight and height. Physical activity (7-day accelerometry), vegetable and fruit intake (three 24-hour diet recalls), and leisure screen time and sleep duration (questionnaire) were assessed. Sex-specific linear regression models were used to estimate associations between level of family home environment chaos, lifestyle behaviours and zBMI.

Results

The overall level of chaos was low in our study sample, with higher reported levels among girls compared to boys. Among girls, high (vs low) chaos was associated with shorter sleep duration (hours/day) (B = - 0.44, 95% CI: -0.75, -0.14). No associations were observed for other lifestyle behaviours or for zBMI.

Conclusion

In this sample of adolescents with a parental history of obesity, higher household chaos was not associated with obesity or lifestyle behaviours, except for sleep duration among girls. Replication of findings in more diverse samples is indicated.
Barriers and enablers to nurse practitioner implementation of medication abortion in Canada: A qualitative study
Authors: Carson Andrea , Stirling-Cameron Emma , Paynter Martha , Munro Sarah , Norman Wendy V. , Kilpatrick Kelley , Begun Stephanie , Martin-Misener Ruth
Published: January 2023

In this study we explored nurse practitioner-provided medication abortion in Canada and identified barriers and enablers to uptake and implementation. Between 2020–2021, we conducted 43 semi-structured interviews with 20 healthcare stakeholders and 23 nurse practitioners who both provided and did not provide medication abortion. Data were analyzed using interpretive description. We identified five overarching themes: 1) Access and use of ultrasound for gestational dating; 2) Advertising and anonymity of services; 3) Abortion as specialized or primary care; 4) Location and proximity to services; and 5) Education, mentorship, and peer support. Under certain conditions, ultrasound is not required for medication abortion, supporting nurse practitioner provision in the absence of access to this technology. Nurse practitioners felt a conflict between wanting to advertise their abortion services while also protecting their anonymity and that of their patients. Some nurse practitioners perceived medication abortion to be a low-resource, easy-to-provide service, while some not providing medication abortion continued to refer patients to specialized clinics. Some participants in rural areas felt unable to provide this service because they were too far from emergency services in the event of complications. Most nurse practitioners did not have any training in abortion care during their education and desired the support of a mentor experienced in abortion provision. Addressing factors that influence nurse practitioner provision of medication abortion will help to broaden access. Nurse practitioners are well-suited to provide medication abortion care but face multiple ongoing barriers to provision. We recommend the integration of medication abortion training into nurse practitioner education. Further, widespread communication from nursing organizations could inform nurse practitioners that medication abortion is within their scope of practice and facilitate public outreach campaigns to inform the public that this service exists and can be provided by nurse practitioners.
Heterozygous deletion of Gpr55 does not affect a hyperthermia-induced seizure, spontaneous seizures or survival in the Scn1a+/- mouse model of Dravet syndrome
Authors: Anderson Lyndsey L. , Bahceci Dilara A. , Hawkins Nicole A. , Everett-Morgan Declan , Banister Samuel D. , Kearney Jennifer A. , Arnold Jonathon C.
Published: January 2023

A purified preparation of cannabidiol (CBD), a cannabis constituent, has been approved for the treatment of intractable childhood epilepsies such as Dravet syndrome. Extensive pharmacological characterization of CBD shows activity at numerous molecular targets but its anticonvulsant mechanism(s) of action is yet to be delineated. Many suggest that the anticonvulsant action of CBD is the result of G protein-coupled receptor 55 (GPR55) inhibition. Here we assessed whether Gpr55 contributes to the strain-dependent seizure phenotypes of the Scn1a+/- mouse model of Dravet syndrome. The Scn1a+/- mice on a 129S6/SvEvTac (129) genetic background have no overt phenotype, while those on a [129 x C57BL/6J] F1 background exhibit a severe phenotype that includes hyperthermia-induced seizures, spontaneous seizures and reduced survival. We observed greater Gpr55 transcript expression in the cortex and hippocampus of mice on the seizure-susceptible F1 background compared to those on the seizure-resistant 129 genetic background, suggesting that Gpr55 might be a genetic modifier of Scn1a+/- mice. We examined the effect of heterozygous genetic deletion of Gpr55 and pharmacological inhibition of GPR55 on the seizure phenotypes of F1.Scn1a+/- mice. Heterozygous Gpr55 deletion and inhibition of GPR55 with CID2921524 did not affect the temperature threshold of a thermally-induced seizure in F1.Scn1a+/- mice. Neither was there an effect of heterozygous Gpr55 deletion observed on spontaneous seizure frequency or survival of F1.Scn1a+/- mice. Our results suggest that GPR55 antagonism may not be a suitable anticonvulsant target for Dravet syndrome drug development programs, although future research is needed to provide more definitive conclusions.
Low risk for diabetic complications in type 1 diabetes patients carrying a protective insulin gene variant
Authors: van Tienhoven René , Vu Anh Nguyet , Kaddis John S. , Roep Bart O.
Published: January 2023

Type 1 diabetes patients carrying a ‘protective’ insulin gene (INS) variant present a disease endotype with reduced insulin antibody titers, preserved beta cell function and improved glycemic control. We tested whether this protective INS variant associated with lowered risk for development of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and diabetic kidney disease (DKD) as long-term diabetic complications. Insulin gene polymorphisms were evaluated in 1,363 type 1 diabetes patients participating in the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial/Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications (DCCT/EDIC) study that compared intensive versus conventional insulin therapy in relation with development of PDR and DKD with a follow-up of over two decades. PDR and DKD were absent in type 1 diabetes patients carrying the protective INS variant and receiving intensive insulin therapy (the current standard of clinical care) 1–5 years from their diagnosis (n = 67; mean post-diagnosis follow up of 20.4 ± 1.6 years), versus 11 of 258 patients (4.3%) lacking this variant (20.4 ± 1.8 years follow up). In the secondary intervention group of the intensive therapy arm (1–15 years of disease), PDR was significantly less frequent in carriers of the protective INS variant than those without it (4 of 83 [4.8%] vs. 31 of 260 [11.9%]; p = 0.032; 26.1 ± 3.9 and 26.3 ± 4.1 years follow-up, respectively), whereas DKD frequencies were no different between those with or without this variant (5 of 83 [6.0%] vs. 11 of 260 [4.2%]). Carrying a copy of this protective INS variant further reduces the risk of diabetic complications achieved by intensive insulin therapy and marks a disease endotype with superior glycemic control, increased and extended beta cell function, and prevention of DKD and PDR.
A statistical model for early estimation of the prevalence and severity of an epidemic or pandemic from simple tests for infection confirmation
Authors: Shahar Yuval , Mokryn Osnat
Published: January 2023

Epidemics and pandemics require an early estimate of the cumulative infection prevalence, sometimes referred to as the infection "Iceberg," whose tip are the known cases. Accurate early estimates support better disease monitoring, more accurate estimation of infection fatality rate, and an assessment of the risks from asymptomatic individuals. We find the Pivot group, the population sub-group with the highest probability of being detected and confirmed as positively infected. We differentiate infection susceptibility, assumed to be almost uniform across all population sub-groups at this early stage, from the probability of being confirmed positive. The latter is often related to the likelihood of developing symptoms and complications, which differs between sub-groups (e.g., by age, in the case of the COVID-19 pandemic). A key assumption in our method is the almost-random subgroup infection assumption: The risk of initial infection is either almost uniform across all population sub-groups or not higher in the Pivot sub-group. We then present an algorithm that, using the lift value of the pivot sub-group, finds a lower bound for the cumulative infection prevalence in the population, that is, gives a lower bound on the size of the entire infection "Iceberg." We demonstrate our method by applying it to the case of the COVID-19 pandemic. We use UK and Spain serological surveys of COVID-19 in its first year to demonstrate that the data are consistent with our key assumption, at least for the chosen pivot sub-group. Overall, we applied our methods to nine countries or large regions whose data, mainly during the early COVID-19 pandemic phase, were available: Spain, the UK at two different time points, New York State, New York City, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Belgium, and Israel. We established an estimate of the lower bound of the cumulative infection prevalence for each of them. We have also computed the corresponding upper bounds on the infection fatality rates in each country or region. Using our methodology, we have demonstrated that estimating a lower bound for an epidemic’s infection prevalence at its early phase is feasible and that the assumptions underlying that estimate are valid. Our methodology is especially helpful when serological data are not yet available to gain an initial assessment on the prevalence scale, and more so for pandemics with an asymptomatic transmission, as is the case with Covid-19.
Physical activity trajectories at older age and all-cause mortality: A cohort study
Authors: Hassan Lamiaa , Huhndorf Peter , Mikolajczyk Rafael , Kluttig Alexander
Published: January 2023

Background

A physically active lifestyle is recognized as a precondition of healthy aging. However, the majority of studies exploring its association with mortality in cohorts of adults used single-time physical activity (PA) estimate, which do not consider its dynamic nature with changes that occur with aging. The aim of the present study is to explore the presence of different PA trajectories in a population-based cohort and their association with mortality.

Methods

We used data of the population-based cohort study CARLA and included 1041 older adults (45–83 years at baseline) with self-reported physical activity at baseline (2002–2006), first follow-up (2007–2010) and second follow-up (2013). Trajectories were identified using growth mixture modelling. Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess the association between trajectories of PA and all-cause mortality during ~6 years since the second follow-up after adjusting for age, sex, lifestyle factors and comorbidities and after correction for classification error. In a sensitivity analysis we weighted the models to account for selection bias during follow-up. As a further sensitivity analysis, we excluded the first year of follow-up to account for reverse causation.

Results

Three PA trajectories (categorized as consistently low, consistently moderate, and high at baseline but strongly decreasing PA across time) were identified, and 121 deaths due to all causes occurred. Compared with participants who had consistently low PA-levels throughout the follow-up period, participants who maintained moderate PA-levels were at a lower risk of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 0.49; 95%CI, 0.30–0.70). Participants with high PA-levels at baseline but strongly decreasing PA across time, had similar mortality risk compared to the participants with consistently low PA-levels (hazard ratio [HR], 0.97; 95%CI, 0.50–1.80). The effects were strengthened in the analysis weighted for selection bias.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that, compared to those who had consistently low PA levels, those who maintained a moderate level of PA showed a protective effect in terms of their mortality risk but not those who displayed a decline from high PA levels.
Estimated pulse wave velocity as a measure of vascular aging
Authors: Heffernan Kevin S. , Stoner Lee , London Andrew S. , Augustine Jacqueline A. , Lefferts Wesley K.
Published: January 2023

Background

Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV), the referent measure of aortic stiffness, is an established measure of vascular aging. In studies where cfPWV cannot be measured, alternative methods are needed to help promote research on vascular aging. This study examines the construct validity of a measure of PWV estimated from age and blood pressure (ePWV). The specific aims of the study are to: 1) explore the strength of association between ePWV, cfPWV, and other established measures of vascular aging; 2) examine the sensitivity and specificity of elevated ePWV (≥10m/s) in relation to elevated cfPWV (≥10m/s).

Methods

We measured cfPWV in two-hundred and fifty-two adults (mean age 57±12 years, 48% female) and calculated each participant’s ePWV from their age and brachial blood pressure. Additional measures of vascular aging included: carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT); carotid stiffness measured as elastic modulus (cEp); and carotid augmentation index (cAIx).

Results

The correlations between cfPWV and measures of vascular aging were: cEp (r = 0.36), cIMT (r = 0.49), and cAIx (r = 0.04). The correlations between ePWV and measures of vascular aging were: cEp (r = 0.45), cIMT (r = 0.60), and cAIx (r = 0.24). The correlation between ePWV and cfPWV was (r = 0.67). The sensitivity and specificity of elevated ePWV (≥ 10 m/s) for concomitantly identifying high cfPWV (≥ 10 m/s) were 85.4% and 73.0% respectively.

Conclusion

ePWV is associated with established measures of vascular aging, such as carotid thickness, carotid stiffness and carotid augmentation index. ePWV may be a useful tool to help promote research on vascular aging.
Awareness and perceptions of Long COVID among people in the REACT programme: Early insights from a pilot interview study
Authors: Cooper Emily , Lound Adam , Atchison Christina J. , Whitaker Matthew , Eccles Caroline , Cooke Graham S. , Elliott Paul , Ward Helen
Published: January 2023

Background

Long COVID is a patient-made term describing new or persistent symptoms experienced following SARS-CoV-2 infection. The Real-time Assessment of Community Transmission-Long COVID (REACT-LC) study aims to understand variation in experiences following infection, and to identify biological, social, and environmental factors associated with Long COVID. We undertook a pilot interview study to inform the design, recruitment approach, and topic guide for the REACT-LC qualitative study. We sought to gain initial insights into the experience and attribution of new or persistent symptoms and the awareness or perceived applicability of the term Long COVID.

Methods

People were invited to REACT-LC assessment centres if they had taken part in REACT, a random community-based prevalence study, and had a documented history of SARS-CoV-2 infection. We invited people from REACT-LC assessment centres who had reported experiencing persistent symptoms for more than 12 weeks to take part in an interview. We conducted face to face and online semi-structured interviews which were transcribed and analysed using Thematic Analysis.

Results

We interviewed 13 participants (6 female, 7 male, median age 31). Participants reported a wide variation in both new and persistent symptoms which were often fluctuating or unpredictable in nature. Some participants were confident about the link between their persistent symptoms and COVID-19; however, others were unclear about the underlying cause of symptoms or felt that the impact of public health measures (such as lockdowns) played a role. We found differences in awareness and perceived applicability of the term Long COVID.

Conclusion

This pilot has informed the design, recruitment approach and topic guide for our qualitative study. It offers preliminary insights into the varied experiences of people living with persistent symptoms including differences in symptom attribution and perceived applicability of the term Long COVID. This variation shows the value of recruiting from a nationally representative sample of participants who are experiencing persistent symptoms.
Comprehensive analysis regarding the prognostic significance of downregulated ferroptosis-related gene AKR1C2 in gastric cancer and its underlying roles in immune response
Authors: Liu Wei , Zhang Fan , Yang Keda , Yan Yuanliang
Published: January 2023

Ferroptosis is a cell death form that has been reported to be involved in the progression of gastric cancer (GC). However, the underlying mechanism of ferroptosis in GC still needs to be further explored. This study conducted a survey regarding the biological functions of ferroptosis-related gene AKR1C2 in GC. Multiple bioinformatic platforms were applied to indicate that the expression level of AKR1C2 was downregulated in GC tissues, which displayed good prognostic value. Clinical statistics proved that AKR1C2 expression was correlated with several tumor characteristics of GC patients, such as characteristics of N-stage tumor or residual tumor. Additionally, LinkedOmics was employed to explore the co-expression network and molecular pathways of AKR1C2 in GC. Eventually, AKR1C2 was found to be involved in several immune-related signatures, such as immunostimulators, immunoinhibitors, chemokines and chemokine receptors. To sum up, these results may provide a novel insight into the significance and biological functions of ferroptosis-related gene AKR1C2 in GC tumorigenesis.
Community Reserves: Their significance for the conservation of mammals in a mosaic of community-managed lands in Meghalaya, Northeast India
Authors: Lyngdoh Adrian Wansaindor , Kumara Honnavalli N. , Babu Santhanakrishnan , Karunakaran P. V.
Published: January 2023

Community Reserves (CRs) have been advocated for increasing the protected area coverage in northeast India where the land is primarily owned and managed by local indigenous institutions. To understand the significance of these reserves for the conservation of mammals, we investigated the diversity and abundance of mammals in five CRs in the Khasi Hills of Meghalaya as well as interviewed 75 local villagers to assess the hunting practices and perceptions of the Indigenous Khasis on mammals. We employed 60 camera traps in the CRs and undertook a recce survey (day-time and night-time) for capturing the diversity in the CRs. We used photo-capture rate and encounter rate as indices of relative abundance in the CRs. We used an exact multinomial test to test differences of opinion among the respondents of the five CRs. We found a relatively low abundance of mammals in the CRs, yet they persist. A total of 28 species were detected through camera trapping and recce survey and an additional 12 species were reported by respondents to also occur in the CRs. Among the respondents, it was believed that the decline in mammal populations was largely driven by habitat loss and degradation (82.67%) while only a few believed it was also driven by hunting (5.33%). Respondents also believed that the presence of the reserves and awareness programs taken under them had also led to a reduction in hunting (20%) in their area. Although, some attributed it to a general decline in wildlife populations and forest cover (21.33%). Thus, despite these CRs being small (<2 km2) and isolated, they still harbour mammal species and are important for retaining remnant forest patches in a landscape that is highly fragmented.
Effects of unilateral neck muscle vibration on standing postural orientation and spatial perception in healthy subjects based on stimulus duration and simultaneous stimulation of trunk muscles
Authors: Hirosawa Masaki , Takehara Itaru , Moriyama Yoshinao , Amimoto Kazu
Published: January 2023

Neck muscle vibration (NMV) influences proprioceptive sensations and modulates standing postural orientation and spatial perception. However, the effects of NMV in healthy participants would vary based on the influence of stimulus duration and combination with trunk muscle vibration. Therefore, this study with a cross-over design clarified these effects. Twenty-four healthy participants (mean age, 25.7±3.7 years) were enrolled. To assess standing postural orientation, standing center-of-pressure (COP) measurements were recorded on a COP platform, starting with closed eyes and then with open eyes. The mean mediolateral (ML) and anteroposterior (AP) position [mm] of COP and other parameters were calculated. To assess spatial perception, subjective straight ahead (SSA) measurements were recorded, wherein participants were instructed to point and project the position of the manubrium of sternum on the touch panel using their right index finger with their eyes closed. Measurements were taken before and after four conditions: no vibration (control), left NMV for 30 s, left NMV for 10 min, and left NMV and left lumbar back vibration for 10 min. Vibratory stimulation was performed with the eyes closed at 80 Hz. The measurements under the four conditions were conducted with random cross-over and 5-min resting period between the conditions. COP and SSA values were subtracted before and after each condition for standardized variation and compared. NMV combined with trunk muscle vibration for 10 min resulted in significant deviations of the ML-COP toward the stimulation side and AP-COP toward the anterior side compared to the control condition with closed eyes. SSA showed no significant differences. These findings suggest that NMV-induced nervous system modulation would be amplified by proprioceptive sensory input to trunk muscles. Therefore, this method could provide a new option for clinical trials on postural orientation using NMV. SSA based on proprioceptive sensation may not be biased without visual illusions.
Making the best of research investment in pathogens control through biocontrol. How is research correlated with agricultural microbial biological control product availability?
Authors: Helepciuc Florența-Elena , Todor Arpad
Published: January 2023

While using microbial biological control products (MBCPs) to limit pathogens is one of the alternatives to the ecologically unsustainable use of synthetic pesticides that received attention, the last 2 decades have not brought the foreseen leap in developing systematic alternatives based on low-risk plant protection products (PPPs) across the globe. To explain this limited progress, we map the evolution of research on the most successful microbial biological control agents (MBCAs) worldwide. We also map the financing structure in the top funding countries and the European Union (EU) to discern the relevant trends. Available data for the European Union Member States allowed us to discover a country-level and EU-level correlation between strain-level research and biocontrol products’ approval based on those strains.
Plant-based protein products in the news: Mind the gap between innovation and public discourses
Authors: Tziva Maria , Kalfagianni Agni , Negro Simona , Hekkert Marko
Published: January 2023

Markets for plant-based protein products are experiencing unprecedented growth. However, the extent to which the wider diffusion of plant-based protein products is beneficial to human and planetary health is still a contested issue in public discourses. The study of media frames for plant-based protein products can serve as a basis for approaches of technology assessment, which aim to inform actors involved in innovation processes of important aspects of diffusion, including controversy and unexpected risks regarding societal reactions. In this paper, we conduct a frame analysis of three U.K. broadsheet newspapers (the Telegraph, the Guardian, and the Times) between 2010–2020 to explore how media frame plant-based protein products. The results show that overall media coverage for plant-based diets has adopted a positive stance. However, there is variation in how plant-based protein products and particularly meat and dairy substitutes are portrayed. The biggest stumbling block appears to be potentially adverse health implications associated with the consumption of meat and dairy substitutes. We therefore argue that the scope of strategic choices regarding product design should also focus on the development of products more analogous to whole plant-based foods. Moreover, we argue that the long-term resilience of the plant-based protein sector will require strategies that convincingly align with policy goals for food security and broader food system sustainability.
Responsabilidad medioambiental de los agentes turísticos. Propuestas de ecoagroturismo en España
Authors: Espinosa Seguí Ana , Calleja Aldana Margarita
Published: January 2023

El desarrollo turístico en el medio rural español de las últimas décadas ha dejado un paisaje rural lleno de proyectos poco vinculados al apoyo y mantenimiento de la vida rural ni de sus paisajes productivos tradicionales. En esta investigación se ha realizado un análisis exploratorio sobre la contribución de los proyectos ecoagroturísticos certificados en la sostenibilidad ambiental, económica y social de los entornos naturales y rurales de España. A pesar del potencial que poseen para mejorar la percepción y la riqueza de la tipología turística rural, los resultados han mostrado que el producto ofrecido en estos proyectos turísticos todavía no se encuentra bien asimilado por parte de la demanda turística. A pesar de la creciente valorización del producto agro y ecoturístico, la demanda sigue primando más la localización del destino rural que el compromiso con proyectos productivos que asienten población en el medio rural, en los que el turismo sea un elemento educador y la experiencia turística sea transformadora y de concienciación.
El uso turístico sostenible de los mercados de abastos. Identificando claves a través del análisis de percepción de los comerciantes de los mercados de Málaga.
Authors: Ortega Palomo Germán , Urriza Julián Ignacio
Published: January 2023

España en los últimos 20 o 30 años viene desarrollando una intensa relación entre turismo y gastronomía. Andalucía, y la ciudad de Málaga en particular, se han posicionado como territorios sumamente atractivos para todos aquellos viajeros motivados con fines gastronómicos y culturales. En este nuevo escenario los mercados de abastos surgen como una propuesta acorde a las necesidades propias de esta nueva demanda, pero que está generando también la alteración de su función comercial originaria, así como los valores patrimoniales que alberga. A través del estudio de caso de los principales mercados de abastos de Málaga, se va a profundizar en el conocimiento sobre su uso turístico e identificar claves para su sostenibilidad, de forma que se garantice la viabilidad económica de la actividad comercial y la preservación de sus valores culturales a la vez que se compatibiliza con la visita turística. Para ello, además de realizar una caracterización de los principales mercados de la ciudad y su adecuación para el uso turístico, se ha llevado a cabo un trabajo de entrevistas cualitativas a los comerciantes que actualmente trabajan en los mercados para conocer su percepción frente al fenómeno turístico.
Marta Panaia (comp.) Turismo: la otra mirada. Editorial La Colmena. 2021, 220 páginas
Authors: Abraham Yazmín Betsabé
Published: January 2023

Reseña de: Marta Panaia (coord.). Turismo: la otra mirada. Editorial La Colmena. 2021, 232 pp. ISBN: 978-987-47585-3-8.
Bibliometrics Analysis of Regional Autonomy Problem in Indonesia
Authors: Hasti Iyomi , Purwaningsih Titin
Published: January 2023

This study looks for the relationship between studies on the problem of regional autonomy in Indonesia. The author uses VOSviewer to process data from the Scopus index journal for this report. VOSviewer was used in this study to process data and map the most common and most popular focus themes. The results showed that The last few years have shown the highest number of publications with 33 documents in 2019 and in 2020 the number of documents issued was 23 documents. Over the last few years, the comparison of the trends  is still dominated by Indonesia, which has 131 articles published in the Scopus database. Australia is in second place with a total of 27 published articles, followed by Singapore with 15 documents. VOSviewer analysis map classifies the largest nodes so that the most significant influence is environmental management. The drawback of this research is that the data source is only obtained from previous research so that further research can enrich data sources so that research results can be more accurate
Hátrányos helyzetű térségekben tanuló általános iskolások távolléti
oktatással kapcsolatos attitűdjeire ható tényezők
Authors: Kovács Karolina Eszter , Mercz-Madarassy Kitti
Published: January 2023

A hátrányos helyzetű gyermekek vizsgálata kiemelt területként
jelenik meg mind oktatásügyi, mind egészségügyi vonatkozásban. A hátrányos
helyzetű fiatalok elutasítóbb tanulással kapcsolatos attitűdjeire,
alacsonyabb tanulmányi eredményességére, valamint a nem-tanulmányi
eredményességi mutatók, mint az egészség és a sport, negatívabb
manifesztációjára már számos tanulmány rámutatott, azonban az elmúlt évek
pandémiaspecifikus vizsgálata még kis teret kapott. A COVID–19
világjárványnak a fiatalok oktatására és társadalmi befogadására gyakorolt
hatásáról már végeztek kutatásokat, amelyeket érdemes tovább bővíteni a
vidéki területek és hátrányos helyzetű térségek fiataljainak vizsgálatával.
Jelen kutatásban a távoktatással kapcsolatos attitűdök feltárására,
valamint az ezekre ható faktorok vizsgálatára vállalkozunk egy hátrányos
helyzetű mintán (N = 305). A kutatás résztvevői 7–8. osztályos tanulók,
akik kifejezetten hátrányos helyzetű településeken folytatják
tanulmányaikat. Kérdőívünkben a távolléti oktatással kapcsolatos
attitűdöket egy magyar nyelvű 16 állításos mérőeszközzel mértük (Długosz,
2022 alapján), a hatótényezők mérése pedig a társadalmi háttérváltozók
mellett a jóllétre, az észlelt stresszre, valamint a társas támaszra
vonatkozó validált mérőeszközökkel, illetve a támogatásra és tanulmányi
eredményességre vonatkozó önálló kérdésekkel történt meg. Az eredmények
alapján a távolléti oktatással kapcsolatos attitűdök vonatkozásában négy
faktor (tanulási problémák, csökkent egészségi állapot, időgazdálkodás és
biztonság, a távoktatás-preferencia) válik elkülöníthetővé. A társadalmi
háttér vonatkozásában a nem, a településtípus, a hátrányos helyzet,
valamint az objektív anyagi státusz hatása mutatható ki a
távoktatás-preferencia, valamint az egészségi állapot romlásával
kapcsolatos percepció esetében. Az egészségmutatók tekintetében a tanárok
által nyújtott támasz protektív, valamint a stresszmutatók hátráltató
szerepe mutatható ki. A tanulmányi eredményességgel összefüggő változók
szerepe nem mutatkozott jelentősnek. Összességében a távoktatással
kapcsolatos attitűdökre ható faktorok részben követik a hagyományos
oktatással kapcsolatos percepciókra ható faktorok trendjeit, azonban
szükséges hangsúlyoznunk a pandémia krízis jellegének manifesztációját,
amely olyan komponensek szerepét emeli ki, mint a társas támasz, bizonyos
stresszkomponensek, vagy éppen a hátrányos helyzet maga. Ezeket a
szegmenseket szükséges előtérbe helyezni, s egy esetleges hasonló
krízishelyzetben kiemelt figyelemben részesíteni a prevenciós és
intervenciós stratégiákat e faktorok előtérbe helyezésével.
Incidental Hepatocellular Carcinoma Bony Metastasis in a Patient Listed for Liver Transplant
Authors: Levine Jake W. , Hawa Fadi , Bloom Patricia P.
Published: January 2023

A 67-year-old man with a history of alcohol and hepatitis C-associated cirrhosis is diagnosed with incidental metastatic liver cancer during hospitalization for hepatic encephalopathy. He had 2 LI-RADS-3 (indeterminant) lesions on liver magnetic resonance imaging 3 months prior but had no history of hepatocellular carcinoma and was listed for liver transplant. During inpatient paracentesis, the ascites fluid was bloody, so the abdominal and pelvic computed tomography was performed showing a lytic lesion in the left posterior inferior pubic rami. Alpha fetoprotein was within normal limits. His liver was imaged on several occasions without definite evidence of malignancy. Bone biopsy revealed metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma. On return to baseline mental status, patient endorsed no bony pain.
Climate change awareness and risk perceptions in the coastal marine ecosystem of Palawan, Philippines
Authors: Alcantara Lutgardo B. , Creencia Lota A. , Madarcos John Roderick V. , Madarcos Karen G. , Jontila Jean Beth S. , Culhane Fiona
Published: January 2023

Understanding coastal communities’ awareness and risk perceptions of climate change impact is essential in developing effective risk communication tools and mitigation strategies to reduce the vulnerability of these communities. In this study, we examined coastal communities’ climate change awareness and risk perceptions of climate change impact on the coastal marine ecosystem, sea level rise impact on the mangrove ecosystem and as a factor affecting coral reefs and seagrass beds. The data were gathered by conducting face-to-face surveys with 291 respondents from the coastal areas of Taytay, Aborlan and Puerto Princesa in Palawan, Philippines. Results showed that most participants (82%) perceived that climate change is happening and a large majority (75%) perceived it as a risk to the coastal marine ecosystem. Local temperature rise and excessive rainfall were found to be significant predictors of climate change awareness. Sea level rise was perceived by most participants (60%) to cause coastal erosion and to affect the mangrove ecosystem. On coral reefs and seagrass ecosystems, anthropogenic drivers and climate change were perceived to have a high impact, while marine livelihoods had a low impact. In addition, we found that climate change risk perceptions were influenced by direct experiences of extreme weather events (i.e., temperature rise and excessive rainfall) and climate-related livelihood damages (i.e., declining income). Climate change risk perceptions were also found to vary with household income, education, age group and geographical location. The results suggest that addressing poverty and effectively communicating climate change risks can improve climate change awareness and risk perceptions.
Parkinson’s from inside out: emerging and unexpected benefits of a long-term partnership
Authors: Sullivan Matthew , Poliakoff Ellen
Published: January 2023

This article is a personal reflection on a long-standing patient and public involvement (PPI) partnership between a person with Parkinson’s and a cognitive neuroscience researcher. They describe how the partnership arose, was established and evolved to produce unexpected benefits to the research and more broadly. Initially, working together helped to communicate the purpose of the research to a lay audience and to make lab-based testing sessions for people with Parkinson’s as comfortable as possible. They then worked together on the steering group for a research project about Parkinson’s and imitation, which led to co-designing interventions using imitation and imagination of movements to improve movements, including a dance class. Further benefits were realised through co-teaching undergraduate students about Parkinson’s, establishing a broader culture of PPI within the research lab and sharing their expertise of PPI more broadly. They consider key ingredients for successful collaboration, including shared curiosity, open-mindedness and trust, as well as the importance of informal discussion and space. Challenges are also considered, including authorship of research articles and anonymity. Their account demonstrates the value of the collaboration to research itself, but also the broader (often unexpected) benefits that can emerge when a collaboration has space and time to flourish.
Thyrotoxicosis in a patient with Turner syndrome: radioactive iodine therapy
Authors: Guseinova R. M. , Prosvirnina A. A. , Korchagina M. O. , Trukhin A. A. , Sheremeta M. S.
Published: January 2023

Turner syndrome (TS) is a chromosomal disorder affecting female and characterized by complete or partial monosomy of the X chromosome. These genetic changes lead to the abnormalities in growth and development and increase the risk of autoimmune diseases, including those affecting the thyroid. Thyroid pathology in TS may include autoimmune thyroiditis, hypothyroidism, thyrotoxicosis (Graves disease, AIT in the hyperthyroid state).Thyrotoxicosis is the clinical syndrome of excess circulating thyroid hormones. One of the main causes of thyrotoxicosis is Graves’ disease (GD), an organ-specific autoimmune disease caused by the production of stimulating thyrotropin receptor antibodies. There are three treatment options for thyrotoxicosis: anti-thyroid drugs, radioactive iodine and thyroidectomy. A personalized approach to disease management is especially important in cases of genetic diseases.We present a clinical case of a patient with TS and GD, who has been referred to a radiologist at the Department of Radionuclide Therapy of Endocrinology Research Center. The patient was diagnosed with congenital hypothyroidism at neonatal screening, but thyroid hormones therapy was initiated aged three. Based on the survey, GD was diagnosed aged twenty one. Anti-thyroid drug therapy was started, which resulted in toxic hepatitis. Taking into account intolerance to anti-thyroid drugs, radioiodine therapy has been recommended, which led to hypothyroidism.