bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Opinnäytetyön opit
Authors: Kivimäki Sanna
Published: December 2023

Opinnäytetyön ohjaus on opiskeltava taito ja tutkimuksellisesti kiinnostava vuorovaikutustilanne, johon oppaat tarjoavat tukea. Ne voi jakaa karkeasti kolmeen tyyppiin: 1) perustutkinto-opiskelijoille tarkoitetut oppaat, 2) väitöskirjatutkijoille tarkoitetut teokset ja 3) ohjausta käsittelevät tutkimukset ja ohjauksen oppaat.  Kirjoittajien taustat vaihtelevat kielen ja kirjoittamisen asiantuntemuksesta kasvatustieteiden kautta opintopsykologiaan. Useissa teoksissa pyritään tiettyyn yleisyysasteeseen eli huomaamaan, että prosesseja koskevat ongelmat ovat usein samankaltaisia alasta riippumatta. Oppaissa valaistaan paljon itse prosessia ja siihen sisältyviä tunteita. Koska akateemisen kirjoittamisen muotoseikat selviävät esimerkiksi digipalveluista ja oppilaitosten omista ohjeistuksista, kirjallisuuden onkin syytä keskittyä kaikkeen siihen, mikä jää muodollisen ohjeistuksen ulkopuolelle.
Tieteen yleistajuistaminen vahvistaa osallisuutta sivistysyhteiskunnassa
Authors: Isopahkala-Bouret Ulpukka
Published: December 2023

Jos pidetään tärkeänä, että yhteiskunnallinen keskustelu ja päätöksenteko perustuvat tutkittuun tietoon, tiedon on oltava mahdollisimman avoimesti kaikkien saatavilla. Tutkimustiedon on myös avauduttava riittävästi niillekin, jotka eivät itse kuulu tiedeyhteisöön. Yhteistä sivistyspääomaa kasvattamaan tarvitaan tieteen yleistajuistamista.  Yleistajuisen tieteen julkaiseminen auttaa samalla uutismediaa levittämään monipuolisesti tietoa asioista ja ilmiöistä.
Huuto humanismin puolesta talousideologisessa kurimuksessa
Authors: Hämäri Severi
Published: December 2023

Talous ja humanismi tarjoaa kattavan historian globaalin markkinatalouden syntyyn vaikuttaneista ideologioista. Kirja on samalla polemiikki humanistisen sivistyskäsityksen puolesta rajoittamatonta kapitalismia, uusliberalismia vastaan. Se on välttämätöntä luettavaa kaikille, jotka pitävät vapaan sivistystyön, kulttuurityön, yleensä sivistyksen ja laaja-alaisen kasvatuksen puolia yhteiskunnassa.
Tasapainoilua, tilan antamista ja näkymätisöintiä
Authors: Kaukko Mervi , Petäjäniemi Maria , Harju-Autti Raisa , Haswell Nick , Alisaari Jenni , Heikkola Leena Maria , Mustonen Sanna
Published: December 2023

Tämä artikkeli tarkastelee, miten Suomen kouluissa käsitellään pakolaisuuteen liittyviä aiheita ja pakolaistaustaisten oppilaiden kokemuksia. Artikkeli pohjautuu vuoden 2022 lopussa opettajilta, rehtoreilta ja koulunkäynninohjaajilta kerättyyn kyselyaineistoon (n = 267) ja kyselyä tarkentaviin puolistrukturoituihin opettajahaastatteluihin (n = 15). Tätä artikkelia varten on analysoitu kaksi kyselyn avokysymystä ja kaksi kysymystä opettajien haastatteluista. Tulokset osoittavat, että koulujen henkilökunta toivoo lisää tietoa ja koulutusta siitä, miten pakolaisuutta voi käsitellä iänmukaisesti, turvallisesti ja sensitiivisesti koulun arjessa. Useilla opettajilla oli pelko, että pakolaisuudesta puhuminen voi kuormittaa tai traumatisoida oppilaita. Vastauksissa korostuivat opettajien pyrkimykset rakentaa turvallista ilmapiiriä ja kohdella sekä pakolaisoppilaita että luokan muita oppilaita kunnioittavasti. Nämä pyrkimykset vaikuttivat siihen, miten opettajat lähestyivät pakolaisaiheita luokissa. Lähestymistavat jakautuivat kolmeen ryhmään, joita kutsumme tasapainoiluksi, tilan antamiseksi ja näkymätisöinniksi. Pakolaisuuden ja muiden vaikeiden aiheiden käsittely koulussa vaatii hyvää oppilaantuntemusta, sujuvaa tiedonkulkua, tarpeeksi pieniä ryhmäkokoja ja riittäviä työaikaresursseja. Ukrainan sota ja sotaa paenneiden oppilaiden siirtyminen perusopetuksen piiriin lisää aiheen ajankohtaisuutta suuressa osassa Suomen kouluja.
Miten tulla ekososiaaliseksi ihmiseksi
Authors: Moilanen Antti , Moilanen Pentti
Published: December 2023

Artikkelissa vastaamme kritiikkeihin, joita on kohdistettu aikaisempaan tutkimukseemme ekososialisaatiosta ja ekoindividuaatiosta uusina kasvatustieteellisinä käsitteinä. Artikkelissa tarkastelemme tutkimuksemme kritiikkejä sekä selvennämme siinä käyttämiämme käsitteitä ja sen argumentaation rakennetta. Lähteinä hyödynnämme ekososiaalisen kasvatuksen teoriaan liittyviä tutkimuksia sekä sivistysteoreettisen pedagogiikan perinteen teorioita ja malleja poliittisesta kasvatuksesta. Esitämme yhtäältä, että tutkimuksemme kritiikki on osittain perusteltua. Toisaalta väitämme, että kritiikki sisältää ongelmallisia piirteitä. Siksi allekirjoitamme edelleen kritiikkimme ekososialisaation ja ekoindividuaation käsitteistä. Muotoilemme johtopäätöksinä ehdotuksia ekososiaalisen kasvatus- ja sivistysteorian rakentamiseen.
Role of the Use of Conformal Beta Applicators in the Radiation Treatment of Small Skin Lesions
Authors: De Paiva Eduardo
Published: December 2023

Radiation from beta particles plays an in important role in brachytherapy treatments of various diseases. The use of conformal applicators helps to improve the efficacy of treatment since radiation doses can be delivered focalized sparing the healthy tissues. In this paper the importance of beta applicators is shortly discussed.
Examination of Mental Stamina and Athlete Injury Anxiety Levels of Wrestlers
Authors: Ünlü Çisem , Çeviker Abdulkerim , Turgut Abdüsselam , Kusan Osman , Tezcan Efecan , Gür Kübra , Yıldırım Turgut
Published: December 2023

The aim of this research is to examine the mental endurance and athlete injury anxiety levels of athletes interested in wrestling from some demographic perspectives. In the study, a descriptive scanning model was used. The universe of the research consists of athletes from various cities of Turkey who are interested in wrestling, and the sample consists of 341 athletes selected by random sampling method among wrestling athletes from Ankara, Gümüşhane, Istanbul, Samsun and İzmir, Kayseri. As a data collection tool, the demographic information form developed by the researchers was used "Athlete Injury Anxiety Scale". In the study, the assumption of normality was first examined with the Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Shapiro-Wilk tests in the statistical evaluation of the data. The research findings were given as n (%), mean and standard deviation values, and the findings were considered significant at the p<0.05 level. In the study, there was no significant relationship between age, undergraduate status and educational status variables, athlete injury anxiety levels and mental toughness levels; When the athlete's age, athlete's injury status, gender, number of nationality variables were examined, it was determined that there was a significant difference in some sub-dimensions of the mental toughness inventory and in the total scores of the scale. As a result, it can be said that demographic variables such as age, gender, being a national athlete are effective on the mental endurance and disability anxiety of the athletes.
POPÜLER DİÜRETİK İLAÇ HİDROKLOROTİAZİDİN KROMATOGRAFİK İYONLAŞMA SABİTİ DEĞERİNİN BELİRLENMESİ
Authors: DALDAL Yaşar Doğan , ÇUBUK DEMİRALAY Ebru
Published: December 2023

Amaç: Hidroklorotiazid, idrar çıkışının hızını ve hacmini arttırırken, Na+ ve Cl- içeriğini azaltarak kan basıncını düşüren bir ilaçtır. Bu ilaç, tek başına ya da diğer hipertansif ilaçlarla beraber kullanılmaktadır. Ancak, bu kadar önem arz eden bir ilacın etki mekanizması tam olarak bilinmemekle birlikte, bileşiğin hidro-organik sistemlerdeki iyonlaşma sabiti değeriyle alakalı literatürde sadece bir çalışma ve bileşiğin sudaki iyonlaşma sabiti değeriyle alakalı hiç çalışma yoktur. Bu nedenle bu çalışmada, farklı asetonitril-su ikili karışımlarında hidroklorotiazidin iyonlaşma sabiti değerlerinin tayini ve bu değerler kullanılarak çeşitli ekstrapolasyon yöntemleriyle hidroklorotiazidin su ortamındaki iyonlaşma sabiti değerinin tayini amaçlanmıştır.
Gereç ve Yöntem: Hidroklorotiazidin iyonlaşma sabiti tayini %11, %13 ve %15 (h/h) asetonitril-su ikili karışımında 30oC’de, 1 ml/dakika akış hızında ve X Terra C18 kolonda gerçekleştirilmiştir. Hidroklorotiazidin iyonlaşma sabitinin belirlenmesi için pH-alıkonma ilişkisi, lineer solvasyon enerjisi ilişkisi (LSER) modeliyle değerlendirilmiştir. Sudaki iyonlaşma sabiti değerlerinin tayini için LSER modelinden elde edilen veriler, Yasuda-Shedlovsky ve mol kesri-(_s^s)〖pK〗_a yöntemiyle değerlendirilmiştir.
Sonuç ve Tartışma: Her iki metotla hesaplanan termodinamik (_w^w)〖pK〗_(a_1 ) değerlerinin birbiriyle uyumu dikkat çekicidir ve literatürdeki organik çözücü-su ortamında elde edilen değerle uyumludur. Bu bilgiler ışığında, hidroklorotiazidin tayin edilen (_w^w)〖pK〗_(a_1 ) değerinin doğruluğu ve tekrarlanabilirliği açıkça görülmektedir. Ayrıca, tayin edilen değerler hidroklorotiazidin herhangi bir analitik yöntemle tayin edilen literatürdeki ilk termodinamik (_w^w)〖pK〗_(a_1 ) verileridir.
The Effect of The Covid Simulator Table Top on The Knowledge and Attitude of School Children in Preventing Covid-19
Authors: Alfaqih Mohamad Roni , Akbar K Bayu , Anugerah Angger , Mufidah Ainul
Published: December 2023

The most dangerous infectious disease that is currently being debated around the world is the Corona virus disease. The problems and challenges currently faced by educational institutions require prevention strategies by providing motivation as well as guidance and enthusiasm in the learning activities of elementary school students. The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of table top covid simulator on knowledge and attitude of elementary school students. Methods: Pre-experimental research using one group pre-test and post-test design. The population in the study was 120, and a sample of 38 elementary school students was obtained using a total sampling technique. The data collection technique uses a pre-post test which is carried out by assessing elementary school students regarding their attitudes and knowledge of preventing Covid-19 using a questionnaire guide. Data processing by editing, coding, scoring, and tabulating and analyzed by Paired T-Test. Results: This study shows that the statistical test results of the independent and dependent variables in this study are the significance value <0.05, which is 0.000 with a correlation coefficient value of 0.82, which means that there is an effect of the table top simulator on the knowledge and attitudes of elementary school students about preventing covid-19. Conclusion: Table top covid simulator can improve attitudes and knowledge about prevention of covid-19 in elementary school students, it has a positive impact on students in complying with health protocols and preventing infection transmission.
Bütünleşmiş Oyun Grupları Modeli ve Erken Çocukluk Özel Eğitiminde Bütünleşmiş Oyun Grupları Uygulamaları
Authors: SAZAK DUMAN Elif , ÇINAR Esra
Published: December 2023

Oyun her çocuğun hakkıdır ve akranlarıyla birlikte oyun oynamak otizm spektrum bozukluğu olan çocuklar için özellikle önemlidir. Türkiye’de ise 2018 yılında yenilenen Özel Eğitim Hizmetleri Yönetmeliği’nin ardından 0-36 aylık özel gereksinimi olan çocukların akranlarıyla bir arada olabilmelerini mümkün kılan müdahaleler daha fazla gündeme gelmeye başlamıştır. Bütünleşmiş oyun grupları modeli (BOGM) otizm spektrum bozukluğu (OSB) olan çocuklar için geliştirilmiş ve OSB olan çocukların sosyal ortamlarında akranlarıyla birlikte oyun oynamalarını sağlayan kanıt temelli bir modeldir. Bu model OSB olan çocuklar ile normal gelişim gösteren akranlarının aynı grup içerisinde bir yetişkin rehber desteğiyle oyun oynamasına fırsat sunmakla birlikte çocukların sosyal etkileşim becerileri ve oyun becerilerinin desteklenmesini amaçlamaktadır. Bu makale, BOGM’ nin kavramsal içeriğine odaklanarak gelişme sürecine, uygulanmasına ve bu modelle ilgili yapılmış olan araştırmalara odaklanmaktadır. Araştırmada BOGM ile ilgili gelecek araştırma ve uygulama örnekleri de tartışılmıştır.
Exploring the Intercultural Awareness of EFL Instructors in Turkish Higher Education
Authors: ER Haticetül Kübra , ÇİFTCİ AKSOY Büşra Nur
Published: December 2023

Korzilius, van Hoft, and Planken (2007) suggest that intercultural awareness involves being empathetic and being able to shift away from one's perspective. In a communication setting, intercultural awareness refers to the capacity to adopt the viewpoint(s) of conversation partners from a different culture and to comprehend and acknowledge their unique cultural backgrounds. In this context, the aim of this study is to explore the intercultural awareness of EFL instructors in the context of Turkish Higher Education. Participants are 50 EFL instructors from the English Language Teaching Department and the School of Foreign Languages in Türkiye. The current study adopted a quantitative design; the data tool is the English Language Instructors’ Questionnaire for Intercultural Awareness’ The data is analyzed via the Mann-Whitney U test. The data from the questionnaire is analyzed in two contexts: Intercultural Awareness of Native and Non-Native and Novice and Expert Instructors. As the findings of the study suggest there are significant differences between the attitudes of Native / Non-Native as well as for the Novice and Expert Instructors for Intercultural Awareness.
PELATIHAN SISTEM INFORMASI ADMINISTRASI KEUANGAN PADA KOPERASI WANITA MIFTAHUL JANNAH DI KABUPATEN TULUNGAGUNG
Authors: Maskur Maskur , Afandi Yosi , Fiernaningsih Nilawati , Herijanto Pudji , Aini Yulis Nurul
Published: December 2023

Miftahul Jannah Women's Corporation in Tulungagung District, as a representative of micro-enterprises at the local level, faces various challenges in managing financial administration. Lack of knowledge of financial administration information systems is a major obstacle to improving the efficiency and transparency of co-operative financial management. Therefore, there is a need to train the financial administration information system to empower cooperatives and improve competitiveness. Training the financial management information system is a strategic solution to overcome the obstacles faced by the Miftahul Jannah Women's Corporation. Through a participatory approach, participants are involved in an understanding of the basic concepts of financial information technology, the use of financial software, and practical applications in a cooperative context. This approach is designed to accommodate a diverse level of digital literacy among participants. The training is designed with structured phases, including theory exposure, practical demonstration, and simulation training sessions. After the training, there was a significant improvement in the participants' ability to manage the co-operative financial administration. They are able to use financial software smoothly, compile accurate financial reports, and make better financial decisions. Positive impacts are also seen in increased transparency, accountability, and confidence among co-operative members. This training not only benefits the operational level of cooperatives but also empowers the economy of micro-enterprises in the region. With increased financial management capabilities, cooperatives can be more effective in managing resources, increasing production, and expanding market share. This empowerment contributes to local economic growth and improved welfare of co-operative members.
Спортивный феминизм: вызовы эмансипации
Sport Feminism: Challenges to Emancipation
Authors: Абдулкаримов С.
Published: December 2023

В данной статье автор рассматривает женский спорт в контексте эволюции гендерных отношений, самоутверждения женщин в процессе исторического развития общества. Как авангард женской эмансипации, спортивный феминизм демонстрирует преодоление патриархатных устоев, совершенствование полоролевых отношений, через игры и состязания позиционирует женщин как равных партнеров с мужчинами. Особое внимание в статье уделяется трансформации гендерных стереотипов, имиджа и статуса женщин в спорте сквозь призму метаморфоз и парадоксов социальной истории различных региональных, социальных, культурных групп и женского спортивного движения в целом. Глобальные изменения, связанные с переходом к информационной эпохе, сопровождаются ростом экономических кризисов, массовых миграций, культурных конфликтов, пандемий и войн. Новые реалии противостоят досовременным социальным порядкам, стимулируют совершенствование человеческих отношений, преодоление многочисленных противоречий, в числе которых особо выделяются взаимоотношения полов. Гендерное равенство остается одним из ключевых вопросов модернизации общества. Спортивный феминизм, авангард женской эмансипации, возникший в русле общественно-политического движения женщин в ответ на мужское доминирование, актуализирует положение женщин в обществе, выражает их самоутверждение через спорт, как наиболее организованную форму борьбы за равные с мужчинами права. Спортивные арены выступают платформой демонстрации социальных проблем, связанных с гендерным неравенством в оплате труда, сексуализации женского тела и т.п.
The article explores women sport in the context of gender relationship evolution, female self-affirmation in the process of historical development of society. As vanguard of female emancipation sport feminism displays overcoming of androcentric foundations, perfection of gender relations, puts up the women as equal partners with men. I focus on transformation of gender stereotypes, image and status of women in sport through the prism of metamorphoses and paradoxes of the social history of different regional, social, cultural groups and female sport movement on the whole. Global changes associated with the transition to the information age are accompanied by growing economic crises, mass migrations, cultural conflicts, pandemics and wars. New realities confront the pre-modern social orders, stimulate the improvement of human relations and the overcoming of numerous contradictions, among which gender relations stand out. Gender equality remains one of the key issues of social modernization. Sports feminism, the vanguard of women's emancipation, which emerged in the context of the social and political movement of women in response to male domination, actualizes the position of women in society, expresses their self-affirmation through sports as the most organized form of struggle for equal rights with men. Sports arenas serve as a platform for demonstrating social problems related to gender inequality in wages, sexualization of the female body, etc.
К характеристике современной российской ментальности: связь прошлого, настоящего и будущего (On the Modern Russian Mentality: The Connection Between the Present and the Future)
Authors: Андреев А.
Published: December 2023

Статья посвящена таким особенностям российской ментальности, как восприятие стрелы времени и представления о том, какой страна должна стать в будущем. Эмпирической базой исследования послужили результаты социологических опросов, проводившихся начиная с 2000 г. различными исследовательскими центрами и научными коллективами. Как отмечает автор, среди тех качеств, которыми в идеале должна обладать Россия будущего, большинство россиян называют социальную справедливость, преодоление коррупции, смягчение социальных неравенств, переход к инновационной экономике, укрепление международных позиций страны. Большое внимание в статье уделяется вопросу о том, как образы будущей России связаны с парадигмой цивилизационного развития и содержательными характеристиками российского глобального проекта. В этом контексте автор характеризует российский путь как традиционалистскую модернизацию, показывая при этом, что социально-историческое целеполагание в российской ментальности не противопоставляет традиции идее прогресса, а использует их как основу для дальнейшего развития (реактуализация традиций).
The article is devoted to such aspects of Russian mentality as the perception of the arrow of time and the idea of what the country should become in the future. The empirical basis of the study was the results of sociological surveys conducted since 2000 by various research centers and research teams. As noted in the article, among the qualities that Russia of the future should ideally possess, most Russians mention social justice, overcoming corruption, mitigating social inequalities, transition to innovative economy, strengthening the country’s international positions. The article makes an emphasis on the way the images of the future Russia are connected with the paradigm of civilizational development and the content of the Russian global project. In this context, the author characterizes the Russian way to future as a traditionalist modernization, while showing that modern Russian traditionalism does not oppose the idea of progress, but uses traditions as a basis for further development.
Diagnostic value of high sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) in dialysis patients with myocardial infarction
Authors: Zhao Kun , Shen Bozhi , Wei Hongcheng , Lu Rongsheng , Liu Yifan , Xu Chenchen , Cai Haoran , Huang Yanhong , Li Peng , Ye Xiaoman , Li Yong
Published: December 2023

Background

As a sensitive diagnostic marker for myocardial infarction (MI) in people with normal renal function, elevated high sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) was often found in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients requiring dialysis. However, the accuracy of baseline hs-cTnT in the diagnosis of MI (including Type 1 MI (T1MI) and Type 2 MI (T2MI)) in dialysis patients is still controversial. The aim of this study was to retrospectively explore whether there were any clinical indices that could increase the predictive value of hs-cTnT on admission for MI occurrence in dialysis patients.

Methods

Here, 136 patients with uremia who underwent regular dialysis with coronary angiography in the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from August 2017 to October 2021 were enrolled. According to the coronary angiography results and the presence of clinical symptoms, the patients were divided into: (1). AMI group (n = 69; angiography positive) and Control group (n = 67; angiography negative); (2). T1MI group (n = 69; angiography positive), T2MI group (n = 7; angiography negative & symptomatic), and Control group (n = 60; angiography negative & asymptomatic).

Results

Here, we found the mean hs-cTnT on admission in the Control group was much lower than that in the AMI group. Hs-cTnT alone had a mediocre predictive performance, with an AUROC of 0.7958 (95% CI: 0.7220, 0.8696). Moreover, the ROC curve of hs-cTnT combined with the Triglyceride (TG), Time of dialysis, and Albumin (Alb) showed a higher sensitivity area [0.9343 (95% CI: 0.8901, 0.9786)] than that of single hs-cTnT. Next, hs-cTnT combined with the TG, Time of dialysis, and Alb also presented a better performance in predicting T1MI [0.9150 (95% CI: 0.8678, 0.9621)] or T2MI (0.9167 [0.9167 (95% CI: 0.8427, 0.9906)] occurrences. Last, these combined variables could better distinguish patient between T1MI and T2MI group than hs-cTnT alone.

Conclusions

On admission, a combination of hs-cTnT, TG, Time of dialysis, and Alb presented a higher sensitivity than hs-cTnT alone in predicting MI occurrence in dialysis patients, suggesting a better diagnostic approach for future clinical applications.
Interpreting gender gap issues in standardized tests: definition and application of a theoretical tool
Authors: Spagnolo Camilla , Nicchiotti Bianca
Published: December 2023

Gender gap in STEM disciplines is a phenomenon that has been extensively studied and described. In this paper we focus on the gender gap in mathematics and firstly we illustrate the international and national situation that emerges from the reports of large-scale assessment. The core of our work then is the definition and explanation of the gender gap index GGIk, a theoretical tool which allows us to categorize the results of each item in terms of the resulting gender gap. Lastly, the index is used to analyse some items taken from INVALSI tests and it is compared and contrasted with other indexes commonly used, in order to give an example of its possible use in research in mathematics education.
Constructing written scientific explanations: a conceptual analysis supporting diverse and exceptional middle- and high-school students in developing science disciplinary literacy
Authors: Moore Brooke A. , Wright Jessica
Published: December 2023

Constructing a written scientific explanation is a science practice that is fundamental in supporting students developing understanding of the natural world in which we live. Engaging in the practice of constructing valid scientific explanations supports students in developing science disciplinary literacy. Yet, writing a scientific explanation can be challenging for diverse and exceptional learners because it requires coordinating multiple, complex skills. This conceptual analysis explores the purpose of constructing written scientific explanations by focusing on the constituent elements and structures of a constructed scientific explanation. These findings are then integrated into a framework to assist Individual Education Program (IEP) teams in planning and implementing successful supports and instruction for diverse and exceptional learners in middle- and high-school, general education, science classrooms.
Body composition and sexual hormones for the glucose control of autoimmune diabetes in males: are they necessary to predict diabetes-related complications?
Authors: García Ramírez Mireia , Rebollo Román Ángel , Palomares Ortega Rafael , Alonso-Echague Rosario , Calle-Castro María Luisa , Gálvez Moreno María Ángeles , Molina Puerta María José , Herrera-Martínez Aura D.
Published: December 2023

Background

Glucose control in diabetes is essential for avoiding diabetes-related complications.

Aim

To determine the impact of body composition and sexual hormones in glucose control and diabetes-related complications, in males with autoimmune diabetes.

Patients and methods

Thirty-nine patients with autoimmune diabetes and flash glucose monitoring were included. A morphofunctional nutritional evaluation with bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA), abdominal adipose tissue ultrasound, rectus femoris ultrasound and biochemical parameters, was performed

Results

Strong, positive correlations were observed between body composition parameters, biochemical variables and sexual hormones (p<0.05). Adipose tissue measured by BIVA and ultrasound was more significantly associated with glucose control (including time in range >70%, glucose variability <36% determined by flash glucose monitoring; p<0.05) and the presence of microvascular/macrovascular complications (p<0.05) than lean mass. After adjusting by the duration of diabetes, BMI, abdominal circumference, fat mass and phase angle increased the risk for microvascular complications (OR 1.32(1.00 – 1.73), OR 1.06(1.00 – 1.12), OR 1.14(1.01 – 1.20), 0R 0.3(0.10 – 0.91) respectively; for macrovascular complications: BMI OR 1.38(1.04 – 1.84) and fat mass OR 1.26(1.00 – 1.58)]. Sexual hormone levels did not influence on glucose control or the development of diabetes-related complications.

Conclusion

Anthrpometric parameters, especially adipose tissue, were associated with glucose control and variability determined by flash glucose monitoring. Furthermore, changes in fat and lean mass were associated with the presence of microvascular and macrovascular complications. Thus, a comprehensive nutritional evaluation might be useful for the evaluation of males with autoimmune diabetes, in order to identify patients with increased risk of complications.
Krill herd technique for dynamic economic dispatch problems with the integration of wind power generation
Authors: Pulluri Harish , Nadakuditi Gouthamkumar , Vedik B. , Srikanth Goud B. , Reddy Ch. Rami , Kotb Hossam , AboRas Kareem M. , Emara Ahmed
Published: December 2023

The krill herd (KH) approach is proposed in this article for tackling the dynamic economic dispatch (DED) problem with the integration of wind power generation, including constraints such as valve-point loadings and prohibited operating zones (PoZs). The purpose of resolving the DED problem is to determine the optimum feasible combination of power outputs for all allocated generating units within a given period while simultaneously meeting dynamic operational constraints and power demand. Due to the addition of valve points and PoZs to the cost characteristics of the generating unit, the DED issue becomes a highly non-linear and non-convex optimization issue. When transmission losses are taken into account, the DED problem becomes significantly more complex to solve. KH is a swarm-inspired algorithm based on krill individual herding behavior. KH employs two global and two local tactics, and these work in parallel, making KH a powerful algorithm. The effectiveness of the KH method is investigated and validated through extensive testing on various test systems, including 5-, 6-, 10-, 16-, and 30-unit test systems. Extensive studies are conducted to evaluate the efficacy of the proposed KH algorithm; the present research work compares the convergence properties of the suggested approach with those of the other recently published methods. In addition to reduced generation costs compared to other results published in recent literature, the numerical findings of the KH approach reveal that it has strong convergence qualities.
Two-sample Mendelian randomization study reveals no causal relationship between inflammatory bowel disease and urological cancers
Authors: Zhang Haoyang , Hu Can , Zhang Zhiyu , Li Peng , Shen Gang , Sun Jiale
Published: December 2023

Background: The relationship between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and urological cancers has been identified in epidemiological and observational studies, while the causality remains uncertain. We examined whether IBD is causally associated with urological cancers in a Mendelian randomization (MR) study.

Methods: The causal relationship between IBD, its main subtypes, and urological cancers was investigated using genome-wide association study data. To obtain more reliable conclusions, all outcomes were divided into training and validation sets. Eligible single-nucleotide polymorphisms were selected as instrumental variables based on MR analysis assumptions. The inverse variance-weighted (IVW) method was employed as the main method along with four other complementary methods.

Results: In this two-sample MR study, no genetic evidence for the causal effect of IBD on urological cancers was found in either the training or validation sets using the IVW method. Similarly, we did not observe any significant association between Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis and urological cancers. The results of the other methods are in accordance with those obtained using the IVW method.

Conclusion: In this study, we confirmed that IBD is not a causal genetic risk factor for urological cancer in a European population.
Case report: Complete paternal isodisomy on chromosome 18 induces methylation changes in PARD6G-AS1 promotor in a case with arthrogryposis
Authors: Moch Johanna , Radtke Maximilian , Gburek-Augustat Janina , Karnstedt Maike , Schönnagel Senta , Drukewitz Stephan H. , Pilgram Laura , Hentschel Julia , Schumann Isabell
Published: December 2023

Uniparental disomy (UPD) is the inheritance of both alleles of a chromosome from only one parent. So far, the detection of UPDs in sequencing data is not well established and a known gap in next-generation sequencing (NGS) diagnostics. By developing a new tool for UPD detection, we re-evaluated an eight-year-old individual presenting with scoliosis, muscle weakness and global developmental delay. Previous panel analysis identified a homozygous likely pathogenic loss-of-function variant in the PIEZO2-gene associated with arthrogryposis (OMIM # 617146). Interestingly, during a re-evaluation process, we identified a region of homozygosity (ROH) covering over 95% of chromosome 18. Segregation and microsatellite analysis within the family revealed that only the father is a heterozygous carrier of the variant in PIEZO2 and confirmed paternal uniparental isodisomy (iUPD) on chromosome 18 in the individual. Further methylation analysis indicated demethylation of the promotor region of PARD6G-AS1, which is described to be maternally imprinted and could possibly influence the individuals’ phenotype. Our report describes the first complete iUPD on chromosome 18 and highlights that UPDs can be a cause for homozygous pathogenic variants, which reduces the risk of reoccurrence in case of a new pregnancy in comparison to an autosomal recessive inheritance trait significantly.
Cardiometabolic health across menopausal years is linked to white matter hyperintensities up to a decade later
Authors: Schindler Louise S. , Subramaniapillai Sivaniya , Ambikairajah Ananthan , Barth Claudia , Crestol Arielle , Voldsbekk Irene , Beck Dani , Gurholt Tiril P. , Topiwala Anya , Suri Sana , Ebmeier Klaus P. , Andreassen Ole A. , Draganski Bogdan , Westlye Lars T. , de Lange Ann-Marie G.
Published: December 2023

Introduction

The menopause transition is associated with several cardiometabolic risk factors. Poor cardiometabolic health is further linked to microvascular brain lesions, which can be detected as white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) using T2-FLAIR magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. Females show higher risk for WMHs post-menopause, but it remains unclear whether changes in cardiometabolic risk factors underlie menopause-related increase in brain pathology.

Methods

In this study, we assessed whether cross-sectional measures of cardiometabolic health, including body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), blood lipids, blood pressure, and long-term blood glucose (HbA1c), as well as longitudinal changes in BMI and WHR, differed according to menopausal status at baseline in 9,882 UK Biobank females (age range 40–70 years, n premenopausal = 3,529, n postmenopausal = 6,353). Furthermore, we examined whether these cardiometabolic factors were associated with WMH outcomes at the follow-up assessment, on average 8.78 years after baseline.

Results

Postmenopausal females showed higher levels of baseline blood lipids (HDL β = 0.14, p < 0.001, LDL β = 0.20, p < 0.001, triglycerides β = 0.12, p < 0.001) and HbA1c (β = 0.24, p < 0.001) compared to premenopausal women, beyond the effects of age. Over time, BMI increased more in the premenopausal compared to the postmenopausal group (β = −0.08, p < 0.001), while WHR increased to a similar extent in both groups (β = −0.03, p = 0.102). The change in WHR was however driven by increased waist circumference only in the premenopausal group. While the group level changes in BMI and WHR were in general small, these findings point to distinct anthropometric changes in pre- and postmenopausal females over time. Higher baseline measures of BMI, WHR, triglycerides, blood pressure, and HbA1c, as well as longitudinal increases in BMI and WHR, were associated with larger WMH volumes (β range = 0.03–0.13, p ≤ 0.002). HDL showed a significant inverse relationship with WMH volume (β = −0.27, p < 0.001).

Discussion

Our findings emphasise the importance of monitoring cardiometabolic risk factors in females from midlife through the menopause transition and into the postmenopausal phase, to ensure improved cerebrovascular outcomes in later years.
Signaling network analysis reveals fostamatinib as a potential drug to control platelet hyperactivation during SARS-CoV-2 infection
Authors: Osmanoglu Özge , Gupta Shishir K. , Almasi Anna , Yagci Seray , Srivastava Mugdha , Araujo Gabriel H. M. , Nagy Zoltan , Balkenhol Johannes , Dandekar Thomas
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Pro-thrombotic events are one of the prevalent causes of intensive care unit (ICU) admissions among COVID-19 patients, although the signaling events in the stimulated platelets are still unclear.

Methods

We conducted a comparative analysis of platelet transcriptome data from healthy donors, ICU, and non-ICU COVID-19 patients to elucidate these mechanisms. To surpass previous analyses, we constructed models of involved networks and control cascades by integrating a global human signaling network with transcriptome data. We investigated the control of platelet hyperactivation and the specific proteins involved.

Results

Our study revealed that control of the platelet network in ICU patients is significantly higher than in non-ICU patients. Non-ICU patients require control over fewer proteins for managing platelet hyperactivity compared to ICU patients. Identification of indispensable proteins highlighted key subnetworks, that are targetable for system control in COVID-19-related platelet hyperactivity. We scrutinized FDA-approved drugs targeting indispensable proteins and identified fostamatinib as a potent candidate for preventing thrombosis in COVID-19 patients.

Discussion

Our findings shed light on how SARS-CoV-2 efficiently affects host platelets by targeting indispensable and critical proteins involved in the control of platelet activity. We evaluated several drugs for specific control of platelet hyperactivity in ICU patients suffering from platelet hyperactivation. The focus of our approach is repurposing existing drugs for optimal control over the signaling network responsible for platelet hyperactivity in COVID-19 patients. Our study offers specific pharmacological recommendations, with drug prioritization tailored to the distinct network states observed in each patient condition. Interactive networks and detailed results can be accessed at https://fostamatinib.bioinfo-wuerz.eu/.
An integrative analysis of single-cell and bulk transcriptome and bidirectional mendelian randomization analysis identified C1Q as a novel stimulated risk gene for Atherosclerosis
Authors: Cui Hong-Kai , Tang Chao-Jie , Gao Yu , Li Zi-Ang , Zhang Jian , Li Yong-Dong
Published: December 2023

Background

The role of complement component 1q (C1Q) related genes on human atherosclerotic plaques (HAP) is less known. Our aim is to establish C1Q associated hub genes using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and bulk RNA analysis to diagnose and predict HAP patients more effectively and investigate the association between C1Q and HAP (ischemic stroke) using bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.

Methods

HAP scRNA-seq and bulk-RNA data were download from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. The C1Q-related hub genes was screened using the GBM, LASSO and XGBoost algorithms. We built machine learning models to diagnose and distinguish between types of atherosclerosis using generalized linear models and receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analyses. Further, we scored the HALLMARK_COMPLEMENT signaling pathway using ssGSEA and confirmed hub gene expression through qRT-PCR in RAW264.7 macrophages and apoE-/- mice. Furthermore, the risk association between C1Q and HAP was assessed through bidirectional MR analysis, with C1Q as exposure and ischemic stroke (IS, large artery atherosclerosis) as outcomes. Inverse variance weighting (IVW) was used as the main method.

Results

We utilized scRNA-seq dataset (GSE159677) to identify 24 cell clusters and 12 cell types, and revealed seven C1Q associated DEGs in both the scRNA-seq and GEO datasets. We then used GBM, LASSO and XGBoost to select C1QA and C1QC from the seven DEGs. Our findings indicated that both training and validation cohorts had satisfactory diagnostic accuracy for identifying patients with HPAs. Additionally, we confirmed SPI1 as a potential TF responsible for regulating the two hub genes in HAP. Our analysis further revealed that the HALLMARK_COMPLEMENT signaling pathway was correlated and activated with C1QA and C1QC. We confirmed high expression levels of C1QA, C1QC and SPI1 in ox-LDL-treated RAW264.7 macrophages and apoE-/- mice using qPCR. The results of MR indicated that there was a positive association between the genetic risk of C1Q and IS, as evidenced by an odds ratio (OR) of 1.118 (95%CI: 1.013–1.234, P = 0.027).

Conclusion

The authors have effectively developed and validated a novel diagnostic signature comprising two genes for HAP, while MR analysis has provided evidence supporting a favorable association of C1Q on IS.
Immunosequencing applications in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma
Authors: Mandel Jenna , Gleason Laura , Joffe Daniel , Bhatti Safiyyah , Nikbakht Neda
Published: December 2023

Immunosequencing has emerged as a newer clinical test for assessment of T-cell clonality in the blood and skin of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) patients. Utilization of immunosequencing, also known as high-throughput sequencing of the T-cell receptor (HTS-TCR), enables identification and quantification of the precise genetic signature of dominant T-cell clones. Although immunosequencing is more sensitive than commonly used methods such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) paired with capillary electrophoresis or flow cytometry, it remains underutilized for CTCL management. Nonetheless, incorporation of HTS-TCR in clinical practice offers distinct advantages compared to other molecular analyses that may improve diagnostic evaluation, prognostication, and disease monitoring in CTCL. The objective of this comprehensive review is to provide a thorough explanation of the application of immunosequencing in the context of CTCL. We describe the significance of T-cell clonality and the methods used to detect it, including a detailed comparison between PCR paired with capillary electrophoresis and HTS-TCR. The utilization of immunosequencing in the blood and skin of CTCL patients is discussed in depth, specifically outlining how HTS-TCR can assist in diagnosing CTCL, predicting outcomes, and tracking disease progression. Finally, we address the potential applications of immunosequencing in clinical management and research as well as the novel challenges it presents.
Distinctive features of Zaprionus indianus hemocyte differentiation and function revealed by transcriptomic analysis
Authors: Cinege Gyöngyi , Magyar Lilla B. , Kovács Henrietta , Varga Viktória , Bodai László , Zsindely Nóra , Nagy Gábor , Hegedűs Zoltán , Hultmark Dan , Andó István
Published: December 2023

Background

Insects have specialized cell types that participate in the elimination of parasites, for instance, the lamellocytes of the broadly studied species Drosophila melanogaster. Other drosophilids, such as Drosophila ananassae and the invasive Zaprionus indianus, have multinucleated giant hemocytes, a syncytium of blood cells that participate in the encapsulation of the eggs or larvae of parasitoid wasps. These cells can be formed by the fusion of hemocytes in circulation or originate from the lymph gland. Their ultrastructure highly resembles that of the mammalian megakaryocytes.

Methods

Morphological, protein expressional, and functional features of blood cells were revealed using epifluorescence and confocal microscopy. The respective hemocyte subpopulations were identified using monoclonal antibodies in indirect immunofluorescence assays. Fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled Escherichia coli bacteria were used in phagocytosis tests. Gene expression analysis was performed following mRNA sequencing of blood cells.

Results

D. ananassae and Z. indianus encapsulate foreign particles with the involvement of multinucleated giant hemocytes and mount a highly efficient immune response against parasitoid wasps. Morphological, protein expressional, and functional assays of Z. indianus blood cells suggested that these cells could be derived from large plasmatocytes, a unique cell type developing specifically after parasitoid wasp infection. Transcriptomic analysis of blood cells, isolated from naïve and wasp-infected Z. indianus larvae, revealed several differentially expressed genes involved in signal transduction, cell movements, encapsulation of foreign targets, energy production, and melanization, suggesting their role in the anti-parasitoid response. A large number of genes that encode proteins associated with coagulation and wound healing, such as phenoloxidase activity factor-like proteins, fibrinogen-related proteins, lectins, and proteins involved in the differentiation and function of platelets, were constitutively expressed. The remarkable ultrastructural similarities between giant hemocytes and mammalian megakaryocytes, and presence of platelets, and giant cell-derived anucleated fragments at wound sites hint at the involvement of this cell subpopulation in wound healing processes, in addition to participation in the encapsulation reaction.

Conclusion

Our observations provide insights into the broad repertoire of blood cell functions required for efficient defense reactions to maintain the homeostasis of the organism. The analysis of the differentiation and function of multinucleated giant hemocytes gives an insight into the diversification of the immune mechanisms.
Hydrographical implications of ship-induced turbulence in stratified waters, studied through field observations and CFD modelling
Authors: Nylund Amanda T. , Hassellöv Ida-Maja , Tengberg Anders , Bensow Rickard , Broström Göran , Hassellöv Martin , Arneborg Lars
Published: December 2023

Ship-related energy pollution has received increasing attention but almost exclusively regarding radiated underwater noise, while the effect of ship-induced turbulence is lacking in the literature. Here we present novel results regarding turbulent wake development, the interaction between ship-induced turbulence and stratification, and discuss the impact of turbulent ship wakes in the surface ocean, in areas with intense ship traffic. The turbulent wake development was studied in situ, using Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (ADCP) and conductivity, temperature, depth (CTD) observations of stratification, and through computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modelling. Our results show that the turbulent wake interacts with natural hydrography by entraining water from below the pycnocline, and that stratification influences the turbulent wake development by dampening the vertical extent, resulting in the wake water spreading out along the pycnocline rather than at the surface. The depth and intensity of the turbulent wake represent an unnatural occurrence of turbulence in the surface ocean. The ship-induced turbulence can impact local hydrography, nutrient dynamics and increase plankton mortality due to physical disturbance, especially in areas with intense traffic. Therefore, sampling and modelling of e.g., contaminants in shipping lanes need to consider hydrographic conditions, as stratification may alter the depth and spread of the wake, which in turn governs dilution. Finally, the frequent ship traffic in estuarine and coastal areas, calls for consideration of ship-induced turbulence when studying hydrographic processes.
Sarcoidosis-related autoimmune inflammation in COVID-19 convalescent patients
Authors: Rubinstein Artem , Kudryavtsev Igor , Malkova Annа , Mammedova Jennet , Isakov Dmitry , Isakova-Sivak Irina , Kudlay Dmitry , Starshinova Anna
Published: December 2023

Currently, there are a large number of reports about the development of autoimmune conditions after COVID-19. Also, there have been cases of sarcoid-like granulomas in convalescents as a part of the post-COVID-19 syndrome. Since one of the etiological theories of sarcoidosis considers it to be an autoimmune disease, we decided to study changes in the adaptive humoral immune response in sarcoidosis and SARS-CoV-2 infection and to find out whether COVID-19 can provoke the development of sarcoidosis. This review discusses histological changes in lymphoid organs in sarcoidosis and COVID-19, changes in B cell subpopulations, T-follicular helper cells (Tfh), and T-follicular regulatory cells (Tfr), and analyzes various autoantibodies detected in these pathologies. Based on the data studied, we concluded that SARS-CoV-2 infection may cause the development of autoimmune pathologies, in particular contributing to the onset of sarcoidosis in convalescents.