bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anticancer Effects of Cisplatin and 6-Gingerol Co-Treatment on MDA-MB-231 Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Toh Min Sin , Chong Wan Ching , Susanto Hendra , Nik Malek Nik Ahmad Nizam , Prabhakaran Praseetha
Published: December 2024

Breast cancer is known to be a common cancer diagnosed by people around the world, and a high number of breast cancer cases are recorded annually. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), the most aggressive form of breast cancer, is often difficult to treat as it lacks expression of estrogen, progesterone and human epidermal growth factor receptors that are often targeted for other breast cancer subtypes. Hence, chemotherapy remains the main option to treat TNBC. Cisplatin, a powerful anticancer drug, is commonly used as a chemotherapeutic agent for TNBC treatment. Nevertheless, the development of chemoresistance and adverse side effects observed in clinics limit the use of cisplatin in treating cancer. Various studies have shown that cisplatin, in combination with plant-based compounds, has successfully reduced its toxicity as well as tumour resistance to its treatment. Recent findings have shown that 6-gingerol, the major phytochemical in ginger, possesses excellent anticancer properties. Therefore, this study reports the anticancer effects of cisplatin, 6-gingerol and cisplatin-6-gingerol co-treatment on the cell viability and changes in morphology of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells, which represents the TNBC subtype. Alamar Blue assay was performed to study cell viability while morphological changes in cells before and after treatments were observed via microscopy imaging. In addition, the drug-drug interaction was studied via the CompuSyn software.   The IC50 concentrations of cisplatin, 6-gingerol and combined cisplatin-6-gingerol treatments were achieved at 8.08mM, 80.24mM and 58.53mM, respectively. In the combined therapy, a reduced cisplatin concentration (5mM) was used  with 0-100 mM 6-gingerol.The combination therapy required a lower dosage of both agents (5mM cisplatin in combination with 58.53mM 6-gingerol) to inhibit 50% of MDA-MB-231 cell growth. Both solo and combined treatments reduced the cell viability of MDA-MB-231 effectively in a dose-dependent manner but with different capacities. Morphological changes of MDA-MB-231 cells upon each treatment suggested that each treatment could induce different cell fate. However, the analyzed drug-drug interaction between 5 mM cisplatin and 0-100 mM 6-gingerol on MDA-MB-231 cells revealed that the combined treatment exerted an antagonistic effect.  It is presumed that the cisplatin concentration used counteracted with the effect of  6-gingerol, consequently affecting the overall inhibitory effect in MDA-MB-231 cells.  In conclusion, the present study shows that solo treatment of cisplatin and 6-gingerol, respectively, had a more significant inhibitory effect compared to the co-treatment on MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. However, further studies are required to examine the combined effect of cisplatin and 6-gingerol using different combination strategies for more promising outcomes that can provide valuable knowledge in contributing to TNBC treatment management.
Environmental Influences on Microplastics and Particulate Matter Resuspension in Indoor Air: A Study of Office Settings with Air Conditioning
Authors: Nor Haida Azwa Binti Mohmad  , J Nor Ruwaida , Dewika M  , Sara Y Y  , Norfatiha I  , Nur Aqilah Samsukamal
Published: December 2024

This study investigates airborne microplastics (MPs) in office environments, with a particular focus on spaces with air conditioning (AC), due to increasing health concerns. The research aims to analyze the physical characteristics, sources, distribution, and potential health risks of MPs. Despite growing awareness of MP pollution, comprehensive data on their specifics in office settings—such as shape, composition, and size—remains limited. Between November 2023 and January 2024, 42 air samples were collected under controlled conditions, both with and without AC, at the Air Resource Research Laboratory, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Kuala Lumpur Campus. Stereomicroscopy was employed to identify the MPs’ physical properties, revealing a dominance of bead-shaped MPs in air-conditioned spaces, with smaller particles (<50µm), often transparent or black, being the most prevalent. Environmental factors like wind speed and humidity were found to influence MPs' abundance. The study also noted a potential correlation between atmospheric MPs and particulate matter (PM) emissions, suggesting shared sources or accumulation mechanisms. Estimates of daily MPs intake through dust ingestion highlighted associated health risks. This research provides insights into the dynamics of MPs and PM in air-conditioned offices, emphasizing the need for further investigation into their environmental and health impacts. Effective mitigation strategies are crucial for reducing MP and PM exposure, thereby improving indoor air quality and protecting human health.
Neck‐pinching of CP1$\mathbb {C}{\rm P}^1$‐structures in the PSL2C${\rm PSL}_2\mathbb {C}$‐character variety
Authors: Baba Shinpei
Published: December 2024

We characterize a certain neck‐pinching degeneration of (marked) ‐structures on a closed oriented surface of genus at least two. In a more general setting, we take a path of ‐structures on that leaves every compact subset in its deformation space, such that the holonomy of converges in the ‐character variety as . Then, it is well known that the complex structure of also leaves every compact subset in the Teichmüller space of . In this paper, under an additional assumption that is pinched along a loop on , we describe the limit of from different perspectives: namely, in terms of the developing maps, holomorphic quadratic differentials, and pleated surfaces. The holonomy representations of ‐structures on are known to be nonelementary (i.e., strongly irreducible and unbounded). We also give a rather exotic example of such a path whose limit holonomy is the trivial representation.
Teaching and Transferring Life Skills From the Classroom: A Qualitative Study of Iranian Physical Education Teachers’ Perceptions
Authors: Vahdani Mohsen , Cronin Lorcan , Taslimi Zahra , Rezasoltani Najmeh
Published: December 2024

Purpose: This study aimed to explore Iranian physical education (PE) teachers’ perspectives on developing students’ life skills. Method: A qualitative survey-based research approach was utilized to gather the research data. The study included 81 Iranian teachers who completed an open-ended questionnaire that was developed based on the life skills development research literature. Responses to the questionnaires were transcribed and analyzed thematically. Results: Results indicated that teachers perceive that PE fosters an array of life skills in students (e.g., teamwork and emotional regulation). In additional, six pathways for teaching life skills in PE were put forth by the teachers: (a) classroom management techniques, (b) instructional design activities, (c) interaction techniques, (d) teacher-role modeling, (e) direct approaches, and (f) the utilization of space, equipment, and educational materials. In practice, PE teachers suggest integrating life skills into the curriculum, teacher training courses, and trainee supervision to enhance life skills development.
Role of mouse adenovirus type 1 E4orf6-induced degradation of protein kinase R in pathogenesis
Authors: Edwards, III Daniel F. , Pereira Estela A. , Castro-Jorge Luiza A. , Nevarez Juan M. , Foreman Oded , Spindler Katherine R.
Published: December 2024

Protein kinase R (PKR) is an interferon-induced antiviral protein activated by autophosphorylation in response to double strand DNA (dsRNA) and other stimuli. Activated PKR causes translation inhibition and apoptosis, and it contributes to proinflammatory responses, cell growth, and differentiation. Mouse adenovirus type 1 (MAV-1) counteracts PKR by causing its degradation via a viral protein, early region 4 open reading frame 6 (E4orf6). Degradation is dependent on E4orf6 binding to Cullin 2, a component of the MAV-1 E4orf6 ubiquitin ligase. We investigated the importance of E4orf6 for induction of PKR degradation by exploiting the ability to infect the natural host with the adenovirus MAV-1. First, we used a new PKR-deficient mouse strain, PKR-TKO. PKR-TKO mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEFs) produced higher levels of MAV-1 upon infection than did wild-type (WT) MEFs. PKR-TKO mice had significantly reduced survival, and MAV-1 had a lower LD
50
than in WT control mice. However, virus loads in brains and spleens, key organs infected by MAV-1, were similar between PKR-TKO and WT mice. Second, we constructed a virus, E4orf6TMC2, that has three amino acid changes in the E4orf6 domain involved in Cullin 2 binding. In cell culture infection, compared to WT virus, E4orf6TMC2 resulted in reduced PKR degradation, but its growth was equivalent to WT virus. However, E4orf6TMC2 was avirulent in three mouse strains, including the PKR-TKO mice. The results indicate that PKR is an essential antiviral protein that protects against MAV-1 infection. We confirmed that the viral E4orf6 protein is a virulence protein important for PKR degradation during virus infection, and our results suggest its function is not limited to PKR degradation.

IMPORTANCE

Protein kinase R (PKR) is a host protein that is central to many aspects of the cellular stress response. PKR protects against viral infection by inhibiting viral and host protein synthesis. Most animal viruses have developed ways to circumvent PKR effects by at least one of a variety of means, including inducing its degradation. A new mouse strain knocked out for PKR expression has enabled us to show the importance of PKR for protection from mouse adenovirus type 1 infection in the natural host, which is not possible for human adenoviruses. Mouse adenovirus type 1 induces degradation of PKR through an interaction with host protein Cullin 2. We generated a mutant virus that is defective in its ability to interact with Cullin 2 and showed that the virus does not cause pathogenesis in mice. This work provides critical evidence from mouse studies supporting the importance of PKR for adenovirus pathogenesis.
Octahedral small virus-like particles of dengue virus type 2
Authors: Johnson Adam , Dodes Traian Martín , Walsh, Jr. Richard M. , Jenni Simon , Harrison Stephen C.
Published: December 2024

Flavivirus envelope (E) and precursor M (prM) proteins, when ectopically expressed, assemble into empty, virus-like particles (VLPs). Cleavage of prM to M and loss of the pr fragment converts the VLPs from immature to mature particles, mimicking a similar maturation of authentic virions. Most of the VLPs obtained by prM-E expression are smaller than virions; early, low-resolution cryo-EM studies suggested a simple, 60-subunit, icosahedral organization. We describe here the cryo-EM structure of immature, small VLPs (smVLPs) from dengue virus type 2 and show that they have octahedral rather than icosahedral symmetry. The asymmetric unit of the octahedral particle is an asymmetric trimer of prM-E heterodimers, just as it is on icosahedral immature virions; the full, octahedrally symmetric particle thus has 24 such asymmetric trimers or 72 prM-E heterodimers in all. Cleavage of prM and release of pr generates ovoid, somewhat irregular, mature particles. Previous work has shown that mature smVLPs have fusion properties identical to those of virions, consistent with local, virion-like clustering of 36 E dimers on their surface. The cryo-EM structure and the properties of the smVLPs described here relate directly to ongoing efforts to use them as vaccine immunogens.

IMPORTANCE

Ectopic expression of flavivirus envelope (E) and precursor M (prM) proteins leads to the formation and secretion of empty, virus-like particles (VLPs). We show that a major class of VLPs, of smaller diameter than those of virion size (“small VLPs”: smVLPs), are octahedrally symmetric particles. The known characteristics of immature virions (asymmetric trimers of prM-E heterodimers) allow us to understand the assembly of an octahedral (rather than icosahedral) surface lattice. Cleavage of prM and formation of mature, fusogenic smVLPs yield somewhat irregular, ovoid particles. These observations are directly relevant to proposals for using immunogenic but non-infectious VLPs as components of specific flavivirus vaccines.
Supplemental Material: The early Paleozoic intracontinental orogeny in South China: A far-field response to the closure of the Proto-Tethys Ocean in the Indochina Block
Authors: Yang Hang , al. et
Published: December 2024

Tables S1–S9 and references.
Health-promoting lifestyles and influencing factors among pregnant women with urinary incontinence: a multicentre cross-sectional study
Authors: Mao Minna , Zhou Huijie , Gu Shuiqin , Wang Xiaojuan , Xu Ping , Li Yi , Feng Suwen
Published: December 2024

Objective

Lifestyle modification is an important part of non-surgical treatment for urinary incontinence (UI) and is strongly recommended. This study aims to explore the status and influencing factors of health-promoting lifestyle among pregnant women with UI.

Design

A multicentre cross-sectional study.

Setting

This study was conducted in obstetric clinics of three tertiary-level A hospitals in Zhejiang Province, mainland China.

Participants

A total of 519 pregnant women with UI were enrolled in this study from May 2023 to August 2023.

Outcome measures

Lifestyle Profile Scale for Gravidas with Urinary Incontinence (LPG-UI) was used to assess health-promoting lifestyle status. Multivariate stepwise linear regression analysis was performed to identify significant influence factors.

Results

Most participants reported mild-to-moderate UI, with over 60% experiencing UI starting from the first and second trimesters. The mean score of LPG-UI was 86.74 (SD=12.75) out of a score of 120. The results of multivariate stepwise linear regression analysis showed that those who had better environmental satisfaction (β=0.22, p<0.001), self-efficacy (β=0.168, p<0.001), social support (β=0.153, p<0.001) and knowledge of UI (β=0.104, p<0.01) have higher levels of health-promoting lifestyles, while those who had worse depression (β=−0.214, p<0.001), fewer exercise before pregnancy (β=−0.135, p<0.001) and physical work (β=−0.076, p<0.05) have lower levels of health-promoting lifestyles. A total of 38.5% variation in the regression equation could be explained.

Conclusions

The health-promoting lifestyle of pregnant women with UI needs to be further promoted. Governments and the social sector need to do more to improve the accessibility of environments such as sports and healthcare. Meanwhile, increasing the individual health responsibility of pregnant women with UI and promoting help-seeking behaviours are also top priorities. More social and emotional support should be added to improve self-efficacy and positive moods to enhance health promotion lifestyles.
Promoting psychological adaptability and well-being of patients with personality disorders with creative arts and psychomotor therapies: protocol of an intervention mapping study
Authors: Wiersma Imke CM , Wouters Hans , Timmerman Karin , Heijman Jackie , Westerhof Gerben J , Radstaak Mirjam , Haeyen Suzanne
Published: December 2024

Introduction

Personality disorders (PDs) cause much suffering. In treating patients with PDs, it is important not only to focus on reducing symptoms, but also on promoting psychological adaptability and well-being. The experiential nature of Creative Arts and Psychomotor Therapies (CAPTs) contributes to working on psychological adaptability and improving well-being, although more evidence is needed. This protocol paper describes a study to develop and evaluate a CAPTs-intervention aimed at promoting psychological adaptability and well-being in people with PDs.

Methods and analysis

The CAPTs-intervention will be developed using the Intervention Mapping method. A mixed method design will be used for the evaluation of this intervention, using a multiple baseline single case experimental design (MBSCED) with at least 17 participants with a PD included. Quantitative measures that will be completed weekly are the Generic Sense of Ability to Adapt Scale, the Self-Expression and Emotion Regulation in Art Therapy Scale and the Schema Mode Inventory (SMI, healthy adult and happy child). The Mental Health Continuum Short Form, the Brief Symptom Inventory and the SMI (complete) will only be completed at week 1 and 10 of the intervention. Qualitative instruments are an online survey for Experts by Experience, focus groups for CAPTs-therapists, psychologists, managers and referrers, and semi-structured interviews with patients. Quantitative outcomes will be analysed with linear mixed models. Qualitative analysis will be performed using thematic analysis.

Ethics and dissemination

This study has been approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the HAN University of Applied Sciences (ref: ECO 471.07/23). All participants will sign an Informed Consent and data will be treated confidentially. Study findings will be published Open Access in peer-reviewed journals.

Trial registration number

This study has been registered athttps://www.ClinicalTrials.gov(trial registration numberNCT06219122).
Efficacy of esketamine for chronic post-thoracotomy pain: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Juan Shu , Lu Xing , Zhou Junhui , Wu Guangling , Yuan Ye
Published: December 2024

Introduction

Chronic post-thoracotomy pain (CPTP) is a persistent and disabling condition affecting a significant proportion of patients after thoracotomy and posing a challenge for clinicians, despite advances in surgical and pain management strategies. Esketamine, the S-enantiomer of ketamine, has emerged as a promising therapeutic agent for various pain conditions, with evidence for its effectiveness in alleviating acute and chronic pain. This systematic review and meta-analysis will be conducted to assess the efficacy of esketamine in treating CPTP, and evaluate its effectiveness in reducing pain intensity, improving functional outcomes, and reducing opioid consumption, as well as its adverse effects.

Methods and analysis

Computer-based literature retrieval in the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang database and China Science and Technology Journal Database (VIP) for randomised controlled trials will be conducted from database inception to April 2024, with no restrictions on the language of publication. Eligible trials will be those focused on esketamine use to prevent and treat CPTP in adult patients; trial groups will have received esketamine and control groups will have been treated with placebo, standard treatment or other non-esketamine medications. Primary outcome measures can include the incidence of CPTP at 3 months, 6 months or 12 months postoperatively. Secondary outcome measures will encompass Visual Analogue Scale and Numerical Rating Scale Scores for rest and movement at different postoperative timepoints, the total number and effective number of patient-controlled analgesia button presses, total consumption of sufentanil, rate of rescue analgesia, and the occurrence of postoperative adverse reactions. Two researchers will independently screen the literature, evaluate its quality and extract the data. Meta-analysis will be performed on literature meeting the quality criteria using Review Manager V.5.3 software.

Ethics and dissemination

This review does not require ethical approval. On completion, the results of the review will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal for publication and/or presented at an academic conference.

Trial registration number

PROSPERO, CRD42024526945.
Advances in research on the mechanism of tsRNA action in tumours
Authors: Gao Yan , Huang Yanzhao , Guo Kaiyun , Cheng Jun , Luo Yuting , Deng Yi , Lei Ming
Published: December 2024

tsRNA is a class of non-coding RNAs derived from mature or precursor tRNAs. In recent years, more and more studies have explored the correlation between tsRNAs and tumours. tsRNAs can affect the biological behaviours of tumour cells such as proliferation, apoptosis and metastasis by regulating gene expression, protein translation or post-transcriptional regulation. In this paper, we systematically review the production, biological function and research progress of tsRNA in tumour and discuss its prospects as biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
The CASIMIR energy of a degenerate double well
Authors: Backhouse Drew
Published: December 2024

The true Casimir energy of a scalar field in a degenerate double well potential is shown to be reduced in comparison to the Casimir energy of a free field oscillating in one of the bare vacua due to tunneling effects. The cases of massive and massless scalar fields are analyzed, where symmetry breaking is triggered by a negative mass squared term and a negative scalar-curvature coupling respectively. In the latter case, the energy reduction is enough to change the sign of the Casimir energy, and potential applications to early universe cosmology are discussed.
Duality of similarity solutions for angular momentum equation in thermo-micropolar aqua-base Al2O3–Cu flow
Authors: Dinarvand Saeed , Abbasi Mohammad , Noeiaghdam Samad , Gangadhar Kotha
Published: December 2024

The flow and heat transfer characteristics of a thermo-micropolar hybrid nanofluid (TMPHN) over a shrinking perpendicular surface are studied and analyzed in this paper. The TMPHN contains alumina and copper nanoparticles suspended in an aqua-base fluid. The adopted approach involves taking into account the masses of the base fluid and nanoparticles instead of relying on the first and second nanoparticles’ volume fractions. This method aligns with the single-phase approach known as the Tiwari–Das model. The complicated basic PDEs are converted to nondimensional forms utilizing the process of similarity transformation. Moreover, the MATLAB software’s bvp4c routine is used for problem analysis. The computational procedure is reliable since it complies well with earlier reports. The analysis shows that the present boundary value problem can have more than one unique solution. The solutions (first and second) have been obtained for important parameters such as the second nanoparticle mass, the shrinking parameter, the micropolar heat conduction parameter and the suction parameter. A stability analysis was done to explore and separate stable and unstable solutions. In-plane wall movement, classified as “shrinking”, leads to a reduction in boundary layer thickness, increasing fluid velocity and temperature near the wall. These changes collectively contribute to a higher wall shear stress and an enhanced wall heat flux. In specific conditions, for a thermo-micropolar hybrid nanofluid with a mass of 15[Formula: see text]g for each type of nanoparticle and of 100[Formula: see text]g for the aqua-base fluid, incorporating an additional 15[Formula: see text]g of the second nanoparticle into the base fluid results in a 3.3% improvement in heat transfer. These results can be attractive in both mathematical and physical aspects.
Design of Vibration Isolation Structures with Minimum Compliance Using Multiple Types of Locally Resonant Acoustic Metamaterials via a Multiscale Topology Optimization Method
Authors: Chen Hongfang , Fu Yu , Ling Ling , Hu Yujin , Li Li
Published: December 2024

Designing structures that can isolate specified frequency ranges of vibration or noise while maintaining sufficient stiffness presents a significant challenge. Since locally resonant acoustic metamaterials (LRAMs) can create subwavelength bandgaps, this work proposes a multiscale topology optimization method for such structural designs utilizing multiple types of LRAM cells. To achieve the objectives, the methodology aims to minimize the dynamic responses at a specified point and the structural compliance at the macroscale. At the microscale, it aims to design microstructures with specified bandgaps and minimize macrostructural compliance. Compared to most existing methods, the LRAM design incorporated at the microscale in this approach can create specified bandgaps, enhancing the ability to control vibration isolation. The use of multiple types of LRAMs with bandgaps across different frequency ranges can extend the vibration isolation to a wider frequency range. Since the macrostructures consist of multiple microstructures and the microstructures are composed of various materials, a parameterized level-set-based multi-material approach is employed to optimize the topologies at both scales. The bandgap analysis during optimization is conducted using a homogenization framework. The efficacy of the method is demonstrated through numerical examples, which successfully generate structures capable of isolating vibrations within specified frequency ranges while maintaining minimal compliance. The method shows significant potential to design structures that are capable of effectively attenuating vibrations within a specified frequency range while maintaining load-bearing capacity.
Generation and Validation of Teaching Examples Based on Large Language Models
Authors: He Qing , Wang Yu , Rao Gaoqi
Published: December 2024

Example sentences serve as a crucial bridge for learners to master language application rules, enhance language skills, and develop a sense of language. These sentences encompass various aspects, including semantics, grammar, and pragmatics, and hold significant importance in the fields of language teaching and publishing. Large language models (LLMs) have facilitated the construction and development of generative corpora. Empowered by LLMs, example sentences are linked with linguistic elements such as parts of speech and meanings. During the generation process, both coarse-grained and fine-grained resources are fully utilized; in the screening process, relevant research findings on example sentences, errors, and corrections are extensively referenced to form screening norms. This approach results in the construction of a generative example sentence corpus that meets educational needs and maintains a high degree of standardization.
Fetal Tetra‐Amelia Birth: A Case Report
Authors: Belay Eyob Asefa , Asebot Anberbir Girma , Dabi Bezza Kedida
Published: December 2024

Fetal limb anomaly presentation varies greatly. It can present as amelia (complete absence of skeletal part of one or more limb), meromelia (partial absence of skeletal part of one or more limb), phocomelia (only rudimentary limb formed), and minor limb disorders like polydactyly. The complete absence of the four fetal limbs is extremely rare. Incidence of tetra‐amelia is not well known, but it is mentioned to be 1–4 in 100,000 births in different literature. Etiopathogenesis of fetal tetra‐amelia remains speculative. Tetra‐amelia occurs either as tetra‐amelia syndrome (when other organ systems are affected too) or isolated tetra‐amelia. Tetra‐amelia syndrome is more common than isolated tetra‐amelia. It occurs secondary to genetic aberration or is sporadic. Genetic inheritance of tetra‐amelia may present as autosomal dominance, autosomal recessive, or X‐linked recessive. The protein coded on WTN 3 on chromosome 17q21 is important for fetal limb and other organ system formation. Mutation associated with the WTN 3 gene is a known cause for fetal limb malformation. Maternal diabetes, amniotic band syndrome, TORCH (toxoplasmosis, rubella cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex, and HIV) infection, alcohol consumption, and intrauterine exposure to some drugs like thalidomide, glucocorticoids, and sedatives are risk factors for limb malformation. Tetra‐amelia can be diagnosed as early as the first trimester of pregnancy. Ultrasound imaging is a gold standard investigation to detect tetra‐amelia. Tetra‐amelia syndrome is associated with high mortality and morbidity than isolated tetra‐amelia. In this case report, we present an extremely rare case, isolated tetra‐amelia, born to G3P2 (Gravida 3, Para 2) mother at 36 weeks of gestation. It was diagnosed late in pregnancy at 34 weeks. The fetal organs (kidney, lung, abdominal wall, heart, vertebrae, and brain) were evaluated with ultrasound and were found healthy. She gave birth by cesarean section at 36 weeks of gestation for other obstetric indication. Isolated tetra‐amelia is an extremely rare case. Early antenatal ultrasound fetal evaluation should be promoted. Early detection of tetra‐amelia helps to provide parental counselling and option of management timely. Parental counselling should involve how to care for the neonate with tetra‐amelia. Community awareness creation is important to decrease social stigma against babies with tetra‐amelia. In such rare cases, it is important to alert public health researchers for possible further epidemiological study.
Profiling of Flavonoid Constituents in Sophora davidii Using UHPLC‐Q‐Exactive Orbitrap Mass Spectrometry and Evaluation of Antioxidant Activity
Authors: Qin Shihan , Jiang Xue , Li Shani , Li Qing , Huang Jin , He Qingjiao , Cai Wei
Published: December 2024

The dried root of Sophora davidii Kom. ex Pavol (Leguminosae, family) is a folk medicine and has long been used for the treatment of various diseases, including cough, hematochezia, sore throat, and dysentery. In this study, UHPLC‐Q‐Exactive Orbitrap mass spectrometry investigations were applied to obtain the profiling of the flavonoids in S. davidii. Finally, 108 compounds were identified, and 85 of them were firstly reported. Then, the in vitro antioxidant activity and tyrosinase activity of S. davidii were investigated using the DPPH radical scavenging ability, hydroxyl radical scavenging, and copper‐reducing ability method and by measuring the rate of tyrosinase‐catalyzed L‐dopa oxidation. To our knowledge, this is the first study of S. davidii’s antioxidant activity, anti‐tyrosinase activity, and systematic characterization of flavonoids. The current study will be of support for the usage of S. davidii in the future development of the pharmaceutical industry.
Prevalensi Kelainan Tajam Penglihatan pada Siswa SD Kelas VI di Kelurahan Uritetu, Kota Ambon
Authors: Ohman Selvania , Siegers Daniel , Noya Farah Ch
Published: December 2024

Pendahuluan: Penglihatan adalah bagian fundamental dari proses belajar, karena 80% dari apa yang dipelajari anak-anak diperoleh melalui pemrosesan informasi visual. Ada tiga dampak dari gangguan penglihatan pada anak, terutama pada siswa sekolah dasar: efek kesehatan jangka panjang, kinerja sekolah, dan perkembangan emosional serta sosial. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk melakukan skrining sedini mungkin terhadap gangguan penglihatan pada siswa kelas 6 Sekolah Dasar (SD) di Kecamatan Uritetu, Kota Ambon, sehingga apabila ditemukan adanya kelainan dapat segera dilakukan penatalaksanaan.
Metode: Desain penelitian adalah cross-sectional dengan metode total sampling yang melibatkan 337 siswa. Pengumpulan data dilakukan dengan memeriksa ketajaman visual menggunakan papan Snellen, dan jika ketajaman visual <6/6, maka dilakukan tes pinhole dan lensa percobaan. Data yang diperoleh dianalisis menggunakan analisis statistik deskriptif.
Hasil: Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa dari 337 siswa, 4,2% mengalami gangguan penglihatan. Prevalensi miopia (2,1%) lebih tinggi dibandingkan astigmatisma (0,6%) dan gangguan media refraktif (1,5%). Di antara siswa dengan miopia, hanya 0,5% yang telah dikoreksi, sementara sisanya (1,6%) belum. Semua siswa dengan astigmatisma (0,6%) belum dikoreksi.
Kesimpulan: Prevalensi gangguan penglihatan pada siswa kelas enam SD di Desa Uritetu, Kota Ambon, masih tergolong rendah yaitu sebanyak 4,2%.
Desert Perception: Representations of Pre-Islamic Arabian Space in Classical Arabic Literature
Authors: Webb Peter
Published: December 2024

Stories set in the desert, and particularly narratives about the pre-Islamic Arabian desert are ubiquitous in Arabic literature, yet the tellers, audiences and writers of the stories were almost all urbanites, few of whom had actual lived experience with Arabia itself. The setting of pre-Islamic Arabia was accordingly mediated through texts, and this paper analyses how authors set the scene. Taking the main sources for the iconic “Thrust and Dusty War” (al-Dāḥis wa-l-Ġabrāʾ) as a case study, we find that attention to physical setting is surprisingly scant, almost non-existent, and the curiously austere spatial narratives prompt questions about the meanings and purpose of the story. Via methods of geocritical analysis, this paper explores the spatial narratives and the possible ways premodern readers responded to them.
The Integration of Children of Arab Origin into the Italian School System: the Calabrian Context in the Light of Two Erasmus plus Projects
Authors: Zecca Valentina
Published: December 2024

This article aims to approach the issue of school integration of children of foreign origin under two main aspects: the enhancement of their mother tongue and the improvement of school-families communication. These two aspects – which are part of the measures encouraged by European and Italian legislation to foster the educational principles of multilingualism and interculturalism – have been examined in the light of two experiences: two Erasmus Plus projects involving, on the Italian side, the University of Calabria. Focusing on Arabic-speaking families, the research highlights the schools’ needs for interpreters and cultural mediators. It also shows how much the enhancement of Arabic language and culture is quite neglected.
Dorpat Letters of Jan Baudouin de Courtenay to Jan Karłowicz from 1887–1891, Part I
Authors: Rak Maciej
Published: December 2024

The correspondence presented here includes four letters and two postcards from 1887–1888, sent by Jan Baudouin de Courtenay to Jan Karłowicz. This correspondence concerns the Dorpat period of the life of Baudouin de Courtenay and his family. The main topics are: (1) the stay of the Karłowicz family’s eldest son, Edmund, as a boarder at the home of the Baudouin family; (2) scholarly and other relations at Dorpat University and in Dorpat. The edition retains the original notation, including repetitions, crossings out and additions, which – as one can assume – will provide insight into the idiolect of Jean Baudouin de Courtenay. The second part of the correspondence, including seven letters and fourteen postcards, will be published in Acta Baltica-Slavica in 2025.
Political Aspects of the Drama “Hlapci”
Authors: Šuler-Galos Jasmina , Kołodziej Grzegorz
Published: December 2024

Political Aspects of the Drama Hlapci
Contemporary discussions of the deep ideological divide in Slovenian society encompass many arguments that hark back to the cultural struggle waged at the turn of the 20th century. The word ‘farmhand’ was first used metaphorically by Ivan Cankar in the play Hlapci [Farmhands] and remains one of the most frequently used concepts in this debate. In the article, it is treated as a nodal point which connects and stabilises elements of the Slovenian leftist discourse from the early 20th century to the present day.
 
Polityczne aspekty dramatu Hlapci
Współczesne dyskusje dotyczące głębokiego podziału ideologicznego społeczeństwa słoweńskiego zawierają wiele argumentów używanych w wojnie kulturowej toczonej na przełomie XIX i XX wieku. Słowo parobek, w znaczeniu metaforycznym po raz pierwszy użyte przez Ivana Cankara w roku 1910 w dramacie Hlapci [Parobki], należy w tej dyskusji do najczęściej używanych pojęć. W artykule jest traktowane jako punkt węzłowy słoweńskiego lewicowego dyskursu od początku XX wieku do dziś.
Joost Businger—A Pioneer in Atmospheric Boundary Layer Research
Authors: Businger Steven
Published: December 2024

This paper provides a historical review of our understanding of the workings of the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL), the part of the lower atmosphere, typically ≤1 km in depth, that directly feels the influence of Earth’s surface. It is written from the perspective of the career of Joost A. Businger (1924–2023), a pioneer in this area, who realized that the atmospheric boundary layer holds great practical importance in the sense that most of humankind’s activities take place within it and scientific importance in the sense that the boundary layer forms the interface between the free atmosphere and Earth’s surface and therefore plays a major role in our weather and climate.
Exodus 32:7-14. God to Moses, “your people.” Moses to God, “(No) Your people.”: Explanations Across the Ages
Authors: Zucker David J.
Published: December 2024

Exodus 32:7-14 relates the narrative of the dialogue between God and Moses atop Sinai, as Aaron and the Israelites, at the base of the mountain are involved with the golden calf. For well over two millennia Jewish, Christian, and secular sources have sought to understand and explain the dynamics of what is taking place on Mt Sinai. This article looks at a variety of representative samples from the ancient world such as Rewritten Bibles, including Pseudo-Philo’s Biblical Antiquities; rabbinic teachings and midrashim from late antiquity to the Middle Ages; the Patristics (Church Fathers); Targums (Aramaic translations of the Torah); traditional Jewish commentators; prominent Christian exegetes from the time of the Reformation and after, and contemporary scholars.
What Drives and Inhibits Consumers from Adopting Electric Two Wheelers: A Behavioural Reasoning Theory Perspective
Authors: Ashok Kartikeya , Tripathi Abhishek , Arora Sourabh
Published: December 2024

This study contributes to the body of work on electric vehicle adoption by going beyond traditional frameworks like the Technology Acceptance Model, the Theory of Reasoned Action and the Theory of Planned Behaviour. It presents a comprehensive framework that highlights both the drivers and barriers specific to Tier 2 cities, a significant market for two wheelers in India. Although two wheelers are the preferred mode of transport in India, there has been limited research on the adoption of electric two-wheelers (E2Ws) and their role in achieving decarbonization goals. This study aims to assess the adoption of E2Ws in Tier 2 cities across India, which represents a significant market for two wheelers. To explore this, the study employs a qualitative approach using a theoretical framework to understand the reasons behind the adoption and non-adoption of E2Ws in Tier 2 cities. Eighty-nine interviews were conducted in different Tier 2 cities across four northern states. The results identified several key reasons for adoption, including monetary savings, non-financial incentives, driving pleasure, ease of use for women and senior citizens, suitability for local travel, and a pro-environmental approach. Conversely, the barriers to adoption included high ownership costs, negative motives, inadequate vehicle space, poor repair and service infrastructure, distrust, resale concerns, and negative review consensus. From a managerial perspective, this study provides strategic insights for marketers, outlining ways to promote the mass adoption of E2Ws by understanding and addressing key motivators and inhibitors.
Exploring the Probabilities of Transition Between Levels of Family Functioning: An Examination into the Attachment Biobehavioral Catch-up Intervention
Authors: Grube Whitney , Mendenhall Amy , Byers Kaela
Published: December 2024

Early childhood adversity presents risks for enduring negative impacts on both health and development. Prior research has underscored the potential of early interventions to serve as a protective buffer, mitigating the detrimental effects of adversity on children. This study extends this research by investigating the impact of an early intervention, Attachment Biobehavioral Catch-up (ABC), on family functioning. Using latent transition analysis, this study’s findings indicate that families initially categorized as having lower functioning demonstrated a heightened likelihood of transitioning to a higher functioning profile on program completion, implying potential trajectories toward enhanced family functioning following participation in ABC. Although exploratory, these results suggest that ABC may provide supplementary protective effects that extend beyond enhancements in caregiver skills or improved child well-being.
Social Anxiety and Drinking Behaviors: A Cross-Comparison Analysis of Hispanic Students in Hispanic-serving Institutions Versus Predominantly White Institutions
Authors: Moreno Oswaldo , Rosales Robert , Chavez Sarah J. , Zelaya David G. , Figuereo Victor , Bravo Adrian J.
Published: December 2024

This study investigates social anxiety and drinking behaviors among 815 Hispanic students across Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) and Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs). Results highlight a significant relationship between social anxiety and increased drinking behaviors but were less for those in HSIs. Students at HSIs with more social anxiety also reported lower drinking consequences when compared to those at PWIs.
State-Level Paid Sick Leave Policies and Population Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States
Authors: Donnelly Rachel , Frierson Whitney , Zhang Zhe , Boen Courtney E.
Published: December 2024

Financial hardship was pervasive during the COVID-19 pandemic, with adverse consequences for mental health. However, access to state-level paid sick leave during the pandemic had the potential to reduce the mental health burden of financial hardship—a possibility that has not been tested in prior research. Using nationally representative survey data on more than 1.7 million individuals from the Household Pulse Survey (August 2020 to November 2022) merged with state-level data on paid sick leave policies, we estimated a battery of two-way fixed-effects linear probability models to examine whether paid leave policies buffered the association between financial hardship and depression and anxiety risks. Results show that experiencing financial hardship increased depression and anxiety risks but that the mental health consequences of financial hardship were dampened for respondents living in a state with an active paid sick leave policy. Moreover, because racially minoritized adults, women, transgender adults, and less-educated adults were more likely to experience financial hardship over the period, our study highlights the potential for paid leave policies to reduce population inequities in mental health. We point to paid sick leave policies as an important macro-level determinant of mental health with especially salient mental health consequences for marginalized groups.
Identification of progressive pulmonary fibrosis: consensus findings from a modified Delphi study
Authors: Wells Athol U. , Walsh Simon L. F. , Adegunsoye Ayodeji , Cottin Vincent , Danoff Sonye K. , Devaraj Anand , Flaherty Kevin R. , George Peter M. , Johannson Kerri A. , Kolb Martin , Kondoh Yasuhiro , Nicholson Andrew G. , Tomassetti Sara , Volkmann Elizabeth R. , Brown Kevin K.
Published: December 2024

Background

We sought consensus among practising respiratory physicians on the prediction, identification and monitoring of progression in patients with fibrosing interstitial lung disease (ILD) using a modified Delphi process.

Methods

Following a literature review, statements on the prediction, identification and monitoring of progression of ILD were developed by a panel of physicians with specialist expertise. Practising respiratory physicians were sent a survey asking them to indicate their level of agreement with these statements on a binary scale or 7-point Likert scale (− 3 to 3), or to select answers from a list. Consensus was considered to be achieved if ≥ 70% of respondents selected the same answer, or, for responses on a Likert scale, the median score was ≤ –2 (disagree/not important) or ≥ 2 (agree/important) with an interquartile range ≤ 1. There were three rounds of the survey.

Results

Surveys 1, 2 and 3 were completed by 207, 131 and 94 physicians, respectively, between March 2022 and July 2023. Decline in forced vital capacity (FVC), decline in diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide, and increased fibrosis on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) were ranked as the most important endpoints for determining progression. Consensus was reached that progression on HRCT or a decline in FVC ≥ 10% from baseline is sufficient to determine progression, and that small declines in multiple endpoints indicates progression. Consensus was reached that a histological pattern of usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) is a risk factor for progression of ILD, but that a biopsy to look for a UIP pattern should not be performed solely for prognostic reasons. Consensus was not reached on the time period over which progression should be defined. There was consensus that appropriate management of ILD depends on the type of ILD, and that ‘despite adequate management’ or ‘despite usual management’ should be included in the definition of progression.

Conclusions

This modified Delphi process provided consensus statements on the identification of ILD progression that were supported by a broad group of clinicians and may help to inform clinical practice until robust evidence-based guidelines are available.
Associations between health, productive performance and oral fluid biomarkers in commercial pig farms
Authors: Ornelas Mario Andre S. , Manzanilla Edgar Garcia , Cerón José J. , Ortín-Bustillo Alba , López-Martínez María José , Correia-Gomes Carla , Leonard Finola C. , Franco-Martínez Lorena
Published: December 2024

Background

Oral fluid contains analytes that may be reflective of health and welfare in pig herds. Additionally, oral fluid collection is a more convenient and cost-effective option when compared to blood sampling, increasing the potential of oral fluid as a non-invasive alternative tool. While a growing number of biomarkers can be measured in porcine oral fluid, the use of these analytes to compare commercial herds in veterinary practice is still limited. This study describes associations between oral fluid biomarker measurements and farm indicators of health and performance in 18 commercial farms.

Results

Using principal component analysis, three clusters of farms were identified, differing mostly in weaner and finisher mortality, daily gain and antimicrobial resistance. These groups were then compared in terms of oral fluid biomarker profiles. With regards to farm group (cluster), haptoglobin was higher in pigs from low-performing farms, especially when compared with pigs from high-performing farms (P = 0.01). Oxytocin tended to decrease in pigs from high-performing farms to low-performing farms (P < 0.10), while procalcitonin tended to be lower in pigs from high-performing farms compared to intermediate-performing farms (P = 0.07). Using regression trees, haptoglobin measured in late finishers was associated with weaner and finisher mortality. Further, high creatine kinase and low procalcitonin early after weaning were associated with low piglet mortality, whereas low daily gain was related to high alpha-amylase in late weaners and high creatine kinase in pigs at the start of the finisher stage.

Conclusions

Haptoglobin, procalcitonin, oxytocin, creatine kinase and alpha-amylase, measured in oral fluid, should be further studied as good candidates to assess pig herds and predict performance at a batch level, through a non-invasive approach. Herd performance and health figures at a particular time point are not always available and alternative measures, like oral fluid biomarker results, could be useful to anticipate health and welfare issues and adjust management.
Changes in Nutrient Intake at Retirement
Authors: Stephens Melvin , Toohey Desmond
Published: December 2024

Prior research finds food expenditure decreases at retirement, which suggests households are inadequately saving. In contrast, other evidence shows that direct measures of food intake are unaffected by exiting the labor force. Using a wide array of data sources and methodologies, we find that food intake falls at retirement, including: declines in caloric and nutrient intake in cross-sectional datasets spanning 40 years, a decrease in caloric intake using longitudinal data, and a drop in a food intake index that relates diet composition to permanent income. We discuss the implications of these results in the context of life-cycle models of consumption. (JEL D15, G51, I12, J26)