bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of children’s physical activity profiles before and after COVID-19 lockdowns: A latent profile analysis
Authors: Salway Ruth , de Vocht Frank , Emm-Collison Lydia , Sansum Kate , House Danielle , Walker Robert , Breheny Katie , Williams Joanna G. , Hollingworth William , Jago Russell
Published: November 2023

Physical activity is important for children’s health, but moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) declines with age. COVID-19 lockdowns resulted in reduced MVPA and increased sedentary time among children. Characterising children’s activity patterns may help identify groups who are most likely to be inactive post-lockdown. Data were combined from a pre-COVID-19 cohort study on children aged 5–6 years (Year1: n = 1299), 8–9 years (Year4: n = 1223) and 10–11 years (Year6: n = 1296) and cross-sectional post-lockdown data from a natural experiment on 10-11-year-olds in 2021 (Year6-W1: n = 393) and 2022 (Year6-W2: n = 436). The proportions of time spent in MVPA, light physical activity (LPA) and sedentary time on weekdays and weekends were derived from accelerometer data. Latent class analysis was used to identify activity profiles pre and post-lockdown, and estimate pre-COVID-19 transitions between Year4 and Year6. We identified six pre-COVID-19 activity profiles in Year6, including a new profile characterised by very low MVPA and high sedentary time (19% of children). There was substantial movement between profiles at Year4 and Year6, with 45% moving to a profile with lower MVPA. Likelihood ratio tests suggested differences in Year6 activity profiles pre and post-lockdown, with a new post-lockdown profile emerging characterised by higher LPA. The percentage of children in the least active profiles (where under 20% meet UK physical activity guidelines), rose post-lockdown, from 34% pre-COVID-19 to 50% in 2021 and 40% in 2022. We also saw gender and socioeconomic gaps widen, and increased separation between high and low physical activity levels. Children’s physical activity has changed post-COVID-19, in terms of who is being active and how. The impact varies by activity profile, which is influenced by gender and socio-economic position. A greater understanding of these differences and targeting of low active groups is needed to increase both individual and population levels of physical activity.
Health status outcome among cannabis addicts after treatment of addiction
Authors: Siwar Mohammed Ali A. L. , Mansour Sayed Hossam El-Din , Aldubayan Maha A. , Alhowail Ahmad H. , Almogbel Yasser S. , Emara Ashraf Mahmoud
Published: November 2023

The abuse of Cannabis is a widespread issue in the Asir region. It has a lot of legal and occupational repercussions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the health status of cannabis addicts at admission and after treatment using body mass index, glycemic status, liver function, renal function, and oxidative stress. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 120 participants. The study was conducted at Al Amal Hospital for Mental Health in Asir region of Saudi Arabia, with 100 hospitalized patients receiving addiction treatment and 20 healthy volunteers. The participants were divided into two groups: group I, the control group, and group II, the cannabis addicts. The socio-demographic data were gathered. The level of cannabis in the urine and the CWAS [Cannabis Withdrawal Assessment Scale] were determined. In addition, the Body Mass Index [BMI], vital signs [temperature, heart rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and respiratory rate], serum levels of albumin, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, AST, ALT, and ALP, urea, creatinine, Thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances [TBARS], superoxide dismutase [SOD], reduced glutathione [GSH], and catalase [CAT] were analyzed on the first day of admission and after treatment. According to the results, there was no significant change in the body mass index. The vital signs in the cannabis user group were significantly lower than the corresponding admission values. Regarding renal function tests such as urea and creatinine, we found that after treatment, the mean urea and creatinine values in the cannabis user group did not differ significantly from the corresponding admission values. However, after treatment, the mean values of fasting blood glucose levels in the cannabis user group were significantly lower than at admission. Also, the mean values of liver function tests such as albumin, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, AST, ALT, and ALP in the cannabis user group were significantly lower than the corresponding admission values after treatment. In assessing the antioxidant system, we found that the mean values of TBARS, SOD, GSH, and CAT in the cannabis user group did not differ significantly from the corresponding admission values after treatment. The current findings have revealed that cannabis addiction harms the various body systems and has significant implications for the addict’s state of health. The values of oxidative stress biomarkers did not change in this study, but other measured parameters improved after treatment.
Diagnosing injection-production system faults in the same well using the rough set-LVQ neural network
Authors: Yin Yi fang , Wang Zunce , Jiang Minzheng , Chang Siyuan
Published: November 2023

This study proposed a reverse calculation model of the unique rod pump injection and production system structures in the same well to diagnose and resolve defects, after which dynamometer diagrams of the system production and injection pumps were drawn. The invariant moment feature method was applied to identify seven such characteristics in the injection pump power graph, establishing a downhole system for fault diagnosis in rod pump injection and production systems in the same well using Rough Set(RS)-Learning Vector Quantization(LVQ). On the premise of keeping the classification ability unchanged, the Self-Organizing Map(SOM) neural network was used to discretize the original feature data, while RS theory was employed for attribute reduction. After establishing the LVQ fault diagnosis subsystem, the reduced decision table was entered for learning and training. The test results confirmed the efficacy and accuracy of this method in diagnosing downhole faults in rod pump injection-production systems in the same well. After comparing the test results with the actual working conditions, it can be seen that the rod pump injection-production diagnosis system based on RS-LVQ designed in this paper has a recognition rate of 91.3% for fault types, strong recognition ability, short diagnosis time, and A certain practicality. However, the research object of fault diagnosis in this paper is a single fault, and the actual downhole fault situation is complex, and there may be two or more fault types at the same time, which has certain limitations.
Preloaded combination nicotine replacement therapy for smoking cessation in Kazakhstan: A randomized controlled trial study protocol
Authors: Purushothama Chethan , Crape Byron Lawrence , Stolyarov Valentina , Jaxybayeva Altynshash , la Fleur Philip , Olickal Jeby Jose
Published: November 2023

Background

Tobacco use is a major cause of premature death and disease in Kazakhstan, with over 22,500 deaths per year. Although efforts have been made to control tobacco use, smoking-related deaths have continued to increase. One strategy to help smokers quit is to use nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), with combination NRT resulting in higher long-term quit rates than a single form of NRT. A study aims to determine the effectiveness of preloaded combination NRT on smoking cessation, the change in health-related quality of life due to smoking cessation, and explore treatment adherence perceptions.

Methods and analysis

The study will be conducted as a randomized, single-blind superiority trial, with 100 participants in each arm. The trial will be carried out at the National Research Cardiac Surgery Center, Astana, Kazakhstan, and will recruit current smokers aged 18 years and above with a motivation to quit. Participants will be randomly allocated to either the intervention group or the control group. The former will receive preloaded combination NRT, while the latter will receive fast-acting NRT alone. The primary outcome measure will be sustained abstinence from smoking after six months. Secondary outcome measures will include health-related quality of life and adherence to the treatment.

Discussion

The study may gather further evidence that a combination NRT is more efficient than a fast-acting NRT alone. The findings of this study may help to improve tobacco cessation strategies in Kazakhstan and other countries with high smoking prevalence rates.

Trial registration number

NCT05484505.
Delivery of a novel intervention to facilitate liberation from mechanical ventilation in paediatric intensive care: A process evaluation
Authors: Jordan Joanne , Tume Lyvonne , Clarke Mike , McAuley Danny , McDowell Cliona , McIlmurray Lisa , Morris Kevin , Peters Mark , Walsh Timothy , Blackwood Bronagh
Published: November 2023

Background

Prolonged mechanical ventilation increases the risk of mortality and morbidity. Optimising sedation and early testing for possible liberation from invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) has been shown to reduce time on the ventilator. Alongside a multicentre trial of sedation and ventilation weaning, we conducted a mixed method process evaluation to understand how the intervention content and delivery was linked to trial outcomes.

Methods

10,495 children admitted to 18 paediatric intensive care units (ICUs) in the United Kingdom participated in a stepped-wedge, cluster randomised controlled trial, with 1955 clinical staff trained to deliver the intervention. The intervention comprised assessment and optimisation of sedation levels, and bedside screening of respiratory parameters to indicate readiness for a spontaneous breathing trial prior to liberation from ventilation. 193 clinical staff were interviewed towards the end of the trial. Interview data were thematically analysed, and quantitative adherence data were analysed using descriptive statistics.

Results

The intervention led to a reduced duration of IMV (adjusted median difference– 7.1 hours, 95% CI -9.6 to -5.3, p = 0.01). Overall intervention adherence was 75% (range 59–85%). Ease and flexibility of the intervention promoted it use; designated responsibilities, explicit pathways of decision-making and a shared language for communication fostered proactivity and consistency towards extubation. Delivery of the intervention was hindered by established hospital and unit organisational and patient care routines, clinician preference and absence of clinical leadership.

Conclusions

The SANDWICH trial showed a significant, although small, reduction in duration of IMV. Findings suggest that greater direction in decision-making pathways, robust embedment of new practice in unit routine, and capitalising on the skills of Advanced Nurse Practitioners and physiotherapists would have contributed to greater intervention effect.

Trial registration

isrctn.org Identifier: ISRCTN16998143.
eIF2A represses cell wall biogenesis gene expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Meyer Laura , Courtin Baptiste , Gomard Maïté , Namane Abdelkader , Permal Emmanuelle , Badis Gwenael , Jacquier Alain , Fromont-Racine Micheline
Published: November 2023

Translation initiation is a complex and highly regulated process that represents an important mechanism, controlling gene expression. eIF2A was proposed as an alternative initiation factor, however, its role and biological targets remain to be discovered. To further gain insight into the function of eIF2A in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we identified mRNAs associated with the eIF2A complex and showed that 24% of the most enriched mRNAs encode proteins related to cell wall biogenesis and maintenance. In agreement with this result, we showed that an eIF2A deletion sensitized cells to cell wall damage induced by calcofluor white. eIF2A overexpression led to a growth defect, correlated with decreased synthesis of several cell wall proteins. In contrast, no changes were observed in the transcriptome, suggesting that eIF2A controls the expression of cell wall-related proteins at a translational level. The biochemical characterization of the eIF2A complex revealed that it strongly interacts with the RNA binding protein, Ssd1, which is a negative translational regulator, controlling the expression of cell wall-related genes. Interestingly, eIF2A and Ssd1 bind several common mRNA targets and we found that the binding of eIF2A to some targets was mediated by Ssd1. Surprisingly, we further showed that eIF2A is physically and functionally associated with the exonuclease Xrn1 and other mRNA degradation factors, suggesting an additional level of regulation. Altogether, our results highlight new aspects of this complex and redundant fine-tuned regulation of proteins expression related to the cell wall, a structure required to maintain cell shape and rigidity, providing protection against harmful environmental stress.
Reinforcing the idea of an early dispersal of Hippopotamus amphibius in Europe: Restoration and multidisciplinary study of the skull from the Middle Pleistocene of Cava Montanari (Rome, central Italy)
Authors: Mecozzi Beniamino , Iannucci Alessio , Mancini Marco , Tentori Daniel , Cavasinni Chiara , Conti Jacopo , Messina Mattia Yuri , Sarra Alex , Sardella Raffaele
Published: November 2023

A skull of Hippopotamus recovered from the area of Tor di Quinto, within the urban area of Rome (central Italy) is here redescribed. Despite being one of the most complete specimens of hippopotamuses of the European Pleistocene, the Tor di Quinto skull did not attract much research interest, due to long-standing uncertainties on its provenance. This work begun in 2021, when the skull was restored, within a large renovation project on the vertebrate exposed at the Earth Science University Museum of Sapienza University of Rome. Original sediments were found inside the cranial and mandible cavities during the restoration work, which were sampled for petrographic analyses. By combining a review of the old paleontological, archeological and geological literature published during the 19th and 20th century on the Rome basin and the correlation of these new sedimentological and petrographic information with the lithostratigraphic and synthemic units of the national geological cartography, we clarify that the Hippopotamus skull was most likely to have been collected from a quarry called Cava Montanari, from a formation dated between 560 and 460 ka. Morphological and biometric analyses clearly support an attribution of the Cava Montanari specimen to the extant species Hippopotamus amphibius. The reassessment of the stratigraphic and geological data on Cava Montanari implies that the studied specimen is the earliest confirmed occurrence of Hippopotamus amphibius in the European fossil record.
“Investor attention fluctuation and stock market volatility: Evidence from China”
Authors: Yang Taiji , Zhuo Siqi , Yang Yongsheng
Published: November 2023

This paper examines the linkage between Chinese stock market volatility and investor attention fluctuation. In Heterogeneous autoregressive (HAR) model, first, we analyzed the linkage between both decomposed and undecomposed stock market realized volatility and investor attention fluctuations across full-sample and two-year moving window sub-samples. Second, we compare the predictive power of four models in short-, medium-, and long-term volatility forecasting. Empirical results show large positive attention fluctuation amplified Chinese stock market volatility after the outbreak of COVID-19, and negative small attention fluctuation significantly stabilized stock market volatility before COVID-19, and the impact dwindled in after COVID-19. The model incorporating decomposed realized volatility and decomposed attention fluctuation performs better in volatility Forecasting. This research underscores a shift in the dynamics between stock market volatility and investor attention fluctuations, and investor attention fluctuation improves the volatility forecasting accuracy of the Chinese stock market.
Economic burden of Thalassemia treatment: An analysis from the Vietnam Social Security perspective
Authors: Nhac-Vu Hoang-Thy , Tran Van Thi-Ngoc , Nguyen Trong-Duy-Thuc , Pham Vu-Thanh , Le Tho
Published: November 2023

Objectives

Thalassemia is a genetic disorder that significantly impacts the health and well-being of individuals in Vietnam. This study aimed to assess the economic burden of Thalassemia treatment in Lam-Dong Province from the perspective of the Vietnam Social Security and to develop a model to forecast these costs.

Methods

This study analyzed the medical records of all 288 health-insured Thalassemia patients who received treatment in Lam-Dong Province from 2019–2021. The annual economic burden was calculated as the total direct medical cost of treatment per patient over one year. Bayesian Model Averaging (BMA) was utilized to forecast economic burdens. The best fit model was selected based on evaluation criteria including the R2 value, the Bayesian information criterion (BIC), and posterior model probabilities.

Results

The study found that the average annual economic burden of Thalassemia treatment was VND 9,947,000 (±6,854,000), equivalent to approximately USD 426.7 (±294.0), with blood transfusions being the main contributor to costs (63%). Using BMA, the best fit model to forecast economic burdens included variables including patient age, sex, and length of hospitalization, with age being the key factor with the greatest impact on the increase in economic burden.

Conclusion

These findings provided important information for policymakers in Vietnam, as they highlighted the significant economic burden of Thalassemia treatment in the country. By developing a model to forecast these costs, policymakers can make informed decisions on how to allocate resources and support individuals with Thalassemia and their families.
Real world treatment sequences and outcomes for metastatic renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Lai Gu-Shun , Li Jian-Ri , Wang Shian-Shiang , Chen Chuan-Shu , Yang Chun-Kuang , Lin Chia-Yen , Hung Sheng-Chun , Chiu Kun-Yuan , Yang Shun-Fa
Published: November 2023

Objectives

The treatment landscape for metastatic renal cell carcinoma changed a lot in the last few years. This study aimed to assess the treatment sequences and outcomes for metastatic renal cell carcinoma in a real-world setting.

Materials and methods

We enrolled patients with metastatic renal cell carcinomawho received first-line systemic treatment with tyrosin kinase inhibitors monotherapy, ipilimumab plus nivolumab, or pembrolizumab plus axitinibbetween January2009 and May 2023 on the database of TriNetX network. Overall survival, time on treatment and time to next treatment were evaluated using Kaplan-Meiermethod.

Results

Totally, 4183 received tyrosine kinase inhibitor monotherapy, 1555 received ipilimumab plus nivolumab, and 559 received axitinib plus pembrolizumab. Median time on treatment was 2.5 months for the tyrosine kinase inhibitor monotherapy cohort, 5.4 months for the ipilimumab plus nivolumab cohort, and 8.3 months for the pembrolizumab plus axitinib cohort. Median time to next treatment was 16.6 months for both the tyrosine kinase inhibitor monotherapy and ipilimumab plus nivolumab cohorts, and 22.1 months for the pembrolizumab plus axitinib cohort. Median overall survival was 42.2 months for the tyrosine kinase inhibitor monotherapy cohort, 39.7monthsfor the ipilimumab plus nivolumab cohort, and not reached for the pembrolizumab plus axitinib cohort. In comparison with the tyrosine kinase inhibitor monotherapy cohort, patients in the pembrolizumab plus axitinib cohort showed survival benefit (log-rank p = 0.0168) in overall survival, but not the case in the ipilimumab plus nivolumab cohort.

Conclusion

There was a trend toward using first-line immuno-oncology based therapy for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma in a real-world practice. Axitinib plus pembrolizumuab cohort had survival benefits over tyrosine kinase inhibitor and ipilimumab plus nivolumab cohorts, while patients in the ipilimumab plus nivolumab cohort had more distant metastases and comorbidities.
12-month substance use disorders among first-year university students in Kenya
Authors: Jaguga Florence , Mathai Muthoni , Ayuya Caroline , Francisca Ongecha , Musyoka Catherine Mawia , Shah Jasmit , Atwoli Lukoye
Published: November 2023

Objectives

The period of entry into university represents one of vulnerability to substance use for university students. The goal of this study is to document the 12-month prevalence of substance use disorders among first year university students in Kenya, and to test whether there is an association between substance use disorders and mental disorders.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional online survey conducted in 2019 and 2020 as part of the World Health Organization’s World Mental Health International College Student (WMH-ICS) survey initiative. A total of 334 university students completed the survey. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the demographic characteristics of the participants. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the association between substance use disorder and mental disorders after adjusting for age and gender.

Results

The 12-month prevalence for alcohol use disorder was 3.3%, while the 12-month prevalence for other substance use disorder was 6.9%. Adjusting for age and gender, there was an association between any substance use disorder and major depression, generalized anxiety disorder, bipolar 1 disorder, intermittent explosive disorder, social anxiety disorder, suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, and non-suicidal self-injury.

Conclusion

These findings highlight the need to institute policies and interventions in universities in Kenya that address substance use disorders and comorbid mental disorders among first-year students.
Low dose cisplatin weekly versus high dose cisplatin every three weeks in primary chemoradiotherapy in head and neck cancer patients with low skeletal muscle mass: The CISLOW-study protocol
Authors: Schaeffers Anouk W. M. A. , Devriese Lot A. , van Gils Carla H. , Dankbaar Jan Willem , Voortman Jens , de Boer Jan Paul , Slingerland Marije , Hendriks Mathijs P. , Smid Ernst J. , Frederix Geert W. J. , de Bree Remco
Published: November 2023

Chemoradiotherapy with cisplatin in a triweekly regimen of 100 mg/m2 body surface area, is used to treat locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) with curative intent. Cisplatin dose limiting toxicity (CDLT) occurs often and impedes obtaining the planned cumulative cisplatin dose. A cumulative cisplatin dose of 200 mg/m2 or more is warranted for better survival and locoregional control. Patients with a low skeletal muscle mass (SMM) have a three-fold higher risk of developing CDLT than patients with a normal SMM. SMM can be assessed through measurements on routinely performed diagnostic head and neck CT- or MRI-scans. A weekly regimen of 40 mg/m2 body surface area cisplatin is proposed as a less toxic schedule, which possibly decreases the risk of developing CDLT and enables reaching a higher cumulative cisplatin dose. The aim of this multicenter randomized clinical trial (NL76533.041.21, registered in the Netherlands Trial Register) is to identify whether a regimen of weekly cisplatin increases compliance to the planned chemotherapy scheme in HNSCC patients with low SMM. The primary outcome is the difference in compliance rate, defined as absence of CDLT, between low SMM patients receiving either the weekly or triweekly regimen. Secondary outcomes consist of toxicities, the cumulative cisplatin dose, time to recurrence, incidence of recurrence at two years of follow-up, location of recurrence, 2-year overall, disease free and disease specific survival, quality of life, patient’s experiences, and cost-effectiveness.
Comparing adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes in primary caesarean delivery during first versus second-stage of labour in Kenya: An institution-based cohort study
Authors: Omwodo Kimbley Asaso , Were Edwin
Published: November 2023

Background

As caesarean delivery rates continue to increase globally, so are the number of second-stage caesarean deliveries. Second-stage caesareans may carry additional risk of complications for both the mother and fetus owing to fetal head impaction into the maternal pelvis and manipulations required for delivery. So far, data on this procedure’s outcomes from low resource countries are limited.

Objectives

To compare adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes between second-stage and first-stage of labour intrapartum primary caesarean deliveries over 12 months at a tertiary referral obstetric hospital in Kenya.

Methods

In a hospital-based cohort study, 222 women with singleton, cephalic presenting fetuses at term gestation who had intrapartum primary caesarean delivery during active labour were recruited post-partum. Second-stage caesarean deliveries (73) were compared to 149 first-stage caesarean deliveries. The proportion of caesarean deliveries in the second-stage of labour was estimated and the adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes were compared. The study was conducted from August 2021 to July 2022 at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, Eldoret.

Results

The proportion of second-stage caesarean deliveries among intrapartum primary caesarean deliveries was 4.3% [95% CI: 2.9% - 4.7%]. Compared to first-stage caesarean deliveries, second-stage caesarean deliveries had a significantly higher risk of adverse maternal outcomes (RR 3.272, 95% CI 2.28–4.71, P < 0.001), including intraoperative trauma, atony, blood transfusion, and a postoperative hospital stay of more than three days. Additionally, there was a higher risk of adverse perinatal outcomes (RR 2.748, 95% CI 2.45–4.50, P < 0.001), including increased risk of a 5-min APGAR ≤3, admission to NBU, and neonatal death.

Conclusions

An increased risk of adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes is associated with primary second-stage caesarean deliveries compared to primary first-stage caesarean deliveries.
Gallium-68-labeled fibroblast activation protein inhibitor-46 PET in patients with resectable or borderline resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: A phase 2, multicenter, single arm, open label non-randomized study protocol
Authors: Karbhari Aashna , Mosessian Sherly , Trivedi Kamaxi H. , Valla Frank , Jacobson Mark , Truty Mark J. , Patnam Nandakumar G. , Simeone Diane M. , Zan Elcin , Brennan Tracy , Chen Hongli , Kuo Phillip H. , Herrmann Ken , Goenka Ajit H.
Published: November 2023

Background

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a lethal disease prone to widespread metastatic dissemination and characterized by a desmoplastic stroma that contributes to poor outcomes. Fibroblast activation protein (FAP)-expressing Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts (CAFs) are crucial components of the tumor stroma, influencing carcinogenesis, fibrosis, tumor growth, metastases, and treatment resistance. Non-invasive tools to profile CAF identity and function are essential for overcoming CAF-mediated therapy resistance, developing innovative targeted therapies, and improved patient outcomes. We present the design of a multicenter phase 2 study (clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT05262855) of [68Ga]FAPI-46 PET to image FAP-expressing CAFs in resectable or borderline resectable PDAC.

Methods

We will enroll up to 60 adult treatment-naïve patients with confirmed PDAC. These patients will be eligible for curative surgical resection, either without prior treatment (Cohort 1) or after neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) (Cohort 2). A baseline PET scan will be conducted from the vertex to mid-thighs approximately 15 minutes after administering 5 mCi (±2) of [68Ga]FAPI-46 intravenously. Cohort 2 patients will undergo an additional PET after completing NAT but before surgery. Histopathology and FAP immunohistochemistry (IHC) of initial diagnostic biopsy and resected tumor samples will serve as the truth standards. Primary objective is to assess the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of [68Ga]FAPI-46 PET for detecting FAP-expressing CAFs. Secondary objectives will assess predictive values and safety profile validation. Exploratory objectives are comparison of diagnostic performance of [68Ga]FAPI-46 PET to standard-of-care imaging, and comparison of pre- versus post-NAT [68Ga]FAPI-46 PET in Cohort 2.

Conclusion

To facilitate the clinical translation of [68Ga]FAPI-46 in PDAC, the current study seeks to implement a coherent strategy to mitigate risks and increase the probability of meeting FDA requirements and stakeholder expectations. The findings from this study could potentially serve as a foundation for a New Drug Application to the FDA.

Trial registration

@ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT05262855.
Research on the influence mechanism of internet use on rural residents’ consumption level in China——The mediating effect of consumption literacy
Authors: Tian Zhen , Wang Rui , Tan Yan
Published: November 2023

Based on the survey data of 936 rural households in Jiangsu Province, China in 2020, this paper empirically tests the influence mechanism of internet use on the rural residents’ consumption level by constructing the theoretical analysis framework of “internet use—consumption literacy—rural residents consumption level” and taking consumption literacy as the mediator variable. The results demonstrate that, with other conditions unchanged, internet use has significantly improved the consumption level of rural residents. The mediating effect of the consumption literacy accounts for 15.08% among the entire effect of internet use on the rural residents’ consumption level. Therefore, when applying digital information technology to improve the consumption level of rural residents in future, we should not only continue to increase investment in the construction of communication infrastructure in rural areas, but also continuously improve the consumption literacy of rural residents through building a multi-level complementary consumption education system and expanding the ways of consumption education and training.
Prevalence and the association between clinical factors and Diabetes-Related Distress (DRD) with poor glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes: A Northern Thai cross-sectional study
Authors: Ruangchaisiwawet Achiraya , Bankhum Narumit , Tanasombatkul Krittai , Phinyo Phichayut , Yingchankul Nalinee
Published: November 2023

Background

Glycemic control is important to prevent diabetic complications. However, evidence linking factors such as diabetes-related distress (DRD) to poor glycemic outcomes is lacking in Thailand. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence and associated factors of poor glycemic control type 2 diabetes.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 127 type 2 diabetic patients between December 2021 and March 2022 at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital, Thailand. Data collection included demographic data, clinical data (duration of being type 2 diabetes, diabetic treatment modalities, weight, height, blood pressure, FBS, and HbA1c), behavioral data (self-care behavior, physical activity, dietary assessment, smoking, alcohol consumption, and sleep quality), and psycho-social data (depression and DRD). Poor glycemic control was defined as not achieving the target HbA1c based on the 2021 American Diabetes Association (ADA) Guideline. Multivariable logistic regression was used to explore the associations between potential factors including DRD, and poor glycemic control.

Results

The prevalence of poor glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes was 29.1%. Our analysis revealed that age under 65 years old (OR 6.40, 95% CI 2.07–19.77, p = 0.001), obesity (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2) (OR 2.96, 95% CI 1.05–8.39, p = 0.041), and DRD (OR 14.20, 95% CI 3.76–53.64, p<0.001) were significantly associated with poor glycemic control. Three dimensions of DRD were associated with poor glycemic control, including emotional distress (OR 4.23, 95% CI 1.51–11.85, p = 0.006), regimen-related distress (OR 6.00, 95% CI 1.88–19.18, p = 0.003), and interpersonal distress (OR 5.25, 95% CI 1.39–20.02, p = 0.015).

Conclusion and recommendation

Age, obesity, and DRD are associated with poor glycemic control. A holistic approach that includes addressing DRD is crucial for improving glycemic outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes. Further studies in broader populations using a cohort design are recommended.
A small step to discover candidate biological control agents from preexisting bioresources by using novel nonribosomal peptide synthetases hidden in activated sludge metagenomes
Authors: Tomita Shun , Kuroda Kyohei , Narihiro Takashi
Published: November 2023

Biological control agents (BCAs), beneficial organisms that reduce the incidence or severity of plant disease, have been expected to be alternatives to replace chemical pesticides worldwide. To date, BCAs have been screened by culture-dependent methods from various environments. However, previously unknown BCA candidates may be buried and overlooked because this approach preferentially selects only easy-to-culture microbial lineages. To overcome this limitation, as a small-scale test case, we attempted to explore novel BCA candidates by employing the shotgun metagenomic information of the activated sludge (AS) microbiome, which is thought to contain unutilized biological resources. We first performed genome-resolved metagenomics for AS taken from a municipal sewage treatment plant and obtained 97 nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS)/polyketide synthase (PKS)-related gene sequences from 43 metagenomic assembled bins, most of which were assigned to the phyla Proteobacteria and Myxococcota. Furthermore, these NRPS/PKS-related genes are predicted to be novel because they were genetically dissimilar to known NRPS/PKS gene clusters. Of these, the condensation domain of the syringomycin-related NRPS gene cluster was detected in Rhodoferax- and Rhodocyclaceae-related bins, and its homolog was found in previously reported AS metagenomes as well as the genomes of three strains available from the microbial culture collections, implying their potential BCA ability. Then, we tested the antimicrobial activity of these strains against phytopathogenic fungi to investigate the potential ability of BCA by in vitro cultivation and successfully confirmed the actual antifungal activity of three strains harboring a possibly novel NRPS gene cluster. Our findings provide a possible strategy for discovering novel BCAs buried in the environment using genome-resolved metagenomics.
Assessing vaccine-mediated protection in an ultra-low dose Mycobacterium tuberculosis murine model
Authors: Plumlee Courtney R. , Barrett Holly W. , Shao Danica E. , Lien Katie A. , Cross Lauren M. , Cohen Sara B. , Edlefsen Paul T. , Urdahl Kevin B.
Published: November 2023

Despite widespread immunization with Bacille-Calmette-Guérin (BCG), the only currently licensed tuberculosis (TB) vaccine, TB remains a leading cause of mortality globally. There are many TB vaccine candidates in the developmental pipeline, but the lack of a robust animal model to assess vaccine efficacy has hindered our ability to prioritize candidates for human clinical trials. Here we use a murine ultra-low dose (ULD) Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) challenge model to assess protection conferred by BCG vaccination. We show that BCG confers a reduction in lung bacterial burdens that is more durable than that observed after conventional dose challenge, curbs Mtb dissemination to the contralateral lung, and, in a small percentage of mice, prevents detectable infection. These findings are consistent with the ability of human BCG vaccination to mediate protection, particularly against disseminated disease, in specific human populations and clinical settings. Overall, our findings demonstrate that the ultra-low dose Mtb infection model can measure distinct parameters of immune protection that cannot be assessed in conventional dose murine infection models and could provide an improved platform for TB vaccine testing.
Memórias em Movimento: História e Trauma nos Cinemas Ibero-Americanos
Authors: Álvarez Iván Villarmea , Mariani Silvana , Rodrigues Júlia Vilhena
Published: November 2023

Memórias em movimento nasce como um volume bilingue português-castelhano para tentar estabelecer uma ponte entre investigadores que trabalham nas duas línguas ibéricas aquém e além do Oceano Atlântico. Tem, portanto, uma perspectiva transnacional alinhada com o campo dos estudos ibéricos, assim como com os estudos da memória, do trauma e do cinema de não ficção, com especial destaque para o documentário argentino e chileno do século XXI.
Este volume, aliás, tenciona combinar a reflexão teórica sobre as estratégias de representação da memória cultural no cinema com a análise de vários casos de estudo procedentes de diferentes países (Espanha, Portugal, Argentina e Chile), entre os quais salientam os documentários realizados pelo cineasta chileno Patricio Guzmán. Para concluir o volume, de facto, decidimos incluir a transcrição editada de uma entrevista recente com este documentarista com o intuito de contextualizar melhor os cinco capítulos precedentes, que estão focados na análise da sua obra.
Challenging times: a contribution to the history of ‘Education, decolonisation and international development at the Institute of Education (London)’
Authors: Little Angela W , Crossley Michael , Williams Peter , Pridmore Pat , Treffgarne Carew
Published: November 2023

This article contributes to a preliminary historical and decolonial analysis of teaching and research in the field of education and international development at the UCL Institute of Education. The preliminary analysis, published as ‘Education, decolonisation and international development at the Institute of Education (London): a historical analysis’ by Elaine Unterhalter and Laila Kadiwal, appeared in the Special 120th Anniversary Issue of London Review of Education. That article and our response to it focus on the work of the Centre for Education and International Development, and its preceding organisational forms from 1927 onwards. In a responsive critique, we consider the evidence, methods, analysis and conclusions offered by Unterhalter and Kadiwal and identify a wide range of additional material on curriculum, staff, students and international partnerships that will be of value to future historians. Contemporary decolonial analysis is important for interpreting the history and for the future positioning of the Centre for Education and International Development, and the wider field of study. We conclude by identifying challenges for ongoing work in this area.
Technik als Trost
Authors: Selke Stefan
Published: November 2023

Verheißungen über Künstliche Intelligenz (KI) sind spekulative Bedeutungszuschreibungen und Heilsversprechen, die aus KI ein kollektives Tröstungsprojekt machen - so die These von Stefan Selke. In einer Metastudie vergleicht er vier prototypische Zukunftsnarrative und zieht dazu Quellen von Fachtexten bis zu Science-Fiction heran. Sein gesellschaftswissenschaftlicher 360-Grad-Blick auf das opake Phänomen KI macht deutlich: Verheißungen spielen eine zentrale Rolle für das zukünftige, technisch geprägte Weltdesign. Dank des innovativen Zugangs zum Gegenstand sind nicht nur Wissenschaftler*innen angesprochen, sondern alle, die Interesse an KI und anderen Transformationsthemen sowie einer Ausweitung des Diskurses haben.
Uso de N-acetilcisteína en pacientes que desarrollaron hepatitis por medicamentos antituberculosos: revisión sistemática
Authors: Aristizabal Hernández Jose Julián , Bravo Andrade Ana María , Henao Villada Alejandro , Mazo Cañola Andrea , Donado Gómez Jorge Hernando
Published: November 2023

El objetivo de esta revisión sistemática fue estimar la efectividad de la N-acetilcisteína en el tratamiento de hepatotoxicidad por antituberculosos; se incluyeron ensayos clínicos controlados aleatorizados, sin restricciones de idioma ni estado de publicación; se tuvieron en cuenta estudios publicados hasta diciembre de 2022. Búsqueda en bases de datos bibliográficas: CENTRAL, CINAHL, LILACS, MEDLINE, Pubmed, Scielo, Scopus y Web of Science; de 33 artículos encontrados, uno cumplió los criterios de inclusión con bajo riesgo de sesgos. El tiempo a mejoría bioquímica del grupo intervención fue 7,5 días (RIQ 5,5-11) y en el grupo placebo 8 (RIQ 5-13). El tiempo de estancia hospitalaria en el grupo intervención fue 9 días (RIQ 6-15) y en el grupo placebo 18 (RIQ 10-25). La mortalidad no difirió entre grupos y fue 14 %. No es posible concluir sobre el efecto terapéutico de la N-acetilcisteína en pacientes con DILI por antituberculosos, lo cual justifica realizar ensayos clínicos.
La implementación de las políticas públicas en salud: revisión narrativa de modelos para su análisis
Authors: Camacho Nuñez Lina Patricia , Montenegro Martínez Gino
Published: November 2023

Las políticas públicas en salud son directrices diseñadas por los gobiernos para resolver problemas relacionadas con la salud de las poblaciones. La implementación es una de sus fases en la que se despliegan las acciones y actividades para alcanzar los objetivos propuestos. En ella participan diversos actores en diversos entornos, lo cual imprime una serie de dificultades para su realización. Debido a esto, los analistas de las políticas públicas emplean modelos para examinar e identificar dichos conflictos y proponer estrategias para su solución. El objetivo de este artículo fue revisar los modelos que se han empleado para el análisis de la implementación de las políticas públicas en salud, divulgados en publicaciones científicas en el periodo 2015 - 2020. Para la búsqueda de los artículos se utilizaron términos MeSH en las bases de datos PubMed, Science Direct y Scielo publicados en el periodo de estudio. Las políticas concernientes a la atención en salud fueron las más estudiadas y el Marco Consolidado para la Investigación de la Implementación (CFIR) y el Modelo Lógico fueron los modelos más utilizados y se presentaron en igual proporción, aunque con mayor frecuencia no se declara el modelo al que se recurre para realizar los análisis de la implementación.
Recomendaciones basadas en guías de práctica clínica sobre diagnóstico, tratamiento y seguimiento de infección de tracto urinario en pacientes pediátricos en Colombia
Authors: Baquero Rodríguez Richard
Published: November 2023

Antecedentes: La infección del tracto urinario (ITU) es una enfermedad frecuente en la niñez y una de las causas más comunes de consulta en el servicio de urgencias pediátricas. Su incidencia está entre el 5 y 10 % en menores de 2 años. Objetivo: Generar recomendaciones sobre el diagnóstico, tratamiento y seguimiento de ITU en pacientes pediátricos en Colombia. Métodos: Se formularon 15 preguntas de interés clínico en el diagnóstico, tratamiento y seguimiento de ITU en pacientes pediátricos. Se realizó una revisión sistemática de la literatura para identificar las guías de práctica clínica (GPC) disponibles en ITU, con el fin de usar esta evidencia para responder las preguntas planteadas y articular las recomendaciones. Para seleccionar y evaluar las GCP se usaron herramientas locales e internacionales. Se extrajo la información de las guías seleccionadas, se compilaron las recomendaciones preliminares, y se aprobaron las recomendaciones finales mediante consenso de expertos. Finalmente, se evaluó la fuerza y la dirección de cada recomendación. Resultados: Se seleccionaron 4 GCP: American Academy of Pediatrics, Ministerio de Salud de España, McTaggart y National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. En este artículo se presentan las recomendaciones finales para el diagnóstico, tratamiento y seguimiento de ITU. Conclusiones: Estas recomendaciones permitirán orientar a los equipos en la toma de decisiones clínicas respecto a la atención de pacientes pediátricos con ITU en Colombia. Esto contribuirá a mejorar el cuidado y a generar políticas para que haya diagnóstico, tratamiento y seguimiento oportunos en estos pacientes.
Lactancia materna exclusiva para el crecimiento craneofacial. Un Análisis de Concepto
Authors: González Bejarano Laila Yaned , Hernández Molina Luz Mery , Villamizar Carvajal Beatriz
Published: November 2023

Antecedentes: Los beneficios de la lactancia materna exclusiva hasta los seis meses son ampliamente conocidos, pero aún falta profundizar los argumentos biológicos que respaldan la relación de la lactancia materna con el crecimiento craneofacial (CCF). Objetivo: Identificar los conceptos y atributos que permitan esclarecer los beneficios de la LM para el crecimiento craneofacial a partir de la metodología análisis de concepto de Walker y Avant. Método: La estrategia de búsqueda se realizó en bases de datos y artículos científicos entre 1980-2022, en inglés, portugués y español, que relacionaran el concepto lactancia materna hasta los 2 años de edad. Los términos utilizados fueron “lactancia materna”, “lactancia materna exclusiva”, “lactancia artificial”, “análisis de concepto”. Adicionalmente se buscaron los términos “lactancia materna exclusiva” y “crecimiento craneofacial”. Se incluyeron estudios de revisión, revisiones sistemáticas, estudios observacionales prospectivos y de corte transversal. Resultados: Se identificaron 4 atributos para confirmar el concepto LM exclusiva para el CCF: adaptación fisiológica de la succión, succión nutricia, función motora oral y succión efectiva. Se describen definiciones, antecedentes, consecuencias, referentes empíricos. Caso modelo y casos contrario. Conclusión: La metodología utilizada sirvió para construir el análisis de concepto lactancia materna exclusiva para el CCF y aportar argumentos teóricos para la práctica clínica y consejería en lactancia relacionados con los beneficios de la función de succión para el desarrollo motor oral y crecimiento craneofacial.
Los desafíos de la nueva variante ómicron para la salud pública: una revisión de la literatura actual
Authors: Vásquez Ortíz Lorena
Published: November 2023

Introducción: Tras la pandemia del coronavirus del síndrome respiratorio agudo grave tipo 2 (SARS-Cov-2), múltiples variantes dentro de la estructura molecular del virus se han venido presentando, las cuales pueden condicionar mayores tasas de contagio, aumento de la morbimortalidad, disminución en la efectividad de las vacunas y manejos farmacológicos. La variante Ómicron, clasificada como variante preocupante (VOC), ha demostrado hasta ahora tener mayor transmisibilidad y una respuesta diferente frente a la vacunación y los esquemas terapéuticos ya instaurados. Objetivo: Describir la variante Ómicron y su impacto sobre la transmisibilidad y mortalidad. Métodos: Revisión de la literatura, en las bases de datos PubMed y Scopus, incluyendo estudios empíricos en inglés y español. De la bibliografía obtenida se utilizaron y analizaron detalladamente 49 artículos. Resultados: Los resultados obtenidos nos permiten identificar los diferentes aspectos de la variante Ómicron, desde su estructura molecular, transmisibilidad hasta su manejo actual y la efectividad de las vacunas contra la misma. Conclusiones: En la actualidad, la variante Ómicron ha constituido un desafío para el sistema de salud por su alta transmisibilidad. Sin embargo, los esfuerzos terapéuticos han demostrado un impacto en severidad y curso de la enfermedad.