bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Surgical treatments for postamputation pain: study protocol for an international, double-blind, randomised controlled trial
Authors: Pettersen Emily , Sassu Paolo , Reinholdt Carina , Dahm Peter , Rolfson Ola , Björkman Anders , Innocenti Marco , Pedrini Francesca Alice , Breyer Juan Manuel , Roche Aidan , Hart Andrew , Harrington Lorraine , Ladak Adil , Power Hollie , Hebert Jacqueline , Ortiz-Catalan Max
Published: May 2023

Background

Painful conditions such as residual limb pain (RLP) and phantom limb pain (PLP) can manifest after amputation. The mechanisms underlying such postamputation pains are diverse and should be addressed accordingly. Different surgical treatment methods have shown potential for alleviating RLP due to neuroma formation — commonly known as neuroma pain — and to a lesser degree PLP. Two reconstructive surgical interventions, namely targeted muscle reinnervation (TMR) and regenerative peripheral nerve interface (RPNI), are gaining popularity in postamputation pain treatment with promising results. However, these two methods have not been directly compared in a randomised controlled trial (RCT). Here, we present a study protocol for an international, double-blind, RCT to assess the effectiveness of TMR, RPNI, and a non-reconstructive procedure called neuroma transposition (active control) in alleviating RLP, neuroma pain, and PLP.

Methods

One hundred ten upper and lower limb amputees suffering from RLP will be recruited and assigned randomly to one of the surgical interventions (TMR, RPNI, or neuroma transposition) in an equal allocation ratio. Complete evaluations will be performed during a baseline period prior to the surgical intervention, and follow-ups will be conducted in short term (1, 3, 6, and 12 months post-surgery) and in long term (2 and 4 years post-surgery). After the 12-month follow-up, the study will be unblinded for the evaluator and the participants. If the participant is unsatisfied with the outcome of the treatment at that time, further treatment including one of the other procedures will be discussed in consultation with the clinical investigator at that site.

Discussion

A double-blind RCT is necessary for the establishment of evidence-based procedures, hence the motivation for this work. In addition, studies on pain are challenging due to the subjectivity of the experience and the lack of objective evaluation methods. Here, we mitigate this problem by including different pain evaluation methods known to have clinical relevance. We plan to analyse the primary variable, mean change in NRS (0–10) between baseline and the 12-month follow-up, using the intention-to-treat (ITT) approach to minimise bias and keep the advantage of randomisation. The secondary outcomes will be analysed on both ITT and per-protocol (PP). An adherence protocol (PP population) analysis will be used for estimating a more realistic effect of treatment.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05009394.
Assessing the efficiency of health systems in achieving the universal health coverage goal: evidence from Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Arhin Kwadwo , Oteng-Abayie Eric Fosu , Novignon Jacob
Published: May 2023

Objective

Universal health coverage (UHC) is a major pathway to save many people from catastrophic and impoverishing healthcare spending and address the inequality in health and healthcare. The objective of this paper is to assess the efficiency with which health systems in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are utilizing healthcare resources to progress towards achieving the UHC goal by 2030.

Methods

The study followed the guidelines proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and World Bank joint UHC monitoring framework and the computational operationalization approach proposed by Wagstaff et al. (2015) to estimate the UHC index for each of the 30 selected SSA countries. The bootstrapping output-oriented data envelopment analysis (DEA) was used to estimate the bias-corrected technical efficiency scores and examine the environmental factors that influence health system efficiency.

Results

The estimated UHC levels ranged from a minimum of 52% to a maximum of 81% $$(SD=8.6\%)$$

(
S
D
=
8.6
%
)

with a median coverage of 66%. The average bias-corrected efficiency score was 0.81 $$\left(95\% CI:0.77-0.85\right)$$

95
%
C
I
:
0.77
-
0.85

. The study found that education, governance quality, public health spending, external health funding, and prepayment arrangements that pool funds for health had a positive significant effect on health system efficiency in improving UHC, while out-of-pocket payment had a negative impact.

Conclusion

The results show that health systems in SSA can potentially enhance UHC levels by at least 19% with existing healthcare resources if best practices are adopted. Policymakers should aim at improving education, good governance, and healthcare financing architecture to reduce out-of-pocket payments and over-reliance on donor funding for healthcare to achieve UHC.
Impact of diabetes diagnosis on dental care utilization: evidence from Finland
Authors: Nurminen Mikko , Rättö Hanna
Published: May 2023

Background

Poor oral health is associated with many chronic diseases, including diabetes. As diabetes can worsen oral health and vice versa, care guidelines recommend that patients with diabetes maintain good oral health and have regular dental checkups. We analyzed the impact of receiving an initial type 2 diabetes diagnosis on dental care utilization.

Methods

We used register data on residents aged over 25 in the city of Oulu, Finland, covering the years 2013–2018. We used the difference-in-differences method and individuals with no diabetes diagnosis as control group. As robustness checks, we used propensity score matching and constructed an alternative control group from patients that received the same diagnosis a few years apart.

Results

Despite the guideline recommendations, we found that receiving a diabetes diagnosis did not increase the probability for dental care visits in a two-year follow-up. The findings remained similar for both high-income and low-income persons.

Conclusions

The finding is concerning in terms of diabetes management and oral health. Further research is needed on the reasons behind the lack of response to guidelines.
Innovation strategy design of public sports service governance based on cloud computing
Authors: Hao Yangyang , Qiu Zhaoyi , Xu Qiner , He Qiuhong , Fang Xuemo , Wang Chuyun
Published: May 2023

Public sports service is an important component of the modern government construction service system. They play an important role in strengthening the national physique, improving people’s satisfaction with public services, and improving people’s welfare. With the implementation of the national sports strategy, the quality of sports has continuously improved, and significant progress has been made in the construction of sports facilities, sports service mechanisms, sports service projects, and sports service personnel. Due to the inclination of national development centers and differences in regional economic levels, the effectiveness and implementation of public sports service governance may be affected. In order to solve the current problems of unbalanced development of public SS and insufficient social security, this article used cloud computing to conduct an innovative design for public SS governance and surveyed the satisfaction of residents in the community with public SS governance under the innovative design. Through comparative experiments, it studied the service quality and implementation effect of cloud computing on public SS governance. Through experimental analysis, it was found that the service quality and implementation effect of the public SS governance innovation strategy were higher than the original public SS service system. The service quality of the edge computing public SS innovation system was about 10.6% higher than the original public SS system, and the implementation effect was about 8.1% higher than the original public SS system. Experiments have verified the feasibility of sports service innovation strategies under cloud computing.
Filbertone, (2E)-5-methyl-2-hepten-4-one, regulates thermogenesis and lipid metabolism in skeletal muscle of a high-fat diet fed mice
Authors: Kim Hyemee , Ahn Byungyong
Published: May 2023

Filbertone, the principal flavor compound of hazelnuts, is known to have preventive effects against hypothalamic inflammation, obesity and adipocity in vitro and in vivo. However, the effect of filbertone in skeletal muscle remains unknown. In the present study, we determined the effect of filbertone in skeletal muscle of mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD). To identify the underlying molecular and cellular processes of filbertone, we performed whole transcriptome sequencing in skeletal muscle. The muscle transcriptome analysis revealed that the upregulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in filbertone-fed mice were substantially associated with several pathways including thermogenesis, fatty acid degradation, oxidative phosphorylation, and branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) degradation. Furthermore, the expression level of thermogenic genes such as uncoupling protein 1 (Ucp1; p < 0.05), cell death-inducing DNA fragmentation factor alpha-like effector A (Cidea; p < 0.05), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (Ppara; p < 0.05) and lipid droplet-associated protein genes such as Plin3 (p < 0.05), Plin4 (p < 0.05), and Plin5 (p < 0.05) were significantly upregulated in muscle tissue of HFD with filbertone fed mice compared to HFD only fed mice. Filbertone also elevated the protein level of UCP1 (p < 0.05) and PPARα (p < 0.05). In addition, filbertone reduced the accumulation of intracellular lipids in C2C12 myotubes (p < 0.05). On the basis of these results, we suggest that filbertone has a crucial effect in the regulation of muscle lipid metabolism and energy balance.
Emotional and external eating styles associated with obesity
Authors: Benbaibeche Hassiba , Saidi Hamza , Bounihi Abdenour , Koceir Elhadj Ahmed
Published: May 2023

Background

Obesity is related to eating habits. Overeating is the most behavioural trait implicated in obesity; emotional, external and rigid restrained eating are three maladaptive eating habits that are associated to overeating.

Objectives

The current study assesses the eating styles of Algerian adults. It identifies and analyses differences in eating styles in a sample from adults with normal BMI and who have obesity. The study examines the relationship between eating styles and BMI.

Methods

The sample consisted of 200 volunteers aged from 31 to 62 years old, 110 with obesity and 90 having normal BMI. The participants were recruited from hospital and university employees. They were questioned about their eating habits. The participants did not receive any treatment. To assess eating styles, participants completed the DEBQ.

Results

The prevalence of women was in the majority, representing 61% (n = 122) in the total sample (63.63% (n = 70) with obesity, and 55.77% (n = 52) with normal BMI). The prevalence of men represents 39% (n = 78) in the total sample (36.36% (n = 40) with obesity, and 42.22% (n = 38) with normal BMI). Participants with obesity showed pathological eating styles. They scored higher on emotional and external eating styles than to normal BMI group. However, restraint eating showed a slight no significant increase. The mean scores ± standard deviations observed in each eating styles were: emotional eating (2.88 ± 0.99** vs. 1.71 ± 0.32), external eating (3.31 ± 0.68** vs. 1.96 ± 0.29), and retrained eating (1.81 ± 0.7ns vs. 1.3 ± 0.30). The linear regression analysis showed an effect of emotional and external eating on BMI.

Conclusion

These results could be used to provide clinical information at the initial screening for obesity criteria, obesity prevention and treatment.
Cost-effective, rapid decorrelation stretching and responsive UAS mapping as a method of detecting archaeological sites and features
Authors: Potter Rich , Pitman Derek , Manley Harry , Rönnlund Robin
Published: May 2023

Approaches to aerial photography and remote sensing have become increasingly complex, can rely on opaque workflows, and have the potential to be published with inaccessible language. Conversely, aerial capture has become increasingly accessible with affordable, user-friendly unmanned aerial systems (UAS) now being commonplace in the field-archaeology toolkit. This means that considerable amounts of data are being produced by diverse projects, yet only a limited quantity are subject to advanced processing techniques. This paper aims to address this imbalance through a low-cost, accessible workflow that pairs frequent (multi-temporal) surveys with straightforward, out of the box processing. The results are comparable to more complex methodologies without the need to invest in expensive hardware (although a fast computer will make processing quicker) or abstract workflows. The detail and depth are still available if needed, but the aim is to make the interpretation of a wide range of imagery easier, rather than focus on the mechanics of the phenomena. The results demonstrate an effective, inexpensive and user-friendly workflow that requires only limited computational skills, but which offers robust, highly interpretable results.
Association of blood viscosity and device-free days among hospitalized patients with COVID-19
Authors: Waksman Ori , Choi Daein , Mar Phyu , Chen Qinzhong , Cho Daniel J. , Kim HyoungSup , Smith Robin L. , Goonewardena Sascha N. , Rosenson Robert S.
Published: May 2023

Background

Increased estimated whole blood viscosity (eWBV) predicts higher mortality in patients hospitalized for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This study assesses whether eWBV is an early predictor of non-fatal outcomes among patients hospitalized for acute COVID-19 infection.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study included 9278 hospitalized COVID-19 patients diagnosed within 48 h of admission between February 27, 2020 to November 20, 2021 within the Mount Sinai Health System in New York City. Patients with missing values for major covariates, discharge information, and those who failed to meet the criteria for the non-Newtonian blood model were excluded. 5621 participants were included in the main analysis. Additional analyses were performed separately for 4352 participants who had measurements of white blood cell count, C-reactive protein and D-dimer. Participants were divided into quartiles based on estimated high-shear blood viscosity (eHSBV) and estimated low-shear blood viscosity (eLSBV). Blood viscosity was calculated using the Walburn–Schneck model. The primary outcome was evaluated as an ordinal scale indicating the number of days free of respiratory organ support through day 21, and those who died in-hospital were assigned a value of -1. Multivariate cumulative logistic regression was conducted to evaluate the association between quartiles of eWBV and events.

Results

Among 5621 participants, 3459 (61.5%) were male with mean age of 63.2 (SD 17.1) years. The linear modeling yielded an adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of 0.68 (95% CI 0.59–0.79, p value < 0.001) per 1 centipoise increase in eHSBV.

Conclusions

Among hospitalized patients with COVID-19, elevated eHSBV and eLSBV at presentation were associated with an increased need for respiratory organ support at 21 days. These findings are highly relevant, as they demonstrate the utility of eWBV in identifying hospitalized patients with acute COVID-19 infection at increased risk for non-fatal outcomes in early stages of the disease.
“Goals in Focus”—a targeted CBT approach for motivational negative symptoms of psychosis: study protocol for a randomized-controlled feasibility trial
Authors: Schormann Alisa L. A. , Pillny Matthias , Haß Katharina , Lincoln Tania M.
Published: May 2023

Background

The reduction of goal-directed behavior is the main characteristic in motivational negative symptoms of psychosis as it accounts for the long-term decline in psychological well-being and psychosocial functioning. However, the available treatment options are largely unspecific and show only small effects on motivational negative symptoms. Interventions that directly target the relevant psychological mechanisms are likely to be more effective. For “Goals in Focus”, we translated findings from basic clinical research on mechanisms underlying motivational negative symptoms into a tailored and comprehensive novel psychological outpatient treatment program. With this study, we will test the feasibility of the therapy manual and the trial procedures. We also aim to examine first estimates of the effect size that can be expected from “Goals in Focus” to inform the sample size calculation of a subsequent fully powered trial.

Methods

Thirty participants diagnosed with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder and at least moderate motivational negative symptoms will be randomly assigned to either 24 sessions of “Goals in Focus” over the course of 6 months (n = 15) or to a 6-month wait-list control group (n = 15). Single-blind assessments will be conducted at baseline (t0) and 6 months after baseline completion (t1). Feasibility outcomes include patient recruitment, retention, and attendance rates. Acceptability will be rated by trial therapists and by participants at end of treatment. Primary outcome for effect size estimation is the motivational negative symptom subscale sum score of the Brief Negative Symptom Scale at t1 corrected for baseline values. Secondary outcomes include psychosocial functioning, psychological well-being, depressive symptoms, expressive negative symptoms, negative symptom factor scores, and goal pursuit in everyday life.

Discussion

The feasibility and acceptability data will be used to improve trial procedures and the “Goals in Focus” intervention where necessary. The treatment effect on the primary outcome will provide the basis for the sample size calculation for a fully powered RCT.

Trial registration

1) ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05252039. Registered on 23 February 2022.

2) Deutsches Register Klinischer Studien, DRKS00018083. Registered on 28 August 2019.
A checklist to guide the planning, designing, implementation, and evaluation of learning analytics dashboards
Authors: Kaliisa Rogers , Jivet Ioana , Prinsloo Paul
Published: May 2023

Higher education institutions are moving to design and implement teacher-facing learning analytics (LA) dashboards with the hope that instructors can extract deep insights about student learning and make informed decisions to improve their teaching. While much attention has been paid to developing teacher-facing dashboards, less is known about how they are designed, implemented and evaluated. This paper presents a systematic literature review of existing studies reporting on teacher-facing LA dashboards. Out of the 1968 articles retrieved from several databases, 50 articles were included in the final analysis. Guided by several frameworks, articles were coded based on the following dimensions: purpose, theoretical grounding, stakeholder involvement, ethics and privacy, design, implementation, and evaluation criteria. The findings show that most dashboards are designed to increase teachers’ awareness but with limited actionable insights to allow intervention. Moreover, while teachers are involved in the design process, this is mainly at the exploratory/problem definition stage, with little input beyond this stage. Most dashboards were prescriptive, less customisable, and implicit about the theoretical constructs behind their designs. In addition, dashboards are deployed at prototype and pilot stages, and the evaluation is dominated by self-reports and users’ reactions with limited focus on changes to teaching and learning. Besides, only one study considered privacy as a design requirement. Based on the findings of the study and synthesis of existing literature, we propose a four-dimensional checklist for planning, designing, implementing and evaluating LA dashboards.
Optimization and characterization of exopolysaccharides from Leuconostoc citreum BH10 and its functional properties in vitro
Authors: Ge Zhiwen , Azi Fidelis , Bao Xuan , Yin Xintao , Feng Xue , Zhang Min , Xia Xiudong , Dong Mingsheng
Published: May 2023

In this study, the yield of exopolysacchrides (LCEPS) produced by Leuconostoc citreum BH10 was optimized through the improvement of fermentation conditions. A three-level four-factor central composite design coupled with response surface methodology was employed to elucidate the interactions among four design variables, namely fermentation time (X1), fermentation temperature (X2), sucrose concentration (X3), and inoculation amount (X4) over a broad range of process conditions and determine their effects on LCEPS production. Based on the developed models, under the optimum process conditions of 49.99 h, 25.59 °C, 21.66, and 3.00%, the obtained maximum production of LCEPS was up to 55.96 g/L. Besides, the produced LCEPS presented better thermal stability than the original dextran and rendered finely emulsifying properties compared with commercial emulsifiers. Moreover, the LCEPS possessed good antioxidant activities and showed certain biofilm inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538 strain, which indicated that it has fine potential to be used as an excellent additive into the food industry.

Graphical Abstract
Does medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction result in femoral tunnel enlargement? A systematic review
Authors: Abelleyra Lastoria Diego Agustín , Gopinath Vathana , Divekar Omkaar , Smith Toby , Roberts Tobias R. W. , Hing Caroline B.
Published: May 2023

Background

Medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction is a common surgical procedure for treating patellar instability. The primary aim of this systematic review was to determine whether MPFL reconstruction (MPFLR) leads to femoral tunnel enlargement (FTE). The secondary aims were to explore the clinical effects and risk factors of FTE. Electronic databases (MEDLINE, Global Health, Embase), currently registered studies, conference proceedings and the reference lists of included studies were searched independently by three reviewers. There were no constraints based on language or publication status. Study quality assessment was conducted. 3824 records were screened in the initial search. Seven studies satisfied the inclusion criteria, evaluating 380 knees in 365 patients. Rates of FTE following MPFLR ranged from 38.7 to 77.1%. Five low quality studies reported FTE did not lead to detrimental clinical outcomes as assessed with the Tegner, Kujala, IKDC, and Lysholm scores. There is conflicting evidence regarding change in femoral tunnel width over time. Three studies (of which two had a high risk of bias) reported age, BMI, presence of trochlear dysplasia and tibial tubercle-tibial groove distance did not differ between patients with and without FTE, suggesting these are not risk factors for FTE.

Conclusion

FTE is a common postoperative event following MPFLR. It does not predispose poor clinical outcomes. Current evidence lacks the ability to identify its risk factors. The reliability of any conclusions drawn is hindered by the low level of evidence of the studies included in this review. Larger prospective studies with long-term follow up are required to reliably ascertain the clinical effects of FTE.
Surgical resection of micronodular thymic carcinoma with lymphoid hyperplasia: a case report
Authors: Miyamoto Naoki , Kondo Kazuya , Bando Yoshimi , Izaki Fuyumi , Takeuchi Taihei , Sumitomo Hiroyuki , Sakamoto Shinichi , Takashima Mika , Kawakita Naoya , Toba Hiroaki , Takizawa Hiromitsu
Published: May 2023

Background

Micronodular thymic carcinoma with lymphoid hyperplasia is an extremely rare thymic tumor, exhibiting a variety of cell morphologies with mild to severe dysmorphism. Since few cases have been reported, the prognosis of this disease is unclear.

Case presentation

A 55-year-old woman was referred to our hospital with an anterior mediastinal tumor. She was incidentally detected with a tumor in a medical examination. We diagnosed the patient with thymic carcinoma or thymoma and performed surgery via median sternotomy. Histologically, tumor cells showed weakly acidic vesicles and bright nuclei, including small nucleoli. Most of the tumor cells were cluster of differentiation (CD)5-positive, CD3-negative, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-negative.

Conclusions

Based on these histological findings, the resected specimen was diagnosed as micronodular thymic carcinoma with lymphoid hyperplasia. The patient’s postoperative course was uneventful, and no signs of recurrence were observed at 5 years after the surgery.
Physical and Mental Health Disparities at the Intersection of Sexual and Gender Minority Statuses: Evidence From Population-Level Data
Authors: Stacey Lawrence , Wislar Wes
Published: May 2023

Sexual and gender minorities (SGM) experience detriments across many physical and mental health outcomes compared with heterosexual and cisgender people. But little is known about health outcomes for those who are both gender minorities and sexual minorities. Motivated by theories of double disadvantage and leveraging advancements in data collection and measurement, we examine physical and mental health disparities across sexual and gender minority statuses: cisgender heterosexuals, gender minority heterosexuals, cisgender sexual minorities, and people who are both gender and sexual minorities. Using Gallup's National Health and Well-Being Index (N = 93,144) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (N = 543,717), we estimate multivariable logistic regression models to examine how sexual and gender minority statuses are associated with poor/fair self-rated health, functional limitations, and diagnosed depression. Regression models adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics show marked physical and mental health disparities: people who are both gender and sexual minorities report greater odds of poor/fair self-rated health, functional limitations, and depression relative to cisgender heterosexuals and, in some cases, relative to gender minority heterosexuals and cisgender sexual minorities. Our results add to a growing body of research documenting the association between multiple disadvantaged statuses and health and provide novel information on SGM health disparities.
Protocol for Safety and Efficacy of MLC901 (NeuroAiD II) in Patients With Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial (ANDROMEDA)
Authors: Chua Annabell E. , Yacapin Vilma Jane , Manalo Guillermo L. , Ledesma Lourdes K.
Published: May 2023

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains a leading cause of death and disability, affecting approximately 69 million individuals each year worldwide. A significant portion of TBI research has focused on treatments for neuroprotection and/or neurorecovery, with most failing to transition to successful clinical applications despite promising animal/in vitro study results. MLC901 (NeuroAiD II), with origins from a traditional Chinese medicine, has been shown to exhibit both neuroprotective and neuroregenerative properties in in vitro and animal studies for stroke and TBI. Clinical trials have demonstrated its safety with significant improvements in some functional outcome and cognitive domain measures. The objective of this study is to determine the efficacy and safety of MLC901 (NeuroAiD II) vs placebo in adult patients with moderate TBI.

METHODS:

This is a multicenter randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial that aims to enroll 120 adult patients with moderate TBI receiving standard of care in 2 arms: MLC901 vs placebo for a treatment period of 6 months with a further follow-up of 3 months. The total duration of the study is 9 months. The primary end point is Glasgow Outcome Scale Extended (GOS-E) at 6 months. Other assessments include mortality at 6 months, GOS-E, Glasgow Coma Scale, Montreal Cognitive Assessment Filipino Version, Frontal Assessment Battery Conflicting Instructions and Go-No-Go, Rivermead Post-Concussion Symptom Questionnaire, Barthel Index, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and Health related Quality of life (EQ-5D) at 1, 3, 6, and 9 months. Cerebral swelling at baseline and at 1 and 2 weeks will also be documented. Adverse events and drug compliance will also be monitored.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES:

We expect to find a significant improvement in functional and cognitive outcomes in patients who were given MLC901.

DISCUSSION:

Previous studies on the effect of MLC901 in adult patients with moderate TBI showed positive results; However, these studies are limited by the small number of patients. This study will establish a more definitive role of MLC901 in improving functional and cognitive outcomes in patients with moderate TBI.
CDK actively contributes to establishment of the stationary phase state in fission yeast
Authors: Hiraoka Motoaki , Kiyota Yuki , Kawai Shinnosuke , Notsu Yusuke , Yamada Kohei , Kurashima Katsuyuki , Chang Jing-Wen , Shimazaki Shunsuke , Yamamoto Ayumu
Published: May 2023

Upon exhaustion of essential environmental nutrients, unicellular organisms cease cell division and enter stationary phase, a metabolically repressed state essential for cell survival in stressful environments. In the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, cell size is reduced by cell division before entry into stationary phase; thus cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) must actively contribute to stationary phase establishment. However, the contribution of CDK to stationary phase remains largely uncharacterized. Here, we examine the role of the sole S. pombe CDK, Cdc2, in the establishment of stationary phase. We show that in stationary phase, nuclear and chromosomal volumes and the nucleus-to-cell volume ratio are reduced, and sister chromatid separation and chromosome fluctuation are repressed. Furthermore, Cdc2 accumulates in the nucleolus. Most of these changes are induced by glucose depletion. Reduction in Cdc2 activity before and upon stationary phase entry alleviates the changes and shortens the survival time of stationary phase cells, whereas Cdc2 inhibition represses nucleolar Cdc2 accumulation and glucose depletion-induced nuclear volume reduction. These results demonstrate that CDK actively regulates stationary phase, both before and upon stationary phase entry.
Nowe gatunki grzybów makroskopijnych w biocie Wigierskiego Parku Narodowego
Authors: Halama Marek , Pencakowski Bartosz , Fałtynowicz Wiesław , Leski Tomasz , Patejuk Katarzyna , Wilgan Robin , Kowalewska Agnieszka , Fałtynowicz Hanna , Piegdoń Amelia , Staniaszek-Kik Monika , Górski Piotr , Romański Maciej , Picińska-Fałtynowicz Joanna , Kapruś Ihor , Krzysztofiak Lech
Published: May 2023

In the year 2021 mycological investigations were carried out in the Wigierski National Park (NE Poland). Fifteen 0.04-ha plots, including 5 with low proportion of hazel (< 30%) and 10 with high proportion of hazel (≥ 75%) in the understory, were established in phytocoenoses of a mesophilous oak-linden hornbeam forest (Tilio cordatae-Carpinetum betuli). Macrofungi were surveyed on these plots during the summer and autumn season based on the presence/absence of sporocarps. As a result, 320 taxa of fungi have been recorded, which accounts for ca 28% of macrofungi biota of the park. During this survey 28 species new to this area have been found. The paper provides information about their localities and habitats.
The Nasturtium ×sterile (airy shaw) Oefelein 1958 in Poland – future useful horticultural plant?
Authors: Czarna Aneta , Jędrzejczyk Iwona , Morozowska Maria
Published: May 2023

This study presents the taxonomic, cytometric and phytosociological characteristics of Nasturtium ×sterile as well as four areas of its occurrence in Poland. One of these areas was probably mistakenly identified near Cracow in 1916, but the other three still exist and are located in the geographical region of Wielkopolska (18 localities). Fruit-bearing specimens were found in two localities (Kłębowo and Biała). In the other localities only barren specimens were found, which were identified using flow cytometry. Further research on N. ×sterile is necessary to verify whether it has similar functional and therapeutic properties as one of its parent species.
Ο πολιτικός έλεγχος του στρατού σε διαφορετικά υποδείγματα δημοκρατικών πολιτικών συστημάτων
Authors: Χατζηλυμπέρη Παναγιώτα
Published: May 2023

O τίτλος της διδακτορικής διατριβής είναι "Ο πολιτικός έλεγχος του στρατού σε διαφορετικά υποδείγματα δημοκρατικών πολιτικών συστημάτων: Συγκριτική μελέτη Ηνωμένου Βασιλείου και Γαλλίας". Ο πολιτικός έλεγχος του στρατού ανήκει στο ευρύ θεωρητικό πλαίσιο του τομέα των πολιτικο-στρατιωτικών σχέσεων, που αφορά τις σχέσεις των ενόπλων δυνάμεων και πολιτικής στο εσωτερικό των κρατών. Η μορφή που είναι δομημένες οι σχέσεις αυτές στην σύγχρονη εποχή αρχίζει με την νεωτερικότητα και την ίδρυση των εθνών-κρατών, με την θεωρία των πολιτικο-στρατιωτικών σχέσεων να αναπτύσσεται μετά τον Β΄ Παγκόσμιο Πόλεμο. Το ερευνητικό ερώτημα είναι γιατί οι Ένοπλες Δυνάμεις δεν αναλαμβάνουν την εξουσία σε μια δημοκρατική κοινωνία πολιτικού φιλελευθερισμού. Η μεθοδολογία είναι η συγκριτική ανάλυση, με χρήση υποθέσεων εργασίας, α) την πολιτική κουλτούρα, β) η απο-αποικιοποίηση, γ) οι Ένοπλες Δυνάμεις ως ομάδα συμφερόντων και δ) η επιρροή του διεθνούς περιβάλλοντος στην εθνική αμυντική και εξωτερική πολιτική. Πεδίο μελέτης είναι το Ηνωμένο Βασίλειο και η Γαλλία, δύο χώρες με μακρά αλλά διαφορετική δημοκρατική παράδοση, που επηρέασε και τον τρόπο εξέλιξης των πολιτικο-στρατιωτικών τους σχέσεων. Στην διατριβή αυτή αναδεικνύονται οι παράγοντες που χαρακτηρίζουν τον στρατιωτικό θεσμό στο δημοκρατικό σύστημα, η σχέση του με την πολιτική και πώς ανταποκρίνεται η πολιτική ηγεσία στις εξελίξεις των ζητημάτων ασφαλείας. Η εξασφάλιση του πολιτικού ελέγχου των Ενόπλων Δυνάμεων στο Ηνωμένο Βασίλειο και την Γαλλία είναι αποτέλεσμα της ιστορικής εξέλιξης της οικοδόμησης του εκάστοτε κράτους. Ο πολιτικός φιλελευθερισμός αποτελεί το ιδεολογικό αφήγημα που διέπει τις πολιτικο-στρατιωτικές σχέσεις. Είναι το θεωρητικό πλαίσιο με το οποίο οργανώθηκε ο εθνικός στρατός της νεωτερικότητας. Στο Ηνωμένο Βασίλειο συγκροτήθηκε η πολιτική κουλτούρα του επαγγελματισμού των Ενόπλων Δυνάμεων, ενώ στην Γαλλία ο ρεπουμπλικανισμός οδηγεί σε μια πολιτικοποίηση του πολιτικού ελέγχου τους. Η κρατική νομολογία και η θέσπιση ανώτατων κρατικών δομών οργανώνουν την ιεραρχία της διοίκησης και της διαδικασίας της λήψης αποφάσεων που αφορούν τον στρατιωτικό τομέα, εντάσσοντας τον στρατιωτικό θεσμό στην συνολική διακυβερνητική λειτουργία.
The impact of pharmacist behavioral intervention on antibiotics prescribing in pediatric wards
Authors: Abbas Jasim Kadhim , Al-Metwali Basma Zuheir
Published: May 2023

Background: Antibiotics may be prescribed irrationally, which can lead to significant consequences including the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. Pharmacists can play a key role in enhancing the rational antibiotic prescribing. This study aimed to evaluate the current clinical practice of prescribing antimicrobial agents in pediatric wards and to assess the clinical and economic impact of pharmacist interventions on antibiotic prescribing.

Methodology: This study was conducted at the pediatric wards of a general hospital, Babel, Iraq. The study population included all pediatric inpatients aged ≤ 12 years and receiving antibiotic. The study consisted of three phases. The first was a pre-intervention phase where data about antibiotic prescription was collected retrospectively. The second phase involved pharmacist intervention where the researcher had provided an oral presentation to the healthcare workers. The third phase involved prospective data collection which was compared with the pre-intervention data. Independent T-test was used to compare the differences in the parameters between the pre-and post-intervention phases.

Results: The study included 250 children in each of the pre- and post-intervention phases who received antibiotic treatment. The medical records were reviewed retrospectively. Four antibiotics (amoxicillin, cefotaxime, vancomycin and meropenem) were significantly less frequently used in the post-intervention phase. Single antibiotic treatment was significantly higher in the post-intervention phase (p-value<0.05). Length and days of therapy, and the total cost of the antibiotics used were significantly lower in the post-intervention phase. Culture and sensitivity tests were performed only in 28% of patients in the post-intervention phase where the isolated bacteria were found to be highly resistant to penicillin and cephalosporin.

Conclusions: This study demonstrated that pharmacist intervention in general pediatric wards has resulted in favorable clinical and economic outcomes. This emphasizes the essential role pharmacists can play in rational antibiotic use, not only in the pediatric population but also in the adults.
The Taxonomy of Blockchain-based Technology in the Financial Industry
Authors: Alamsyah Andry , Syahrir Syahputra
Published: May 2023

The decentralized approach of blockchain technology has resulted in innovations across various industries, including finance which is facing challenges due to the rise of decentralized finance (DeFi) in the market. Decentralization improves business processes and spurs product innovation through increased transparency and removing intermediaries. A taxonomy, created through literature review and expert interviews, outlines the four dimensions of these advancements: key drivers, products, benefits, and emerging threats. Proposed solutions are also included to tackle the threats.
Factors associated with inadequate urinary iodine concentration among pregnant women in Mbeya region Tanzania.
Authors: Lukindo Tedson , Masumo Ray , Hancy Adam , John Sauli E. , Paulo Heavenlight A. , Sanga Abraham , Noor Ramadhan , Lankoande Fatoumata , Towo Elifatio , Leyna Germana H. , Bridge Gemma , Bedi Raman
Published: May 2023

Background: Insufficient and excessive iodine intake during pregnancy can lead to serious health problems. In Tanzania, information available on iodine status during pregnancy is minimal. The aim of this study was to assess the iodine status and its association with socio-demographic factors in pregnant women in the Mbeya region, Tanzania. Method: A cross sectional survey involving 420 pregnant women (n=420) registered in Reproductive and Child Health Clinics was conducted. Data were collected via interviews and laboratory analysis of urinary iodine concentration (UIC). Results: Median UIC was 279.4μg/L (+/-26.1) to 1915μg/L. Insufficient iodine intake (UIC below 150μg/L) was observed in 17.14% of participants, sufficient intake in 24.29% and 58.57% had intakes above the recommended level (>250μg/L). Pregnant women who consume fish had an increased risk of insufficient iodine [Adjusted OR7= 2.60 (95%CI 1.31-5.15)] while the risk was lower for those who attended primary education compared to non-formal education [Adjusted OR= 0.29 (95%CI 0.08-0.99)]. Pregnant women resident in Mbarali district aged between 35-49 years were associated with an increased risk of UIC above recommended level [Adjusted OR=4.09 (95%CI 1.85-9.010] and [Adjusted OR=2.51 (95%CI 0.99-6.330] respectively . Conclusion: This study demonstrated a significant relationship between geographical factors (residence in the Mbarali district) and excess median urine iodine concentration, in addition, this study also found an association between consumption of freshwater fish and insufficient mean urine iodine concentration as indicated by the World Health Organization recommendation. Therefore, educational programs on iodine intake are needed as attending primary education was found to be a protective factor for insufficient median urine iodine concentration.
Uptake of same-day initiation of HIV treatment in Malawi, South Africa, and Zambia as reported in routinely collected data: the SPRINT retrospective cohort study
Authors: Huber Amy , Hirasen Kamban , Brennan Alana T. , Phiri Bevis , Tcherini Timothy , Mulenga Lloyd , Haimbe Prudence , Shakwelele Hilda , Nyirenda Rose , Wilson Matola Bilaal , Gunda Andrews , Rosen Sydney
Published: May 2023

Background: Since 2017 global guidelines have recommended “same-day initiation” (SDI) of antiretroviral treatment (ART) for patients considered ready for treatment on the day of HIV diagnosis. Many countries have incorporated a SDI option into national guidelines, but SDI uptake is not well documented. We estimated average time to ART initiation at 12 public healthcare facilities in Malawi, five in South Africa, and 12 in Zambia.

Methods: We identified patients eligible to start ART between January 2018 and June 2019 from facility testing registers and reviewed their medical records from HIV diagnosis to the earlier date of treatment initiation or 6 months. We estimated the proportion of patients initiating ART on the same day or within 7, 14, 30, or 180 days of baseline.

Results: We enrolled 825 patients in Malawi, 534 in South Africa, and 1,984 in Zambia. Overall, 88% of patients in Malawi, 57% in South Africa, and 91% in Zambia received SDI. In Malawi, most who did not receive SDI had not initiated ART ≤6 months. In South Africa, an additional 13% initiated ≤1 week, but 21% had no record of initiation ≤6 months. Among those who did initiate within 6 months in Zambia, most started ≤1 week. There were no major differences by sex. WHO Stage III/IV and tuberculosis symptoms were associated with delays in ART initiation;  clinic size and having a CD4 count done were associated with an increased likelihood of SDI.

Conclusions: As of 2020, SDI of ART was widespread, if not nearly universal, in Malawi and Zambia but considerably less common in South Africa. Limitations of the study include pre-COVID-19 data that do not reflect pandemic adaptations and potentially missing data for Zambia. South Africa may be able to increase overall ART coverage by reducing numbers of patients who do not initiate ≤6 months.
The ERC PuppetPlays project: contribution for a non-linear history of the European theatre
Authors: Plassard Didier
Published: May 2023

This article is a presentation of the ERC Advanced Grant project PuppetPlays - Reappraising Western European Repertoires for Puppet and Marionette Theatre (GA 835193). After a short overview of the project itself, it begins with a definition of puppetry, based on the phenomenon of double vision. Then it explains the choice of the corpus limitations, describes the variety of the available resources, and underlines the great discrepancy in the amount of material available in the different countries.

The article continues with a brief overview of the role played by puppetry in the wider frame of performing arts: how much can we consider that puppeteers developed specific repertoires? What kind of differences can be observed between puppet or marionette theatre and actors’ theatre? The answers to these questions differ in a considerable way according to the cultural and sociological contexts: sometimes puppet and marionette theatre were the only forms of performance allowed, and they acted as substitutes for actors theatre; but sometimes also - and this is increasingly the case since the end of the 19th century -  these instruments were chosen for their specific expressive qualities.

In a last movement, I emphasize that collecting and analyzing puppet and marionette repertoires brings us to reconsider the general historiography of theatre: firstly, because we bring into the light theatrical genres that have been neglected by the historians; and secondly, because the plays written by the puppeteers, when we look closely at them, reveal a stratification of different layers that can be considered as a kind of heterochrony ; an alternative construction to social time. The forgotten patrimony of puppet and marionette dramaturgy conceals therefore many possibilities for research in humanities and social sciences.
Characterisation of human exposure to nocturnal biting by malaria and arbovirus vectors in a rural community in Chókwè district, southern Mozambique
Authors: Kampango Ayubo , Pinto João , Abílio Ana Paula , Machoe Elias , Matusse Júlio , McCall Philip J.
Published: May 2023

Background: Understanding the magnitude of human exposure to mosquito biting is fundamental to reduce pathogen transmission. Here we report on a study quantifying the levels of mosquitoes attacking humans throughout the night in a rural area of Southern Mozambique.

Methods: Surveys were carried out in Massavasse village, southern Mozambique. The abundance and composition of host-seeking mosquito communities at night were assessed by human-landing catches (HLC) at one-hour intervals. Periods when people were located predominantly outdoors or indoors were used to estimate the amount of residents’ exposure to mosquito bites in either location, to explore the potential impact a bed net could have had in reducing biting by each vector species.

Results: A total of 69,758 host-seeking female mosquitoes comprising 23 species in four genera were collected. The exposure to biting by virtually all vector species was consistently high outdoors, typically at early evening and morning, with exception of An. gambiae s.l which was likely of biting a person with nearly same intensity indoors and outdoors throughout the night. Bed nets use could have reduced biting by An. gambiae s.l (dominated by An. arabiensis), Ma. africana, Ma. uniformis, Cx. pipiens, Cx. antennatus, and Cx. poicilipes by 53%, 47%, 46%, 38%, 31%, and 28% respectively, compared to non-users. Conversely, a bed net user would have had little protection against An. pharoensis, An. ziemanni, An. tenebrosus, and Cx. tritaeniorhynchus biting exposures.

Conclusions: This study showed that Massavasse residents were exposed to high levels of outdoor biting by malaria and arbovirus vectors that abound in the village. The findings help to identify entomological drivers of persistent malaria transmission in Mozambique and identify a wide range of arbovirus vectors nocturnally active in rural areas, many with outbreak potential. The study highlights the need for a surveillance system for monitoring arboviral diseases vectors in Mozambique.