bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Equity, vulnerability and childhood immunization in Kenya and Uganda. A review of policy documents protocol.
Authors: Owino Esther , Mafigiri David , Kamuya Dorcas , Jones Caroline , Chi Primus
Published: November 2023

Introduction Inequities in access and uptake of vaccines remains to be a challenge to the full realization of benefits they stand to offer. In the case of childhood immunization, improved full immunization coverage has been witnessed globally in the past decades but countries in sub-Saharan Africa have registered slow progress, with variations between/within countries. This has been attributed to several challenges/vulnerability factors. Consequently, current global efforts to promote access to immunization have focused on the issue of equity, which is now a strategic priority in key international policy documents such as the World Health Organization immunization agenda 2030 among others. It is therefore important to understand the context and efforts being made by individual countries to realize equity. We plan to undertake a systematic policy document review to understand the immunization context in Kenya and Uganda by examining the extent to which equity and vulnerability issues are framed and addressed in key health sector and policy documents in both countries. Methods The systematic review will focus on key health sector and immunization policy documents in Uganda and Kenya between 2000 and 2023. Documents in the English language will be reviewed. Data sources will include official ministry of health websites for each country, websites of key international organizations working on immunization, general google searches and requesting for relevant documents from immunization stakeholders and officials in both countries. Data synthesis will follow a deductive and inductive approach. Findings will be presented in a descriptive format and in line with review objectives. Discussion We will assess the extent to which equity and vulnerability issues are included and how they are defined in the health sector and immunization policy documents. In addition, the review will examine strategies proposed, planned and/or implemented to promote equitable access and uptake of immunization services in the two countries.
The Notice-and-Choice Privacy Gamble: Game Theory, Consumer Agency, and Implications for GDPR
Authors: Hettche Matt , Kim Dae-Hee , Clayton Michael J.
Published: November 2023

This article provides a theoretical basis for why the notice-and-choice model for protecting consumer information privacy might still be considered a viable policy approach despite evidence that privacy notices are often ignored, difficult to read, and misunderstood by consumers. Drawing from several well-known game-theoretic models that map closely to an online consumer’s notice-and-choice context, we outline a rational choice model for consumer online privacy and discuss its relevance for the EU’s General Data Protection Regulations [GDPR]. We argue that an online consumer’s notice-and-choice privacy gamble is a reasonable bet when constrained by competition and the presence of meaningful regulation.
Pendidikan Karakter pada Remaja Usia 12 Tahun melalui Kegiatan Character Champ
Authors: Sampe Prisca Diantra , Makulua Izak Jakobis
Published: November 2023

Pendidikan karakter merupakan sebuah hal yang sangat penting, oleh sebab itu dilaksanakanlah character champ untuk meningkatkan dan mewujudkan pendidikan karakter khususnya pada remaja. Pendidikan karakter ini merupakan upaya untuk mengembangkan sikap etika, moral dan tanggung jawab yang dibutuhkan remaja dalam menjalani kehidupan sosialnya tanpa merugikan lingkungannya dengan tindakan– tindakan yang menyimpang dari nilai dan norma masyarakat. Pendidikan karakter bagi para remaja dapat menyaring informasi–informasi yang tidak sesuai bagi mereka. Informasi ‘tidak layak’ tersebut dapat diperoleh dari lingkungan sekolah, keluarga, bahkan lingkungan pertemanan. Apalagi dengan arus informasi, yang diakselerasi dengan kemajuan teknologi informasi yang begitu pesat. Akhir dari kegiatan ini adalah remaja mampu menerapkan pendidikan karakter serta menjadi pelajar pancasila.Kata kunci: pendidikan karakter, character champ, remaja
Pembuatan Nugget Ikan sebagai Upaya Peningkatan Ekonomi Kreatif di Dusun Wainuru Kecamatan Salahutu Kabupaten Maluku Tengah Provinsi Maluku
Authors: Hehanussa Umi Kalsum , Kurnia Tri Santi
Published: November 2023

Community service activities have taken place in Wainuru Hamlet, Salahutu District, Central Maluku Regency. The form of activity is training by making fish nuggets involving local housewives as an effort to increase the creative economy on a household scale. Fish nugget is a fish-based product that has been mixed with various spices, steamed and frozen as a ready-to-eat food that is modern, innovative, economical and has a high nutritional content and is very popular with children and adults. Apart from being known as a fish-producing area, Wainuru Hamlet is also known for its beautiful beach tourism. This is an opportunity for the residents of Wainuru Hamlet to introduce fish nuggets as a specialty of the area and can be a product to be marketed to visitors who come to visit Wainuru Beach.
Supervisi Akademik Kepala Madrasah Sebagai Upaya Peningkatan Profesionalitas Guru Di Madrasah Aliyah Bina Karya Hatawano Kecamatan Huamual Kabupaten Seram Bagian Barat. Maluku
Authors: Nurhasanah Nuhasanah , Pelupessy Muhammad Kashai Ramdhani , Rumandan Rhaishudin Jafar , Idris Indah Junianti , Wagola Sarmila , Mabakotawasi Rifaha
Published: November 2023

Supervisi merupakan salah satu hal terpenting dalam satuan pendidikan. Karena sangat diharapkan mampu meningkatkan profesionalitas tenaga pendidik yang ada di madrasah. Kegiatan supervisi secara langsung membantu pendidik secara teknis maupun memberikan bimbingan, pelatihan hingga motivasi yang bertujuan tenaga pendidik dapat mengaktualisasikan pendidikan yang baik dan efektif sehingga peningkatan prestasi belajar dari peserta didik. Pengabdian kepada masyarakat ini yang berfokus pada Madrasah Aliyah Bina Karya Hatawano bertujuan untuk memberikan muatan terkait pentingya supervisi bagi madrasah, bagi tenaga pendidik dan peserta didik. Metode dalam penelitian ini berupa workshop, pelatihan, observasi dan wawancara singkat. Peserta pada kagiatan adalah kepala madrasah dan tenaga Pendidik Madrasah Aliyah Bina Karya Hatawano.
Senior High School English Textbooks and Religious Aspects
Authors: Ekasiwi Alvia Nurrahma , Bram Barli
Published: November 2023

Indonesia is a diverse country consisting of various cultures and also religions. Currently, there are six official religions recognized by the Indonesian government, which are Islam, Protestant, Catholic, Hindu, Buddhi, and Confucianism. Thus, it is important for English book writers to design an English textbook that not only accommodates the needs of the students but also contains learning content which are representing all those varied religions and cultures in order to represent the background of the students. This study focuses on the portrayal of religious content found in the six Indonesian English textbooks published by the government and private sector. The purpose of the study is to assess, whether the six Indonesian English textbooks fairly distribute religious content through the textbooks’ visual illustrations or not. Visual content analysis was used as the methodology of the study to answer the research question. Based on the findings of the study, it was revealed that all the six Indonesian textbooks did not fairly distribute the religious contents. Some religions were having little to no representation in the textbooks. The religions portrayed throughout the contents were Islam, Protestantism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Confucianism.
Translation of Adjectival Collocations in Sidney Sheldon’s “Tell Me Your Dreams” into Indonesian
Authors: Joseph Johannes E.
Published: November 2023

Translating collocation is one of the most challenging tasks due to the linguistic and semantic features they have. This study analyzes the translation of the adjectival collocations of “Tell me your Dreams” into Indonesian. To be more specific, it aims at (1) discovering how English adjectival collocations are translated into Indonesian; (2) figuring out how many types of equivalence there are in the Indonesian translation from the English adjectival collocations; (3) discovering how many types of shift there are in the Indonesian translation from the English adjectival collocations; (4) figuring out whether shift happens more than equivalence or vice versa; and (5) figuring out whether the collocation translation makes the TL cohesive and coherent or not. This study uses a qualitative descriptive method because all of the data that are analyzed in this research are in form of words and sentences not numbers and it is directed to answer research questions concerning the status of the subject of the study. The result shows that equivalence dominates the translation of English collocations into Indonesian in the novel with 30 (58.8%) of the whole data, and the amount of shift is 21 (41.2%) of the whole data.
Pemberian ASI Eksklusif dengan Bonding Attachment pada Ibu Remaja
Authors: Fatmawati Ariani , Nur Rachmawati Imami , Budiarti Tri
Published: November 2023

Pemberian ASI akan memengaruhi ikatan tali kasih ibu dan bayi. Tujuan penelitian iniuntuk mengidentifikasi hubungan antara pemberian ASI dengan ikatan tali kasih ibu danbayi. Penelitian cross-sectional ini menggunakan teknik consecutive sampling dengan 103responden ibu remaja. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa sebagian besar ibu remajatidak memberikan ASI (39,8 %), ikatan tali kasih ibu dan bayi kurang (67%) dan terdapathubungan yang bermakna antara pemberian ASI dengan ikatan tali kasih ibu dan bayi(p=0,001). Ikatan tali kasih ibu dan bayi dipengaruhi oleh pengetahuan. Semakin banyakpegetahuan ibu remaja tentang manfaat ASI maka ibu remaja akan semakin termotivasiuntuk memberikan ASI. Ibu remaja perlu mendapatkan perhatian khusus selama periodeperinatal, perlu mendapatkan edukasi tentang perawatan bayi dan persiapan menjadiseorang ibu.
HUBUNGAN PENGETAHUAN PROSEDUR PEMASANGAN INFUS DENGAN KECEMASAN ORANG TUA TERHADAP ANAKNYA
Authors: Eriyani Theresia
Published: November 2023

Anak yang sakit menjalani perawatan di rumah sakit  membutuhkan kasih sayang dan perhatian yang lebih dari orang tuanya karena di rumah sakit anak harus menghadapi lingkungan asing, pemberi asuhan yang tidak dikenal, menjalani prosedur yang menimbulkan nyeri, kehilangan kemandirian dan berbagai hal yang tidak diketahui. Keadaan ini dapat memungkinkan timbulnya respon emosional pada orang tua. Orang tua mengalami cemas menghadapi anaknya yang sakit tersebut. Salah satu upaya untuk menurunkan kecemasan orang tua adalah memperhatikan tingkat pengetahuan orang tua dengan memberikan informasi yang benar tentang prosedur pamasangan infus. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mendapatkan gambaran hubungan tingkat pengetahuan tentang manfaat dan prosedur pemasangan infus dengan kecemasan orang tua terhadap anaknya yang dilakukan tindakan pemasangan infus. Penelitian ini dilakukan di RSU dr. Slamet Garut dengan jumlah responden 30 orang. Desain penelitian yang digunakan adalah deskriptif korelasi dengan instrumen berupa kuesioner. Analisa data yang digunakan adalah analisa univariat dalam bentuk distribusi frekuensi dan analisa bivariat dengan uji chi-square. Hasil penelitian ini menyimpulkan bahwa  tidak ada hubungan yang bermakna antara tingkat pengetahuan tentang manfaat dan prosedur pemasangan infus dengan kecemasan orang tua terhadap anaknya yang dilakukan tindakan pemasangan infus. Nilai p value yang diperoleh (p value:0,882 ; Î±=0.05). Penelitian ini merekomendasikan dilakukannya penelitian lebih lanjut dengan desain penelitian dan analisa penelitian yang lain, misalnya deskriptif korelasi dengan analisa multivariat untuk mencari hubungan masing-masing varibel dari faktor-faktor yang mempengaruhi kecemasan terhadap orang tua.
Gambaran Kepatuhan Ibu Hamil Trimester II Dan III dalam Mengkonsumsi Tablet Fe
Authors: Mufidah Tsara , Mustikaningsih Dewi , Lusiani Eli
Published: November 2023

Anemia dalam kehamilan merupakan salah satu penyebab terjadinya kematian pada ibu. Pada kehamilan trimester II dan III terjadi peningkatan volume darah sampai 35%, dan mengakibatkan hemodelusi atau pengenceran darah sehingga kadar Hb mengalami penurunan. Rendahnya kepatuhan ibu hamil dalam mengkonsumsi tablet Fe adalah penyebab angka prevalensi anemia tetap tinggi. Penelitian ini dilakukan untuk mengetahui gambaran kepatuhan ibu hamil trimester II dan III dalam mengkonsumsi tablet Fe. Penelitian ini dilakukan menggunakan metode study deskriptif kuantitatif dengan pendekatan retrospektif. Populasi dalam penelitian ini adalah ibu hamil trimester II dan III. Pengambilan sampel menggunakan teknik accidental sampling dengan 75 responden. Teknik pengumpulan data menggunakan kuesioner. Hasil penelitian menunjukan bahwa ibu hamil sebagian besar sudah patuh dalam mengkonsumsi tablet Fe sebanyak 58 responden (77,3%) dan ibu hamil yang tidak patuh dalam mengkonsumsi tablet Fe sebanyak 17 responden (22,7%). Hasil penelitian ini diharapkan dapat menjadi masukan bagi tenaga kesehatan untuk lebih ditingkatkan lagi dalam memberikan pendidikan kesehatan agar ibu hamil yang tidak patuh dapat mengetahui tentang kepatuhan sehingga kesadaran dalam mengkonsumsi tablet Fe dapat meningkat.
Hubungan Feeding Practice Ibu Dalam Pemberian Nutrisi Dengan Status Gizi Anak
Authors: Mardiah Wiwi , Maudina Rizky , Hendrawati Sri
Published: November 2023

Negara berkembang saat ini masih mengalami permasalahan gizi, salah satunya diakibatkan karena pemberian makan (feeding practice) yang tidak tepat dan kasus tersebut menyebabkan 1,5 juta anak meninggal dunia. Tujuan penelitian yaitu menganalisis hubungan feeding practice Ibu dalam pemberian nutrisi terhadap status gizi anak di PAUD Kecamatan Jatinangor.
            Penelitian ini menggunakan kuesioner CFPQ untuk melihat feeding practice Ibu dan menggunakan instrumen pengukuran status gizi berdasarkan hasil nilai z-score dengan IMT. Populasi penelitian yaitu Ibu yang memiliki anak usia 3-6 tahun dan responden ditentukan dengan teknik total sampling sebanyak 55 anak. Analisis penelitian menggunakan nilai distribusi frekuensi dan uji korelasi menggunakan spearman.
            Hasil penelitian menunjukkan sebanyak 39 (70,9%) Ibu memiliki kategori buruk pada  feeding practice dan 16 (29,1%) Ibu memiliki kategori baik. Hampir seluruhnya anak (96,4%) memiliki status gizi normal. Uji korelasi pada penelitian ini menujukkan nilai negatif dengan p value >0,05 yang berarti tidak ada hubungan antara feeding practice Ibu dengan status gizi anak.
Hubungan antara feeding practice Ibu dengan status gizi anak tidak signifikan karena adanya faktor lain, baik secara langsung maupun tidak langsung yang lebih memengaruhi status gizi anak. Penelitian selanjutnya diharapkan dapat meningkatkan edukasi ibu terkait cara menerapkan pemberian makan yang tepat dan seimbang sesuai dengan kebutuhan anak.
Pengaruh Peran Pimpinan terhadap Kompetensi Bidan dalam Manajemen Asfiksia
Authors: - Reni
Published: November 2023

Beberapa masalah yang berkaitan dengan penanganan asfiksia bayi baru lahir oleh bidan belum optimal, sehingga keberhasilan menyelamatkan bayi Asfiksia dan akan berakibat buruk terhadap mental ibu. Tujuan  penelitian ini adalah mengetahui pengaruh langsung dan tidak langsung serta besarannya Peran Pimpinan, terhadap kompetensi bidan dalam manajemen asfiksia di puskesmas Wilayah Kabupaten Bogor. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah pendekatan kuantitatif yang menggunakan desain potong lintang. Sampel yang digunakan sebanyak 80 bidan sebagai responden. Metode analisis yang digunakan adalah Structural Equation Model (SEM) . Hasil temuan penelitian yaitu variabel Kompetensi bidan dalam manajemen  asfiksia dipengaruhi oleh peran pimpinan (12.06). Pengaruh langsung terhadap kompetensi bidan dalam manajemen asfiksia sebesar 81.62% dan pengaruh tidak langsung sebesar 1.67%. Total pengaruh langsung dan tidak langsung kompetensi bidan sebesar 83.29%. Saran penelitianya itu diharapkan pimpinan koordinator puskesmas dapat memfasilitasi pengembangan dalam meningkatkan kompetensi.
Pendidikan Kesehatan Metode Cerita Berpengaruh Terhadap Peningkatan Pengetahuan Cara Perawatan Gigi Pada Siswa SD Usia 6-7 Tahun
Authors: Sofiyah Yusi , Yuniaris Rike , Setiawati Tia
Published: November 2023

Masalah kesehatan gigi di Indonesia dari Tahun 2007 sampai 2013 mengalami peningkatan sebesar 23,2% menjadi 25,9%. Hal ini disebabkan karena kurangnya kesadaran individu dalam menjaga dan merawat kesehatan giginya. Apabila hal ini dibiarkan begitu saja, akan mengakibatkan kesehatan lainnya seperti infeksi, nyeri dan anak akan malas untuk beraktifitas. Oleh karena itu, dibutuhkan suatu tindakan preventif yaitu memberikan suatu pendidikan kesehatan. Pendidikan kesehatan pada anak dapat diberikan melalui metode cerita dan media audio visual, kedua metode tersebut disesuaikan dengan tahap perkembangan pada anak. Tujuan: Mengetahui efektifitas pendidikan kesehatan metode cerita dan media audio visual terhadap peningkatan pengetahuan siswa tentang perawatan gigi. Penelitian ini dilakukan di SDN Sukamenak 1 dan SDN Sukamenak 2 Kab. Bandung. Sampel yang digunakan sebanyak 47 orang (total sampling). Metode penelitian yang digunakan kuantitatif quasi eksperimen design dengan pendekatan pretest dan posttest. Teknik analisa data menggunakan uji Wilcoxon dan Mann Withney dengan menggunakan bantuan program aplikasi statistik. Terdapat pengaruh yang signifikan antara nilai pretest dan posttest kedua kelompok dengan p<0,05 dan terdapat perbedaan yang signifikan antar pengetahuan pretest antara kedua kelompok dengan nilai p= 0,000. Saran: Sebaiknya metode cerita dan media audio visual digunakan dalam memberikan pendidikan kesehatan.
Tingkat Pengetahuan Pencegahan Cedera Pada Siswa Kelas V SD Di Kota Bandung
Authors: Lusiani Eli , Winingsih Dede , Setiawati Tia
Published: November 2023

Usia prasekolah dan usia sekolah merupakan fase perkembangan anak yang memiliki resiko tinggi cedera. Kematian pada anak usia 5-14 tahun sering terjadi akibat dari jatuh saat beraktivitas yang menyebabkan cedera parah. Tujuan penelitian ini untuk mengetahui gambaran pengetahuan pencegahan cedera pada siswa kelas V SD di Kota Bandung. Penelitian menggunakan rancangan deskritif dengan pendekatan cross sectional. Jumlah sampel sebanyak 73 siswa SD yang diambil secara purposive sampling dengan karakteristik responden laki-laki sebanyak 39 responden, perempuan 34 orang siswa, dengan rentang usia 11-12 tahun. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa tingkat pengetahuan pencegahan cedera pada siswa dengan pengetahuan baik sebanyak 12 responden (16,4%), pengetahuan cukup 31 responden (42,5) dan pengetahuan kurang 30 responden (41,1%). Kesimpulan penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa tingkat pengetahuan pencegahan cedera pada anak usia sekolah paling banyak di tingkat pengetahuan cukup. Direkomendasikan kepada pihak sekolah untuk menambahkan rambu-rambu dan tanda-tanda peringatan pada area yang berbahaya atau menyediakan brosur tentang pencegahan cedera sehingga menambah pengetahuan siswa dan mengurangi angka kejadian cedera.
Double-edged role of mechanical stimuli and underlying mechanisms in cartilage tissue engineering
Authors: Jia Yao , Le Hanxiang , Wang Xianggang , Zhang Jiaxin , Liu Yan , Ding Jiacheng , Zheng Changjun , Chang Fei
Published: November 2023

Mechanical stimuli regulate the chondrogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells and the homeostasis of chondrocytes, thus affecting implant success in cartilage tissue engineering. The mechanical microenvironment plays fundamental roles in the maturation and maintenance of natural articular cartilage, and the progression of osteoarthritis Hence, cartilage tissue engineering attempts to mimic this environment in vivo to obtain implants that enable a superior regeneration process. However, the specific type of mechanical loading, its optimal regime, and the underlying molecular mechanisms are still under investigation. First, this review delineates the composition and structure of articular cartilage, indicating that the morphology of chondrocytes and components of the extracellular matrix differ from each other to resist forces in three top-to-bottom overlapping zones. Moreover, results from research experiments and clinical trials focusing on the effect of compression, fluid shear stress, hydrostatic pressure, and osmotic pressure are presented and critically evaluated. As a key direction, the latest advances in mechanisms involved in the transduction of external mechanical signals into biological signals are discussed. These mechanical signals are sensed by receptors in the cell membrane, such as primary cilia, integrins, and ion channels, which next activate downstream pathways. Finally, biomaterials with various modifications to mimic the mechanical properties of natural cartilage and the self-designed bioreactors for experiment in vitro are outlined. An improved understanding of biomechanically driven cartilage tissue engineering and the underlying mechanisms is expected to lead to efficient articular cartilage repair for cartilage degeneration and disease.
Synergistic advancements in sewage-driven microbial fuel cells: novel carbon nanotube cathodes and biomass-derived anodes for efficient renewable energy generation and wastewater treatment
Authors: Barakat Nasser A. M. , Gamal Shimaa , Kim Hak Yong , Abd El-Salam Nasser M. , Fouad Hassan , Fadali Olfat A. , Moustafa Hager M. , Abdelraheem Omina H.
Published: November 2023

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) offer a dual solution of generating electrical energy from organic pollutants-laden wastewater while treating it. This study focuses on enhancing MFC performance through innovative electrode design. Three-dimensional (3D) anodes, created from corncobs and mango seeds via controlled graphitization, achieved remarkable power densities. The newly developed electrode configurations were evaluated within sewage wastewater-driven MFCs without the introduction of external microorganisms or prior treatment of the wastewater. At 1,000°C and 1,100°C graphitization temperatures, corncob and mango seed anodes produced 1,963 and 2,171 mW/m2, respectively, nearly 20 times higher than conventional carbon cloth and paper anodes. An advanced cathode composed of an activated carbon-carbon nanotube composite was introduced, rivaling expensive platinum-based cathodes. By optimizing the thermal treatment temperature and carbon nanotube content of the proposed cathode, comparable or superior performance to standard Pt/C commercial cathodes was achieved. Specifically, MFCs assembled with corncob anode with the proposed and standard Pt/C cathodes reached power densities of 1,963.1 and 2,178.6 mW/m2, respectively. Similarly, when utilizing graphitized mango seeds at 1,100°C, power densities of 2,171 and 2,151 mW/m2 were achieved for the new and standard cathodes, respectively. Furthermore, in continuous operation with a flow rate of 2 L/h, impressive chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal rates of 77% and 85% were achieved with corncob and mango seed anodes, respectively. This work highlights the significance of electrode design for enhancing MFC efficiency in electricity generation and wastewater treatment.
A new double-antigen sandwich test based on the light-initiated chemiluminescent assay for detecting anti-hepatitis C virus antibodies with high sensitivity and specificity
Authors: Li Haicong , Yang Shuo , Cao Dan , Wang Qianying , Zhang Siyu , Zhou Yi , Liu Di , Yang Ruifeng , Cui Liyan , Zhu Zhaoqin
Published: November 2023

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of a new double-antigen sandwich test that is based on the light-initiated chemiluminescent assay (LiCA®) for detecting anti-hepatitis C virus antibodies (anti-HCV) in comparison to Architect®.

Methods

Analytical characteristics and diagnostic performance were tested using seroconversion panels and large pools of clinical samples. Positive results were validated by the strip immunoblot assay (RIBA) and HCV RNA.

Results

Repeatability and within-lab imprecision of LiCA® anti-HCV were 1.31%–3.27%. The C5–C95 interval was −5.44%–5.03% away from C50. LiCA® detected seroconversion in an average of 28.9 days and showed a mean of 3.7 (p = 0.0056) days earlier than Architect®. In a pool of 239 samples with known HCV genotypes 1 to 6, both assays correctly detected all subjects. In 16,305 clinical patient sera, LiCA® detected 4 false-negative (0.25‰) and 14 false-positive (0.86‰) anti-HCV cases, while Architect® recorded 6 false-negative (0.37‰) and 138 false-positive (8.46‰) subjects, respectively. Compared to Architect®, LiCA® presented a significantly better performance in specificity (99.91% vs. 99.14%, n = 16,018, p < 0.0001), positive predictive value (95.29% vs. 67.06%, n = 419, p < 0.0001), and overall accuracy (99.89% vs. 99.12%, n = 16,305, p < 0.0001), while no significant difference in sensitivity (98.61% vs. 97.91%, n = 287, p = 0.5217) and negative predictive value (99.98% vs. 99.96%, n = 15,886, p = 0.3021) was seen. An S/Co value of 3.28 was predicted to be the threshold with a positivity ≥95% for the LiCA® anti-HCV assay.

Conclusion

LiCA® anti-HCV is a precise and fully automatic chemiluminescent assay with superior sensitivity and specificity. The assay can be used as a valuable tool to supplement the diagnosis of HCV infection.
Flying under the radar – impact and factors influencing asymptomatic DENV infections
Authors: Henriques Paulo , Rosa Alexandra , Caldeira-Araújo Helena , Soares Pedro , Vigário Ana Margarida
Published: November 2023

The clinical outcome of DENV and other Flaviviruses infections represents a spectrum of severity that ranges from mild manifestations to severe disease, which can ultimately lead to death. Nonetheless, most of these infections result in an asymptomatic outcome that may play an important role in the persistent circulation of these viruses. Also, although little is known about the mechanisms that lead to these asymptomatic infections, they are likely the result of a complex interplay between viral and host factors. Specific characteristics of the infecting viral strain, such as its replicating efficiency, coupled with host factors, like gene expression of key molecules involved in the immune response or in the protection against disease, are among crucial factors to study. This review revisits recent data on factors that may contribute to the asymptomatic outcome of the world’s widespread DENV, highlighting the importance of silent infections in the transmission of this pathogen and the immune status of the host.
Targeted radionuclide therapy in endocrine-related cancers: advances in the last decade
Authors: Al-Toubah Taymeyah , Strosberg Jonathan , Hallanger-Johnson Julie , El-Haddad Ghassan
Published: November 2023

Targeted radionuclide therapy plays an increasingly important role in managing endocrine-related tumors and significantly advances the therapeutic landscape for patients with these diseases. With increasing FDA-approved therapies and advances in the field, come an increased knowledge of the potential for long-term toxicities associated with these therapies and the field must develop new strategies to increase potency and efficacy while individualizing the selection of patients to those most likely to respond to treatment. Novel agents and modalities of therapy are also being explored. This review will discuss the current landscape and describe the avenues for growth in the field currently being explored.
Evaluation of HbA1c from CGM traces in an Indian population
Authors: Majumdar Sayantan , Kalamkar Saurabh D. , Dudhgaonkar Shashikant , Shelgikar Kishor M. , Ghaskadbi Saroj , Goel Pranay
Published: November 2023

Introduction

The development of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) over the last decade has provided access to many consecutive glucose concentration measurements from patients. A standard method for estimating glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), already established in the literature, is based on its relationship with the average blood glucose concentration (aBG). We showed that the estimates obtained using the standard method were not sufficiently reliable for an Indian population and suggested two new methods for estimating HbA1c.

Methods

Two datasets providing a total of 128 CGM and their corresponding HbA1c levels were received from two centers: Health Centre, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune and Joshi Hospital, Pune, from patients already diagnosed with diabetes, non-diabetes, and pre-diabetes. We filtered 112 data-sufficient CGM traces, of which 80 traces were used to construct two models using linear regression. The first model estimates HbA1c directly from the average interstitial fluid glucose concentration (aISF) of the CGM trace and the second model proceeds in two steps: first, aISF is scaled to aBG, and then aBG is converted to HbA1c via the Nathan model. Our models were tested on the remaining 32 data- sufficient traces. We also provided 95% confidence and prediction intervals for HbA1c estimates.

Results

The direct model (first model) for estimating HbA1c was HbA1cmmol/mol = 0.319 × aISFmg/dL + 16.73 and the adapted Nathan model (second model) for estimating HbA1c is HbA1cmmol/dL = 0.38 × (1.17 × ISFmg/dL) − 5.60.

Discussion

Our results show that the new equations are likely to provide better estimates of HbA1c levels than the standard model at the population level, which is especially suited for clinical epidemiology in Indian populations.
Which land cover product provides the most accurate land use land cover map of the Yellow River Basin?
Authors: Zhang Weige , Tian Junjie , Zhang Xiaohu , Cheng Jinlong , Yan Yan
Published: November 2023

Precise land use land cover (LULC) data are essential for understanding the landscape structure and spatial pattern of land use/cover in the Yellow River Basin (YRB) to regulate scientific and rational territorial spatial planning and support sustainable development. However, differences in the multiple sets of LULC products in portraying the land composition of the YRB limit our understanding of the land cover composition in this region. To address this issue, this study chose five sets of open and high spatiotemporal LULC data in 2020, namely, CLCD, LSV10, ESRI10, CLC_FCS30, and Globeland30, to evaluate the accuracy and consistency of classification in the YRB. Our results show that: (1) The LULC composition of the YRB in 2020 was mapped consistently by the five datasets. Grasslands, croplands, and woodlands constitute the major LULC types, accounting for 96% of the total area of the study area. (2) The correlation coefficients of the LULC types of any two of the five datasets ranged from 0.926 to 0.998, showing high land compositional consistency. However, among the five datasets, there were considerable differences in the areas of a single LULC type. (3) The classification consistencies of croplands, woodlands, grasslands, and water bodies were higher than 60% in any two datasets. The spatial consistencies of grasslands, croplands, and woodlands were higher than those of other LULC types. An area with better consistency can reach more than 50% of the average area of the corresponding land types, but grasslands were mixed with other LULC types in ESRI10 and GLC_FCS30. (4) According to the accuracy assessments, LSV10 data have the highest overall classification accuracy, 79.32%, and the classification accuracy of major land types is also higher than 70%; GLC_FCS30 data have the lowest overall accuracy, 70.14%. Based on these results, LSV10 can more accurately demonstrate LULC than the other four datasets. This study can be used as a reference for selecting land cover data, and it also highlights that the necessary assessments of consistency and accuracy are essential when conducting land use/cover change studies in a specific region.
Unveiling the common loci for six body measurement traits in Chinese Wenshan cattle
Authors: Ren Honghui , He Xiaoming , Lu Ying , Yue Dan , Liu Xingneng , Wu Dongwang , Zhu Junhong , Gao Zhendong , Xi Dongmei , Deng Weidong
Published: November 2023

Introduction: Body measurement traits are integral in cattle production, serving as pivotal criteria for breeding selection. Wenshan cattle, a local breed in China’s Yunnan province, exhibit remarkable genetic diversity. However, the molecular mechanisms regulating body measurement traits in Wenshan cattle remain unexplored.

Methods: In this study, we performed a genome-wide association method to identify genetic architecture for body height body length hip height back height (BAH), waist height and ischial tuberosity height using the Bovine 50 K single nucleotide polymorphism Array in 1060 Wenshan cattles.

Results: This analysis reveals 8 significant SNPs identified through the mixed linear model (MLM), with 6 SNPs are associated with multiple traits and 4 SNPs are associated with all 6 traits. Furthermore, we pinpoint 21 candidate genes located in proximity to or within these significant SNPs. Among them, Scarb1, acetoacetyl-CoA synthetase and HIVEP3 were implicated in bone formation and rarely encountered in livestock body measurement traits, emerge as potential candidate genes regulating body measurement traits in Wenshan cattle.

Discussion: This investigation provides valuable insights into the genetic mechanisms underpinning body measurement traits in this unique cattle breed, paving the way for further research in this domain.
Hypothesis: The opposing pulling forces exerted by spindle microtubules can cause sliding of chromatin layers and facilitate sister chromatid resolution
Authors: Daban Joan-Ramon
Published: November 2023

Previous studies indicated that mitotic chromosome structure consists of many stacked layers formed by a mononucleosome sheet folded as a helicoid. This multilayer chromatin structure justifies the cylindrical shape of chromosomes and the transverse orientation of cytogenetic bands, and can explain chromosome duplication by the formation of a transient double helicoid that is split into two sister chromatids in mitosis. Here it is hypothesized that the bipolar pulling forces exerted by the mitotic spindle cause the sliding of the layers and facilitate sister chromatid resolution. This hypothesis is supported by three favorable conditions: i) There is no topological entanglement of DNA between adjacent layers; ii) The orientation (parallel to the stacked layers) of the bipolar kinetochore microtubules is adequate to produce layer sliding in opposite directions; iii) The viscous resistance to the sliding caused by the weak interactions between nucleosomes in adjacent layers can be overcome by the microtubule pulling forces.
High-dimensional phenotyping of the peripheral immune response in community-acquired pneumonia
Authors: Reijnders Tom D. Y. , Schuurman Alex R. , Verhoeff Jan , van den Braber Marlous , Douma Renée A. , Faber Daniël R. , Paul Alberta G. A. , Wiersinga W. Joost , Saris Anno , Garcia Vallejo Juan J. , van der Poll Tom
Published: November 2023

Background

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) represents a major health burden worldwide. Dysregulation of the immune response plays an important role in adverse outcomes in patients with CAP.

Methods

We analyzed peripheral blood mononuclear cells by 36-color spectral flow cytometry in adult patients hospitalized for CAP (n=40), matched control subjects (n=31), and patients hospitalized for COVID-19 (n=35).

Results

We identified 86 immune cell metaclusters, 19 of which (22.1%) were differentially abundant in patients with CAP versus matched controls. The most notable differences involved classical monocyte metaclusters, which were more abundant in CAP and displayed phenotypic alterations reminiscent of immunosuppression, increased susceptibility to apoptosis, and enhanced expression of chemokine receptors. Expression profiles on classical monocytes, driven by CCR7 and CXCR5, divided patients with CAP into two clusters with a distinct inflammatory response and disease course. The peripheral immune response in patients with CAP was highly similar to that in patients with COVID-19, but increased CCR7 expression on classical monocytes was only present in CAP.

Conclusion

CAP is associated with profound cellular changes in blood that mainly relate to classical monocytes and largely overlap with the immune response detected in COVID-19.
Potentiation of natural killer cells to overcome cancer resistance to NK cell-based therapy and to enhance antibody-based immunotherapy
Authors: Fantini Massimo , Arlen Philip Martin , Tsang Kwong Yok
Published: November 2023

Natural killer (NK) cells are cellular components of the innate immune system that can recognize and suppress the proliferation of cancer cells. NK cells can eliminate cancer cells through direct lysis, by secreting perforin and granzymes, or through antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC). ADCC involves the binding of the Fc gamma receptor IIIa (CD16), present on NK cells, to the constant region of an antibody already bound to cancer cells. Cancer cells use several mechanisms to evade antitumor activity of NK cells, including the accumulation of inhibitory cytokines, recruitment and expansion of immune suppressor cells such as myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and regulatory T cells (Tregs), modulation of ligands for NK cells receptors. Several strategies have been developed to enhance the antitumor activity of NK cells with the goal of overcoming cancer cells resistance to NK cells. The three main strategies to engineer and boost NK cells cytotoxicity include boosting NK cells with modulatory cytokines, adoptive NK cell therapy, and the employment of engineered NK cells to enhance antibody-based immunotherapy. Although the first two strategies improved the efficacy of NK cell-based therapy, there are still some limitations, including immune-related adverse events, induction of immune-suppressive cells and further cancer resistance to NK cell killing. One strategy to overcome these issues is the combination of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that mediate ADCC and engineered NK cells with potentiated anti-cancer activity. The advantage of using mAbs with ADCC activity is that they can activate NK cells, but also favor the accumulation of immune effector cells to the tumor microenvironment (TME). Several clinical trials reported that combining engineered NK cells with mAbs with ADCC activity can result in a superior clinical response compared to mAbs alone. Next generation of clinical trials, employing engineered NK cells with mAbs with higher affinity for CD16 expressed on NK cells, will provide more effective and higher-quality treatments to cancer patients.
Real-world effectiveness and persistence of secukinumab in the treatment of patients with psoriatic arthritis
Authors: Alegre-Sancho Juan José , Núñez-Monje Victoria , Campos-Fernández Cristina , Balaguer-Trull Isabel , Robustillo-Villarino Montserrat , Aguilar-Zamora Marta , Garijo-Bufort Marta , Pedraz-Penalva Teresa , Peña-González Carolina , de la Morena Isabel , Bedoya-Sanchís Diego , Yankova-Komsalova Liliya , Conesa-Mateos Arantxa , Martinez-Cristóbal Anna , Navarro-Blasco Francisco Javier , Senabre-Gallego Jose Miguel , Sivera Francisca
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a complex and heterogeneous inflammatory disease. Secukinumab, a biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (bDMARD), has extensive clinical evidence of efficacy and safety in the treatment of PsA but data in clinical practice are still limited. This study aims to provide real-world evidence on secukinumab use, effectiveness, and persistence in PsA.

Methods

A retrospective, multicenter study was conducted on patients diagnosed with PsA and treated with secukinumab up to June 2021 at 12 centers in the Valencian Community (Spain). Data on DAS28-CRP, DAPSA, Tender and Swollen Joint Counts (TJC, SJC), enthesitis, dactylitis, skin and nail involvement, pain, patient and physician global assessment (ptGA, phGA) using 100-mm visual analog scale (VAS), and persistence for up to 24 months were collected.

Results

A total of 178 patients were included (49% men; mean [standard deviation, SD] age: 51.4 [10.5] years; 39% obese). Secukinumab was used as a first-, second-, or ≥ third-line bDMARD in 37, 21, and 42% of patients, respectively. The percentage of patients achieving at least low disease activity (DAS28-CRP ≤ 3.2) increased from 25% at baseline to 66% at month 6 (M6) and was maintained (75%) up to M24. Mean (SD) DAS28-CRP baseline values (3.9 [1.2]) decreased to 2.9 (1.1) (p < 0.001) at M6 and remained low through M24 (2.6 [1.1]) (p < 0.001). Secukinumab also improved peripheral arthritis increasing the percentage of patients with TJC = 0 (20% baseline; 57% M24) and SJC = 0 (37% baseline; 80% M24). Treatment reduced the percentage of patients with enthesitis (25% baseline; 6% M24), dactylitis (20% baseline; 4% M24), and skin (70% baseline; 17% M24), and nail (32% baseline; 2% M24) involvement. Additionally, we observed improvements in the mean pain VAS (−26.4 mm M24), ptGA (−26.2 mm M24), and phGA (−24.8 mm M24). Secukinumab showed an overall 24-month persistence rate of 67% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 60–74%). Patients receiving first-line secukinumab showed the highest 24-month persistence rate (83, 95% CI: 73–92; p = 0.024).

Conclusion

Secukinumab showed long-term effectiveness across the six key PsA domains thus reducing disease activity and pain, which are major treatment goals. This was accompanied by high persistence rates, especially in bDMARD naive patients.
Designing for flexibility in hybrid care services: lessons learned from a pilot in an internal medicine unit
Authors: Pilosof Nirit Putievsky , Barrett Michael , Oborn Eivor , Barkai Galia , Zimlichman Eyal , Segal Gad
Published: November 2023

Digital transformation in healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic led to the development of new hybrid models integrating physical and virtual care. The ability to provide remote care by telemedicine technologies and the need to better manage and control hospitals’ occupancy accelerated growth in hospital-at-home programs. The Sheba Medical Center restructured to create Sheba Beyond as the first virtual hospital in Israel. These transformations enabled them to deliver hybrid services in their internal medicine unit by managing inpatient hospital-care with remote home-care based on the patients’ medical condition. The hybrid services evolved to integrate care pathways multiplied by the mode of delivery—physical (in person) or virtual (technology enabled)—and the location of care—at the hospital or the patient home. The study examines this home hospitalization program pilot for internal medicine at Sheba Medical Center (MC). The research is based on qualitative semi-structured interviews with Sheba Beyond management, medical staff from the hospital and the Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), Architects, Information Technology (IT), Telemedicine and Medtech organizations. We investigated the implications of the development of hybrid services for the future design of the physical built-environment and the virtual technological platform. Our findings highlight the importance of designing for flexibility in the development of hybrid care services, while leveraging synergies across the built environment and digital platforms to support future models of care. In addition to exploring the potential for scalability in accelerating the flexibility of the healthcare system, we also highlight current barriers in professional, management, logistic and economic healthcare models.
Predicting environmental stressor levels with machine learning: a comparison between amplicon sequencing, metagenomics, and total RNA sequencing based on taxonomically assigned data
Authors: Hempel Christopher A. , Buchner Dominik , Mack Leoni , Brasseur Marie V. , Tulpan Dan , Leese Florian , Steinke Dirk
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Microbes are increasingly (re)considered for environmental assessments because they are powerful indicators for the health of ecosystems. The complexity of microbial communities necessitates powerful novel tools to derive conclusions for environmental decision-makers, and machine learning is a promising option in that context. While amplicon sequencing is typically applied to assess microbial communities, metagenomics and total RNA sequencing (herein summarized as omics-based methods) can provide a more holistic picture of microbial biodiversity at sufficient sequencing depths. Despite this advantage, amplicon sequencing and omics-based methods have not yet been compared for taxonomy-based environmental assessments with machine learning.

Methods

In this study, we applied 16S and ITS-2 sequencing, metagenomics, and total RNA sequencing to samples from a stream mesocosm experiment that investigated the impacts of two aquatic stressors, insecticide and increased fine sediment deposition, on stream biodiversity. We processed the data using similarity clustering and denoising (only applicable to amplicon sequencing) as well as multiple taxonomic levels, data types, feature selection, and machine learning algorithms and evaluated the stressor prediction performance of each generated model for a total of 1,536 evaluated combinations of taxonomic datasets and data-processing methods.

Results

Sequencing and data-processing methods had a substantial impact on stressor prediction. While omics-based methods detected a higher diversity of taxa than amplicon sequencing, 16S sequencing outperformed all other sequencing methods in terms of stressor prediction based on the Matthews Correlation Coefficient. However, even the highest observed performance for 16S sequencing was still only moderate. Omics-based methods performed poorly overall, but this was likely due to insufficient sequencing depth. Data types had no impact on performance while feature selection significantly improved performance for omics-based methods but not for amplicon sequencing.

Discussion

We conclude that amplicon sequencing might be a better candidate for machine-learning-based environmental stressor prediction than omics-based methods, but the latter require further research at higher sequencing depths to confirm this conclusion. More sampling could improve stressor prediction performance, and while this was not possible in the context of our study, thousands of sampling sites are monitored for routine environmental assessments, providing an ideal framework to further refine the approach for possible implementation in environmental diagnostics.