bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mapping the Seattle Angina Questionnaire to EQ-5D-5L in patients with coronary heart disease
Authors: Li Chaofan , Dou Lei , Fu Qiang , Li Shunping
Published: July 2023

Background

Health economic evaluation is critical in supporting novel cardiovascular disease therapies. However, most clinical studies do not include preference-based questionnaires to calculate utilities for health economic evaluations. Thus, this study aimed to develop mapping algorithms that convert the Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ) to EQ-5D-5L health utility scores for patients with coronary health disease (CHD) in China.

Methods

Data were obtained from a longitudinal study of patients with CHD conducted at the Tianjin Medical University General Hospital in China. Convenience sampling was used to recruit patients with CHD. The inclusion criteria were having been diagnosed with CHD through a medical examination and being aged 18 years or older. The exclusion criteria were a lack of comprehension ability, serious comorbidities, mental illness, and hearing or vision impairment. All eligible patients were invited to participate, and 305 and 75 patients participated at baseline and in the follow-up, respectively. Seven regression models were developed using a direct approach. Furthermore, we predicted the five EQ-5D items using ordered logit model and derived the utility score from predicted responses using an indirect approach. Model performances were evaluated using mean absolute error (MAE), root mean squared error (RMSE), correlation coefficient (ρ), and Lin’s concordance correlation coefficient (CCC). A five-fold cross-validation method was used to evaluate internal validation.

Results

The average age was 63.04 years, and 53.72% of the included patients were male. Most (70.05%) patients had unstable angina pectoris, and the mean illness duration was 2.50 years. The EQ-5D scores were highly correlated with five subscales of the SAQ, with Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients ranging from 0.6184 to 0.7093. The mixture beta model outperformed the other regression models in the direct approach, with the lowest MAE and RMSE and highest ρ and CCC. The ordered logit model in the indirect approach performed the same as the mixture beta regression with equal MAE, lower RMSE, and higher ρ and CCC.

Conclusion

Mapping algorithms developed using mixture beta and ordered logit models accurately converted SAQ scores to EQ-5D-5L health utility values, which could support health economic evaluations related to coronary heart disease.
Can “In–Out–In” posterosuperior screws meet nutrient foramina in patients with femoral neck fractures?
Authors: Wu Shenghui , Zhao Shitong , Aisikaer Aikebaier , Zhu Xiaozhong , Miao Yu , Li Guangyi , Zhang Yingqi , Mei Jiong
Published: July 2023

Background

The “In–Out–In” (IOI) posterosuperior screw was common in screw fixations of femoral neck fractures. The impacts of the IOI screw on the blood supply of the femoral head have not yet been clarified. The nutrient foramen was damaged when the screw was present in their corresponding cortex surface. This study aimed to evaluate the damage degrees of the nutrient foramina in the femoral neck as the IOI posterosuperior screw was placed in different posterosuperior locations.

Methods

One hundred and eight unpaired dry human cadaveric proximal femurs were scanned by a three-dimensional scanner. Digital data obtained from the proximal femur surface were employed for subsequent analysis. All nutrient foramina in the femoral neck were identified and marked in each subject. A simulation of the anteroposterior, lateral, and axial views was then performed, and regions of interest (ROIs) for IOI posterosuperior screws, with 6.5 mm diameter, were determined in the posterosuperior femoral neck on the axial graphs. Nutrient foramina were counted and analyzed in ROIs and femoral neck, and its damage from the IOI posterosuperior screw was also calculated in different conditions of screw placement. Paired t-tests were used for comparative analyses before and after damage.

Results

Most nutrient foramina were located in the subcapital region and the least in the basicervical region in the femoral neck, while the most were located in the transcervical and the least in the subcapital in the ROIs. In addition, most nutrient foramina in ROIs were located in the superior–posterior area of the femoral neck. There were four main locations of IOI posterosuperior screws where the decrease in the nutrient foramina was statistically significant (P < 0.01). The risk zone determined by these locations was located in a posterosuperior square of ROIs with an edge length of 9.75 mm.

Conclusion

To minimize iatrogenic damage to the blood supply of the femoral head, screw positions could be assessed in anteroposterior and lateral radiographs using a risk zone. The IOI posterosuperior screw in ROIs can be applied to fix femoral neck fractures when feasible in clinical practice. This study could provide surgeons with more alternatives for screw placement in the posterosuperior femoral neck.
Genome-wide detection of CNV regions between Anqing six-end-white and Duroc pigs
Authors: Qian Rong , Xie Fei , Zhang Wei , Kong JuanJuan , Zhou Xueli , Wang Chonglong , Li Xiaojin
Published: July 2023

Background

Anqing six-end-white pig is a native breed in Anhui Province. The pigs have the disadvantages of a slow growth rate, low proportion of lean meat, and thick back fat, but feature the advantages of strong stress resistance and excellent meat quality. Duroc pig is an introduced pig breed with a fast growth rate and high proportion of lean meat. With the latter breed featuring superior growth characteristics but inferior meat quality traits, the underlying molecular mechanism that causes these phenotypic differences between Chinese and foreign pigs is still unclear.

Results

In this study, copy number variation (CNV) detection was performed using the re-sequencing data of Anqing Six-end-white pigs and Duroc pigs, A total of 65,701 CNVs were obtained. After merging the CNVs with overlapping genomic positions, 881 CNV regions (CNVRs) were obtained. Based on the obtained CNVR information combined with their positions on the 18 chromosomes, a whole-genome map of the pig CNVs was drawn. GO analysis of the genes in the CNVRs showed that they were primarily involved in the cellular processes of proliferation, differentiation, and adhesion, and primarily involved in the biological processes of fat metabolism, reproductive traits, and immune processes.

Conclusion

The difference analysis of the CNVs between the Chinese and foreign pig breeds showed that the CNV of the Anqing six-end-white pig genome was higher than that of the introduced pig breed Duroc. Six genes related to fat metabolism, reproductive performance, and stress resistance were found in genome-wide CNVRs (DPF3, LEPR, MAP2K6, PPARA, TRAF6, NLRP4).
Characteristics and mechanisms of mosaicism in prenatal diagnosis cases by application of SNP array
Authors: Zhou Lili , Li Huanzheng , Xu Chenyang , Xu Xueqin , Zheng Zhaoke , Tang Shaohua
Published: July 2023

Background

With the application of chromosome microarray, next-generation sequencing and other highly sensitive genetic techniques in disease diagnosis, the detection of mosaicism has become increasingly prevalent. This study involved a retrospective analysis of SNP array testing on 4512 prenatal diagnosis samples, wherein the characterization of mosaicism was explored and insights were gained into the underlying mechanisms thereof.

Results

Using SNP array, a total of 44 cases of mosaicism were identified among 4512 prenatal diagnostic cases; resulting in a detection rate of approximately 1.0%. The prevalence of mosaicism was 4.1% for chorionic villus sample, 0.4% for amniotic fluid, and 1.3% for umbilical cord blood. Of these cases, 29 were mosaic aneuploidy and 15 were mosaic segmental duplication/deletion. Three cases of mosaic trisomy 16 and three cases of mosaic trisomy 22 were diagnosed in the CVS samples, while four cases of mosaic trisomy 21 were detected in amniotic fluid and umbilical cord blood samples. The distribution pattern of mosaicism suggested trisomy rescue as the underlying mechanism. Structurally rearranged chromosomes were observed, including three cases with supernumerary marker chromosomes, three cases with dicentric chromosomes, and one case with a ring chromosome. All mosaic segmental duplication/deletion cases were the result of mitotic non-disjunction, with the exception of one case involving mosaic11q segmental duplication.

Conclusion

Improved utilization of SNP arrays enables the characterization of mosaicism and facilitates the estimation of disease mechanisms and recurrence.
BRCA1/2 potential founder variants in the Jordanian population: an opportunity for a customized screening panel
Authors: Ahmad Olfat , Sutter Christian , Hirsch Steffen , Pfister Stefan M. , Schaaf Christian P.
Published: July 2023

A founder variant is a genetic alteration, that is inherited from a common ancestor together with a surrounding chromosomal segment, and is observed at a high frequency in a defined population. This founder effect occurs as a consequence of long-standing inbreeding of isolated populations. For high-risk cancer predisposition genes, such as BRCA1/2, the identification of founder variants in a certain population could help designing customized cost-effective cancer screening panels. This advantage has been best utilized in designing a customized breast cancer BRCA screening panel for the Ashkenazi Jews (AJ) population, composed of the three BRCA founder variants which account for approximately 90% of identified BRCA alterations. Indeed, the high prevalence of pathogenic BRCA1/2 variants among AJ (~ 2%) has additionally contributed to make population-based screening cost-effective in comparison to family-history-based screening. In Jordan there are multiple demographic characteristics supporting the proposal of a founder effect. A high consanguinity rate of ~ 57% in the nineties of the last century and ~ 30% more recently is a prominent factor, in addition to inbreeding which is often practiced by different sub-populations of the country.

This review explains the concept of founder effect, then applies it to analyze published Jordanian BRCA variants, and concludes that nine pathogenic (P) and likely pathogenic (LP) BRCA2 variants together with one pathogenic BRCA1 variant are potential founder variants. Together they make up 43% and 55% of all identified BRCA1/2 alterations in the two largest studied cohorts of young patients and high-risk patients respectively. These variants were identified based on being recurrent and either specific to ethnic groups or being novel. In addition, the report highlights the required testing methodologies to validate these findings, and proposes a health economic evaluation model to test cost-effectiveness of a population-based customized BRCA screening panel for the Jordanian population. The aim of this report is to highlight the potential utilization of founder variants in establishing customized cancer predisposition services, in order to encourage more population-based genomic studies in Jordan and similar populations.
CC chemokines and receptors in osteoarthritis: new insights and potential targets
Authors: Zhang Yuchen , Liu Di , Vithran Djandan Tadum Arthur , Kwabena Bosomtwe Richmond , Xiao Wenfeng , Li Yusheng
Published: July 2023

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent degenerative disease accompanied by the activation of innate and adaptive immune systems-associated inflammatory responses. Due to the local inflammation, the expression of various cytokines was altered in affected joints, including CC motif chemokine ligands (CCLs) and their receptors (CCRs). As essential members of chemokines, CCLs and CCRs played an important role in the pathogenesis and treatment of OA. The bindings between CCLs and CCRs on the chondrocyte membrane promoted chondrocyte apoptosis and the release of multiple matrix-degrading enzymes, which resulted in cartilage degradation. In addition, CCLs and CCRs had chemoattractant functions to attract various immune cells to osteoarthritic joints, further leading to the aggravation of local inflammation. Furthermore, in the nerve endings of joints, CCLs and CCRs, along with several cellular factors, contributed to pain hypersensitivity by releasing neurotransmitters in the spinal cord. Given this family’s diverse and complex functions, targeting the functional network of CCLs and CCRs is a promising strategy for the prognosis and treatment of OA in the future.
Age and gender differences in misperceptions of body shape in a Taiwanese population
Authors: Weng Hui-Ching , Chang Sheng-Mao , Hsu Jason C. , Yang Yung-Ning , Lin Chung-Ying
Published: July 2023

Objectives

Most studies of body size perception have been performed in adolescents, and most focus on gender differences in accurate perception of body size. This study investigated misperceptions of body sizes among males and females at different stages of adulthood in Taiwan.

Designs

In-person home interviews were used to proportionally and randomly select 2095 adult men and women to answer the East Asian Social Survey. Participants were divided into 18–39, 40–64, and 65 + age groups. The main variables analyzed were self-perceived body size and standardized BMI.

Results

Women, unlike men, were more likely to misperceive their body size as being overweight (OR = 2.92; p < .001). People with higher self-perceived social status were less likely to misperceive themselves as overweight (OR = 0.91; p = .01). People with college educations were 2.35 times more likely to overestimate their body size as being heavier than they were (p < .001) and less likely to underestimate it as being thinner than they were (OR = 0.45; p < .001). Women 18–35 and 36–64 years old were 6.96 and 4.31 times more likely (p < .001) to misperceive themselves as being overweight than women 65 or older, who were more likely to misperceive themselves as being too thin. There were no significant differences in body size misperceptions among the three age groups of adult men (p > .05). We found no different significant discrepancies between self-perceived body size and actual BMI between the older men and women (p = .16). However, younger and middle-aged men were 6.67 and 3.1 times more likely to misperceive themselves as being too thin than women in their same age groups (OR = 0.15 and OR = 0.32, respectively).

Conclusions

Age and gender affect self-perceptions of body size in Taiwan. Overall, women are more likely than men to misperceive themselves as being too big, and men are more likely than women to misperceive themselves as too thin. Older women, however, were more likely to misperceive themselves as being too thin. Clinicians and health educators should know that people’s perceptions and concerns regarding their body size vary by age and gender.
Exploring learning-oriented assessment in EAP writing classrooms: teacher and student perspectives
Authors: Ma Maggie
Published: July 2023

Despite a growing interest in learning-oriented assessment in recent years, there is limited research on its implementation in language classrooms from both teacher and student perspectives, especially from an ecological lens. To address the research gap, this case study explored the implementation of learning-oriented assessment in three EAP writing classrooms, including both perceived success of and obstacles to implementation. Major data sources included interviews with teachers and students as well as classroom observation. The findings showed the different extents to which the teachers and students perceived and shaped/utilized the affordances of each dimension of learning-oriented assessment as well as the various ways in which their fields of affordances were aligned, due to micro-level, meso-level, and macro-level factors. Based on the findings, a model of learning-oriented assessment in EAP writing classrooms has been proposed and pedagogical implications have been discussed.
Trauma-specific mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for women with post-traumatic stress disorder and a history of domestic abuse: intervention refinement and a randomised feasibility trial (coMforT study)
Authors: Lewis Natalia V. , Gregory Alison , Feder Gene S. , Angill-Williams Aishlyn , Bates Sophie , Glynn Joel , Halliwell Gemma , Hawcroft Claire , Kessler David , Lawton Michael , Leach Rwth , Millband Sarah , Pitt Katherine , Zammit Stan , Malpass Alice
Published: July 2023

Background

Women who have experienced domestic violence and abuse (DVA) are at increased risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex PTSD (CPTSD). In 2014–2015, we developed a prototype trauma-specific mindfulness-based cognitive therapy curriculum (TS-MBCT) for the treatment of PTSD in a DVA population. This study aimed to refine the prototype TS-MBCT and evaluate the feasibility of conducting a randomised controlled trial (RCT) testing its effectiveness and cost-effectiveness.

Methods

Intervention refinement phase was informed by evidence synthesis from a literature review, qualitative interviews with professionals and DVA survivors, and a consensus exercise with experts in trauma and mindfulness. We tested the refined TS-MBCT intervention in an individually randomised parallel group feasibility trial with pre-specified progression criteria, a traffic light system, and embedded process and health economics evaluations.

Results

The TS-MBCT intervention consisted of eight group sessions and home practice. We screened 109 women in a DVA agency and recruited 20 (15 TS-MBCT, 5 self-referral to National Health Service (NHS) psychological treatment), with 80% follow-up at 6 months. Our TS-MBCT intervention had 73% uptake, 100% retention, and high acceptability. Participants suggested recruitment via multiple agencies, and additional safety measures. Randomisation into the NHS control arm did not work due to long waiting lists and previous negative experiences. Three self-administered PTSD/CPTSD questionnaires produced differing outcomes thus a clinician administered measure might work better. We met six out of nine feasibility progression criteria at green and three at amber targets demonstrating that it is possible to conduct a full-size RCT of the TS-MBCT intervention after making minor amendments to recruitment and randomisation procedures, the control intervention, primary outcomes measures, and intervention content. At 6 months, none of the PTSD/CPTSD outcomes ruled out a clinically important difference between trial arms indicating that it is reasonable to proceed to a full-size RCT to estimate these outcomes with greater precision.

Conclusions

A future RCT of the coMforT TS-MBCT intervention should have an internal pilot, recruit from multiple DVA agencies, NHS and non-NHS settings, have an active control psychological treatment, use robust randomisation and safety procedures, and clinician-administered measures for PTSD/CPTSD.

Trial registration

ISRCTN6445806511/01/2019.
A review on lipid-based nanocarriers mimicking chylomicron and their potential in drug delivery and targeting infectious and cancerous diseases
Authors: Elnady Rana E. , Amin Maha M. , Zakaria Mohamed Y.
Published: July 2023

Infectious and cancerous diseases are tedious to manage. The problem of drug resistance is often associated with anti-microbial and anti-cancer agents and is one of the most significant challenges that restrict their activity. Therefore, it is necessary to increase doses or drug combinations. However, introducing drugs in this way is often ineffective due to poor solubility, low bioavailability, reduced stability, and different drug pharmacokinetic parameters. Vesicular nanocarriers are considered promising for effective drug delivery and overcoming drug resistance. Lipid-based drug delivery systems (LBDDS) such as emulsomes (EMLs) can solve many problems associated with drug physicochemical properties. EMLs share structural similarities with liposomes and solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs). The main components of emulsomal preparation are triglycerides (TG), phospholipids (PC), and cholesterol (Chol). These systems provide greater stability and pharmacokinetic parameters in vivo compared to liposomes and other lipid-based systems, overcoming their limitations and surpassing their shortcomings. This review offers a broad summary of emulsomal research to date and a comprehensive overview of the formulation materials and their effects on the fabrication, physical characteristics, surface modification, lymphatic targeting, and recent applications of EMLs in infectious and cancerous diseases. EMLs can offer stable and safe lipid-based systems with adequate entrapment and sustained release properties, improving bioavailability and evading multidrug resistance. Furthermore, they hold promise for future clinical applications for anti-microbial and anti-cancer drugs.

Graphical Abstract
Timing of aneurysm treatment in subarachnoid hemorrhage and grade of functional capacity at discharge: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Loconi-Vallejos Adrian , Jorge-Dejo Catherine , Azurín-Peña Miguel , Garcia-Solorzano Franko O.
Published: July 2023

Background

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a vascular pathology with high morbidity and mortality that requires timely management to reduce the risk of complications. However, the ideal time for aneurysm clipping is still controversial. This study aimed to compare the degree of functional capacity at discharge of patients who underwent surgery for rupture of a cerebral aneurysm at different periods of time until surgery.

Results

132 patients who underwent surgery for SAH due to aneurysm rupture were included. The mean age was 52.5 years and 69.7% of participants were female. At admission, 96.2% were given a score of 1–3 on the World Federation of Neurological Surgeons scale and 79.6% received a score of 1–2 on the Hunt Hess scale. 8.3% of cases underwent surgery within the first 3 days of bleeding. The average time from clinical manifestation to surgical intervention was 7.1 days. At discharge 77.27% of patients presented good functional capacity. After adjusting for confounders, multivariate analysis showed a trend towards increased, albeit not statistically significant, risk in patients undergoing surgery at between 4 and 10 days (RR = 2.95 95% CI 0.80–10.87) and at > 10 days after SAH (RR = 2.65. 95% CI 0.72–9.79).

Conclusions

Despite the trend towards a higher probability of presenting poor functional capacity at discharge in patients undergoing aneurysm clipping more than 3 days after SAH, the differences were not statistically significant. There is a need for prospective randomized studies evaluating the best time to clip aneurysms, since aneurysm clipping is still a routine procedure in many countries.
Effect of foliar application of different concentrations of salicylic acid on Washington navel orange trees under water stress
Authors: Youssef Ebtessam A. , Mahmoud Tarek A. , Abo-Eid Manal A. M.
Published: July 2023

Background

A field experiment was performed from 2021 to 2022 on 10-year-old Washington navel orange trees (Citrus sinensis) budded on sour orange rootstock (Citrus aurantium) under sandy loam soil conditions in the region of Belbeis—El Sharkia Governorate, Egypt. This study was carried out to increase water use efficiency, maximize water utilization and determine the most effective treatment of Washington navel orange trees by using different concentrations of salicylic acid (control, 250, 500, and 750 ppm) under some levels of water stress (100, 75 and 50% of estimated crop water requirement).

Results

In this scenario, the water use efficiency increased with 750 ppm of salicylic acid under 75% of the estimated crop water requirement, which produced 2.27 and 3.09 kg of fruit for each cubic meter of irrigation water in the first and second seasons, respectively. In addition, using salicylic acid treatment with 750 ppm under 75% of the estimated crop water requirement had a high economic return through increasing water unit return, while using less water irrigation amount by 25% at the same time, which reached 9.06 and 12.38 EGP per every cubic meter of irrigation water in the first and the second seasons, respectively.

Conclusion

In summary, the data cleared that the irrigation water quantity could reduce by 25% while maintaining the production and the possibility of increasing it by using salicylic acid with the highest concentration. Thus, we recommend applying the treatment of the estimated crop water requirement with 75% combined with salicylic acid 750 ppm to Washington navel orange trees budded on sour orange rootstock to gain a high economic return.
The opioid crisis fuelled by health systems: how will future physicians fare?
Authors: Kaggwa Mark Mohan , Devine Jeremy , Harms Sheila
Published: July 2023

The opioid crisis continues to affect many areas worldwide, raising questions regarding prescribing indications. There is no consensus on negotiating the need for pain relief and the potential for medically prescribed opioid-related harm/addiction. These issues present an enormous educational challenge to physicians in training, particularly those whose mandate is to understand and respond to varying forms of pain. This article examines the perspectives and educational challenges faced by two psychiatry residents from different parts of the globe during the crisis. Is the educational experience of future psychiatrists sufficient to prepare them for the responsibilities that lie ahead?
Respostas indígenas à pandemia: Ação pública em contextos de emergência
Authors: Harari Teresa , De Angelis Paola , Peria Pedro Vianna Godinho , Veronesi Sophia
Published: July 2023

A política de saúde indígena no Brasil é composta de um ecossistema de organizações diversas que abarca desde órgãos governamentais até associações indígenas, indigenistas e religiosas. As diversidades regionais e étnicas, somadas às diferenças nas naturezas das parcerias, trazem desafios para a garantia dos direitos dos povos indígenas. O presente trabalho fundamenta-se em uma perspectiva multicêntrica da ação pública para compreender como essa rede de atores articulou respostas para os efeitos da pandemia de Covid-19 e do governo conservador de Jair Bolsonaro nas Terras Indígenas. Apresentamos dois estudos de caso baseados nas experiências de agentes e organizações voltados à saúde indígena nos municípios de São Paulo (SP) e São Gabriel da Cachoeira (AM). Os resultados apontam que as redes criadas entre agentes solidários às pautas indígenas foram o fator central para o enfrentamento das crises e funcionam como uma malha de proteção aos direitos das populações indígenas em contextos de retrocesso democrático. Ficaram patentes a importância e os desafios da manutenção de um diálogo intercultural com as comunidades indígenas e do comprometimento ético e político das organizações parceiras para a efetividade do modelo.
Partes interessadas internas e desempenho em contratações públicas na perspectiva das teorias dos stakeholders e dos custos de transação
Authors: Rodrigues Barbara Campos , Reis Paulo Ricardo da Costa
Published: July 2023

Este artigo analisou o desempenho dos contratos administrativos de prestação de serviços à luz das teorias dos stakeholders e dos custos de transação. Para tanto, a pesquisa identificou a percepção dos stakeholders internos acerca dos múltiplos objetivos presentes nas contratações públicas e a forma como essas partes interessadas percebem a influência da racionalidade limitada, oportunismo, incerteza e frequência das transações no desempenho dos contratos de serviços terceirizados por uma organização da administração pública federal. A aplicação das proposições das teorias dos stakeholders demonstrou que, além do já reconhecido oportunismo contratante × contratado, existem potenciais conflitos de interesse no próprio órgão contratante, com base na priorização de diferentes dimensões de desempenho. Como contribuição principal, percebe-se que a integração entre teorias dos stakeholders e teoria dos custos de transação pode colaborar para melhor compreensão da dinâmica e dos resultados observados nas contratações públicas, especialmente em dimensões que estejam além da redução dos preços contratados.
The authentic Bee-Coin
Authors: Guzella Marcelo dos Santos , Fernandes Geraldo , Oki Yumi
Published: July 2023

This paper proposes an innovative financial instrument to fund projects that combine profit-making with significant social or environmental goals, specially in emerging or low-income economies. The proposal is based on improvements to the typical impact bond model with the aim of better aligning the parties' incentives, and also making it more transparent, traceable and compatible with revenue-generating projects. It is applied to a pilot project to fund the establishment of a robust supply chain of green propolis in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Propolis is a natural product with benefits for human health, which has been consumed by humans for decades and raised substantial global interest after the Covid-19 pandemic. This project addresses some industry issues (in terms of product quality and supply stability) and aims to provide biodiversity recovery, subsistence farming and resocialization through work. A financial model with stochastic variables is simulated, incorporating a reward system based on the impact outcomes. The results confirm that the instrument improves risk-return trade-off and advocate for its use in projects with sustainability objectives.
Assessment of Musculoskeletal Pain in Medical Rehabilitation of POST-COVID-19 patients
Authors: Tăbîrță Alisa , Bulai Marina , Chihai Victoria , Pascal Oleg
Published: July 2023

Background: Remaining phenomena presented by people who endured COVID -19 at various times after the acute pha-se of the disease, remain the objectives of the medical and social approaches. Musculoskeletal pain is increasingly re-ported by patients as one of the persistent symptoms in post-COVID-19 syndrome. The purpose of the study was the qualitative and quantitative assessment of musculoskeletal pain post _COVID 19 in the process of in-hospital medical rehabilitation.
Methods: A group of 124 people who suffered SARS-Cov-2 infection were analyzed and underwent rehabilitation treat-ment with physiotherapy, halotherapy and electrotherapy sessions in the specialized “Post COVID rehabilitation” ward during a period of 14 days. For the analysis of the pain phenomenon, 103 people who presented musculoskeletal pain, before and after treatment were assessed by the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire, pain intensity by VAS scale and intensity of fatigue syndrome.
Results. Musculoskeletal pain was present in 84.3% of cases among persons admitted for rehabilitation treatment. Re-habilitation programs applied under inpatient conditions increased the rate of people with moderate and mild pain by 6.8% and decreased the rate of those with severe pain by 13.6% (p< 0.05), assessed by the Nordic Musculoskeletal Ques-tionnaire. The proportion of patients with severe pain, assessed by the VAS scale, decreased by 13.8% at discharge from the hospital.
Conclusion. In-hospital medical rehabilitation programs applied to people with musculoskeletal pain post -COVID 19 had a beneficial effect by decreasing the number of painful areas and pain intensity.
Clinical Applications and Biological Effects of Sauna Bathing – a Narrative Review
Authors: Dogaru Gabriela , Stănescu Ioana , Szakacz Dora Violeta , Ciubean Alina Deniza
Published: July 2023

ound: Regular sauna exposure has been shown to positively influence clinical symptoms in various pathologies. The purpose of this review is to present the evidence accumulated so far in order to evaluate the efficiency, effects, benefits and risks of sauna therapy in the field of various pathologies that require medical rehabilitation. Methods: A literature search was conducted on Publons and PubMed databases from January 2000 onwards. The studies selected for this review included research in humans undergoing repeated sauna sessions with at least one reported health outcome. Results: Constant application of sauna therapy has visible effecta on improving cardiac activity, endothelial function, myocardial perfusion, ventricular arrhythmia. Sauna treatment is a safe procedure for pa-tients with cardiovascular, respiratory, musculo-skeletal pathologies, with no notable side-effects. Conclusions: Sauna therapy has proved its effectiveness in medical rehabilitation treatment starting from the musculoskeletal system and skin to the nervous system. In addition, it brings a significant improvement in the quality of life of patients.
Assessment of jaw muscles and cervical spine muscles isometric force using a hand-held dynamometer in young adults
Authors: Onofrei Roxana Ramona , Amaricai Elena
Published: July 2023

Our study aims to investigate the jaw and cervical spine muscle isometric forces in healthy young adults. Fifty-four subjects (21.2 ± 4.82 years) met the inclusion criteria and agreed to par-ticipate in the study. Muscle forces were assessed with a hand-held dynamometer. A significant positive correlation was found between jaw opening forces and cervical flexors forces (r=0.62, p0.0001) and between lateral mandible deviation forces and cervical spine lateral flexion forces, both for right and left side (r=0.65, p<0.0001; r=0.69, p<0.0001, respectively. In healthy young adults, using a hand-held dynamometer for muscle strength testing, significant positive correla-tion was found between jaw opening forces and cervical flexors forces and between lateral mo-uth deviation force and cervical spine lateral flexion forces, both for right and left side. The rela-tionship between jaw muscles forces and cervical spine muscles forces is a topic that needs to be further studied, also together with posture and balance.
The Reinstatement and Ontology of Meaning
Authors: Bell Jacob Andrew
Published: July 2023

While science and logic are incredible intellectual endeavors, and while reductionist methodologies have led to advances in knowledge, these methods do not tell the whole story of life, world, and reality. There are real phenomena that, due to their experiential and holistic nature, cannot be properly quantified over by limiting oneself to science, logic, or reductive means of explanation and description. Attempting to understand the world and the human condition requires a plethora of epistemic pursuits to more fully quantify over the plurality of phenomena. Existential meaning is, I argue, an experiential and holistic phenomenon, and as such it cannot be quantified over by reductive endeavors, pure logic, or scientific inquiry. Meaning emerges through the relation of a complex structure (human) in relation to the world, and it exists as an irreducible embodied and embedded experience.
Political Realism in the Chinese Warring States Period and the European Renaissance:
Authors: Kallinikos Panagiotis
Published: July 2023

Τhis article presents the basic similarities and differences between the Political Realism of Niccolò Machiavelli in the 15th century A.D., i.e. during the Renaissance in Europe, and the Chinese Legalism of Han Fei in the 3rd century B.C., during the Warring States period. It could be supported that Political Realism and Political Legalism share numerous elements that bring them closer rather than apart. The fundamental works written by the main representatives of these two political doctrines, namely the Prince by Machiavelli and the Han Feizi by Han Fei, are addressed to living political leaders, specifically Lorenzo de' Medici and the governor of the Hann state in the Warring States historical period (476-221 B.C.) respectively. Both philosophical movements emphasize the importance of statesmanship in a ruler and reject the idealistic approach to politics. Machiavelli and Han Fei do not promote a cruel leadership, but straightforwardly condemn morality alone as insufficient for the establishment of a state. Both of them try to replace previous models of virtuous political philosophy – that of classical antiquity in the case of Machiavelli and that of Confucianism in the case of Han Fei – with a new notion of political correctness which takes into account the urgency of the moment and ensures political stability.
Thematic Analysis and its Interdisciplinary Interest:
Authors: Alahou Georges
Published: July 2023

The term “thematic analysis” abounds in research articles and appears in the titles of books, without the authors of these writings being primarily concerned with defining what thematic analysis is. Thematic analysis is present in the current vocabulary of several disciplines and is presented as a working method of choice in psychology, sociology, or linguistics, to name but a few. This article seeks to situate thematic analysis in the thinking of Holton Gerald, who introduced it into the philosophy of science as a rational approach that can account for scientific discovery and progress. The aim of this article is to see whether the attested interdisciplinary interest nature of thematic analysis argues in favour or against Holton’s claim of making it a credible and acceptable tool in philosophy of science.
Contemporary Epistemology of Nationalism:
Authors: Prokic Uros
Published: July 2023

This inquiry examines the structure of knowledge of nationalism. While numerous studies on nationalism focus on the nature and defining elements of nations, this research explores nationalism discourse from a purely epistemological viewpoint and asks two overarching questions: what are the constitutive beliefs in these various theories and how are they structured? The first section outlines a contemporary foundationalist argument and analyzes two widely accepted theories of nationalism from this theory of knowledge. The study finds that the linear constraints of a foundationalist approach, resting on the existence of non-inferentially justified beliefs, provide a weak framework for understanding the knowledge structures of nationalism. No single element alone can be deemed to be a sufficient basic belief of nationalism that is self-justified. The second part of this research utilizes contemporary coherence theory to assess the interconnected beliefs embedded in nationalism. Examining several theories of nationalism which arguably adopt coherentism, this particular theory of knowledge is shown to provide a more holistic approach. The study concludes that the very definition of nationalism incorporates interconnected beliefs and ideas about ideology, ethnic basis, shared culture and history, as well as unity and autonomy which imply a befitting epistemological refocus away from foundationalism and towards coherentism.
Empedocles on Ensouled Beings
Authors: Kaluđerović Željko
Published: July 2023

The paper analyses fragmentarily preserved views of Empedocles, that, in the author’s opinion, represent the antecedents of deviations from the anthropocentric vision of the world and anticipate the majority of later attempts at scientific, philosophical, and legal modifications of the status of all living beings. Empedocles, namely, claims that all beings think, i.e., that they have understanding or consciousness. He is, moreover, portrayed as a proponent of the thesis that plants as well have both intellect and the ability to think, and that they are driven by desire and have feelings, sadness and joy. According to him, the idea that the whole nature is akin not only has a vital-animal meaning but, to a certain extent, a mental meaning. Empedocles urged his disciples to abstain from consuming ensouled beings, since it is in the bodies of these beings that penalized souls reside. He believed that he himself was one of them who had been killed and eaten, and that it is by purification that prior sins in connection with food should be treated. Empedocles’ case shows that humans are living beings that err, and that they owe to animals justice based on mutual kinship. Aside from living a pure life, practicing the recommended katharmoi, and abstaining from flesh in any version, the path to the salvation of the soul leads through two additional dimensions. The first is being revealed in the important phrase of the sage from Acragas that one should fast from evil. And secondly, the wealth of divine thoughts is connected with being happy, just as those who have vague opinions about the gods are wretched. Eventually, the “Sicilian Muse” believed that if people live in a holy and just manner, they shall be blessed in this life, even more so after leaving this one, because they will achieve happiness that will not be temporarily, and be able to rest for eternity.
The Essence of Nature and Dialectical Naturalism
Authors: Karageorgakis Stavros , Lyrou Konstantina
Published: July 2023

In this paper, we examine how nature is defined and perceived and address the conflict between constructivism and essentialism. By exploring modern perspectives on the concept of nature that stem from the field of social sciences, we will review the analysis of Murray Bookchin’s dialectical naturalism regarding the very essence of nature. We argue that dialectical naturalism offers a dynamic developmental concept of nature that goes beyond the context of constructivism and supports that the truth of nature can be conceived.
Between and Betwixt the Other Theatre and the Theatre of the Other:
Authors: Kavouras Pavlos
Published: July 2023

This article deals with the legendary figure of Eugenio Barba as a paradigmatic case to demonstrate the difference between the other theatre and the theatre of the other. Its main objective is to discuss the juxtaposition of performativity as (re)presenting, showing, and self-awareness by narrating the myth of Barba. The argument is presented through six interconnected caveats: the legend and its myth; The Moon rises from the Ganges: the story inside the myth; the critique of western civilization: an insider's story of self-reflexivity; the other theatre is not the theatre of the other; the life-world of the myth of Barba; and finally, performing otherness, othering performance. The article is addressed mainly but not exclusively to readers with a background in cultural anthropology, performance studies, theater studies, hermeneutics, phenomenology, history of civilization, literary theory, colonialism, and representation of the other.
The Philosophical Background and the Adventures of Religious Studies:
Authors: Panagopoulou-Koutnatzi Fereniki , Arabatzis Georgios
Published: July 2023

The teaching of Religious Studies in Greece has always been the subject of intense debate and controversy. The case law of the Council of State mandates a denominational course, allowing exemption only on the grounds of religious conscience. The Supreme Administrative Court even considered the introduction of a compulsory Religious Studies course for all students to be unconstitutional. In this sense, the Religious Studies course in Greece is seen as outdated, and an increasing number of students are seeking to be exempt from it. In a recent case, the Council of State, in an attempt to depart from its previous case law on the exemption, essentially referred the decision on the matter in question to the Greek Data Protection Authority, which was requested to give its opinion on the status of the currently applicable exemption. In the context of this contribution, we argue that: a) The Council of State erred in its approach of shifting the burden of this decision to the Data Protection Authority. b) These issues should not be decided by the courts or independent authorities but by the democratically legitimized legislature. c) Religious knowledge is an indispensable element of education and, as such, the Religious Studies course should have an encyclopedic, rather than a narrowly developed denominational character and remain compulsory for all pupils.
Cornelius Castoriadis. The Greek Imaginary: From Homer to Heraclitus. Edited by E. Escobar, M. Gondicas, and P. Vernay. Translated by J. V. Garner, and M.-C. Garrido Sierralta. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 2023.
Authors: Bifis George Peter , Giannopoulou Phaedra , Argyrakou Angeliki-Maria
Published: July 2023

This essay will discuss the combined seminars presented in the book “The Greek Imaginary: from Homer to Heraclitus” by Cornelius Castoriadis. In these seminars he dissects Ancient Greek culture, politics, and religion in an investigative and analytic way. Through ancient Greek mythology and the Homeric texts a lot of information can be derived regarding the everyday lives, ideology, and philosophy of the time; all of the aforementioned will be explicated as well as the way Castoriadis specifically interprets certain aspects of ancient Greek life in his own unique way. Additionally, we will look into the language of the texts, the meaning of the French vocabulary that was used at the seminars and the ways in which it can be accurately translated in English.
Anthony A. Long. Selfhood and Rationality in Ancient Greek Philosophy: From Heraclitus to Plotinus. New York: Oxford University Press, 2022.
Authors: Vertzagia Despina
Published: July 2023

Anthony A. Long’s recent book, Selfhood and Rationality in Ancient Greek Philosophy: From Heraclitus to Plotinus (2022), is a collection of fourteen essays that explore the themes of selfhood and rationality in ancient Greek philosophy. Long’s book provides an illuminating account of the vast ancient Greek tradition and an engaging tour that begins with pre-Socratic thought and ends with Stoicism and Neoplatonism seeking answers to the multifaceted question of the rational self, its emergence and evolution within Greek antiquity.
Assessment of genetic variants and lifestyle determinants in obesity-related traits modifications
Authors: Καφύρα Μαρία
Published: July 2023

Η ύπαρξη υπερβάλλοντος βάρος αποτελεί βασικό βοηθητικό παράγοντα για την εκδήλωση καρδιομεταβολικών νοσημάτων. Η δραματική αύξηση της παγκόσμιας συχνότητας της παχυσαρκίας αποδίδεται τόσο στην ύπαρξη ευνοϊκών εξωτερικών ερεθισμάτων όσο και στην αλληλεπίδρασή τους με ευνοϊκούς προδιαθεσικούς γενετικούς παράγοντες. Η αποτρέψιμη φύση της διαταραχής κάνει την ανάγκη για αποτελεσματική πρόληψη και αντιμετώπισή της προτεραιότητα στην προσπάθεια αντιμετώπισης και άλλων μη μεταδοτικών ασθενειών. Σε μια προσπάθεια εμβάθυνσης της κατανόησης των μηχανισμών της πολυπαραγοντικής αιτιολογίας της παχυσαρκίας, η παρούσα εργασία διερεύνησε αλληλεπιδράσεις γονιδίων και παραγόντων τρόπου ζωής και διατροφής στη διαμόρφωση χαρακτηριστικών που σχετίζονται με αυτή. Η μελέτη χρησιμοποιήσε δεδομένα από 202 συμμετέχοντες της μελέτης iMPROVE για να εξετάσει το αντίκτυπο μιας υποθερμιδικής δίαιτας διαφορετικού μακροθρεπτικού περιεχομένου σε ανθρωπομετρικούς δείκτες και δείκτες του τρόπου ζωής Ελλήνων ενηλίκων. Παρόμοιες παράμετροι εξετάστηκαν και σε εφηβικούς πληθυσμούς, χρησιμοποιώντας δεδομένα από 766 και 287 συμμετέχοντες των μελετών TEENAGE και STANISLAS. Τέλος, ένα πολυγονιδιακό σκορ κινδύνου (ΠΣΚ) για το Δείκτη Μάζας Σώματος (ΔΜΣ) ενηλίκων δημιουργήθηκε χρησιμοποιώντας δεδομένα από τις μελέτες NAFLD, THISEAS και OSTEOS. Το διαφορετικό μακροθρεπτικό περιεχόμενο δεν επηρέασε τις αλλαγές που παρατηρήθηκαν στους συμμετέχοντες της μελέτης iMPROVE. Φορείς των αλληλομόρφων των παραλλαγών FTO-rs1421085 και MC4R-rs17782313 που συσχετίζονται με το ΔΜΣ έδειξαν μειωμένη απώλεια βάρους μετά την παρέμβαση. Στους εφηβικούς οληθυσμούς, ένα γενετικό σκορ κινδύνου για αυξημένα επίπεδα VEGF-A συσχετίστηκε με αυξημένο ΔΜΣ, συστολική πίεση και μειωμένη χοληστερόλη HDL. Τέλος, το ΠΣΚ για το ΔΜΣ ενηλίκων παρουσίασε περαιτέρω επεξήγηση του δείκτη κατά 2.3% στο δείγμα των τριών μελετών. Η αξιολόγηση διατροφογενετικών συσχετίσεων οδήγησε στη διαμόρφωση ενδιαφέροντων αποτελεσμάτων σε πληθυσμούς ενηλίκων και εφήβων, θέτοντας τις βάσεις για περαίτερω μελλοντική έρευνα στο πεδίο.