bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Supporting care engagement in primary care; the development of a maturity matrix
Authors: Wolters René , Mokadem Ibtissam , Wensing Michel , Braspenning Jozé
Published: January 2023

Background

Care engagement or active patient involvement in healthcare contributes to the quality of primary care, but organisational preconditions in routine practice need to be aligned. A Maturity Matrix for Care Engagement to assess and discuss these preconditions in the general practice team was developed and tested on feasibility and acceptability in general practice.

Methods and findings

A systematic user-centred approach was applied, starting with a scoping literature search to describe the domains on the horizontal axis of the maturity matrix. The domains and growing steps (vertical axis) were refined by patients (n = 16) and general practice staff (n = 11) in three focus group discussions and reviewed by six experts (local facilitators and scientists). Seven domains could be distinguished: Personalised Care, Shared Decision Making, Self-Management, Patient as Partner, Supportive Means, Patient Environment, and Teamwork among Healthcare Professionals. The growing steps described three to six activities per domain (n = 32 in total) that contribute to care engagement. Local facilitators implemented the tool in two general practice teams according to a user guide, starting with a two-hour kick-off meeting on care engagement. In the next step, practitioners, nurses and assistants in each practice indicated their score on the domains individually. The scores were discussed in the facilitated practice meeting which was aimed at SMART improvement plans. Feasibility and acceptability were assessed in interviews showing that the tool was well received by the pilot practices, although the practice assistants had difficulties scoring some of the activities as they did not always relate to their daily work. An assessment after three months showed changes in practice organisation towards increased care engagement.

Conclusions

The maturity matrix on care engagement is a tool to identify the organisational practice maturity for care engagement. Suggested adaptations must be implemented before large-scale testing.
Relationship of mental health and burnout with empathy among medical students in Thailand: A multicenter cross-sectional study
Authors: Pitanupong Jarurin , Sathaporn Katti , Ittasakul Pichai , Karawekpanyawong Nuntaporn
Published: January 2023

Objectives

To explore mental health, burnout, and the factors associated with the level of empathy among Thai medical students.

Background

Empathy is an important component of a satisfactory physician-patient relationship. However, distress, including burnout and lack of personal well-being, are recognized to affect a lower level of empathy.

Material and methods

A cross-sectional study surveyed sixth-year medical students at three faculties of medicine in Thailand at the end of the 2020 academic year. The questionnaires utilized were: 1) Personal and demographic information questionnaire, 2) Thai Mental Health Indicator-15, 3) The Maslach Burnout Inventory-Thai version, and 4) The Toronto Empathy Questionnaire. All data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and factors associated with empathy level were analyzed via the Chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test, logistic regression., and linear regression.

Results

There were 336 respondents with a response rate of 70.3%. The majority were female (61.9%). Most participants reported a below-average level of empathy (61%) with a median score (IQR) of 43 (39–40). Assessment of emotion comprehension in others and altruism had the highest median empathy subgroup scores, whereas behaviors engaging higher-order empathic responses had the lowest median empathy subgroup score. One-third of participants (32.1%) had poor mental health, and two-thirds (62.8%) reported a high level of emotional exhaustion even though most of them perceived having a high level of personal accomplishment (97%). The multivariate analysis indicated that mental health was statistically significantly associated with the level of empathy. The participants with higher levels of depersonalization had statistically lower scores of demonstrating appropriate sensitivity, altruism, and behaviors engaging higher-order empathic responding.

Conclusions

Most medical students had below-average empathy levels, and two-thirds of them had high emotional exhaustion levels, yet most of them reported having a high level of personal accomplishment and good mental health. There was an association between mental health and the level of empathy. Higher levels of depersonalization related to lower scores of demonstrating sensitivity, altruism, and behaviors responding. Therefore, medical educators should pay close attention to promoting good mental health among medical students.
Genetic diversity and population structure of barley landraces from Southern Ethiopia’s Gumer district: Utilization for breeding and conservation
Authors: Degu Hewan Demissie , Tehelku Tekuamech Fikadu , Kalousova Marie , Sato Kazuhiro
Published: January 2023

Barley is the fifth most important food crop in Ethiopia. The genetic relationship and population structure studies of barley are limited to gene bank collections. Therefore, this study fills a gap by investigating the selection, consumption, economic value, genetic diversity, and population structure of farm-collected barley from the Gumer district of the Gurage Zone, which has received little attention. The information on the use of barley in the study area was collected using semi-structured interviews and questionnaires. 124 households of 11 kebeles, the smallest community unit, were interviewed. Barley landraces collected were compared with those collected from Japan, the United States (USA), and other Ethiopian locations. Illumina iSelect (50K genotyping platform) was used to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) (20,367). Thirty landraces were found in Gumer. Burdaenadenber had the highest on-farm Shannon index estimate (2.0), followed by Aselecha (1.97) and Enjefo (1.95). Aselecha and Fetazer had the highest (44%) and the lowest (29%) richness values, respectively. High and low Simpson index values were found in Aselecha (84%) and Wulbaragenateretero (79%), respectively. The neighbor-joining tree revealed that Gumer landraces formed a separate subcluster with a common ancestral node; a sister subcluster contained barley landraces from Japan. According to the population structure analysis, barley landraces from Gumer differed from Japan and the United States. The principal component analysis revealed that US barley was the most distant group from Gumer barley. The markers’ allele frequencies ranged from 0.10 to 0.50, with an average value of 0.28. The mean values of Nei’s gene diversity (0.38) and the polymorphic information content (0.30) indicated the presence of high genetic diversity in the samples. The clustering of accessions was not based on geographic origin. Significant genetic diversity calls for additional research and analysis of local barley diversity because the selection and use of barley in Ethiopia would have been affected by the preference of ethnic groups.
Healthcare expenditure and its socio-demographic and clinical predictors in Australians with poorly controlled asthma
Authors: Lartey Stella T. , Lung Thomas , Serhal Sarah , Bereznicki Luke , Bereznicki Bonnie , Emmerton Lynne , Bosnic-Anticevich Sinthia , Saini Bandana , Billot Laurent , Krass Ines , Armour Carol , Jan Stephen
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Asthma has substantial and increasing health and economic burden worldwide. This study aimed to estimate healthcare expenditure and determine the factors that increase expenditure in Australians with poorly controlled asthma.

Methods

Individuals ≥18 years of age with poorly controlled asthma, as determined by a score ≥1.5 on the Asthma Control Questionnaire, were included in the study. Healthcare utilization costs from medical services and medications were estimated over an average follow-up of 12 months from administratively linked data: the Medicare Benefits Schedule and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. A generalized linear model with gamma distribution and log link was used to predict participants’ key baseline characteristics associated with variations in healthcare costs.

Results

A total of 341 participants recruited through community pharmacies were included. The mean (standard deviation, SD) age of participants was 56.6 (SD 17.6) years, and approximately 71% were females. The adjusted average monthly healthcare expenditure per participant was $AU386 (95% CI: 336, 436). On top of the average monthly costs, an incremental expenditure was found for each year increase in age ($AU4; 95% CI: 0.78, 7), being unemployed ($AU201; 95% CI: 91, 311), one unit change in worsening quality of life ($AU35; 95% CI: 9, 61) and being diagnosed with depression and anxiety ($AU171; 95% CI: 36, 306).

Conclusions

In a cohort of Australian patients, characterized by poor asthma control and co-morbidities individuals impose substantial economic burden in terms of Medicare funded medical services and medications. Programs addressing strategies to improve the quality of life and manage co-morbid anxiety and depression and encourage asthma patients’ engagement in clinically tolerable jobs, may result in significant cost savings to the health system.
Pyrotinib versus lapatinib therapy for HER2 positive metastatic breast cancer patients after first-line treatment failure: A meta-analysis and systematic review
Authors: Yuan Ye , Liu Xumei , Cai Yi , Li Wenyuan
Published: January 2023

Introduction

It is critical to select subsequent treatments for patients after the failure of trastuzumab therapy. Following the failure of standard trastuzumab therapy guidelines in the Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology, pyrotinib and capecitabine is a grade I recommended regimen for treating patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer. Concurrently, in treating patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer, lapatinib and capecitabine are also recommended regimens for those who have previously received taxanes, anthracyclines, and trastuzumab therapy. However, there is currently no systematic review and meta-analysis comparing pyrotinib with lapatinib among HER2+ MBC patients. Therefore, this study aims to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis and assess whether pyrotinib is superior to lapatinib in efficacy and safety.

Methods

Relevant trials were searched in CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane CENTRAL databases from inception until March 27th, 2022. The primary outcomes were PFS and OS, and the secondary outcomes were ORR and grade ≥3 AEs.

Results

Five relevant studies were included in this study, including 2 RCTs and 3 retrospective cohort studies. Pyrotinib combined with chemotherapy is superior to lapatinib combined with chemotherapy among HER2+ metastatic breast cancer patients, with a significant improvement in PFS (prior trastuzumab therapy) (HR: 0.47, 95% CI: 0.39–0.57,p<0.001, I2= 0%, FEM), PFS (trastuzumab resistance) (HR: 0.52, 95% CI: 0.39–0.68,p<0.001, I2= 40%, FEM) and ORR (RR: 1.45, 95% CI: 1.26–1.67,p<0.001, I2= 8%, FEM), but has higher grade ≥3 diarrhea incidence (RR: 2.68, 95% CI: 1.85–3.90,p<0.001, I2= 44%, FEM).

Conclusions

The efficacy of pyrotinib combined with chemotherapy is superior to lapatinib combined with chemotherapy but has more safety risks.
Impact of the period of the day on all-cause mortality and major cardiovascular complications after arterial vascular surgeries
Authors: Artioli Thiago , Gualandro Danielle Menosi , Cardozo Francisco Akira Malta , Rojas María Carmen Escalante , Calderaro Daniela , Yu Pai Ching , Casella Ivan Benaduce , Luccia Nelson de , Caramelli Bruno
Published: January 2023

Background

Conflicting results are reported about daytime variation on mortality and cardiac outcomes after non-cardiac surgeries. In this cohort study, we evaluate whether the period of the day in which surgeries are performed may influence all-cause mortality and cardiovascular outcomes in patients undergoing non-cardiac arterial vascular procedures.

Methods

1,267 patients who underwent non-cardiac arterial vascular surgeries between 2012 and 2018 were prospectively included in our cohort and categorized into two groups: morning (7 a.m. to 12 a.m., 79%) and afternoon/night (12:01 p.m. to 6:59 a.m. in the next day, 21%) surgeries. Primary endpoint was all-cause mortality within 30 days and one year. Secondary endpoints were the incidence of perioperative myocardial injury/infarction (PMI), and the incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE, including acute myocardial infarction, acute heart failure, arrhythmias, cardiovascular death) at hospital discharge.

Results

After adjusting for confounders in the multivariable Cox proportional regression, all-cause mortality rates at 30 days and one year were higher among those who underwent surgery in the afternoon/night (aHR 1.6 [95%CI 1.1–2.3], P = 0.015 and aHR 1.7 [95%CI 1.3–2.2], P < 0.001, respectively). Afternoon/night patients had higher incidence of PMI (aHR 1.4 [95%CI 1.1–1.7], P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the incidence of MACE (aHR 1.3 [95%CI 0.9–1.7], P = 0.074).

Conclusions

In patients undergoing arterial vascular surgery, being operated in the afternoon/night was independently associated with increased all-cause mortality rates and incidence of perioperative myocardial injury/infarction.
Optimal resource allocation method for energy harvesting based underlay Cognitive Radio networks
Authors: Liao Jianbin , Yu Hongliang , Jiang Weibin , Lin Ruiquan , Wang Jun
Published: January 2023

This paper proposes an optimal resource allocation method. The method is to maximize the Energy Efficiency (EE) for an Energy Harvesting (EH) enabled underlay Cognitive Radio (CR) network. First, we assumed the Secondary Users (SUs) can harvest energy from the surrounding Radio Frequency (RF) signals. Then, we modelled the EE maximisation problem as a joint time and power optimization model. Next, the optimal EH time allocation factor can be calculated. After that the optimal power allocation strategy can be obtain by the fractional programming and Lagrange multiplier method. Finally simulation results show that the proposed iterative method can be better performance advantages compared with the exhaustive method and genetic algorithm. And the EE of this system model is significantly improved compared to the EE model without considering EH.
Application of sequential cyclic compression on cancer cells in a flexible microdevice
Authors: Onal Sevgi , Alkaisi Maan M. , Nock Volker
Published: January 2023

Mechanical forces shape physiological structure and function within cell and tissue microenvironments, during which cells strive to restore their shape or develop an adaptive mechanism to maintain cell integrity depending on strength and type of the mechanical loading. While some cells are shown to experience permanent plastic deformation after a repetitive mechanical tensile loading and unloading, the impact of such repetitive compression on deformation of cells is yet to be understood. As such, the ability to apply cyclic compression is crucial for any experimental setup aimed at the study of mechanical compression taking place in cell and tissue microenvironments. Here, we demonstrate such cyclic compression using a microfluidic compression platform on live cell actin in SKOV-3 ovarian cancer cells. Live imaging of the actin cytoskeleton dynamics of the compressed cells was performed for varying pressures applied sequentially in ascending order during cell compression. Additionally, recovery of the compressed cells was investigated by capturing actin cytoskeleton and nuclei profiles of the cells at zero time and 24 h-recovery after compression in end point assays. This was performed for a range of mild pressures within the physiological range. Results showed that the phenotypical response of compressed cells during recovery after compression with 20.8 kPa differed observably from that for 15.6 kPa. This demonstrated the ability of the platform to aid in the capture of differences in cell behaviour as a result of being compressed at various pressures in physiologically relevant manner. Differences observed between compressed cells fixed at zero time or after 24 h-recovery suggest that SKOV-3 cells exhibit deformations at the time of the compression, a proposed mechanism cells use to prevent mechanical damage. Thus, biomechanical responses of SKOV-3 ovarian cancer cells to sequential cyclic compression and during recovery after compression could be revealed in a flexible microdevice. As demonstrated in this work, the observation of morphological, cytoskeletal and nuclear differences in compressed and non-compressed cells, with controlled micro-scale mechanical cell compression and recovery and using live-cell imaging, fluorescent tagging and end point assays, can give insights into the mechanics of cancer cells.
Workplace impact on employees: A Lifelines Corona Research Initiative on the return to work
Authors: Mobach Mark P. ,   Lifelines Corona Research Initiative
Published: January 2023

A large proportion of the global workforce migrated home during the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns. It remains unclear what the exact differences between home workers and non-home workers were, especially during the pandemic when a return to work was imminent. How were building, workplace, and related facilities associated with workers’ perceptions and health? What are the lessons to be learned? Lifelines Corona Research Initiative was used to compare employees’ workplaces and related concerns, facilities, work quality, and health in a complete case analysis (N = 12,776) when return to work was imminent. Mann-Whitney U, logistic regression, and Wilcoxon matched-pairs were used for analyses. Notwithstanding small differences, the results show that home workers had less favourable scores for concerns about and facilities of on-site buildings and workplaces upon return to work, but better scores for work quality and health than non-home workers. However, additional analyses also suggest that building, workplace, and related facilities may have had the capacity to positively influence employees’ affective responses and work quality, but not always their health.
Validation of the motion sickness severity scale: Secondary analysis of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of a treatment for motion sickness
Authors: Czeisler Mark É. , Pruski Justina M. , Wang Pan , Wang Jingyuan , Xiao Changfu , Polymeropoulos Mihael H. , Polymeropoulos Vasilios M.
Published: January 2023

Background

Motion sickness is characterized by nausea and vomiting among a constellation of symptoms. Symptom severity is dynamic and distressing. Most validated motion sickness scales are time-intensive and effortful, with alternative scales having uncertain performance or non-specific measures. A validated instrument allowing for facile, rapid assessment of core motion sickness symptom severity would therefore be valuable. We assessed the performance of the Motion Sickness Severity Scale (MSSS), a six-item questionnaire designed to measure real-time motion sickness symptoms.

Methods

MSSS construct validity was assessed as a secondary analysis of data from 63 healthy participants without antiemetic treatment in a clinical trial (Unique Identifier = NCT03772340) conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Tradipitant—a novel neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist—in the treatment of motion sickness. Clinical outcome assessments included the MSSS, the Patient Global Impression of Severity (PGI-S), and the Motion Sickness Assessment Questionnaire (MSAQ). The performance of the MSSS through Pearson correlation coefficients, within-group analysis of variance, empirical cumulative distribution functions, and Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests.

Results

The MSSS correlated very highly with the PGI-S (r = 0.93, p-value<0.0001) and highly with the MSAQ (r = 0.83, p-value<0.0001). Mean MSSS scores between increasing PGI-S severity levels increased significantly in all four increments (None-to-Mild: p-value = 0.006, Mild-to-Moderate: p-value<0.0001, Moderate-to-Severe: p-value = 0.006, Severe-to-Very-Severe: p-value = 0.002). There were statistically significant differences in MSSS score distributions stratified by PGI-S severity level, with higher MSSS scores associated with higher PGI-S severity levels and lower MSSS scores associated with lower PGI-S severity levels.

Discussion

The MSSS is a valid instrument for the assessment of the core motion sickness symptoms and is reflective of global disease severity. Implementation of the MSSS and comparable simplified, short questionnaires in motion sickness research will provide rapid and accurate measures of disease severity. These measures will enable further elucidation of motion sickness as an illness and inform the development and evaluation of motion sickness therapies.
The combined effect of pre-pregnancy body mass index and gestational weight gain on the risk of pre-labour and intrapartum caesarean section—The ICE-MCH study
Authors: Eloranta Aino-Maija , Gunnarsdottir Ingibjörg , Thorisdottir Birna , Gunnlaugsson Geir , Birgisdottir Bryndis Eva , Thorsdottir Inga , Einarsdóttir Kristjana
Published: January 2023

Women who are obese before pregnancy have a higher risk of caesarean section than normal weight women. We investigated the combined effect of pre-pregnancy weight and gestational weight gain on pre-labour and intrapartum caesarean section risk. We collected data on 22,763 singleton, term, live deliveries in 2003–2014 from the Icelandic Maternal and Child Health Study (ICE-MCH), based on Icelandic registries. These were the Icelandic Medical Birth Registry and the Saga Maternal and Child Health Database. Pre-pregnancy body mass index was categorised into underweight, normal weight, overweight and obese. Gestational weight gain was classified according to the Institute of Medicine´s recommendation into below, within and above the recommended range. Logistic regression models, adjusted for maternal and gestational characteristics, were used to calculate adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the risk of caesarean section. Obese women had a higher risk of pre-labour (AOR 1.56, 95% CI 1.34–1.81) and intrapartum caesarean section (AOR 1.92, 95% CI 1.70–2.17) than normal weight women in all categories of gestational weight gain. Gestational weight gain above the recommended range, compared to within the range, increased the risk of intrapartum caesarean section among normal weight (AOR 1.46, 95% CI 1.23–1.73) and overweight women (AOR 1.291, 95% CI 1.04–1.60). Gestational weight gain below the recommended range, compared to within the range, increased the risk of pre-labour caesarean section (AOR 1.64, 95% CI 1.20–2.25), but only among overweight women. Women who are obese before pregnancy have a high risk of caesarean section regardless of gestational weight gain. However, women who are normal weight or overweight before pregnancy and gain weight above the recommended range during pregnancy may also have an increased risk of caesarean section.
Social environment and brain structure in adolescent mental health: A cross-sectional structural equation modelling study using IMAGEN data
Authors: Stepanous Jessica , Munford Luke , Qualter Pamela , Banaschewski Tobias , Nees Frauke , Elliott Rebecca ,   the IMAGEN Consortium
Published: January 2023

Adolescent mental health is impacted by a myriad of factors, including the developing brain, socioeconomic conditions and changing social relationships. Studies to date have neglected investigating those factors simultaneously, despite evidence of their interacting effects and distinct profiles for males and females. The current study addressed that gap by applying structural equation modelling to IMAGEN data from adolescents aged 14 years (n = 1950). A multi-group model split by sex was tested with the variables of socioeconomic stress, family support, peer problems, and brain structure as predictors, and emotional symptoms as the main outcome. Findings indicated that, for both sexes, peer problems were positively associated with emotional symptoms, and socioeconomic stress was negatively associated with family support. Additionally, there were sex-specific findings within the full models: ventromedial prefrontal cortex grey matter volume was negatively associated with emotional symptoms for males when corrected for whole brain volume, and socioeconomic stress was negatively associated with whole brain volume for females. This study underscores the importance of the peer environment for early adolescent emotional symptoms in both boys and girls, but goes further to suggest distinct gender associations with socioeconomic factors and brain structure which provides a multi-level view of risk and resilience. Future research could exploit existing IMAGEN longitudinal data to strengthen causal claims and to determine the potential longstanding impact of social environment and brain development on adolescent mental health.
Monitoring SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence over time among pregnant women admitted to delivery units: Suitability for surveillance
Authors: Miyadahira Mariana Yumi , Brizot Maria de Lourdes , Alexander Neal , Cerdeira Sabino Ester , Campos de Oliveira da Silva Lea , Hoshida Mara Sandra , da Silva Sousa Oliveira Ana Maria , Silva Farche Ana Claudia , Pulcineli Vieira Francisco Rossana , Mayaud Philippe
Published: January 2023

Objectives

To determine SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence over time and risk factors among pregnant women at delivery in São Paulo, Brazil; and to evaluate the suitability of pregnant women as a sentinel population for SARS-CoV-2 serosurveillance.

Methods

Unselected consecutive pregnant women presenting at the labor ward of a single large hospital between July 20th 2020 to February 21st 2021 were enrolled and tested for SARS-CoV-2 serology using two assays: the rapid chromatic Wondfo One Step (for total IgA and IgG detection) and Roche Elecsys assay (detecting anti-nucleoprotein [N] IgG). SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence was computed as smooth spline function over time with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Risk factors were evaluated for positivity by each assay. We compared timepoint seroprevalence by the two assays with four concomitant community household surveys (HHS), in which the Roche assay was used, to determine the sensitivity and relevance of the pregnant women population as sentinel population.

Results

Overall SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence was 28.9% (221/763) by Roche and 17.9% (137/763) by Wondfo. Reported symptoms experienced during pregnancy were all significantly correlated with being SARS-CoV-2 seropositive at delivery with any assay (with odds-ratios ranging from 3.0 [95% CI: 2.1–4.3] for coryza to 22.8 [95% CI: 12.3–46.6] for ageusia). Seropositivity by either assay was high in women at delivery in the early period of the pandemic (June 2020), compared with seropositivity in women from the concomitant HHS: 44.1% (95% CI: 21.8–66.4) for Roche, 54.1% (30.9–78.5) for Wondfo, versus 11.4% (95% CI: 9.2–13.6) for HHS. For later periods (October 2020 and January 2021), the seropositivity in women at delivery measured by Roche corresponded well with the prevalence found among women in the HHS using the same assay, whilst prevalence measured by Wondfo dropped.

Conclusions

Women at delivery represent a highly exposed and readily accessible population for sentinel surveillance of emerging infections such as SARS-CoV-2.
Epicardial conduction abnormalities in patients with Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC) and mutation positive healthy family members – A study using electrocardiographic imaging
Authors: Kommata Varvara , Sciaraffia Elena , Blomström-Lundqvist Carina
Published: January 2023

Background

The diagnosis of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) in early stages is challenging. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate whether electrocardiographic imaging (ECGI) can detect epicardial conduction changes in ARVC patients and healthy mutation-carriers (M-carriers).

Method

Twelve ARVC patients, 20 M-carriers and 8 controls underwent 12-lead ECG, signal-averaged ECG, 2-dimensional echocardiography, 24-hours Holter monitoring and ECGI (body surface mapping and computer tomography with offline analysis of reconstructed epicardial signals). Total and Right Ventricular Activation Time (tVAT and RVAT respectively), area of Ventricular Activation during the terminal 20 milliseconds (aVAte20) and the activation patterns were compared between groups.

Results

In ARVC patients the locations of aVAte20 were scattered or limited to smaller parts of the right ventricle (RV) versus in controls, in whom aVAte20 was confined to right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) and left ventricle (LV) base (+/- RV base). ARVC patients had smaller aVAte20 (35cm2 vs 87cm2, p<0.05), longer tVAT (99msec vs 58msec, p<0.05) and longer RVAT (66msec vs 43msec, p<0.05) versus controls. In 10 M-carriers (50%), the locations of aVAte20 were also eccentric. This sub-group presented smaller aVAte20 (53cm2 vs 87cm2, p = 0.009), longer RVAT (55msec vs 48msec, p = 0.043), but similar tVAT (65msec vs 60msec, p = 0.529) compared with the M-carriers with normal activation pattern.

Conclusions

ECGI can detect epicardial conduction abnormalities in ARVC patients. Moreover, the observation of localized delayed RV epicardial conduction in M-carriers suggests an early stage of ARVC and may be a useful diagnostic marker enhancing an early detection of the disease.
ROP39 is an Irgb10-specific parasite effector that modulates acute Toxoplasma gondii virulence
Authors: Singh Shishir , Murillo-León Mateo , Endres Niklas Sebastian , Arenas Soto Ailan Farid , Gómez-Marín Jorge Enrique , Melbert Florence , Kanneganti Thirumala-Devi , Yamamoto Masahiro , Campos Claudia , Howard Jonathan Charles , Taylor Gregory Alan , Steinfeldt Tobias
Published: January 2023

Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a zoonotic apicomplexan parasite that is an important cause of clinical disability in humans. On a global scale, one third of the human population is infected with T. gondii. Mice and other small rodents are believed to be responsible for transmission of T. gondii to the domestic cat, its definitive host. Interferon-inducible Immunity-Related GTPases (IRG proteins) are important for control of murine T. gondii infections. Virulence differences between T. gondii strains are linked to polymorphic rhoptry proteins (ROPs) that cooperate to inactivate individual IRG family members. In particular, the pseudokinase ROP5 isoform B is critically important in laboratory strains of mice. We identified T. gondii ROP39 in complex with ROP5B and demonstrate its contribution to acute T. gondii virulence. ROP39 directly targets Irgb10 and inhibits homodimer formation of the GTPase leading to an overall reduction of IRG protein loading onto the parasitophorous vacuolar membrane (PVM). Maintenance of PVM integrity rescues the parasite from IRG protein-mediated clearance in vitro and in vivo. This study identifies a novel T. gondii effector that is important for specific inactivation of the IRG resistance system. Our data reveal that yet unknown T. gondii effectors can emerge from identification of direct interaction partners of ROP5B.
Race and ethnicity: Risk factors for fungal infections?
Authors: Jenks Jeffrey D. , Aneke Chioma Inyang , Al-Obaidi Mohanad M. , Egger Matthias , Garcia Lorena , Gaines Tommi , Hoenigl Martin , Thompson George R.
Published: January 2023

Racial and ethnic identities, largely understood as social rather than biologic constructs, may impact risk for acquiring infectious diseases, including fungal infections. Risk factors may include genetic and immunologic differences such as aberrations in host immune response, host polymorphisms, and epigenomic factors stemming from environmental exposures and underlying social determinants of health. In addition, certain racial and ethnic groups may be predisposed to diseases that increase risk for fungal infections, as well as disparities in healthcare access and health insurance. In this review, we analyzed racial and ethnic identities as risk factors for acquiring fungal infections, as well as race and ethnicity as they relate to risk for severe disease from fungal infections. Risk factors for invasive mold infections such as aspergillosis largely appear related to environmental differences and underlying social determinants of health, although immunologic aberrations and genetic polymorphisms may contribute in some circumstances. Although black and African American individuals appear to be at high risk for superficial and invasive Candida infections and cryptococcosis, the reasons for this are unclear and may be related to underling social determinants of health, disparities in access to healthcare, and other socioeconomic disparities. Risk factors for all the endemic fungi are likely largely related to underlying social determinants of health, socioeconomic, and health disparities, although immunologic mechanisms likely play a role as well, particularly in disseminated coccidioidomycosis.
A dsRNA-binding mutant reveals only a minor role of exonuclease activity in interferon antagonism by the arenavirus nucleoprotein
Authors: Bohn Patrick , Waßmann Irke , Wendt Lisa , Leske Anne , Hoenen Thomas , Tews Birke A. , Groseth Allison
Published: January 2023

The arenavirus nucleoprotein (NP) plays an important role in the virus’ ability to block interferon (IFN) production, and its exonuclease function appears to contribute to this activity. However, efforts to analyze this contribution are complicated by the functional overlap between the exonuclease active site and a neighboring region involved in IKKε-binding and subsequent inhibition of IRF3 activation, which also plays an important role in IFN production. To circumvent this issue, we mutated a residue located away from the active site that is involved in binding of the dsRNA substrate being targeted for exonuclease digestion, i.e. H426A. We found that expression of Tacaribe virus (TCRV) NP containing this RNA-binding H426A mutation was still able to efficiently block IFN-β promoter activity in response to Sendai virus infection, despite being strongly impaired in its exonuclease activity. This was in contrast to a conventional exonuclease active site mutant (E388A), which was impaired with respect to both exonuclease activity and IFN antagonism. Importantly, growth of a recombinant virus encoding the RNA-binding mutation (rTCRV-H426A) was similar to wild-type in IFN-deficient cells, unlike the active site mutant (rTCRV-E388A), which was already markedly impaired in these cells. Further, in IFN-competent cells, the TCRV-H426A RNA-binding mutant showed more robust growth and delayed IFN-β mRNA upregulation compared to the TCRV-E388A active site mutant. Taken together, this novel mutational approach, which allows us to now dissect the different contributions of the NP exonuclease activity and IKKε-binding/IRF3 inhibition to IFN antagonism, clearly suggests that conventional exonuclease mutants targeting the active site overestimate the contribution of the exonuclease function, and that rather other IFN antagonistic functions of NP play the dominant role in IFN-antagonism.
The effect of pulmonary hypoxia on exercise performance during a time trial
Authors: Kennedy Nithil , Mohsin Muhammad , Salam Ameel , Paterson Eleanor
Published: January 2023

Air travel and high-altitude destinations are becoming increasinglypopular. Before the Covid pandemic, 1.2 million people visited Nepal, many of whom took part in trekking expeditions at high altitude where oxygen concentrations are very low. Exercise performance of a person is determined by oxygensupply tomuscles and vital organs and is therefore limited by hypoxicenvironments. Hence, the incidence of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) among such trekkerswas about 23.9%. So how did hypoxia influence the exercise performance of these trekkers? Exploring the literature,most studies investigated the effects of hypoxia among acclimatised athleteshowever there is very limited research in other populations.
Natureza, povos ciganos e justiça climática
Authors: Mona de Amorim Priscilla , De Azevedo Silva Júnior Aluízio
Published: January 2023

Este artigo tem como objetivo refletir sobre a relação entre os povos ciganos e as questões ambientais, a partir dos conceitos de justiça ambiental e tendo como ancoragem a Educação Ambiental Fenomenológica. Trazemos uma contextualização sobre as condições socioambientais dessas comunidades, abordando histórico e origem, diversidade cultural e identitária, bem como as condições de vida. Na sequência, aprofundamos o olhar para os modos como os povos ciganos são impactados pelas crises climáticas e como essas questões colocam em risco a conservação e a manutenção das culturas romani, enquanto identidades de resistência. Para finalizar demonstramos a importância da educação ambiental para estabelecermos um diálogo com os saberes ciganos, para a construção de um conhecimento emancipatório e libertador.
Características morfofisiológicas e de produtividade na cultura de amendoim em resposta a aplicação de bioestimulante
Authors: Ribeiro Vinicius Ferreira , Andrade Christiano Lima Lobo de , Cabral Filho Fernando Rodrigues , Vieira Gustavo Henrique de Oliveira , Leão Karollyne Ramos , Ferreira Tarimar Martins , Teixeira Marconi Batista
Published: January 2023

A utilização do bioestimulante Titan FH® é de grande importância pois oferece melhor desenvolvimento para o grão tornando eficiente forma natural de auxiliar no desempenho da planta. O amendoim é uma vegetal da família Fabaceae, gênero Arachis, que conta com grande número de espécies conhecidas, dentre as quais, somente Arachis hypogaea L. é cultivada. O cultivo dessa espécie é reconhecido em diversos países ao redor do mundo, portanto, as regiões produtoras de amendoim apresentam características distintas em relação ao clima e tipo de solo, por essa razão é necessário a utilização de cultivares com alta tecnologia que se adaptam a cada condição. O presente trabalho teve por objetivo, analisar as características morfofisiológicas e de produtividade juntamente com a eficácia do referente bioestimulante. O experimento foi realizado na área experimental do Instituto Federal Goiano, no município de Rio Verde, Goiás, Brasil. Os tratamentos constaram de diferentes dosagens do bioestimulante Titan FH®. O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos casualizados, com 3 repetições. As parcelas corresponderam a 5 linhas de 5 m de comprimento, com espaçamento entre linhas de 90 cm. Nas amostragens foram analisados os componentes de trocas gasosas, biometria, componentes produtivos e análise estatística. Não ocorreu diferença significativa no sistema fotossintético e nas taxas de crescimento da cultura, embora tenha apresentado ganho significativo na produtividade de grãos.
ANALYSIS OF THE QUERIES RECEIVED AT THE DRUG INFORMATION CENTER OF PARAGUAY: A CONTRIBUTION TO THE RATIONAL USE OF MEDICINES
Authors: Maidana de Larroza Gladys Mabel , Acosta Patricia Guadalupe , Maciel Olga Yolanda , Samaniego Lourdes Raquel , Vera Zully Concepción , Lugo Gladys Beatriz
Published: January 2023

Los Centros de Información de Medicamentos (CIM) son defi nidos como unidades operacionales que proporcionan información científi ca y técnica sobre medicamentos de forma objetiva y oportuna, constituyendo una óptima estrategia para atender necesidades particulares de información, con el fin de promover el uso correcto y seguro de los mismos. El propósito de este estudio es describir las consultas recibidas en el CIM de |UNA durante el periodo 2015 -2019 y su rol en la contribución al uso racional de medicamentos, para lo cual se llevó a cabo un estudio observacional descriptivo de corte transversal con recolección retrospectiva de la información. Se tomaron todas las fichas de consultas ingresadas a la base de datos del CIM durante el periodo en estudio. En el periodo de estudio se han realizado un total de 254 consultas, con un promedio de 51 consultas por año, en su mayoría se hicieron a nivel nacional y en un 13% de las mismas involucraban a pacientes. Los principales temas solicitados al CIM fueron aquellos relacionados a legislación farmacéutica (Registro y disponibilidad de medicamentos en el país), seguido de temas relacionados al uso racional, Farmacovigilancia entre otros. El análisis y caracterización permitió conocer las necesidades de información respecto a los medicamentos, brindar la información objetiva, dirigida y de calidad cumpliendo con el objetivo de promover el uso racional de medicamentos.
The views of history teachers on the design of vocational education
Authors: Şahin Mustafa , Şahin Semiha , Akyol Canan , Sucuoğlu Hale
Published: January 2023

The purpose of this research is to determine the opinions of history teachers about the professional development training program. The research was carried out with the case study design, one of the qualitative research methods. The study group of the research was composed of 19 history teachers working in the Bergama district of Izmir province, who were selected by the purposeful sampling method. The opinions of the teachers were collected through structured interview forms. When the findings were examined, the educational titles were shaped in the field of field education and pedagogy. General expectations of teachers in the teacher education workshop were found to be: to increase knowledge, new methods and techniques, new developments and to be aware of different perspectives, to learn ways to make the lesson interesting, create awareness, and to learn about classroom management. Their industry-specific expectations and history education were found to be: using new materials, methods and techniques to learn, developing them, developing activities that will make lessons interesting, and evaluating new instructional programs to emphasize the importance of the course. As a result, it was found that the teacher education workshop largely meets the expectations of teachers and teachers want to apply what they have learned from these trainings in their classrooms.

Extended English summary is in the end of Full Text PDF (TURKISH) file.

Özet
Bu araştırmanın amacı, tarih öğretmenlerinin mesleki gelişim eğitim programına ilişkin görüşlerini belirlemektir. Araştırma, nitel araştırma yöntemlerinden durum çalışması deseniyle gerçekleştirilmiştir. Araştırmanın çalışma grubunu amaçlı örneklem yöntemiyle seçilen İzmir ili Bergama ilçesinde görev yapmakta olan 19 tarih öğretmeni oluşturmuştur. Öğretmenlerinin görüşleri, yapılandırılmış görüşme formları aracılığıyla toplanmıştır. Bulgular incelendiğinde, eğitim başlıkları alan eğitimi ve pedagoji alanında şekillenmiştir. Öğretmen eğitimi atölyesinde öğretmenlerinin genel beklentileri; bilgi artışı sağlamak, yeni yöntem ve tekniklerin aktarılması, yeni gelişmelerden ve farklı bakış açılarından haberdar olmak, dersi ilgi çekici hâle getirme yollarını öğrenmek, farkındalık oluşturmak ve sınıf yönetimine dair bilgilenmek yönündedir. Branşlarına özgü beklentileri ise tarih eğitiminde kullanılacak yeni materyal, yöntem ve teknikleri öğrenmek, alan bilgisini artırmak, dersi ilgi çekici hâle getirecek etkinlikler geliştirmek, tarih derslerini öğrencilere sevdirme yollarını görmek, yeni öğretim programını değerlendirmek dersinin önemini vurgulamak ile ilgilidir. Sonuç olarak, öğretmen eğitimi atölyesinin, büyük ölçüde öğretmenlerin beklentilerini karşıladığı ve öğretmenlerin bu eğitimlerden öğrendiklerini kendi sınıflarında uygulamak istediği tespit edilmiştir.
Opinions of social studies teachers about vocational education design
Authors: Şahin Mustafa , Şahin Semiha , Akyol Canan , Sucuoğlu Hale
Published: January 2023

The aim of this research is to determine the professional development of social studies teachers in accordance with their views on the in-service education program. The research was carried out with the case study design, one of the qualitative research methods. The study group of the research was composed of 30 social studies teachers working in the Bergama district of Izmir province, who were selected by purposeful sampling method. The opinions of the teachers were collected through structured interview forms. When the findings were examined, the educational titles were shaped in the field of social studies and pedagogy. Gaining professional experience, deciphering new teaching methods, being aware of current developments, searching for solve to problems in teaching, increasing general culture, seeing ways to communicate with students and getting acquainted with issues such as university education. The field-specific expectations are; learning field-specific methods, seeing ways to popularize the course, recognizing new approaches to field courses, evaluating textbooks, attaching importance to values education, proposing concrete and feasible solutions to problems, being applicable, and being aware of new developments. As a result, it was found that the teacher education workshop largely meets the expectations of teachers, and teachers are willing to apply what they have learned from these trainings in their classrooms.

Extended English summary is in the end of Full Text PDF (TURKISH) file.
 

Özet
Bu araştırmanın amacı sosyal bilgiler öğretmenlerinin mesleki gelişimlerini hizmet-içi eğitim programına ilişkin görüşleri doğrultusunda belirlemektir. Araştırma, nitel araştırma yöntemlerinden durum çalışması deseni ile gerçekleştirilmiştir. Araştırmanın çalışma grubunu amaçlı örneklem yöntemiyle seçilen İzmir ili Bergama ilçesinde görev yapmakta olan 30 sosyal bilgiler öğretmeni oluşturmuştur. Öğretmenlerin görüşleri, yapılandırılmış görüşme formları aracılığıyla toplanmıştır. Bulgular incelendiğinde, eğitim başlıkları alan eğitimi ve pedagoji alanında şekillenmiştir. Mesleki deneyim kazanma, yeni öğretim yöntemlerini tanıma, güncel gelişmelerden haberdar olma, öğretimdeki sorunlarına çözüm yolları arama, genel kültür artışı, öğrencilerle iletişim kurma yollarını görme ve üniversite eğitimi gibi konularda bilgilenme olarak dikkat çekmektedir. Alana özgü beklentileri ise; alana özgü yöntemleri öğrenme, dersi sevdirme yollarını görme, alan derslerine yönelik yeni yaklaşımları tanıma, ders kitaplarını değerlendirme, değerler eğitimine önem verme, sorunlara somut ve uygulanabilir çözüm önerileri getirme, uygulanabilir olma ve yeni gelişmelerden haberdar olma bakımından ifade edilmiştir. Sonuç olarak, öğretmen eğitimi atölyesinin, büyük ölçüde öğretmenlerin beklentilerini karşıladığı ve öğretmenlerin bu eğitimlerden öğrendiklerini kendi sınıflarında uygulamakta istekli olduğu saptanmıştır.