bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quality of life and its associated factors among women diagnosed with pelvic organ prolapse in Gynecology outpatient department Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples region public referral hospitals, Ethiopia
Authors: Tefera Zewdu , Temesgen Belsity , Arega Mikyas , Getaneh Tmesgen , Belay Aynalem
Published: June 2023

Background

Pelvic organ prolapse is an important public health issue that influences millions of women’s lives; through limitations on physical, social, and sexual activities as well as psychological distress. However, there were no reports on the quality of life for women with pelvic organ prolapse in Ethiopia. Therefore this study amid to assess the magnitude of quality of life and its associated factors among women who diagnosed with pelvic organ prolapse in Gynecology outpatient departments in Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples region public referral hospitals; Ethiopia.

Method

An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples region of public referral hospitals from May 1-July 4, 2022 among 419 diagnosed women with pelvic organ prolapse. A validated tool was used to collect the data. The collected data were entered into Epidata version 3.1 and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression was computed. The p-value of < 0.05 was used to declare the final statistical significance.

Result

A total of 409 women with pelvic organ prolapse were included in the study, giving a response rate of 97.6%. The overall poor quality of life was 57.5%. Regarding the quality of life domains; personal relationships (73.6%), were highly affected, and sleep/energy (24.2%) was the least affected domain. Stage III/IV prolapse (AOR = 2.52, 95% CI: 1.34, 4.74), menopause (AOR = 3.21, 95% CI 1.75, 5.97), unmarried women (widowed, divorced) (AOR = 2.81, 95% CI: 1.48, 5.32), and longer duration of prolapse (AOR = 5.8, 95% CI: 3.13, 10.81), were significantly associated with poor quality of life.

Conclusion

More than half of women with pelvic organ prolapse had a poor quality of life. Stage III/IV prolapse, longer duration of prolapse, menopause women, and unmarried women are statistically significant factors for the quality of life of women with Pelvic organ prolapse.
The impact of community of inquiry and self-efficacy on student attitudes in sustained remote health professions learning environments
Authors: Burbage Amanda K. , Jia Yuane , Hoang Thuha
Published: June 2023

Background

Sustained remote learning environments, like those experienced in late 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, share characteristics with online courses but were not intentionally designed to delivered virtually. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of Community of Inquiry, a widely used online learning environment framework, and self-efficacy on perceived student attitudes within sustained remote learning environments.

Methods

An interinstitutional team of health professions education researchers collected survey data from 205 students representing a wide range of health professions in five U.S. institutions. Latent mediation models under structural equation modeling framework were used to examine whether student self-efficacy mediates the relationship between Community of Inquiry presence and student’s favorability of sustained remote learning delivered in the prolonged stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Results

Higher levels of teaching presence and social presence in the remote learning environment were associated with higher levels of remote learning self-efficacy which, in turn, predicts variance in positive attitudes toward remote learning. When mediated by self-efficacy, significant variance in student’s favorability of sustained remote learning was explained by teaching presence (61%), social presence (64%), and cognitive presence (88%) and self-efficacy. Significant direct and indirect effects for teaching and social presence, and only direct effects for cognitive presence were observed.

Conclusions

This study establishes the Community of Inquiry and its three presence types as a relevant and stable framework for investigating sustained remote health professions teaching and learning environments, not only carefully designed online learning environments. Faculty may focus course design strategies which enhance presence and increase student self-efficacy for the sustained remote learning environment.
Relationship between three aspects of resilience—adaptive characteristics, withstanding stress, and bouncing back—in hospital workers exposed to prolonged occupational stress during the COVID-19 pandemic: a longitudinal study
Authors: Maunder Robert G. , Rosen Benjamin , Heeney Natalie D. , Jeffs Lianne P. , Merkley Jane , Wilkinson Kate , Hunter Jonathan J. , Johnstone Jennie , Greenberg Rebecca A. , Wiesenfeld Lesley A.
Published: June 2023

Background

The term resilience is used to refer to multiple related phenomena, including: (i) characteristics that promote adaptation to stressful circumstances, (ii) withstanding stress, and (iii) bouncing back quickly. There is little evidence to understand how these components of resilience are related to one another. Skills-based adaptive characteristics that can respond to training (as opposed to personality traits) have been proposed to include living authentically, finding work that aligns with purpose and values, maintaining perspective in the face of adversity, managing stress, interacting cooperatively, staying healthy, and building supportive networks. While these characteristics can be measured at a single time-point, observing responses to stress (withstanding and bouncing back) require multiple, longitudinal observations. This study’s aim is to determine the relationship between these three aspects of resilience in hospital workers during the prolonged, severe stress of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

We conducted a longitudinal survey of a cohort of 538 hospital workers at seven time-points between the fall of 2020 and the spring of 2022. The survey included a baseline measurement of skills-based adaptive characteristics and repeated measures of adverse outcomes (burnout, psychological distress, and posttraumatic symptoms). Mixed effects linear regression assessed the relationship between baseline adaptive characteristics and the subsequent course of adverse outcomes.

Results

The results showed significant main effects of adaptive characteristics and of time on each adverse outcome (all p < .001). The size of the effect of adaptive characteristics on outcomes was clinically significant. There was no significant relationship between adaptive characteristics and the rate of change of adverse outcomes over time (i.e., no contribution of these characteristics to bouncing back).

Conclusions

We conclude that training aimed at improving adaptive skills may help individuals to withstand prolonged, extreme occupational stress. However, the speed of recovery from the effects of stress depends on other factors, which may be organizational or environmental.
Tumor-secreted IFI35 promotes proliferation and cytotoxic activity of CD8+ T cells through PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in colorectal cancer
Authors: Li Peisi , Zhou Dawang , Chen Dongwen , Cheng Yikan , Chen Yuan , Lin Zhensen , Zhang Xi , Huang Zhihong , Cai Jiawei , Huang Wenfeng , Lin Yanyun , Ke Haoxian , Long Jiahui , Zou Yifeng , Ye Shubiao , Lan Ping
Published: June 2023

Background

A large proportion of the patients with cancer do not respond to immunotherapies. Recent studies suggested an important role for tumor-infiltrating cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) in enhancing response to immunotherapy. Here, we aim to identify gene that induce proliferative and cytotoxic states of CD8+ T cells, and to investigate its effect on CAR-T cells against colorectal cancer.

Methods

Correlation between the expression of IFI35 with the activation and cytotoxicity of CD8+ T cells was assessed with TCGA and proteomic databases. Then we constructed murine colon cancer cells over-expressing IFI35 and tested their effect on anti-tumor immunity in both immunodeficient and immunocompetent mouse models. Flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry were performed to assess the immune microenvironment. Western blot analysis was used to identify the potential down-stream signaling pathway regulated by IFI35. We further investigated the efficacy of the rhIFI35 protein in combination with immunotherapeutic treatment.

Results

The transcriptional and proteomic analysis of the activation and cytotoxicity of CD8+ T cells in human cancer samples demonstrated that IFI35 expression is correlated with increased CD8+ T cell infiltration and predicted a better outcome in colorectal cancer. The number and cytotoxicity of CD8+ T cells were significantly increased in IFI35-overexpressing tumors. Mechanistically, we identified that the IFNγ-STAT1-IRF7 axis stimulated IFI35 expression, and that IFI35-mediated regulation of CD8+ T cell proliferation and cytotoxicity was dependent on PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in vitro. Furthermore, IFI35 protein enhanced the efficacy of CAR-T cells against colorectal cancer cells.

Conclusion

Our findings identify IFI35 as a new biomarker that can enhance the proliferation and function of CD8+ T cells, as well as increase the efficacy of CAR-T cells against colorectal cancer cells.

Graphical Abstract
The homodimer interfaces of costimulatory receptors B7 and CD28 control their engagement and pro-inflammatory signaling
Authors: Popugailo Andrey , Rotfogel Ziv , Levy Michal , Turgeman Orli , Hillman Dalia , Levy Revital , Arad Gila , Shpilka Tomer , Kaempfer Raymond
Published: June 2023

Background

The inflammatory response is indispensable for protective immunity, yet microbial pathogens often trigger an excessive response, ‘cytokine storm’, harmful to the host. Full T-cell activation requires interaction of costimulatory receptors B7-1(CD80) and B7-2(CD86) expressed on antigen-presenting cells with CD28 expressed on the T cells. We created short peptide mimetics of the homodimer interfaces of the B7 and CD28 receptors and examined their ability to attenuate B7/CD28 coligand engagement and signaling through CD28 for inflammatory cytokine induction in human immune cells, and to protect from lethal toxic shock in vivo.

Methods

Short B7 and CD28 receptor dimer interface mimetic peptides were synthesized and tested for their ability to attenuate the inflammatory cytokine response of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, as well as for their ability to attenuate B7/CD28 intercellular receptor engagement. Mice were used to test the ability of such peptides to protect from lethal superantigen toxin challenge when administered in molar doses far below the toxin dose.

Results

B7 and CD28 homodimer interfaces are remote from the coligand binding sites, yet our finding is that by binding back into the receptor dimer interfaces, short dimer interface mimetic peptides inhibit intercellular B7-2/CD28 as well as the tighter B7-1/CD28 engagement, attenuating thereby pro-inflammatory signaling. B7 mimetic peptides exhibit tight selectivity for the cognate receptor in inhibiting intercellular receptor engagement with CD28, yet each diminishes signaling through CD28. In a prominent example of inflammatory cytokine storm, by attenuating formation of the B7/CD28 costimulatory axis, B7-1 and CD28 dimer interface mimetic peptides protect mice from lethal toxic shock induced by a bacterial superantigen even when administered in doses far submolar to the superantigen.

Conclusions

Our results reveal that the B7 and CD28 homodimer interfaces each control B7/CD28 costimulatory receptor engagement and highlight the protective potential against cytokine storm of attenuating, yet not ablating, pro-inflammatory signaling via these receptor domains.
Trends and regional variations in chronic diseases and their risk factors in China: an observational study based on National Health Service Surveys
Authors: Xue Long , Cai Min , Liu Qinqin , Ying Xiaohua , Wu Shiyong
Published: June 2023

Background

Over the past 25 years, the spectrum of diseases in China has rapidly changed from infectious to non-communicable diseases (NCDs). This study aimed to identify the prevalence of chronic diseases over the past 25 years in China and estimate the trends and changes in risk factors related to NCDs.

Methods

We conducted a descriptive analysis based on the National Health Service Survey (NHSS) from 1993 to 2018. The survey year (in parentheses) and its respective number of respondents were (1993) 215,163; (1998) 216,101; (2003) 193,689; (2008) 177,501; (2013) 273,688; and (2018) 256,304. In each survey, approximately half the participants were male. In addition, we estimated the trends in the prevalence and risk factors of NCDs from 1993 to 2018 and described their coefficient of variation in the provisions.

Results

The prevalence of NCDs has risen rapidly, from 17.0% in 1993 to 34.3% 2018. Hypertension and diabetes were the two main NCDs accounting for 53.3% in 2018. Similarly, the prevalence of hypertension and diabetes have also increased rapidly, increasing 15.1 and 27.0 times respectively from 1993 to 2018. Moreover, from 1993 to 2018, the proportion of smoking decreased from 32.0% to 24.7%, and the proportion of drinking and physical activity increased from 18.4% and 8.0% to 27.6% and 49.9%, respectively. The proportion of obesity increased from 5.4% in 2013 to 9.5% in 2018. The prevalence of NCDs in rural areas (35.2%) in 2018 was slightly higher than that in urban areas (33.5%). Changes in the prevalence of NCDs in rural were larger than those in urban. However, from 2013 to 2018, the provincial gaps for these metrics narrowed, except for that of smoking (Coefficient of Variation from 0.14 to 0.16).

Conclusions

The prevalence of NCDs increased rapidly in China and was similar in urban and rural areas in 2018. Two key risk factors (drinking and obesity) increased in prevalence, while the other two (smoking and physical inactivity) decreased. These results indicate that China is facing considerable challenges in curbing chronic diseases to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals or the Healthy China 2030 goals. The government should take more active measures to change unhealthy lifestyles, improve efficiency in risk factor management, and pay more attention and allocate more health resources to rural areas.
The use of infrared thermography for non-invasive detection of bleeding and musculoskeletal abnormalities in patients with hemophilia: an observational study
Authors: Kawasaki Ryohei , Sakata Asuka , Hosoda Chihiro , Harada Suguru , Soeda Tetsuhiro , Nishida Yukiko , Matsumoto Naoki , Tatsumi Kohei , Nogami Keiji , Yoshimura Yasushi , Shima Midori
Published: June 2023

Background

In patients with hemophilia (PwH), bleeding often occurs in joints and muscles, and early detection of hemorrhage is important to prevent the onset and progression of mobility impairment. Complex-Image analysis such as ultrasonography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging are used to detect bleeding. On the other hand, no simple and rapid method to detect the active bleeding has been reported. Local inflammatory responses occur when blood leaks from damaged vessels, and the temperature at the site of active bleeding could be expected to increase in these circumstances, leading to an increase in surrounding skin temperature. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate whether the measurement of skin temperature using infrared thermography (IRT) can be used as a diagnostic aid to detect active bleeding.

Methods

Fifteen PwH (from 6 to 82 years old) complaining of discomfort such as pain were examined. Thermal images were obtained simultaneously at the affected sides and comparable unaffected sides. The average skin temperature of the affected side and of the unaffected side were measured. The temperature differences were calculated by subtracting the average skin temperature at the unaffected side from the affected side.

Results

In eleven cases with active bleeding, the skin temperature at the affected side was more than 0.3 °C higher (0.3 °C to 1.4 °C) compared to the unaffected side. In two cases without active bleeding, there were no significant differences in skin temperature between the affected and unaffected sides. In two cases with previous rib or thumb bone fracture, the skin temperature at the affected side was 0.3 °C or 0.4 °C lower than that of the unaffected side, respectively. In two cases with active bleeding in which longitudinal evaluation was conducted, the difference in skin temperature decreased after hemostatic treatment.

Conclusion

The analysis of skin temperature deference using IRT was a useful supportive tool to readily assess musculoskeletal abnormalities and bleeding in PwH as well as to determine the success of the hemostatic treatment.
Upper cervical anterior fusion to C2 with temporary infrahyoid muscle detachment: a clinical case series and description of surgical technique
Authors: Okamoto Naoki , Okazaki Rentaro , Azuma Seiichi
Published: June 2023

Background

Anterior cervical spine surgery to C2 (ACSS-C2) is a challenging procedure that often results in postoperative persistent dysphagia or dyspnea due to injury to the internal branch of the superior laryngeal nerve (iSLN) or the relatively narrow and soft oropharynx. This study aimed to describe the surgical outcomes of our modified approach with temporary infrahyoid muscle detachment during ACSS-C2.

Methods

Patients who underwent ACSS-C2 at two institutions between June 2015 and January 2022 were prospectively enrolled. Intraoperatively, we performed temporary detachment of the infrahyoid muscle from the hyoid bone to improve laryngeal mobility and accessibility to C2. This procedure also allowed for the easy identification and preservation of the iSLN. We retrospectively investigated the surgery-related complications and outcomes of bony fusion.

Results

Twelve patients were enrolled in this study; five and seven patients underwent single- and multi-level fusion surgery, respectively. Intraoperative preservation of the iSLN and proper visualization of C2 were achieved in all cases. Subsequent decompression and instrumentation were successfully performed. Two older patients (78 and 81 years) who underwent multi-level fusion experienced transient postoperative dysphagia. None of the patients required unplanned reintubation or revision surgery because of instrumentation failure. Solid bony fusion was achieved in all cases.

Conclusions

Our modified approach with temporary infrahyoid muscle detachment during ACSS-C2 reduces the incidence of postoperative persistent dysphagia and dyspnea. However, in older patients at high risk for postoperative dysphagia, multi-level fusion should be avoided, and alternative procedures should be considered.
Identifying the function of genes involved in excreted vesicle formation in Acanthamoeba castellanii containing Legionella pneumophila
Authors: Kim Min-Jeong , Moon Eun-Kyung , Jo Hye-Jeong , Quan Fu-Shi , Kong Hyun-Hee
Published: June 2023

Background

Legionella spp. can survive and replicate inside host cells such as protozoa and macrophages. After enough growth, Legionella is released from the host cells as free legionellae or Legionella-filled vesicles. The vesicles support Legionella to survive for a long time in the environment and transmit to a new host. In this study, we identified the differentially expressed genes of Acanthamoeba infected by Legionella (ACA1_114460, ACA1_091500, and ACA1_362260) and examined their roles in the formation of the excreted vesicles and escape of Legionella from the Acanthamoeba.

Methods

After ingestion of Escherichia coli and Legionella pneumophila, expression levels of target genes in Acanthamoeba were measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. The roles of target genes were investigated by transfection of small interfering RNA (siRNA). The formation of Legionella-containing excreted vesicles and the vesicular co-localization with the lysosomes were examined by Giemsa stain and LysoTracker stain.

Results

ACA1_114460, ACA1_091500, and ACA1_362260 were upregulated after ingestion of Legionella in Acanthamoeba. ACA1_114460- and ACA1_091500-silenced Acanthamoeba failed to form the Legionella-containing excreted vesicles. Legionella was released as free legionellae from the Acanthamoeba. When the ACA1_362260 of Acanthamoeba was silenced, Legionella-containing excreted vesicles were fused with the lysosome.

Conclusions

These results indicated that ACA1_114460, ACA1_091500, and ACA1_362260 of Acanthamoeba played important roles in the formation of Legionella-containing excreted vesicles and inhibition of the lysosomal co-localization with the phagosome.

Graphical Abstract
Biotin induced biochemical hyperthyroidism: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: James Archa , Stalan Jinu , Kuzhively Jose
Published: June 2023

Background

Biotin is a commonly used supplement for hair, nail, and skin. Recent literature suggests that high-dose biotin therapy for neurological diseases like Multiple sclerosis can interfere with lab results that use biotin/streptavidin immunoassay, called biotin interference. Biotin interference can affect thyroid lab results, giving biochemical hyperthyroidism.

Case presentation

Our patient, a 64-year-old white man with a known history of multiple sclerosis, presented with elevated free T3, free T4, and low TSH that resembled hyperthyroidism. He had no symptoms of hyperthyroidism except some fatigue and tachycardia on the first encounter. He was started on anti-thyroid medications. He was then re-evaluated since his lab results remained the same after two months of anti-thyroid medications. It was found that he was on biotin, 10000mcg/day, for his multiple sclerosis. Biotin was discontinued, and five days later his lab results returned to normal values.

Conclusion

The lack of knowledge of biotin use by patients can lead to misdiagnosis of patients’ thyroid lab results and improper management. Awareness about biotin interference and abnormal thyroid lab values should be a priority among clinicians and the public. If the biotin is discontinued on time, such misdiagnosis can be avoided.
Exosome-delivered miR-153 from Trichinella spiralis promotes apoptosis of intestinal epithelial cells by downregulating Bcl2
Authors: Wang Ruibiao , Lin Lihao , Han Yang , Li Zhixin , Zhen Jingbo , Zhang Yuheng , Sun Feng , Lu Yixin
Published: June 2023

Trichinellosis, a helminthic zoonosis, exhibits a cosmopolitan distribution and is a public health concern. In previous studies, it was reported that the exosomes secreted by Trichinella spiralis larvae (TsExos) largely affected cell biological activities. miRNAs, as exosome-delivered cargoes, affect the biological activities of the host by targeting genes. The present study aimed to elucidate the mechanisms by which miRNAs interact with intestinal epithelial cells. First, a miRNA library of TsExos was constructed; then, based on high-throughput miRNA sequencing results, miR-153 and its predicted target genes, namely, Agap2, Bcl2 and Pten, were selected for follow-up studies. The dual-luciferase reporter assays revealed that miR-153 directly targeted Bcl2 and Pten. Furthermore, real-time qPCR and Western blotting revealed that only Bcl2 was downregulated by TsExo-delivered miR-153 in porcine intestinal epithelial cells (IPEC-J2). Bcl2, an important antiapoptotic protein, plays an essential role in cell apoptosis as a common intersecting molecule of various signal transduction pathways. Therefore, we hypothesized that miR-153 derived from TsExos causes cell apoptosis by targeting Bcl2. The results suggested that miR-153 could induce apoptosis, reduce mitochondrial membrane potential, affect cell proliferation, and cause damage and substantial oxidative stress. Furthermore, miR-153 coincubated with IPEC-J2 cells stimulated the accumulation of the proapoptotic proteins Bax and Bad, which belong to the Bcl2 family of proteins, and the apoptosis-implementing proteins Caspase 9 and Caspase 3. Moreover, studies have suggested that miR-153 can promote apoptosis by regulating the MAPK and p53 signalling pathways involved in apoptosis. Thus, exosome-mediated miR-153 delivery secreted by T. spiralis could induce apoptosis and affect the MAPK and p53 signalling pathways by downregulating Bcl2 in IPEC-J2 cells. The study highlights the mechanisms underlying the invasion of T. spiralis larva.
Ancient thangka Buddha face recognition based on the Dlib machine learning library and comparison with secular aesthetics
Authors: Yang Yudan , Fan Fenglei
Published: June 2023

Presently, face recognition technology is rapidly advancing and has emerged as a crucial field of research. Thangka, being a significant repository of Buddhist imagery, encompass a vast amount of Buddha image data depicting diverse Buddhist themes from various historical epochs. Accurate recognition of facial features in these Buddha images is particularly significant in comprehending the historical evolution of thangka, especially the facial features correlation between Buddha society and secular society. Hence, in this study, 68 facial feature points was employed to obtain using the Dlib deep learning library, from which 16 facial geometric feature indices were derived. These indices served as the foundation for the establishment of a facial measurement standard and aesthetic evaluation index for thangka Buddha. A meticulous evaluation and identification of thangka facial details spanning nearly a millennium were conducted, and the transformation of thangka facial features was analyzed and deliberated from a secular aesthetic perspective. Upon conducting this study, it was discovered that: (1) The deep learning library exhibited effective performance in identifying facial characteristics in thangka Buddha images, and the facial evaluation index proved to be a reliable tool for evaluating both measurement standards and aesthetics. (2) The facial measurement standards depicted in thangka Buddha images have evolved and become increasingly standardized over time, maintaining a highly symmetrical aesthetic. (3) The aesthetic of thangka facial features draw upon the secular Tibetan face as their primary reference(Euclidean distance is 0.42), however, during the 17-19th centuries, Han Chinese facial features were gradually incorporated(Euclidean distance is 0.492), and the degree of fusion between Han Chinese and Tibetan facial aesthetics has become more profound.
Atmospheric corrosion in the metal pool of Ali Qapu palace in Isfahan: an experimental study
Authors: Raoufifar Mehri , Oudbashi Omid
Published: June 2023

Isfahan, the capital of Iran during the Safavid period (1501–1736 CE), houses the Ali Qapu Palace. It was constructed during the Safavid period to be used as the royal court and a place for settling the affairs of the country. The palace was built in five stages; the final stage was the porch which contains a pool at its centre. The perimeter of the pool is made of white marble, the floor and walls are covered with metal sheets to which the marble is attached. Today, the dry pool is exposed to the urban environment of the metropolis of Isfahan. This study investigates the composition and the corrosion mechanism of the pool using optical microscopy, ICP-OES, SEM–EDS and X-ray diffraction techniques. The results show that the pool’s cover is made of a large number of sheets of copper joined together by copper and lead nails. The forging (cold-working and annealing) method was used to form the sheets. The corrosion products formed on the surface of the copper sheets are copper oxide and copper trihydroxychlorides. The mechanism of corrosion in the metal pool, including copper oxidation, is due to the formation of copper (II) compounds resulting from the reaction with Cl-contaminated airborne particulate matters (dust).
Growth Hormone Administration Improves Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Overweight/Obesity: A Randomized Trial
Authors: Dichtel Laura E , Corey Kathleen E , Haines Melanie S , Chicote Mark L , Lee Hang , Kimball Allison , Colling Caitlin , Simon Tracey G , Long Michelle T , Husseini Jad , Bredella Miriam A , Miller Karen K
Published: June 2023

Context

Overweight and obesity are associated with relative growth hormone (GH) deficiency, which has been implicated in the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NAFLD is a progressive disease without effective treatments.

Objective

We hypothesized that GH administration would reduce hepatic steatosis in individuals with overweight/obesity and NAFLD.

Methods

In this 6-month randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of low-dose GH administration, 53 adults aged 18 to 65 years with BMI ≥25 kg/m2 and NAFLD without diabetes were randomized to daily subcutaneous GH or placebo, targeting insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) to the upper normal quartile. The primary endpoint was intrahepatic lipid content (IHL) by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) assessed before treatment and at 6 months.

Results

Subjects were randomly assigned to a treatment group (27 GH; 26 placebo), with 41 completers (20 GH and 21 placebo) at 6 months. Reduction in absolute % IHL by 1H-MRS was significantly greater in the GH vs placebo group (mean ± SD: −5.2 ± 10.5% vs 3.8 ± 6.9%; P = .009), resulting in a net mean treatment effect of −8.9% (95% CI, −14.5 to −3.3%). All side effects were similar between groups, except for non-clinically significant lower extremity edema, which was more frequent in the GH vs placebo group (21% vs 0%, P = .02). There were no study discontinuations due to worsening of glycemic status, and there were no significant differences in change in glycemic measures or insulin resistance between the GH and placebo groups.

Conclusion

GH administration reduces hepatic steatosis in adults with overweight/obesity and NAFLD without worsening glycemic measures. The GH/IGF-1 axis may lead to future therapeutic targets for NAFLD.
Does Cardiorespiratory Fitness Protect Memory from Sleep Deprivation?
Authors: AYOTTE BEATRICE , CRISTINI JACOPO , LOTLIKAR MADHURA , PARWANTA ZOHRA , COSSETTE PHILIPPE , GASPAROVIC LEAH , YEE-WONG MEGHAN , HE QI YUE , DOYON JULIEN , DAL MASO FABIEN , CARRIER JULIE , STEIB SIMON , ROBERTSON EDWIN M. , ROIG MARC
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Animal studies have demonstrated that physical exercise can protect memory from the effects of sleep deprivation (SD). We examined whether having a high cardiorespiratory fitness (V̇O2peak) is associated with an enhanced capacity to encode episodic memory after one night of SD.

Methods

Twenty-nine healthy young participants were allocated into either an SD group (n = 19) that underwent 30 h of uninterrupted wakefulness, or a sleep control (SC) group (n = 10) that followed a regular sleep routine. Following either the SD or SC period, participants were asked to view 150 images as the encoding part of the episodic memory task. Ninety-six hours after viewing the images, participants returned to the laboratory to perform the recognition part of the episodic memory task, which required the visual discrimination of the 150 images previously presented from 75 new images introduced as distractors. Cardiorespiratory fitness (V̇O2peak) was assessed with a bike ergometer graded exercise test. Group differences in memory performance were assessed with independent t tests and associations between V̇O2peak and memory with multiple linear regression.

Results

The SD group showed a significant increase in subjective fatigue (mean difference [MD] [standard error {SE}] = 38.94 [8.82]; P = 0.0001) and a worse capacity to identify the original 150 images (MD [SE] = −0.18 [0.06]; P = 0.005) and discriminate them from distractors (MD [SE] = −0.78 [0.21] P = 0.001). When adjusted for fatigue, higher V̇O2peak was significantly associated with better memory scores in the SD (R2 = 0.41; β [SE] = 0.03 [0.01]; P = 0.015) but not in the SC group (R
2 = 0.23; β [SE] = 0.02 [0.03]; P = 0.408).

Conclusions

These results confirm that SD before encoding impairs the capacity to create robust episodic memories and provide preliminary support to the hypothesis that maintaining high levels of cardiorespiratory fitness could have a protective effect against the disruptive effects of sleep loss on memory.
Practice-Induced Changes in Manual Dexterity of Older Adults Depend on Initial Pegboard Time
Authors: DANESHGAR SAJJAD , TVRDY TAYLOR , ENOKA ROGER M.
Published: June 2023

Introduction

The purpose of our study was to determine the influence of practice on the pegboard times and peg-manipulation phases of older adults who were classified as having either slow or fast initial pegboard times.

Methods

Participants (n = 26, 70 ± 6.6 yr) completed two evaluation sessions and six practice sessions in which they performed 25 trials (5 blocks of 5 trials) of the grooved pegboard test. All practice sessions were supervised, and the time to complete each trial was recorded. In each evaluation session, the pegboard was mounted on a force transducer so that the downward force applied to the board could be measured.

Results

Participants were stratified into two groups based on the initial time to complete the grooved pegboard test: a fast group (68.1 ± 6.0 s) and a slow group (89.6 ± 9.2 s). Both groups exhibited the classic two-phase profile (acquisition + consolidation) for learning a de novo motor skill. Despite the similar learning profile for the two groups, there were differences between groups in the phases of the peg-manipulation cycle that became faster with practice. The fast group seemed to reduce trajectory variability when transporting the peg, whereas the slow group seemed to exhibit both a decrease in trajectory variability and greater precision when inserting pegs into the holes.

Conclusions

The changes underlying practice-induced decreases in grooved pegboard time differed for older adults who initially had either a fast or a slow pegboard time.
Working Their Way Up? US Immigrants’ Changing Labor Market Assimilation in the Age of Mass Migration
Authors: Collins William J. , Zimran Ariell
Published: June 2023

Whether immigrants advance in labor markets during their lifetimes relative to natives is a fundamental question in the economics of immigration. We examine linked census records for five cohorts spanning 1850–1940, when immigration to the United States was at its peak. We find a U-shaped pattern of assimilation: immigrants were “catching up” to natives in the early and later cohorts, but not in between. This change was not due to shifts in immigrants’ source countries. Instead, it was rooted in men’s early-career occupations, which we associate with structural change, strengthening complementarities, and large immigration waves in the 1840s and 1900s. (JEL J15, J24, J61, J82, N31, N32)
Διερεύνηση των αντιλήψεων μαθητών Δ.Ε. σχετικά με την έννοια της Βιώσιμης Ανάπτυξης και κατά πόσο τα φυτά μπορούν να συμβάλλουν στην επίτευξη των στόχων αυτής
Authors: Ντρίνια Αντωνία , Αμπράζης Αλέξανδρος , Παπαδοπούλου Πηνελόπη
Published: June 2023

Από το 1987 που ορίστηκε πρώτη φορά η έννοια της Βιώσιμης Ανάπτυξης έως σήμερα, έχει διατηρηθεί στο διεθνές προσκήνιο και έχει ευρεία αποδοχή. Τις τελευταίες δεκαετίες ενσωματώνεται και στην εκπαίδευση ως μέσο επίτευξης ενός βιώσιμου μέλλοντος. Σκοπός της παρούσας εργασίας είναι να διερευνηθούν οι απόψεις μαθητών 16-17 ετών σχετικά με την Βιώσιμη Ανάπτυξη και τη συμβολή των φυτών σε αυτήν. Για τη συλλογή ποιοτικών και ποσοτικών δεδομένων χρησιμοποιήθηκε ερωτηματολόγιο. Τα αποτελέσματα δείχνουν ότι η πλειοψηφία των μαθητών αδυνατεί να ορίσει τη Βιώσιμη Ανάπτυξη. Ως προς τα φυτά θεωρούν ότι συμβάλλουν θετικά στη Βιώσιμη Ανάπτυξη.
Specyfika i miejsce eksponatów „prywatnych” w procesie narracyjnym — na przykładzie doświadczeń Domu Kuncewiczów w Kazimierzu Dolnym
Authors: Januszek-Surdacka Maria
Published: June 2023

Dom Kuncewiczów – oddział Muzeum Nadwiślańskiego w Kazimierzu Dolnym to muzeum literackie, stworzone w dawnej willi Marii i Jerzego Kuncewiczów. To specyficzna przestrzeń, w której znajdują się nietypowe eksponaty. Kolekcję tworzą przedmioty gromadzone przez rodzinę Kuncewiczów. To pamiątki z podróży, prezenty od przyjaciół, rzeczy osobiste, a nawet garderoba Marii Kuncewiczowej. Każdy eksponat jest dla pracowników muzeum osobnym tropem narracyjnym. Z tymi eksponatami są związane historie rodziny Kuncewiczów, ale także twórców tych przedmiotów (np. obrazy, meble). Często są to nieznane historie. Rekonstruujemy narrację eksponatów, a następnie wykorzystujemy je do przygotowania tekstów popularno-naukowych oraz edukacyjnych, wzbogacając tym samym wiedzę o dawnych mieszkańcach Domu Kuncewiczów i ich przyjaciołach, ale także odkrywamy interesujące fakty, związane z Kazimierzem Dolnym i istniejącą tu w latach 20. i 30. XX wieku kolonią artystyczną.Dom Kuncewiczów – oddział Muzeum Nadwiślańskiego w Kazimierzu Dolnym to muzeum literackie, stworzone w dawnej willi Marii i Jerzego Kuncewiczów. To specyficzna przestrzeń, w której znajdują się nietypowe eksponaty. Kolekcję tworzą przedmioty gromadzone przez rodzinę Kuncewiczów. To pamiątki z podróży, prezenty od przyjaciół, rzeczy osobiste, a nawet garderoba Marii Kuncewiczowej. Każdy eksponat jest dla pracowników muzeum osobnym tropem narracyjnym. Z tymi eksponatami są związane historie rodziny Kuncewiczów, ale także twórców tych przedmiotów (np. obrazy, meble). Często są to nieznane historie. Rekonstruujemy narrację eksponatów, a następnie wykorzystujemy je do przygotowania tekstów popularno-naukowych oraz edukacyjnych, wzbogacając tym samym wiedzę o dawnych mieszkańcach Domu Kuncewiczów i ich przyjaciołach, ale także odkrywamy interesujące fakty, związane z Kazimierzem Dolnym i istniejącą tu w latach 20. i 30. XX wieku kolonią artystyczną.
Concepts of and Proposals for Constitutional Reforms in the Views of Polish Political Societies in Exile in 1830s: The Case of Young Poland
Authors: Konarski Marcin
Published: June 2023

The article analyses the concepts of and proposals for constitutional reforms put forward by one of the Polish democratic political groups, which was established in exile after the fall of the November Uprising (1830-1831). Young Poland, which was a part of an international conspiratorial organisation founded by Giuseppe Mazzini (Young Europe), an organisation marked by revolutionary democratism, which, according to Polish emigrants, meant primarily striving for national character, seeing its goal in regaining national independence lost by Poland as a result of partitions. In addition, however, the concepts of members of Young Poland strongly emphasized both Christian and Utopian socialist themes. The foundation of these concepts referred to republican ideas that arose from the Great French Revolution and were based on the principles of freedom, equality and fraternity.
Selected Aspects of Transformation of Textile Elements of Firemen's Personal Protection
Authors: Robert Marcin Wolański  , Anna Rabajczyk
Published: June 2023

Aim: The purpose of the article is to present selected problems related to the directions of changes in the clothing that is the equipment of the rescuer firefighter and that is part of standard personal protective equipment. Introduction: Development in technology and the economy is resulting in products with increasingly complex structures in our environment. In the event of a fire, substances can be emitted that threaten the health and life of the firefighter. Therefore, personal protective equipment used by firefighters (including clothing) must be constantly adapted to the changing environment. Both the fibres and the structure or layering of the garment are modified. Increasingly, users of these products expect adequate resistance to biological and chemical agents. This is a result of the increasing number of factors that pose a risk when firefighters are working. Despite the clothing modifications used to date, it is still not possible to exclude the risk of toxic substanc- es, such as polyaromatic hydrocarbons, which are products of combustion in a fire environment, and acid gases penetrating the firefighter’s skin. The simultaneous exposure to radiant heat in the fire environment and the physical work performed by the firefighter significantly intensify the heat and mass exchange in the personal protection. Therefore, the interaction of protective structures with the rescuer’s body is playing an increasingly important role. Modifications based on nanotechnology are being used to make garments more resistant while maintaining or even reducing their weight. However, it should be pointed out that sometimes the changes concern one aspect, such as humidity, to the exclusion of other hazards arising from the physical and chemical characteristics of the substances emitted during the event. Methodology: The article is based on a review of selected literature on the topic covered. Conclusions: Modifications made to the fibres or to the structure and composition of the garment make it possible to obtain a product with improved performance in terms of protecting the firefighter. It is important to note, however, that they should consider all possible exposure pathways and not focus on one selected parameter. Therefore, further work is needed to adapt clothing to the emerging risks. Keywords: innovations, firefighter’s personal protective equipment, firefighter’s special clothing
Áfallastjórnun í Mýrdalshreppi vegna Covid-19 faraldursins og þýðing stuðningsaðgerða stjórnvalda fyrir sveitarfélagið
Authors: Hannesdóttir Hugrún , Bernharðsdóttir Ásthildur Elva
Published: June 2023

Þessi tilviksrannsókn beinir sjónum að hvernig fámennt sveitarfélag á landsbyggðinni, Mýrdalshreppur, tókst á við hið erfiða samfélagslega áfall sem fólst í Covid-19 faraldrinum en sveitarfélagið var eitt þeirra sem urðu fyrir hvað mestum efnahagslegum samdrætti vegna faraldursins. Auk greiningar á aðgerðum sveitarstjórnar voru dregin fram áhrif stuðningsaðgerða stjórnvalda til atvinnulífs sveitarfélagsins. Áfallastjórnun mótar hinn fræðilega grunn sem og greiningarramma rannsóknar og var leitað svara við rannsóknarspurningum með viðtölum við 14 viðbragðsaðila og heimamenn í Mýrdalshreppi. Meginniðurstöður sýndu að stuðningur stjórnvalda hefði haft mikla þýðingu, bæði aðgerðir á landsvísu og sértæki stuðningurinn sem Mýrdalshreppi var veittur. Faraldurinn var mikil áskorun fyrir atvinnulífið í sveitarfélaginu en sveitarstjórn tók þá ákvörðun strax við upphaf hans að gefa í hvað framkvæmdir varðaði, sem varð heilladrjúgt. Sýnilegar framkvæmdir höfðu jákvæð áhrif og upplifðu íbúar sértækan stuðning stjórnvalda sem viðurkenningu á því að þeirra staða væri sérstaklega erfið. Samstaða íbúa var mikil en áskoranir vegna mikillar íbúaþróunar eru verulegar, til framtíðar litið.
State capacity and the unplanned decline of Venezuela’s petro-state: reflections for sustainable transitions and the Green New Deal
Authors: Rosales Antulio , Clark Patrick
Published: June 2023

Venezuela has historically been one of the world’s largest oil producers and has the largest crude reserves. However, the country has experienced a dramatic political and economic crisis over the past decade that has decimated its oil industry. Venezuela’s production shrunk sharply in the past six years, oil exports have declined and the country is now a marginal producer in global markets. This crisis has taken place amid a process of autocratic political consolidation and the establishment of a predatory political economy. This article focuses on this crisis and interrogates to what extent it can pave the way to a sustainable move away from oil dependence in dialogue with recent debates on sustainable transition processes. Building on the intersections of Global Political Economy and environmental politics, we highlight the importance of interconnecting links across state, society and international actors in viable sustainability transitions, such as proposals for Green New Deal(s) in different national contexts. Our analysis of the Venezuelan case subsequently highlights the absence of these capacities. We argue that contemporary Venezuela underscores the risks and costs of post-oil energy transitions in rentier states. Contemporary Venezuela is thus a cautionary tale for resource-dependent economies that may also undergo post-oil transitions in the future due to shifting global conditions but likewise lack the necessary state capacity to respond and adapt.
High precision 3D imaging with timing corrected single photon LiDAR
Authors: Zhang Cheng , Wang Yupeng , Yin Yongkai , Sun Baoqing
Published: June 2023

Single photon light detection and ranging (LiDAR) is an important technique for high precision long distance three-dimensional (3D) imaging. However, due to the effects and native limitations of system components, there exists ranging errors when using LiDAR system. For the LiDAR system that requires trigger detector to provide synchronization signals, the fluctuation of laser pulse energy causes the change of the initial time of the constant threshold triggered timing module, and subsequently leads to the ranging error. In this paper, we build a dual SPADs LiDAR system to avoid the ranging error caused by the fluctuation of laser pulse energy. By adding a reference optical path, the flight time of signal photons is corrected by reference photons, so as to realize the correction of ranging. A series of experiments demonstrate that the proposed LiDAR system has the capability of high precision ranging and 3D imaging. The system achieves range of error of 0.15 mm and range resolution of 0.3 mm at a distance of 29 m.
Experimental OFDM transmission performance analysis in a SOA - fiber cavity laser
Authors: Hassanieh Raed El , Morel Pascal , Hamze Mohamad , Quintard Veronique , Perennou Andre , Sharaiha Ammar
Published: June 2023

In this article, we present an experimental study of OFDM transmission using a specific bi-directional fiber cavity laser based on a semiconductor optical amplifier. We show that in the presence of sinusoidal modulation, its frequency response presents resonances relative to the optical cavity modes. We investigate first the performance of the system in terms of Error Vector Magnitude (EVM) for different configurations relative to the frequency position of the OFDM sub-carriers with respect to the frequency interval of the resonant modes. The obtained results show a significant improvement in the OFDM transmission EVM by increasing the OFDM subcarriers per frequency interval. We then analyze the impact of inter-symbol interference and inter-frame interference on the system's performance due to the round-trip echo and propose a pre-compensation method that added a small percentage of the previous symbol inversed before transmitting it inside the cavity where a decrease in the EVM is obtained respectively from 21.4% to 9.6% and from 26.8% to 13.2% for 4-QAM and 16-QAM data transmission.
Conventional photon blockade in the dispersive limit for Tavis-Cummings model
Authors: Hou Rui , Zhang Wei , Wang Dong-Yang , Su Shi-Lei , Han Xue , Wang Hong-Fu , Zhang Shou
Published: June 2023

In the dispersive limit, the conventional photon blockade effect cannot be realized due to the absence of photon nonlinearity. We propose a scheme to recover the photon blockade effect of the dispersive Tavis-Cummings model, which makes it possible to realize the conventional photon blockade effect in the dispersive limit. It is shown that both single-photon and two-photon blockade effects can be recovered at appropriate qubit driving strength. The optimal qubit drive strength and cavity field drive detuning are given analytically. All analyses can be verified by numerical simulation, and the strongest photon blockade effect with the largest average photon number can be produced when the single excitation resonance condition is satisfied. Moreover, we find that the achieved two-photon blockade effect is relatively robust to thermal noise. Our proposal is able to obtain single-photon sources with high purity and high brightness and has great potential for applications in quantum communication processing.