bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Construct validity of the OCTOPuS stratification algorithm for allocating patients with knee osteoarthritis into subgroups
Authors: Knoop Jesper , Ostelo Raymond W. J. G. , van der Esch Martin , de Zwart Arjan , Bennell Kim L. , van der Leeden Marike , Dekker Joost
Published: July 2021

Background

We recently developed a model of stratified exercise therapy, consisting of (i) a stratification algorithm allocating patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) into one of the three subgroups (‘high muscle strength subgroup’ representing a post-traumatic phenotype, ‘low muscle strength subgroup’ representing an age-induced phenotype, and ‘obesity subgroup’ representing a metabolic phenotype) and (ii) subgroup-specific exercise therapy. In the present study, we aimed to test the construct validity of this algorithm.

Methods

Data from five studies (four exercise therapy trial cohorts and one cross-sectional cohort) were used to test the construct validity of our algorithm by 63 a priori formulated hypotheses regarding three research questions: (i) are the proportions of patients in each subgroup similar across cohorts? (15 hypotheses); (ii) are the characteristics of each of the subgroups in line with their proposed underlying phenotypes? (30 hypotheses); (iii) are the effects of usual exercise therapy in the 3 subgroups in line with the proposed effect sizes? (18 hypotheses).

Results

Baseline data from a total of 1211 patients with knee OA were analyzed for the first and second research question, and follow-up data from 584 patients who were part of an exercise therapy arm within a trial for the third research question. In total, the vast majority (73%) of the hypotheses were confirmed. Regarding our first research question, we found similar proportions in each of the three subgroups across cohorts, especially for three cohorts. Regarding our second research question, subgroup characteristics were almost completely in line with the proposed underlying phenotypes. Regarding our third research question, usual exercise therapy resulted in similar, medium to large effect sizes for knee pain and physical function for all three subgroups.

Conclusion

We found mixed results regarding the construct validity of our stratification algorithm. On the one hand, it is a valid instrument to consistently allocate patients into subgroups that aligned our hypotheses. On the other hand, in contrast to our hypotheses, subgroups did not differ substantially in effects of usual exercise therapy. An ongoing trial will assess whether this algorithm accompanied by subgroup-specific exercise therapy improves clinical and economic outcomes.
miR-198 inhibits the progression of renal cell carcinoma by targeting BIRC5
Authors: Yuan Chao , Su Zhenhong , Liao Shengjie , Li Duanzhuo , Zhou Zhiwen , Wang Yawen , Quan Mingchun , Zeng Lingling , Lv Cai , Shen Chenyi , Gong Weida , Wu Jianfeng , Chen Xiaogang , Hu Wenbing , Lv Xu , Si Wenxia , Yu Xin
Published: July 2021

Background

miR-198 is involved in the formation, migration, invasion, and metastasis of various malignant cancers. However, the function and mechanism of action of miR-198 in the tumorigenesis of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) remain elusive. Here, we aimed to explore the role of miR198 in RCC.

Methods

Immunohistochemistry was performed to estimate the level of survivin in RCC sections. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to determine the expression level of miR-198 in fresh RCC tissues. Furthermore, the target relationship between miR-198 and BIRC5 was predicted using the TargetScanHuman 7.2 database and verified via dual-luciferase reporter assay and western blotting. The effects of miR-198 on the viability, apoptosis, invasion, and migration of A498 and ACHN cells were studied using Cell Counting Kit-8, flow cytometry, transwell migration assay, and wound healing assay, respectively. Additionally, a xenograft nude mouse model was established to evaluate the effect of miR-198 on RCC tumorigenesis.

Results

The expression levels ofBIRC5and miR-198 were respectively higher and lower in RCC tissues than those in normal adjacent tissues. Furthermore, miR-198 could inhibit luciferase activity and reduce the protein level of survivin without affecting the BIRC5 mRNA levels. miR-198 inhibited cell viability, migration, and invasion and promoted cell apoptosis; co-transfection withBIRC5could rescue these effects. Moreover, miR-198 could repress tumor growth in the xenograft nude mouse model of RCC.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrates that miR-198 suppresses RCC progression by targetingBIRC5.
Sarcopenia associates with SNAP-25 SNPs and a miRNAs profile which is modulated by structured rehabilitation treatment
Authors: Agostini Simone , Mancuso Roberta , Costa Andrea Saul , Guerini Franca Rosa , Trecate Fabio , Miglioli Rossella , Menna Elisabetta , Arosio Beatrice , Clerici Mario ,   the SA. M. B. A. project
Published: July 2021

Background

Sarcopenia is a loss of muscle mass and strength causing disability, morbidity, and mortality in older adults, which is characterized by alterations of the neuromuscular junctions (NMJs). SNAP-25 is essential for the maintenance of NMJ integrity, and the expression of this protein was shown to be modulated by the SNAP-25 rs363050 polymorphism and by a number of miRNAs.

Methods

We analysed these parameters in a cohort of sarcopenic patients undergoing structured rehabilitation. The rs363050 genotype frequency distribution was analyzed in 177 sarcopenic patients and 181 healthy controls (HC). The concentration of seven miRNAs (miR-451a, miR-425-5p, miR155-5p, miR-421-3p, miR-495-3p, miR-744-5p and miR-93-5p), identified by mouse brain miRNome analysis to be differentially expressed in wild type compared to SNAP-25± heterozygous mice, was analyzed as well by droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) in a subgroup of severe sarcopenic patients undergoing rehabilitation.

Results

The SNAP-25 rs363050 AA genotype was significantly more common in sarcopenic patients compared to HC (pc = 0.01); miR-451a was significantly up-regulated in these patients before rehabilitation. Rehabilitation modified miRNAs expression, as miR-155-5p, miR-421-3p, miR-451a, miR-425-5p, miR-744-5p and miR-93-5p expression was significantly up-regulated (p < 0.01), whereas that of miR-495-3p was significantly down-regulated (p < 0.001) by rehabilitation. Notably, rehabilitation-associated improvement of the muscle-skeletal SPPB score was significantly associated with the reduction of miR-451a expression.

Conclusion

These results support the hypothesis of a role for SNAP-25 in sarcopenia and suggest SNAP-25-associated miRNAs as circulatory biomarkers of rehabilitative outcome for sarcopenia.
Assessment of seawater bacterial infection in rabbit tibia by Illumina MiSeq sequencing and bacterial culture
Authors: Wang Du , Zheng Qingcong , Lv Qi , Zhang Chaofan , Zheng Yun , Chen Huidong , Zhang Wenming
Published: July 2021

Objectives

We aimed to explore the bacterial community composition following ocean bacterial infection using an animal model.

Methods

This animal-based experiment was conducted from September 2019 to November 2019. Eighteen seawater filter membranes were collected from Changle City, Fujiian Province, China, on September 8, 2019. Ten filter membranes were used for implantation. Eight filter membranes that were used in the bacterial culture for the exploration of seawater bacteria were assigned to the seawater group (SG). Fourteen healthy adult New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into the experimental group (EG) and control group (CG). Seawater filter membranes and asepsis membranes were implanted into the tibia in the EG and CG, respectively. One week after surgery, tibial bone pathology tissues were collected and assessed using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Medullary cavity tissues were collected for the performance of Illumina MiSeq sequencing and bacterial culture. The differences between EG and CG were assessed by pathological observation under light microscopy and SEM, high-throughput bacterial sequencing, and bacterial culture.

Results

Compared with the CG, the infection rate was 100%, and the mortality value was 20% after the implantation of the filter membranes in the EG. Both light microscopy and SEM showed that a large number of bacteria were distributed in the bone marrow cavity after ocean bacterial infection. No bacterial growth was found in the CG. Illumina MiSeq sequencing found that Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Thermotogae, Fusobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Actinobacteria were the dominant bacteria at the phylum level and Clostridium_sensu_stricto_7, Haloimpatiens, Clostridium_sensu_stricto_15, Clostridiaceae_1, Clostridium_sensu_stricto_18, and Oceanotoga were the dominant bacteria in genus level among the EG. In the bacterial culture of the medullary cavity tissues, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Shewanella algae, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter cloacae, and Vibrio vulnificus were the predominant infective species. Moreover, compared with the SG, the EG showed a higher detection rate of E. coli and S. aureus (P = 0.008 and P = 0.001, respectively). The detection rates of V. alginolyticus, V. parahaemolyticus, and V. fluvialis were higher in the SG than the EG (P = 0.007, P = 0.03, and P = 0.03, respectively).

Conclusions

Our model, which was comprehensively evaluated using four techniques: histopathology and SEM observation, gene detection, and bacteria culture, provides a scientific basis for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of patients in such settings.
Molecular and morphological phylogeny of host-specific Dactylogyrus parasites (Monogenea) sheds new light on the puzzling Middle Eastern origin of European and African lineages
Authors: Benovics Michal , Nejat Farshad , Abdoli Asghar , Šimková Andrea
Published: July 2021

Background

Freshwater fauna of the Middle East encompass elements shared with three continents—Africa, Asia, and Europe—and the Middle East is, therefore, considered a historical geographic crossroad between these three regions. Even though various dispersion scenarios have been proposed to explain the current distribution of cyprinids in the peri-Mediterranean, all of them congruently suggest an Asian origin for this group. Herein, we investigated the proposed scenarios using monogenean parasites of the genus Dactylogyrus, which is host-specific to cyprinoid fishes.

Methods

A total of 48 Dactylogyrus species parasitizing cyprinids belonging to seven genera were used for molecular phylogenetic reconstruction. Taxonomically important morphological features, i.e., sclerotized elements of the attachment organ, were further evaluated to resolve ambiguous relationships between individual phylogenetic lineages. For 37 species, sequences of partial genes coding 18S and 28S rRNA, and the ITS1 region were retrieved from GenBank. Ten Dactylogyrus species collected from Middle Eastern cyprinoids and D. falciformis were de novo sequenced for the aforementioned molecular markers.

Results

The phylogenetic reconstruction divided all investigated Dactylogyrus species into four phylogenetic clades. The first one encompassed species with the “varicorhini” type of haptoral ventral bar with a putative origin linked to the historical dispersion of cyprinids via the North African coastline. The second clade included the majority of the investigated species parasitizing various phylogenetically divergent cyprinid hosts. The morphological and molecular data suggest the ancestral diversification of the species of this clade into two groups: (1) the group possessing the haptoral ventral bar of the “cornu” type, and (2) the group possessing the “wunderi” type. Dactylogyrus diversification apparently occurred in the Middle East, which is indicated by the presence of species with all morphotypes in the region. The last two clades included species parasitizing cyprinids with an East Asian origin, and species possessing the “magnihamatus” type of ventral bar.

Conclusions

The molecular data suggest that some morphological characters of host-specific parasites may undergo convergent evolution in the divergent lineages, and therefore, to fully resolve the phylogenetic relationships among host-specific parasites, an integrative approach combining morphological and molecular data is still needed. In addition, our study indicates that parasite diversity in many regions is still under-explored, and thus we highlight the importance of studies of host-associated parasites, especially in the context of freshwater fish biogeography.

Graphical Abstract
Ileoileal knotting: a rare cause of intestinal obstruction: a case report
Authors: Mohammed Yusuf , Tesfaye Kirubel
Published: July 2021

Background

Ileoileal knotting is one of the rarest causes of intestinal obstruction. The pathology involves knotting of the ileum around itself, leading to mechanical intestinal obstruction that can rapidly evolve to gangrene.

Case presentation

Here we will discuss the case of an 18-year-old Oromo girl who presented with sudden onset of severe abdominal pain and signs of generalized peritonitis.Ultrasound examination showed massive peritoneal and cul-de-sac fluid. Explorative laparotomy was done, with a tentative diagnosis of ruptured ovarian cyst. Intraoperative finding was a gangrenous ileoileal knot. The gangrenous segment was resected and ileotransverse anastomosis done. Postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged improved on the sixth postoperative day.

Conclusion

We present this case to highlight the diagnostic difficulty that one can face in females of child-bearing age and to create awareness of this rare cause of intestinal obstruction, as morbidity and mortality are very high because of rapid progression to gangrene.
ResidueFinder: extracting individual residue mentions from protein literature
Authors: Becker Ton E , Jakobsson Eric
Published: July 2021

Background

The revolution in molecular biology has shown how protein function and structure are based on specific sequences of amino acids. Thus, an important feature in many papers is the mention of the significance of individual amino acids in the context of the entire sequence of the protein. MutationFinder is a widely used program for finding mentions of specific mutations in texts. We report on augmenting the positive attributes of MutationFinder with a more inclusive regular expression list to create ResidueFinder, which finds mentions of native amino acids as well as mutations. We also consider parameter options for both ResidueFinder and MutationFinder to explore trade-offs between precision, recall, and computational efficiency. We test our methods and software in full text as well as abstracts.

Results

We find there is much more variety of formats for mentioning residues in the entire text of papers than in abstracts alone. Failure to take these multiple formats into account results in many false negatives in the program. Since MutationFinder, like several other programs, was primarily tested on abstracts, we found it necessary to build an expanded regular expression list to achieve acceptable recall in full text searches. We also discovered a number of artifacts arising from PDF to text conversion, which we wrote elements in the regular expression library to address. Taking into account those factors resulted in high recall on randomly selected primary research articles. We also developed a streamlined regular expression (called “cut”) which enables a several hundredfold speedup in both MutationFinder and ResidueFinder with only a modest compromise of recall. All regular expressions were tested using expanded F-measure statistics, i.e., we computeFβfor various values of where the larger the value ofβthe more recall is weighted, the smaller the value ofβthe more precision is weighted.

Conclusions

ResidueFinder is a simple, effective, and efficient program for finding individual residue mentions in primary literature starting with text files, implemented in Python, and available in SourceForge.net. The most computationally efficient versions of ResidueFinder could enable creation and maintenance of a database of residue mentions encompassing all articles in PubMed.
Synthesis of ellagic acid glucoside using glucansucrase from Leuconostoc and characterization of this glucoside as a functional neuroprotective agent
Authors: Yu Hyejin , Jeong Hana , Yang Kwang-Yeol , Cho Jeong-Yong , Hong In Ki , Nam Seung-Hee
Published: July 2021

Ellagic acid glucoside was synthesized via transglucosylation using sucrose and glucansucrase derived from Leuconostoc mesenteroides B-512 FMCM. After such enzymatic synthesis, the product was purified by 50% ethyl acetate fraction and C18 column chromatography. Modification of ellagic acid glucoside was verified by LC–MS/MS at m/z 485.1 (M + Na)− and m/z 531.1 (M + 3Na)−. The yield of ellagic acid glucoside was 69% (3.47 mM) by response surface methodology using 150 mM sucrose, 300 mU/mL glucansucrase, and 5 mM ellagic acid. The synthesized ellagic acid glucoside showed improved water solubility, up to 58% higher brain nerve cell (SH-SY5Y) protective effect, threefold higher cortisol reducing effect, and fourfold stronger inhibitory effect on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) than ellagic acid. These results indicate that ellagic acid glucoside could be used as a neuroprotective agent.
The boundedness of commutators of rough p-adic fractional Hardy type operators on Herz-type spaces
Authors: Hussain Amjad , Sarfraz Naqash , Khan Ilyas , Alsubie Abdelaziz , Hamadneh Nawaf N.
Published: July 2021

In this paper, we obtain some inequalities about commutators of a roughp-adic fractional Hardy-type operator on Herz-type spaces when the symbol functions belong to two different function spaces.
Numerical Modelling of Reinforced Concrete Slender Walls Subjected to Coupled Axial Tension–Flexure
Authors: Cheng Xiaowei , Zhang Haoyou
Published: July 2021

Under strong earthquakes, reinforced concrete (RC) walls in high-rise buildings, particularly in wall piers that form part of a coupled or core wall system, may experience coupled axial tension–flexure loading. In this study, a detailed finite element model was developed in VecTor2 to provide an effective tool for the further investigation of the seismic behaviour of RC walls subjected to axial tension and cyclic lateral loading. The model was verified using experimental data from recent RC wall tests under axial tension and cyclic lateral loading, and results showed that the model can accurately capture the overall response of RC walls. Additional analyses were conducted using the developed model to investigate the effect of key design parameters on the peak strength, ultimate deformation capacity and plastic hinge length of RC walls under axial tension and cyclic lateral loading. On the basis of the analysis results, useful information were provided when designing or assessing the seismic behaviour of RC slender walls under coupled axial tension–flexure loading.
Migration diffusivity as a controlling factor in the duration of earthquake swarms
Authors: Amezawa Yuta , Maeda Takuto , Kosuga Masahiro
Published: July 2021

Earthquake swarms exhibit highly uncertain temporal behavior. We investigated the relationship between the swarm duration and the diffusivity of hypocenter migration for triggered earthquake swarms in northeastern Japan. These parameters were systematically estimated by applying a diffusion model and using a unified definition of time windows for the initial and final stages of swarm activity. This approach detected a clear negative correlation between the diffusivity and swarm durations. The relation follows a power-law with an exponent of $$-\,0.5$$

-

0.5

to $$-\,1.0$$

-

1.0

. Examination of published data confirmed that this relationship globally holds under various localities and tectonic environments. These results suggest that diffusivity, and by extension, crustal permeability and fluid viscosity play a key role in controlling the duration of the fluid-driven swarms.
A two-parameter hazard function to describe age patterns of mortality in ancient Northwestern Europe
Authors: La Poutré Hugo J. P. , Janssen Fanny
Published: July 2021

When seeking to describe the age patterns of mortality for ancient populations, researchers are often confronted with small sample sizes or with missing data for several age groups. The traditional approach to dealing with these challenges is to smooth or complement such patterns by matching them to a model life table, either directly or through the Brass logit transformation. This procedure requires an appropriate model life table, which may not be available. We propose a hazard model that is both flexible enough to accurately describe an age pattern of mortality in ancient Northwestern Europe and restrictive enough to complement incomplete data. This paper presents a hazard function that contains four free-to-choose parameters. Tested against a large collection of life tables for northwestern European countries from the 17th to the 21st century, the number of free-to-choose parameters is stepwise reduced from four to only two. Compared with the Brass logit transformation with the Princeton Model West as its reference, the presented two-parameter hazard model is shown to fit the abovementioned dataset much better. The mean fitting error is found to be half the size. Moreover, this model is shown to fit a 13th-century mortality age pattern much better. The proposed two-parameter hazard model is capable of fitting a wide range of age patterns of mortality more closely than the traditional approach can. We therefore conclude that the proposed model facilitates the smoothing and the completion of age patterns of mortality in ancient Northwestern Europe even if they deviate substantially from well-documented patterns.
A comparison of cognitive performances between neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder and multiple sclerosis patients in Indian context
Authors: Kumar Swati , Gangopadhyay Goutam , Biswas Atanu , Dubey Souvik , Pandit Alak , Das Shambaditya , Ray Biman Kanti
Published: July 2021

Background

To compare the frequency and pattern of cognitive impairment in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and multiple sclerosis (MS) patients.

Results

Twenty NMOSD and forty MS patients were included. Clinical and detailed neuropsychological assessment was done using frontal assessment battery and Kolkata cognitive battery supplemented with additional standard tests for different domains of cognitive functions. Domain wise tests were performed and compared. 15/20 (75%) NMOSD and 32/40 (80%) MS patients had cognitive impairment (p = 0.65). Executive function, verbal fluency, information processing speed, visuo-constructional ability, attention, complex calculation, and memory were more commonly involved in NMOSD in decreasing order. Compared to MS, the pattern was similar except that verbal fluency was more impaired in NMOSD. Expanded Disability Status scale (EDSS) correlated with cognitive involvement in NMOSD (p = 0.02) as against MS.

Conclusions

Executive function, verbal fluencies, and information processing speed were more affected compared to visual and verbal memory in NMOSD patients. The pattern of cognitive performance was similar in the MS group, even though clinical and radiological characteristics and pathophysiology is different, suggesting similar brain involvement.
Design expert as a statistical tool for optimization of 5-ASA-loaded biopolymer-based nanoparticles using Box Behnken factorial design
Authors: Akram Wasim , Garud Navneet
Published: July 2021

Background

The overall objective was to prepare a highly accurate nanocarrier system of mesalamine for the treatment of ulcerative colitis with increased therapeutic efficacy and targeting. In the formulation of nanocarrier systems, optimization is a critical process for understanding nanoformulation variables and quality aspects. The goal of the present work was to determine the effect of independent variables, i.e., the concentrations of chitosan, carboxymethyl inulin (CMI), and the drug on the response variables, i.e., particle size and percent entrapment efficiency of the mesalamine-loaded nanoparticle using the Box Behnken design (BBD). The correlation between the independent and dependent variables was investigated using the Design Expert generated mathematical equations, contour, and response surface designs.

Result

An optimized batch was developed using the ionotropic gel method with selected independent variables (A: + 1 level, B: 0 level, C: − 1 level) and the developed nanoparticles had a particle size of 184.18 nm, zeta potential 26.54 mV, and entrapment efficiency 88.58%. The observed responses were remarkably similar to the predicted values. The morphological studies revealed that the formulated nanoparticles were spherical, and the results of the FTIR and DSC studies indicated the drug-polymer compatibility. The nanoparticle showed less than 5% release in the pH 1.2. In the colonic region (pH 7.4), more than 80 % of the medication was released after 24 h. The kinetics study showed that the Higuchi and Korsemeyer-Peppas models had R2 values of 0.9426 and 0.9784 respectively, for the developed formulation indicating linearity, as revealed by the plots. This result justified the sustained release behavior of the formulation.

Conclusion

The mesalamine-loaded chitosan-CMI nanoparticle has been successfully developed using the ionotropic gelation method. The nanoparticles developed in this study were proposed to deliver the drug to its desired site. The developed nanoparticles were likely to have a small particle size with positive zeta potential and high percent drug entrapment. It could be stated from the results that BBD can be an active way for optimizing the formulation and that nanoparticles can be a potential carrier for delivering therapeutics to the colon.
Sequestration to lipid droplets promotes histone availability by preventing turnover of excess histones
Authors: Stephenson Roxan A. , Thomalla Jonathon M. , Chen Lili , Kolkhof Petra , White Roger P. , Beller Mathias , Welte Michael A.
Published: July 2021

Because both dearth and overabundance of histones result in cellular defects, histone synthesis and demand are typically tightly coupled. In Drosophila embryos, histones H2B, H2A and H2Av accumulate on lipid droplets (LDs), which are cytoplasmic fat storage organelles. Without LD binding, maternally provided H2B, H2A and H2Av are absent; however, how LDs ensure histone storage is unclear. Using quantitative imaging, we uncover when during oogenesis these histones accumulate, and which step of accumulation is LD dependent. LDs originate in nurse cells (NCs) and are transported to the oocyte. Although H2Av accumulates on LDs in NCs, the majority of the final H2Av pool is synthesized in oocytes. LDs promote intercellular transport of the histone anchor Jabba and thus its presence in the ooplasm. Ooplasmic Jabba then prevents H2Av degradation, safeguarding the H2Av stockpile. Our findings provide insight into the mechanism for establishing histone stores during Drosophila oogenesis and shed light on the function of LDs as protein-sequestration sites.
Leadership styles and job satisfaction of nursing staff in a peripheral general hospital in Greece: a survey
Authors: Moumouri Stiliani , Intas Georgios , Sarafis Pavlos , Nikoletzos Athanasios , Triantafilloudis Ioannis , Bourantonis Dimitrios , Stergiannis Pantelis
Published: July 2021

Background: Over time, the working conditions in hospitals are becoming more and more demanding and the nursing staff is every day called to cope with them. In this context, the effective administration by the leading executives of the Nursing Directorate plays an important role in both guiding and motivating the staff to achieve the goals as well as to improve job satisfaction in general. The aim of the present study was to explore the prevailing leadership style applied in a General Hospital, from the perspective of the nursing staff, as well as the level of job satisfaction of the nurses who serve in the organisation.Method and Material: In the period January 2020-February 2020, a survey was conducted at the General Hospital of Corfu using a questionnaire (Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire and Job Satisfaction Survey) in a random sample of 180 nurses from which 138 fully completed the questionnaire (76% response rate). Data analysis was performed by using the statistical package SPSS ver. 21.0.Results: The average value of the Transformational and Transactional leadership styles is 3.4 while that of the Passive leadership is significantly lower (2.3 average value). Moreover, the nursing staff expressed a high level of satisfaction with the supervision and the chief nurse, with its relations with the colleagues and with the nature of the work, while its dissatisfaction was mainly expressed when it comes to "Working Conditions", "Promotion", "Privileges-Benefits" and "Salary". The Transformational and Transactional leadership styles were positively related to satisfaction with the promotion (r = 0.22), with the supervision by the chief nurse (r = 0.63 and r = 0, 40 respectively) and with the nature of the work (r = 0.25 and r = 0.18 respectively). Transformational style was also positively related to the potential rewards (r = 0.18) and the relationship with colleagues (r = 0.22). Finally, the Passive leadership style was positively related to the satisfaction with the salary (r = 0.32), with the promotion (r = 0.27) and with the privileges-benefits (r = 0.41).Conclusions: The nursing staff considered that the current leadership style involves a combination of elements of the Transformational and Transactional leadership styles. As for the job satisfaction of the staff, it ranged at moderate levels. There is an urgent need for further research related to job satisfaction which can be boosted by the implementation of incentive policies and training programmes for the nurse administrators in the new forms of administration by the Nursing Directorate.
Administration of ascorbic acid in the treatment of septic shock
Authors: Stamouli Angeliki , Marvaki Christina , Vasilopoulos George , Kapadochos Theodoros
Published: July 2021

Introduction: Septic shock is a common condition encountered in the intensive care unit. Sepsis is the leading cause of death with mortality ranging from 35-50%. Several factors are involved in the increasing incidence of sepsis including age, immunosuppression and antibiotic resistance. Gram+ or Gram- infections are considered leading causes of sepsis. Septic shock prognosis is significantly affected by early treatment. The hospitalization of the patient in the intensive care unit is particularly important as it is essential to support vital functions due to the complications of the shock.Aim: To investigate the action of ascorbic acid in the treatment of septic shock and the benefits of its administration.  Method-Material: Randomized trials were searched in CENTRAL, EMBASE and PubMed databases. The total number of studies included was 6. The Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool Review Manager Revman 5.3 was used to control the studies. Τhe criteria for the inclusion of patients were: age more specifically over 18 years old, patients accepted to intensive care unit with septic shock, patients with septic shock who received ascorbic acid randomized studies and cohort studies and articles in English with a time limit from 2008 to the first semester of 2020.Results:  The results of the studies showed that patients with septicemia and septic shock have shown beneficial effects of ascorbic acid alone or in combination with corticosteroids and thiamine in the prevention of progressive organ dysfunction and in the reduction in mortality and severity of severe sepsis. Also, there was a reduced inflammatory response observed in septic shock and attenuated levels of circulatory injury biomarker.Conclusions: Ascorbic acid has beneficial properties in septic shock and various studies have highlighted the importance of the combination of ascorbic acid and other vitamins and trace elements.
Κύρια χαρακτηριστικά της γυμναστικής κίνησης των Φιλανθρωπιστών και του Ludwig Jahn
Authors: Καϊμακάμης Βασίλειος , Μπασμπανάς Ηλίας , Καϊμακάμης Δημήτριος
Published: July 2021

Οι Φιλανθρωπιστές ήταν κυρίως Γερμανοί παιδαγωγοί, οι οποίοι κατά τον 18ο αιώνα δημιούργησαν και ανέπτυξαν ένα πνευματικό και γυμναστικό ρεύμα. Μάλιστα χρησιμοποίησαν τη γυμναστική, με τον τρόπο που τη χρησιμοποίησαν και οι αρχαίοι Έλληνες, δηλαδή ως μέσο παιδείας. Ήταν οι πρώτοι που χρησιμοποίησαν διάφορα γυμναστικά όργανα, όπως γυμναστικούς ίππους, δοκούς ισορροπίας, σχοινιά αναρρίχησης κτλ. Σκοπός της παρούσας εργασίας ήταν να μελετηθεί αναλυτικά και να αναδειχθεί η άγνωστη μέχρι σήμερα γυμναστική κίνηση των Φιλανθρωπιστών, καθώς και η επίδραση που είχε, τόσο στη γυμναστική κίνηση γενικότερα, αλλά και ειδικότερα στην ενόργανη γυμναστική του Ludwig Jahn. Η μεθοδολογία, μιας και πρόκειται για ιστορική μελέτη, βασίστηκε σε συλλογή αρχικά και σε αναλυτική βιβλιογραφική ανασκόπηση στη συνέχεια, γραπτών πρωτογενών πηγών, όπως για παράδειγμα τα συγγράμματα του GutsMuths, του Vieht και του Jahn, αλλά και σε νεότερη βιβλιογραφία έγκριτων ερευνητών του 19ου και του 20ου αιώνα. Τα αποτελέσματα της βιβλιογραφικής ανασκόπησης, έδειξαν ότι η γυμναστική κίνηση των Φιλανθρωπιστών, με κύριο εκπρόσωπο τον GutsMuths, αποτέλεσε τη σταθερή βάση, πάνω στην οποία στηρίχτηκε στη συνέχεια η γυμναστική κίνηση του Ludwig Jahn. Το συμπέρασμα που προκύπτει από την ανάλυση των δεδομένων, είναι ότι ο τελευταίος, ο οποίος και θεωρείται ο θεμελιωτής του γερμανικού γυμναστικού συστήματος γυμναστικής, αλλά και της ενόργανης γυμναστικής, δεν ήταν ουσιαστικά παρά συνεχιστής της κίνησης των Φιλανθρωπιστών, αλλά με πολύ περισσότερα γυμναστικά όργανα, τα οποία όμως χρησιμοποιήθηκαν και για κάποιο διαφορετικό σκοπό, αφού ο Jahn ενέπλεξε τη γυμναστική κίνηση του με μια πατριωτική και ταυτόχρονα κοινωνικοπολιτική ιδεολογία.
Can Trauma be Told? Juridical Discourse and Affect in Vanessa Place’s Statement of Facts
Authors: Haselden Francis
Published: July 2021

A poet and an appellate criminal defence attorney specialising in sex crimes, Vanessa Place reproduces the evidence of rape crimes presented during trials in Statement of Facts (2010). At the heart of these trials lies a trauma that legal language seeks to convey. Drawing on Jean-François Lyotard’s concepts of the differend (différend) and litigation, I ask if the documentary poem represents the traumatic event or if it simply reproduces legal language. I propose that the discourse of the law fails to account for trauma because of a mismatch between the forms of language required to establish facts in a court of law and the traumatic event itself. Yet, the transformation of this language into a poem makes it possible to indicate this mismatch while at the same time bringing the unspeakable violence of the traumatic experience to the surface of the text as read by the poet.
Out of Bounds: Confronting War Crimes and the Breakdown of Justice with Contemporary Art
Authors: Bernard Catherine
Published: July 2021

Recent art has turned to judiciary and extra-judiciary practices, specifically in the context of international conflicts, in order to assert art’s political accountability and relevance to our capacity to historicise the present. The war in Iraq inspired works that directly address issues of representation and remediation, such as Marc Quinn’s Mirage (2008), in which the aesthetic experience opens onto an ambiguous experience of the breakdown of justice. Other works have chosen to turn carceral space itself into the site of a collective remembering that harnesses affect to a critical reflection on the administration of justice, on assent and dissent. This article will turn to key works by Marc Quinn and Trevor Paglen that confront extra-judiciary malpractices, but also to recent collective art projects involving an interdisciplinary take on the experience of imprisonment, such as Inside. Artists and Writers in Reading Prison (2016), in which artists of all backgrounds responded to Oscar Wilde’s De Profundis on the very premises of Wilde’s incarceration, as well as the work of 2019 Turner Prize co-recipient: Jordanian sound artist Lawrence Abu Hamdan whose recent works rely on testimonies from Syrian detainees and probe the political pragmatics of aural art. All these works have turned to the document—literary, visual, aural—to reflect on the process of experiential mediation. How does the experience of imprisonment, or extra-judiciary malpractices, come to the spectator? How are they read, heard, interpreted, remediated? The article ponders the remediation and displacement of aesthetic experience itself and the “response-ability”—following Donna Haraway’s coinage—of such a repoliticised embodied experience. It will assess the way by which such interdisciplinary works rethink the poetics of the documentary for an embodied intellection of justice—and injustice—in the present.
Poetics/Documents/Justice A conversation featuring Susan Briante, Philip Metres, M. NourbeSe Philip, and Craig Santos-Perez
Authors: Metres Philip , Philip M. NourbeSe , Briante Susan , Santos-Perez Craig
Published: July 2021

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Modeling individual development plans, mentoring support, and career preparedness relationships among Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) trainees in the life sciences
Authors: Chang Chi-Ning , Patterson Clinton A. , Vanderford Nathan L. , Evans Teresa M.
Published: July 2021

Background: As greater career development support for doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers has been emphasized, the individual development plan (IDP) has become a recommended mentoring tool. However, little is known about the effect of IDPs on mentoring and career development. This study proposed two conceptual models to examine the interrelationships among the use of IDPs, mentoring support, and career preparedness with a diverse sample of doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers in the life sciences.

Methods: The data leveraged for this study was collected over a three-month period, March 2016 to June 2016, as part of a cross-sectional, online survey. The survey was distributed through social media and direct email to participants enrolled in life/biological/medical or physical/applied doctoral programs at U.S. institutions. To test the proposed conceptual models, this study employed the design-based multilevel structural equation modeling.

Results: The analytic sample comprised 660 doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers in the life sciences from 91 institutions. The results suggested that 1) using the IDP could enhance mentoring support and career preparedness of doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers; 2) greater mentoring support and career preparedness would motivate mentees to continue utilizing the IDP with their principal investigator (PI) or advisor; and 3) females, postdoctoral researchers, and international scholars might need more support throughout the mentoring and career development process.

Conclusions: This research demonstrated the empirical evidence an IDP has within mentorship and career preparedness, and that an IDP is an important career development tool that enhances trainees’ overall career preparation.
Vaping liquid flavour preferences, oral nicotine pouch and cannabis use: A survey of participants in the 2019 Oceania Vape Expo
Authors: Glover Marewa , Phillips Carl V. , Selket Kyro , Jeffares Yolande
Published: July 2021

Background: New Zealand and other countries have introduced or are considering various restrictions on the sale and use of vaping devices and liquids used in vaping and smokeless tobacco products. This research aimed to assess the likely reactions of individuals who vape to proposed restrictions in New Zealand.

Methods: A vape expo, a social and commercial weekend convention, provides convenient access to individuals with a strong interest in and or experience in vaping. A street intercept approach was used to survey attendees at a vape expo for adults aged 18 and over in Auckland, New Zealand in December 2019.

Results: This research suggests restricting the sale of liquid flavours may have negative unintended consequences. 57% of respondents indicated they would circumvent a ban on popular liquid flavours by mixing their own and/or buying liquids from overseas or the black market. Over a third (36%) would likely be restricted in their choice of a low-risk substitute for tobacco smoking if products such as snus and oral nicotine pouches were banned.  A further 36% had heard of these options but were currently not using them. Other results are in the areas of smoking behaviour, cannabis use, and responses to cannabis legalisation.

Conclusions: Various legislative or policy initiatives proposed to regulate vaping may have unanticipated negative consequences for public health. The negative impacts are likely to be disproportional for groups with higher smoking prevalence such as Indigenous peoples, rural communities, and lower socioeconomic groups.
Evaluation of clinical, histology, TNF-α, and collagen expressions on oral ulcer in rats after treatment with areca nut and chrysanthemum oral gel
Authors: Meutia Sari Liza , Mubarak Zaki , Keumala Sari Dina
Published: July 2021

Background: Areca nut (Areca catechu Linn.) is the seed of the fruit of the oriental palm that is commonly used among Southeast Asian communities. Chrysanthemum (Dendrathema grandiflora) is a flowering plant originating from East Asia and dominantly grows in China. Both of these plants have strong antioxidant activities. To investigate the mechanism of their wound healing activities, we prepared areca nut and chrysanthemum polyethylene oral gel and performed several in vivo assays using Sprague–Dawley rats.

Methods: Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into five groups: Negative control group (rats with base gel treatment), positive control group (rats treated with triamcinolone acetonide), F1 (treatment with 20% areca nut:80% chrysanthemum), F2 (treatment with 50% areca nut:50% chrysanthemum), and F3 (treatment with 80% areca nut:20% chrysanthemum). Traumatic ulcers were performed on the buccal mucosa of all experimental animals that received topical oral gel and triamcinolone acetonide twice a day for seven days. The clinical and histological characteristics were analyzed and scored.

Results: During the six days, the ulcerated area receded linearly over time and was completely cicatrized in F2 and positive control group (Dependent t-test, p<0.05). There were significant increases in body weight in F2 and positive control groups. There were no significant differences between groups in histology examination (Kruskal Wallis test, p<0.05). The moderate score of TNF-α levels was seen in F2 and positive control groups (ANOVA/Tukey test). Similar results were seen in the collagenases assay.

Conclusions: A balanced combination of areca nut and chrysanthemum extract in the oral gel can optimize the healing of traumatic oral ulcers in rats through the increase of TNF-α and collagen deposition.
Algorithmization of Power: Digital Metamorphoses of Political Regimes and Sovereignty
Authors: Fedorchenko Sergey
Published: July 2021

The work opens the thematic issue «Digitalization and Novus Ordo Seclorum: International Relations and Geopolitics in Digital». The purpose of the article is to determine the features of the most fundamental phenomenon rooted in the digital metamorphosis of political regimes, sovereignty and geopolitics - the algorithmicization of power. As the main methodological optics, the principles of discourse analysis of scientific literature (including the works of the thematic issue) and the techniques of scriptwriters are used. The work emphasizes that algorithms are becoming a carrier of «structural violence» (an invisible, but real threat of sanctions against those who disagree with the current rules of digital communication). The power of algorithms is revealed in the fact that they begin to determine to the citizen what is best for him and what is not, including in the political sphere. At the same time, the one who owns the management algorithms that build communication processes and determine the interface, communication functionality, he has algorithmic power. Such accompanying phenomena of the algorithmicization of power as sociotechnical reality, predictive analytics, network policy, political interface, filtering bubbles and affordances are considered. It has been determined that in the new socio-technical reality (the phygital world), algorithms occupy the most important place, since it is they that fasten the Social with the Technical. The conclusions emphasize that digital sovereignty presupposes several components - the regime has its own network policy (communication arenas) and a political interface (software serving these communication arenas). The theoretical significance of the article is seen in the author's thesis, according to which algorithms, being constituent elements of software, bring the policy of ensuring digital sovereignty closer to different technologies of political legitimation of the regime - internal and external, top-down and bottom-up. In addition, the paper proposes scenarios for the evolution of algorithmic power. In addition, the practical significance of the study is seen in the fact that the work proposes scenarios for the evolution of algorithmic power.
Chronic limb ischaemia: case study and clinical literature review
Authors: Farrington Liz , Mortimore Gerri
Published: July 2021

This article will discuss chronic limb ischaemia as the result of peripheral artery disease (PAD) using a case study. The patient's concurrent diagnosis of metastases meant clinical decision making was complex and treatment options were limited. PAD is the third most common clinical presentation of atherosclerosis after coronary artery disease and stroke. Although advances in radiological technology and biochemical screening offer the potential for earlier intervention and improved survival rates for patients with PAD, a review of the evidence suggests that commitment to more conservative approaches, such as exercise therapy and health promotion, could have more sustainable, longer-term benefits for patients with chronic limb ischaemia. The therapeutic nature of the nurse–patient relationship makes nurses ideally placed for encouraging lifestyle changes and signposting to support services. Active participation from the patient is imperative for any potential modifications, which should be individualised as part of a holistic care plan, to ensure patient engagement and compliance. Therefore emphasis should remain on the management and prevention of modifiable risk factors, for which the nurse's role is an integral part to ensure success.
The importance of investing in early years health and social care
Authors: Glasper Alan
Published: July 2021

Emeritus Professor Alan Glasper, from the University of Southampton, discusses the focus of a new initiative to improve early years health and social care, launched by the Duchess of Cambridge
‘Pinholes in my arms’: the vicious cycle of vascular access
Authors: Kelly Linda J , Snowden Austyn
Published: July 2021

Background:

Vascular access devices (VADs) are essential for delivery of intravenous therapies. There are notable gaps in the literature regarding a focus on patient experience and meaning-making related to living with a VAD, specifically a central venous access device (CVAD).

Aims:

To explore how patients make sense of living with a CVAD.

Methods:

This study followed an interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) approach. Purposive sampling was used to identify 11 cancer patients who had a CVAD in situ. One-to-one semi-structured interviews were performed. Interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed and analysed by the lead author.

Findings:

Four superordinate themes were identified: the self under attack; being rescued/being robbed; protection of others/protection of self; bewilderment and dismay at lack of staff competence.

Conclusion:

Having a CVAD affects the psychological, social, and personal self and impacts on self-esteem and self-image. Despite this, CVADs are accepted by patients and are eventually ‘embodied’ by them.