bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Upcoming Events at Community-Based Research Canada until December 16, 2021
Authors: Clausen Kurt W.
Published: December 2023

Community-Based Research Canada offers ongoing events including the webinars “Community of Practice:  Community-Based Research Organizational Culture” on October 15, 2021, “Shift:  Documenting the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Community-Based Research and Identifying Opportunities” on November 11, 2021, and “Closing the Opportunity Gap for Racialized and Under-Resourced Communities through the Community School Initiative” on December 9, 2021.  

Link to information: https://www.communityresearchcanada.ca/events
Action Learning / Action Research Publications Webinar – May 12, 2022
Authors: Canadian Journal of Action Research
Published: December 2023

Do you want to publish your values-driven research for systemic change?  CJAR will be taking part in a webinar with 11 other journals to offer an opportunity for aspiring authors to gain advice on how to get their papers published - at no cost!  Authors wishing to submit a paper must register by April 20. 

To find out more about this webinar, submitting a paper for review, and how to register, further details are here: https://www.alarassociation.org/events/alara-webinars/publishing-your-research-May-22
“Thing Power”: Art, Assemblage, and Entanglement as Practitioner Action Research
Authors: Beyak Timothy Shawn
Published: December 2023

This paper explores an arts-based practitioner action research study that explores the artworks made by students from a Grade 11 History of Canada course in response to teaching and learning about the First World War. The practitioner considers the art-things (Bennett, 2015) of his students and the associated thing-power (Bennett, 2004) affordances. The work was informed by a rhizomatic methodology (Deleuze & Guattari, 1980/2000) that illuminated insights arising from interpretation and analysis of the educative assemblage and its concrete and abstract constituents and forces. The practitioner’s action research was informed by newness, unexpectedness, and difference (Deleuze & Guattari, 1968/1994) drawn from engagements with the students’ art-things and artist statements, which in turn enriched the personal and professional knowledge and educative practices of the author as well as his students’ learning because of knowledge drawn from this inquiry.
CARN – D.A.CH. Conference 2023
Authors: CJAR
Published: December 2023

The 10th CARN D.A.CH. conference will be held at the University College of Teacher Education Styria (Austria) on the 9th & 10th of February, 2023. All those interested in discussing action research in German are very warmly welcome. To submit an abstract and/or register, please see the Conference Flyer, linked below.
CARN D.A.CH. is a German-language Action Research network and part of the international Collaborative Action Research Network (CARN).
Click to view the Conference Flyer
See full annoucement in PDF attachment.
Teacher Change in Mainland China: Collaborative Action Research as a Means of Promoting Secondary School Teachers’ Engagement with the New Curriculum Reform
Authors: Zhang Liman , Tan Yuen Sze Michelle , Adler Douglas James
Published: December 2023

We examined the possibilities of employing collaborative action research (CAR) to promote Mainland Chinese secondary school teachers’ engagement with the recent curriculum reform. A brief background of the history of the examination culture and the curriculum reform is provided. We analysed key challenges leading to teachers’ resistance to curriculum change, including test-based accountability control, lack of self-efficacy, and perceived roles as mere curriculum receivers and implementers. We then drew from CAR to offer considerations to promote teacher change where teachers can be encouraged to align their teaching with their moral purposes, build up self-efficacy, and develop ownership of curriculum change.
Necessity is the Mother of Invention: How the Need for Online Schooling Impacted Mathematics Teaching Practices and Student Engagement
Authors: Horn-Olivito Heidi , Martinovic Dragana , Winney Kelly
Published: December 2023

In this paper, we document elementary school teachers’ attitudinal and pedagogical changes during the rapid move from brick-and-mortar to virtual schooling initiated by the COVID-19 pandemic. We administered four online surveys (in September and October 2020, and in March and June 2021) to determine teachers’ perceived challenges and successes in using online technology, as well as applied mixed-methods action research to identify their approaches to teaching mathematics online. The initial challenges included gaining skills, resources, and know-hows for teaching online, and supporting students and their families in the swift transition, while also maintaining instructional goals and overcoming stress. The later challenges included dealing with workload and engaging students in learning. As their comfort with technology increased, teachers started realizing that many old pedagogies were either impossible or inadequate in the online environment, and they began to innovate with virtual classrooms that encompassed students’ homes, parents, and the outdoors. Mathematics manipulatives were found in the kitchen and measurements were done in the home or during walks outside. Mathematics concepts became more real-life centered, and learning became more playful and problem-oriented. Technology helped to create and sustain learning communities, and exposed student thinking at their comfort level. For some students, this approach worked better than brick-and-mortar schools; for most teachers, it created opportunities to provide and receive feedback differently, collaborate widely, reinvent their practice, and contribute to changing norms. We conclude by providing suggestions for moving forward.
Codesign and Implementation of a Toolkit Supporting Community Organizations’ Intergenerational Practice: A Participatory Action Research Project
Authors: Turcotte Samuel , Shea Carolann , Raymond Émilie , Ansaldo Ana Inés , Bier Nathalie , Grenier Sébastien , Hebblethwaite Shannon , Lamontagne Marie-Ève , Levasseur Mélanie , Viscogliosi Chantal , Ladjadl Fatima , Filiatrault Johanne
Published: December 2023

Intergenerational initiatives have the potential to bring generations together and can have a wide range of benefits for the health of older adults as well as for the development of young people. This paper presents a five-phase participatory action research protocol for the co-design and pilot implementation of a toolkit supporting intergenerational practice across community organizations in the province of Quebec (Canada), as well as the initial impacts of the project. This participatory action research was initiated in response to a need expressed by community organizations for support in selecting, implementing, and evaluating evidence-based intergenerational initiatives. To date, the funding secured for this project has allowed our research team to establish several partnerships with field actors involved in intergenerational practice and conduct the first three phases of the project in collaboration with these partners. While demanding in terms of time and resources, this collaborative work is fruitful and will ensure the creation of a toolkit that meets the needs of knowledge users. This article a) describes the origins of the project; b) outlines a step-by-step process for developing and implementing a participatory action research project with community organizations; and c) discusses the initial impacts of the participatory action research process.
Structured Student Conversations and their Impact
Authors: Walker Kelsey , Vu Phu
Published: December 2023

This action research described how a middle school teacher integrated five discussion protocols including structured controversy, pair communication, triad protocol, personal experience panel, and Socratic seminar into her sixth-grade Language Arts classes. Collected data from three different sources indicated an overall improvement of both student conversational skills and relationship skills when various discussion protocols were implemented in the classroom. Discussions and teacher's reflections were included.
Exploring the Relationship between Teachers’ Lifelong Learning Tendencies and Research Literacy Leves
Authors: KARAFİL Burcu
Published: December 2023

This study aims to examine the relationship between lifelong learning tendencies and research literacy levels of teachers working in Türkiye. The sample of the study, which was designed as correlational research model, consisted of 455 teachers selected by convenient sampling. The “Teachers’ Research Literacy Skills Scale”, and “Lifelong Learning Tendency Scale” were used to collect the data. In the analysis of the data, descriptive statistics such as arithmetic mean, standard deviation, minimum and maximum were used to determine the teachers’ research literacy and lifelong learning tendency levels. Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to determine the relationship between teachers’ research literacy and lifelong learning tendencies. Simple linear regression analysis was used to determine to what extent teachers’ research literacy predicted their lifelong learning tendencies. The findings showed that teachers’ research literacy levels were at high level and their lifelong learning tendency levels were at very high level. It was determined that the research literacy and lifelong learning tendency levels of the teachers did not differ significantly in terms of gender variable while they differed significantly in terms of education level variable. There was a positive, significant, and moderate level relationship between teachers’ research literacy and lifelong learning tendencies.
Determining Value Preferences in Teacher Identity
Authors: TURP Hurızat Hande , KOÇAK MACUN Büşra , MACUN Bilal
Published: December 2023

This study aims to determine the value preferences of preservice teachers and examine them in terms of different variables such as gender, class, place of residence, field of study, and reasons for choosing the teaching profession. In addition, the study investigates the preferences of preservice teachers for the primary values that a teacher should possess. The research was conducted with teacher candidates studying at Ağrı İbrahim Çeçen University Faculty of Education in the 2020-2021 Fall Semester. Care was taken to ensure that prospective teachers took part in the research voluntarily. In the research, the data of 836 teacher candidates were evaluated. Personal Information Form created by the researchers and Values Scale developed by Dilmaç, Arıcak and Cesur (2014) were used as data collection tools. In the research, firstly, the value preferences of teacher candidates were examined and the highest value areas were human dignity, social values, freedom values, intellectual values, career values, futuwwa values, spirituality and materialistic values; Romantic values were determined as the lowest value area. Teacher candidates’ value preferences generally did not show a significant difference according to gender, class, place of residence and reasons for choosing the teaching profession; It showed a significant difference according to the department variable. It has been determined that teacher candidates prioritize the values of justice, education and knowledge in their selection of the primary values that a teacher should have, and these are followed by the values of responsibility, tolerance, respect, helpfulness, personal development, mental health, consistency and effort, respectively. The findings of the study were discussed in the light of the literature.
EDUCAÇÃO FINANCEIRA COMO ESTRATÉGIA DE INCLUSÃO DE JOVENS NA BOLSA DE VALORES
Authors:   UEMG - Universidade do Estado de Minas Gerais - Unidade Frutal, FRUCH Gabriela , PESSOA MARCELO ,   Universidade do Estado de Minas Gerais - Unidade Frutal
Published: December 2023

Brazilian society is increasingly seeing financial education as a very important issue. In the past, the population viewed this topic with fear. Currently, the Brazilian economic scenario is different and the environment is favorable for investments, which contributes to problematizing new discussions on the subject. This research will be carried out using the bibliographical method, with the object of study being the article "Financial Education as a Strategy for Including Young People in the Stock Market". The main objective of the research is to show the importance of financial education for young people, and how these teachings should be passed on to everyone from childhood. This examination is justified by the fact that financially educated young people can be the greatest vector for accumulating assets, given their longevity. The main bibliographical contribution is the article "Financial Education as a Strategy for the Inclusion of Young People in the Stock Market", by Diniz Pires, Olga Lima, Roberto Dalongaro, Patrícia Sampaio and João Silveira. As partial results, the research has provided the student supervised in this work with more knowledge about quality of life, personal development and professional progress.
JANTUH BEBASA MASYARAKAT MELAYU DI PEDALAMAN KAPUAS HULU, KALIMANTAN BARAT
Authors: YUSRIADI Yusriadi , CHONG Shin , TUAH Dilah
Published: December 2023

Masyarakat Melayu di Riam Panjang adalah sebuah komuniti Melayu di hulu Sungai Kapuas, Kalimantan Barat, Indonesia. Makalah ini membincangkan salah satu aspek sosiolinguistik masyarakat “pedalaman jauh”, iaitu Jantuh Bebasa atau kesantunan berbahasa. Jantuh Bebasa di Riam Panjang diungkapkan melalui penggunaan bahasa verbal dan bukan verbal. Ungkapan melalui bahasa verbal melibatkan pemilihan kata yang menunjukkan tahap kesopanan, manakala bebasa melalui bahasa bukan verbal pula terkait dengan sikap, lakuan gaya atau budi pekerti seseorang dalam interaksi sosial. Dari segi skop, Jantuh Bebasa masyarakat Riam Panjang dihuraikan dari segi pemilihan sesuatu sistem kata panggilan berdasarkan status sosial dan strata institusi kekeluargaan. Keupayaan mereka memanipulasi kata tertentu menjadi kata ganda yang mencerminkan kehalusan dan kesantunan berbicara juga dibincangkan (iaitu Jantuh Ingka’). Kajian yang dilaksanakan melalui kaedah wawancara dan pengalaman ini mendapati bahawa konsep Jantuh Bebasa di Riam Panjang berkait erat dengan aspek etnografi dan kepercayaan masyarakat. Pelanggaran Jantuh Bebasa selain dikecam oleh masyarakat, turut dikaitkan dengan pantang larang, iaitu seseorang akan ditimpa musibah, iaitu busung. Tambahan lagi, masyarakat juga akan dihukum dengan hukum adat kesupan jika melanggar Jantuh Bebasa. Sehubungan itu, generasi tua di Riam Panjang amat menekankan pewarisan budaya bebahasa dalam kalangan genarasi muda, agar nilai budaya pekerti tinggi ini dapat dipertahankan.
An Equivalent to the Riemann Hypothesis
Authors: Vega Frank
Published: December 2023

The Riemann hypothesis is a conjecture that the Riemann zeta function has its zeros only at the negative even integers and complex numbers with real part $\frac{1}{2}$. It is considered by many to be the most important unsolved problem in pure mathematics. There are several statements equivalent to the famous Riemann hypothesis. Robin's criterion states that the Riemann hypothesis is true if and only if the inequality $\sigma(n) < e^{\gamma} \cdot n \cdot \log \log n$ holds for all natural numbers $n > 5040$, where $\sigma(n)$ is the sum-of-divisors function of $n$, $\gamma \approx 0.57721$ is the Euler-Mascheroni constant and $\log$ is the natural logarithm. We prove that the Riemann hypothesis is true whenever there exists a large enough positive number $x_{0}$ such that for all $x > x_{0}$ we obtain that the value of \[\sum_{n \leq \alpha_{x}} \frac{1}{n} - \sum_{6 \leq n \leq \frac{x}{\log x}} \frac{e^{-\gamma}}{n \cdot \left(\log(n \cdot \log n)\right)} - \sum_{n < 6} \frac{e^{-\gamma}}{q_{n}}\] is lesser than or equal to $e^{-\gamma} \cdot \left(\gamma - B - \frac{1}{2 \cdot (x - 1)}\right)$ where $B \approx 0.26149$ is the Meissel-Mertens constant and $\alpha_{x} = \left(\log x + \frac{0.0222 \cdot \log x}{\log \log x}\right)$. Since the previous expression goes to $0$ as $x$ tends to infinity, then we deduce that the Riemann hypothesis must be true.
Giant Pulmonary Herniation: A Late and Rare Complication of Minimally Invasive Lung Biopsy for Interstitial Lung Disease
Authors: ÇAKIR EDİS Ebru , YANIK Fazlı , KARABULUT Derya , HEREKLİOGLU Savas
Published: December 2023

Pulmonary herniation is the protrusion of the lung parenchyma beyond the normal limits of the thoracic cavity. It is a rare entity. In general, the defect in the chest wall is accompanied by increased intrathoracic pressures in the formation mechanism. Usually the cause is blunt-penetrating thoracic trauma, violent cough or previous thoracic surgery with insufficient closure of the chest wall. We report a case with giant pulmonary herniation that developed four years after biopsy in a patient diagnosed with usual interstitial pneumonia by VATS. Although this is a very rare condition in the literature, one of the late and rare complications of diagnostic pulmonary resections with awake VATS may be caused giant pulmonary herniation
In Vitro Investigation of Shear Bond Strength of Titanium Alloy Bonded to Monolithic Zirconia Prepared Via Different Surface Roughening Methods Using Different Cements
Authors: ÇAKIR Gülay , ŞANIVAR ABBASGHOLIZADEH Zeliha , ASLAN Yılmaz Umut
Published: December 2023

Objective: To evaluate the shear bond strength (SBS) of yttrium-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystals bonded to titanium alloys via different surface treatment methods using four different cements.

Methods: Eighty titanium and monolithic zirconia discs were prepared with computer-aided design/manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology. All titanium discs and 40 of monolithic zirconia discs were polished by using silicon carbide paper and sandblasted with 50 μm aluminum oxide (Al2O3). Tribochemical silica coating was applied to remaining 40 monolithic zirconia discs. The monolithic zirconia discs were divided into eight groups after surface treatment (n=10). Titanium discs were cemented using conventional glass ionomer cement (GIC), resin-modified GIC, self- adhesive resin cement, and dual-cure resin cement. The SBS test was performed using a universal testing machine. The failure patterns were examined by using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Data were statistically analyzed with one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), two-way ANOVA and Tukey’s test (α
Effect of Zuclopenthixol Acetate on Neural Tube Development in Early Chick Embryos
Authors: ALBAŞ KURT Gülan , SARITAŞ Alperen , ATAY Emre , ERTEKİN Ayşe , KUNDAKCI Yunus Emre , ERTEKİN Tolga
Published: December 2023

Objective: Neural tube defects are one of the congenital malformations of the central nervous system. Although the factors that cause the development of neural tube defects and their mechanisms of action are still not clearly explained, genetic predisposition, drug use and some environmental factors are thought to play a role. In this study, it was aimed to investigate the effects of zuclopenthixol acetate (ZA) on neural tube development in a chick embryo model.

Methods: Fourty specific pathogen-free (SPF) eggs were used in the study. The eggs were incubated for 28 hours and divided into four groups of 10 eggs each. At the end of the 28th hours, saline was injected to the control group, while ZA was administered subblastodermically to the experimental groups in 3 different doses (0.7, 1.4, 2.1 mg/kg). At the end of the 48th hours, all the eggs were opened and the embryos were dissected from the embryonic membranes and evaluated morphologically and histopathologically.

Results: When the study groups were evaluated according to the neural tube positions (open or closed), it was found that the neural tube patency increased depending on the ZA dose, which was statistically significant (p < 0.05). In addition, morphological developments of embryos were evaluated. Compared to the control group, a statistically significant decrease was observed in the mean somite numbers in all ZA-treated groups, while a significant decrease was found in the mean cranio-caudal length only in the high-dose group.

Conclusion: In this study, it was observed that neural tube and morphological development were adversely affected in the groups treated with ZA in the chick embryo model. It was shown that neural tube closure defects in embryos increased in direct proportion with ZA doses. However, we believe that it will not be possible to fully adapt the results of this study, which was carried out in the chick embryo model, to humans and that more comprehensive research should be conducted.
MoPyRegtest: A Python package for continuous integration-friendly regression testing of Modelica libraries
Authors: Stelzig Philipp Emanuel
Published: December 2023

Regression testing is a commonly used strategy in continuous integration workflows to ensure reproduceability of outputs. It is widely in software engineering and model development, including Modelica. In this article we introduce the open source regression testing framework MoPyRegtest written in Python. Its primary focus is to provide Modelica library developers with a simple regression testing tool that features test automation and can integration with continuous integration toolchains, in particular for open source developments. In order to simulate the Modelica models for testing analysis, we provide an interface to Modelica simulation tools that support Modelica Scripting with .mos files. Our current implementation works with OpenModelica. We outline the design and functionality of MoPyRegtest and showcase its potential usefulness for open source development of Modelica models and libraries.
Suplementação na recria de bovinos de corte para melhor desempenho animal e econômico: revisão
Authors: Guimarães Leticia Jalloul , Silva Isabella Guartieri da , Souza Tiago Caliri de , Zaniboni Hâmara Milaneze de Souza , Zundt Marilice , Factori Marco Aurélio , Ambiel Ana Claudia
Published: December 2023

O Brasil é um país referência quando se trata de pecuária de corte, segundo dados do IBGE (2018) o país possui 213.523.056 cabeças de bovinos. No terceiro trimestre de 2019 o peso total das carcaças abatidas foi de 2.012.528 toneladas (IBGE, 2019). Mas ainda enfrentamos problemas de eficiência produtiva por enfrentarmos a estacionalidade na produção forrageira, que é o principal alimento na bovinocultura brasileira. O uso de suplementação na recria pode ser um meio de aperfeiçoar a produção de bovinos, melhorando a produtiva em uma fase em que o animal conseguirá utilizar com melhor eficiência o que for ofertado. Com isso o objetivo do presente estudo foi verificar, através de revisão de literatura, a eficiência produtiva e econômica da implementação da suplementação na fase da recria de bovinos de corte. A recria é uma etapa, na produção de bovinos de corte, que muitas vezes é negligenciada, porém, se receber a atenção devida sendo fornecida a suplementação necessária para seu melhor desempenho trás ganhos significativos ao produtor e ao consumidor. O suplemento que será usado e quando será usado dependerá do interesse de intensificação da produção pelo produtor, da qualidade da pastagem, região da propriedade, insumos disponíveis, genética do animal, raça e idade desejada para o abate. A suplementação na fase da recria pode trazer resultados satisfatórios no ganho de peso, reduzir idade de abate, aumentar o giro da propriedade e trazer maiores ganhos econômicos ao produtor.
Automedicação com fitoterapia e plantas medicinais hoje: importância do farmacêutico
Authors: Rangel Vinicius de Freitas , Santos Graziely Gonzaga dos , Santos Nathally Claudiane de Souza , Splendor Maria Clara
Published: December 2023

O uso de plantas medicinais pela população vem sendo utilizadas como fonte de alimentação e fins terapêuticos. Esta prática faz parte da medicina tradicional, mas na maioria dos casos não possui comprovação científica, se fundamenta em conhecimentos e habilidades passadas de geração para geração. A automedicação constitui prática comum e muitos fitoterápicos não possuem o seu efeito tóxico bem identificado, podendo induzir a problemas graves, mesmo em baixas doses. A presença do profissional farmacêutico na dispensação destes medicamentos e eventual orientação na sua utilização são de extrema importância, como forma de diminuir os efeitos oriundos da automedicação. Objetivo foi levar para a população interna e externa o conhecimento e a necessidade de cuidado com o uso inadequado das plantas medicinais e mostrar a importância do farmacêutico na dispensação e no atendimento com o usuário. As buscas foram realizadas nas bases de dados: Web of Science, Embase, LILACS, Scopus e MEDLINE via PubMed. Embora as plantas medicinais e fitoterápicos ofereçam benefícios potenciais à saúde, seu uso responsável e supervisionado é fundamental para evitar riscos à saúde e garantir que contribuam efetivamente para o bem-estar dos usuários.
Dificuldades de adesão aos cuidados primários à saúde do homem: relato de experiência
Authors: Oliveira Douglas Pedro de , Silva Joice Amanda Sanches da , Neves Igor Fernando , Covre Eduardo Rocha , Silveira Andressa Rocha da
Published: December 2023

Objetivo: descrever as barreiras que impedem os homens de procurar os serviços de saúde. Métodos: relato de experiência realizado com pacientes do sexo masculino em um município do noroeste do Paraná, Brasil. A coleta de dados foi por meio de uma roda de conversa sobre características sociodemográficas e dificuldades na busca de atendimentos. Relato de experiência: foi possível observar que as unidades básicas de saúde enfrentam desafios significativos para envolver os homens na estratégia de saúde da família, bem como os homens também enfrentam muitas dificuldades em procurar as UBS para expor seus problemas de saúde, pelas barreiras pessoais e socioculturais. Considerações finais: Essa experiência permitiu a análise do conhecimento dos homens sobre saúde, destacando desafios nas unidades básicas de saúde (UBS) para envolvê-los na Estratégia de Saúde da Família.
Editorial
Authors: Neves Igor Fernando , Lemos Layon Zafra
Published: December 2023

A Revista Científica Saúde Global, vem por meio deste publicar o 2º número do 1º Volume e estamos empolgados neste lançamento que visa informar, educar e inspirar nossos leitores sobre os assuntos mais importantes relacionados à saúde. A Revista Científica Saúde Global tem como objetivo abordar esses desafios e unir pesquisas científicas das áreas da Saúde: Enfermagem, Medicina, Fisioterapia, Biomedicina, Farmácia, Odontologia, Nutrição, Psicologia, Educação Física e áreas afins, que se enquadrem como artigos originais, resultantes de pesquisas experimentais, epidemiológicas ou ensaios clínicos, artigos de revisão integrativa ou sistemática, relato de caso/experiência, que atendam as normas de publicação da revista.
Molecular mechanisms of electropuncture in cerebrovascular protection during enhanced recovery after surgery period
Authors: Mao Yu , Yang Lifang
Published: December 2023

The core intent of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) is to alleviate the perioperative stress response and postoperative complications through perioperative multimodal analgesia and intensive surgery. Previous studies have demonstrated that multiple molecular mechanisms function in improving ischemic stroke, reversing the process of ischemia reperfusion, relieving intracerebral hemorrhage and traumatic brain injury. Meanwhile, electroacupuncture (EA) has been validated with regard to its efficacy and safety in perioperative treatment, which has an important impact on rehabilitation research and ERAS development. Currently, studies have showed that EA provides a new approach for cerebrovascular protection by activating various molecular mechanisms. In this review, we display the recent progress of main molecular mechanisms of EA in ERAS from the perspectives of protecting cerebrovascular functions, in order to provide guidance for the clinical treatment.
Participation in a multicomponent lifestyle intervention for people with obesity improves glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c)
Authors: Høgsholt Mathias , Kierkegaard-Brøchner Signe , Sørensen Ulla Milther , Lange Lene Bastrup , Mortensen Lene Sundahl , Bruun Jens Meldgaard
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Obesity is associated with compromised glucose metabolism. Hence, it is of interest to investigate if the lifestyle interventions used in the LIBRA-cohort, which aimed at not only weight loss, but also patient well-being, could also help obese patients improve glucose metabolism by evidence of reduced HbA1c. The aim of the study was to retrospectively investigate if patients who were referred to a lifestyle intervention for obesity, were able to alter HbA1c.

Research design and methods

Patients with a BMI≥30 undergoing a 6-month lifestyle intervention, who also completed physical and mental health surveys and whose baseline and 6-month blood samples were available, were included in the analysis. For changes in HbA1c and body weight a clinically relevant change of 5≥mmom/mol and 5%≥, respectively, was chosen. Participants were divided into groups according to their baseline HbA1c level: “Diabetes”: HbA1c of ≥6.5% (≥48 mmol/mol), “Prediabetes”: HbA1c of 5.7% to 6.4% (39-47.99 mmol/mol) or “Normal” HbA1c <5.7% (<39 mmol/mol).

Results

180 patients met the stated inclusion criteria and these patients were divided into groups (median age (25th;75th quartile): Diabetes: n=47, age 54 (43;60), 51% women, Prediabetes: n=68, age 60 (50;66), 71% women and Normal: n=65, median age 61 (50;66), 85% women. Significant reductions were found in all three groups and specifically in the diabetes group HbA1c was reduced (mean [95%CI]) -5[-8;-2] mmol/mol from baseline to the end of the intervention. Furthermore, 35% of patients with prediabetes normalized their HbA1c (<39) and 30% patients with diabetes reduced their HbA1c <48. All groups had clinically relevant (≥5%) reductions in body weight (p<0.01). There was an association between body weight reduction and HbA1c reduction in the diabetes group (p<0.01). All groups reported improvements in physical health (p<0.01).

Conclusion

In this retrospective cohort study, all patients achieved clinically relevant weight loss after participation in the lifestyle intervention and obese patients with diabetes achieved clinically relevant reductions in HbA1c after 6-months. More than 1/3 of patients with prediabetes normalized their HbA1c.
The metaproteome of the gut microbiota in pediatric patients affected by COVID-19
Authors: Marzano Valeria , Mortera Stefano Levi , Marangelo Chiara , Piazzesi Antonia , Rapisarda Federica , Pane Stefania , Del Chierico Federica , Vernocchi Pamela , Romani Lorenza , Campana Andrea , Palma Paolo , Putignani Lorenza ,   the CACTUS Study Team
Published: December 2023

Introduction

The gut microbiota (GM) play a significant role in the infectivity and severity of COVID-19 infection. However, the available literature primarily focuses on adult patients and it is known that the microbiota undergoes changes throughout the lifespan, with significant alterations occurring during infancy and subsequently stabilizing during adulthood. Moreover, children have exhibited milder symptoms of COVID-19 disease, which has been associated with the abundance of certain protective bacteria. Here, we examine the metaproteome of pediatric patients to uncover the biological mechanisms that underlie this protective effect of the GM.

Methods

We performed nanoliquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry on a high resolution analytical platform, resulting in label free quantification of bacterial protein groups (PGs), along with functional annotations via COG and KEGG databases by MetaLab-MAG. Additionally, taxonomic assignment was possible through the use of the lowest common ancestor algorithm provided by Unipept software.

Results

A COVID-19 GM functional dissimilarity respect to healthy subjects was identified by univariate analysis. The alteration in COVID-19 GM function is primarily based on bacterial pathways that predominantly involve metabolic processes, such as those related to tryptophan, butanoate, fatty acid, and bile acid biosynthesis, as well as antibiotic resistance and virulence.

Discussion

These findings highlight the mechanisms by which the pediatric GM could contribute to protection against the more severe manifestations of the disease in children. Uncovering these mechanisms can, therefore, have important implications in the discovery of novel adjuvant therapies for severe COVID-19.
Spatiotemporal distribution characteristics and influencing factors of the rate of cardiovascular hospitalization in Ganzhou city of China
Authors: Yan Shanshan , Liu Guoqiu , Chen Xiaoyuan
Published: December 2023

Aims

The objective of this study was to analyze hospitalization rates for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in Ganzhou City, Jiangxi Province of China from 2015 to 2020 and to uncover the spatiotemporal distribution characteristics and influencing factors, and thus to provide reference for the prevention and control of CVD and public health resources planning.

Methods

The hospitalization data for CVDs from 2016 to 2020 was obtained from the First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, and ArcGIS 10.8, SaTScan 9.5, and Matlab 20.0 were used to analyze the spatial autocorrelation, spatiotemporal scan statistics, and potential affecting factors of the hospitalization rates.

Results

The hospitalization rate for CVDs in Ganzhou City showed a slightly increasing trend from 2016 to 2020, with higher rates in winter and summer than that in spring and autumn, and the individuals aged 61 and above constitute a higher proportion compared to other age groups. Additionally, there was a positive correlation between hospitalization rates for CVDs and the counties and districts in Ganzhou City, with high-high aggregation areas mainly distributed in Nankang District, the western urban area of Ganzhou City. The spatial scan analysis identified three different types of significant aggregation areas: high-risk, low-risk, and middle-risk areas. The high-risk area was mainly centered around Zhanggong District or Shangyu County in the central and western regions, with a disease hospitalization rate 2–3 times higher than the rest areas. The study also found that environmental meteorological factors such as the annual average concentration of NO2, O3, average annual temperature, and annual maximum temperature diurnal range had a significant positive effect on hospitalization rates for CVDs in Ganzhou City, with O3 concentration and average annual temperature having significant positive indirect spatial spillover effects.

Conclusion

Winter and summer are the seasons with high hospitalization rate of cardiovascular diseases. County residents aged 61 and above are the higher-risk population that needs to pay more attention on for prevention and control of CVD in Ganzhou City, which exhibits significant spatiotemporal clustering. The urban areas of Zhanggong and Nankang in Ganzhou City are the key areas for prevention and control of CVD. The hospitalization rate of CVD in Ganzhou City is influenced by the aforementioned four environmental meteorological factors, with the annual maximum temperature diurnal range showing the most significant positive direct effect.
Reaction-diffusion modelling of petrological mixing mechanisms in the evolution of continental crusts
Authors: Baruah Amiya , Roy Manas Kumar , Mandal Nibir , Misra Santanu
Published: December 2023

Petrological assimilation is a key process in the evolution of high-grade metamorphic terrains in the continental crusts. This study examines the mechanisms of such macroscopic assimilation between felsic (F) and mafic (M) constituents as two petrologically interacting continuum phases, as observed in the Chotanagpur Granite Gneissic Complex (CGGC), India, which underwent amphibolite to granulite facies metamorphism (∼775 to 900°C and 7 to 11 kb) between from the Paleoproterozoic to the late Mesoproterozoic. From field investigation we could recognized four interface patterns: planar, wavy, fingering and incoherent, which are generated at the interface between the F and M units. We have adopted the Turing type reaction-diffusion (RD) approach, which is a well established theoretical model to interpret any complex auto-regulatory pattern in natural and physical sciences, to understand the physics of the self-organizing interface geometries observed across the CGGC. The RD model findings suggest that these patterns are constrained by a combination of: diffusion coefficients (DF, DM) of F and M, a linear or non-linear reaction term (R) that describes phase interactions and a pinning field (W) that introduces microscale heterogeneity. For linear interactions, F − M undergo homogeneous mixing and show planar/wavy interfaces, when DF = DM and W = 0. The mixing turns heterogeneous as DF ≠ DM and W > 0, resulting in phase boundary migration with a fingering pattern. Non-linear reaction coupling enhances heterogeneous mixing and produces incoherent phase boundaries where F-phases host relics of M-phases, following a power-law size distribution. Striking similarities of interface patterns and fractal dimensions estimated from model and CGGC validate the proposed mechanism of macroscopic petrological assimilation. We argue that RD model provides a new insight into the genesis of hybrid rocks in metamorphic terrains.
Diversified: promoting co-production in course design and delivery
Authors: Cumming Therese M. , Bugge Aaron Saint-James , Kriss Karen , McArthur Ian , Watson Karin , Jiang Zixi
Published: December 2023

Neurodivergent students are one of the fastest growing diversity groups in tertiary education. This highlights the need for a Universal Design for Learning (UDL) perspective in course design and delivery. One important component of UDL is student voice, which has been historically lacking, especially for neurodivergent students. In this perspectives article, the authors present a viewpoint on the importance of promoting co-production in course design and delivery between neurodivergent students and instructors and illustrate the concept with examples from the Diversified Project. The “Diversified Group” was established by neurodivergent students and faculty members to address the perceived inadequacy in instructor awareness regarding the varied needs of an expanding neurodiverse student population at the university. The authors provide recommendations for systemic, faculty, school, and instructor-level actions to improve the learning experience for neurodivergent students. Current advances and future directions in promoting co-production in university course design and delivery are provided.
Preoperative risk stratification for patients with ≤ 1 cm papillary thyroid carcinomas based on preoperative blood inflammatory markers: construction of a dynamic predictive model
Authors: Zhao Lingqian , Hu Tao , Cai Yuan , Zhou Tianhan , Zhang Wenhao , Wu Fan , Zhang Yu , Luo Dingcun
Published: December 2023

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships and predictive value of preoperative peripheral blood inflammatory markers as a means by which to assess risk for patients with ≤ 1 cm papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs). In addition, a preoperative risk stratification predictive model was constructed and validated.

Methods

Clinical and pathologic data, as well as preoperative blood specimens, were collected from patients who underwent initial thyroid cancer surgery at the Hangzhou First People’s Hospital, from January 2014 to January 2023. Risk assessment was performed based on postoperative pathology according to the 2015 ATA guidelines for recurrence risk stratification. Using univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression, we identified independent risk factors associated with risk stratification. A predictive model was established and its discriminative and calibration abilities were validated. An independent validation dataset was used to verify the model, and the model was deployed as an online calculator.

Results

A total of 1326 patients were included in the study, with 1047 cases (79.0%) classified as low risk and 279 cases (21.0%) classified as intermediate to high risk. The modeling group consisted of 981 cases, through univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis, preoperative blood Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR), gender, tumor diameter, and multifocality were identified as independent risk factors that distinguished between low and intermediate to high risk patients with ≤ 1 cm PTCs. The clinical predictive model exhibited an AUC of 0.785, specificity of 70.6%, and sensitivity of 75.8%. For the independent validation group of 345 patients, the AUC was 0.813, specificity was 83.8%, and sensitivity was 70.4%. The calibration curve and clinical decision curve indicate that the model demonstrates excellent calibration performance.

Conclusion

A dynamic clinical predictive model based on preoperative blood NLR and clinical information for patients with ≤ 1 cm PTCs was established. The model is useful for preoperative risk assessment of patients with ≤ 1 cm PTCs.
Variant spectrum of F8 and F9 in hemophilia patients from southern China and 26 novel variants
Authors: Li Fucheng , He Liya , Chen Guilan , Lu Yan , Li Ru , Zhang Yongling , Jing Xiangyi , Ling Rujuan , Li Dongzhi , Liao Can
Published: December 2023

Hemophilia, an X-linked recessive disorder, is characterized by spontaneous or trauma-induced prolonged bleeding. It is classified as hemophilia A when caused by variants in the F8 gene, and hemophilia B when caused by F9 variants. Few studies have described hemophilia variants in the Chinese population. This study aimed to investigate the clinical and genetic profiles of 193 hemophilia patients from southern China. Utilizing Sanger sequencing, multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification, gap detection, long-range PCR, and multiplex PCR, we identified both F8 and F9 gene variants. Pregnant women with a history of hemophilia A offspring underwent amniocentesis or villus sampling for the variant detection. Variants in F8 and F9 were pinpointed in 183 patients, with 26 being novel discoveries. Notably, genetic testing was absent in the initial evaluation of 133 out of 161 patients, leading to a protracted average definitive diagnosis timeline of 2 years. Remarkably, two hemophilia A cases with anticipated severe phenotypes due to protein-truncating variants presented with only moderate or mild clinical manifestations. Among the 40 fetuses tested, 34 were males, with 17 exhibiting hemizygous variants in the F8 gene. Our results contribute to the broader understanding of F8 and F9 variant spectrum and highlight the underuse of genetic analyses in southern China.
Neuroinflammation in epileptogenesis: from pathophysiology to therapeutic strategies
Authors: Li Wenjun , Wu Jinze , Zeng Yini , Zheng Wen
Published: December 2023

Epilepsy is a group of enduring neurological disorder characterized by spontaneous and recurrent seizures with heterogeneous etiology, clinical expression, severity, and prognosis. Growing body of research investigates that epileptic seizures are originated from neuronal synchronized and excessive electrical activity. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of epileptogenesis have not yet been fully elucidated and 30% of epileptic patients still are resistant to the currently available pharmacological treatments with recurrent seizures throughout life. Over the past two decades years accumulated evidences provide strong support to the hypothesis that neuroinflammation, including microglia and astrocytes activation, a cascade of inflammatory mediator releasing, and peripheral immune cells infiltration from blood into brain, is associated with epileptogenesis. Meanwhile, an increasing body of preclinical researches reveal that the anti-inflammatory therapeutics targeting crucial inflammatory components are effective and promising in the treatment of epilepsy. The aim of the present study is to highlight the current understanding of the potential neuroinflammatory mechanisms in epileptogenesis and the potential therapeutic targets against epileptic seizures.
IgG4-related disease with massive pericardial effusion diagnosed clinically using FDG-PETCT: a case report
Authors: Wei Qiaofeng , Qi Huili , Wei Hongmei , Wang Xiuhua , Zhang Hongju
Published: December 2023

Background

IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a systemic inflammatory disease which involves various organs such as the pancreas, lacrimal gland, salivary gland, retroperitoneum, and so on. These organs can be affected concomitantly. 18-Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography computed tomography (FDG-PETCT) is a systemic examination which can identify active inflammation and detect multiple organ involvement simultaneously. Pericardial involvement is rare in IgG4-RD, early detection and treatment can greatly improve the prognosis of patients.

Case summary

We reported a 82-year-old female patient referred to our department complaining of chest tightness and abdominal fullness for 8 months and massive pericardial effusion for 2 months. A large amount of pericardial effusion was found during the hospitalization of Gastroenterology. Then she was transferred to cardiology. Although infectious, tuberculous, and neoplastic pericardial effusions were excluded, there was still no diagnosis. The patients were examined by FDG-PETCT which considered IgG4-RD. After coming to our department, the results of the patient’s laboratory tests showed that immunoglobulin subgroup IgG4 was 14.0 g/L. Then we performed a biopsy of the right submandibular gland. Pathological morphology and immunohistochemistry suggested IgG4-RD. Combined with level of IgG4, clinical, pathological and immunohistochemical results, we determined the final diagnosis of IgG4 related diseases. Then we gave glucocorticoid and immunosuppressant treatment. At the end, pericardial effusion was completely absorbed. As prednisone acetate was gradually reduced, no recurrence of the disease has been observed.

Conclusion

Pericardial effusion can be the initial presentation in IgG4-RD. For patients with massive pericardial effusion of unknown cause, early detection of IgG4 is recommended, and PETCT may be helpful for obtaining the diagnosis.