bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interferon-γ Impairs Human Coronary Artery Endothelial Glucose Metabolism by Tryptophan Catabolism and Activates Fatty Acid Oxidation
Authors: Lee Laurel Yong-Hwa , Oldham William M. , He Huamei , Wang Ruisheng , Mulhern Ryan , Handy Diane E. , Loscalzo Joseph
Published: October 2021

Background:

Endothelial cells depend on glycolysis for much of their energy production. Impaired endothelial glycolysis has been associated with various vascular pathobiologies, including impaired angiogenesis and atherogenesis. IFN-γ (interferon-γ)–producing CD4
+
and CD8
+
T lymphocytes have been identified as the predominant pathological cell subsets in human atherosclerotic plaques. Although the immunologic consequences of these cells have been extensively evaluated, their IFN-γ–mediated metabolic effects on endothelial cells remain unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the metabolic consequences of the T-lymphocyte cytokine, IFN-γ, on human coronary artery endothelial cells.

Methods:

The metabolic effects of IFN-γ on primary human coronary artery endothelial cells were assessed by unbiased transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses combined with real-time extracellular flux analyses and molecular mechanistic studies. Cellular phenotypic correlations were made by measuring altered endothelial intracellular cGMP content, wound-healing capacity, and adhesion molecule expression.

Results:

IFN-γ exposure inhibited basal glycolysis of quiescent primary human coronary artery endothelial cells by 20% through the global transcriptional suppression of glycolytic enzymes resulting from decreased basal HIF1α (hypoxia-inducible factor 1α) nuclear availability in normoxia. The decrease in HIF1α activity was a consequence of IFN-γ–induced tryptophan catabolism resulting in ARNT (aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator)/HIF1β sequestration by the kynurenine-activated AHR (aryl hydrocarbon receptor). In addition, IFN-γ resulted in a 23% depletion of intracellular nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide in human coronary artery endothelial cells. This altered glucose metabolism was met with concomitant activation of fatty acid oxidation, which augmented its contribution to intracellular ATP balance by >20%. These metabolic derangements were associated with adverse endothelial phenotypic changes, including decreased basal intracellular cGMP, impaired endothelial migration, and a switch to a proinflammatory state.

Conclusions:

IFN-γ impairs endothelial glucose metabolism by altered tryptophan catabolism destabilizing HIF1, depletes nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, and results in a metabolic shift toward increased fatty acid oxidation. This work suggests a novel mechanistic basis for pathological T lymphocyte–endothelial interactions in atherosclerosis mediated by IFN-γ, linking endothelial glucose, tryptophan, and fatty acid metabolism with the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide balance and ATP generation and their adverse endothelial functional consequences.
Molecular cloning, expression profiling of a carboxylesterase gene and its potential role in methyl farnesoate degradation in Eriocheir sinensis (Brachyura, Varunidae)
Authors: Li Xilei , Chen Tiantian , Xu Ruihan , Xie Qiming , Su Shiping , Ma Keyi , Ma Rufang
Published: October 2021

In crustaceans, methyl farnesoate (MF) is an important sesquiterpenoid to regulate many physiological processes, especially reproduction and ovarian maturation. In this study, a 1919 bp cDNA of carboxylesterases (Es-CXE6) with some conserved motifs of the CXE multifunctional enzyme family was cloned from Eriocheir sinensis. Tissue and stage-specific expression results suggested that Es-CXE6 expression in hepatopancreas was highest and associated with the haemolymph MF titer. In vitro and in vivo experiments showed that Es-CXE6 expression was significantly upregulated by MF treatment in the hepatopancreas but not in the ovary. Furthermore, an eyestalk ablation experiment showed that Es-CXE6 expression was significantly upregulated on days 1 and 3 post eyestalk ablation in the hepatopancreas. Together, these results indicate that Es-CXE6 may degrade MF in the hepatopancreas in E. sinensis. Our results offer a potential approach to maintain the MF titer at appropriate levels, which has potential applications in crab aquaculture.
A new Asterocheres (Copepoda, Siphonostomatoida) symbiont of the sea star Nidorellia armata (Gray, 1840) (Echinodermata, Asteroidea) in the Eastern Tropical Pacific
Authors: Reyes-González C. Nahxieli , Suárez-Morales Eduardo
Published: October 2021

A new species of the diverse and widely distributed symbiotic copepod genus Asterocheres is described from the sea star Nidorellia armata (Gray, 1840) in Mexican waters of the Eastern Tropical Pacific. The new species resembles various other congeners by sharing several characters including: (1) a siphon extending to the intersection of the maxilliped, (2) a 21-segmented antennule, and (3) a 2-segmented mandible palp. It can be distinguished by the unique structure and ornamentation of the maxilla, the armature and proportions of the fifth leg, and its body shape.

This is the first documented record of Asterocheres from the Mexican Pacific and the first finding of a symbiotic copepod on this sea star host. Males, ovigerous females and copepodites were recorded from the host, thus suggesting a well-established symbiotic association. It is likely that copepods feed on the host’s tegument. Further studies will be needed to assess the reproductive traits and seasonality of this copepod as a symbiont.
A Study of the Language Characteristics of Types of Business English Speeches from the Perspective of Functional Linguistics
Authors: Wang Xian , Li Huixian
Published: October 2021

A Study of the Language Characteristics of Types of Business English Speeches from the Perspective of Functional LinguisticsBusiness English speeches are an essential form of business communication, and the question of how to improve their effectiveness is essential to successful business communication. Based on a self-built corpus of Business English speeches, this paper studies the relationship of sentence structure, business vocabulary, and speech type with business speeches by using a quantitative statistical method. It reveals that the sentence structure used by the speaker changes according to the content and type of speech, while the proportion of business vocabulary relative to the type of business speech stays at a low level of 5%, with little variance. Sentence structure and the frequency of business vocabulary should be adapted according to the type of speech so that positive effectiveness can be ensured. Charakterystyka lingwistyczna typów angielskich wystąpień biznesowych w świetle językoznawstwa funkcjonalnegoPrzemówienia biznesowe w języku angielskim są podstawową formą komunikacji biznesowej, a pytanie o to, jak poprawić ich efektywność, jest kluczowe dla udanej komunikacji biznesowej. Na podstawie samodzielnie zbudowanego korpusu przemówień biznesowych w języku angielskim badany jest związek struktury zdań, słownictwa biznesowego i typu wypowiedzi z przemówieniami biznesowymi z zastosowaniem statystycznej metody ilościowej. Okazuje się, że struktura zdania używana przez mówiącego zmienia się w zależności od treści i typu wypowiedzi, podczas gdy udział słownictwa biznesowego w stosunku do typu wypowiedzi biznesowej pozostaje na niskim, 5 procentowym poziomie, z niewielkimi odchyleniami. Struktura zdania i częstość użycia słownictwa biznesowego powinny być dostosowane do rodzaju wypowiedzi, aby zapewnić jej skuteczność.
The Conceptual Metaphor of Modesty in English and Ukrainian
Authors: Shevchenko Iryna , Shastalo Vira
Published: October 2021

The Conceptual Metaphor of Modesty in English and UkrainianThe article focuses on the cultural regulatory concept of MODESTY in English and Ukrainian linguistic construals of the world. The article examines this concept as it is lexicalized in English and Ukrainian in terms of cross-domain mapping and conceptual integration theory. In the corresponding national corpora of fiction, MODESTY serves both as target and source domains, thus forming the range and scope of conceptual metaphors. The article claims that in genetically unrelated languages, conceptual metaphors of MODESTY demonstrate common mental models and mainly vary in their verbal form and in their frequency in discourse. From a cross-cultural perspective, the variation of conceptual metaphors of MODESTY is motivated not only linguistically but also culturally. In English conceptual metaphors, the source domains cross-mapped onto the target MODESTY are semantically more varied than in Ukrainian. The target domains onto which modesty is mapped form semantically similar conceptual metaphors, which differ in their frequency in English and Ukrainian discourses. Metafora konceptualna skromności w języku angielskim i ukraińskim Autorki przedstawiają kulturowo-regulacyjny koncept SKROMNOŚCI w angielskich i ukraińskich językowych konstruktach świata. Analizują leksykalizację tego konceptu w języku angielskim i ukraińskim pod kątem mapowania międzydomenowego i teorii integracji konceptualnej. W utworach literackich zawartych w korpusach narodowych SKROMNOŚĆ służy zarówno jako domena docelowa, jak i źródłowa, kształtując w ten sposób zakres metafor konceptualnych. Autorki stwierdzają, że w językach niezwiązanych genetycznie konceptualne metafory SKROMNOŚCI wskazują na wspólne modele umysłowe i różnią się głównie formą werbalną oraz częstotliwością występowania w dyskursie. Z perspektywy międzykulturowej, zróżnicowanie konceptualnych metafor SKROMNOŚCI jest umotywowane nie tylko językowo, ale i kulturowo. W angielskich metaforach konceptualnych domeny źródłowe, na które nakłada się docelowe pojęcie SKROMNOŚCI, są semantycznie bardziej zróżnicowane niż w metaforach ukraińskich. Domeny docelowe, na które mapowana jest SKROMNOŚĆ, tworzą semantycznie podobne metafory konceptualne, różniące się częstotliwością występowania w dyskursie angielskim i ukraińskim.
Plurilingualism as a Sociolinguistic Phenomenon in the Modern Globalized World: A Review of Pavlo Levchuk’s Monograph “Trójjęzyczność ukraińsko-rosyjsko-polska Ukraińców niepolskiego pochodzenia” (Kraków: Księgarnia Akademicka, 2020, ss. 299)
Authors: Kushlyk Oksana
Published: October 2021

Plurilingualism as a Sociolinguistic Phenomenon in the Modern Globalized World: A Review of Pavlo Levchuk’s Monograph “Trójjęzyczność ukraińsko-rosyjsko-polska Ukraińców niepolskiego pochodzenia” (Kraków: Księgarnia Akademicka, 2020, ss. 299)The reviewed monograph is the first scientific work in Poland addressing the issue of Ukrainian–Russian–Polish trilingualism, a widespread phenomenon among Ukrainians of non-Polish descent living in both Ukraine and Poland. The research was conducted from the sociolinguistic perspective and involves an analysis of the linguistic situation caused by the spread of the three languages in the area, the determination of the quantitative and qualitative indicators of this trilingualism, and an assessment of official language policy, which purports to strengthen the position of Polish in relation to the other two languages under study. Polilingwizm jako zjawisko socjolingwistyczne we współczesnym  zglobalizowanym świecie. Recenzja monografii Pawła Lewczuka „Trójjęzyczność ukraińsko-rosyjsko-polska Ukraińców niepolskiego pochodzenia” (Kraków: Księgarnia Akademicka, 2020, 299 s.)Recenzowana monografia jest pierwszą w Polsce pracą naukową podejmującą problematykę trójjęzyczności ukraińsko-rosyjsko-polskiej – powszechnego zjawiska wśród Ukraińców niepolskiego pochodzenia, zamieszkałych zarówno na Ukrainie, jak i w Polsce. Badania zostały przeprowadzone z perspektywy socjolingwistycznej i obejmują analizę sytuacji językowej spowodowanej rozprzestrzenianiem się trzech języków na danym obszarze, określenie ilościowych i jakościowych wskaźników tej trójjęzyczności oraz ocenę oficjalnej polityki językowej, która zmierza do wzmocnienia pozycji języka polskiego w stosunku do dwóch pozostałych badanych języków.
Ukrainian Language in Polish Public Space
Authors: Levchuk Paweł
Published: October 2021

Ukrainian Language in Polish Public SpaceThe article deals with examples of the use of Ukrainian in Polish public space. Ukrainians are the largest immigrant group in Poland, with an estimated 2 million people. Most of them speak Polish at an elementary level. This situation has led to the appearance in Polish public space of Ukrainian-language advertising of banks, mobile operators, cinemas, various services, information about the COVID-19 pandemic, and so on. Although formally the Ukrainian language remains exclusively the language of a national minority, its use indicates an increasing need for Ukrainian-language advertising in various environments. Język ukraiński w polskiej przestrzeni publicznejAutor omawia przykłady użycia języka ukraińskiego w polskiej przestrzeni publicznej. Ukraińcy są największą grupą imigrantów w Polsce, jej wielkość jest szacowana na 2 miliony osób. Większość z nich posługuje się językiem polskim na poziomie podstawowym. Ta sytuacja spowodowała, że w polskiej przestrzeni publicznej pojawiły się ukraińskojęzyczne reklamy banków, operatorów telefonii komórkowej, kin, różnych usług, również informacje o pandemii COVID-19 itd. Mimo że formalnie język ukraiński pozostaje wyłącznie językiem mniejszości narodowej, jego użycie wskazuje na rosnące zapotrzebowanie na ukraińskojęzyczną reklamę w różnych sferach życia.
History as a Weapon: Second World War Imagery in the Ongoing Russian–Ukrainian Cyberwar
Authors: Pidkuĭmukha Liudmyla
Published: October 2021

History as a Weapon: Second World War Imagery in the Ongoing Russian–Ukrainian CyberwarThe article focuses on the characteristics of military posters employed as an element of the ongoing Russia–Ukrainian hybrid war in the Donbas region. The paper also examines the functions which posters fulfil in times of military conflict and analyses the role which posters play in persuading and mobilizing society, recruiting soldiers, and maintaining high morale among troops.The research material includes posters that were exhibited in 2014–2017, when the most significant battles took place. The article focuses on the verbal aspects of the posters as well as on the visual constructions of “friends” and “foes”. Furthermore, this investigation analyses the Second World War (WWII) images and symbols that have been used in both pro-Ukrainian and pro-Russian posters. Historia jako broń: obrazowanie drugiej wojny światowej w trwającej cyberwojnie rosyjsko-ukraińskiejAutorka koncentruje się na charakterystyce plakatów wojskowych wykorzystywanych jako element trwającej w regionie Donbasu rosyjsko-ukraińskiej wojny hybrydowej. Bada również funkcje, jakie pełnią plakaty w czasie konfliktu zbrojnego oraz analizuje rolę, jaką odgrywają w przekonywaniu i mobilizowaniu społeczeństwa, rekrutacji żołnierzy oraz utrzymywaniu wysokiego poziomu morale wśród wojska.Materiał badawczy obejmuje plakaty, które były eksponowane w latach 2014–2017, kiedy rozegrano najbardziej znaczące bitwy. W artykule autorka skupiła uwagę na werbalnych aspektach plakatów, a także na wizualnych konstrukcjach „przyjaciół” i „wrogów”. Ponadto analizuje wizerunek drugiej wojny światowej, motywy i symbole z przeszłości, które zostały wykorzystane zarówno w plakatach proukraińskich, jak i prorosyjskich.
Theoretically Based Factors Affecting Stroke Family Caregiver Health: An Integrative Review
Authors: Kum Cleopatra , Miller Elaine L. , Jones Holly , Kean Emily B. , Kreitzer Natalie , Bakas Tamilyn
Published: October 2021

Stroke family caregivers often neglect their own health while providing care. Rigorous reviews have focused on stroke caregiver needs and outcomes; however, a comprehensive review of stroke caregiver health is lacking. The purpose of this integrative review was to determine factors associated with stroke family caregiver health. Using a PRISMA flow diagram and Rayyan software, 41 studies were identified published from January 2000 to December 2020. Databases included Cochrane Reviews, Cochrane Trials, PsycINFO, Ovid MEDLINE, PubMed, EBSCOhost MEDLINE, Embase, and CINAHL. Rigorous guidelines were used to critique the 41 articles. Health measures were global in nature, lacking details regarding health promotion activities important to stroke family caregiver health. Common factors associated with caregiver health were depressive symptoms and burden. Further research is needed to design more situation-specific instruments to measure stroke family caregiver health, as well as interventions to reduce depressive symptoms and burden while promoting caregiver health.
Neonatal Fc receptor expression in lymphoid and myeloid cells in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Yanis Ramdani , Bergua Cécile , Christelle Barbet , Maillot François , Bigot Adrien , Beurier Pauline , Ferreira-Maldent Nicole , Diot Elisabeth , Gouilleux-Gruart Valérie
Published: October 2021

The neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) is a ubiquitously expressed protein historically involved in IgG and albumin recycling. Recent data suggest an involvement in the pathophysiology of antibody-mediated autoimmune diseases. Among them, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) implies clinical and biological abnormalities of innate and adaptive circulating immune cells, potentially involving newly described functions of FcRn. In this study, FcRn expression was assessed by flow cytometry in peripheral blood leukocytes of 41 SLE patients with either active or inactive disease and 32 healthy donors. FcRn expression in B cells, natural killer cells, and T cells of SLE patients was statistically lower as compared to healthy donors. Conversely, FcRn level was statistically higher in non-classical monocyte subpopulations (CD14+CD16+ monocytes) of SLE patients versus healthy donors providing an interesting perspective to further explore its role in SLE pathophysiology.
Risk Factors for Serum Bilirubin Rebound After Stopping Phototherapy in Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia
Authors: Yadav Abhishek , Maini Baljeet , Gaur Bablu Kumar , Singh Rupa R
Published: October 2021

Objective:

To identify the factors affecting rebound increase in bilirubin levels after stopping phototherapy in neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.

Setting:

Tertiary-level neonatal unit.

Patients:

This was a hospital-based cross-sectional observational study. The study was conducted in neonatal division of rural tertiary care hospital. All neonates who were admitted for hyperbilirubinemia treatment and fulfilled the inclusion criteria were included in the study.

Inclusion Criteria:

All neonates 1.5 kg and above and treated in newborn intensive care unit for hyperbilirubinemia.

Exclusion Criteria:

(a) Critically ill patients requiring respiratory support any time after delivery, (b) neonates presenting with life-threatening surgical conditions, (c) patient with congenital malformation, (d) conjugated bilirubin elevation, (e) patients with birth asphyxia.

Statistical Analysis:

All the data were entered into a Microsoft Excel sheet. Appropriate tests of significance were applied. The various variables were sorted and presented as a number or percentage. The categorical variables used in the analysis were evaluated using the chi-square test (Yates’s correction and Fischer exact test were employed where applicable). The continuous data were analyzed by “t” test. The P value of less than 0.05 was taken to be level of statistical significance.

Results:

One hundred and fifty patients of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia were included in this study. In this study, 81 newborns (54.0%) were male and 78 (52%) of them were born by normal vaginal delivery. One hundred and nine babies (72.6%) were term babies. Fifty babies (33.3%) were low birth weight. Out of 150 neonates, 18(12%) had ABO incompatibility, 13(8.7%) Rh incompatibility, 23(15.7%) neonatal sepsis, and 4 (2.6%) had polycythemia. Out of 150 patients, 15(10%) babies had rebound hyperbilirubinemia at 24 h of life requiring phototherapy prematurity (particularly <34 weeks) ( P value: .03), low birth weight (particularly <2.0 kg) ( P value:.009), onset of jaundice requiring phototherapy before 72 h of life ( P value .04), blood group (both Rh and ABO) incompatibility ( P values: .001 and .002), neonatal sepsis ( P value: .004) were significantly associated with rebound hyperbilirubinemia. Glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, polycythemia, maturity, mode of feeding, and gender did not show any statistical significant relationship with rebound hyperbilirubinemia.

Conclusions:

Rebound level of bilirubin need not be checked in all babies. Babies with risk factors like born preterm, low birth weight, having sepsis, requirement of phototherapy before 72 h of life, Rh and ABO group incompatibility, only need to be checked for serum bilirubin rebound. We recommend more studies with larger sample size to evaluate all these factors including polycythemia and G6PD deficiency.
Interventions to Increase Sunscreen Use in Adults: A Review of the Literature
Authors: Allen Nicholas , Damian Diona L.
Published: October 2021

Skin cancers are the most common malignancy in Australia. Regular sunscreen use can reduce the incidence of cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas and actinic keratoses and has been associated with reducing the incidence of basal cell carcinomas and melanomas. However, sunscreen effectiveness is limited by the failure of the population to use it routinely. Interventions that promote the daily application of sunscreen may reduce the morbidity, mortality, and economic burden associated with skin malignancies. We reviewed the literature that examines the effectiveness of interventions to increase routine sunscreen use and found that no one strategy has been shown to be clearly effective in adults and that relatively few studies have aimed to increase routine use in groups at extreme skin cancer risk. Future research should consider how interventions can be best designed and how sunscreen use is measured so that cost-effective, feasible strategies that result in improved sunscreen use in adults can be established.
The coloniality of queer theory: The effects of “homonormativity” on transnational Taiwan’s path to equality
Authors: Kao Ying-Chao
Published: October 2021

This study extends the “Queer” Asia s critique to deconstruct the coloniality of queer theory in transnational Taiwan. Focusing on Duggan’s critique of homonormativity, I used 22-months ethnographic data to examine its Taiwanese glocalization and influences on American scholars’ denigration of Taiwanese marriage equality campaigns. I argue that the glocalization of homonormativity theory has generated the disruption between queer theory and embodied experiences, falsely assumed the universalism of queer theory, and failed to recognize practices of diversifying families and resistance to neoliberalism. The homonormativity glocalization also produces “radical queer temporality” and Orientalist double standards that collude with imperialist epistemology. I conclude with strategies for a decolonial queer theory.
Cross-section optimization of thin-walled open-section composite column for maximizing its ultimate strength
Authors: Choudhary Prashant K , Mahato Prashanta K , Jana Prasun
Published: October 2021

This paper focuses on the optimization of thin-walled open cross-section laminated composite column subjected to uniaxial compressive load. The cross-section of the column is parameterized in such a way that it can represent a variety of shapes including most of the regular cross-sections such as H, C, T, and I sections. The objective is to obtain the best possible shape of the cross-section, by keeping a constant total material volume, which can maximize the ultimate load carrying capacity of the column. The ultimate strength of the column is determined by considering both buckling instability and material failure. For material failure, Tsai-Wu composite failure criterion is considered. As analytical solutions for these parameterized column models are not tractable, the ultimate loads of the composite columns are computed through finite-element analysis in ANSYS. And, the optimization is carried out by coupling these finite-element results with a genetic algorithm based optimization scheme developed in MATLAB. The optimal result obtained through this study is compared with an equivalent base model of cruciform cross-section. Results are reported for various lengths and boundary conditions of the columns. The comparison shows that a substantial increase of the ultimate load, as high as 610%, can be achieved through this optimization study. Thus, the present paper highlights some important characteristics of open cross-sections that can be useful in the design of thin-walled laminated column structures.
Designing a Pro-Equity HPV Vaccine Delivery Program for Girls Who Have Dropped Out of School: Community Perspectives From Uttar Pradesh, India
Authors: Holroyd Taylor A. , Yan Shirley D. , Srivastava Vineet , Srivastava Ashish , Wahl Brian , Morgan Christopher , Kumar Somesh , Yadav Amit K. , Jennings Mary Carol
Published: October 2021

India experiences a substantial burden of cervical cancer and accounts for nearly one third of cervical cancer deaths worldwide. While human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines have been introduced subnationally in some states, HPV has not yet been rolled out nationally. Given the target age group, schools are the most common delivery channel for HPV vaccines, but this fails to account for local girls who never attended or no longer attend school. We conducted a qualitative, design-informed, community-based study conducted in Uttar Pradesh, India. We assessed facilitators and barriers among out-of-school girls and proposed program characteristics to inform the design of pro-equity HPV vaccine delivery programs for out-of-school girls. Programs should improve parental knowledge of the risk of cervical cancer, engage vaccinated girls as vaccine champions, utilize varied media options for low-literacy populations, and ensure that HPV vaccine services are accessible and flexible to accommodate out-of-school girls. In areas with poor or irregular school attendance among adolescent girls, HPV vaccine coverage will remain suboptimal until programs can effectively address their needs and reach this priority population. Our findings present a meaningful opportunity for program planners to purposefully design HPV vaccination programs according to these parameters, rather than modifying existing programs to include HPV vaccine. Adolescent girls, their parents, and other community members should be involved in program design to ensure that the program can effectively meet the needs of adolescent girls who are not in school.
Reflection in Transformative Learning: The Challenge of Measurement
Authors: Savicki Victor , Price Michele V.
Published: October 2021

Reflection is a key component of the transformative learning process. In this study, we take steps to define components of reflection and link them to a computer-based, quantitative method of content analysis called Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC). This method can be used to evaluate common forms of reflective writing such as journals, reflective essays, and blog posts. It has several advantages over more common qualitative approaches for measuring reflection. We test the efficacy of this quantitative measurement approach with data from 98 study abroad university students. The results indicate strong explanatory power that tracks well with theory and observation of the reflective process. Our approach follows procedures for construct validation of the measurement method. As an early step to use quantitative methods with reflection, the LIWC shows promise. However, much more research must be done to extend these initial findings both in measurement and theory development.
Navigating conflict between research ethics and online platform terms and conditions: a reflective account
Authors: Chua Shi Min
Published: October 2021

Internet users’ comments in online spaces have attracted researchers’ attention in recent years. Although this data is typically publicly available, its use requires careful consideration so as to not cause harm to the users, while complying with the terms and conditions (Ts & Cs) of the online spaces. However, the Ts & Cs and researchers’ ethical considerations may sometimes be in conflict. I faced such a conflict when I conducted discourse analysis of online discussions that were sourced from a public online learning platform owned by a private company. In this article, I reflect on how I navigated the Ts & Cs and copyright law, taking users’ likely expectations into consideration when deciding whether to seek informed consent and anonymize content. I employed an ‘attribution with anonymization’ method to acknowledge users for their comments while safeguarding their confidentiality. Given the variety of online spaces and research methods, ethical decision-making must be a contextualized process that requires researchers to consider the nature of the online platform and the potential experience of the users, rather than simply following guidelines or Ts & Cs.
Risk Factors and Comorbidities Associated with Diabetic Kidney Disease
Authors: Roy Satyajeet , Schweiker-Kahn Olga , Jafry Behjath , Masel-Miller Rachel , Raju Riya Sam , O’Neill Liam Martin Orta , Correia Caroline Rose , Trivedi Aditi , Johnson Christopher , Pilot Christian , Saddemi Jackson , Memon Aatqa , Chen Austin , McHugh Sean Paul , Patel Sawan , Daroshefski Nicholas Michael , Nguyen Tatyana , Wissler Walter , Sharma Elena , Hunter Krystal
Published: October 2021

Introduction/objectives:

Diabetic Kidney Disease (DKD) is the leading cause of end-stage kidney disease. Despite optimal glycemic control and blood pressure management, progression to DKD cannot be halted in some patients. We aimed to find the association of modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors and comorbid conditions in patients with DKD.

Methods:

Retrospective medical record review of adult patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) was performed who visited our internal medicine office between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020.

Results:

Among 728 patients with DM, 471 (64.7%) patients had DKD, and 257 (35.3%) patients were without DKD. Among the group of patients with DKD, the majority were in CKD stage G1A2 (34.6%), followed equally by G2A2 and G3aA1 (16.8% each). Mean age of the patients with DKD was significantly greater than the patients without DKD (69.4 years vs 62.2 years; P < .001). For each unit increase in age, there was a 7.8% increase in the odds of DKD (95% CI 5.3-10.4; P < .001). Women had 2.32 times greater odds of DKD (95% CI, 1.41-3.81; P = .001). We found decreased odds of DKD for those who consumed alcohol moderately (OR 0.612, 95% CI 0.377-0.994; P < .05). Significantly higher frequencies of associations of several comorbid medical conditions were seen in patients with DKD compared to the patients without DKD, such as hypertension (91.9% vs 75.6%), hyperlipidemia (86.6% vs 78.2%), coronary artery disease (39.3% vs 16.8%), cerebrovascular accidents (13.4% vs 7.4%), congestive heart failure (12.9% vs 4.1%), carotid artery stenosis (11.3% vs 2.6%), aortic aneurysm (5.4% vs 2.0%), peripheral artery disease (10.8% vs 3.5%), gout (12.4% vs 5.5%), and osteoarthritis (41.4% vs 31.2%).

Conclusions:

In patients with diabetes, increasing age, female sex, and lack of moderate alcohol consumption were associated with increased odds of DKD. Higher frequencies of association of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular accidents, congestive heart failure, carotid artery stenosis, aortic aneurysm, peripheral artery disease, gout, and osteoarthritis were also seen in patients with DKD.
Sustainability Issues of Women Street Vegetable & Flower Entrepreneurs in Goa: Need for State Interventions
Authors: Amballoor Renji George , Naik Shankar B.
Published: October 2021

In the wave of globalisation and the neo-classical economic doctrine of ‘market expansion and state compression’, the footprints of women street entrepreneurs are fast disappearing from our economy. The women street entrepreneurship provided a wonderful opportunity for inclusive growth narratives in rural areas among the economically and socially challenged sections. The advent liberalisation–privatisation–globalisation (LPG) process robbed even the public space available to the women street entrepreneurs in Goa 1 especially, the women and their death-knell became louder and clearer with every passing day.
Multi-component cognitive intervention for older adults with mixed cognitive levels: implementation and preliminary effectiveness in real-world settings
Authors: Mao Hui-Fen , Tsai Athena Yi-Jung , Chang Ling-Hui , Tsai I-Lu
Published: October 2021

Background

In most controlled studies of multi-component cognitive intervention, participants’ cognitive levels are homogenous, which is contrary to real-world settings. There is a lack of research studying the implementation of evidence-based cognitive intervention in communities. This study describes the implementation and preliminary effectiveness of a Multi-component Cognitive Intervention using Simulated Everyday Tasks (MCI-SET) for older adults with different cognitive levels in real-world settings.

Methods

Single group, pre-intervention assessment, post-intervention assessment, and 3-month follow-up research design. MCI-SET consists of 12 two-hour weekly sessions that include motor-cognitive tasks, cognitive training, and cognitive rehabilitation. One hundred and thirty participants, > = 65 and frail, dependence on > = one instrumental daily activity, or with confirmed dementia, from eight community centers were included. The primary outcome is general cognition (Montreal Cognitive Assessment-Taiwan, MoCA-T). Secondary outcomes are memory (Miami Prospective Memory Test, Digits Forward, Digits Backward), attention (Color Trail Test-Part 1), executive function (Color Trail Test-Part 2), and general function (Kihon Checklist-Taiwan).

Results

Pre-intervention workshop for group leaders, standardized activity protocols, on-site observation, and ten weekly conferences were conducted to ensure implementation fidelity. MCI-SET had an 85% retention rate and 96% attendance rate. The participants had a mean age of 78.26 ± 7.00 and a mean MoCA-T score of 12.55 ± 7.43. 73% were female.

General cognition (Hedges’ g = 0.31), attention (Hedges’ g = 0.23), and general function (Hedges’ g = 0.31), showed significant post-intervention improvement with small effect size. Follow-ups showed maintained improvement in general cognition (Hedges’ g = 0.33), and delayed effect on attention (Hedges’ g = 0.20), short-term memory (Hedges’ g = 0.38), and executive function (Hedges’ g = 0.40). Regression analysis indicated that the intervention settings (day care centers vs neighborhood centers), the pre-intervention cognitive levels, and the pre-intervention general function of the participants were not associated with the outcomes.

Conclusions

MCI-SET is feasible and can improve the cognitive skills and general functions of older adults with heterogeneous cognitive skills or disabilities. It is essential to tailor programs to fit the interests of the participants and the culture of local communities. Group leaders must also have the skills to adjust the cognitive demands of the tasks to meet the heterogeneous cognitive levels of participants.

Trial registration

This study was retrospectively registered at clinicaltrials.gov (Identifier: NCT04615169).
Reduced vestibular perception thresholds in persistent postural-perceptual dizziness- a cross-sectional study
Authors: Wurthmann Sebastian , Holle Dagny , Obermann Mark , Roesner Miriam , Nsaka Michael , Scheffler Armin , Kleinschnitz Christoph , Naegel Steffen
Published: October 2021

Background

Persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD) is the most common functional vestibular disorder. A multisensory mismatch altered by psychological influences is considered to be an important pathophysiological mechanism. Increased cortical and subcortical excitability may play a role in the pathophysiology of PPPD. We hypothesized that decreased motion perception thresholds reflect one mechanism of the abnormal vestibular responsiveness in this disorder. We investigated the vestibular perception thresholds and the vestibular ocular reflex with a rotatory chair experiment to gain insights in the processing and adaption to vestibular provocation.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study 26 female PPPD patients and 33 healthy female age matched controls (HC) were investigated sitting in a motorized rotary chair shielded regarding visual and acoustic stimuli. The chair was rotated for 20 minutes with slowly increasing velocity to a maximum of 72°/s. We functionally tested motion perception thresholds and vegetative responses to rotation as well as vestibular-ocular reflex thresholds. We additionally investigated several psychological comorbidities (i.e. depression, anxiety, somatosensory amplification) using validated scores. Conventional dizziness scores were obtained to quantify the experienced dizziness and impact on daily life.

Results

PPPD patients showed a significant reduced vestibulo-perceptual threshold (PPPD: 10.9°/s vs. HC: 29.5°/s; p<0.001) with increased motion sensitivity and concomitant vegetative response during and after the chair rotation compared to healthy controls. The extent of increased vestibular sensitivity was in correlation with the duration of the disease (p=0.043). No significant difference was measured regarding nystagmus parameters between both groups.

Conclusion

PPPD patients showed increased vegetative response as well as decreased vestibulo-perceptual thresholds which are related to disease duration. This is of interest as PPPD might be sustained by increased vestibular excitability leading to motion intolerance and induction of dizziness when exposed to movement.
Intraoperative radiation therapy induces immune response activity after pancreatic surgery
Authors: Lee Yun Sun , Kim Hyung Sun , Cho Yeona , Lee Ik Jae , Kim Hyo Jung , Lee Da Eun , Kang Hyeon Woong , Park Joon Seong
Published: October 2021

Background

Pancreatic cancer has highly aggressive features, such as local recurrence that leads to significantly high morbidity and mortality and recurrence after successful tumour resection. Intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT), which delivers targeted radiation to a tumour bed, is known to reduce local recurrence by directly killing tumour cells and modifying the tumour microenvironment.

Methods

Among 30 patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, 17 patients received IORT immediately after surgical resection. We investigated changes in the immune response induced by IORT by analysing the peritoneal fluid (PF) and blood of patients with and without IORT treatment after pancreatic cancer surgery. Further, we treated three pancreatic cell lines with PF to observe proliferation and activity changes.

Results

Levels of cytokines involved in the PI3K/SMAD pathway were increased in the PF of IORT-treated patients. Moreover, IORT-treated PF inhibited the growth, migration, and invasiveness of pancreatic cancer cells. Changes in lymphocyte populations in the blood of IORT-treated patients indicated an increased immune response.

Conclusions

Based on the characterisation and quantification of immune cells in the blood and cytokine levels in the PF, we conclude that IORT induced an anti-tumour effect by activating the immune response, which may prevent pancreatic cancer recurrence.

Clinical trial registration

NCT03273374.
Relationship between income inequality, socioeconomic development, vulnerability index, and maternal mortality in Brazil, 2017
Authors: do Socorro Candeira Costa Maria , dos Santos Figueiredo Francisco Winter
Published: October 2021

Background

Public health recognizes that health conditions depend on factors related to the development patterns income distribution, degree of poverty, working conditions, among other social determinants. The objective of this study was to analyze the association of maternal mortality with the Human Development Index (HDI), Gini Index, Income per capita, and the Social Vulnerability.

Method

The study analyzed the relationship between MMR and socioeconomic indicators in the 26 federative units and the Federal District of Brazil, in 2017. The socioeconomic indicators used in the study were: HDI, Gini Index, Income per capita, and SVI. Crude and adjusted linear regression were performed between maternal mortality and socioeconomic indicators.

Results

When analyzing which socioeconomic determinants that are related to maternal mortality ratio rates, a higher per capita income positive effect was observed for lower MMR (β = − 150.8; CI 95% -289.9 to − 11.7; r2 = 0.17; p = 0.035), as well as a trend of higher MMR in relation to the SVI (β = 97.7; CI 95% -12.2 to 207.6; r2 = 0.12; p = 0.079). In model found by the stepwise forward selections, only the per capita income was um index related to less RMM (β = − 0.02; CI 95% -0.05 to − 0.002; r2 = 0.15; p = 0.028).

Conclusion

The findings showed that the per capita income has a negative association MMR in the different states of Brazil, but seems canceled because of the other socioeconomic determinants related to the poor live conditions.
A rare Bochdalek hernia in an adult: a case report
Authors: Gu Yi-Min , Li Xiao-Yang , Wang Wen-Ping , Chen Long-Qi
Published: October 2021

Background

Symptomatic Bochdalek hernias are found mainly in infants in respiratory distress and occur rarely in adults.

Case presentation

We report a rare case of Bochdalek hernia associated with developmental abnormalities in an adult who exhibited acute chest pain and dyspnea on exertion.

Conclusions

This case highlights the importance of the differential diagnosis of acute left-sided chest pain and antenatal examination.
Related factors of periodontal health among Chinese middle school students, findings from a national cross-sectional survey
Authors: Zhan Jingyu , Zhang Yu , Wang Xing , Tai Baojun , Hu Deyu , Lin Huancai , Wang Bo , Si Yan , Wang Chunxiao , Zheng Shuguo , Liu Xuenan , Rong Wensheng , Wang Weijian , Feng Xiping , Chen Xi
Published: October 2021

Background

To investigate the related risk factors of periodontal health status among Chinese middle school students.

Methods

This study is a part of the Fourth National Oral Health Epidemiological Survey, which is by far the largest oral epidemiological survey in China, including all provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions in mainland China. A multi-stage stratified sampling method was used to select middle school students aged 12–15 from the sampled middle school for investigation. The survey consisted of two parts: oral examination and questionnaire survey. The oral examination included gingival bleeding and calculus. The questionnaire included sociodemographic information, oral health knowledge, attitudes and behaviors. Logistic regression and generalized linear mixed model were used to investigate the risk factors of gingival bleeding and calculus.

Results

A total of 118,514 middle-school students has been examined. Less gingival bleeding (OR = 0.746, CI 0.718–0.774) and calculus (OR = 0.550, CI 0.529–0.527) were found in 12-year-old group compared to 15-year-old group. The periodontal health status of males was worse than that of females (gingival bleeding OR = 1.102, CI 1.074–1.132, calculus OR = 1.258, CI 1.223–1.295). Besides age and gender, region, living place, ethnic groups, family structure, parent’s education level, oral health knowledge and behavior were also related to gingival bleeding and calculus.

Conclusions

Gingival bleeding and calculus occurred most of 12–15 years old adolescents in China. Several related factors, such as gender, age, ethnicity, father’s education level, oral health knowledge and behavior, were found in multi-factorial models. The impact of province should arouse people’s attention.
Pain, disease severity and associations with individual quality of life in patients with motor neuron diseases
Authors: Åkerblom Ylva , Zetterberg Lena , Larsson Birgitta Jakobsson , Nyholm Dag , Nygren Ingela , Åsenlöf Pernilla
Published: October 2021

Background

Up to 85% of people with motor neuron disease (MND) report pain, but whether pain has negative impact on quality of life is unclear. The aim was to study associations between pain, disease severity and individual quality of life (IQOL) in patients with MND.

Methods

In this cross sectional study, 61 patients were recruited from four multidisciplinary teams in Sweden, whereof 55 responded to the pain measure (The Brief Pain Inventory – Short form) and were included in the main analyses. Disease severity was measured with the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale - Revised Version, and individual quality of life was measured with a study-specific version of the Schedule for the Evaluation of Individual Quality of Life - Direct Weighting.

Results

Forty-one (74%) of the participants who answered BPI-SF (n = 55) reported pain. Thirty-nine (71%) of those reported pain during the past 24 h. The severity of pain was on average moderate, with eight participants (14%) reporting severe pain (PSI ≥ 7).

Satisfaction with IQOL for the entire sample was good (scale 1-7, where 1 equals poor quality of life): median 5, interquartile range (IQR) 2.75 and there was no difference in satisfaction with IQOL between those reporting pain/not reporting pain (median 5, IQR 2/median 5, IQR 3.5, Mann-Whitney U = 249,p = 0.452). There was neither any correlation between pain severity and satisfaction with IQOL, nor between disease severity and satisfaction with IQOL.

Conclusions

The results add to the hypothesis that associations between non-motor symptoms such as pain prevalence and pain severity and IQOL in MND are weak. Pain prevalence was high and the results pointed to that some participants experienced high pain severity, which indicate that pain assessments and pain treatments tailored to the specific needs of the MND population should be developed and scientifically evaluated.
Improving anti-cancer drug delivery performance of magnetic mesoporous silica nanocarriers for more efficient colorectal cancer therapy
Authors: Iranpour Sonia , Bahrami Ahmad Reza , Nekooei Sirous , Sh. Saljooghi Amir , Matin Maryam M.
Published: October 2021

Background

Improving anti-cancer drug delivery performance can be achieved through designing smart and targeted drug delivery systems (DDSs). For this aim, it is important to evaluate overexpressed biomarkers in the tumor microenvironment (TME) for optimizing DDSs.

Materials and methods

Herein, we designed a novel DDS based on magnetic mesoporous silica core–shell nanoparticles (SPION@MSNs) in which release of doxorubicin (DOX) at the physiologic pH was blocked with gold gatekeepers. In this platform, we conjugated heterofunctional polyethylene glycol (PEG) onto the outer surface of nanocarriers to increase their biocompatibility. At the final stage, an epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) aptamer as an active targeting moiety was covalently attached (Apt-PEG-Au@NPs-DOX) for selective drug delivery to colorectal cancer (CRC) cells. The physicochemical properties of non-targeted and targeted nanocarriers were fully characterized. The anti-cancer activity, cellular internalization, and then the cell death mechanism of prepared nanocarriers were determined and compared in vitro. Finally, tumor inhibitory effects, biodistribution and possible side effects of the nanocarriers were evaluated in immunocompromised C57BL/6 mice bearing human HT-29 tumors.

Results

Nanocarriers were successfully synthesized with a mean final size diameter of 58.22 ± 8.54 nm. Higher cytotoxicity and cellular uptake of targeted nanocarriers were shown in the EpCAM-positive HT-29 cells as compared to the EpCAM-negative CHO cells, indicating the efficacy of aptamer as a targeting agent. In vivo results in a humanized mouse model showed that targeted nanocarriers could effectively increase DOX accumulation in the tumor site, inhibit tumor growth, and reduce the adverse side effects.

Conclusion

These results suggest that corporation of a magnetic core, gold gatekeeper, PEG and aptamer can strongly improve drug delivery performance and provide a theranostic DDS for efficient CRC therapy.

Graphic abstract