bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Asymptomatic Leishmania donovani infection and associated factors among blood donors attending at Metema district Blood Bank, Northwest Ethiopia: a cross- sectional study
Authors: Melkie Iyasu , Yimer Mulat , Alemu Getaneh , Tegegne Banchamlak
Published: April 2023

Background

Ethiopia is one of the top 10 countries in the world where 90% visceral leishmaniasis cases are reported. Metema-Humera lowlands are the most important foci in Ethiopia. Blood transfusion in visceral leishmaniasis endemic foci in Ethiopia does not consider screening of visceral leishmaniasis during blood donation. The aim of this study is therefore, was to assess asymptomatic Leishmania donovani infection and associated factors among blood donors attending at Metema district Blood Bank, Northwest Ethiopia.

Methods

A Health facility based cross-sectional study was conducted at Metema Blood Bank from February to March 2020. A total of 205 blood donors were eligible and participated in this study. Structured questionnaire were used to collect data on socio-demographic characteristics and perceived risk factors associated with asymptomatic visceral leishmaniasis among blood donors. Blood donors were screened using both rK39 and direct agglutination tests based on the manufactures’ instructions. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. Chi-square test was used to assess associations of Leishmania donovani infection with predisposing factors. Associations were considered statstically significant on P-value < 0.05 at 95% confidence level.

Results

Of the total 205 participants, 32(15.6%) were positive for asymptomatic Leishmania donovani infection at least by one of the diagnostic tests used. Eight (3.9%) and 30(14.6%) of the participants` were positive by the rK39 and direct agglutination tests, respectively. Six (2.9%) donors were tested positive by both diagnostic tests. Family history of visceral leishmaniasis (X²=11.334, P = 0.003) and having neighbors with history of visceral leishmaniasis (X²=5.923, P = 0.015) were significantly associated with asymptomatic Leishmania donovani infection among blood donors.

Conclusions

The prevalence of asymptomatic Leishmania donovani infection was 15.6%. Asymptomatic visceral leishmaniasis was significantly associated with donors’ family and neighbors’ history of infection. Therefore, laboratory screening of blood donors for visceral leishmaniasis in endemic areas will be mandatory. Moreover, this study will give base line information for future study in the country.
Incremental costs of hospital-acquired infections in COVID-19 patients in an adult intensive care unit of a tertiary hospital from a low-resource setting
Authors: Despotović Aleksa , Milić Nataša , Cirković Anđa , Milošević Branko , Jovanović Snežana , Mioljević Vesna , Obradović Vesna , Kovačević Gordana , Stevanović Goran
Published: April 2023

Background

Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) are a global public health problem and put patients at risk of complications, including death. HAIs increase treatment costs, but their financial impact on Serbia’s healthcare system is unknown. Our goal was to assess incremental costs of HAIs in a tertiary care adult intensive care unit (ICU) that managed COVID-19 patients.

Methods

A retrospective study from March 6th to December 31st, 2020 included patients with microbiologically confirmed COVID-19 (positive rapid antigen test or real-time polymerase chain reaction) treated in the ICU of the Teaching Hospital for Infectious and Tropical Diseases, University Clinical Centre of Serbia. Demographic and HAI-specific data acquired in our ICU were collected, including total and stratified medical costs (services, materials, laboratory testing, medicines, occupancy costs). Median total and stratified costs were compared in relation to HAI acquisition. Linear regression modelling was used to assess incremental costs of HAIs, adjusted for age, biological sex, prior hospitalisation, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) on admission. Outcome variables were length of stay (LOS) in days and mortality.

Results

During the study period, 299 patients were treated for COVID-19, of which 214 were included. HAIs were diagnosed in 56 (26.2%) patients. Acinetobacter spp. was the main pathogen in respiratory (38, 45.8%) and bloodstream infections (35, 42.2%), the two main HAI types. Median total costs were significantly greater in patients with HAIs (€1650.4 vs. €4203.2, p < 0.001). Longer LOS (10.0 vs. 18.5 days, p < 0.001) and higher ICU mortality (51.3% vs. 89.3%, p < 0.001) were seen if HAIs were acquired. Patients with ≥ 2 HAIs had the highest median total costs compared to those without HAIs or with a single HAI (€1650.4 vs. €3343.4 vs. €7336.9, p < 0.001). Incremental costs in patients with 1 and ≥ 2 HAIs were €1837.8 (95% CI 1257.8–2417.7, p < 0.001) and €5142.5 (95% CI 4262.3–6022.7, p < 0.001), respectively.

Conclusions

This is the first economic evaluation of HAIs in Serbia, showing significant additional costs to our healthcare system. HAIs prolong LOS and influence ICU mortality rates. Larger economic assessments are needed to enhance infection control practices.
A comparison of safety and efficacy between long-term DAPT and intensive statins combined with short-term DAPT for acute ischemic stroke
Authors: Deng Ting , Liu Xiaomeng , He Wei , Chen Jingmian , Yao Xiaohua , Liu Lushan , Zhang Tong , Lu Haitao
Published: April 2023

Objectives

The current study compared the safety and efficacy of long-term dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT, aspirin plus clopidogrel) and intensive rosuvastatin with short-term DAPT for acute ischemic stroke (AIS).

Methods

A total of 220 patients were enrolled 72 h after the onset of mild to moderate AIS, and divided into a control group treated with 21-day DAPT and a study group treated with intensive rosuvastatin with 7-day DAPT on a voluntary basis. The primary outcome was recurrent ischemic stroke and hemorrhage during a 90-day follow-up period in an intention-to-treat analysis. The secondary outcome was clinical efficacy with respect to alleviating existing focal nerve defect symptoms. A Cox proportional-hazards model was used to evaluate treatment differences.

Results

Clinical efficacy was evident in 87.3% of patients in the study group, compared with 84.3% in the control group (p = 0.042). Recurrent ischemic stroke occurred in 9 patients (7.6%) in the study group and in 9 (8.8%) in the control group (p = 0.767). Hemorrhage occurred in 6 patients (5.1%) in the study group and in 15 (14.7%) in the control group (p = 0.023). In comparisons of levels of ALT, AST, LDH, and CK in the two groups before and 2 weeks after therapy, only CK differed significantly (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Compared to long-term DAPT, intensive rosuvastatin with short-term DAPT was equivalent in reducing the risk of recurrent ischemic stroke. It alleviated symptoms more rapidly, and significantly reduced the risk of bleeding, without causing an increase in transaminase or muscle enzymes.

Clinical trial registration

China Clinical Trial Registration Center (ChiCTR1800017809)
Bispecific antibodies as monotherapy or in combinations for non-hodgkin B-cell lymphoma: latest updates from the American society of hematology 2022 annual meeting
Authors: Lin Zhijuan , Liu Long , Li Zhifeng , Xu Bing
Published: April 2023

Recent evidence suggests that bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) exhibit promising efficacy and low toxicity even in heavily treated non-Hodgkin B-cell lymphoma (B-NHL). However, the role of BsAbs in previously untreated NHL and the efficacy and safety of BsAbs used in combination remain uncertain. We summarized data published at the 64th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting on BsAb monotherapy or combination therapy for first-line or relapsed/refractory B-NHL. BsAb monotherapy in elderly/unfit newly diagnosed (ND) DLBCL patients achieved ORR and CR rates of 56% and 43%, respectively. In addition, BsAbs combined with chemotherapy or other novel agents raised the ORR higher than 50% without increasing the incidence of grade ≥ 3 CRS. We conclude that BsAb monotherapy or combination therapy for first-line or relapsed/refractory B-NHL has high efficacy and satisfactory safety.
Efficacy of the parasitic wasp, Dinarmus basalis Rondani (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), in reducing infestations by the cowpea beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus (L.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae)
Authors: Akinbuluma Mobolade D. , Chinaka Onyekachi P.
Published: April 2023

Background

Cowpea seed beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus (L.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae), is the most important pest of stored cowpea in tropical regions. This study was designed to determine the presence of parasitoids associated with C. maculatus, investigate the efficacy of the parasitic wasp, Dinarmus basalis Rondani (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), in controlling C. maculatus as influenced by time and number of applications and ascertain the use of olfactory cues by D. basalis in host searching. Three markets in Ibadan, Southwest Nigeria, namely: Bodija, Mapo and Ojoo, were purposively surveyed for parasitoids associated with C. maculatus. Two pairs of D. basalis were released at 3-day intervals into cowpea seeds previously infested with C. maculatus. Treatments included: four times of parasitoid applications (4-TPA), three applications (3-TPA), two applications (2-TPA), 1 application (1-TPA) and a control without parasitoid application (0-TPA). All treatments were replicated four times in a completely randomized design to determine F1 progeny of C. maculatus and seed damage. Olfactory bioassay was carried out with D. basalis adults placed in a Y-tube olfactometer; and their preference for infested or uninfested three cowpea varieties, namely: Ife Brown, Ife BPC (Branching Peduncle) and Oloyin, as well as infested cowpea grains or pure air was evaluated.

Results

Among the previously known parasitoids associated with C. maculatus, only D. basalis was found in the sampled markets. F1 progeny of adult C. maculatus reduced from 4.75 individuals (0-TPA) to 1.25 (2-TPA), 0.25 (3-TPA) and 0 (4-TPA). Concurrently, the number of exit holes on cowpea seeds significantly (p < 0.05) ranged from 5.25 (0-TPA) > 3.21 (1-TPA) > 2.20 (2-TPA) > 2.18 (4-RAP) > 1.39 (3-TPA). Adults D. basalis were more attracted to infested grains of Ife Brown (χ2 = 4, df = 1, p = 0.0455) and infested grains of Ife BPC (χ2 = 4, df = 1, p = 0.0455) than clean air. Similarly, adults D. basalis were more attracted to infested Ife Brown than the uninfested (χ2 = 5, df = 1, p = 0.0254). The results further showed that there were non-significant differences between the infested and uninfested grains of Ife BPC (χ2 = 0.2, df = 1, p = 0.6547) and Oloyin (χ2 = 3.2, df = 1, p = 0.0736) varieties.

Conclusions

Adult D. basalis reduced emergence of C maculatus and reduced damage in cowpea seeds. Olfactory cues played a necessary role in host-searching efforts of D. basalis.
Novel Approaches for Dynamic Visualization of Adverse Event Data in Oncology Clinical Trials: A Case Study Using Immunotherapy Trial S1400-I (SWOG)
Authors: Lee Shing M. , Fan Weijia , Wang Aijin , Vaidya Riha , Redman Mary W. , Gettinger Scott N. , Bazhenova Lyudmila , Herbst Roy S. , Hershman Dawn L. , Unger Joseph M.
Published: April 2023

PURPOSE

Clinical trial adverse event (AE) data are increasingly complex and high-dimensional, especially for trials evaluating novel targeted agents and immunotherapies. Standard approaches to summarize and analyze AEs remain generally tabular, failing to describe the nature of AEs. Novel dynamic and data visualization methods are needed to enable a more comprehensive assessment of the overall toxicity profile of treatments.

METHODS

We developed methods for visualizing the numerous categorizations and types of AEs along with a dynamic approach to better reflect its highly dimensional nature without sacrificing the reporting of rare events. Circular plots displaying the proportion of maximal-grade AEs by system organ classes (SOCs) and butterfly plots displaying the proportion of AEs by severity for each AE term were developed to enable comparisons of AE patterns by treatment arm. These approaches were applied to a randomized phase III trial (S1400I; ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02785952 ) comparing nivolumab with nivolumab plus ipilimumab in patients with stage IV squamous non–small-cell lung cancer.

RESULTS

Our visualizations revealed that patients randomly assigned to nivolumab and ipilimumab had higher rates of grade 3 or higher AEs compared with nivolumab alone for several SOCs, including musculoskeletal (5.6% v 0.8%), skin (5.6% v 0.8%), vascular (5.6% v 1.6%), and cardiac (4% v 1.6%) toxicities. They also suggested a pattern of higher prevalence of moderate GI and endocrine toxicities and showed that although the rates of cardiac and neurologic toxicities were similar, the types of events were discordant.

CONCLUSION

The graphical approaches we proposed enable a more comprehensive and intuitive evaluation of toxicity types by treatment groups, which is not apparent in tabular and descriptive reporting methods.
Combined GLP-1 Receptor Agonist and Amylin Analogue Pharmacotherapy to Treat Obesity Comorbid With Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Wong Gunther , Garner Erica M , Srivastava Gitanjali
Published: April 2023

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) with obesity is increasingly common, prompting effective clinical interventions to induce weight loss in this population. We present 3 patients with T1DM and obesity prescribed a glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) and pramlintide. Case 1: A 32-year-old male with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) who lost −20.9 kg (−16.1% of total body weight [TBW]) over 10 months on semaglutide and pramlintide. Case 2: A 68-year-old female with diabetic retinopathy, coronary artery disease, hypertension, hypothyroidism, and depression/anxiety initially treated with topiramate, losing −8.4 kg, but experiencing weight plateau. After adding dulaglutide and pramlintide, she lost an additional −12.8 kg (−14.0% TBW) over 7 months, with total weight loss of −21.2 kg (−23.1% TBW). Case 3: A 49-year-old female with hypertension, hypothyroidism, and depression who lost −14.6 kg (−17.9% TBW) over 6 months on semaglutide and pramlintide. No significant side effects were experienced. All patients reported decreased insulin requirements on pramlintide, and hemoglobin A1c levels remained constant or decreased throughout the treatment period. Pramlintide and GLP-1RA resulted in excellent weight loss in our patients with obesity and T1DM. This combination may have a synergistic effect on the gut-brain axis. More research is required to substantiate these findings.
Social (Im)mobility and Bureaucratic Failings: Family Background and theSŏngbunSystem in North Korea
Authors: Silberstein Benjamin Katzeff
Published: April 2023

This article argues that North Korea’s system for family background registration, sŏngbun, has historically been more complex than commonly believed. Using oral testimonies, it shows that the registration process, as seen from a grassroots perspective, involved and likely still involves a great deal of social turmoil. The essay focuses on the period before the famine of the 1990s, often not sufficiently investigated in scholarship on North Korean society. The sŏngbun registration process, by contrast, constitutes a chaotic, messy chapter in North Korean social history, calling the narrative of stability into question. The article also situates North Korea in the broader history of state-building, showing that attempts by states to classify the population and make it legible often involve a great deal of chaos, flaws, and dynamic change. Cataloging the population along the lines of political order was not merely a project of sheer repression but also one of scientific, rational, and forward-looking state-building. Although some citizens manipulated the process to their benefit, several interviewees attested to worse outcomes due to bureaucratic mistakes and reinvestigations of their sŏngbun by the state.
Freaks and B/Witches
Authors: Moore Jasmine A.
Published: April 2023

This annotated playlist follows Missy Elliott's musical cinema. Paying particular attention to the use of speculative tropes, it argues that Elliott's work draws on Black feminist aesthetics to paint paths through memory, nostalgia, sexual autonomy, and spiritual rebellion. This mélange of speculative and sonic aesthetics creates what I call reverberative memory: a polytemporal structure that uses music and performance to tap into intergenerational memory. Using the aesthetic markers of speculative genres, Missy Elliott's videos fuse hip-hop to the conjuring of the blues, providing a generative commentary on sexuality, Black femininity, gender nonconformity, and pleasure. This critical layering of the strange and uncanny provide a utopic space in which Black feminist life thrives. The methodological focus of this essay draws on an array of Black scholarship that maps historical formations of blues aesthetics in order to address Black women in the horror genre; constructions of gender, aesthetic, and sonic mapping that exists in the music video form; and the spiritual ontology of nostalgia. Chiefly, this playlist highlights the pioneering art of Missy Elliott across a body of work that centers the vibrancy and vitality of Black women.
Anybody, Everybody, All the Time
Authors: Bey Marquis , Cutrone Andrew
Published: April 2023

In this conversation, Andrew Cutrone and Marquis Bey discuss Bey's recent monograph, Black Trans Feminism (2022) in the context of citation practices, black and trans feminist practice and theory, “radical-radical thinking,” and fugitivity.
Textures of Other Dimensions
Authors: torralba stef
Published: April 2023

In this interview essay, stef torralba talks with scholar-critic Alexander Ghedi Weheliye about the author's scholarly work, writing practice, and musical inclinations, as well as the current state and future directions of Critical Black Studies. Taking inspiration from Weheliye's interests in the textures of Black, BlackFem, and Black queer and gender-variant life and aesthetics as discussed in the interview, torralba offers texturality as an analytic that characterizes the scholar-critic's work. Together, the essay and interview highlight how Weheliye's oeuvre enables more nuanced and capacious, and thus textural and textured, imaginings of humanity, technology, political subjecthood, and modernity that center the experiences of Black, BlackFem, and Black queer and gender-variant subjects. Weheliye's attention to technologized Black and Black queer and feminist sonic aesthetics from the early twentieth century to the present as spaces to feel out the textures of other worlds renders his scholarship and thinking essential to this special issue's engagements with the disruptive and insurgent dimensions of Black queer musical aesthetics.
Transradial Carotid Artery Stenting Using Walrus Balloon Guide Catheter: Technical Aspects and Clinical Outcome
Authors: Moldovan Krisztina , Yaeger Kurt A. , Al-Kawaz Mais , Scaggiante Jacopo , Kellner Christopher P. , De Leacy Reade , Fifi Johanna T. , Mocco J , Majidi Shahram
Published: April 2023

BACKGROUND:

Despite an overall surge in transradial access (TRA) for neurointerventional procedures, the feasibility and safety of TRA carotid artery angioplasty and stenting using balloon guide catheters (BGCs) through a short 8-Fr sheath have not been studied. In this study, we present our experience of using Walrus BGC through TRA for carotid artery stent placement.

OBJECTIVE:

To define the safety and efficacy of using a balloon guide catheter for carotid stenting by a transradial approach.

METHODS:

Our prospectively maintained retrospective database was reviewed, and consecutive patients were identified who underwent elective carotid artery stenting through TRA using Walrus BGC between January 2021 and June 2022. Demographics, procedural details including access site complications, the rate of radial to groin conversion, and procedure-related transient ischemic attack or stroke were reviewed.

RESULTS:

Twenty patients were identified who underwent carotid artery angioplasty and stenting through TRA Walrus BGC use; the mean age was 66 years (range 42-89), and 67% were male. A short 8-Fr sheath was used in all patients without any complications. Two of 20 patients required TRA conversion to transfemoral access, both secondary to severe spasm of the radial artery after initial access inhibiting further advancement of the Walrus BGC.

CONCLUSION:

Use of Walrus BGC by TRA through an 8-Fr sheath for carotid artery stenting is safe and feasible with a low rate of conversion to transfemoral access and no access site complications.
«Όταν έφυγαν τα αγάλματα» Εκπαιδευτικό Ντοκιμαντέρ
Authors: Ντούρου Αικατερίνη , Οικονομάκης Θρασύβουλος , Παπαγεωργίου Λιονέλα , Στραβαρίδου Αναστασία , Φουντέα Δέσποινα-Αικατερίνη , Χασταμουρατίδου Ευθυμία , Σοφός Αλιβίζος (Λοΐζος)
Published: April 2023

Η εκπαιδευτική ταινία «Όταν έφυγαν τα αγάλματα», έχει λάβει ως έναυσμα το ομώνυμο βιβλίο της Αγγελικής Δαρλάση, το οποίο πραγματεύεται την αγωνία των ανθρώπων του αρχαιολογικού μουσείου να διαφυλάξουν τις αρχαιότητες από το σκοτάδι του ναζισμού. Το θέμα της εκπαιδευτικής μας ταινίας, λοιπόν, είναι οι προσπάθειες να διαφυλαχθεί ο ελληνικός πολιτισμός σε μια περίοδο πραγματικού κινδύνου τόσο για τις ανθρώπινες ζωές όσο και για το πνεύμα τους, καθώς και το πώς η διάσωση των αγαλμάτων αποτέλεσε η ίδια μία μορφή αντίστασης. Η ταινία διαρκεί συνολικά 5.10 λεπτά. Κατά τη διάρκεια της ταινίας παρουσιάζεται ένα μικρό αγόρι που έρχεται σε μια πρώτη επαφή με το θέμα της επιχείρησης διάσωσης των αγαλμάτων μέσα από την εμπλοκή του με το βιβλίο. Ακολουθούν στιγμιότυπα από το εσωτερικό του μουσείου και ηχητική αφήγηση από την Ηλέκτρα, η οποία έχει το ρόλο της αφηγήτριας. Έπειτα, ακολουθεί μέρος από τη συνέντευξη που πήραμε  από την Αγγελική Δαρλάση και η οποία μιλά για τη διαδικασία της απόκρυψης αλλά κυρίως για την ιστορική αξία αυτής της πρωτοβουλίας. Συνοψίζοντας, οι μαθητές θα εξοικειωθούν με την περίοδο υπό εξέταση, με τους κινδύνους που υπήρχαν αλλά και με τη διάσταση της διάσωσης των αγαλμάτων ως μορφή αντίστασης κατά του ναζισμού.
Εκπαιδευτικό Ντοκιμαντέρ «Η τέχνη σε καραντίνα;»
Authors: Καπετανγιώργη Δέσποινα-Μελίνα , Καρδαμήλα Ευηλένα , Παπανικολάου Αλεξανδρος , Σοφός Αλιβίζος (Λοΐζος)
Published: April 2023

«Η τέχνη σε καραντίνα;» αποτελεί ένα κοινωνικό-πολιτιστικό ντοκιμαντέρ που επιχειρεί μέσα από αυτό το ερώτημα να προβληματίσει και να παρουσιάσει τις επιπτώσεις της πανδημίας του Covid 19 στον πολιτισμό. Καθώς προβάλει το ρόλο της τέχνης στην πανδημία επικεντρώνεται, πιο συγκεκριμένα, στον τομέα του χορού, της μουσικής και του θεάτρου παρουσιάζοντας, μέσα από τις συνεντεύξεις τριών καλλιτεχνών,  το πώς βίωσαν την πανδημία και τους τρόπους προσαρμογής τους στα νέα δεδομένα
Editorial
Authors: Σοφός Αλιβίζος (Λοΐζος) , ΣΙΑΚΑΣ Σπύρος
Published: April 2023

Editorial
Η συμβολή του ελληνικού παραδοσιακού χορού στην κινητική και κοινωνική ανάπτυξη παιδιών προσχολικής ηλικίας
Authors: Λίτος Ιωάννης , Ζάραγκας Χαρίλαος , Ράπτης Θεοχάρης , Βενετσάνου Φωτεινή
Published: April 2023

Σκοπός της παρούσας εργασίας είναι η μελέτη της συμβολής του Ελληνικού Παραδοσιακού Χορού (ΕΠΧ) στην καλλιέργεια κινητικών και κοινωνικών δεξιοτήτων στο χώρο του νηπιαγωγείου. Στην έρευνα συμμετείχαν 38 παιδιά (18 αγόρια, 20 κορίτσια) προσχολικής ηλικίας (ΜΟ=66±12 μήνες), τα οποία ταξινομήθηκαν στην πειραματική ομάδα (ΠΟ, n=19) και στην ομάδα ελέγχου (ΟΕ, n=19). Η ΠΟ παρακολούθησε το πρόγραμμα ΕΠΧ διάρκειας 10 εβδομάδων και συχνότητας δύο διδακτικών ωρών εβδομαδιαίως, ενώ η ΟΕ το καθημερινό πρόγραμμα του νηπιαγωγείου. Οι κινητικές και κοινωνικές δεξιότητες των συμμετεχόντων αξιολογήθηκαν πριν και μετά την εφαρμογή του προγράμματος με τη χρήση του Motoriktest für vier- bis sechsjährige Kinder και της Κλίμακας Αξιολόγησης της Κοινωνικής Συμπεριφοράς, αντίστοιχα. Από τα αποτελέσματα προέκυψε πως στις αρχικές μετρήσεις της Π.Ο. και της Ο.Ε. δεν παρατηρήθηκε στατιστικά σημαντική διαφορά μεταξύ των δύο ομάδων. Παρατηρήθηκαν, όμως, στις κινητικές δεξιότητες στατιστικά σημαντικές διαφορές μεταξύ αρχικής και τελικής μέτρησης στην ΠΟ και μεταξύ τελικών μετρήσεων της ΠΟ με την ΟΕ, ενώ στις κοινωνικές δεξιότητες, παρόλο που στην τελική μέτρηση παρουσιάστηκε διαφορά μεταξύ της ΠΟ και της ΟΕ, αυτή δεν ήταν στατιστικά σημαντική. Συμπερασματικά, ο ΕΠΧ δύναται να συμβάλει σημαντικά στη βελτίωση κινητικών δεξιοτήτων στο νηπιαγωγείο ενώ αναδεικνύεται και η δυνατότητά του να ενισχύσει περαιτέρω τις κοινωνικές δεξιότητες των νηπίων.
Ημερίδα με θέμα τα 100 χρόνια από τη Μικρασιατική Καταστροφή
Authors: Καρασαββίδου Ελένη , Μανικάρου Μεταξούλα
Published: April 2023

Ημερίδα με θέμα τα 100 χρόνια από τη Μικρασιατική Καταστροφή
Educational scenarios enactment under the “Partnerships for Science Education – PAFSE” project
Authors: Mikropoulos Tassos
Published: April 2023

Educational scenarios enactment under the “Partnerships for Science Education – PAFSE” project
Εικαστικές παρεμβάσεις στο χώρο του Παιδαγωγικού Τμήματος Δημοτικής Εκπαίδευσης του Πανεπιστημίου Ιωαννίνων
Authors: Γκοντού Ελένη
Published: April 2023

Εικαστικές παρεμβάσεις στο χώρο του Παιδαγωγικού Τμήματος Δημοτικής Εκπαίδευσης του Πανεπιστημίου Ιωαννίνων
Assessing the cytotoxicity of phenolic and terpene fractions extracted from Iraqi Prunus arabica on AMJ13 and SK-GT-4 human cancer cell lines
Authors: Mahmood Matin Adil , Abd Abdulkareem Hameed , Kadhim Enas Jawad
Published: April 2023

Background: Breast and esophageal cancer are the most aggressive and prominent causes of death worldwide. In addition, these cancers showed resistance to current chemotherapy regimens with limited success rates and fatal outcomes. Recently many studies reported the significant cytotoxic effects of phenolic and terpene fractions extracted from various Prunus species against different cancer cell lines. As a result, it has a good chance to be tested as a complement or replacement for standard chemotherapies.

Methods: The study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxicity of phenolic and terpene fractions extracted from Iraqi Prunus arabica on breast (AMJ13) and esophageal (SK-GT-4) cancer cell lines by using the MTT assay (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide). Analysis using the Chou-Talalay method was performed to assess the synergistic effect between the extracted fractions and chemotherapeutic agent (docetaxel). Moreover, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis was conducted for the quantitative determination of different bioactive molecules of both phenolic and terpene fractions in the extract.

Results: According to the findings, the treatment modalities significantly decreased cancer cell viability of AMJ13 and SK-GT-4 and had insignificant cytotoxicity on the normal cells (normal human fibroblast cell line) (all less than 50% cytotoxicity). Analysis with Chou-Talalay showed a strong synergism with docetaxel on both cancer cell lines (higher cytotoxicity even in low concentrations) and failed to induce cytotoxicity on the normal cells. Important flavonoid glycosides and terpenoids were detected by HPLC, in particularly, ferulic acid, catechin, chlorogenic acid, β-sitosterol, and campesterol.

Conclusions: In conclusion, the extracted fractions selectively inhibited the proliferation of both cancer cell lines and showed minimal cytotoxicity on normal cells. These fractions could be naturally derived drugs for treating breast and esophageal cancers.
The disproportionality of ethnic minority teachers in England: trends, patterns, and problems
Authors: Gorard Stephen , Chen Wenqing , Tan Yiyi , See Beng Huat , Gazmuri Carolina , Tereshchenko Antonina , Demie Feyisa , Siddiqui Nadia
Published: April 2023

Background: England has an ethnically diverse population; reflected in the teacher workforce, and the student body in schools. However, it is not clear that these figures are in proportion to each other. This paper examines the ethnic profile of students and their teachers and considers their geographical distribution.

Methods: This paper uses existing aggregated official publicly available datasets to describe the patterns and trends in the proportion of ethnic minority teachers compared to ethnic minority pupils in England 2015-2021. Data comes from the Department for Education (DfE), the University and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and development (OECD/TALIS), and the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Results: Compared to the student intakes to schools, we found that there are more White British teachers than expected. This disproportion (where there are more White British teachers among teachers than there are White British pupils among pupils) is worse for promoted school leaders like deputies and headteachers than it is for classroom teachers. In London, due to the exceptional number of ethnic minority students, the disproportion (or mismatch) is worse in London than anywhere else. Areas with the fewest ethnic minority pupils (and teachers), like the North East, have the most proportionate workforce (in this limited sense).

Conclusions: A student lacking any teachers of the same ethnic group might be treated differently at school, and there is some evidence that this might affect their attainment outcomes. The lack of ethnic diversity in some schools and areas, regardless of proportions, may impoverish the diversity of the whole school system. Several possible reasons for these patterns are noted in the paper, but it is clear that ethnic minority applicants to teacher training are less likely to be accepted, and less likely to obtain qualified teacher status or an eventual teaching post.
Introduction of the professional nurse advocate role using a quality implementation framework
Authors: Smythe Analisa , Flatt Claire , Mahachi Loraine , Whatley Vanessa
Published: April 2023

Background:

Implementation of the professional nurse advocate (PNA) role and the Advocating and Educating for QUality ImProvement model (A-EQUIP) in nursing is relatively new. The model aims to build personal and professional resilience, enhance the quality of care and support preparedness for appraisal and professional revalidation.

Aim:

To describe the implementation of the PNA role in a combined acute and community trust in England.

Methods:

A quality implementation framework was used to appraise and represent locally derived strategic activities for successful implementation of the role in an acute and community hospital in England. The content of this framework was derived from a synthesis of 25 implementation frameworks focusing on important elements understood to represent quality implementation.

Findings:

The article identifies strengths and weaknesses to implementation and ways to sustain early implementation success.

Conclusion:

Using a quality implementation framework can provide a clear path for the successful implementation of the professional nurse advocate role. Professional nurse advocates should be supported to develop a culture of effective supervision within their organisation.
Developing good communication skills: the key to working in intensive care
Authors: George Heather
Published: April 2023

In her series on the early steps of a newly qualified nurse, Heather George, Critical Care Staff Nurse, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary ( heather.george2@nhs.scot ), reflects on developing her communication skills
Disclosure: Improving Performance and Security of Web App Migration in Liquid Computing
Authors: Kim Jae-Yun , Moon Soo-Mook
Published: April 2023

Web app migration refers to capturing a snapshot of the execution state of a web app on a device and restoring it on another device to continue its execution for cross-device liquid computing. Although web apps are relatively easy to migrate due to their high portability, there is a JavaScript language feature called closure that complicates the migration since it requires migrating the variable states of already-finished outer functions. One approach to web app migration is to instrument the source code to trace the closure variables, yet this often suffers from performance slowdown, especially for multiple migrations. In this paper, we propose a new instrumentation-based technique called Disclosure, which moves the declarations of closure variables to a managed data structure and replaces the closure variables with the corresponding references to the data structure. This technique can improve runtime performance while enhancing security. We evaluated our work with eight Octane benchmarks and four real web apps. The runtime performance penalty due to Disclosure is 0–15%, which is a significant improvement over the results of the latest instrumentation-based work that supports similar deep closures and multiple migrations to Disclosure. Furthermore, real web apps are demonstrated to migrate seamlessly, even multiple times. Finally, Disclosure can hide data from exposure during migration with a secure migration technique using data encryption.
Comparative study of operative treatment of distal femur fractures using retrograde intramedullary nail versus locking plate; Retrospective study
Authors: Shinde Raviraj , Shinde Tanvi , Shinde Ajit
Published: April 2023

Introduction: The overall incidence of distal femur fractures is approximately 37 per 100,000 person-years.1 These fractures are either caused by high energy trauma in younger group or low energy falls in elderly population typically older women. As these fractures can lead to long term disability managing them is challenging task. Operative treatment for fracture fixation is recommended for optimal outcome. Although different modes of fracture fixation has evolved and no single method is uniformly successful. In our study we have compared fixation of distal femur fracture using locking plate and intramedullary nail. Materials and Methods: Retrospectively collected data of operated distal femur fracture of 60 patients was included. Out of these 30 patients were operated with retrograde distal femoral nail and 30 were operated with locking distal femur plate. Patients were assessed with plain radiographs and CT scan was done for complex and intra articular fractures. AO ( Muller) classification was used to classify the fracture type. Postoperative functional results were evaluated using Schatzker and Lambert critera at 1 year follow up. Results: Mean age of the patients in the study was 45 yrs. with 73.33 % male and 26.67 % female patients. There were 41 extra articular fractures (type A) while 19 were intrarticular fractures (type C). 22 type A and 8 type C fractures were treated with retrograde nailing while 19 type A fractures and 11 type C fractures were treated with locking plate. In LCP group 28.57% cases had excellent result while 42.86% cases had good result while in retrograde supracondylar nail 13.33% had excellent result and 23.33 % had good result. There were 2 cases of infection, one in each group and 3 cases of malunion, which were managed with nail. Delayed union was encountered in 3 patients, two of them were managed with LCP. Conclusion: Open reduction and internal fixation of distal femur has achieved excellent to good functional results with locking plate construct in all types of fractures while retrograde supracondylar nail can achieve comparable results when used in simple extraarticular fractures.For other fractures it is difficult to maintain length, alignment and rotation with retrograde nail. Keywords: distal femur fracture, Retrograde intramedullary nail, locking distal femur plate, minimally invasive plating technique, Schatzker and Lambert criteria
Bilateral Uncemented Hemiarthroplasty in a Patient with Bilateral Lower limb PPRP with Right Knee Arthrodesis: Surgical Difficulties and Techniques
Authors: Garg Bipul Kumar , Dave Harshit , Sonawane Dhiraj V. , Patil Om Parshuram
Published: April 2023

Introduction: Standard references such as knee and lower leg position cannot be used in patients with knee arthrodesis with a bilateral neck of femur fracture during bipolar hemiarthroplasty. We describe a simple technique that guides a surgeon in assessing the femoral stem version in such cases. Case report: We present a case of 52 years old male with bilateral lower limb Post Polio Residual Paralysis with right knee arthrodesis who sustained bilateral neck of femur fractures. The difficulties, in this case, were the inability to flex the knee and to use the ankle or the opposite limb and its bony landmarks as reference. Conclusion: We describe a simple surgical technique of inserting a Steinmann pin in the distal femur in the coronal plane parallel to the transcondylar axis for intraoperative assessment of neutral position and version of the femoral stem. Keywords: Bilateral; hemiarthroplasty; femoral stem; anteversion; knee arthrodesis.
Special Issue Editorial
Authors: Mladenov Teodor , Bulic Cojocariu Ines , Angelova-Mladenova Lilia , Kokic Natasa , Goungor Kamil
Published: April 2023

This article introduces this special issue of the International Journal of Disability and Social Justice focusing on Independent Living, understood both as a social movement and an analytic paradigm. The aim of the special issue is to mark the 50th anniversary of the first Centre for Independent Living, as well as the tenth occurrence of the Freedom Drive, a biennial advocacy event organised by the European Network on Independent Living (ENIL). We first explain the significance of these two initiatives, tracing their history and rationale in terms of disabled people’s struggle for self-determination. We then discuss the meaning of Independent Living and associated definitional struggles. In the main part of the article, we explore the relations between Independent Living and the state, the market, and the family. This helps us to understand Independent Living as critique of professional power, self-sufficiency, and parental authority. The practical implications of these critiques are explored by looking at current struggles for deinstitutionalisation and personal assistance. We conclude by presenting the pillars of Independent Living and their consideration in the contributions to this special issue.
CURRENT ISSUES BULLETIN
Authors: Ergün Melike , Angelova-Mladenova Lilia , Yavuz Bahar
Published: April 2023

This commentary discusses the challenges faced by individuals and organisations promoting independent living in Türkiye. In addition to the dominant charity-based perspective towards disability, in recent years a key challenge has become the increasing and systemic attack on human rights and human rights defenders and delegitimising of the rights-based perspective. Additionally, the difficult political situation in the country positions disability issues at the bottom of the political agenda and makes it difficult to strengthen the independent living perspective.
CURRENT ISSUES BULLETIN
Authors: Gevorgianiene Violeta , Sumskiene Egle
Published: April 2023

This paper aims to analyse the transition to independent living through the lens of the wellbeing of communities. A case study methodology was applied. The research showed that the relocation of people with disabilities into community group homes is only an intermediate stage towards independent living. Without a thorough discussion with local people, it can end in a lack of trust in the idea of deinstitutionalisation. Paradoxically, independence implies co-dependence on each other, as this co-dependence opens up opportunities both for newly arrived people with disabilities as well as for long-time residents of the community.
Fiber Bragg grating thermometry application to measure flow: laminar and turbulent regimes
Authors: Patyk Rodolfo Luiz , Grabarski Leandro , Kalinowski Hypolito José
Published: April 2023

Flow characteristic properties in pipelines are determined from the
temperature evolution, measured by fiber Bragg gratings, after transit
of a thermal slug. Results analyze both laminar and turbulent flow
regimes.
Generation of terahertz spatiotemporal optical vortices with frequency-dependent orbital angular momentum
Authors: Wang Shuo , Bai Ya , Li Na , Liu Peng
Published: April 2023

Optical vortices with longitudinal orbital angular momentum (OAM) as a powerful tool for particle control, imaging and communication have been greatly developed. We introduce a novel property of broadband terahertz (THz) pulse, represented by frequency-dependent OAM orientation in spatiotemporal domain with transverse and longitudinal OAM projection. We illustrate a frequency-dependent broadband THz spatiotemporal optical vortex (STOV) in plasma-based THz emission driven by cylindrical symmetry broken two-color vortex field. We detect the evolution of OAM by time-delayed 2D electro-optic sampling combined with Fourier transform. This THz optical vortices tunability in spatiotemporal domain expands a new way for studying STOV and plasma-based THz radiation.
Surface plasmon coupling effects on the photon color conversion behaviors of colloidal quantum dots in a GaN nanoscale hole with a nearby quantum-well structure
Authors: Lai Yi-Chen , Yang Shaobo , Feng His-Yu , Lee Yueh-Chi , Li Zong-Han , Wu Shung-Hsiang , Lin Yu-Sheng , Hsieh Hao-Yu , Chu Chun-Jui , Chen Wei-Cheng , Huang Yang-Yi , Kuo Yang , Yang C. C.
Published: April 2023

To improve color conversion performance for color display application, we study the near-field-induced nanoscale-cavity effects on the emission efficiency and Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) under the condition of surface plasmon (SP) coupling by inserting colloidal quantum dots (QDs) and synthesized Ag nanoparticles (NPs) into surface nano-holes fabricated on a GaN template and an InGaN/GaN quantum-well (QW) template. In the QW template, the inserted Ag NPs are close to either QWs or QDs for producing three-body SP coupling to enhance color conversion. Time-resolved and continuous-wave photoluminescence (PL) behaviors of the QW- and QD-emitting lights are investigated. The comparison between the nano-hole samples and the reference samples of surface QD/Ag NP shows that the nanoscale-cavity effect of the nano-hole leads to the enhancements of QD emission, FRET between QDs, and FRET from QW into QD. The SP coupling induced by the inserted Ag NPs can enhance the QD emission and FRET from QW into QD. Its result is further enhanced through the nanoscale-cavity effect. The relative continuous-wave PL intensities among different color components also show the similar behaviors. By introducing SP coupling to a color conversion device with the FRET process in a nanoscale cavity structure, we can significantly improve the color conversion efficiency. Simulation results confirm the basic observations in experiment.
Exploring the resonance absorption of subwavelength-patterned epitaxial-grown group-IV semiconductor composite structures
Authors: Chong Haining , Mu Yuanhao , Ye Hui , Cai Yangjian
Published: April 2023

We experimentally and theoretically demonstrate a mid-infrared perfect absorber with all group-IV epitaxial layered composite structures. The multispectral narrowband strong absorption (>98%) is attributed to the combined effects of the asymmetric Fabry-Perot (FP) interference and the plasmonic resonance in the subwavelength-patterned metal-dielectric-metal (MDM) stack. The spectral position and intensity of the absorption resonance were analyzed by reflection and transmission. While a localized plasmon resonance in the dual-metal region was found to be modulated by both the horizontal (ribbon width) and vertical (spacer layer thickness) profile, the asymmetric FP modes were modulated merely by the vertical geometric parameters. Semi-empirical calculations show strong coupling between modes with a large Rabi-splitting energy reaching 46% of the mean energy of the plasmonic mode under proper horizontal profile. A wavelength-adjustable all-group-IV-semiconductor plasmonic perfect absorber has potential for photonic-electronic integration.
Quantifying cooperative multisite binding in the hub protein LC8 through Bayesian inference
Authors: Estelle Aidan B. , George August , Barbar Elisar J. , Zuckerman Daniel M.
Published: April 2023

Multistep protein-protein interactions underlie most biological processes, but their characterization through methods such as isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) is largely confined to simple models that provide little information on the intermediate, individual steps. In this study, we primarily examine the essential hub protein LC8, a small dimer that binds disordered regions of 100+ client proteins in two symmetrical grooves at the dimer interface. Mechanistic details of LC8 binding have remained elusive, hampered in part by ITC data analyses employing simple models that treat bivalent binding as a single event with a single binding affinity. We build on existing Bayesian ITC approaches to quantify thermodynamic parameters for multi-site binding interactions impacted by significant uncertainty in protein concentration. Using a two-site binding model, we identify positive cooperativity with high confidence for LC8 binding to multiple client peptides. In contrast, application of an identical model to the two-site binding between the coiled-coil NudE dimer and the intermediate chain of dynein reveals little evidence of cooperativity. We propose that cooperativity in the LC8 system drives the formation of saturated induced-dimer structures, the functional units of most LC8 complexes. In addition to these system-specific findings, our work advances general ITC analysis in two ways. First, we describe a previously unrecognized mathematical ambiguity in concentrations in standard binding models and clarify how it impacts the precision with which binding parameters are determinable in cases of high uncertainty in analyte concentrations. Second, building on observations in the LC8 system, we develop a system-agnostic heat map of practical parameter identifiability calculated from synthetic data which demonstrates that the ability to determine microscopic binding parameters is strongly dependent on both the parameters themselves and experimental conditions. The work serves as a foundation for determination of multi-step binding interactions, and we outline best practices for Bayesian analysis of ITC experiments.