bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Utilizing Asynchronous Email Interviewing for Qualitative Research Among Multiple Participant Groups: Perspectives on Met and Unmet Needs From Chaplain Staffing
Authors: Harris Stephanie L. , Shaw Martin , Green Jeanette F.
Published: May 2024

Asynchronous email interviewing has been increasingly utilized as an electronic method of data collection in qualitative research, because it eliminates the need for costly travel and transcription and allows more time for participants to react with thoughtful, reflective responses. While research indicates that data collected in written form is comparable in content and richness with that collected in-person, via telephone, or through virtual live interactions, there is the risk of participant attrition, loss of trust-building with subjects and missing non-verbal/visual cues for the researcher. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate use of asynchronous email interviewing as applied to a study on expectations and demands of chaplains in hospital settings. Unique in this approach is the inclusion of multiple participant groups over a large geographical area. Data were collected among chaplains, chaplain leaders, nurses, hospital executives, and patients and family members across a multi-state healthcare system. Although enrollment was adequate, 37% of those enrolled did not respond to initial interview emails, and of those who did respond, only 42% responded to follow-up questions. For several participants who did not respond to requests for email interviews, subsequent invitations to participate in live virtual interviews were preferred. Analysis reflected significant differences between groups in the quantity, quality, and richness of data, which may reflect communication patterns and preferences, time restrictions, and subject matter engagement. Based on study findings, it is suggested that similar studies offer options of interview modalities to participants to best meet their preferences and schedules.
The aetiology of pouchitis in patients with inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Alenzi Maram , Schildkraut Tamar , Hartley Imogen , Badiani Sarit , Ding Nik Sheng , Rao Vikram , Segal Jonathan P.
Published: May 2024

Restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis is a treatment option for patients with refractory ulcerative colitis. Pouchitis is the most common complication, representing a spectrum of diseases ranging from acute antibiotic-responsive type to chronic antibiotic-refractory. Early accurate diagnosis using a combined assessment of symptoms, endoscopy and histology is important for both treatment and prognostication. Most patients respond well to antibiotic therapy; however, management of chronic antibiotic-refractory pouchitis remains a challenge, and treatment options are based on small studies. Pouchitis is thought to be driven by the interaction between genetics, the immune system and the environment but as yet a causal relationship has yet to be identified. Further longitudinal assessment of the pouch integrating new technologies may help us understand the factors driving pouchitis. This review outlines the currently understood risk factors and aetiology of pouchitis.
Efficacy and safety of thalidomide in gastrointestinal angiodysplasias: systematic review and meta-analysis with trial sequential analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Song Kai , He Kun , Yan Xiaxiao , Pang Ke , Tang Rou , Lyu Chengzhen , Yang Daiyu , Zhang Yuelun , Wu Dong
Published: May 2024

Background:

Gastrointestinal (GI) angiodysplasias is a potential cause of life-threatening bleeding. Thalidomide may have a certain effect on the treatment.

Objectives:

We aim to evaluate the efficacy and safety of thalidomide and used trial sequential analysis (TSA) to assess the need for further randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Design:

Meta-analysis of RCTs.

Data sources and methods:

We systematically searched Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE), Embase, WanFang, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases for RCTs evaluating thalidomide in GI angiodysplasias without language restrictions. We used a random-effects model to obtain pool data and followed Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation framework. TSA was employed to control the risk of random errors and to evaluate the validity of our conclusions.

Results:

Three RCTs were included involving 279 patients with the proportion of small intestinal angiodysplasias of 87.1%. Thalidomide led to improved mean change of hemoglobin level [mean difference (MD): 3.06, 95% confidence interval: 2.66–3.46] without severe adverse effects occurring. Other secondary endpoints, including effective response rate, cessation of bleeding after treatment, hospitalization rate because of bleeding, change in duration of hospital stays for bleeding, transfused red cell requirements, and overall adverse effects, also showed significantly better outcomes in the thalidomide group compared to the control group. TSA for all outcomes exceeded required information sizes, and cumulative Z curve all traverse trial sequential monitoring boundary.

Conclusion:

Almost all of the evidence was of moderate quality, suggesting that thalidomide holds promise for treating GI angiodysplasias, with favorable safety profiles. TSA suggests that conducting large-scale real-world research is recommended over relying solely on RCTs conducted within the same population and trial design.

Trial registration:

This meta-analysis protocol was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42023480621).
Health Promoting Universities and the salutogenic theory: contemporary challenges in the Latin American reality
Authors: Faria Magda Guimarães de Araujo , Mello Alex Simões de , Silva Carine Silvestrini Sena Lima da , Gallasch Cristiane H. , David Helena M. Scherlowski Leal , Martinez-Riera José R.
Published: May 2024

The objective is to reflect on the existing articulation between Aaron Antonovsky’s salutogenic theory and Health Promoting Universities, highlighting the challenges for the operationalization of health promotion actions in the Latin American university scenario in the contemporary world. The visible adherence of the ideas of the salutogenic theory to the guiding components of the Health Promoting Universities movement was identified, which has contributed to successful experiences around the world. Practices in the light of salutogenic theory can be considered effective strategies for improving the quality of life in the university setting; however, it is necessary for those involved to detach themselves so that the logic of acting based on a pathogenic process is broken. Furthermore, regional challenges in the Latin American reality must be understood and overcome with the support of public policies.
Intramuscular methylprednisolone administration in hand osteoarthritis patients: a feasibility study to inform a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Hartog Merel , van Keeken Kyra A. L. , Ende Cornelia H. M. van den , Popa Calin D.
Published: May 2024

Background:

Inflammation is thought to play an important role in hand osteoarthritis (HOA), which is associated with pain and increased limitation of hand function.

Objectives:

To explore the acceptability of therapy with intramuscular methylprednisolone in HOA among health-care providers (HCPs) and HOA patients. Additionally, the response to a single methylprednisolone injection was investigated.

Design:

We adopted a mixed-methods design.

Methods:

In a qualitative study, we asked HCPs and patients for their acceptability of intramuscular methylprednisolone. A prospective observational study was performed afterward in HOA patients who received a single 120-mg intramuscular methylprednisolone injection as part of off-label administration. Average pain, functional impairment, and occurrence of adverse events were assessed at baseline and at 4, 8, and 12 weeks after the injection.

Results:

Fourteen HCPs and 15 patients participated in the first part of the study. They considered intramuscular methylprednisolone potentially effective, yet expressed concerns about the risk for long-term adverse events. Among the 22 HOA patients who received intramuscular methylprednisolone, 13 patients reported 44 adverse events, with half of them occurring within the first 4 weeks after injection and being classified as nonserious. Mean hand pain decreased the most 4 weeks after injection and this effect persisted till week 12, though less pronounced. Similar results were seen with HOA-related functional impairment, which improved the most at week 4 and to a lesser extent at week 12.

Conclusion:

We found a good acceptability of intramuscular methylprednisolone treatment among HCPs and HOA patients, as well as a potential to reduce pain and improve hand function with a good safety profile for as long as 12 weeks after a single administration.
Effects of a Nonlinear Program on Different Health Parameters in the Elderly
Authors: Vargas-Molina Salvador , García-Sillero Manuel , Daniel Jiménez-García José , Carbone Leandro , Bonilla Diego A. , Petro Jorge L. , Romance Ramón , Benítez-Porres Javier
Published: May 2024

Background:

The aim of this research was to evaluate the impact of a nonlinear training program on visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure, as well as the response of biochemical parameters such as fasting plasma glucose (FPG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density cholesterol (LDL-C), and triglycerides (TG).

Hypothesis:

The nonlinear periodized program would produce greater improvements in outcomes than the linear periodized training program.

Study Design:

Randomized cross-sectional design.

Level of Evidence:

Level 3.

Methods:

Older adults with no previous training experience (10 male and 8 female [age, 64 ± 2.1 years; height, 165.12 ± 7.5 cm; body mass, 72.5 ± 11.4 kg; body max index, 26.5 ± 3.2 kg/m2]) were randomized to linear (n = 9, TT) or undulating (n = 9, UT) periodization. After a 3-week familiarization period, all participants performed 3 sessions of resistance training per week; 8 weeks of training were conducted for each group. Dual x-ray absorptiometry was used to measure VAT, and SBP and DBP were measured using an OMRON M3 digital automatic blood pressure monitor. Blood samples were collected between 8:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. after 12-hour overnight fasting.

Results:

Both interventions significantly ( P < 0.05) decreased FPG, TC, LDL-C, and TG. A significant decrease in SBP and DBP was observed only in the UT group ( P < 0.05). No significant between-group differences in outcomes were observed ( P > 0.5). However, the effect size was marginally more pronounced for all outcomes in the UT group.

Conclusion:

An undulating periodization program was effective in improving VAT, TC, LDL-C, FPG, HDL-C, TG, and blood glucose levels in older adults.

Clinical Relevance:

Resistance training can be programmed in an undulating or traditional way in older adults based on improvements in health parameters, considering adherence and individual preferences.
Personality Correlates of Out-Group Harm
Authors: Columbus Simon , Thielmann Isabel , Böhm Robert , Zettler Ingo
Published: May 2024

Motivated by theoretical accounts positing that participation in intergroup conflict is driven by a desire to promote the in-group, past studies have explored the link between prosocial personality dimensions and out-group harm. However, while dimensions such as Honesty-Humility predict in-group cooperation, they do not explain out-group harm. Across two incentivized experimental studies (one preregistered; overall N = 1,584), we show that out-group harm is uniquely associated with higher levels of the Dark Factor of Personality (D), a personality dimension capturing the core of all aversive personality characteristics. Conversely, high levels of D, alongside low levels of Honesty-Humility, are associated with less in-group cooperation. Our results show that in-group cooperation and out-group harm are associated with distinct personality dimensions.
MAFLD: an ideal framework for understanding disease phenotype in individuals of normal weight
Authors: Pan Ziyan , Khatry Maryam Al , Yu Ming-Lung , Choudhury Ashok , Sebastiani Giada , Alqahtani Saleh A. , Eslam Mohammed
Published: May 2024

The prevalence of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is significant, impacting almost one-third of the global population. MAFLD constitutes a primary cause of end-stage liver disease, liver cancer and the need for liver transplantation. Moreover, it has a strong association with increased mortality rates due to various extrahepatic complications, notably cardiometabolic diseases. While MAFLD is typically correlated with obesity, not all individuals with obesity develop the disease and a significant percentage of MAFLD occurs in patients without obesity, termed lean MAFLD. The clinical features, progression and underlying physiological mechanisms of patients with lean MAFLD remain inadequately characterized. The present review aims to provide a comprehensive summary of current knowledge on lean MAFLD and offer a perspective on defining MAFLD in individuals with normal weight. Key to this process is the concept of metabolic health and flexibility, which links states of dysmetabolism to the development of lean MAFLD. This perspective offers a more nuanced understanding of MAFLD and its underlying mechanisms and highlights the importance of considering the broader metabolic context in which the disease occurs. It also bridges the knowledge gap and offers insights that can inform clinical practice.
Quitting smoking as a probable trigger for new-onset hypothyroidism after successful medical treatment of Graves’ disease: case report
Authors: Elsherbiny Tamer Mohamed
Published: May 2024

Graves’ disease (GD) is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism while Hashimoto or autoimmune thyroiditis is the most common cause of hypothyroidism. Spontaneous hypothyroidism may develop after successful medical treatment of GD in up to 20% of cases. This report presents a gentleman who is a known smoker and was diagnosed with GD at the age of 64 years. He was counseled about smoking cessation and started with medical treatment using carbimazole (CBZ). He was adequately controlled using medical treatment, yet he continued to smoke. After 2 years of medical treatment, CBZ was stopped due to developing hypothyroidism on the minimum dose of treatment. Celebrating the discontinuation of treatment, the patient decided to quit smoking. One month later, he was euthyroid; however, 4 months later, he developed overt hypothyroidism. He received levothyroxine replacement therapy and titrated to achieve euthyroidism and remained on levothyroxine for more than 5 years. The possibility that quitting smoking may have triggered the development of hypothyroidism was raised due to the coincidence of developing hypothyroidism only 4 months after quitting smoking. Current smoking is associated with a higher risk of developing both GD and Graves’ orbitopathy. Quitting smoking is associated with a higher risk of developing new-onset thyroid autoimmunity. Quitting smoking is also associated with a sevenfold higher risk of autoimmune hypothyroidism especially in the first year of smoking cessation. Involved mechanisms may include a sudden increase in oxidative stress, a sudden increase in iodide delivery to thyroid follicles, or promoting T-helper 1-mediated autoimmune thyroiditis after quitting smoking. The present case suggests that quitting smoking may be a triggering factor for the development of hypothyroidism following successful medical treatment of GD, a phenomenon that may affect one-fifth of GD patients without previously reported triggers.
Reaching Malaysian ESL students through Instagram stories - perceived effectiveness, language exposure and learner engagement: A structural equation modelling analysis
Authors: Ven Ye Teh Wendy , Thien Lei Mee
Published: May 2024

Students often find discontinuation between classroom learning and out-of-school practice. As Generation Z and millennials are avid users of Instagram and Instagram Stories, this research aims to study the perceived effectiveness of social media on language exposure and learner engagement, with a learner’s perceived proficiency as a moderating effect. A total of 202 Malaysian Chinese Independent Secondary School Senior 2 and Senior 3 students took part in the Google Form survey. This quantitative study employed partial least squares structural equation modelling for data analysis. The results showed that Instagram Stories are perceived to be effective and useful as it contributes to language exposure and learner engagement agentically, cognitively, and emotionally. However, a learner’s perceived proficiency was not found to be a significant moderator. Future studies point towards exploring English learning outside of the classroom context using other engaging social media tools such as TikTok and more.
The genetic essentialism of the alt-right
Authors: Sawyer Katherine , Nam H Hannah
Published: May 2024

The belief among white nationalist, alt-right supporters that white people are being systematically replaced by non-white groups in society (i.e., the conspiracy theory of “great replacement”) is grounded in their broader beliefs in “race realism”—that is, the idea that racial categories are biologically determined. Here, we probe the common psychological biases that may contribute to the alt-right’s racist ideology. Surveying a national sample of Americans ( N = 1500), we find that alt-right supporters are significantly more likely to support essentialist beliefs—the notion that biology forms the core of who people are—than other Americans. Moreover, results from a two-wave experiment suggest that the alt-right interprets media narratives around behavioral science research in a way that reinforces belief in fundamental genetic differences between social groups. Consistent with expectations, narratives that emphasize deterministic genetic explanations for behavior lead all participants (regardless of alt-right support) to express increased essentialist beliefs. However, for alt-right supporters, socioenvironmental explanations for human behavior also lead to an increase in essentialist beliefs. Moreover, alt-right supporters are more likely to mistakenly interpret socioenvironmental narratives as direct evidence for the genetic basis of behavior. We suggest that essentialist thinking may provide a cognitive gateway to alt-right ideology.
Successful medical management of a vaginal wall tear in feline dystocia
Authors: Meyer Shaylan , Berg Alexia
Published: May 2024

Case summary

A 2-year-old domestic shorthair queen sustained a tear in the vaginal wall through which the queen herniated a fetus during parturition. An exploratory laparotomy was performed, the patient had an ovariohysterectomy and the fetus was removed vaginally. The tear was managed medically with antibiotics, analgesics and careful monitoring. Assessment of the injury site 2 weeks later confirmed successful healing without the need for surgical intervention in the vaginal wall.

Relevance and novel information

This is the first report in veterinary medicine describing the successful medical management of a dystocia-related vaginal wall tear in a feline patient without surgical repair.
Trade-In and Trade-Old-for-Remanufactured in Closed-Loop Supply Chain Under Different Power Structures and Government Subsidy
Authors: Liu Kailing , Li Quanxi , Liu Jinda , Li Yi
Published: May 2024

Trade-in (TON) and trade-old-for-remanufactured (TOR) programs are commonly used to boost consumer demand and recycle old products, and can generate significant economic benefits from disassembling or reusing old products. However, the influence of channel structures on the TON and TOR optimal decisions of closed-loop supply chains (CLSCs) is rarely discussed. To explore the impact of the implementation of the TOR program on the optimal pricing and demand strategy, enterprise profit, environment, and social welfare when the enterprise has applied the TON program, we develop four models with different power structures and market decisions to maximize enterprise profits based on consumer utility and the Stackelberg game: (1) manufacturer-led model with TON (Model M); (2) retailer-led model with TON (Model R); (3) manufacturer-led model with TON and TOR (Model TM); (4) retailer-led model with TON and TOR (Model TR). The manufacturer-led models may benefit consumers more and stimulate the replacement consumers’ demand for TON and TOR programs. Both TON and TOR demand for the Model TM are considerable. However, when the retailer is in the driver’s seat, the retailer can profit more due to government subsidies for the TOR programs. Our analysis provides insights into the choice of corporate power structures, reducing environmental impacts and improving social welfare. This paper studies for the first time the influence of different power structures and government subsidies on TON and TOR programs in CLSCs. Future research could consider the impact of old products quality or multi-period models on TON and TOR programs.
The Roles of Insurance and Banking Services on Financial Inclusion
Authors: Yap Shen , Lee Hui Shan , Liew Ping Xin
Published: May 2024

Insurance promotes financial resilience for individuals and households, aiding them in risk management and welfare improvement. Despite concerted efforts by countries and international bodies to promote financial inclusion through various programs, the roles of life and non-life insurance remain underemphasized as measure to close the financial gap in most countries. Our research is motivated by the realization that the existing literature lacks a unified measure of financial inclusion that considers the impact of life and non-life insurance. The objective of this study is to examine the roles of insurance and banking services in financial inclusion through an innovative measure. This study employs Principal Component Analysis to compute different sets of a multidimensional Financial Inclusion Index (FI index) that incorporate banking, life, and non-life insurance indicators for 72 countries from 2015 to 2019. When the role of life insurance is considered, some countries experience significant leaps in their financial inclusion levels, while the opposite holds true for most countries regardless of their developmental stage. In the meantime, non-life insurance has a strong positive impact on the overall financial inclusivity of the sample countries, with more than half of them recording higher financial inclusion. These results necessitate a reevaluation of financial inclusion strategies worldwide. We advocate for a more comprehensive approach that integrates insurance services into the financial system alongside traditional banking, especially non-life insurance given its significant contribution in enabling financial inclusion.
Powerful or Powerless? Women’s Power Levels in Contemporary Chinese Films
Authors: Hu Tingting , Cai Junyi
Published: May 2024

This article aims to achieve an experiential study of cinematic representations of females in Chinese films through quantitative narrative analysis. Applied to a census of 360 Chinese films across various genres produced across 18 years (2001–2018) systematically selected on Mtime, we ask to what extent female characters in Chinese films are empowered? How is their power exercised? And what socio-cultural implications can be detected from the cinematic representations of women in the contemporary Chinese gender discourse? We aim to fill in the gap in Chinese cinema studies in which most scholarships focused on pre-2000 works, adopted qualitative textual and narrative analysis to interpret the representations of women in a particular genre or in typical cases, leaving the quantitative approach, particularly focusing on the post-2000 films, all but absent. We develop a systematic set of typologies, including 4 major power-level categories (power-over, power-to, power-with, and no-power) and 12 deuterogenic ones, which can be applied for future research on Chinese film and media studies. While women’s career success has been articulated with empowerment, independence, subjectivity, and ambition in the neoliberal rhetoric, our research reflects a more intricate relationship between cultural representations of women and power in contemporary Chinese films.
Spatial Spillover of the Global Internet Penetration Rate and the Digital Gender Divide
Authors: Wang Jenhung , Lin Pei-Chun
Published: May 2024

This study investigated the possible contributing factors to the digital gender divide and the spatial spillover effects of submarine communication cables on neighboring areas. Using spatial statistical models and global data, this study examined the Internet penetration rate and the digital gender divide in 186 countries. Data sources included open source data, social media, ITU and UNCTAD databases, and the World Bank. The study estimated the average male and female Internet users in 186 countries using Facebook API. The number of submarine communication cables between countries was used as the basis for constructing the spatial weights matrix. The countries with the highest Internet penetration rate were mostly in Europe. Those with the lowest Internet penetration rate were in Africa, Central Asia, and West Asia. Thirteen of the 15 countries with the worst Internet penetration rate were located in the African region. A significant digital gender divide arose in the developing and the least-developed countries. We argue that connectivity is key to the reduction of the digital gender divide and to ensuring that more women have access to the Internet. The study ascertains that the Internet penetration rate is related to the digital gender divide in individual countries and has a spatial spillover impact in surrounding nations connected by submarine communication cables. The study demonstrates that submarine cables serve as important infrastructure for closing the digital gender divide and deserve increased analytical attention.
Exploring Financial Well-being’s Impact on Retirement Planning: The Mediating Role of Financial Attitude
Authors: Indapurkar Kavita , Pal Abhinav , Tiwari Chandan Kumar , Mavuri Sudha
Published: May 2024

This study seeks to examine the impact of financial attitude, financial well-being and selected socio-economic factors on retirement planning. Employing a survey-based approach, primary data was gathered from 506 respondents using structured questionnaires through convenience sampling. The research hypotheses were examined using the application of structural equation modelling, with a special emphasis on assessing the mediating influence of financial attitude on the association between financial well-being and retirement planning. This study also examines the potential moderating influences of factors, including age, gender, education and income, on the association between financial attitude, financial well-being and retirement planning. The findings illustrate a significant correlation between an individual’s financial perspective, financial welfare and inclination to participate in retirement preparation. Moreover, it was discovered that certain variables exerted significant moderating effects on these relationships. The research acknowledges certain limitations, such as the omission of variables like financial knowledge and external influences such as parental and societal factors. These research implications can guide policymakers and institutions in the creation of effective financial literacy programs and investor awareness seminars.
Feeling Safe in the Perioperative Period: Experiences from Patients Undergoing Orthopedic Day Surgery
Authors: Larsson Fanny , Engström Åsa , Rysst Gustafsson Silje , Strömbäck Ulrica
Published: May 2024

Introduction

Day surgery is often preferred by patients, but it can pose challenges in self-management after discharge. In addition, patients undergoing orthopedic surgery report poorer rates of postoperative recovery than patients undergoing general surgery. Understanding patients’ perceptions of feeling safe while undergoing surgery facilitates individualized care and is important since it may affect their recovery.

Objective

The aim of this study was to describe patients’ perceptions of feeling safe in the perioperative period when undergoing orthopedic day surgery under regional anesthesia.

Methods

The design was qualitative and descriptive. Data were collected through a cross-sectional questionnaire containing open-ended questions. Qualitative content analysis with an inductive approach was used for data analysis. Participants’ characteristics were presented descriptively. The study population consisted of a consecutive sample of 97 patients who had undergone orthopedic day surgery under regional anesthesia between March and October 2022.

Results

The categorization process resulted in the development of two categories describing participants’ experience of perioperative feelings of safety when undergoing orthopedic day surgery: having someone near and having a sense of control. The results indicate that the relationship between patients and staff and the perceived feeling of control and participation are factors influencing patients’ perception of feeling safe in the perioperative period.

Conclusions

In perioperative care, nurses play a vital role in fostering patients’ sense of safety by establishing relationships. This ensures that patients can be actively engaged in their own care. Patients also need access to professional and competent staff who strives to add a personal touch and considers their perspective. Since patients undergoing orthopedic day surgery might face a more demanding postoperative recovery than they had initially anticipated, further research is suggested to explore the association between a perceived feeling of safety and postoperative recovery.
Impact of Urban Migration on Caste: Rohinton Mistry’s A Fine Balance and Rural-to-Urban Caste Migration in India
Authors: Dutta Mohua , Chattopadhyay Sayan
Published: May 2024

This study investigates the impact of urban migration on the caste system by thoroughly examining Rohinton Mistry’s A Fine Balance. The primary research questions are why rural-to-urban caste migration occurs, how urban migration affects the caste system and whether it fulfils the aspirations of Dalit migrants. The research reveals that the promise of mobility and emancipation provided by class operations drives rural-to-urban caste migration in India, but it also emphasizes the limitations of urban migration in emancipating Dalit migrants, as they not only remain trapped within the caste capital and family networks that existed in rural areas, but because the caste system persists in urban areas as well, it results in the double marginalization and discrimination of Dalit migrants in urban areas. Moreover, the study explains how caste marginalization in rural areas is linked to class marginalization and other forms of subalternity in urban areas. Overall, this study highlights the complexities of rural-to-urban caste migration and its impact on the lives of India’s marginalized communities. This article contributes to the field of migration studies by shedding light on the frequently overlooked issue of Dalit migration.
Social Media Users’ Engagement with Religious Misinformation: An Exploratory Sequential Mixed-Methods Analysis
Authors: Al-Zaman Md. Sayeed
Published: May 2024

As the world's fourth-largest Muslim country with a growing community of social media users, Bangladesh has been experiencing frequent online religious misinformation, inspiring violence against minorities and threatening interreligious harmony. Following an exploratory sequential mixed-methods analysis combining a qualitative thematic analysis and a quantitative content analysis, we answer two pertinent research questions. We found three ways users engage with misinformation: their topics of discourse, reactions, and appraisal. Users’ discourse revolves around religious, radical, and political issues. Radical issues (60.4%) dominate users’ discourse, followed by political issues (37.1%). Users’ reactions are primarily negative (94.1%), exhibiting different destructive behaviors. Alarmingly, the negative reactions are more than seventeen times the positive reactions (5.5%). Results for misinformation appraisal suggest that 69.3% of users believe misinformation, and only 25.9% can identify and deny misinformation. Nearly half of the users (48.21%) concomitantly talk radical, react negatively, and trust misinformation. This research suggests that religious misinformation-led violence may have more political connections than religious ones.
LinG3D: visualizing the spatio-temporal dynamics of clonal evolution
Authors: Hu Anjun , Ojwang’ Awino Maureiq E. , Olumoyin Kayode D. , Rejniak Katarzyna A.
Published: May 2024

Background

Cancers are spatially heterogenous, thus their clonal evolution, especially following anti-cancer treatments, depends on where the mutated cells are located within the tumor tissue. For example, cells exposed to different concentrations of drugs, such as cells located near the vessels in contrast to those residing far from the vasculature, can undergo a different evolutionary path. However, classical representations of cell lineage trees do not account for this spatial component of emerging cancer clones. Here, we propose routines to trace spatial and temporal clonal evolution in computer simulations of the tumor evolution models.

Results

TheLinG3D(Lineage Graphs in 3D) is an open-source collection of routines (in MATLAB, Python, and R) that enables spatio-temporal visualization of clonal evolution in a two-dimensional tumor slice from computer simulations of the tumor evolution models. These routines draw traces of tumor clones in both time and space, and may include a projection of a selected microenvironmental factor, such as the drug or oxygen distribution within the tumor, if such a microenvironmental factor is used in the tumor evolution model. The utility ofLinG3Dhas been demonstrated through examples of simulated tumors with different number of clones and, additionally, in experimental colony growth assay.

Conclusions

This routine package extends the classical lineage trees, that show cellular clone relationships in time, by adding the space component to show the locations of cellular clones within the 2D tumor tissue patch from computer simulations of tumor evolution models.
Discovery of novel RNA viruses through analysis of fungi-associated next-generation sequencing data
Authors: Lu Xiang , Dai Ziyuan , Xue Jiaxin , Li Wang , Ni Ping , Xu Juan , Zhou Chenglin , Zhang Wen
Published: May 2024

Background

Like all other species, fungi are susceptible to infection by viruses. The diversity of fungal viruses has been rapidly expanding in recent years due to the availability of advanced sequencing technologies. However, compared to other virome studies, the research on fungi-associated viruses remains limited.

Results

In this study, we downloaded and analyzed over 200 public datasets from approximately 40 different Bioprojects to explore potential fungal-associated viral dark matter. A total of 12 novel viral sequences were identified, all of which are RNA viruses, with lengths ranging from 1,769 to 9,516 nucleotides. The amino acid sequence identity of all these viruses with any known virus is below 70%. Through phylogenetic analysis, these RNA viruses were classified into different orders or families, such as Mitoviridae, Benyviridae, Botourmiaviridae, Deltaflexiviridae, Mymonaviridae, Bunyavirales, and Partitiviridae. It is possible that these sequences represent new taxa at the level of family, genus, or species. Furthermore, a co-evolution analysis indicated that the evolutionary history of these viruses within their groups is largely driven by cross-species transmission events.

Conclusions

These findings are of significant importance for understanding the diversity, evolution, and relationships between genome structure and function of fungal viruses. However, further investigation is needed to study their interactions.
Microbiological and molecular studies on a multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa from a liver transplant patient with urinary tract infection in Egypt
Authors: Shaaban Mohamed T. , Abdel-Raouf Mohamed , Zayed Muhammad , Emara Mahmoud A.
Published: May 2024

Background

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen responsible for complicated UTIs and exhibits high antibiotic resistance, leading to increased mortality rates, especially in cases of multidrug-resistant strains. This study aimed to investigate the antibiotic susceptibility patterns and genomic characterization of XDR strains identified in end-stage liver disease patients who underwent liver transplants.

Methods

In this study, a number of 30 individuals who underwent liver transplants were registered. Ninety urine and 60 wound site swab samples were collected and processed for culturing, identification, and antimicrobial sensitivity. Extensively drug-resistant strain EMARA01 was confirmed through Sanger sequencing and was then processed for whole genome sequencing to characterize the genomic pattern. Sequencing data were processed for de novo assembly using various tools and databases, including genome annotation, serotype identification, virulence factor genes, and antimicrobial resistance gene. Pangenome analysis of randomly selected 147 reference strains and EMAR01 sequenced strain was performed using the Bacterial Pan Genome Analysis (BPGA) software.

Results

Of these total examined samples, nosocomial infection due to P. aeruginosa was detected in twelve patients’ samples. AST analysis showed that P. aeruginosa strains exhibit resistance to tobramycin, erythromycin, and gentamicin, followed by piperacillin and ofloxacin, and no strains exhibit resistance to meropenem and imipenem. The CARD database identified 59 AMR genes similar to the EMAR01 strain genome and mostly belong to the family involved in the resistance-nodulation-cell division (RND) antibiotic efflux pump. Five genes; nalC, nalD, MexR, MexA, and MexB, exhibit resistance to 14 classes of antibiotics, while two AMR; CpxR, and OprM, exhibit resistance to 15 classes of drugs. Pangenome analysis revealed that the pan-genome remained open, suggesting the potential for acquiring accessory and unique genes. Notably, the genes predominantly involved in amino acid transport metabolism were identified using the KEGG database.

Conclusions

This study provides valuable insights into the antimicrobial resistance profile, genetic features, and genomic evolution of P. aeruginosa strains causing UTIs in liver transplant patients. The findings emphasize the significance of comprehending AMR mechanisms and genetic diversity in P. aeruginosa for developing effective treatment strategies and infection control measures.
Phytochemical profile and antifungal activity of essential oils obtained from different Mentha longifolia L. accessions growing wild in Iran and Iraq
Authors: Mustafa Kosrat Hama , Khorshidi Jalal , Vafaee Yavar , Rastegar Azad , Morshedloo Mohammad Reza , Hossaini Somaieh
Published: May 2024

Background

Mentha longifolia L. is a perennial plant belonging to the Lamiaceae family that has a wide distribution in the world. M. longifolia has many applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries due to its terpenoid and phenolic compounds. The phytochemical profile and biological activity of plants are affected by their genetics and habitat conditions. In the present study, the content, constituents and antifungal activity of the essential oil extracted from 20 accessions of M. longifolia collected from different regions of Iran and Iraq countries were evaluated.

Results

The essential oil content of the accessions varied between 1.54 ± 0.09% (in the Divandarreh accession) to 5.49 ± 0.12% (in the Khabat accession). Twenty-seven compounds were identified in the essential oils of the studied accessions, which accounted for 85.5-99.61% of the essential oil. The type and amount of dominant compounds in the essential oil were different depending on the accession. Cluster analysis of accessions based on essential oil compounds grouped them into three clusters. The first cluster included Baziyan, Boukan, Sarouchavah, Taghtagh, Darbandikhan, Isiveh and Harir. The second cluster included Khabat, Kounamasi, Soni and Mahabad, and other accessions were included in the third cluster. Significant correlations were observed between the essential oil content and components with the climatic and soil conditions of the habitats. The M. longifolia essential oil indicated antifungal activity against Fusarium solani in both methods used. In all studied accessions, the fumigation method compared to the contact method was more able to control mycelia growth. In both methods, the inhibition percentage of essential oil on mycelia growth increased with an increase in essential oil concentration. Significant correlations were found between the essential oil components and the inhibition percentage of mycelium growth.

Conclusion

The studied M. longifolia accessions showed significant differences in terms of the essential oil content and components. Differences in phytochemical profile of accessions can be due to their genetic or habitat conditions. The distance of the accessions in the cluster was not in accordance with their geographical distance, which indicates the more important role of genetic factors compared to habitat conditions in separating accessions. The antifungal activity of essential oils was strongly influenced by the essential oil quality and concentration, as well as the application method. Determining and introducing the elite accession in this study can be different depending on the breeder’s aims, such as essential oil content, desired chemical composition, or antifungal activity.
Transcriptome analysis of Gossypium hirsutum cultivar Zhongzhimian No.2 uncovers the gene regulatory networks involved in defense against Verticillium dahliae
Authors: Ma Xi-Yue , Zhou Xiao-Han , Liu Bin-Bin , Zhang Ye-Jing , Zhu He , Li Yue , Wang Zi-Sheng , Dai Xiao-Feng , Chen Jie-Yin , Su Zhen-Qi , Li Ran
Published: May 2024

Background

Cotton is globally important crop. Verticillium wilt (VW), caused by Verticillium dahliae, is the most destructive disease in cotton, reducing yield and fiber quality by over 50% of cotton acreage. Breeding resistant cotton cultivars has proven to be an efficient strategy for improving the resistance of cotton to V. dahliae. However, the lack of understanding of the genetic basis of VW resistance may hinder the progress in deploying elite cultivars with proven resistance.

Results

We planted the VW-resistant Gossypium hirsutum cultivar Zhongzhimian No.2 (ZZM2) in an artificial greenhouse and disease nursery. ZZM2 cotton was subsequently subjected to transcriptome sequencing after Vd991 inoculation (6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h post-inoculation). Several differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in response to V. dahliae infection, mainly involved in resistance processes, such as flavonoid and terpenoid quinone biosynthesis, plant hormone signaling, MAPK signaling, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and pyruvate metabolism. Compared to the susceptible cultivar Junmian No.1 (J1), oxidoreductase activity and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production were significantly increased in ZZM2. Furthermore, gene silencing of cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COX1), which is involved in the oxidation-reduction process in ZZM2, compromised its resistance to V. dahliae, suggesting that COX1 contributes to VW resistance in ZZM2.

Conclusions

Our data demonstrate that the G. hirsutum cultivar ZZM2 responds to V. dahliae inoculation through resistance-related processes, especially the oxidation-reduction process. This enhances our understanding of the mechanisms regulating the ZZM2 defense against VW.
Swedish consensus regarding difficult pre-hospital airway management: a Delphi study
Authors: Borgström Anton Modée , Bäckström Denise
Published: May 2024

Background

The aim of this study was to establish a consensus among experts in prehospital work regarding the management of difficult airways in prehospital care in Sweden. The results were subsequently used to develop an algorithm for handling difficult airway in prehospital care, as there was none available in Sweden prior to this study.

Methods

This two-round Delphi study was conducted by forming an expert panel comprising anesthesiologists and anesthesia nurses working in prehospital setting in Sweden. The expert panel responded digital forms with questions and statements related to airway management. The study continued until consensus was reached, defined as more than 70% agreement. The study took place from December 4, 2021, to May 15, 2022.

Results

In the first round, 74 participants took part, while the second round involved 37 participants. Consensus was reached in 16 out of 17 statements. 92% of the participants agreed that an airway algorithm adapted for prehospital use is necessary.

Conclusions

The capacity to adapt the approach to airway management based on specific pre-hospital circumstances is crucial. It holds significance to establish a uniform framework that is applicable across various airway management scenarios. Consequently, the airway management algorithm that has been devised should be regarded as a recommendation, allowing for flexibility rather than being interpreted as a rigid course of action.

This represents the inaugural nationwide algorithm for airway management designed exclusively for pre-hospital operations in Sweden. The algorithm is the result of a consensus reached by experts in pre-hospital care.
Sports-related fractures in the geriatric population at a level I trauma center
Authors: Jeon Young Dae , Park Ki-Bong , Ko Sang-Hun , Oh Jae-Min , Kim Sang-Gon
Published: May 2024

Background

The population is rapidly aging and remains active over the age of 65 years. An increasing number of sports-related fractures (SRFs) in individuals 65 and older are thus anticipated. Despite the increase in SRFs among the geriatric population, there are limited studies regarding the epidemiological data regarding SRFs in geriatric patients. This study examined the epidemiology of SRFs in a geriatric population who visited a level I trauma center.

Methods

Data from geriatric patients who visited a level I trauma center were collected between June 2020 and July 2023. Overall, 1,109 geriatric patients with fractures were included in the study. Among them, 144 (13.0%) had fractures during sports activities (SRF group) and 965 (87.0%) had fractures during non-sports activities (non-SRF group). We investigated the type of sport in the SRFs and compared SRFs and NSRFs to describe the differences in patient, fracture, and treatment characteristics.

Results

The mean age of SRFs was significantly lower (73.6 vs. 78.7 years; P < .001). The proportion of men was significantly higher in the SRF group than in the non-SRF group (51.4 vs. 29.6%; P < .001). We identified 13 types of sports associated with fractures, and the four most common were outdoor walking (36.1%), outdoor biking (27.8%), mountain hiking (19.4%), and gym (8.3%). There were no significant differences in the rate of hospitalization, operative treatment, or length of hospital stay between the two groups. However, compared to the non-SRF group, patients in the SRF group tended to return home after hospitalization (P = .002).

Conclusion

This epidemiological study describes geriatric population that continues to be involved in sports and is thus susceptible to fractures. The identification of the type and distribution of SRFs in geriatric patients provides useful information for determining risk factors and appropriate preventive measures that may reduce their incidence.