bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Políticas públicas tributárias potencialmente dirigidas à promoção da equidade de gênero numa perspectiva constitucional
Authors: DE LOURDES ARAÚJO MARIA , YOSHIOKA ANARA REBECA CISCOTO , DIAS DA MOTTA IVAN
Published: January 2025

O tema da pesquisa é a análise da repercussão dos aspectos econômicos e financeiros, especialmente tributários, como elemento de (in)efetivação do direito fundamental à equidade de gênero. Assim, questiona-se: de que forma, no Brasil, no século XXI, o custo dos produtos e serviços equivalentes pode interferir na promoção ou não da equidade de gênero? O objetivo geral é analisar a relação entre a promoção dos direitos da personalidade femininos e o custo dos produtos e serviços equivalentes, considerando a interferência da política tributária. Os objetivos específicos são: analisar de que forma o custo de produtos e serviços equivalentes, pode promover ou violar a igualdade, a depender do gênero de seu destinatário final; avaliar a política pública tributária como instrumento de (des)incentivo à promoção da dignidade humana do gênero feminino. Trata-se de uma pesquisa descritiva, baseada no método de abordagem dedutivo, utilizando-se das técnicas bibliográfica e documental. Demonstrou-se que há assimetrias no acesso de mulheres a produtos e serviços, prejudicando os direitos e garantias fundamentais destas, o que legitima a discussão e implantação, por parte do Estado e da sociedade, de políticas públicas para a equidade e não discriminação. Conclui-se que há política pública, contudo, insuficiente para promover a equidade.
A Criança Marginalizada das Primeiras Décadas do Século XX no Discurso dos Salvadores da Criança: Contribuição à História do Direito do Menor no Brasil
Authors: De Castro Alexander , Furlan Rigolin Isabela
Published: January 2025

O movimento de salvação da criança iniciou-se no século XIX nos Estados Unidos e na Europa e, posteriormente, foi importado para o Brasil. Esse movimento foi uma cruzada moral, na qual parte da classes média e alta juntou-se em prol da proteção da infância e da adolescência pauperizada, contra os problemas advindos da urbanização e industrialização em massa. O objetivo do presente estudo é analisar como a imagem das crianças e dos adolescentes objetos desse movimento era construída no discurso dos salvadores da criança. Para responder a essa questão, usamos os métodos da análise qualitativa de documentos, complementada pela revisão bibliográfica da literatura secundária. Concluiu-se que a criança e o adolescente não figuravam nas imagens construídas pelos salvadores da criança como sujeitos de direitos intrínsecos à sua condição humana (direitos humanos, direitos fundamentais, direitos da personalidade).
Política universitaria y “nivel” de las Universidades españolas e hispanoamericanas: el efecto Dunning-Kruger grupal
Authors: Vilchez Jose
Published: January 2025

El efecto Dunning-Kruger es un efecto reportado a lo largo y ancho de la literatura en contextos académicos y de otra índole. El efecto en sí consiste en cuatro dimensiones: (a) una apreciación errónea sobre la ejecución propia; (b) una calibración errónea en la apreciación de cómo nuestro rendimiento no se adapta a la ejecución comparada con el resto de la población; (c) una apreciación errónea sobre la ejecución de los demás, basada en un criterio personal que ya adolece de sustento; (d) el paradójico efecto de que, mejorando la ejecución propia con retroalimentación especializada por parte de un experto, se mejora (en términos de verosimilitud) tanto la autoevaluación como la hetero-evaluación hacia los demás. Se analizó los datos de la ejecución de tres clases que compartían el mismo temario en Psicología de la Educación en grados distintos. Se analizó el instrumento de evaluación y, en base a los resultados, se ha analizado las acciones emprendidas por los alumnos en base a sus resultados. Las conclusiones se discuten precisamente tomando en cuenta el efecto Dunning-Kruger y con ramificaciones en la generación millennial; analizando el sistema educativo, las políticas universitarias y las repercusiones que tiene en la sociedad el no disponer de profesionales verdaderamente formados.
Critical Assessment of Effectiveness and Safety of Tramadol and Evaluation of its Market in Ukraine
Authors: Oleshchuk Oleksandra , Pinyazhko Oresta , Klantsa Mykola , Posokhova Kateryna , Lukanyuk Mariana , Mahanova Tamara , Shanaida Mariia
Published: January 2025

Introduction. The article examines the role of tramadol in chronic pain (CP) treatment, focusing on its clinical effectiveness, safety profile, and market presence in Ukraine. Given the rising concerns surrounding opioid use, this manuscript seeks to provide a comprehensive assessment of the role of such medicine as Tramadol in pain management. The research aimed to the secondary and tertiary sources of clinical effectiveness, and safety of tramadol for the management of CP, and to analyze the Ukrainian market of this pharmaceutical in the sales data provided by PharmXplorer. Materials and Methods. This review thoroughly searched clinical trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses in various scientific databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Google Scholar. It employed keywords such as "tramadol," "CP", "effectiveness," "safety," "adverse effects," "overdose," and "abuse" to identify relevant studies. Primary data from the analytical application for pharmaceutical market players - PharmXplorer were used as marketing research materials. Logical analysis, synthesis, generalization, graphic, and statistical methods were used in the research. Results and Conclusions. This study critically analyzed the clinical effectiveness of tramadol through a comprehensive evaluation of clinical trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses concerning its use for CP management in oncological patients, non-cancer pain management, and pediatric practice. The conducted analysis does not demonstrate the advantage of tramadol compared to other opioids in the treatment of chronic pain in cancer patients, or chronic pain of different origins, including in pediatric practice. The safety of tramadol in clinical settings does not exceed the safety of other narcotic analgesics, and in some cases is even inferior to it. 80% of tramadol drugs on the Ukrainian pharmaceutical market are produced in Ukraine. Nevertheless, tramadol is not recommended as a first-line therapy for CP management due to its limited efficacy and safety concerns.
Role of Personalized Medicine in Clinical Practice: An Overview of Current and Future Perspectives
Authors: Ghai Roma , Mittal Ashu , Pandey Deepali , Alam Md Shamshir , Kaushik Shikha , Ishtiyaq Pasha , Kaushik Yogita , Mishra Shardendu Kumar
Published: January 2025

Drug administration at similar doses in patients can often lead to various clinical responses. It has been hypothesized that genetics primarily accounts for variation in drug efficacy and toxicity in individuals. Personalized medicine has been a breakthrough achieved by the Human Genome Project which contributes to enhancing quality-based patient care. It deals with the customization of medication considering the distinct genetic and proteomic data that underpins the originality of every patient and every instance of therapeutic intervention. Many cases have shown that inter-individual differences related to drug response can be traced to genetic polymorphism in the gene alleles that codes for metabolizing enzymes, drug transporters, and genetic variations in a person’s Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC). So, the paper throws an insight into epidemiological variations due to genetics, variations in response based on metabolic parameters, and transporters. It also covers genetic variation related to immune-related drug toxicities. Pharmacogenetic testing plays an important role in achieving more precise personalized therapeutics for better public health. The paper discusses various tests for human leukocyte antigen variants and metabolic variants. Every technology inclusion comes with advantages and limitations so personalized medicine also faces certain challenges which are discussed in the paper. Once personalized medicine is used in clinical settings, patients will be able to receive the best medications for them based on their unique genetic and protein profiles.
Nasal Treatment of Standardized Centella Asiatica Leaves Extract Ameliorates Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress in Laboratory Rats
Authors: Thakurdesai Prasad Arvind , Shivsingwale Gayatri Veersing , Aswar Urmila Manoj
Published: January 2025

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of nasal solution of Centella asiatica leaves standardized to triterpenoids (INDCA-NS) in preventing “chronic unpredictable mild stress” (CUMS) in rats. Methods: The study involved six groups of twelve rats each, with five groups receiving CUMS induction and one group without CUMS, serving as a vehicle control (VC). The other groups received intranasal administration of saline, buspirone, or INDCA-NS (10,30 and 100 µg/rat/day, 2.5, 7.5, and 10 µg/nostril/twice daily) from day 35 to day 49. Behavioral parameters were assessed using the marble burying test, Y-maze, Morris water maze, sucrose preference test, and resident intruder test on days 0, 35, 42, and 49, respectively. The levels of stress-related biomarkers, cortisol and “brain-derived neurotrophic factor” (BDNF) in the hypothalamus were measured using ELISA kits. The data was analyzed with analysis of variance followed by pairwise comparisons, with significance set at P < 0.05. Results: CUMS induction led to a significant increase in anxiety, anhedonia, aggression, and stress markers, as well as a reduction in working and spatial memory parameters (vs. VC). INDCA-NS and BUS administration for 14 days resulted in dose-dependent and significant prevention of CUMS-induced anxiety, working memory, anhedonia, and aggression, but not Morris’s water maze parameters and BDNF levels. Conclusion: Subacute intranasal INDCA-NS showed chronic stress-preventive potential in rats, indicated by the prevention of anxiety, anhedonia, and aggression in CUMS-induced rats, probably through cortisol reduction.
High Throughput Genomics Study for the Identification of Novel Genes Functional in B-Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
Authors: Negi Ankit Singh , Yadav Ruchi
Published: January 2025

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) represents approximately 90% of all lymphoma cases in humans. This study aimed to discover novel genes associated with B-cell NHL by employing a machine learning approach using linear regression. Microarray data analysis was conducted using CEL files (12 samples across 6 types of B-cell NHL) obtained from the GEO database (accession ID: GSE132929). Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified through R and Bioconductor packages, with DEG identification carried out using the Limma package (Linear Models for Microarray Data). RNA-seq data were analysed using paired-end sequencing (accession no. SRX4624931), and variant analysis was performed via the Galaxy server. Data enrichment for DEGs was conducted using the DAVID and GO databases. Pathway enrichment analysis of the microarray data revealed 14 pathways, with the most notable results observed in the group5-4 set. Among 10 genes, only KRAS proto-oncogene and cyclin D1 (CCND1) were implicated in these 14 pathways. RNA-Seq analysis identified 15 out of 189 genes involved in cancer-related pathways. Combined analysis of microarray and RNA-Seq data indicated significant differential expression of KRAS, CCND1, and RAF genes in B-cell NHL. Further experimental validation is required to explore these genes' potential in developing targeted therapies for NHL.
Stem Cell Therapies Approach for Treating Cancers: Opportunity Progress and Challenges
Authors: Lobo Vijay , Abdul Bakrudeen Ali Ahmed , Sivasankar Shenbagavarshini , K Abdul Hakeem , Pasha Mahmood , Kumar Ram Arun
Published: January 2025

For the past few years cancer is the second most primary reason for death among human. There are several treatment techniques are raised till now. But they all have side effects and they do not completely eradicate the cancer. Therapy resistant and progression of cancer are frequently caused by the inadequate and generalized targets of conventional therapeutic techniques in the treatment of cancer. Hence, the treatment of the cancer has a challenging one. Over the last decade, stem cell based therapy techniques have become increasingly appealing treatment choices. Although stem cells can be used for regenerative therapy, therapeutic transporters for drugs, biomedical applications, drug targeting and immune cell production, they also show remarkable biological behaviors such as self-renewal, direct motility, differentiating, and immuno regulatory methods. Stem cells are recently being used as delivery vehicles for a variety of specific proteins and viruses, particularly in cancer therapy. The goal of this chapter is i). To highlight a number of research that have effectively used these techniques to combat distinct cancer kinds; ii) With a focus on a variety of factors which are crucial to the victory of future in cancer stem cell therapy and; iii) Focuses on stem cells, is types, properties and stem cell therapies.
Medical Image Segmentation using Enhanced Feature Weight Learning Based FCM Clustering
Authors: Koundal Ashima , Budhiraja Sumit , Agrawal Sunil
Published: January 2025

Image segmentation is a way to simplify and analyze images by separating them into different segments. Fuzzy c-means (FCM) is the most widely used clustering algorithm, as it can handle data with blurry boundaries; where points belong to multiple clusters with varying strengths. The segmentation performance of this method is sensitive to the initial cluster centers. The fact that every feature in the image contributes equally and is given equal weight is another issue with this algorithm. In this paper, an image segmentation technique based on Fuzzy C-means (FCM) method is proposed. The proposed technique uses an extended feature set consisting of homogeneity, CIELAB, texture and edge is used for feature extraction in order to enhance segmentation quality. Further, weight optimization is done to help clustering process leverage the strengths of each feature, while downplaying less significant ones. The subjective and objective performance analysis of the proposed algorithm on medical images show improved performance as compared to existing standard image segmentation techniques.
Evaluation of Antifibrotic Activity of a Combination of a New Phytocomposition and Proanthocyanidins in Rats.
Authors: Aripov Abdumalik Nigmatovich , Akhunzhanova Lola Lazizovna , Nabiev Abdusamad Utkirovich , Aripov Orifzhon Abdumalikovich , Khamroev Tolmas Tolibovich
Published: January 2025

Background: Today, chronic liver diseases and pathologies that develop as their complications, such as LC or HCC, cause various socio-economic as well as medical problems, and therefore the elimination of fibrosis processes in the liver is an important urgent problem. In the event of complications such as LC and HCC, the process of LF acts as an immediate bridge. Which, in turn, is responsible for stopping changes in the liver at the stage of fibrosis. Aim: The focus of the investigations was on how the composition under investigation affected the early stages of liver fibrosis. The antifibrotic action of the substance under investigation was assessed primarily by focusing on the invariance of lowered markers or a decrease in fibrosis rates. Experimental Approach: All the studies conducted were carried out on rats, while severe chronic liver damage was caused by the introduction into the abdominal cavity according to a strict scheme of heliothrin, a substance with a hepatotoxic effect. The object of the study was a combination of heparin and yanatacin 1:1, the antifibrotic activity of which was studied in comparison with the popular drug Phosphogliv, widely used in medical practice. Key Results: In the conducted studies, it was noted that the combination of heparin and yantacin normalizes disorders caused by heliotrin in experimental animals, in particular, enzyme activity, cytokine levels, bile secretion and liver index. According to this activity, the comparative drug showed a clear advantage over phosphogliv. Conclusion: The studies show that the studied combination only prevents the transition of the fibrous process to the second or third stage, and therefore the search for drugs that can completely eliminate the stage of fibrosis in the liver has not lost its relevance.
Exploration of the GLUT-4 Modulation Potential of Gynura procumbens as a Mechanism Behind its Antidiabetic Activity
Authors: Anjum Juhaer , Muni Maniza , Shawon Nusrat Jahan , Aktar Fahima , Hasan Md. Mehadi , Sofi Mohammad , Tahsin Md. Rafat , Uddin Md Reaz , Chowdhury Abu Asad , Chowdhury Jakir Ahmed , Kabir Shaila , Sikder Md. Al Amin , Amran Md. Shah
Published: January 2025

The search for antidiabetic drugs from natural sources has been carried out since diabetes has become a prevalent chronic disease, whose conventional therapy causes several complications in long-term use. Gynura procumbens (GP), a well-known herb for its various activities, has shown promising results against diabetes in several studies. To find whether the mechanism of activity behind this antidiabetic effect is underpinned by the upregulation of a particular glucose transporter (GLUT-4), this experiment was conducted. The GLUT-4 expression levels in Alloxan-induced diabetic rats were compared with untreated healthy rats and rats treated with different doses of G. procumbens extract using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) specified for rat GLUT-4. All four test groups including the metformin control group showed elevated expression of GLUT-4 in the liver tissue compared to the diabetic control group (p < 0.05, one-way ANOVA). The serum-glucose modulatory antidiabetic activity of ethanolic extract of G. procumbens was therefore mediated though the upregulation of GLUT-4 expression, and consequent increased uptake of glucose.
FORMAÇÃO DE ENFERMEIROS NA ERA DIGITAL: transmídias, inclusão digital e extensão universitária
Authors: Furtado Rita de Cássia Serra , Ribeiro Nayure Lopes , Lacerda Rúbia Gabriela Ferreira , Moraes Elane Batista , Rodrigues Leovana dos Santos , Almeida Raíssa Moura de , Souza Jamily Silva , Castro Nádile Juliane Costa de
Published: January 2025

Introdução: A saúde e educação de qualidade, a partir de ações inclusivas previstas nas metas dos globais, se integram na formação de enfermeiros, ancoradas nas Diretrizes Curriculares Nacionais de graduação em Enfermagem (DCENf) para o aperfeiçoamento de habilidades cognitivas complexas, como o pensamento crítico e a resolução de problemas. Nesse sentido, a integração dos recursos digitais3 na formação em enfermagem não apenas promove  habilidades necessárias para navegar no futuro digital da saúde. Objetivo: Analisar processos transmidiáticos que tenham como princípio fomentar a inclusão digital entre estudantes de enfermagem. Método: Estudo descritivo, exploratório e documental. A fonte dos dados foram o relatório 2023 e as mídias sociais de um projeto de extensão universitário de um edital cujo objeto de ação é a inclusão digital. Resultados: Os conteúdos foram criados a partir de editores de imagens, compartilhados por diferentes mídias sociais e tiveram participação de dez estudantes do terceiro ao sétimo semestre, três mestrandos e quatro docentes facilitadores. Foram identificadas três tipologias em ordem sequencial para divulgação dos conteúdos: card, podcast e videográficos que dialogavam entre si sobre o mesmo tema para pautar o objeto de estudo de um artigo científico. Conclusões: A integração da transmídia e da inclusão digital na formação em enfermagem representa um paradigma emergente e fica evidente que as estratégias transmidiáticas não apenas enriquecem o processo de aprendizagem com experiências multimodais e interativas, mas também preparam os futuros profissionais de enfermagem para atuar em um cenário de saúde cada vez mais digitalizado e interconectado
TRAJETÓRIA ASSISTENCIAL COMO ESTRATÉGIA METODOLÓGICA NO ENSINO E NA EXTENSÃO UNIVERSITÁRIA: RELATO DE EXPERIÊNCIA
Authors: Souza Gleriano Josué , Gomes Ludwig Monylla , Keren Alves Rodrigues Whagda , De Oliveira Barbosa Vinícius , Gomes Santanna Dantas Hellen , Jaqueline Feix Rodriques Dienefer
Published: January 2025

Introdução: Formar profissionais engajados com sua realidade social é um compromisso institucional. Objetivo: Descrever as contribuições da adoção da trajetória assistencial como estratégia metodológica para o ensino e a extensão universitária, com vista a compreensão dos benefícios dessa abordagem na formação acadêmica. Método: Relato de experiência com análise documental e revisão narrativa reflexiva sobre a utilização da trajetória assistencial no ensino e na extensão universitária proveniente da experiência em uma universidade pública do estado de Mato Grosso, envolvendo estudantes, docentes e profissionais de saúde, no período de 2021-2023. Estudantes e extensionistas realizaram visitas domiciliares para coletar trajetórias assistenciais, seguindo critérios específicos e um roteiro estruturado. A análise baseou-se na formação cidadã e na cogestão. Resultados: A trajetória assistencial é uma estratégia metodológica inovadora e eficaz para o ensino e extensão universitária no campo da saúde e sua adoção promoveu aprendizagem contextualizada e o desenvolvimento de competências interdisciplinares. A prática possibilitou uma compreensão aprofundada das diretrizes do Sistema Único de Saúde e da realidade dos usuários, facilitou a análise de pontos críticos no sistema de saúde e a formulação de intervenções, reforçando a necessidade de cogestão e colaboração interprofissional para a melhoria contínua do acesso aos serviços de saúde. Conclusão: A trajetória assistencial beneficia o ensino e a extensão universitária como estratégia metodológica, contribuiu para uma aprendizagem contextualizada, mas que para transformação social requer abordagem crítica e reflexiva por meio da cogestão.
The relationship between national identity and the United Nations General Assembly voting patterns: a Narrative Policy Framework analysis
Authors: Kaplan Yael R. , Merry Melissa K. , Jones Michael D.
Published: January 2025

Since the early 2010s, the Narrative Policy Framework (NPF) has become a popular approach for studying the role of narratives in the public policy process. While this theoretical framework clearly states that policy narratives operate at three distinct yet interacting levels, micro (individual), meso (group and coalition) and macro (cultural and institutional), scholars are still indecisive about how to define and operationalise narratives at the macro level of analysis. Integrating concepts from the metanarrative literature into the macro level of the NPF, this research bridges this gap. We focus on the role of macro narratives in constructing national identities and analyse their impact on political behaviour in the international arena. Specifically, we analyse voting records of the United Nations General Assembly and offer an empirical model that incorporates the concept of macro narratives into traditional explanations of voting behaviours of nations. We show that affinities between macro narratives embraced by different nations are positively correlated with similarities in their voting patterns. Our results also show that the content of a nation’s macro narrative can anticipate its likelihood of voting in favour of motions regarding human rights.
Does HIV status affect attitudes on welfare deservingness? A survey experiment on welfare policy in the US
Authors: Witkowski Kaila , Neely Stephen R.
Published: January 2025

Studies examining welfare recipients’ deservingness are becoming increasingly more important as the US continues to debate access to unemployment benefits and make access to Medicaid more conditional. While there has been extensive research on the deservingness of some groups of welfare recipients, the intersection of HIV-related stigma and welfare deservingness has not been heavily studied since the early 2000s, leaving gaps in our knowledge of the current perceptions of deservingness, especially in light of medical breakthroughs in HIV treatments. In this study, we use an experimental vignette to assess the impact of HIV-related stigma on the perception of an HIV patient’s deservingness when it comes to unemployment and Medicaid benefits in Florida (n = 600). While HIV status does not appear to be a disqualifying factor, respondents were less likely to support the allocation of welfare benefits when the vignette attributed HIV treatment as the reason for unemployment. The results of this study highlight the impact that medical stigma can have on the deservingness of welfare recipients. This research makes an important contribution to our understanding of deservingness and enhances insights into how medical conditions generally and HIV, specifically, shape attitudes.
Polarimetry Through a Flexible Imaging Fiber Bundle with a Pixelated Polarizer
Authors: Lima Natzem , Sawyer Travis , DeLeon Clarissa
Published: January 2025

Polarization measurement of tissue in ex vivo experiments and in vivo rigid laparoscopy studies have demonstrated promising results, indicating that tissue polarimetry can enhance diagnosis, guide biopsies, and improve biological contrast over conventional imaging methods. However, there is a technological gap in making polarization measurements through flexible endoscopes. In many cases, flexible endoscopes use a coherent imaging fiber bundle to relay an image from the inside of the body to a medical cart. However, the depolarization and effects of these fibers make it extremely challenging to recover polarization information. To address this issue, we propose a simple, compact, and low-cost architecture: placing a pixelated polarizer in contact with a flexible, coherent imaging fiber bundle on the endoscope tip. We demonstrate the ability of this architecture to retrieve the linear polarization properties of a scene.
Pseudo-Spin Light Circuits in Nonlinear Photonic Crystals
Authors: Yesharim Ofir , Izhak Shani , Arie Ady
Published: January 2025

Guiding light forms the backbone of numerous photonic circuits that allow complex, robust,
and miniaturized light control. Commonly, guiding is achieved by modifying linear
permittivity, resulting in a non-homogenous linear medium. Here, we propose and
experimentally realize photonic circuits in a homogenous refractive index medium, where
the guiding is driven entirely by nonlinear interaction, enabling dual-wavelength light beam
guidance and optical control. This mechanism is analogous to spin current transport in sharp magnetic domain walls, where magnetization texture constitutes a spin-dependent potential. Using narrow custom-poled nonlinear photonic crystals, we guide frequency superposition beams that act as pseudo-spins over more than four Rayleigh lengths. We show that guiding properties depend on the relative phase between participating wavelengths, which can be optically switched on and off with an optical pump. Additionally, using two parallel-poled structures, we experimentally realize a pseudo-spin directional coupler, paving the way for numerous waveguiding hallmarks in a single nonlinear crystal and offering robust control over frequency superposition states of light. Finally, our findings show that it is possible to experimentally emulate complex, precise 2D magnetization domain wall structures, opening avenues for exploration that remain challenging in magnetic materials.
Cell wall components of gut commensal bacteria stimulate peritrophic matrix formation in malaria vector mosquitoes through activation of the IMD pathway
Authors: Song Xiumei , Zhou Han , Wang Jingwen
Published: January 2025

The peritrophic matrix (PM) acts as a physical barrier that influences the vector competence of mosquitoes. We have previously shown that gut microbiota promotes PM formation in Anopheles stephensi, although the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we identify that the cell wall components of gut commensal bacteria contribute to PM formation. Oral administration of primary cell wall components from both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, such as diaminopimelic acid-peptidoglycan (DAP-PGN), lysine-peptidoglycan (Lys-PGN), and lipopolysaccharides (LPS), to mosquitoes, after depleting their gut microbiota with antibiotics, restores the down-regulated expression of the peritrophin1 (Per1) gene, which encodes a structural protein of the PM. Moreover, this administration rescues PM formation upon blood ingestion. PGN and LPS are well-known ligands of innate immune signaling pathways in animals. In mosquitoes, the Toll and IMD (immune deficiency) pathways are the 2 major innate immune signaling pathways. We next knocked down the expression of 2 receptors, Pgrp-s1 and Pgrp-lc, as well as 2 transcription factors, Rel1 and Rel2, which are involved in the Toll and IMD pathways, respectively. Double knockdown of Pgrp-s1 and Pgrp-lc, or Rel1 and Rel2, compromised Per1 expression. Additionally, through dual-luciferase assays and supershift electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSAs), we identified a 15-bp binding motif (ATAGACACGAGCACC) for Rel1 and Rel2 in the Per1 promoter region. To further explore the role of individual Toll and IMD pathways in the regulation of Per1 expression, we specifically inhibited the activity of each pathway. While inhibition of the Toll pathway by knocking down Pgrp-s1 or Rel1 did not affect Per1 expression, knockdown of Pgrp-lc or Rel2 in the IMD pathway significantly down-regulated Per1 expression. These findings suggest that the IMD pathway plays a major role in regulating Per1 expression in An. stephensi. In summary, our study uncovers a novel role for bacterial cell wall components in regulating PM formation through activation of mosquito immune signaling pathways.
SUMO-mediated regulation of H3K4me3 reader SET-26 controls germline development in C. elegans
Authors: Carvalho Cátia A. , Abu-Shach Ulrike Bening , Raju Asha , Vershinin Zlata , Levy Dan , Boxem Mike , Broday Limor
Published: January 2025

Sumoylation is a posttranslational modification essential for multiple cellular functions in eukaryotes. ULP-2 is a conserved SUMO protease required for embryonic development in Caenorhabditis elegans. Here, we revealed that ULP-2 controls germline development by regulating the PHD-SET domain protein, SET-26. Specifically, loss of ULP-2 results in sterility and a progressive elevation of global protein sumoylation. In the germline of ulp-2 null mutant, meiosis is arrested at the diplotene stage and the cells in the proximal germline acquire a somatic fate. Germline RNAseq analysis revealed the down-regulation of numerous germline genes in ulp-2 mutants, whereas somatic gene expression is up-regulated. To determine the key factors that are regulated by ULP-2, we performed a yeast two-hybrid screen and identified the histone methylation reader, SET-26 as a ULP-2 interacting protein. Loss of SET-26 enhanced the sterility of ulp-2 mutant animals. Consistently, SET-26 is sumoylated and its sumoylation levels are regulated by ULP-2. Moreover, we detected a reduction in H3K4 tri-methylation (H3K4me3) histone levels bound to SET-26 in the ulp-2 mutant background suggesting a dependence of this histone reader on balanced sumoylation. Finally, a comparative proteomics screen between WT and ulp-2 loss of activity identified the predicted methyltransferase SET-27 as a ULP-2-dependent SET-26-associated protein. SET-27 knockout genetically interacts with ULP-2 in the germline, but not with SET-26. Taken together, we revealed a SUMO protease/H3K4me3 histone reader axis which is required for the maintenance and regulation of germline development.
Predictors of physical activity among pregnant women in Harare, Zimbabwe
Authors: Hove Anotida R. , Sithambuli Eleanor N. , Ncube Wethembekile P. , Doyce Shalom R. , Mukwekwe Sandra N. , Mapuranga Tariro , Tirivanhu Kudakwashe , Chibanda Dixon , Dambi Jermaine M.
Published: January 2025

The extensive benefits of physical activity (PA) are well known. However, PA participation among pregnant women remains low. This study evaluated PA levels and associated factors, including barriers and facilitators in pregnant women in Harare, Zimbabwe. This cross-sectional study recruited 517 pregnant women receiving antenatal care across ten primary healthcare clinics. Data were collected using the Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire (PPAQ), Exercise Benefits and Barriers Scale (EBBS) and EQ-5D-5L. We used descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression for analyses. The mean age of the study participants was 26.1 (±5.9) years. 89% of the pregnant women did not meet the WHO recommendations of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity PA. For women who were active, most engaged in moderate intensity (41.9%) PA and household activity (51.1%). The most perceived barriers and facilitators to PA were reported as exercise environment and life enhancement, respectively. Lower education (AOR 5.24 [1.69: 16.19]), multigravida (AOR .47 [.31: .42]), not exercising pre-pregnancy (AOR 2.02 [1.30: 3.13]), perceived decreased current PA level (AOR 2.04 [1.22: 3.43]) and not being advised by a doctor on exercise (AOR 2.05 [1.04: 4.04]) were associated with physical inactivity. Physical inactivity is endemic among Zimbabwean pregnant women, there is a need for bespoke and contextualized interventions. Implementing supervised and group-based antenatal exercise classes must be considered.
Modelling the health labour market outlook in Kenya: Supply, needs and investment requirements for health workers, 2021–2035
Authors: Asamani James Avoka , Kwesiga Brendan , Okoroafor Sunny C. , Chagina Evalyne , Gondi Joel , Gura Zeinab , Motiri Francis , Jumba Nakato , Ogumbo Teresa , Mutungi Nkatha , Muleshe Stephen , Suraw Yusuf , Gitungo Hanah , Gatimbu Kiogora , Wanyee Mutile , Oyoko Amos , Nyakundi Angela , Kaboro Stephen , Njogu Mary Wanjiru , Monyoncho Maureen , Nyoike Njoroge , Ooga Wesley Ogera , Nabyonga-Orem Juliet , Korir Julius , Marsden Paul , Ahmed Mona Almudhwahi , Ogato Julius , Zurn Pascal , Wamae Annah
Published: January 2025

Kenya is committed to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) within its devolved health system in which significant investments have been made in health infrastructure, workforce development, and service delivery. Despite these efforts, the country faces considerable health workforce challenges. To address these, the Ministry of Health undertook a comprehensive Health Labour Market Analysis (HLMA) in 2022 to generate evidence supporting the development of responsive health workforce policies. This paper presents findings of a modelling exercise to understand the health labour market outlook. As part of a comprehensive HLMA, a validated needs-based health workforce modelling framework was applied to project the supply, needs, and investment requirements. Data was triangulated from multiple sources through desk reviews and group modelling by an expert technical working group constituted to undertake the study. The analysis considered disease burden, population growth, service delivery models, and health worker productivity, to assess the future health workforce needed. Kenya’s health workforce is growing, with approximately 7,650 new workers added annually, resulting in an estimated 3.4% annual growth. By 2025, the health workforce is projected to reach 226,434, increasing to 263,700 by 2030. However, Kenya required a minimum of 254,220 health workers in 2021 to make substantial progress toward UHC. The cumulative need could rise to 476,278 by 2035. In 2021, Kenya had a needs-based shortage of nearly 60,000 health professionals, which could increase to 114,352 by 2030. The financial space for health workforce was estimated at US$2.29 billion in 2021 and is projected to rise to US$3.58 billion by 2030, but the required wage bill potentially reaching US$3.9 billion. Kenya must significantly increase investments in its health workforce to meet UHC goals. Both public and private sectors need to contribute more, with the public sector requiring a health workforce budget increase of 10.5% annually to bridge the projected funding gap.
The role of social support in mitigating the effects of increased screen time on adolescent mental health
Authors: Zhou William Youkang , Franzini Luisa
Published: January 2025

Excessive screen time has been linked to deteriorating mental health in adolescents, a relationship potentially intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conversely, supportive social environments are associated with improved mental well-being. This study examined the association between screen time, social/emotional support, and mental health among adolescents during the pandemic using data from the 2022 National Health Interview Survey’s Sample Child Interview. The analysis focused on adolescents aged 12 to 17. Mental health outcomes included (1) the frequency of feeling sad or depressed and (2) a life satisfaction score. Key independent variables were daily screen time exceeding two hours and consistent receipt of needed social or emotional support. Ordinary least squares regressions with survey weights were applied to ensure nationally representative findings. The study included 2,649 adolescents, with 81% reporting over two hours of daily screen time and 76% consistently receiving social support. Regression results indicated that adolescents with less than two hours of daily screen time and consistent social support reported the lowest frequency of depressive symptoms (coef = 0.79, p<0.001) and the highest life satisfaction scores (coef = 1.34, p<0.001) compared to their peers with greater screen time and/or inconsistent social support. These findings highlight the importance of managing screen time and ensuring robust social support to promote adolescent mental health.
Telehealth equity and access communication skills pilot simulation for practicing clinicians
Authors: Nash Christopher J. , Farrell Susan E. , Carreras Tartak Jossie A. , Wagner Alexei , Brandt Lea C. , Hayden Emily M.
Published: January 2025

Objectives

This pilot study evaluated a telehealth training simulation program for practicing clinicians, specifically focused on addressing patient issues of equity and access to healthcare via improving telehealth communication.

Methods

Participants participated in a one-hour simulation experience with two cases. Performance was assessed pre- and post-intervention using a checklist measuring communication domains related to equity and access in telehealth. Participant satisfaction was secondarily measured via survey.

Results

Results showed measurable gains in clinicians’ abilities to effectively incorporate equity and access communication skills. Participants found the session useful and recommended the training experience.

Conclusions

The findings of this pilot study highlight the potential of simulation-based telehealth training for practicing clinicians, emphasizing clinicians’ attention to patients’ equitable access to healthcare. Future studies should aim to explore the durability of learning and investigate the generalizability of this training approach to other telehealth competencies and settings.
ETL: From the German Health Data Lab data formats to the OMOP Common Data Model
Authors: Finster Melissa , Moinat Maxim , Taghizadeh Elham
Published: January 2025

Objective

The German Health Data Lab is going to provide access to German statutory health insurance claims data ranging from 2009 to the present for research purposes. Due to evolving data formats within the German Health Data Lab, there is a need to standardize this data into a Common Data Model to facilitate collaborative health research and minimize the need for researchers to adapt to multiple data formats. For this purpose we selected transforming the data to the Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership Common Data Model.

Methods

We developed an Extract, Transform, and Load (ETL) pipeline for two distinct German Health Data Lab data formats: Format 1 (2009-2016) and Format 3 (2019 onwards). Due to the identical format structure of Format 1 and Format 2 (2017 -2018), the ETL pipeline of Format 1 can be applied on Format 2 as well. Our ETL process, supported by Observational Health Data Sciences and Informatics tools, includes specification development, SQL skeleton creation, and concept mapping. We detail the process characteristics and present a quality assessment that includes field coverage and concept mapping accuracy using example data.

Results

For Format 1, we achieved a field coverage of 92.7%. The Data Quality Dashboard showed 100.0% conformance and 80.6% completeness, although plausibility checks were disabled. The mapping coverage for the Condition domain was low at 18.3% due to invalid codes and missing mappings in the provided example data. For Format 3, the field coverage was 86.2%, with Data Quality Dashboard reporting 99.3% conformance and 75.9% completeness. The Procedure domain had very low mapping coverage (2.2%) due to the use of mocked data and unmapped local concepts The Condition domain results with 99.8% of unique codes mapped. The absence of real data limits the comprehensive assessment of quality.

Conclusion

The ETL process effectively transforms the data with high field coverage and conformance. It simplifies data utilization for German Health Data Lab users and enhances the use of OHDSI analysis tools. This initiative represents a significant step towards facilitating cross-border research in Europe by providing publicly available, standardized ETL processes (https://github.com/FraunhoferMEVIS/ETLfromHDLtoOMOP) and evaluations of their performance.
Estimating the accumulation and re-accumulation of commercial tobacco, electronic cigarette, and cannabis waste based on a stratified random sample of census blocks
Authors: Matt Georg E. , Greiner Lydia , Tran Kristina , Gibbons Joseph , Vingiello Michael , Stigler Granados Paula , Shadbegian Ronald , Novotny Thomas E.
Published: January 2025

We investigated the amount and distribution of waste generated by commercial tobacco, electronic cigarette, and cannabis (TEC) use to inform policy options aimed at mitigating the environmental harm caused by these products. Using disproportionate stratified random sampling, we selected 60 census blocks from the eight largest cities in San Diego County, California. We twice surveyed publicly accessible areas in these blocks to quantify TEC waste accumulation and its re-accumulation. All collected items were photographed, classified, geocoded, counted, and properly discarded. We identified demographic, land use, and behavioral data from public sources and direct observations. We modeled total cigarette butt quantities for all census blocks across the eight cities and found similar results for Round 1 (8.63 million) and Round 2 (8.66 million) collections. Single-use plastic cigarette filters were the primary contributor to TEC waste (94%). Total TEC waste counts and cigarette butt counts showed strong linear associations (r = +0.86 and r = +0.91). The area surveyed, land use category, resident demographics, smoking prevalence, and walkability explained 78% of the variance in cigarette butt count. The interval between Round 1 and 2 counts did not affect re-accumulation counts, suggesting that baseline TEC waste levels were re-established within 1–2 months after cleanup. Annually, we estimate up to 200 million cellulose acetate plastic filters may be discarded in public areas of the eight cities. Given the continuous deposition, vast quantity, heterogeneous distribution, and rapid re-accumulation of TEC waste after cleanup, increasing removal efforts alone are financially untenable and impractical downstream solutions for TEC waste. Community-wide policies (e.g., filter bans, outdoor smoking restrictions) and individual behavior changes (e.g., reduced smoking rates, proper disposal of cigarette butts) are necessary to effectively mitigate the environmental impact of TEC waste in urban settings.
Unveiling the efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in Parkinson’s disease: A comprehensive review of systematic analyses
Authors: Zhang Lingwen , Jiang Yanhong , Fan Wenhui , Xue Hua
Published: January 2025

Background

Many systematic reviews (SRs) have reported the repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for Parkinson’ s disease (PD), but the quality of the evidence is unclear. The aim of this study was to summarize the evidence provided by SRs on the effect of rTMS on PD.

Methods

A comprehensive search for SRs published from the establishment of the library to March 1, 2024, was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI, VIP and Wanfang databases. The A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews 2 (AMSTAR-2), the Risk of Bias for Systematic Reviews (ROBIS), and Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) tool were used to evaluate the methodology quality, risk of bias and evidence quality of SRs, respectively.

Results

We identified 16 SRs. According to the results of the AMSTAR-2, 12.5% (2/16) of the SRs rated as high quality, 43.75% (7/16) rated as low quality, and 43.75% (7/16) rated as very low quality. Based on the ROBIS tool, 6 (37.5%) SRs had low risk of bias. The GRADE results suggested that 16.13% (10/62) of the evidence was of moderate quality, 33.87% (21/62) of the evidence was of low quality and 50% (31/62) of the evidence was of very low quality. Moderate-quality results show that rTMS can improve PD motor symptoms.

Conclusions

Here we show that rTMS can improve the motor symptoms of PD, but its effectiveness in treating non-motor symptoms of PD is inconsistent. Due to the methodological limitations and diversity in study designs, future studies should focus on addressing these issues by providing thorough methodological details, standardizing rTMS protocols, evaluating side effects, and comparing with other treatments.