bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cultural Nationalism in Women's Lyrical Ballads of the Harlem Renaissance
Authors: Yanota Erin
Published: August 2024

abstract: This article argues that women poets writing in the Harlem Renaissance marshaled the communal connotations of ballad form and genre to enter covertly into and influence the masculine domain of Black cultural nationalism. The elasticity of the ballad enabled Georgia Douglas Johnson, Helene Johnson, and Gwendolyn Bennett to articulate a subject position wherein Black women could contribute to the effort to cultivate a New Negro consciousness as Black women poets. This reading shows that the respectability politics of their conventional poems overlay demands for racial and gender justice and sovereignty.
Switchable multifunctional metasurface based on vanadium dioxide absorbing and focusing at the same frequency
Authors: Niu Junhao , Gong Haozhuo , Xu Chuanpei , Li Chunhui , Hui Qiang , Tian Renfang , Mo Wei
Published: August 2024

In this study, we proposed a switchable multifunctional terahertz metasurface based on vanadium dioxide, which can flexibly switch between absorbing and transmitting focusing. The design structure comprises the hybrid structure of vanadium dioxide and gold, vanadium dioxide film, and polyimide. Using the phase transition characteristics of vanadium dioxide and a reasonable layout of unit cells, the designed metasurface can absorb 97.5% and 99.4% of terahertz waves at 0.42 and 0.93 THz frequencies, respectively, under a vanadium dioxide–gold hybrid structure. In addition, the terahertz waves transmitted by the Fabry–Perot cavity, which is formed by consisting of two gold rings with diametrically opposite openings, can achieve polarization conversion and focusing effect at 0.93 THz frequency. The polarization conversion amplitude is up to 0.6. This study provides new ideas for designing multifunctional devices such as wavefront manipulation, focusing lenses, and stealth, and it has potential applications in terahertz imaging and communication.
Design and performance of entanglement-based underwater VLC/QKD systems
Authors: Sy Dang Tien , Vu Minh Q. , Dang Ngoc T.
Published: August 2024

Underwater wireless communication is rapidly advancing, finding applications in diverse fields such as oceanography, defense, and commercial ventures. However, ensuring security in such transmissions is crucial due to the sensitive nature of the data involved and the challenges posed by the underwater environment. While classical encryption techniques provide some level of security, the emergence of quantum computing presents opportunities and challenges. Quantum key distribution (QKD) offers theoretically unbreakable encryption, making it an attractive solution. Extending QKD capabilities to underwater environments is a significant endeavor in this context. This paper explores the feasibility of applying an entanglement-based non-coherent QKD protocol inspired by the BBM92 protocol to underwater visible light communication (VLC)/QKD systems. We investigate the system’s design criteria and analyze its secret key performance, addressing challenges such as water absorption and turbulence-induced fading, focusing on addressing unauthorized receiver attacks. Through analysis and the considered case study, the feasibility and efficacy of this approach are explored, contributing to the advancement of secure underwater communications.
Hijackers, hitchhikers, or co-drivers? The mysteries of mobilizable genetic elements
Authors: Ares-Arroyo Manuel , Coluzzi Charles , Moura de Sousa Jorge A. , Rocha Eduardo P. C.
Published: August 2024

Mobile genetic elements shape microbial gene repertoires and populations. Recent results reveal that many, possibly most, microbial mobile genetic elements require helpers to transfer between genomes, which we refer to as Hitcher Genetic Elements (hitchers or HGEs). They may be a large fraction of pathogenicity and resistance genomic islands, whose mechanisms of transfer have remained enigmatic for decades. Together with their helper elements and their bacterial hosts, hitchers form tripartite networks of interactions that evolve rapidly within a parasitism–mutualism continuum. In this emerging view of microbial genomes as communities of mobile genetic elements many questions arise. Which elements are being moved, by whom, and how? How often are hitchers costly hyper-parasites or beneficial mutualists? What is the evolutionary origin of hitchers? Are there key advantages associated with hitchers’ lifestyle that justify their unexpected abundance? And why are hitchers systematically smaller than their helpers? In this essay, we start answering these questions and point ways ahead for understanding the principles, origin, mechanisms, and impact of hitchers in bacterial ecology and evolution.
Determining the perceived acceptability of an intervention designed to improve health literacy around developmentally appropriate play during infancy, with a community advisory group of mothers, in Soweto, South Africa
Authors: Bennin Fiona , Theunissen Helene , Norris Shane A. , Prioreschi Alessandra
Published: August 2024

Children require opportunities to participate in unstructured, unrestricted active play as infants, to encourage positive health, socioemotional and developmental outcomes in life. Certain social and environmental factors in the home setting can limit participation in play, particularly in low resource settings. As caregivers are their infants’ first teachers, they have the important role of providing opportunities and space for children to learn through play. This mixed methods, cross-sectional study aimed to test the acceptability of an intervention developed to improve health literacy around play and development with mothers from Soweto, South Africa. Fifteen mothers with infants aged 0–3 months were included to form a Community Advisory Group (CAG). Two rounds of focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted to explore the understanding of, and barriers to play and development, and to determine the acceptability of an intervention prototype. The prototype included developmentally appropriate activities presented in video format, demonstrations of how to make toys, infographics and other educational material which would be delivered to participants as part of the intervention. A further questionnaire was administered to participants one week after the FGD to determine the acceptability of intervention activities which the participants completed at home, with their infants. Participants reported several barriers to play, including limited options for safe outdoor play, overcrowding, insufficient time, limited resources, and conflicting information. Participants suggested that the intervention content be delivered every 1–2 weeks, through a data-free app. Overall, the prototype activities tested at home were deemed acceptable. The reported barriers, together with reduced motivation and self-efficacy observed in the participants, guided the researchers to develop intervention content focused on improving health literacy in play and development, delivered in the form of an interactive mobile app. Future research will develop and test the efficacy of this intervention in a low resource setting in South Africa.
Predictors of low birthweight and comparisons of newborn birthweights among different groups of maternal factors at Rev. John Chilembwe Hospital in Phalombe district, Malawi: A retrospective record review
Authors: Mfipa Dumisani , Hajison Precious L. , Mpachika-Mfipa Felistas
Published: August 2024

Background

Birthweight has an impact on newborn’s future health outcomes. Maternal factors, including age, delivery mode, HIV status, gestational age, parity and obstetric complications (preeclampsia or eclampsia [PE], antepartum hemorrhage [APH] and sepsis), however, have been shown as risk factors of low birthweight (LBW) elsewhere. For data-guided interventions, we aimed to identify predictors of LBW and compare newborn birthweights between different groups of maternal factors at Rev. John Chilembwe Hospital in Phalombe district, Malawi.

Methods

Using a retrospective record review study design, we extracted data from maternity registers of 1244 women and their newborns from October, 2022 to March, 2023. Data were skewed. Median test was used to compare median birthweights. Chi-square or Fisher’s exact tests were used to compare proportions of LBW among different groups of maternal factors. Multivariable logistic regression with stepwise, forward likelihood method was performed to identify predictors of LBW.

Results

Median birthweight was 2900.00g (interquartile range [IQR]: 2600.00g to 3200.00g). Prevalence of LBW was 16.7% (n = 208). Proportions of LBW infants were higher in women with PE, APH, including women with sepsis than controls (10 [47.6%] of 21 vs 7 [58.3%] of 12 vs 191 [15.8%] of 1211, p < .001). Lower in term and postterm than preterm (46 [5.5%] of 835 vs 2 [3.7%] of 54 vs 160 [45.1%] of 355, p < .001). The odds of LBW infants were higher in preterm than term (AOR = 13.76, 95%CI: 9.54 to 19.84, p < .001), women with PE (AOR = 3.88, 95%CI: 1.35 to 11.18, p = .012), APH, including women with sepsis (AOR = 6.25, 95%CI: 1.50 to 26.11, p = .012) than controls.

Conclusion

Prevalence of LBW was high. Its predictors were prematurity, PE, APH and sepsis. Interventions aimed to prevent these risk factors should be prioritized to improve birthweight outcomes.
Prognostic factors in clinical stage IIIA small cell lung cancer: An analysis of a population-based cancer registry in Taiwan
Authors: Yu Sung-Chi , Huang Jing-Yang , Cheng Ya-Fu , Cheng Ching-Yuan , Huang Chang-Lun , Hu Wei-Heng , Wang Bing-Yen
Published: August 2024

Lung cancer stands as the primary cause of cancer-related death across the globe. The standard therapeutic approach for lung cancer involves concurrent chemoradiotherapy, with consideration of prophylactic cranial irradiation for younger or well-performing patients. In this study, we aimed to investigate prognostic factors and the impacts of different treatment methods on overall survival for stage IIIA small cell lung cancer in Taiwan. We obtained data from the Taiwan Cancer Registry, which included clinical and pathology data of 579 stage IIIA small cell lung cancer patients from January 2010 to December 2018, for this retrospective study. The enrolled patients had data on age, sex, Charlson Comorbidity Index score, histologic grading, clinical T, clinical N, clinical stage, treatment modality, and overall survival time. We compared overall survival among different subgroups to assess the impacts of these prognostic factors. The five-year survival rate for all patients was 20.57%, with a median survival time of 15.79 months. The data suggest that Charlson Comorbidity Index score, histologic grade, and clinical stage subgroups did not reach statistically significant differences. During the multivariate analysis, age over 70 years, sex, and treatment method were determined to be statistically significant independent prognostic factors. Patients who underwent surgical intervention exhibited significantly better outcomes compared to those who did not undergo operation.. In conclusion, stage IIIA small cell lung cancer is a highly heterogeneous disease. Operation should be considered as one of the alternative treatments in stage IIIA Small cell lung cancer patients.
Early sports specialization in Japanese young soccer players and related factors
Authors: Nagano Yasuharu , Sasaki Shogo , Higashihara Ayako , Oyama Takashi
Published: August 2024

Although understanding the status of sports participation is essential for preventing injuries in young athletes, the level of specialization and relevant information in Japan is unknown. This study aimed to clarify the status of sports specialization and examine the relationships between specialization and training status in Japanese young soccer players. Four hundred Japanese young male soccer players were included. The players’ parents completed a web questionnaire that consisted of three-point questions regarding specialization and training status (year, days of playing soccer, age when starting soccer). The level of specialization and accompanying information were calculated, and data were compared by specialization status. Of the participants, 53.8% demonstrated a high level of specialization. In addition, 74.5% considered soccer more important than other sports, 89.0% trained in soccer for more than 8 months of the year, and 74.0% had quit other sports to focus on soccer or played only soccer. The proportion of participants who played only soccer was significantly higher in the high-specialization group (37.6%) than in the moderate-specialization (22.5%;P< .01) and low-specialization (7.1%;P< .01) groups. By specialization status at grades 4 to 6 (9–12 years), 40.3% of participants demonstrated a high level of specialization. Young Japanese soccer players tend toward early specialization. Factors contributing to the high specialization level are being active throughout the year and rarely playing other sports. Training volume should be controlled, and an environment allowing young soccer players to participate in other sports simultaneously is needed, with early specialization being avoided.
Exploring cytokine dynamics in tuberculosis: A comparative analysis of patients and controls with insights from three-week antituberculosis intervention
Authors: Krivošová Michaela , Dohál Matúš , Mäsiarová Simona , Pršo Kristián , Gondáš Eduard , Murín Radovan , Fraňová Soňa , Porvazník Igor , Solovič Ivan , Mokrý Juraj
Published: August 2024

Despite developing new diagnostics, drugs, and vaccines, treating tuberculosis (TB) remains challenging. Monitoring inflammatory markers can contribute to more precise diagnostics of TB, identifying its active and latent forms, or monitoring its treatment success. We assessed alterations in plasma levels of 48 cytokines in 20 patients (17 males) with active pulmonary TB compared to age-matched healthy controls (n = 18). Blood samples were collected from individuals hospitalised with TB prior to commencing antibiotic therapy, after the first week, and following the third week. The majority of patients received treatment with a combination of four first-line antituberculosis drugs: rifampicin, isoniazid, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide. Plasmatic cytokine levels from patients three times and controls were analyzed using a Bio-Plex Pro Human Cytokine Screening Panel. The results showed significantly higher levels of 31 cytokines (p<0.05) than healthy controls. Three-week therapy duration showed significantly decreased levels of nine cytokines: interferon alpha-2 (IFN-α2), interleukin (IL) 1 alpha (IL-1α), IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), IL-6, IL-10, IL-12 p40, IL-17, leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). Out of these, only levels of IL-1α and IL-6 remained significantly elevated compared to controls. Moreover, we have found a negative correlation of 18 cytokine levels with BMI of the patients but no correlation with age. Our results showed a clinical potential for monitoring the levels of specific inflammatory markers after a short treatment duration. The reduction in cytokine levels throughout the course of therapy could indicate treatment success but should be confirmed in studies with more individuals involved and a longer observation period.
Resettlement willingness: From a village environmental perspective
Authors: Wang Chengxiang , He Pinrong , Choi Chang Gyu
Published: August 2024

Breaking the limitations of the urban perspective, there is an urgent need to study the influence of the village environment on the willingness of rural households to resettle. This paper explored the determinants and the mechanism of village environment factors on resettlement willingness using full-sample survey data (872,414 households) of 1382 administrative villages in Huai’an, a typical agricultural area in Eastern China. The result revealed that environmental factors generally have a greater impact on the spatial heterogeneity of resettlement willingness, in the order of natural environment, economic environment, social environment, and policy environment; among which geographic location, housing conditions, behavioral tendency of farmers and planning guidance are the key factors. In addition, the absolute location of the urban area in the geographic region has a significantly greater effect than that of the county, and the "following behavior" of the farmers affected their resettlement decision. Therefore, differentiated policies should be formulated according to the spatial distribution of the resettlement willingness, building a dual-core village and town system within the county.
The impact of biologic agents on cardiovascular risk factors in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A meta analysis
Authors: Jia Xiaodong , Yang Zheming , Li Jiayin , Mei Zhu , Jia Lihui , Yan Chenghui
Published: August 2024

Objective

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effects of biologic therapy on cardiovascular risk factors in rheumatoid arthritis patients to determine its clinical efficacy.

Methods

Relevant literature was systematically searched in PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases. Meta-analysis was conducted using standardized mean differences (SMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to evaluate cardiovascular risk factors and atherosclerosis. Heterogeneity, sensitivity analysis, and publication bias were assessed. Statistical significance was set at P<0.05.

Results

The meta-analysis revealed that biologic treatment in RA patients was associated with decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels compared to controls (MD: -0.10, 95% CI: [-0.14, -0.05], P<0.0001). Subgroup analysis based on treatment duration showed heterogeneity and a potential decrease in total cholesterol levels after 12 months of treatment (MD = -0.03, 95% CI [-0.21, -0.15], P = 0.76). Biologic therapy significantly reduced triglyceride levels compared to controls (MD = -0.23, 95% CI [-0.37, -0.09], P = 0.001), as observed in subgroup analysis. Moreover, biologics effectively decreased low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels (MD: -0.10, 95% CI: [-0.14, -0.05], P<0.0001). However, biologic treatment was associated with increased inner carotid artery thickness (MD: 0.05, 95% CI: [0.03, 0.07], P<0.0001), indicating potential adverse effects on cardiovascular health. No significant effect on pulse wave velocity (PWV) was observed (MD: -0.23, 95% CI: [-0.80, 0.34], P = 0.43, I2 = 0%, P = 0.55).

Conclusion

Biologic agents may improve lipid profiles in RA patients but could also have adverse effects on cardiovascular health. Further research is needed to comprehensively understand the impact of biologic therapy on lipid metabolism and cardiovascular outcomes in RA patients.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, CRD42024504911.
The prevalence of sleep deprivation and its impact among medical officers in a tertiary hospital, a cross-sectional study from Malaysia
Authors: Daher Aqil M. , Burud Ismail , Subair Mehrdad , Mushahar Lily , Xin Law Jia
Published: August 2024

Sleep deprivation (SD), defined as an inability to get a minimum of 7 hours of regular sleep at night is a serious health problem that impacts the performance of medical professionals. This study aims to determine the impact of sleep deprivation on perceived performance among medical officers (MOs). A cross-sectional study design involved 231 MOs from six disciplines in Hospital Tuanku Ja’afar, a tertiary center in the south of Malaysia. A self-administered questionnaire was introduced in the English language. The questionnaire involved the sociodemographic characteristics; job-related factors, and the Sleep Deprivation Impact Scale (SDIS). The SDIS is a 12-question scale, rated on a 5-point Likert scale from strongly disagree to strongly agree. A higher SDIS score reflected a higher impact of sleep deprivation. A total of 206 MOs returned the completed questionnaire yielding a response rate of 89.17%. The mean age of respondents was 31.68 (±3.49) years. Most of the respondents were female, of Malay ethnicity, and married. More than three-quarters (78.64%) reported sleep deprivation. Being less effective in communication and formulating diagnosis (3 (1.01) vs 2.5 (1.15),p = 0.005); taking longer time to do things (3.44 (1.07) vs 2.8 (1.34),p = 0.001); and feeling unsafe while driving (3.56 (1.25) vs 2.93 (1.55),p = 0.006) manifested significantly higher mean among sleep-deprived respondents. In conclusion, sleep deprivation is a prevalent problem; that adversely affects crucial functioning domains that may endanger patients and healthcare providers alike. Radical countermeasures are required to ensure satisfactory sleep duration and address areas jeopardizing MO safety.
The use of text messages as an alternative invitation method for breast cancer screening: A randomized controlled trial (M-TICS study)
Authors: Vives Nuria , Vidal Carmen , de Guzman Ena Niño , Farre Albert , Panera Jon Aritz , Binefa Gemma , Garcia Montse ,   on behalf of the M-TICS research group
Published: August 2024

This study aimed to determine whether a text message is as good as a postal letter as an invitation method for previous screenees in a breast cancer screening program, considering a non-inferiority margin of -2 percent points on participation rate. A non-inferiority randomized control trial was conducted. Women in the intervention group (n = 5,362) were invited by text message, and women in the control group (n = 5,482) were invited by letter, which is the standard invitation procedure of the program. In both groups, the invitation included a fixed appointment for mammography and a text message reminder 96 hours before the appointment. The primary outcome was screening participation rate (completing mammography within 12 weeks of invitation). Secondary outcomes included mammography attendance to initial or rescheduled appointments and cancellation rate. The intention-to-treat analysis showed a participation rate of 87.3% and 86.6% in the control and intervention groups, respectively. The difference in participation rate was -0.7 percentage points (95% confidence interval [CI], -1.8 to ∞), indicating non-inferiority of text messages compared to letter invitations. The per-protocol analysis showed similar results. Attendance at the initial appointment was higher in women who received the text message invitation compared to those in the control group (P<0.002). Women who received the invitation by letter canceled more the initial appointment scheduled compared to the text message group (21.1% and 15.1%, P<0.007). In conclusion, we found that a text message invitation for women who had previously participated in breast cancer screening was not inferior to the standard letter. This randomized controlled trial provides valuable insights into the use of alternative invitation methods for population-based cancer screening programs. However, further research is needed to determine the best timing and frequency of text messages for better outcomes and identify strategies for facilitating rescheduling or cancellation.

Trial Registration: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT04343950, (04/09/2020).
Cultural framing of giftedness in recent US fictional texts
Authors: Balestrini Daniel Patrick , Stoeger Heidrun
Published: August 2024

A perennial topic of research on giftedness has been individuals’ perceptions of and attitudes towards giftedness, the gifted, and gifted education. Although giftedness is a culturally constructed concept, most examination of the term’s meanings and implications has used reactive measures (i.e., surveys) to tap respondents’ giftedness-related perceptions and attitudes within the context of formal education. To provide a better understanding of the cultural meanings associated with giftedness—the term’s cultural framing—we investigated the depiction of giftedness within a professional cultural product removed from education, namely, a large corpus of US fictional texts. We examined patterns of word usage in the vicinity of the term gift*, when used in the dictionary senses related to giftedness, in a large corpus of US fictional texts of recent decades, consisting of 485,179 text samples and 1,002,889,754 word tokens. Via inductive methods of quantitative text analysis, we explored themes occurring in the vicinity of gift*; and with an existing lookup dictionary, we assessed deductively the overall emotional valance of the writing near gift*. Our investigation revealed ways in which the literary exploration of giftedness coheres with and distinguishes itself from the outlooks on giftedness noted for survey-based research in education settings. In fictional texts, giftedness evinces special associations with humanities domains and beauty and, on balance, correlates positively with emotionally positive words.
Lifestyle risk behavior and atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk: An analysis using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Authors: Lee Minwoo , Ahn Hyo-Jeong , Lee Su Jung , Kim Pum-Jun , Kim Chulho , Lee Sang-Hwa , Sohn Jong-Hee , Lee Jae-Jun
Published: August 2024

Background

Clustering lifestyle risk behaviors is important for predicting cardiovascular disease risk. However, it is unclear which behavior mediates other ones to influence cardiovascular disease risk. We aimed to assess the causal inference of each lifestyle risk behavior for the atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk of the general population.

Methods

We performed a Bayesian network mediation analysis using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2014 to 2019. The main exposure was a combination of lifestyle risk behaviors including unhealthy weight, heavy alcohol consumption, inadequate sleep, physical inactivity, excessive sodium intake, and current smoking among subjects 40 to 79 years of age. The high risk of ASCVD (≥7.5% for the 10-year risk) was assessed using logistic regression, Bayesian networks, and structural equational models to examine the causal relationships between these six lifestyle risk behaviors.

Results

Among all participants, the most prevalent lifestyle risk behavior for those at high risk for ASCVD was excessive sodium intake (95.6%), followed by inadequate sleep (49.9%) and physical inactivity (43.8%). Older age (65–79 years) and male sex were directly associated with a high risk for ASCVD. Physical inactivity, current smoking, excessive sodium intake, and unhealthy weight indirectly mediated the effects of older age (8.2% of the older age) and male sex (39.9% of males) to high ASCVD risk. Physical inactivity, current smoking, excessive sodium intake, and unhealthy weight particularly mediated the high ASCVD risk sequentially. Heavy alcohol consumption and inadequate sleep were not directly associated with high ASCVD risk and did not indirectly mediate the effects of older age and males on the high ASCVD risk.

Conclusion

Lifestyle risk behaviors mediated the atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk in a different manner. Especially, physical inactivity preceded current smoking, excessive sodium intake, and unhealthy weight in relation to high ASCVD risk, and this causal relationship was different according to age and sex. Therefore, tailored strategies according to specific target populations may be needed to effectively reduce the high ASCVD risk.
Process accident prediction using Bayesian network based on IT2Fs and Z-number: A case study of spherical tanks
Authors: Aliabadi Mostafa Mirzaei , Abbassi Rouzbeh , Kalatpour Omid , Ahmadi Omran , Moshiran Vahid Ahmadi
Published: August 2024

This study aimed to propose a novel method for dynamic risk assessment using a Bayesian network (BN) based on fuzzy data to decrease uncertainty compared to traditional methods by integrating Interval Type-2 Fuzzy Sets (IT2FS) and Z-numbers. A bow-tie diagram was constructed by employing the System Hazard Identification, Prediction, and Prevention (SHIPP) approach, the Top Event Fault Tree, and the Barriers Failure Fault Tree. The experts then provided their opinions and confidence levels on the prior probabilities of the basic events, which were then quantified utilizing the IT2FS and combined using the Z-number to reduce the uncertainty of the prior probability. The posterior probability of the critical basic events (CBEs) was obtained using the beta distribution based on recorded data on their requirements and failure rates over five years. This information was then fed into the BN. Updating the BN allowed calculating the posterior probability of barrier failure and consequences. Spherical tanks were used as a case study to demonstrate and confirm the significant benefits of the methodology. The results indicated that the overall posterior probability of Consequences after the failure probability of barriers displayed an upward trend over the 5-year period. This rise in IT2FS-Z calculation outcomes exhibited a shallower slope compared to the IT2FS mode, attributed to the impact of experts’ confidence levels in the IT2FS-Z mode. These differences became more evident by considering the 10−4 variance compared to the 10−5. This study offers industry managers a more comprehensive and reliable understanding of achieving the most effective accident prevention performance.
Impact of bariatric surgery on premenopausal women’s womanliness: A qualitative systematic review and meta-synthesis
Authors: Paul Rebecca , Andersson Ellen , Olbers Torsten , Frisk Jessica , Berterö Carina
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Obesity is associated with several co-morbidities in women, including disturbed sex hormone regulation with menstrual disturbances, subfertility, hirsutism, and central fat dispersion, all with an impact on sexual function and quality of life. There are few investigations regarding women’s experiences of obesity-related altered sex hormone regulation and resolution after bariatric surgery.

Objectives

This systematic review and interpretive meta-synthesis aim to identify the current qualitative knowledge base concerning women undergoing bariatric surgery and experiences of changes after weight loss, emphasising aspects of womanliness.

Methods

A systematic review and qualitative meta-synthesis was conducted to gain a deeper and broader understanding of the available knowledge about premenopausal women’s experienced changes after bariatric surgery. Relevant papers were identified by systematically searching PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, PsycInfo, PsycArticles, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and Open Grey. The quality of the included studies was assessed, and the data was interpreted and synthesised using Gadamer’s hermeneutics. The review protocol was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42023394225).

Results

A total of 10 studies were considered relevant and included in the qualitative meta-synthesis. Three fusions were identified and interpreted as: “Womanliness,” “A healthy and functioning body,” and “Mind and Body Connection.” Women experienced a return to womanliness after undergoing bariatric surgery with restored menstruation cycles, improved fertility and changed hair and fat dispersion signalling restored sex hormones. Women value a return to a healthy and functioning body that improves their experience of life and ability to take part in it. However, women experienced difficulties in adapting mentally to the drastic physical changes that occur after undergoing surgery.

Conclusions

Women that have undergone bariatric surgery report several benefits to their health and well-being, although difficulties in adapting mentally to changes in outer appearance need to be managed in order to successfully move forward with a new life after surgery.
Registered report protocol: Stress testing predictive models of ideological prejudice
Authors: Thompson Jordan L. , Cassario Abigail L. , Vallabha Shree , Gnall Samantha A. , Rice Sada , Solanki Prachi , Carrillo Alejandro , Brandt Mark J. , Wetherell Geoffrey A.
Published: August 2024

In this registered report, we propose to stress-test existing models for predicting the ideology-prejudice association, which varies in size and direction across target groups. Previous models of this relationship use the perceived ideology, status, and choice in group membership of target groups to predict the ideology-prejudice association across target groups. These analyses show that models using only the perceived ideology of the target group are more accurate and parsimonious in predicting the ideology-prejudice association than models using perceived status, choice, and all of the characteristics in a single model. Here, we stress-test the original models by testing the models’ predictive utility with new measures of explicit prejudice, a comparative operationalization of prejudice, the Implicit Association Test, and additional target groups. In Study 1, we propose to directly test the previous models using an absolute measure of prejudice that closely resembles the measure used in the original study. This will tell us if the models replicate with distinct, yet conceptually similar measures of prejudice. In Study 2, we propose to develop new ideology-prejudice models for a comparative operationalization of prejudice using both explicit measures and the Implicit Association Test. We will then test these new models using data from the Ideology 2.0 project collected by Project Implicit. We do not have full access to this data yet, but upon acceptance of our Stage 1 registered report, we will gain access to the complete dataset. Currently, we have access to an exploratory subset of the data that we use to demonstrate the feasibility of the study, but its limited number of target groups prevents conclusions from being made.
A charged tail on anti-α-Synuclein antibodies does not enhance their affinity to α-Synuclein fibrils
Authors: Petersen Inga , Godec Ana , Ranjbarian Farahnaz , Hofer Anders , Mirabello Claudio , Hultqvist Greta
Published: August 2024

The aggregation of α-Synuclein (αSyn) is strongly linked to neuronal death in Parkinson’s disease and other synucleinopathies. The spreading of aggregated αSyn between neurons is at least partly dependent on electrostatic interactions between positively charged stretches on αSyn fibrils and the negatively charged heparan sulphate proteoglycans on the cell surface. To date there is still no therapeutic option available that could halt the progression of Parkinson’s disease and one of the major limitations is likely the relatively low proportion of αSyn aggregates accessible to drugs in the extracellular space. Here, we investigated whether a negatively charged peptide tail fused to the αSyn aggregate-specific antibodies SynO2 and 9E4 could enhance the antibodies’ avidity to αSyn aggregates in order to improve their potential therapeutic effect through inhibiting cell-to-cell spreading and enhancing the clearance of extracellular aggregates. We performed ELISAs to test the avidity to αSyn aggregates of both monovalent and bivalent antibody formats with and without the peptide tail. Our results show that the addition of the negatively charged peptide tail decreased the binding strength of both antibodies to αSyn aggregates at physiological salt conditions, which can likely be explained by intermolecular repulsions between the tail and the negatively charged C-terminus of αSyn. Additionally, the tail might interact with the paratopes of the SynO2 antibody abolishing its binding to αSyn aggregates. Conclusively, our peptide tail did not fulfil the required characteristics to improve the antibodies’ binding to αSyn aggregates. Fine-tuning the design of the peptide tail to avoid its interaction with the antibodies’ CDR and to better mimic relevant characteristics of heparan sulphates for αSyn aggregate binding may help overcome the limitations observed in this study.
Stable in vitro fluorescence for enhanced live imaging of infection models for Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis
Authors: Webb Rebecca J. , Vu Andrea L. , Skerratt Lee F. , Berger Lee , De Jesús Andino Francisco , Robert Jacques
Published: August 2024

Realistic and modifiable infection models are required to study the pathogenesis of amphibian chytridiomycosis. Understanding the mechanism by which Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) can infect and kill diverse amphibians is key to mitigating this pathogen and preventing further loss of biodiversity. In vitro studies of Bd typically rely on a tryptone based growth media, whereas the recent development of a kidney cell-line infection model has provided a more realistic alternative, without the need for live animals. Here we use expression of a fluorescent reporter to enhance the in vitro cell-line based growth assay, and show that transformed Bd cells are able to invade and grow in an amphibian kidney epithelial cell line (A6) as well as in a new system using a lung fibroblast cell line (DWJ). Both Bd and host cells were modified to express reporter fluorescent proteins, enabling immediate and continuous observation of the infection process without the need for destructive sampling for fixation and staining. Plasmid DNA conferring hygromycin resistance and TdTomato (RFP) expression was delivered to Bd zoospores via electroporation, and continuous antibiotic selection after recovery produced stable fluorescent Bd transformants. Host cells (A6 and DWJ) were transfected before each assay using lipofection to deliver plasmid DNA conferring green fluorescent protein (GFP) and containing an empty shRNA expression cassette. Bd RFP expression allowed easy localisation of fungal cells and identification of endobiotic growth was assisted by host GFP expression, by allowing visualization of the space in the host cell occupied by the invading fungal body. In addition to enabling enhanced live imaging, these methods will facilitate future genetic modification and characterisation of specific genes and their effect on Bd virulence.
Prenatal coparenting and attachment style in Japanese pregnant women: A cross-sectional survey
Authors: Masui Yui , Yamazaki Akemi
Published: August 2024

Developing prenatal coparenting is important for preparing couples for parenting immediately after childbirth, but knowledge of prenatal coparenting remains limited. Adult attachment style has been shown to be one of the factors during pregnancy that predict coparenting after childbirth, as well as a significant factor in the developmental process of the coparenting relationship. The present study mainly examines the relationship between prenatal coparenting as perceived by pregnant women and their attachment style. A cross-sectional survey was conducted at a tertiary emergency medical facility in Japan. Data from 181 pregnant women at 22–36 weeks’ gestation who completed a self-reported questionnaire consisting of the Prenatal Coparenting Scale (PCS), relationship-specific attachment styles, and characteristics were subjected to analysis. The mean age of the women in this study was 33.1 years (standard deviation = 5.2), 80 (44.2%) were expecting their first child, and 101 (55.8%) were expecting their second or subsequent child. Women’s attachment avoidance toward their mother (r = –.26), father (r = –.23), and partner (r = –.60) and attachment anxiety toward their partner (r = –.33) were significantly negatively correlated with PCS scores. When classified into two groups by fetal birth order, attachment avoidance and attachment anxiety toward the partner were significantly negatively correlated with PCS scores, regardless of fetal birth order. Unlike attachment style toward the partner, attachment avoidance toward the mother (r = –.33) and father (r = –.32) was significantly negatively correlated with PCS scores in the group of women expecting their second or subsequent child only. These results provide valuable insights into the relationship between prenatal coparenting and adult attachment style and deepen the understanding of prenatal coparenting. Future studies using longitudinal surveys and multivariate analyses could present relevant suggestions for specific types of support that promote the development of prenatal coparenting.
The landscape of spiritual health and spirituality in Canada: A scoping review protocol
Authors: Boutros Helana Marie , Mina Merna , Van Doorn-Harder Nelly , Harris Maurita T.
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Currently, literature on spiritual health remains limited. Even more so, literature on spiritual health remains limited in Canada. This is exacerbated by the fact that spiritual health is a term that remains widely contested with no concrete definition. Meanwhile, the semantic connection between “religion” and “spirituality” remains ambiguous in the West and scholars hold different positions. In this paper, we outline our scoping review protocol to describe the current landscape of spiritual health and spirituality (in relation to health) research in Canada, including the meaning and understanding behind these two concepts.

Methods and analysis

This protocol for our scoping review is documented in accordance with the PRISMA-P reporting guidelines and adheres to Arksey and O’Malley’s scoping review methodology. We will conduct a search strategy across select electronic databases and review the reference lists of chosen papers. Two reviewers, HMB and MM, will independently and blindly screen all title/abstracts and full-text studies for eligibility. Any Canadian-situated studies that centrally mention and focus on “spirituality” or “spiritual health” will be included. Relevant variables will be extracted through an iterative process, with the data charting being continuously reviewed and refined. Findings from this scoping review will support the future of health research and conceptual expansion of health beyond the mental, physical and social. Approval from a research ethics board is not required, nor has it been obtained, as the data is derived from journal articles and academic publications.
Characterization of commercially available murine fibrosarcoma NCTC-2472 cells both in vitro and as a model of bone cancer pain in vivo
Authors: Ortiz Yuma T. , Shamir Leila G. , McMahon Lance R. , Wilkerson Jenny L.
Published: August 2024

For many cancer patients tumor burden negatively impacts quality of life due to associated pain onset. Neuropathic pain is commonly associated with late cancer stages, and is resultant of tumor metastasis to bone, herein referred to as cancer-induced bone pain. Given the severe impact on quality of life and clinical treatment strategies focusing on symptom management, novel therapeutics are needed to alleviate cancer-induced bone pain and/or reduce cancer burden. In the current study we characterized a commercially available murine fibrosarcoma cell line, NCTC-2472in vitro, which can be used to assess the capacity of novel compounds to impact cellular viability. We found that dimethyl sulfoxide, a known cytotoxic agent and common drug preparation compound, significantly decreased cell viability in a dose-related manner. We then characterized thein vivotumor development and associated pain behavior characteristics following implantation of NCTC-2472 fibrosarcoma into male and female C3H/HeJ mice. The C3H/HeJ strain was utilized as these mice are syngeneic with NCTC-2472 fibrosarcoma and their use reduces potential implantation failure. We found that tumor development in mice resulted in the development of mechanical allodynia but not thermal hyperalgesia. Gabapentin, a clinically relevant analgesic, produced dose-related mechanical allodynia reversal. These studies provide further characterization of a cancer-induced bone pain model that can be used to examine novel compounds as anti-cancer and analgesic therapeutics.
Effect of denosumab on the incidence of fractures and mortality in patients undergoing hemodialysis: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Kobayashi Arisa , Yaginuma Tatsuhiro , Kato Kazuhiko , Nakashima Akio , Ohkido Ichiro , Yokoo Takashi
Published: August 2024

Background

Patients undergoing hemodialysis are at an elevated risk of fractures; however, substantial evidence for osteoporosis treatment in this population is lacking. We explored the efficacy of denosumab, an anti-IgG2 antibody that targets the receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand, in reducing fracture incidence and all-cause mortality in patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study—conducted from December 2013 to December 2022—evaluated the effects of denosumab on fracture incidence and all-cause mortality. Patients who initiated denosumab treatment during the study period were defined as the denosumab group, while those without a history of denosumab administration were defined as the non-denosumab group. Kaplan–Meier curves and log-rank tests were used to assess survival and fracture/mortality risks, respectively. Cox proportional hazards models were used to analyze both fractures and all-cause mortality.

Results

Among 214 patients undergoing hemodialysis, 52 (24.3%) received denosumab. The median age was 73.0 ± 11.5 years, with 92 (43.0%) females, and the median dialysis duration was 59 months (interquartile range, 6–126). During the study, thirty-seven non-denosumab-treated patients had fractures compared to eight in the denosumab group. No significant differences were observed in the unadjusted model (HR, 0.53; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.24–1.14). Adjusting for competing mortality and clinical factors, the HR remained at 0.64 (95% CI, 0.27–1.51). Regarding all-cause mortality, we found a statistically significant difference in the unadjusted model (HR, 0.61 [95% CI, 0.38–0.98]). A significant reduction in mortality was observed in the adjusted model (HR, 0.46 [95% CI, 0.26–0.80]). Notably, the denosumab group showed a significant decrease in mortality, particularly in cardiovascular disease-related cases (HR, 0.33 [95% CI, 0.14–0.78]).

Conclusions

Denosumab may reduce all-cause mortality in patients undergoing hemodialysis, particularly in those with cardiovascular complications. This finding offers a promising direction for osteoporosis treatment in patients undergoing hemodialysis.