bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effects of supramolecular nicotinamide combined with supramolecular salicylic acid on chloasma
Authors: Cheng Yao , Zhang Liang , You Yan
Published: December 2023

Objective

To observe the efficacy and safety of supramolecular salicylic acid monotherapy and supramolecular nicotinamide in the treatment of chloasma.

Methods

A total of 28 female patients with chloasma diagnosed in the dermatology outpatient department of our hospital were randomly divided into an experimental group and a control group, with 14 cases in each group. All patients were treated with 30% supramolecular salicylic acid every 2 weeks, for a total of 8 treatments. The experimental group was treated with 10% supramolecular nicotinamide once in the morning and once in the evening, and the control group was a blank control. Before each exfoliation treatment, subjects were photographed with a VISIA skin detector, and skin image analysis and modified melasma area and severity index (MASI) score were performed.

Results

According to the MMASI decrease rate (%) before and after treatment, the effective rate of the experimental group was 64.29%, and the effective rate of the control group was 14.29%. The results of the GriffithS10 and VISIA were improved. During the whole treatment, there was one mild adverse reaction in both groups.

Conclusion

Salicylic acid stripping combined with nicotinamide in the treatment of chloasma is safe and effective, can improve skin conditions, and can be widely applied in clinical practice.
The Narrow Channel of Quantitative Easing: Evidence from YCC Down Under
Authors: LUCCA DAVID O. , WRIGHT JONATHAN H.
Published: December 2023

We study the recent Australian experience with yield curve control (YCC) as perhaps the best evidence of how this policy might work in other developed economies. YCC seemingly worked well in 2020, when the market expected short rates to stay at zero for a long period of time. As the global recovery and inflation gained momentum in 2021, liftoff expectations moved up, the Reserve Bank of Australia purchased most of the targeted government bond outstanding, and the target bond's yield dislocated from other financial market instruments. The evidence suggests that central bank bond purchase programs can operate more narrowly than previously considered.
Dispositional compassion shifts social preferences in systematic ways
Authors: Ocampo Joseph , Keltner Dacher
Published: December 2023

Introduction: How people attach value to the outcomes of self and other—social preferences—is central to social behavior. Recently, how dispositional and state emotion shape such social preferences has received researchers' attention.Method: The present investigation asked whether and to what extent dispositional and state compassion predict shifts in social preferences across 4 samples: two correlational samples (final ns 153 & 368, study 1a and 1b) and two experimental samples (final ns: 430 & 530, studies 2 and 3).Results: In keeping with recent accounts of compassion, dispositional compassion predicted general preference for equality, expressed as dispreference for both monetary advantage over another (interaction βs = −0.36, −0.33, −0.25, −0.22; all p < 0.001) and monetary disadvantage relative to others (βs: 0.26, 0.27, 0.28, 0.17; all p < 0.01; positive coefficients imply dispreference). This dispositional effect persisted when controlling for prosociality, positivity, agreeableness, and respectfulness. Furthermore, these dispositional compassion effects were relatively unchanged by experimental emotion inductions in studies 3 and 4. The experimental inductions of state compassion and state pride showed little evidence of systematic effects on social preferences relative to each other or a neutral condition.Discussion: Discussion focused on individual differences in emotion and social preferences.
Fate of melatonin orally administered in preterm newborns: Antioxidant performance and basis for neuroprotection
Authors: Garofoli Francesca , Franco Valentina , Accorsi Patrizia , Albertini Riccardo , Angelini Micol , Asteggiano Carlo , Aversa Salvatore , Ballante Elena , Borgatti Renato , Cabini Raffaella F. , Caporali Camilla , Chiapparini Luisa , Cociglio Sara , Fazzi Elisa , Longo Stefania , Malerba Laura , Materia Valeria , Mazzocchi Laura , Naboni Cecilia , Palmisani Michela , Pichiecchio Anna , Pinelli Lorenzo , Pisoni Camilla , Preda Lorenzo , Riboli Alice , Risso Francesco M. , Rizzo Vittoria , Rognone Elisa , Simoncelli Anna M. , Villani Paola , Tzialla Chryssoula , Ghirardello Stefano , Orcesi Simona
Published: December 2023

Preterm infants cannot counteract excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) production due to preterm birth, leading to an excess of lipid peroxidation with malondialdehyde (MDA) production, capable of contributing to brain damage. Melatonin (ME), an endogenous brain hormone, and its metabolites, act as a free radical scavenger against ROS. Unfortunately, preterms have an impaired antioxidant system, resulting in the inability to produce and release ME. This prospective, multicenter, parallel groups, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial aimed to assess: (i) the endogenous production of ME in very preterm infants (gestational age ≤ 29 + 6 WE, 28 infants in the ME and 26 in the placebo group); (ii) the exogenous hormone availability and its metabolization to the main metabolite, 6‐OH‐ME after 15 days of ME oral treatment; (iii) difference of MDA plasma concentration, as peroxidation marker, after treatment. Blood was collected before the first administration (T1) and after 15 days of administration (T2). ME and 6‐OH‐ME were detected by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, MDA was measured by liquid chromatograph with fluorescence detection. ME and 6‐OH‐ME were not detectable in the placebo group at any study time‐point. ME was absent in the active group at T1. In contrast, after oral administration, ME and 6‐OH‐ME resulted highly detectable and the difference between concentrations T2 versus T1 was statistically significant, as well as the difference between treated and placebo groups at T2. MDA levels seemed stable during the 15 days of treatment in both groups. Nevertheless, a trend in the percentage of neonates with reduced MDA concentration at T2/T1 was 48.1% in the ME group versus 38.5% in the placebo group. We demonstrated that very preterm infants are not able to produce endogenous detectable plasma levels of ME during their first days of life. Still, following ME oral administration, appreciable amounts of ME and 6‐OH‐ME were available. The trend of MDA reduction in the active group requires further clinical trials to fix the dosage, the length of ME therapy and to identify more appropriate indexes to demonstrate, at biological and clinical levels, the antioxidant activity and consequent neuroprotectant potential of ME in very preterm newborns.
An acute bout of high‐intensity exercise affects nocturnal sleep and sleep‐dependent memory consolidation
Authors: Frisch Nicole , Heischel Laura , Wanner Philipp , Kern Simon , Gürsoy Çağatay Necati , Roig Marc , Feld Gordon Benedikt , Steib Simon
Published: December 2023

Acute exercise has been shown to affect long‐term memory and sleep. However, it is unclear whether exercise‐induced changes in sleep architecture are associated with enhanced memory. Recently, it has been shown that exercise followed by a nap improved declarative memory. Whether these effects transfer to night sleep and other memory domains has not yet been studied. Here, we investigate the influence of exercise on nocturnal sleep architecture and associations with sleep‐dependent procedural and declarative memory consolidation. Nineteen subjects (23.68 ± 3.97 years) were tested in a balanced cross‐over design. In two evening sessions, participants either exercised (high‐intensity interval training) or rested immediately after encoding two memory tasks: (1) a finger tapping task and (2) a paired‐associate learning task. Subsequent nocturnal sleep was recorded by polysomnography. Retrieval was conducted the following morning. High‐intensity interval training lead to an increased declarative memory retention (p = 0.047, d = 0.40) along with a decrease in REM sleep (p = 0.012, d = 0.75). Neither procedural memory nor NREM sleep were significantly affected. Exercise‐induced changes in N2 showed a positive correlation with procedural memory retention which did not withstand multiple comparison correction. Exploratory analyses on sleep spindles and slow wave activity did not reveal significant effects. The present findings suggest an exercise‐induced enhancement of declarative memory which aligns with changes in nocturnal sleep architecture. This gives additional support for the idea of a potential link between exercise‐induced sleep modifications and memory formation which requires further investigation in larger scaled studies.
Association between alcohol use disorder and risk of obstructive sleep apnea
Authors: Ko Jisu , Lim Jae Hyeok , Kim Dan Bi , Joo Min Jeong , Jang Yun Seo , Park Eun‐Cheol , Shin Jaeyong
Published: December 2023

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder characterised by recurrent upper airway collapse during sleep. Alcohol consumption has been linked to an increased risk of OSA due to its effects on the upper airway and body mass index (BMI). We aimed to investigate the correlation between alcohol use disorders and OSA. We used 11,859 participants data from Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. The variable of interest was alcohol use disorder, measured using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, and the dependent variable was the risk of OSA, measured using the Snoring, Tiredness, Observed apnea, high blood Pressure, BMI, age, neck circumference, and male gender questionnaires. Multiple logistic regression was used to assess the association between alcohol use disorder and OSA risk after adjusted analysis. A significant association was found between alcohol use disorder and OSA (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.14, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.93–2.37). In the unemployed group, those with alcohol use disorder had the highest odds of being at risk of OSA compared with those who did not have this disorder (aOR 2.45, 95% CI 2.04–2.95). The OSA risk increased as the snoring frequency, amount of alcohol consumed, and frequency of binge drinking increased. This study suggests an association between alcohol use disorders and the risk of OSA. The frequency of alcohol consumption, quantity of alcohol consumed, and snoring frequency were associated with the risk of OSA. Therefore, ceasing alcohol consumption is recommended as an effective approach to enhancing sleep quality.
Protein O‐GlcNAcylation: The sweet hub in liver metabolic flexibility from a (patho)physiological perspective
Authors: Hu Ya‐Jie , Zhang Xu , Lv Hong‐Ming , Liu Yang , Li Shi‐Ze
Published: December 2023

O‐GlcNAcylation is a dynamic, reversible and atypical O‐glycosylation that regulates various cellular physiological processes via conformation, stabilisation, localisation, chaperone interaction or activity of target proteins. The O‐GlcNAcylation cycle is precisely controlled by collaboration between O‐GlcNAc transferase and O‐GlcNAcase. Uridine‐diphosphate‐N‐acetylglucosamine, the sole donor of O‐GlcNAcylation produced by the hexosamine biosynthesis pathway, is controlled by the input of glucose, glutamine, acetyl coenzyme A and uridine triphosphate, making it a sensor of the fluctuation of molecules, making O‐GlcNAcylation a pivotal nutrient sensor for the metabolism of carbohydrates, amino acids, lipids and nucleotides. O‐GlcNAcylation, particularly prevalent in liver, is the core hub for controlling systemic glucose homeostasis due to its nutritional sensitivity and precise spatiotemporal regulation of insulin signal transduction. The pathology of various liver diseases has highlighted hepatic metabolic disorder and dysfunction, and abnormal O‐GlcNAcylation also plays a specific pathological role in these processes. Therefore, this review describes the unique features of O‐GlcNAcylation and its dynamic homeostasis maintenance. Additionally, it explains the underlying nutritional sensitivity of O‐GlcNAcylation and discusses its mechanism of spatiotemporal modulation of insulin signal transduction and liver metabolic homeostasis during the fasting and feeding cycle. This review emphasises the pathophysiological implications of O‐GlcNAcylation in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and hepatic fibrosis, and focuses on the adverse effects of hyper O‐GlcNAcylation on liver cancer progression and metabolic reprogramming.
A Heart for the Care: Affect, Kin, and Care Work in a Zambian Hospital
Authors: Bunkley Emma Nelson , Asante Comfort , Burack Sarah , Kaufman Lindsey , Miti Sam , Hunleth Jean
Published: December 2023

At the only standalone pediatric hospital in Zambia, patient wellbeing often rests in the hands of bedsiders. Bedsiders are caregivers, often family, who sit at the patient's bedside, feeding, cleaning them, and running medical errands. Bedsiders are critical human infrastructure for the hospital and its staff. In our research, we heard repeatedly that bedsiders must have a “heart” for caregiving, taking on unremunerated and exhausting informal labor. We draw on Wendland's “heart for the work,” a phrase commonly used among healthcare workers in Malawi and Zambia describing the medical profession, to explore what this metaphor reveals about care.
The shape of density dependence and the relationship between population growth, intraspecific competition and equilibrium population density
Authors: Fronhofer Emanuel A. , Govaert Lynn , O'Connor Mary I. , Schreiber Sebastian J. , Altermatt Florian
Published: December 2023

The logistic growth model is one of the most frequently used formalizations of density dependence affecting population growth, persistence and evolution. Ecological and evolutionary theory, and applications to understand population change over time often include this model. However, the assumptions and limitations of this popular model are often not well appreciated. Here, we briefly review past use of the logistic growth model and highlight limitations by deriving population growth models from underlying consumer–resource dynamics. We show that the logistic equation likely is not applicable to many biological systems. Rather, density‐regulation functions are usually non‐linear and may exhibit convex or concave curvatures depending on the biology of resources and consumers. In simple cases, the dynamics can be fully described by the Schoener model. More complex consumer dynamics show similarities to a Maynard Smith–Slatkin model. We show how population‐level parameters, such as intrinsic rates of increase and equilibrium population densities are not independent, as often assumed. Rather, they are functions of the same underlying parameters. The commonly assumed positive relationship between equilibrium population density and competitive ability is typically invalid. We propose simple relationships between intrinsic rates of increase and equilibrium population densities that capture the essence of different consumer–resource systems. Relating population level models to underlying mechanisms allows us to discuss applications to evolutionary outcomes and how these models depend on environmental conditions, like temperature via metabolic scaling. Finally, we use time‐series from microbial food chains to fit population growth models as a test case for our theoretical predictions. Our results show that density‐regulation functions need to be chosen carefully as their shapes will depend on the study system's biology. Importantly, we provide a mechanistic understanding of relationships between model parameters, which has implications for theory and for formulating biologically sound and empirically testable predictions.
THE VEGETATION HISTORY OF THE SHEPHELAH, SOUTHERN LEVANT: MIDDLE BRONZE AGE–HELLENISTIC PERIOD (c.2000–100 BC)
Authors: Jin Minji , Lipschits Oded , Langgut Dafna
Published: December 2023

Although the Shephelah region (Israel) is of a great archaeological significance and has been intensively excavated, very little is known about its landscape history. This study presents two large‐scale charred wood assemblages (>2300 items) that were recovered from Tel Azekah and Tel Lachish in order to reconstruct the ancient vegetation of the Shephelah. The two assemblages cover a temporal range from the Middle Bronze Age through the Hellenistic period (c.2000–100 BC). This new diachronic environmental investigation demonstrates that the natural arboreal vegetation in the Shephelah was dominated by oak and pistachio. From the perspective of the regional fruit tree horticulture, olive was the dominant component, indicating that the region included extensive olive orchards. Other documented fruit trees are grapevine, fig, sycamore fig, carob, date palm and almond. The high frequencies of olive remains throughout all investigated periods point to climatic conditions in the region being close to what we are facing today, with at least 400–450 mm of annual precipitation, which is required for a profitable grove. During the Iron Age II, the proportion of olive remains reached its zenith, most probably as a result of Assyrian agroeconomic management that assigned the Shephelah to olive oil production. At the same time, a reduction in natural Mediterranean trees was identified, representing intense human pressure on the natural environment. The discovery of charred cedar of Lebanon remains only at Lachish points to the high status of the site within the region.
A Rare Combined Injury in Children during Side Impact: The Possible Mechanism and Treatment Results
Authors: Liu Shuai , OuYang LiZhi , He Xi , Liu JiaTong , Peng LianQi , Rai Saroj , Lin WeiFeng , Tang Xin
Published: December 2023

Objective

Proximal humeral fracture combined with contralateral midshaft clavicle fracture is an extremely rare injury in children. Few studies focus on the injury mechanism and treatment scheme. The aim of this study is to propose the possible mechanism of this injury and present the treatment results.

Methods

This retrospective study included children diagnosed with proximal humeral fractures combined with contralateral midshaft clavicle fractures from August 2016 to March 2019 in the corresponding author's institution. The patients received elastic stable intramedullary nails and external fixation as treatment. The radiological and clinical outcomes of treatments were evaluated using the imaging and the Constant–Murley score (CMS) in follow up.

Results

Twelve patients (eight males and four females) with an average age of 7.83 years old (age 5–12) were included in this research. All the patients had suffered a side impact in a road traffic accident or outdoor environment. Hypothesis about the mechanism was the proximal humerus was directly impacted at first and caused the surgical neck fracture, then the contralateral shoulder hits the solid object and the contralateral midshaft clavicle was fractured. During the average 45.2 months (range 36–57) follow‐up, all the patient's fractures achieved clinical and radiological union before 14 weeks without complications. Every patient had a satisfactory score (range from 92 to 100) on the CMS criteria for both shoulders.

Conclusion

The hypothesis about the mechanism of this combined injury in this study sounds reasonable. It highlights the need for safety‐related education about using a safety seat or wearing a seat belt to parents and caregivers, so as to avoid such injury even if the treatment with external fixation (EF) and proximal humeral and elastic stable intramedullary nailing (ESIN) showed good results.
The impact of service separation on value: A longitudinal study of user and provider experiences in a mental health service
Authors: Leite Higor , Hodgkinson Ian R. , Volochtchuk Ana Vitória Lachowski
Published: December 2023

Digital innovations are changing how public organizations deliver services through the creation of service separation. Service separation refers to the decoupling of service production and consumption in digital platforms, which affects both users and providers alike. Since the global pandemic, service separation has become established in many healthcare settings, though little is known about how it has been experienced by service actors in specialist service settings such as mental healthcare. Positioned at the (sub)micro‐level of service interaction, our study provides a dual view of service separation to reveal its influence on value (co)creation and potential for value destruction in a 12‐month longitudinal study. The findings draw on three waves of semi‐structured interviews (n = 67), an end‐of‐study focus group with patients and psychologists, and qualitative diary entries. Integrating service actors' attitudes, beliefs, and experiences over time, the article presents the Service Separation Value Journey to show how digital service separation shapes value creation/destruction in specialized healthcare settings.
On nation, homeland, and democracy: Toward a novel three‐factor measurement model for nationalism and patriotism. Evidence from two representative studies
Authors: Mußotter Marlene
Published: December 2023

This article calls for revisiting the predominant yet flawed nationalism‐patriotism dichotomy, which has to date remained unchallenged. It advocates for a more nuanced triad: nationalism, exclusively referring to the nation; patriotism, revolving around the homeland; and democratic patriotism, with democracy as its object of attachment. This novel conceptual approach explicitly theorizes these three objects of attachment, which have hitherto rarely been considered. In so doing, the article synthesizes the field's predominant research traditions that have not been fully recognized as diverging nor been simultaneously investigated. By responding to calls for more theoretically robust measures, it not only makes a theoretical but also an empirical contribution to the field. Drawing on data from a representative sample (N = 1875) in Germany in 2022, the study introduces a three‐factor measurement model of nationalism, patriotism, and democratic patriotism. Taking into account both the antecedents of the triad and its impact on outgroup hostility, the measures are further validated. To establish its applicability in non‐German contexts, the model is additionally supported using data from a representative sample (N = 1164) in Denmark in 2022.
Decision‐making involvement and onset of cognitive impairment in community‐dwelling older care recipients: a 2‐year longitudinal study
Authors: Komatsu Ayane , Nakagawa Takeshi , Noguchi Taiji , Jin Xueying , Okahashi Sayaka , Saito Tami
Published: December 2023

Background

The decision‐making of older adults and people with dementia is attracting more attention among healthcare professionals. While cognitive impairment has been examined as a factor related to decision‐making, it can also be assumed that involvement in decision‐making leads to the maintenance of cognitive function. This study examined the association of the decision‐making process with the onset of cognitive impairment.

Methods

We analyzed data from a 2‐year longitudinal panel survey of community‐dwelling care recipients aged ≥65 years in Japan. The sample included 406 participants who responded to both baseline and follow‐up surveys, were cognitively intact at baseline, and had no missing cognitive impairment data regarding onset at follow‐up. The status of decision‐making involvement was assessed using a single item and classified into four categories: ‘very involved,’ ‘less involved,’ ‘unclear about desired care,’ and ‘having no one to share the decision.’

Results

Among the participants (women, 65.0%; ≥75 years old: 68.2%), the incidence of cognitive impairment during the follow‐up was 26.6%. Multivariable logistic regression showed that, compared with highly involved participants, those who lacked clarity about desired care were more likely to develop an onset of cognitive impairment (odds ratio: 5.49; 95% confidence interval: 1.63–18.54; P = 0.006).

Conclusion

Even among cognitively intact care recipients, those who are not able to formulate their desired care may be at risk of cognitive decline. Therefore, support for the decision‐making process, not limited to the final decision, is essential to improving the prognosis of community‐dwelling care recipients.
The differential pattern of associations between nighttime sleep disturbances with dimensions of daytime sleepiness in community‐dwelling older adults, the Yilan study, Taiwan
Authors: Chen Ching , Hsu Nai‐Wei , Chen Hsi‐Chung
Published: December 2023

Background

The association between nighttime sleep disturbance and daytime sleepiness remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the relationships between various domains of nighttime sleep disturbance, daytime sleepiness, and their specific dimensions.

Methods

This was a community‐based cross‐sectional study. The participants were adults aged 65 years and older from Yilan City, Taiwan. Daytime sleepiness (DS) was defined using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) with scores ≥ 11. The ESS dimensions were further examined using exploratory factor analysis. The highest 15% factor scores for each factor were defined as factor‐specific DS. Various domains of nighttime sleep disturbance were assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the independent relationships among various nighttime sleep disturbances, ESS, and its dimensions.

Results

Of the 2585 participants, a total of 59.0% were women. Two factors were identified by exploratory factor analysis and were designated as ‘passive factor’ and ‘active factor’. Multiple logistic regression analyses elucidated that short sleep duration was a common risk indicator for ESS‐defined (odds ratio (OR): 2.01; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.43–2.83), passive factor‐defined (OR: 2.23, 95% CI: 1.65–3.00), and active factor‐defined DS (OR: 1.47, 95% CI: 1.07–2.00). Hypnotic use was associated with a lower risk of both ESS‐defined (OR: 0.66, 95% CI: 0.47–0.92) and passive factor‐defined DS (OR:0.69, 95% CI: 0.52–0.92). Bathroom use (OR: 1.41, 95% CI: 1.04–1.91), coughing or snoring (OR: 2.14, 95% CI: 1.01–4.56), and sleep efficiency (OR: 0.42; 95% CI: 0.31–0.57) were uniquely associated with active factor‐defined DS.

Conclusion

Two factors were identified in the ESS, revealing factor‐specific correlates of DS. Specifically, ESS‐ and passive factor‐defined DS shared similar correlates. In contrast, some correlates seem unique to active‐factor‐defined DS.
Inequality in Russia over time and over the life cycle
Authors: Bryukhanov Maksym , Hryshko Dmytro
Published: December 2023

Using Russian longitudinal data for 1994–2018, we document a secular decline in consumption and income inequality. Although within‐cohort inequality is also declining, the life‐cycle inequality profiles of income and consumption are surprisingly flat. A calibrated life‐cycle model with incomplete markets, high initial variance of the persistent income component, and moderately persistent income shocks is consistent with nearly flat life‐cycle inequality profiles and the puzzlingly large insurance role of assets found in the Russian data. This is in contrast to the standard calibrations that fail to match the life‐cycle inequality profiles and the panel‐data evidence on consumption insurance.
Effect of intake of probiotics and probiotic fermented foods on clinical outcomes among people living with HIV: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Oyadiran Oluwafemi Temitayo , Ogunlade Samuel Busayo , Okusanya Temitayo Rebecca , Okoka Elile Monisola , Kuyebi Moshood Abiodun , Omotayo Moshood Olanrewaju , Abioye Ajibola Ibraheem
Published: December 2023

Objective

The objective of the study was to determine the effect of probiotics and of probiotic‐fermented foods on CD4 T‐cell count, viral load, anaemia and body mass index (BMI) among people living with HIV (PLHIV).

Methods

In this article, we systematically reviewed the evidence on the influence of probiotic supplementation on CD4 lymphocyte count, viral load and anaemia among PLHIV on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and those who were HAART‐naive. Medical literature databases identified randomised trials and pre‐post studies of probiotic supplementation and HIV‐related outcomes, and random effects meta‐analysis was conducted.

Results

The preponderance of the evidence suggests that probiotic supplementation only improved CD4 lymphocyte count modestly, with quantitatively greater impact among individuals who were HAART‐naive compared to HAART‐experienced individuals. Probiotic supplementation improved CD4 lymphocyte count by 53 cells/mm3 (95% CI: 22 to 85) from 18 studies. Probiotic supplementation however reduced haemoglobin concentration by −2.1 g/L (95% CI: −4.0 to −0.2). Although viral load remain unchanged in HAART‐experienced participants following probiotic supplementation, HAART‐naïve participants saw a decrease in viral load. There were too few studies on the impact of probiotic supplementation on viral load (N = 1).

Conclusion

Probiotic supplementation resulted in a modest increase in CD4 lymphocyte count among HAART‐naive individuals with no significant change observed among HAART‐experienced ones. Viral load and haemoglobin concentration also remained unchanged following probiotic supplementation. Further rigorous and well‐powered studies may evaluate the effect of probiotic supplementation on important clinical outcomes among PLHIV on HAART.
Tumour necrosis factor‐α induces C‐C motif chemokine ligand 5 production in canine keratinocytes
Authors: Takahashi Kaho , Okazawa Taiga , Shingaki Tomoaki , Furuya Keiko , Kimura Junpei , Ohmori Keitaro
Published: December 2023

Background

C‐C motif chemokine ligand (CCL)5 induces skin inflammation in healthy dogs. In addition, CCL5 is overexpressed in the skin of experimental models of canine atopic dermatitis (cAD). Tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α has been shown to be upregulated in cAD. However, it remains unclear whether TNF‐α induces CCL5 production in canine keratinocytes.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To determine the effect of TNF‐α on CCL5 production in canine keratinocyte culture and investigate possible synergy with interferon (IFN)‐γ and interleukin (IL)‐4.

Materials and Methods

CCL5 protein concentrations were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in the culture supernatant of a cell line of canine progenitor epidermal keratinocyte (CPEK) cells stimulated with TNF‐α with or without inhibitors of the TNF receptor signalling pathway. CCL5 protein concentrations also were measured in CPEK cells stimulated with TNF‐α in the absence or presence of IFN‐γ, a T‐helper (Th)1‐type cytokine, and/or IL‐4, a Th2‐type cytokine.

Results

TNF‐α increased CCL5 production in CPEK cells in time‐ and dose‐dependent manners. Inhibitors of the TNF receptor signalling pathway diminished CCL5 production. Although neither IFN‐γ nor IL‐4 alone induced CCL5 production in CPEK cells, the combination of TNF‐α and IFN‐γ, and not IL‐4, synergistically enhanced CCL5 production in these cells.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

TNF‐α may be involved in skin inflammation in dogs by promoting CCL5 production in keratinocytes. Furthermore, the synergistic effect of TNF‐α and IFN‐γ suggests that the local Th1‐type milieu may aggravate skin inflammation. Further studies are required to elucidate the role of TNF‐α‐induced CCL5 production of keratinocytes in the pathogenesis of cAD.
Cutaneous anaphylactoid reaction to polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil in dogs
Authors: Sugiyama Yukina , Kawarai Shinpei , Ansai Shinichi , Bist Pradeep , Abraham Soman N. , Maruo Takuya
Published: December 2023

Background

Polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil (HCO ethoxylates) is a nonionic surfactant used as an excipient for ointments and injections in human and veterinary drugs. Several polyethylene glycol (PEG) derivatives can be obtained depending on the number of moles of ethylene oxide (EO). HCO ethoxylates have the potential to cause anaphylactoid reactions. There is little published information about these types of reactions in dogs.

Objective

To determine the potential for HCO‐ethoxylate‐containing drugs to cause anaphylactoid reactions in dogs, employing intradermal testing (IDT) with various concentrations of HCO ethoxylates (HCO‐25, ‐40, ‐60 and ‐80).

Animals

Four healthy male laboratory dogs.

Materials and Methods

We performed IDT with drugs containing HCO ethoxylates and HCO ethoxylates alone to determine threshold concentrations. The IDT scores and threshold concentrations were compared. Analysis of skin biopsies from IDT sites was used to measure the percentage of degranulated mast cells. The effect of histamine at IDT sites was investigated by pre‐treatment with an antihistamine.

Results

All HCO‐ethoxylate‐containing drugs caused a wheal‐and‐flare reaction. The threshold concentrations (0.001% and 0.00001%) of each HCO‐ethoxylate depended on the number of moles of EO (p < 0.05). Mast cell degranulation was enhanced by all HCO ethoxylates. The HCO‐60‐induced reaction was suppressed by an oral antihistamine.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

The threshold concentration can serve as a consideration for developing safe new drug formulations and for clinical decision‐making around using drugs containing PEG derivatives. IDT is useful to predict the risk of adverse effects. Antihistamines could demonstrate a prophylactic effect.
Evolution of influenza A viruses in exhibition swine and transmission to humans, 2013–2015
Authors: Szablewski Christine M. , McBride Dillon S. , Trock Susan C. , Habing Gregory G. , Hoet Armando E. , Nelson Sarah W. , Nolting Jacqueline M. , Bowman Andrew S.
Published: December 2023

Aims

Swine are a mixing vessel for the emergence of novel reassortant influenza A viruses (IAV). Interspecies transmission of swine‐origin IAV poses a public health and pandemic risk. In the United States, the majority of zoonotic IAV transmission events have occurred in association with swine exposure at agricultural fairs. Accordingly, this human‐animal interface necessitates mitigation strategies informed by understanding of interspecies transmission mechanisms in exhibition swine. Likewise, the diversity of IAV in swine can be a source for novel reassortant or mutated viruses that pose a risk to both swine and human health.

Methods and Results

In an effort to better understand those risks, here we investigated the epidemiology of IAV in exhibition swine and subsequent transmission to humans by performing phylogenetic analyses using full genome sequences from 272 IAV isolates collected from exhibition swine and 23 A(H3N2)v viruses from human hosts during 2013–2015. Sixty‐seven fairs (24.2%) had at least one pig test positive for IAV with an overall estimated prevalence of 8.9% (95% CI: 8.3–9.6, Clopper‐Pearson). Of the 19 genotypes found in swine, 5 were also identified in humans. There was a positive correlation between the number of human cases of a genotype and its prevalence in exhibition swine. Additionally, we demonstrated that A(H3N2)v viruses clustered tightly with exhibition swine viruses that were prevalent in the same year.

Conclusions

These data indicate that multiple genotypes of swine‐lineage IAV have infected humans, and highly prevalent IAV genotypes in exhibition swine during a given year are also the strains detected most frequently in human cases of variant IAV. Continued surveillance and rapid characterization of IAVs in exhibition swine can facilitate timely phenotypic evaluation and matching of candidate vaccine strains to those viruses present at the human‐animal interface which are most likely to spillover into humans.
KESAN PENGISI TITANIUM DIOKSIDA DALAM MEMBRAN KOMPOSIT POLIBENZIMIDAZOL-GRAFIN OKSIDA BERSULFONAT BAGI APLIKASI PEMFC BERSUHU TINGGI
Authors: Yusoff Yusra Nadzirah , Loh Kee Shyuan , Wong Wai Yin
Published: December 2023

The polybenzimidazole (PBI) membrane shows significant potential as an alternative membrane for high-temperature PEMFC. However, PBI membranes exhibit low proton conductivities under low humidity conditions and have drawbacks related to acid leaking and phosphoric acid degradation over 160°C. Notably, metal oxide particles exhibit a strong affinity for phosphoric acid. Therefore, titanium dioxide (TiO2) was introduced to investigate its impact on self-humidified PBI-SGO membrane at different mass ratios, utilizing a sonication technique. The hygroscopic properties of TiO2 on PBI-SGO composite membranes are tested for proton conductivity at varied temperatures (25-150 °C), acid doping levels, as well as ion exchange capacity to evaluate their potential as an electrolyte for high-temperature PEMFC application. The PBI-SGO-TiO2 with the mass ratio of 2:1.5 exhibited the highest proton conductivity (0.0128 S cm-1 at 25 ⁰C and 0.0207 S cm-1 at 150 ⁰C) and achieves a higher level of acid doping level and ion exchange capacity with a value of 10.23 ADL and 1.72 mmol g-1, respectively. The composite membranes are also physically characterized by using FTIR, XRD, and FESEM. The PBI-SGO-TiO2 (2:1.5) displayed a good distribution of TiO2 powder, thus contributing to the maximum proton conductivity value. The results of the study prove that the PBI-SGO-TiO2 composite membrane is a potential membrane for applications in HT-PEMFC.
IMPACT RESISTANCE ASSESSMENT OF INTERLOCKING COMPRESSED EARTH BRICKS (ICEB) INCORPORATING CRUMB RUBBER
Authors: Lim Chung Han , Arot Ekin , Asrah Hidayati
Published: December 2023

Interlocking compressed earth bricks (ICEB) are a cleaner and sustainable alternative to conventional fired bricks and it has comparable strength to other masonry systems, making it feasible for both cladding and load-bearing purposes. However, it tends to be brittle and has poor performance under impact loading. Impact resistance of masonry walls are important as one of the main purposes of cladding is to protect its occupants from external projectiles. This study was commissioned to investigate the feasibility incorporating both crumb rubber (CR) and treated CR into ICEBs in place of sand to improve its impact resistance. The drop weight impact tests carried out concluded that ICEBs containing CR have better impact resistance and this was further improved with heat-treated CR. Heat-treated CR ICEBs also had less catastrophic failure compared to untreated CRs which had pieces of materials spalling off. Mechanical tests also show that this improvement in impact resistance comes at the expense of a minor loss in compressive and flexural strength at replacement levels higher than 7.5 %. Heat-treated CRs also showed higher losses of mechanical strength compared to untreated CRs.
Gamers' Reasons for Purchasing Gaming Virtual Products: A Systematic Review
Authors: Huo Shaohua , Wan Abas Wan Anita , Waheed Moniza
Published: December 2023

With the development of the gaming industry, the trend of gaming virtual goods consumption is gradually growing, and online gaming goods consumption has become a hot topic. Players spend a lot of money purchasing virtual items. Why do people buy these items? Therefore, we conduct a systematic literature review to investigate the reasons for purchasing virtual goods in games. We use the “The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses” (PRISMA) statement to guide the data collection, analysis and reporting project for the systematic review. This article obtained 37 papers from the Web of Science (WOS) and Scopus databases. The article covers research during the period 2013-2023. We review the independent and dependent variables, research methods, theoretical background, and findings involved in the relevant literature. The study finds that the "enjoyment", "social attributes" and "functional value" of gaming products often play a key role in consumer purchases at certain times and among certain user groups. It is the hope of this paper that these findings will increase gaming companies' understanding of what drives players to purchase virtual items. Game designers can grasp the needs of game users and better convert ideas into payment points so that game companies can get higher profits.
Arithmetics of homogeneous spaces over p$p$‐adic function fields
Authors: Linh Nguyen Manh
Published: December 2023

Let be the function field of a smooth projective geometrically integral curve over a finite extension of . Following the works of Harari, Scheiderer, Szamuely, Izquierdo, and Tian, we study the local–global and weak approximation problems for homogeneous spaces of with geometric stabilizers extension of a group of multiplicative type by a unipotent group. The tools used are arithmetic (local and global) duality theorems in Galois cohomology, in combination with techniques similar to those used by Harari, Szamuely, Colliot‐Thélène, Sansuc, and Skorobogatov. As a consequence, we show that any finite abelian group is a Galois group over , rediscovering the positive answer to the abelian case of the inverse Galois problem over . In the case where the curve is defined over a higher dimensional local field instead of a finite extension of , coarser results are also given.
Characterization of the null energy condition via displacement convexity of entropy
Authors: Ketterer Christian
Published: December 2023

We characterize the null energy condition for an ‐dimensional, time‐oriented Lorentzian manifold in terms of convexity of the relative ‐Renyi entropy along displacement interpolations on null hypersurfaces. More generally, we also consider Lorentzian manifolds with a smooth weight function and introduce the Bakry–Emery ‐null energy condition that we characterize in terms of null displacement convexity of the relative ‐Renyi entropy. As application we then revisit Hawking's area monotonicity theorem for a black hole horizon and the Penrose Singularity Theorem from the viewpoint of this characterization and in the context of weighted Lorentzian manifolds.
The unruly arts of ethnographic refusal: power, politics, performativity
Authors: Siriwardane-de Zoysa Rapti , Sreekantha Vani , Mwambari David , Mehta Simi , Majumder Madhurima
Published: December 2023

Refusal remains a core concern in processes of research across the sciences. Drawing on previous anthropological theorisations, this paper contemplates on the manifold ‘arts’ of refusal during ethnographic research praxis, drawing on diverse thematic experiences and contexts across coastal India, Malaysia, and Uganda. We argue for a concerted engagement with refusal as more than an act of withholding co-operation and as an expression of resistance. While recognizing refusal as a locally situated and historically contingent sensibility, we ask in what other ways might the more generative qualities of refusal be explored, paying particular attention to the performative nature of refusal itself that may entrench as much as reverse power differentials in the ‘field’. Drawing on decolonial and post-development epistemologies and diverse experiences as scholars situated and working across different geographies and disciplines, we explore the many entanglements, articulations, and enactments that remain ubiquitous in everyday ethnographic research praxis through several thematic angles. These include the negotiation of uneven (and often violent) forms of research collaboration and co-optation, the enactment of benevolent sexism as an ‘ethics of care’, and embodied practices such as silence(-ing), together with play and humour in participants’ critiques of scientific truth-telling. While illustrating subtler manifestations of refusal across ethnographic research-based encounters, we also contemplate pedagogical practices of un/learning (to ‘read’) and to teach the arts of identifying and productively working with the many appearances of refusal – both manifest and less visible.
Experimental Investigation of Additional Loss Associated With Incoming Wakes in Low-Pressure Turbine Cascades
Authors: Kodama Hidekazu , Funazaki Ken-ichi
Published: December 2023

The present paper aims to experimentally investigate the influence of wake-passing frequency, Reynolds number, and suction surface diffusion rate on the additional loss due to incoming wakes to the profile loss in the low-pressure turbine (LPT) cascades and discuss a design guide for reducing the additional loss. Using a moving-bar mechanism, the unsteady effects of incoming wakes were measured in a low-speed linear turbine cascade facility. The wake-passing frequency was varied by adjusting the moving-bar speed. The different airfoils with different surface velocity distributions were tested to examine the effect of suction surface diffusion rate. For each test case in an unsteady flow condition, the additional loss due to incoming wakes was derived by subtracting the profile loss from the measured total pressure loss across the cascade. Here, the profile loss was estimated by using the friction drag force, which was calculated by the measured surface velocity distribution, and the pressure drag force, which was calculated by the measured surface pressure distribution and the predicted base pressure. The resultant additional loss includes all kinds of losses associated with incoming wakes, such as mixing loss of incoming wakes enhanced in the blade passage and unsteady interaction loss between incoming wakes and surface boundary layers. It was demonstrated that in an unsteady flow condition, a substantial performance improvement was obtained in the entire Reynolds number range by applying the surface velocity distribution with no laminar separation to a low-solidity blade row.
Unsteady Investigation of Intermediate Turbine Ducts Under the Influence of Purge Flows
Authors: Merli Filippo , Krajnc Nicolas , Hafizovic Asim , Schien Malte , Göttlich Emil
Published: December 2023

The aerodynamic flow field at the outlet of a high-pressure turbine (HPT) stage in a modern turbofan engine is highly unsteady and strongly influenced by periodic fluctuations from the HPT rotor, also interacting with the HPT stationary vanes. Downstream of the last HPT stage, the flow enters the intermediate turbine duct (ITD), where new unsteady components are generated, due to the interaction between the incoming flow and the struts supporting the ITD. This paper illustrates the differences between the unsteady flow behavior in two state-of-the-art ITD configurations for turbofan engines: the turbine center frame and the turbine vane frame. The experimental results discussed in this work are obtained in the Transonic Test Turbine Facility, situated at Graz University of Technology, Austria. To achieve engine-representative operating conditions at the ITD inlet and outlet sections, the tested setups include not only the duct, but also the last HPT stage and the first low-pressure turbine stage row. Additionally, the test rig features a secondary air supply system, capable of feeding purge air to every stator–rotor cavity in the test vehicle. Unsteady measurement data at the inlet and outlet of the two duct configurations are acquired with fast-response aerodynamic pressure probes, for two purge flow conditions. Azimuthal mode decomposition is applied to phase-averaged data at selected radial positions, to isolate and quantify the contribution of different interaction modes to the overall unsteady flow field.