bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interpretable classification for multivariate gait analysis of cerebral palsy
Authors: Yoon Changwon , Jeon Yongho , Choi Hosik , Kwon Soon-Sun , Ahn Jeongyoun
Published: November 2023

Background

The Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) is a widely used tool for assessing the mobility of people with Cerebral Palsy (CP). It classifies patients into different levels based on their gross motor function and its level is typically determined through visual evaluation by a trained expert. Although gait analysis is commonly used in CP research, the functional aspects of gait patterns has yet to be fully exploited. By utilizing the gait patterns to predict GMFCS, we can gain a more comprehensive understanding of how CP affects mobility and develop more effective interventions for CP patients.

Result

In this study, we propose a multivariate functional classification method to examine the relationship between kinematic gait measures and GMFCS levels in both normal individuals and CP patients with varying GMFCS levels. A sparse linear functional discrimination framework is utilized to achieve an interpretable prediction model. The method is generalized to handle multivariate functional data and multi-class classification. Our method offers competitive or improved prediction accuracy compared to state-of-the-art functional classification approaches and provides interpretable discriminant functions that can characterize the kinesiological progression of gait corresponding to higher GMFCS levels.

Conclusion

We generalize the sparse functional linear discrimination framework to achieve interpretable classification of GMFCS levels using kinematic gait measures. The findings of this research will aid clinicians in diagnosing CP and assigning appropriate GMFCS levels in a more consistent, systematic, and scientifically supported manner.
Clinical and molecular characteristics of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in bone and joint infection among children
Authors: Fu Pan , Nijiati Yaxier , Li Tingting , Wu Xia , Wang Zixuan , Zhou Jinlan , Wang Chuanqing , Ning Bo
Published: November 2023

Objective

To investigate the characteristics of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in bone and joint infection (BJI) among children.

Methods

A total of 338 patients diagnosed with BJI from 2013 to 2022 in Children’s Hospital of Fudan University were enrolled. Demographic information, microbiology culture results and laboratory findings, including white blood counts (WBC), C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were collected and analyzed. MRSA was confirmed by antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Other MRSA-caused infections were randomly selected for comparison. Twenty-three virulence and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes were screened for MRSA strains. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and Staphylococcal protein A (spa) typing were performed using PCR amplification and sequencing.

Results

Of the identified pathogens in BJI, MRSA accounted for 21.0% (47/224). Patients with BJI had high levels of initial CRP, white blood cell count (WBC) and IL-6. ST59 (43.9%) and t437 (37.6%) were the main MRSA subtypes isolated from the children. The major genotypes in BJI were ST59-t437 (29.8%) and ST22-t309 (14.9%), with high carriage of hemolysins including hla (94.4–100%), hlb (66.2–93.3%), and hld (100%). Notably, Panton–Valentine leukocidin (pvl) had a high prevalence (53.3%) in ST22-t309-MRSA. Other virulence genes including tst, seg and sei were more commonly detected in ST22-t309-MRSA (40.0–46.7%) than in ST59-t437-MRSA (4.2–9.9%). High-carriage AMR genes in MRSA included aph(3ʹ)/III (66.7–80%), ermB (57.5–73.3%) and ermC (66.7–78.9%). MRSA presented high-resistance to erythromycin (52.0–100%) and clindamycin (48.0–92.5%), different genotypes displayed variation in their susceptibilities to antibiotics.

Conclusions

The major MRSA genotype in BJI was ST59-t437, followed by ST22-t309, with a higher prevalence of the pvl gene. Continuous surveillance of pvl-positive ST22-t309-MRSA in pediatric BJI infections is thus required.
Predictive value of suprasellar extension for intracranial infection after endoscopic transsphenoidal pituitary adenoma resection
Authors: Lin Mingjian , Wang Wenbo , Tang Lejian , Zhou Yunxiang , Li Wencai , Xiao Jing , Peng Zhizhu , Xia Xuewei
Published: November 2023

Objective

To investigate the relationship between suprasellar extension (SSE) and intracranial infection after endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approach (EETA) for pituitary adenoma resection.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 94 patients with suprasellar extended pituitary adenoma admitted to the Department of Neurosurgery of the Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical College from January 2018 to December 2021. We measured the preoperative magnetic resonance sagittal SSE and collected clinical data and divided the patients into groups according to the presence of postoperative intracranial infection. The critical value for the SSE was calculated by using a working characteristic curve for the subjects. The risk factors for intracranial infection after EETA resection of pituitary adenomas were analyzed by multivariate regression analysis.

Results

Among the 94 patients, 12 cases (12.8%) were placed in the infection group and 82 cases (87.2%) in the non-infection group. The cut-off value for the SSE in the sagittal position was 15.6 mm, the sensitivity was 75%, the specificity was 87.8%, and the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.801. The coronary cut-off value for the SSE was 15.8 mm, the sensitivity was 66.7%, the specificity was 79.3%, and the AUC was 0.787. The SSE values in the sagittal and coronal positions were correlated with postoperative intracranial infection (P < 0.05). After univariate analysis, those with significant differences were included in the multivariate regression analysis. It was concluded that the extension distance of the tumor above the sella in the sagittal position was ≥ 15.6 mm, the tumor texture was hard, and the postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leakage were the independent risk factors for intracranial infection after EETA resection of suprasellar extended pituitary tumors (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

The value of SSE on sagittal MRI can predict intracranial infection in patients with suprasellar extended pituitary adenoma after endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal resection. This finding recommends neurosurgeons pay more attention to the imaging characteristics of pituitary adenomas and select appropriate treatment plans in combination with the intraoperative conditions to reduce the incidence of intracranial infection.
A novel intronic circular RNA circFGFR1int2 up-regulates FGFR1 by recruiting transcriptional activators P65/FUS and suppressing miR-4687-5p to promote prostate cancer progression
Authors: Wang Ruyue , Zhong Jinjing , Pan Xiuyi , Su Zhengzheng , Xu Yunyi , Zhang Mengni , Chen Xueqin , Chen Ni , Yu Ting , Zhou Qiao
Published: November 2023

Fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) is a core component of the FGFs/FGFR pathway that activates multiple signalling pathways, including ERK1/2, PI3K/AKT, PLCγ, and NF-κB. Aberrant expression of FGFR1 due to gene amplification, chromosome rearrangement, point mutation, and epigenetic deregulations, have been reported in various cancers. FGFR1 overexpression has also been reported in prostate cancer (PCa), but the underlining mechanisms are not clear. Here we report a novel circular RNA, circFGFR1int2, derived from intron 2 of FGFR1 gene, which is overexpressed in PCa and associated with tumor progression. Importantly, we show that circFGFR1int2 facilitates FGFR1 transcription by recruiting transcription activators P65/FUS and by interacting with FGFR1 promoter. Moreover, we show that circFGFR1int2 suppresses post-transcriptional inhibitory effects of miR-4687-5p on FGFR1 mRNA. These mechanisms synergistically promote PCa cell growth, migration, and invasion. Overexpression of circFGFR1int2 is significantly correlated with higher tumor grade, Gleason score, and PSA level, and is a significant unfavorable prognosticator for CRPC-free survival (CFS) (RR = 3.277, 95% confidence interval: 1.192–9.009; P = 0.021). These findings unravelled novel mechanisms controlling FGFR1 gene expression by intronic circRNA and its potential clinicopathological utility as a diagnostic or therapeutic target.

Graphic Abstract
Identifying the driver miRNAs with somatic copy number alterations driving dysregulated ceRNA networks in cancers
Authors: Dou Renjie , Kang Shaobo , Yang Huan , Zhang Wanmei , Zhang Yijing , Liu Yuanyuan , Ping Yanyan , Pang Bo
Published: November 2023

Background

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play critical roles in cancer initiation and progression, which were critical components to maintain the dynamic balance of competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks. Somatic copy number alterations (SCNAs) in the cancer genome could disturb the transcriptome level of miRNA to deregulate this balance. However, the driving effects of SCNAs of miRNAs were insufficiently understood.

Methods

In this study, we proposed a method to dissect the functional roles of miRNAs under different copy number states and identify driver miRNAs by integrating miRNA SCNAs profile, miRNA-target relationships and expression profiles of miRNA, mRNA and lncRNA.

Results

Applying our method to 813 TCGA breast cancer (BRCA) samples, we identified 29 driver miRNAs whose SCNAs significantly and concordantly regulated their own expression levels and further inversely dysregulated expression levels of their targets or disturbed the miRNA-target networks they directly involved. Based on miRNA-target networks, we further constructed dynamic ceRNA networks driven by driver SCNAs of miRNAs and identified three different patterns of SCNA interference in the miRNA-mediated dynamic ceRNA networks. Survival analysis of driver miRNAs showed that high-level amplifications of four driver miRNAs (including has-miR-30d-3p, has-mir-30b-5p, has-miR-30d-5p and has-miR-151a-3p) in 8q24 characterized a new BRCA subtype with poor prognosis and contributed to the dysfunction of cancer-associated hallmarks in a complementary way. The SCNAs of driver miRNAs across different cancer types contributed to the cancer development by dysregulating different components of the same cancer hallmarks, suggesting the cancer specificity of driver miRNA.

Conclusions

These results demonstrate the efficacy of our method in identifying driver miRNAs and elucidating their functional roles driven by endogenous SCNAs, which is useful for interpreting cancer genomes and pathogenic mechanisms.
Cross-cultural effects of reminiscence therapy on life satisfaction and autobiographical memory of older adults: a pilot study across Mexico and Spain
Authors: Rueda Alba Villasán , Cabaco Antonio Sánchez , Mejía-Ramírez Manuel Alejandro , Afonso Rosa Marina , Castillo-Riedel Eduardo
Published: November 2023

Background

There are increasing reports on the cognitive and emotional benefits of positive reminiscence therapy in older people. The objective of this study is to assess the differential improvement of the quality of life for older people in different vital situations (three different types of aging) and from different countries by implementing a positive reminiscence therapy program (REMPOS).

Methods

The participants were 144 older adults above the age of 65, 77 participants from Spain (45 experimental groups, 32 control groups) and 67 from Mexico (34 experimental groups, 33 control groups). The participants were recruited from nursing and retirement homes. A factorial randomized design with pre–post measurement with three independent variables: country (Mexico, Spain), condition (experimental, control), and types of aging (healthy aging, HA., mild cognitive impairment, MCI., Alzheimer’s disease, AD). The experimental groups received REMPOS therapy and control groups received standard cognitive stimulation program. The quality of life was measured with the Life Satisfaction Inventory for adults (LSI-A) and autobiographical memory test (AMT) before and after REMPOS therapy.

Results

The REMPOS intervention showed significantly higher positive effects than the control condition on the recall of specific positive memories across countries and types of aging, except for the Spanish MCI group. Life satisfaction in the Alzheimer’s and MCI group only improved with REMPOS in the Mexican sample.

Conclusions

The REMPOS effects showed generalizable effects across countries, but the cross-cultural differences shown highlight the necessity of running studies to test those differential effects.
Milk fat miRNome changes in response to LPS challenge in Holstein cows
Authors: Leroux Christine , Cuccato Matteo , Pawłowski Karol , Cannizzo Francesca Tiziana , Sacchi Paola , Pires José A. A. , Faulconnier Yannick
Published: November 2023

Mastitis is an inflammatory disease in dairy cows, causing economic losses and reducing animal welfare. In order to contribute for the discovery of early and noninvasive indicators, our objective was to determine the effects of a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge on the microRNA profile (miRNome) of milk fat, using microarray analyses in cows. Cows were fed a lactation diet at ad libitum intake (n = 6). At 27 ± 3 days in milk, cows were injected with 50 µg of LPSEscherichia coliin one healthy rear mammary quarter. Milk samples were collected just before LPS challenge (LPS−) and 6.5 h after LPS challenge (LPS +) from the same cows. Microarray analysis was performed using customized 8 × 60 K ruminant miRNA microarrays to compare LPS− to LPS + miRNome. In silico functional analyses were performed using OmicsNet and Mienturnet software. MiRNome comparison between LPS− and LPS + identified 37 differentially abundant miRNAs (q-value ≤ 0.05). The predicted target genes of the 37 differentially abundant miRNAs are mostly involved in cell life including apoptosis, cell cycle, proliferation and differentiation and in gene expression processes. MiRNome analyses suggest that miRNAs profile is related to the inflammation response of the mammary gland. In conclusion, we demonstrated that milk fat might be an easy and rapid source of miRNAs that are potential indicators of early mastitis in cows.
Chicken miR-148a-3p regulates immune responses against AIV by targeting the MAPK signalling pathway and IFN-γ
Authors: Vu Thi Hao , Hong Yeojin , Heo Jubi , Kang Suyeon , Lillehoj Hyun S. , Hong Yeong Ho
Published: November 2023

MicroRNAs are involved in the immune systems of host animals and play essential roles in several immune-related pathways. In the current study, we investigated the systemic biological function of the chicken miRNA gga-miR-148a-3p on immune responses in chicken lines resistant and susceptible to HPAIV-H5N1. We found that gga-miR-148a expression in the lung tissue of H5N1-resistant chickens was significantly downregulated during HPAIV-H5N1 infection. Overexpression of gga-miR-148a and a reporter construct with wild type or mutant IFN-γ, MAPK11, and TGF-β2 3′ untranslated region (3′ UTR)-luciferase in chicken fibroblasts showed that gga-miR-148a acted as a direct translational repressor of IFN-γ, MAPK11, and TGF-β2 by targeting their 3′ UTRs. Furthermore, miR-148a directly and negatively influenced the expression of signalling molecules related to the MAPK signalling pathway, including MAPK11, TGF-β2, and Jun, and regulated antiviral responses through interferon-stimulated genes and MHC class I and class II genes by targeting IFN-γ. Downstream of the MAPK signalling pathway, several proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, IFN-γ, IL-6, TNF-α, IFN-β, and interferon-stimulated genes were downregulated by the overexpression of gga-miR-148a. Our data suggest that gga-miR-148a-3p is an important regulator of the MAPK signalling pathway and antiviral response. These findings improve our understanding of the biological functions of gga-miR-148a-3p, the mechanisms underlying the MAPK signalling pathway, and the antiviral response to HPAIV-H5N1 infection in chickens as well as the role of gga-miR-148a-3p in improving the overall performance of chicken immune responses for breeding disease-resistant chickens.
Existence of exponential attractors for the coupled system of suspension bridge equations
Authors: Jin Jun-dong
Published: November 2023

In this paper, we investigate the asymptotic behavior of the coupled system of suspension bridge equations. Under suitable assumptions, we obtain the existence of exponential attractors by using the decomposing technique of operator semigroup.
Characterization of acoustic detection efficiency using an unmanned surface vessel as a mobile receiver platform
Authors: Gaskell Eric M. , Funnell Tyler R. , Holbrook Christopher M. , Hondorp Darryl W. , Tan Xiaobo
Published: November 2023

Studies involving acoustic telemetry typically use stationary acoustic receivers arranged in an array or grid. Unmanned surface vehicle (USV)-based mobile receivers offer advantages over the latter approach: the USV can be programmed to autonomously carry a receiver to and from target locations, more readily adapting to a survey’s spatial scope and scale. This work examines the acoustic detection performance of a low-cost USV developed as a flexible sensing platform. The USV was fitted with an acoustic receiver and operated over multiple waypoints set at increasing distances from the transmitter in two modes: drifting and station-keeping. While drifting, the USV was allowed to drift from the waypoint; while station-keeping, the USV used its thruster to hold position. Detection performance of the USV was similar to that of stationary receivers while drifting, but significantly worse while station-keeping. Noise from the USV thruster was hypothesized as a potential cause of poor detection performance during station-keeping. Detection performance varied with the depth of the tethered receiver such that detection range was greater during the deepest (4.6 m) trials than during shallower (1.1 and 2.9 m) trials. These results provide insight and guidance on how a USV can be best used for acoustic telemetry, namely, navigating to a planned waypoint, drifting and lowering the receiver to a desired depth for listening, and then navigating to the next waypoint.
Legume-potato rotation affects soil physicochemical properties, enzyme activity, and rhizosphere metabolism in continuous potato cropping
Authors: Wang Yong , Shi Mingfu , Zhang Ruyan , Zhang Weina , Liu Yuhui , Sun Dexiang , Wang Xingxing , Qin Shuhao , Kang Yichen
Published: November 2023

Background

Continuous cropping can reduce soil quality and affect rhizosphere metabolism, ultimately reducing crop yield. Crop rotation can mitigate the damage caused by continuous cropping, but different crop rotation patterns respond differently to soil quality and rhizosphere metabolism. We investigated the effects of different cropping patterns on soil physicochemical properties, enzyme activities, microbial quantity, and rhizosphere metabolism of continuous potato cropping based on a long-term field study from 2018 to 2022. The experiment was set up with the following three treatments: potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)-potato-potato-potato-potato (CK), potato-potato-potato-pea (Pisum arvense L.)-potato (T1), and potato-potato-potato-faba bean (Vicia faba L.)-potato (T2).

Results

The results showed that pea-potato rotation (T1) and faba bean-potato rotation (T2) significantly improved soil physicochemical properties and microbial quantity, enhanced enzyme activity, and increased yield by 21.19% and 28.38%, respectively, compared with the continuous potato crop. Non-targeted metabolomics analysis showed that the differential metabolites of pea-potato and faba bean-potato rotation were mainly nucleotides, organic acids and derivatives, and flavonoids compared to continuous potato cropping. These differential metabolites are mainly enriched in the ABC transporter, purine metabolism, pyrimidine metabolism, and phenylalanine metabolism pathways. Combined analyses showed that legume-potato rotations improved soil physicochemical properties, enzyme activities, and microbial quantity of continuous potato cropping, ultimately increasing tuber yields. In addition, correlation analyses showed that differential metabolites significantly enriched in purine and phenylalanine metabolism (l-Tyrosine, Trans-Cinnamic acid, Guanine, and Adenine) were also strongly associated with these measurements.

Conclusions

Therefore, we conclude that legume-potato rotations modulate the abundance and function of rhizosphere metabolites and significantly alter the low molecular metabolite profile of the soil under continuous potato conditions. Some of these important metabolites may play a part in the cycling of nutrients in the soil, making its physicochemical properties and microbial quantity better, raising the activity of soil enzymes, and ultimately increasing the yield of potato tubers. The above results indicate that legume-potato rotation has a positive effect on continuous potato soils. It lays a solid foundation for revealing the complex molecular network and metabolic pathways of microbial communities in soil after legume crop rotation.

Graphical Abstract
STEM education institutional change projects: examining enacted approaches through the lens of the Four Categories of Change Strategies Model
Authors: Feola S. , Lewis J. E. , McAlpin J. D. , Prevost L. B. , Skvoretz J. , Stains M. , Couch B. A. , Earl B. , Ziker J. P. , Lane A. K. , Shadle S. E.
Published: November 2023

Background

Enacting STEM education reform is a complex task and there are a variety of approaches that might be selected by change agents. When working on an institutional change project to impact multiple parts of the STEM education system, teams of change agents may select multiple strategies and tactics to enact at one time and over multiple years of a project. However, the literature lacks studies which document and analyze strategies and tactics used by change project teams in a way that can be useful for other change agents. The current study seeks to fill this gap by investigating National Science Foundation-funded change initiatives at three public research universities focused on encouraging the adoption of evidenced-based instructional practices by STEM faculty in order to understand the strategies used within and across projects.

Results

Qualitative framework analysis using the lens of the Henderson et al. (Journal of Research in Science Teaching 48(8): 952–984, 2011.https://doi.org/10.1002/tea.20439) Four Categories of Change Strategies Model showed that institutional projects enact a wide range of tactics that span the four strategies represented in the four categories of the model both across institutions and within each institution. The analysis documents a number of change tactics not previously described by the model and offers expanded definitions of the change processes that operate within each category in the context of institutional change projects.

Conclusion

This descriptive work advances our understanding of the breadth and depth of actions taken by institutional change initiatives and provides insights into types of variations that might be observed based on different institutional contexts. The current analysis both affirms the value of the original model and identifies expanded ways to think about the four categories within the context of institutional change projects.
The feasibility of Technology, Application, Self-Management for Kidney (TASK) intervention in post-kidney transplant recipients using a pre/posttest design
Authors: O’Brien Tara , Rose Karen , Focht Brian , Al Kahlout Noor , Jensen Tad , Heareth Kenzie , Nori Uday , Daloul Reem
Published: November 2023

Background

Weight gain after a kidney transplant remains a major problem that can lead to adverse effects on morbidity and mortality. The posttransplant phase provides a window of opportunity to improve the engagement of self-management of care for lifestyle modifications for diet and physical activity. The purpose of our study was to (1) test the feasibility of recruitment, retention, and adherence for using the Technology, Application, Self-Management for Kidney (TASK) intervention in post-kidney transplant recipients (≥ 18 years of age) at baseline, 4, 8, and 12 weeks; and (2) estimate the preliminary effects of the TASK intervention in producing change over time for blood pressure (BP), weight, fruits/vegetable intake, fiber intake, sodium intake, self-efficacy to exercise, and perceived stress.

Methods

This study used a 12-week pre/posttest design using to test the feasibility of the TASK intervention. We applied paired t-tests and McNemar’s test to compare the outcomes at weeks 4, 8, and 12.

Results

We met our recruitment goal (N = 20) and found a 15% attrition rate (n = 3) at Week 12. Adherence rate among the study completers for recording daily food intake was 83–94% over the 12 weeks and for recording daily physical activity was 17–33% over the 12 weeks. We observed improvements over time for BP, weight, fruits/vegetable intake, fiber intake, and sodium intake; these differences were non-significant, although clinically important. We did find a significant difference from baseline to 12 weeks in weight reduction (p = 0.02), self-efficacy to exercise (p = 0.003), and perceived stress (p = 0.04).

Conclusions

The data suggest the TASK intervention was feasible for kidney recipients to use and resulted in weight control, increased self-efficacy to exercise, and decreased perceived stress.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov #:NCT05151445
Cardioprotective effects of Rhododendron arboreum leaf extract against Doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in Wistar rats by modulating electrocardiographic and cardiac biomarkers
Authors: Pradhan Adersikha , Chakraborty Manodeep , Lepcha Oonglim , Bhattacharjee Ananya , Chutia Devid , Bhuyan Nihar Ranjan
Published: November 2023

Background

Cardiotoxicity and related complications are well-known adverse effects of anticancer drugs like doxorubicin (DOX). A medicinal plant called Rhododendron arboreum is used by traditional healers of Sikkim in the treatment of heart ailments and has also been reported for widespread therapeutic effects in many clinical studies. Thus the present study has been designed to evaluate the protective effects of Rhododendron arboreum leaf extract (RALE) against DOX-induced cardiotoxicities.

Methods

Commencement of research with the collection of the Rhododendron arboreum leaves and drying it in the shade, the extraction was performed using the Soxhlet method with an ethanolic solvent. The phytoconstituents of the RALE were then quantified and qualitatively evaluated. Doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity was carried out using four groups consisting of six animals each. Doxorubicin was administered with a dose of 3 mg/kg injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) on the 1st,7th,14th,21st and 28th day of cumulative dose of 15 mg/kg throughout the experimental period with RALE treatment (250 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg) orally for 28 days. The influence of the treatment was analyzed by quantification of cardiac biomarkers and electrocardiographic method.

Results

The serum levels of cardiac biomarkers such as Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH), Creatine kinase-N-acetyltransferase (CK-NAC), Creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), Aspartate Transaminase (AST), Alanine Transaminase (ALT), which were elevated due to DOX-induced cardiotoxicity were significantly reduced in all RALE (250 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg) treated groups. Similarly, the electrocardiographic changes like prolonged QT interval, widening of QRS complex amplitude, undefined ST segment, arrhythmias and increased heart rate were also restored close to normal in all treated groups compared to the DOX control group.

Conclusion

Following the data observed during the study, results reported that R. arboreum possesses the free radical scavenging property, improved cardiotoxic laboratory parameters and restored reversible cellular injury due to existing of the principle constituent’s impact on proinflammatory mediators.
Pempek Palembang: history, food making tradition, and ethnic identity
Authors: Wargadalem Farida Ratu , Wasino  , Yulifar Leli
Published: November 2023

Pempek is one of the renowned dishes from Palembang, famous throughout Indonesia, particularly in South Sumatra. Crafted from a blend of ground fish meat, tapioca, water, and seasonings, this dish is typically served with Cuko sauce. The resulting flavor is a harmonious combination of saltiness, spiciness, and umami, thereby making Pempek an exquisite culinary creation. Pempek holds a significant place in the cultural, historical, geographical, and lifestyle identity of Palembang and has also endured through time. Therefore, this study explained the origin and development of the traditional food, Pempek, and its influence on society, ultimately shaping it as a Palembang identity. A historical approach was utilized in the study, which involved several stages, such as heuristics, source criticism, interpretation, and narration (historiography). The result showed that the production of Pempek depended on the availability of raw materials in the South Sumatra region, such as fish, sago, and brown sugar. Its history was traced back to the Srivijaya Inscription (682 AD) and the Sultanate of Palembang, a cultural hub that introduced various foods, including Pempek. The Nginum culture supported the development of Pempek distinct flavor and aroma, making it a daily staple. In the early twentieth century, Pempek started to be produced on a limited basis for sale, eventually becoming a widespread industry. The archives from various government and private sector events showed that Pempek has become increasingly famous in Indonesia and around the world over the last 20 years. This growth can be attributed to the fact that Pempek is a significant souvenir for migrants, a symbol of Palembang City, and has a positive impact on the local economy. Therefore, future studies need to explore developments in the production of Pempek and its impact on the economy of South Sumatra.
Predictors of obstructive sleep apnea in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Kaddah Safy Zahid , Soliman Yousef Mohamed Amin , Mousa Heba , Moustafa Naglaa , Kamal Ibrahim Eman
Published: November 2023

Background

The co-existence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is known as overlap syndrome, and both conditions share common risk factors and are associated with co-morbidities and poor outcomes.

Methodology

Sixty stable COPD patients were included in the study. We assessed body measurements, pulmonary functions to diagnose and assess COPD severity, arterial blood gases, STOB-BANG questionnaire (SBQ), Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS), and polysomnography (PSG) for diagnosis and classification of OSA severity. The aim of the study is to assess predictors of OSA among COPD patients.

Results

The prevalence of overlap syndrome was 70% among studied stable COPD patients, with a male-to-female ratio of 2:1, and SBQ and ESS were statistically higher in overlap syndrome with p values < 0.001 and 0.002, respectively. Oxygen desaturation index (ODI) was 42.72 ± 30.02 for overlap in comparison to 13.18 ± 5.80 for COPD with a significant p value of < 0.001, and T90 was significantly increased in the overlap group (26.75 ± 10.37) than the COPD-only group (1.8 ± 0.98, p value ≤ 0.001). We found a direct correlation between the GOLD stage and severity of OSA in overlap syndrome. The best cutoff value for the detection of overlap syndrome was ESS = 9 (sensitivity = 88.6% and specificity = 62.5%) and SBQ = 5 (sensitivity = 63.6% and specificity = 93.8%).

Conclusion

Overlap syndrome represents 70% of stable COPD patients. A direct relation was found between the GOLD stage and OSA severity in overlap syndrome. ESS and SBQ can be used for screening for OSA in COPD patients but with a lower cutoff value than those used for the general population.

Trial registration

Retrospectively registered, registration number is NCT05605431, date of registration October 29, 2022.
Association of Delay in Breast Cancer Diagnosis With Survival in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Gebremariam Alem , Addissie Adamu , Worku Alemayehu , Dereje Nebiyu , Assefa Mathewos , Kantelhardt Eva Johanna , Jemal Ahmedin
Published: November 2023

PURPOSE

There are limited data on the association between delay in breast cancer diagnosis after breast symptom recognition and survival, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. The recently launched Global Breast Cancer Initiative by WHO includes measuring delay as the core indicator for quality of breast cancer care. Herein, we examined the association between delay in breast cancer diagnosis with overall survival among women in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 439 women diagnosed with breast cancer from January 1, 2017, to June 30, 2018, in Addis Ababa were followed for survival to the end of 2019. Survival rates were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. The association between delay in diagnosis (>3 months after symptom recognition) and overall survival was computed using the multivariable Cox regression model after adjusting for demographic and clinical factors.

RESULTS

Nearly 70% (303/439) of women with breast cancer were delayed in diagnosis of their cancer. During a median follow-up period of 25.1 months, 2-year overall survival rate was 73.5% (95% CI, 68.0 to 78.2) in women with diagnosis delay compared with 79.1% (95% CI, 71.2 to 85.1) in those women without diagnosis delay. In the multivariable Cox regression model, the risk of death was 73% higher (hazard ratio, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.09 to 2.74) in women with diagnosis delay compared with those without diagnosis delay.

CONCLUSION

Delay in diagnostic confirmation of breast cancer after recognition of breast symptoms was negatively associated with overall survival in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, underscoring the need to increase awareness about the importance of prompt presentation for clinical evaluation and referral for diagnostic confirmation to mitigate the undue high burden of the disease.
Spreading and absorption of a drop on a swelling surface
Authors: Van de Velde Pierre , Fabre-Parras Nathalie , Josserand Christophe , Duprat Camille , Protière Suzie
Published: November 2023

When a drop is placed on a surface it fully wets, it usually spreads until the height of the drop is comparable to the size of a single fluid molecule. However, when some fluid is absorbed by the substrate, the drop will first spread to a given radius before receding and eventually disappearing completely. In this study, we consider the spreading and absorption of a silicone oil drop on a swelling elastomeric substrate. We observe that the maximal radius of the drop does not depend on the fluid viscosity and can be predicted from the droplet volume and material properties. We rationalize our observations with a scaling analysis and a model coupling the spreading to a linear poroelastic description of the elastomer.
Cellular responses to compound stress induced by atmospheric-pressure plasma in fission yeast
Authors: Otsubo Yoko , Yamashita Akira , Goto Yuhei , Sakai Keiichiro , Iida Tetsushi , Yoshimura Shinji , Johzuka Katsuki
Published: November 2023

The stress response is one of the most fundamental cellular processes. Although the molecular mechanisms underlying responses to a single stressor have been extensively studied, cellular responses to multiple stresses remain largely unknown. Here, we characterized fission yeast cellular responses to a novel stress inducer, non-thermal atmospheric-pressure plasma. Plasma irradiation generates ultraviolet radiation, electromagnetic fields and a variety of chemically reactive species simultaneously, and thus can impose multiple stresses on cells. We applied direct plasma irradiation to fission yeast and showed that strong plasma irradiation inhibited fission yeast growth. We demonstrated that mutants lacking sep1 and ace2, both of which encode transcription factors required for proper cell separation, were resistant to plasma irradiation. Sep1-target transcripts were downregulated by mild plasma irradiation. We also demonstrated that plasma irradiation inhibited the target of rapamycin kinase complex 1 (TORC1). These observations indicate that two pathways, namely the Sep1-Ace2 cell separation pathway and TORC1 pathway, operate when fission yeast cope with multiple stresses induced by plasma irradiation.
A comparison of dissection and 3D approaches to estimate muscle physiological cross-sectional area, validated by in vivo bite forces
Authors: Ginot Samuel , Blanke Alexander
Published: November 2023

Performance traits such as bite forces are crucial to fitness and relate to the niche and adaptation of species. However, for many insects it is not possible to directly measure their bite forces because they are too small. Biomechanical models of bite forces are therefore relevant to test hypotheses of adaptation in insects and other small organisms. Although such models are based on classical mechanics, combining forces, material properties, and laws of levers, it is currently unknown how various models relate to bite forces measured in vivo. One critical component of these models is the physiological cross-sectional area (PCSA) of muscles, which relates to the maximum amount of force they can produce. Here, using the grasshopper Schistocerca gregaria, we compare various ways to obtain PCSA values and use in vivo measurements of bite forces to validate the biomechanical models. We show that most approaches used to derive PCSA (dissection, 3D muscle convex hull volume, muscle attachment area) are consistent with the expected relationships between PCSA and bite force, as well as with the muscle stress values known for insects. The only exception to this are PCSA values estimated by direct 3D muscle volume computation, which could be explained by noisy variation produced by shrinkage. This method therefore produces PCSA values which are uncorrelated to in vivo bite forces. Furthermore, despite the fact that all other methods do not significantly differ from expectations, their derived PCSA values vary widely, suggesting a lack of comparability between studies relying on different methods.
Negation in Bedouin dialects of Palestine and Jordan
Authors: Σιγούρου Αγγελική
Published: November 2023

Η παρούσα διατριβή παρέχει μια συγχρονική περιγραφή και ανάλυση της κατανομής και χρήσης των στοιχείων της άρνησης και της μορφοσυντακτικής έκφρασης της άρνησης σε φυλές Βεδουίνων της Παλαιστίνης (Δυτική Όχθη), του Ισραήλ (Νάκαμπ) και της Ιορδανίας (Βόρεια, Κεντρική και Νότια Μπάντίγια), βάσει επιτόπιας έρευνας. Μέσα από μια γενική επισκόπηση της ιστορικής εξέλιξης της άρνησης στην αραβική γλώσσα, παρουσιάζονται στοιχεία άρνησης από την Αραβική των αρχαίων επιγραφών, την Αραβική του Κορανίου, τη Σύγχρονη Πρότυπη Αραβική και τις σύγχρονες αραβικές διαλέκτους. Μέσα από τη διερεύνηση προηγούμενων δεδομένων σχετικά με την άρνηση σε διαλέκτους Βεδουίνων της Αραβικής Χερσονήσου, περιγράφεται η χρήση του αρνητικού μορίου mā και των μορφολογικών παραλλαγών του, καθώς και η χρήση άλλων στοιχείων άρνησης με ρηματικά, ψευδορηματικά και μη ρηματικά κατηγορήματα, ενώ συγχρόνως η έρευνα εστιάζει στις χρήσεις του αρνητικού μορίου lā, στις χρήσεις του καινοτόμου μορφήματος š και στη χρήση του šay, των παραγώγων του και των μορφών του κλιτικού του επιθήματος. Η διατριβή επικεντρώνεται στην ανάλυση νέων δεδομένων για την άρνηση σε διαλέκτους Βεδουίνων της Παλαιστίνης, του Ισραήλ και της Ιορδανίας, που προκύπτουν μέσα από επιτόπια έρευνα. Περιγράφει διάφορους τύπους άρνησης, ενώ επιδιώκει να διασαφηνίσει τις χρήσεις του καινοτόμου, μη-νομαδικού επιθήματος -š, ως στοιχείο υιοθετημένο κυρίως από αγροτικές γλωσσικές ποικιλίες, και τις χρήσεις του αρνητικού μορίου lā, ως ένα περιθωριοποιημένο πλέον, συντηρητικό στοιχείο. Από την παρούσα έρευνα συμπεραίνεται ότι μια ευρύτερη χρήση του επιθήματος -š απαντάται στις φυλές των Βεδουίνων της Δυτικής Όχθης και στις νότιες φυλές Βεδουίνων της Ιορδανίας, όπου χρησιμοποιείται περιστασιακά με ρηματικά και ψευδορηματικά κατηγορήματα, στη διμερή ή στη μετα-ρηματική άρνηση, ενώ μια πιο περιορισμένη χρήση εντοπίζεται στις βόρειες φυλές της Ιορδανίας, όπου περιορίζεται στην άρνηση των μη ρηματικών κατηγορημάτων. Στις υπόλοιπες φυλές που μελετήθηκαν, το επίθημα -š χρησιμοποιείται συνήθως στην άρνηση των μη ρηματικών κατηγορημάτων και στην υπαρκτική άρνηση. Γενικά, το αρνητικό μόριο lā απαντάται ως επί το πλείστον στην αρνητική προστακτική (απαγόρευση) και στις παρατακτικές δομές άρνησης ως το πρώτο αρνητικό στοιχείο. Λιγότερο συχνά, χρησιμοποιείται επίσης με ρηματικά κατηγορήματα σε απλές ή εμφατικές αρνητικές δηλώσεις, σε εκφράσεις τροπικότητας, σε εκφράσεις απευχής, στην έμμεση απαγόρευση και σε προτάσεις που δηλώνουν αποτροπή. Επιπλέον, το αρνητικό στοιχείο wala χρησιμοποιείται στην άρνηση ρηματικών και μη ρηματικών κατηγορημάτων, το αρνητικό στοιχείο διαβάθμισης wala χρησιμοποιείται σε δομές αρνητικής συμφωνίας και ο αρνητικός σύνδεσμος wala χρησιμοποιείται σε παρατακτικές δομές άρνησης. Τέλος, μια διπλή, εμφατική αρνητική απάντηση ως lille/lilla απαντάται σε όλες τις περιοχές που μελετήθηκαν.
Η υγεία ως παράμετρος του σχεδιασμού
Authors: Μπούκουρας Ευστάθιος
Published: November 2023

Η σχέση μεταξύ της ανθρώπινης υγείας, του σχεδιασμού και του αστικού χώρου είναι πολύπλοκη, πολυδιάστατη και εξελισσόμενη. Οι πόλεις επιδρούν στη σωματική και ψυχική ευεξία των κατοίκων τους και κατ’ επέκταση τη δημόσια υγεία. Ομοίως, το ζητούμενο της υγείας έχει οδηγήσει πολλές στην ιστορία, σε αλλαγές παραδείγματος στην κατανόηση των προκλήσεων και του ρόλου του σχεδιασμού. Τις τελευταίες δεκαετίες, το ίδιο το ανθρώπινο σώμα έχει αλλάξει λόγω παραγόντων όπως η δημογραφική γήρανση και η αύξηση του σωματικού βάρους θέτοντας νέες προκλήσεις για ζητήματα κινητικότητας, προσβασιμότητας, και ισότιμης συμμετοχής στην αστική διαβίωση. Οι αλλαγές αυτές αποτελούν το υπόβαθρο της διατριβής, η οποία διερευνά τις συνδέσεις της υγείας και του χώρου της πόλης, και υποστηρίζει πως απαιτείται μία μετάβαση προς μια πιο ανθρωποκεντρική προσέγγιση. Υπό αυτό το πρίσμα, αναπτύσσει την έννοια της «εργονομίας της πόλης» επιχειρώντας να ενσωματώσει χαρακτηριστικά του εξελισσόμενου ανθρώπινου σώματος σε πρακτικά εργαλεία και συμβάσεις του σχεδιασμού. Τέλος, εξετάζει μέσα από το παράδειγμα της Αθήνας της πανδημίας, πως ένα περιβάλλον μειωμένης κινητικότητας επανακαθορίζει τη σημασία του τοπικού παράγοντα, και ίσως εξηγεί και επιλογές χωροθέτησης στην πόλη.
Anexiones y derechos humanos: un análisis de la agencia de las redes transnacionales de defensa en Crimea
Authors: Trejos-Mateus Francisco Daniel , Herrera-Kit Patricia
Published: November 2023

A la fecha, aún no se ha escrito suficiente sobre la garantía de los derechos humanos (DD. HH.) en Crimea, territorio anexado por Rusia desde 2014, y son precarias las aproximaciones a la labor de las redes transnacionales inmiscuidas que defienden el cumplimiento de las obligaciones de Rusia sobre los habitantes de la península. Por lo anterior, el artículo analiza la agencia de las redes transnacionales de defensa (RTD) en el tratamiento de la violación de DD. HH. en Crimea, entre marzo de 2014 y noviembre de 2021, como antecedente a la nueva fase de anexiones en Ucrania de febrero de 2022. Con base en los conceptos de normas internacionales, derechos civiles y políticos, y redes transnacionales, y partir de la revisión documental de fuentes primarias y secundarias, se describe la conformación de la noción de derechos humanos en Ucrania y se analiza la agencia de las RTD y sus logros. El artículo evidencia, en el marco del histórico reconocimiento de los DD. HH., una incipiente institucionalización del ambiente habilitante para consolidar organizaciones de defensa de DD. HH. en Ucrania, la limitada coordinación de los agentes que conforman la red y los pocos logros en el cambio del comportamiento opresor de Rusia.
An Equivalence Between Fair Division and Wagering Mechanisms
Authors: Freeman Rupert , Witkowski Jens , Vaughan Jennifer Wortman , Pennock David M.
Published: November 2023

We draw a surprising and direct mathematical equivalence between the class of fair division mechanisms, designed to allocate divisible goods without money, and the class of weakly budget-balanced wagering mechanisms, designed to elicit probabilities. Although this correspondence between fair division and wagering has applications in both settings, we focus on its implications for the design of incentive-compatible fair division mechanisms. In particular, we show that applying the correspondence to competitive scoring rules, a prominent class of wagering mechanisms based on proper scoring rules, yields the first incentive-compatible fair division mechanism that is both fair (proportional and envy-free) and responsive to agent preferences. Moreover, for two agents, we show that competitive scoring rules characterize the whole class of nonwasteful and incentive-compatible fair division mechanisms, subject to mild technical conditions. As one of several consequences, this allows us to resolve an open question about the best possible approximation to optimal utilitarian welfare that can be achieved by any incentive-compatible mechanism. Finally, because the equivalence greatly expands the set of known incentive-compatible fair division mechanisms, we conclude with an evaluation of this entire set, comparing the mechanisms’ axiomatic properties and examining their welfare performance in simulation.

This paper was accepted by Yan Chen, behavioral economics and decision analysis.

Supplemental Material: The data and online appendix are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2022.02615 .
PRÁTICAS COTIDIANAS E PROCESSOS DE TERRITORIALIZAÇÃO: dando visibilidade à informalidade vivenciada nos semáforos
Authors: Alves de Souza Fujimori Dayane , Yoshie Ichikawa Elisa
Published: November 2023

Neste artigo, buscou-se compreender como ocorrem as práticas cotidianas no processo de territorialização de trabalhadores nos semáforos da cidade de Maringá - PR. O aporte teórico se respalda nos conceitos trabalhados por De Certeau (2014), De Certeau, Giard e Mayol (2013) e Raffestin (1993). Para tanto, por meio de pesquisa qualitativa, realizou-se observação participante e entrevistas de história oral temática com trabalhadores entre os meses de maio e setembro de 2018. Para interpretar os dados coletados, foram utilizadas as narrativas dos entrevistados e as observações anotadas em diário de campo. A análise permitiu verificar práticas de apropriação, práticas de resistência e pequenas artimanhas. Observou-se que o tempo, a idade e a hierarquização são fundamentais nas relações de poder e permitem que os trabalhadores territorializem o espaço. Assim, em meio às incertezas e ao preconceito que lidam diariamente, eles resistem, fazem bricolagens e constroem territorializações com a prática da informalidade.