bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tüketici Kırılganlığı Kavramına Sistematik Bir Bakış
Authors: ÇELİK Asiye Ayben
Published: March 2023

Tüketici kırılganlığı konusu son 25 yılda literatürde işletmeden iktisada, tıp ve psikolojiden bilgisayar bilimlerine, mühendislikten çevre bilimlerine farklı bilim dallarında araştırma konusu edilmiştir. Bu çalışma ile sosyal bilimler alanında yapılan araştırmalar doğrultusunda, tüketici kırılganlığı konusuna dair entelektüel yapı, kavramsal yapı ve yazarlar arasında kurulan iş birlikleri doğrultusunda gelişen sosyal ağ/yapının ortaya konması amaçlanmaktadır. Bibliyometrik analiz kapsamında, Scopus veritabanında 1997-2022 yılları arasında yayımlanmış ve “tüketici kırılganlığı” veya “müşteri kırılganlığı” anahtar kelimelerini başlık, özet veya anahtar kelimelerinde barındıran toplam 207 yayın incelenmiştir. Alandaki en üretken/en etkili yazar ve yayınlar ile kaynakların belirlenmesinin yanında entelektüel yapının ortaya konması için ortak atıf ve kaynakça eşleştirme analizi yapılmış; kavramsal yapı için de ortak kelime analizi ve tüketici kırılganlığının kesiştiği kavramların yıllara göre analizi ortaya konarak alanın bilimsel haritalaması yapılarak alandaki araştırmacılara ışık tutulmuştur.
Did the cia Kill Lumumba?
Authors: Rotberg Robert I.
Published: March 2023

Williams’ White Malice: The cia and the Covert Recolonization of Africa is a crusading examination of what the cia did in Africa in the 1960s, and it suggests that the cia, working closely with Congo army chief Joseph Mobutu and coordinating with secessionist leaders in Katanga, was responsible for Patrice Lumumba’s assassination. Recently uncovered hard evidence from cia files reveals the Agency’s connivings in, with, and against Africa and Africans during the first years of independence, involving cia station heads, accomplices, the many shady characters tasked with nasty deeds against African leaders, and those many miscreants who supplied information and surveillance about African political and industrial personalities. The book is a reminder of our misconceptions, our failures to read Africa well, our willingness to let ends dictate means, and a testament to blinkered policy making.
Entangled Poetics: Two Bioartists in the Anthropocene
Authors: Royston Anne M.
Published: March 2023

Poet-artists Christian Bök and Karin Bolender pose two interventions into bioart, with radically different conceptions of the nonhumans involved. In Böks Xenotext project (2002–present), a microbe becomes an archive and writing machine through DNA manipulation. Bolender’s The Unnaming of Aliass (2002–2020) documents her life with the ass Aliass and the unexpected results it yields. Both projects attempt to establish communication with nonhumans, but their approaches have drastically different consequences. Bök ultimately ends up reinscribing well-worn anthropocentric biases. In contrast, Bolender’s capacious version of animal husbandry moves away from machines and mastery over circumstances and animals, following a principle akin to Karen Barad’s “intra-action” to suggest a course correction for bioartists’ work with nonhumans.
SoundRunner: Out of the Starting Blocks
Authors: Berezan David G. , Karageorghis Costas I.
Published: March 2023

This paper presents a project in the art-science nexus. SoundRunner is a platform that exploits the potential of electroacoustic music to create an interactive sound- and music-making experience. The project investigates how data on running performance can be harnessed in real time to drive musical creation. A range of psychological indices (and associated analyses) is used to assess the effects of the SoundRunner platform on runners. Driven by health and well-being imperatives, the project served to augment running experience with unique sound and music. The paper discusses implications regarding running performance and the further technological development of SoundRunner.
Infinite Barnacle: The AI Image and Imagination in GANs from Personal Snapshots
Authors: Salvaggio Eryk
Published: March 2023

Today’s artificial intelligence image generation tools create images from datasets. These training sets are typically images sourced from the World Wide Web. However, artists may produce their own datasets from photographs. This essay explores one such process. In it, the artist discusses training a generative adversarial network (GAN) from images of personal memories. These images are shared here not as public artworks, but as personal photographs: snapshots reproduced and newly imagined by a machine. The essay explores the distortion that AI image generation introduces to memory and imagination, connecting ideas of photography to cybernetics to expose new ways of theorizing the image in the current stage of AI. It concludes that a theory of A imagery may borrow from theories of traditional photography but must examine its distinctions.
The Drive to Draw: Perceptual Attention and Communicative Intention
Authors: Riley Howard
Published: March 2023

This article argues that drawing facilitates an intelligence of seeing, a visualcy, that should be as important as literacy and numeracy at all levels of the educational curriculum. The author likens cave drawings c. 40,000 years ago to an “external hard drive,” alleviating biological constraints on brain capacity by preserving shareable information about predators and prey necessary for survival during a period of expanding social networks, ultimately leading to humans becoming the globally dominant species. The author reviews theories of visual perception, fundamental to any pedagogy of drawing; discusses modes of visual “attention,” defining the difference between “focused” and “distributed;” and relates both to intentional communication through drawing, the progenitor of writing.
Letters and Livelihood: R. Baḥya ben Asher’s Commentary on the Recitation of the Manna Story
Authors: Pinto Idan
Published: March 2023

This article studies kabbalistic interpretation of a ritual of unknown origin: the daily recitation of the manna episode (Exod 16:1–36). This episode foregrounds a major theme in the writings of R. Baḥya ben Asher ibn Halawa (c.1255–1340) and many other medieval kabbalists: the cyclical nature of sustaining existence. Baḥya’s interpretation builds on two primary sources: R. Jacob ben Sheshet Gerondi’s commentary on Ps 145 in his kabbalistic polemic Meshiv Devarim Nekhoḥim, and a hermeneutic tradition derived from Hasidic-Ashkenazi biblical exegesis. The article also examines roughly analogous works that illuminate Baḥya’s hermeneutical outlook.
River Defense and Fleet Building: The Song Navy in the Wars against the Jin and Mongol Forces
Authors: Li Xiaobing
Published: March 2023

The Song dynasty established a standing naval force, which was ignored by some historians since Song lost its defensive wars to the Jin and Mongol forces. This article examines improvements and innovations of Chinese naval operations during Song and pays particular attention to how the state economic reforms and state-centered financial system supported naval development. Song’s population growth and demographic changes also provided manpower for the government to maintain a huge army while establishing a large navy. As the new age of naval and siege warfare emerged, gunpowder weapons and new naval technology became more widespread. The Chinese military adapted to naval warfare during the Southern Song because it was economically and technologically possible. The south’s mastery of riverine warfare created a substantial defensive advantage against the north. Thus, when the Mongols later mastered riverine warfare, they penetrated throughout the south.
The Bacchius Fragment: A Critical Edition
Authors: Terzḗs Chrḗstos
Published: March 2023

Among the treatises on ancient music theory transmitted in the course of the manuscript tradition, a short excerpt stemmed from Bacchius’ Eisagōgē technēs mousikēs is located in seven medieval manuscripts, usually known as the ‘Bacchius fragment’, edited by Ruelle in 1875. The present paper investigates the manuscript tradition of the Bacchius fragment, dates the terminus ante quem of its compilation and restores its archetype; ultimately the Bacchius fragment is presented in a new critical edition with an English translation and commentary.
Inside the Hydra: Taking the Ancient Water Organ Seriously
Authors: Hagel Stefan
Published: March 2023

Although ancient sources describe the mechanism of the ancient water organ’s wind supply in considerable detail, modern attempts at recreating such a device have remained unsatisfactory. A study of the relations between the shape of the pressure chamber, its size, possible water levels and the ensuing usable air pressure and volume suggests that the true hydraulis played at much higher pressures than has been commonly assumed. Such pressures would support reed pipes much more readily than flue pipes; this, in turn, can explain the sound volume that we must expect from an instrument that was used in open spaces and inherently noisy environments.
A taxonomic review of the genus Physatocheila Fieber
(Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Tingidae) from the Korean Peninsula,
with description of a new species and a key to Korean Physatocheila species
Authors: JI HANKYUL , KIM JUNGGON , JANG GEUNHO , JUNG SUNGHOON
Published: March 2023

The genus Physatocheila Fieber is reviewed taxonomically from the Korean Peninsula, with a new species, Physatocheila koreaensis sp. nov. described. Morphological information such as the descriptions of adult specimens, male genitalia, and diagnoses are presented along with photographs. We also provide a key to the Korean Physatocheila species.
A new species of Nealiolus Mason, 1974 (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Brachistinae) from Brazilian Amazon Rainforest
Authors: SILVA ANTONIELSON B. , SHIMBORI EDUARDO M. , FERNANDES DANIELL R. R.
Published: March 2023

The genus Nealiolus Mason, 1974 (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) is recorded for the first time from Brazilian Amazon, and a new species Nealiolus politus Silva, Shimbori & Fernandes sp. n. is described. In addition, we provide illustrations and an identification key to all Brazilian species of Nealiolus.
Assessment and Management of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Pediatric Resident Perspectives on Training and Practice
Authors: Golson Megan E. , Brunson McClain Maryellen , O’Dell Sean M. , Gormley Matthew J. , Roanhorse Tyus T. , Yang Nai-Jiin , Kettlewell Paul , Shahidullah Jeffrey D.
Published: March 2023

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common presenting concern in primary care. This study examined the relationship between pediatric residency training program characteristics and residents’ ADHD knowledge, attitudes, and comfort in providing ADHD services. Given the familiarity that pediatric chief residents have with the training and experiences within their residency programs, a 30-item survey was mailed to pediatric chief residents. A total of 100 residents returned their surveys (response rate 49.5%) and were included in the descriptive quantitative and thematic qualitative analyses. The majority of participants rated their ADHD knowledge as at least average. However, approximately half of the participants were comfortable with screening, and less than half were comfortable with managing stimulant medication or behavioral treatments. Participants emphasized the importance of interprofessional collaboration, clinical experiences, and integrated ADHD education throughout training. These results emphasize the importance of improved training in screening, diagnosing, and managing ADHD to increase resident comfort regarding these practices.
Nonpublication and Selective Outcome Reporting of Oral Health Trials
Authors: Diakonoff H. , Khalil G. , Jungo S. , Treluyer J.M. , Fron-Chabouis H. , Smaïl-Faugeron V.
Published: March 2023

Less than one-quarter of oral health trials are registered in a public registry. However, no study has assessed the extent of study publication and selective outcome reporting bias in the field of oral health. We identified oral health trials registered between 2006 and 2016 in ClinicalTrials.gov. We assessed whether results of early discontinued trials, trials having an unknown status, and completed trials had been published and, among published trials, whether outcomes differed between the registered record and the corresponding publication. We included 1,399 trials, of which 81 (5.8%) were discontinued, 247 (17.7%) had an unknown status, and 1,071 (76.6%) were completed. The registration was prospective for 719 (51.9%) trials. Over half the registered trials were unpublished ( n = 793, 56.7%). To explore the association between trials publication and characteristics of trials, we performed a multivariate logistic regression analysis. Trials conducted in the United States ( P = 0.003) or Brazil ( P < 0.001) were associated with increased odds of publication, whereas trials registered prospectively ( P = 0.001) and industry-sponsored trials ( P = 0.02) were associated with decreased odds. Among the 479 published trials with completed status, the primary outcomes of 215 (44.9%) articles differed from that registered. Major discrepancies consisted of the introduction of a new primary outcome in the published article (196 [91.2%]) and the transformation of a registered secondary outcome into a primary outcome (112 [52.1%]). In the remaining 264 (55.1%) trials, primary outcomes did not differ from that registered, but 141 (53.4%) had been registered retrospectively. Our study highlights the high rate of nonpublication and selective outcome reporting in the field of oral health. These results could alert sponsors, funders, authors of systematic reviews, and the oral health research community at large to combat the nondisclosure of trial results.
The study of double-J stent free mode of flexible ureteroscopy and laser lithotripsy: a single centre experience
Authors: Xu Ming , Han Xiaoyun , Zhu Jin , Sun Chuanyang , Tao Wei , Xue Boxin
Published: March 2023

Objective

To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of flexible ureteroscopy in the treatment of kidney and upper ureteral calculi under double-J stent free mode.

Methods

Data from patients who underwent flexible ureteroscopy and laser lithotripsy between February 2018 and September 2021 were retrospectively and analysed. Cases were grouped according to pre- or postoperative use of the double-J stent (6 Fr): Post-F group (preoperative double-J stent but no postoperative double-J stent); Pre-F group (no preoperative stenting but with postoperative double-J stent); and Routine group (preoperative and postoperative double-J stenting).

Results

A total of 554 patients (390 male and 164 female) were included. The mean operation time was similar between the three groups, with no statistically significant difference. Incidence of grade 0–1 ureteral injury was significantly higher in the Pre-F group versus other groups, but there were no significant between-group differences in other operation-related complications. During follow-up, stent-associated complications were observed in the Pre-F and Routine groups, but not in the Post-F group. Stone clearance rates were similar between all groups at 1, 3 and 6 months following surgery.

Conclusions

Flexible ureteroscopy using double-J stent free mode was found to be safe, feasible and effective in treating renal and upper ureteral calculi.
Detection of periprosthetic fractures around the femoral stem by resonance frequency analysis: An in vitro study
Authors: Poudrel Anne-Sophie , Rosi Giuseppe , Nguyen Vu-Hieu , Housset Victor , Flouzat-Lachaniette Charles-Henri , Haiat Guillaume
Published: March 2023

Periprosthetic femoral bone fractures are frequent complications of Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA) and may occur during the insertion of uncemented Femoral Stems (FS), due to the nature of the press-fit fixation. Such fracture may lead to the surgical failure of the THA and require a revision surgery, which may have dramatic consequences. Therefore, an early detection of intra-operative fractures is important to avoid worsening the fracture and/or to enable a peroperative treatment. The aim of this in vitro study is to determine the sensitivity of a method based on resonance frequency analysis of the bone-stem-ancillary system for periprosthetic fractures detection. A periprosthetic fracture was artificially created close to the lesser-trochanter of 10 femoral bone mimicking phantoms. The bone-stem-ancillary resonance frequencies in the range (2–12) kHz were measured on an ancillary instrumented with piezoelectric sensors, which was fixed to the femoral stem. The measurements were repeated for different fracture lengths from 4 to 55 mm. The results show a decrease of the resonance frequencies due to the fracture occurrence and propagation. The frequency shift reached up to 170 Hz. The minimum fracture length that can be detected varies from [Formula: see text] mm to [Formula: see text] mm according to the mode and to the specimen. A significantly higher sensitivity ( p = 0.011) was obtained for a resonance frequency around 10.6 kHz, corresponding to a mode vibrating in a plane perpendicular to the fracture. This study opens new paths toward the development of non-invasive vibration-based methods for intra-operative periprosthetic fractures detection.
Fecal S100A12 concentrations in cats with chronic enteropathies
Authors: Zornow Kailee A , Slovak Jennifer E , Lidbury Jonathan A , Suchodolski Jan S , Steiner Joerg M
Published: March 2023

Objectives

The aim of this study was to compare fecal S100A12 concentrations in cats diagnosed with chronic enteropathy (CE) with healthy control cats.

Methods

This was a prospective, cross-sectional study. Forty-nine cats that had gastrointestinal signs for >3 weeks and a complete diagnostic work-up, including bloodwork, abdominal ultrasound and upper and/or lower gastrointestinal endoscopic biopsies, were enrolled into the CE group. Nineteen cats from the CE group were diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or chronic inflammatory enteropathy (CIE) and 30 with alimentary lymphoma (LSA), based on histopathology results and additional testing with immunohistochemistry or molecular clonality testing with PCR if indicated. Nineteen apparently healthy control cats were included in the study. One fecal sample was collected from each cat and S100A12 concentrations were quantified by an analytically validated in-house ELISA.

Results

Fecal S100A12 concentrations differed between cats with LSA (median 110 ng/g; interquartile range [IQR] 18-548) and control cats (median 4 ng/g; IQR 2-25 [ P <0.001]) and between cats with IBD (median 34 ng/g; IQR 15–973) and control cats ( P <0.003). S100A12 concentrations in CE cats (median 94 ng/g; IQR 16–548) were statistically significantly higher compared with control cats ( P <0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) to separate healthy cats from CE cats was 0.81 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.70–0.92) and was statistically significant ( P <0.001). The AUROC to separate cats with IBD from cats with LSA was 0.51 (95% CI 0.34–0.68) and was not statistically significant ( P = 0.9).

Conclusions and relevance

Fecal S100A12 concentrations at the time of diagnostic investigation were higher in cats with CIE and LSA than in healthy controls but did not differ between cats with LSA and those with CIE/IBD. This study is an initial step toward evaluating a novel non-invasive marker of feline CIE. Further studies are needed to determine the diagnostic utility of fecal S100A12 concentrations in cats with CE, including comparing cats with IBD/CIE and LSA, and to compare them with cats with extra-gastrointestinal disease.
Characteristics of orthognathic multidisciplinary team clinics in England. Part 2: A qualitative study
Authors: Paul Ninu R , Rolland Sarah L
Published: March 2023

Objective:

The aim of the study was to explore the orthodontist’s perspective of the strengths and weaknesses of their current multidisciplinary team (MDT) design for orthognathic treatment.

Participants and methods:

This was a qualitative study using online interviews of orthodontic consultants across England. The data were analysed using thematic analysis. This was the second part of a two-part study, where the first part, an online questionnaire survey, identified the variation in design of orthognathic MDTs across England and was the source of the 19 participants for this study.

Results:

Seven themes were identified that influenced the design of orthognathic MDTs across England. Close working relationship with the team, access to closed surgery space to conduct the MDT and access to 3D planning were identified as definite strengths of some MDT clinics. Lack of a team psychologist and long waiting lists were identified as weaknesses of some orthognathic MDTs. Teaching and training within MDT clinics were highlighted as a strength of MDTs where surgery spaces were not restricted due to the pandemic. Finally, there was general agreement about revising the orthognathic minimum dataset for records collection as it was not thought to be in the patient’s best interest.

Conclusion:

This study was able to identify key areas considered to be determinants of a successful orthognathic MDT design from the orthodontic consultant’s perspective. Orthodontic consultants across England prioritised the need for a psychologist in the orthognathic MDT to improve the effectiveness of these clinics.
The BEST Conceivable Way to Talk About Epilepsy Biomarkers
Authors: Gliske Stephen V. , Stacey William C.
Published: March 2023

The search for valid biomarkers to aid in epilepsy diagnosis and management is a major goal of the Epilepsy Research Benchmarks. Many papers and grants answer this call by searching for new biomarkers from a wide range of disciplines. However, the academic use of the word “biomarker” is often imprecise. Without proper definition, such work is not well-prepared to progress to the next step of translating these biomarkers into clinical use. In 2016, the Food and Drug Administration and National Institutes of Health collaborated to develop the BEST (Biomarkers, EndpointS, and other Tools) Resource as a guide to adopt formal definitions that aid in pushing successful biomarkers toward regulatory approval. Using the vignette of high-frequency oscillations, which have been proposed as a potential biomarker of several potential aspects of epilepsy, we demonstrate how improper use of the term “biomarker,” and lack of a clear context of use, can lead to confusion and difficulty obtaining regulatory approval. Similar conditions are likely in many areas of biomarker research. This Resource should be adopted by all researchers developing epilepsy biomarkers. Adopting the BEST guidelines will improve reproducibility, guide research objectives toward translation, and better target the Epilepsy Benchmarks.
Immersive Live Streaming of Surgery Using 360-Degree Video to Head-Mounted Virtual Reality Devices: A New Paradigm in Surgical Education
Authors: Gandsas Alejandro , Dorey Trevor , Park Adrian
Published: March 2023

Background

Prior studies have demonstrated the value of live streamed surgical procedures in surgical education and that learning is further enhanced with the use of 360-degree video. Emerging virtual reality (VR) technology now offers yet another advancement by placing learners in an immersive environment, which can improve both engagement and procedural learning.

Aims

The aim here is to test the feasibility of live streaming surgery in immersive virtual reality using consumer-level technology, including stream stability and impacts on case duration.

Methodology

Ten laparoscopic procedures were live-streamed in a 360-degree immersive VR format over a 3-week period for viewing by surgical residents in a remote location wearing a head-mounted display. Stream quality, stability and latency were monitored, and operating room time was compared to non-streamed surgeries to quantify impacts on procedure times.

Conclusions

This novel live streaming configuration was able to deliver high-quality, low-latency video directly to a VR platform, allowing complete immersion into the learning environment by remote learners. Live streaming surgical procedures in an immersive VR format provides an efficient, cost-effective, and reproducible way to teleport remote learners from any location directly into the operating room.
Can elbow arthroscopic posterior portals damage the anconeus nerve? A cadaveric study
Authors: Colozza Alessandra , Cavaciocchi Michele , Perna Luigi , Artioli Elena , Mazzotti Antonio , Faldini Cesare
Published: March 2023

Background

Neurological injuries are among the most reported complications of elbow arthroscopy. Several cadaveric studies have assessed the relationship between nerves and arthroscopic portals. To our knowledge, no studies evaluated the anconeus nerve. This anatomic study aimed to identify the course of the anconeus nerve and to investigate its anatomic relation with posterior elbow portals, providing useful information to preserve it during surgery.

Methods

Twelve fresh frozen elbows were dissected to isolate the radial nerve and its branch to the anconeus muscle. Distances between the anconeus nerve, olecranon tip, and lateral epicondyle were measured. Posterior, posterolateral and soft spot portals were created and their proximity to the nerve was measured.

Results

The anconeus nerve showed an average distance from the lateral epicondyle of 19.67 mm (SD 1.44 mm) and from the olecranon of 22.33 mm (SD 1.72 mm). The posterolateral portal was 1 mm medial to the nerve. The soft spot portal was located where the nerve enters the muscle.

Discussion

An important finding of this study was the closeness between the anconeus nerve and the posterolateral and soft spot portals, resulting in a high risk of nerve damage. More medial placement of the posterolateral portal may avoid anconeus nerve injury and consequent muscle denervation.
An online survey of postmenopausal women to determine their attitudes and knowledge of the menopause
Authors: Aljumah Rawan , Phillips Samantha , Harper Joyce C
Published: March 2023

Objective

To explore postmenopausal women’s attitudes and knowledge of the menopause.

Study design

An online survey to evaluate women’s attitudes and knowledge of the menopause, promoted via social media. In this study, only the data from 829 women who identified as postmenopausal were analysed.

Main outcome measures

Quantitative and qualitative data.

Results

Regarding women’s attitudes towards the menopause before they went through it, 18.0% were accepting of it, 15.8% were dreading it and 5.1% were looking forward to it. 38.1% of women felt that the menopause was difficult, 24.6% felt it was very difficult and 20.7% felt it was fine. 94.1% of women had never been taught about the menopause at school, and 49.0% did not feel informed at all about the menopause. More than 60% started looking for information regarding menopause as their symptoms started. The qualitative thematic analysis of the participants’ responses produced six themes: the need for education, knowledge and understanding of symptoms, why is getting treatment so difficult, feelings and attitudes towards the menopause, the impact of menopause on a woman’s life, the importance of the media – are they getting it right.

Conclusion

Women’s lack of education and their healthcare professionals’ lack of adequate training on the menopause means that women enter this critical life stage uneducated and unsupported. It is vital that everyone is taught about the menopause and that general practitioners receive proper training. The negative narrative of menopause needs to be re-addressed to normalise the menopause and give postmenopause women hope.
Exploring Young Peoples’ Sexual Behaviours and the Underlying Factors in East Africa: A Review of Literature from Four Countries
Authors: Kamangu Ahmad A. , Myeya Helena E.
Published: March 2023

This study is an attempt to examine the patterns of sexual behaviours and the underlying factors among young people in East Africa aged between 10 and 24 years from four countries of Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda. The study reviewed 60 relevant pieces of literature from electronic databases that have examined the objective understudy from different regions. Out of 60 studies reviewed, 31 had specific information from four selected countries in East Africa. The studies were published in English and peer-reviewed journals covering from 2010 through 2021. The current study followed a five-stage methodological framework and the reviewed studies were grouped according to the specific objectives of the current study. The findings that emerged from the review were classified into five main themes which are age at first sex, forms of sexual practices, number of sexual partners and condom use during pre-marital partnerships. The reviewed studies revealed that initiation of sexual debut among young people in East Africa occurs at younger and slightly different ages. Studies have depicted that young people in the region are involved in a wider range of sexual practices ranging from non-coital to coital. Moreover, the reviewed studies have also documented a high level of knowledge about condom availability with low and inconsistent use among adolescents in the region. Furthermore, the reviewed studies have depicted that many adolescents in these countries are engaging in multiple sexual partnerships. A multitude of factors has been reported to influence the prevalence of observed sexual behaviours among adolescents. The study concludes that young East African adolescents are engaging in risky sexual behaviours. Given their numerical strength and indeed the understanding that they are the future of the nations, it is recommended that countries in the region have to invest fully in their education and health by providing comprehensive sexual health education. This should be accompanied by supplying effective reproductive health services at their disposal. Failure on that, many young people in this region will continue to be predisposed to several sexual and reproductive health problems that would negatively shutter not only their dreams but also cripple the family well being and the nation’s development.
Oxidative DNA damage in reconstituting T cells is associated with relapse and inferior survival after allo-SCT
Authors: Karl F. , Liang C. , Böttcher-Loschinski R. , Stoll A. , Flamann C. , Richter S. , Lischer C. , Völkl S. , Jacobs B. , Böttcher M. , Jitschin R. , Bruns H. , Fischer T. , Holler E. , Rösler W. , Dandekar T. , Mackensen A. , Mougiakakos D.
Published: March 2023

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) is the only curative treatment option for a number of hematologic malignancies. Its therapeutic potential relies on the potency of donor T cells to eliminate residual malignant cells, the so-called graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effect. Disease relapse remains the most frequent treatment failure and is associated with poor outcome. Therefore, it is inevitable to decipher mechanisms that weaken GVL. In recent years, studies of tumor biology have revealed that metabolic remodeling of the micromilieu can critically regulate immune responses. Accumulation of reactive oxygen species leads to a metabolic condition known as oxidative stress, which can severely hamper T cells. Currently, only a few studies, mainly using preclinical models, have demonstrated the occurrence of oxidative stress after allo-SCTs. Therefore, we sought to investigate oxidative stress in a well-characterized group of patients who underwent allo-SCT and its impact on reconstituting T cells. We identified high concentrations of serum 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) as an established biomarker for oxidative stress. 8-OHdG is one of the major products of DNA oxidation, which is normally rapidly removed. After allo-SCT, T cells accumulated oxidative DNA damage. High cellular 8-OHdG content (8-OHdGhi) was associated not only with signs of enhanced T-cell activation but also premature exhaustion. The inability of 8-OHdGhi T cells to efficiently target malignant cells or produce cytotoxic granzyme B and interferon gamma was associated with a significantly increased relapse risk and a shorter overall survival. Taken together, our novel findings could give reason to focus on bolstering DNA repair in reconstituting T cells as a means to improve GVL efficacy.
Discrete patterns of microbiome variability across timescales in a wild rodent population
Authors: Fenn Jonathan , Taylor Christopher , Goertz Sarah , Wanelik Klara M. , Paterson Steve , Begon Mike , Jackson Joe , Bradley Jan
Published: March 2023

Mammalian gastrointestinal microbiomes are highly variable, both within individuals and across populations, with changes linked to time and ageing being widely reported. Discerning patterns of change in wild mammal populations can therefore prove challenging. We used high-throughput community sequencing methods to characterise the microbiome of wild field voles (Microtus agrestis) from faecal samples collected across 12 live-trapping field sessions, and then at cull. Changes in α- and β-diversity were modelled over three timescales. Short-term differences (following 1–2 days captivity) were analysed between capture and cull, to ascertain the degree to which the microbiome can change following a rapid change in environment. Medium-term changes were measured between successive trapping sessions (12–16 days apart), and long-term changes between the first and final capture of an individual (from 24 to 129 days). The short period between capture and cull was characterised by a marked loss of species richness, while over medium and long-term in the field, richness slightly increased. Changes across both short and long timescales indicated shifts from a Firmicutes-dominant to a Bacteroidetes-dominant microbiome. Dramatic changes following captivity indicate that changes in microbiome diversity can be rapid, following a change of environment (food sources, temperature, lighting etc.). Medium- and long-term patterns of change indicate an accrual of gut bacteria associated with ageing, with these new bacteria being predominately represented by Bacteroidetes. While the patterns of change observed are unlikely to be universal to wild mammal populations, the potential for analogous shifts across timescales should be considered whenever studying wild animal microbiomes. This is especially true if studies involve animal captivity, as there are potential ramifications both for animal health, and the validity of the data itself as a reflection of a ‘natural’ state of an animal.
A novel TF molecular switch-mechanism found in two contrasting ecotypes of a psammophyte, Agriophyllum squarrosum, in regulating transcriptional drought memory
Authors: Fang Tingzhou , Qian Chaoju , Daoura Bachir Goudia , Yan Xia , Fan Xingke , Zhao Pengshu , Liao Yuqiu , Shi Liang , Chang Yuxiao , Ma Xiao-Fei
Published: March 2023

Background

Prior drought stress may change plants response patterns and subsequently increase their tolerance to the same condition, which can be referred to as “drought memory” and proved essential for plants well-being. However, the mechanism of transcriptional drought memory in psammophytes remains unclear. Agriophyllum squarrosum, a pioneer species on mobile dunes, is widely spread in Northern China’s vast desert areas with outstanding ability of water use efficiency. Here we conducted dehydration-rehydration treatment on A. squarrosum semi-arid land ecotype AEX and arid land ecotype WW to dissect the drought memory mechanism of A. squarrosum, and to determine the discrepancy in drought memory of two contrasting ecotypes that had long adapted to water heterogeneity.

Result

Physiological traits monitoring unveiled the stronger ability and longer duration in drought memory of WW than that of AEX. A total of 1,642 and 1,339 drought memory genes (DMGs) were identified in ecotype AEX and WW, respectively. Furthermore, shared DMGs among A. squarrosum and the previously studied species depicted that drought memory commonalities in higher plants embraced pathways like primary and secondary metabolisms; while drought memory characteristics in A. squarrosum were mainly related to response to heat, high light intensity, hydrogen peroxide, and dehydration, which might be due to local adaptation to desert circumstances. Heat shock proteins (HSPs) occupied the center of the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network in drought memory transcription factors (TF), thus playing a key regulatory role in A. squarrosum drought memory. Co-expression analysis of drought memory TFs and DMGs uncovered a novel regulating module, whereby pairs of TFs might function as molecular switches in regulating DMG transforming between high and low expression levels, thus promoting drought memory reset.

Conclusion

Based on the co-expression analysis, protein-protein interaction prediction, and drought memory metabolic network construction, a novel regulatory module of transcriptional drought memory in A. squarrosum was hypothesized here, whereby recurrent drought signal is activated by primary TF switches, then amplified by secondary amplifiers, and thus regulates downstream complicated metabolic networks. The present research provided valuable molecular resources on plants’ stress-resistance basis and shed light on drought memory in A. squarrosum.
Economic model of community-based falls prevention: seeking methodological solutions in evaluating the efficiency and equity of UK guideline recommendations
Authors: Kwon Joseph , Squires Hazel , Young Tracey
Published: March 2023

Background

Falls significantly harm geriatric health and impose substantial costs on care systems and wider society. Decision modelling can inform the commissioning of falls prevention but face methodological challenges, including: (1) capturing non-health outcomes and societal intervention costs; (2) considering heterogeneity and dynamic complexity; (3) considering theories of human behaviour and implementation; and (4) considering issues of equity. This study seeks methodological solutions in developing a credible economic model of community-based falls prevention for older persons (aged 60 +) to inform local falls prevention commissioning as recommended by UK guidelines.

Methods

A framework for conceptualising public health economic models was followed. Conceptualisation was conducted in Sheffield as a representative local health economy. Model parameterisation used publicly available data including English Longitudinal Study of Ageing and UK-based falls prevention trials. Key methodological developments in operationalising a discrete individual simulation model included: (1) incorporating societal outcomes including productivity, informal caregiving cost, and private care expenditure; (2) parameterising dynamic falls-frailty feedback loop whereby falls influence long-term outcomes via frailty progression; (3) incorporating three parallel prevention pathways with unique eligibility and implementation conditions; and (4) assessing equity impacts through distributional cost-effectiveness analysis (DCEA) and individual-level lifetime outcomes (e.g., number reaching ‘fair innings’). Guideline-recommended strategy (RC) was compared against usual care (UC). Probabilistic sensitivity, subgroup, and scenario analyses were conducted.

Results

RC had 93.4% probability of being cost-effective versus UC at cost-effectiveness threshold of £20,000 per QALY gained under 40-year societal cost-utility analysis. It increased productivity and reduced private expenditure and informal caregiving cost, but productivity gain and private expenditure reduction were outstripped by increases in intervention time opportunity costs and co-payments, respectively. RC reduced inequality delineated by socioeconomic status quartile. Gains in individual-level lifetime outcomes were small. Younger geriatric age groups can cross-subsidise their older peers for whom RC is cost-ineffective. Removing the falls-frailty feedback made RC no longer efficient or equitable versus UC.

Conclusion

Methodological advances addressed several key challenges associated with falls prevention modelling. RC appears cost-effective and equitable versus UC. However, further analyses should confirm whether RC is optimal versus other potential strategies and investigate feasibility issues including capacity implications.
New stress-induced hyperglycaemia markers predict prognosis in patients after mechanical thrombectomy
Authors: Sun Yi , Guo Yapeng , Ji Yachen , Wu Kangfei , Wang Hao , Yuan Lili , Yang Ke , Yang Qian , Huang Xianjun , Zhou Zhiming
Published: March 2023

Objective

Stress-induced hyperglycaemia (SIH) is a frequent phenomenon that occurs in patients with acute ischaemic stroke. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between SIH and the prognosis of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) patients according to the stress hyperglycemia ratio (SHR) and glycaemic gap (GG) indicators, as well as explore its relationship with haemorrhagic transformation (HT).

Methods

Patients were enrolled from January 2019 to September 2021 in our centre. SHR was calculated as fasting blood glucose divided by the A1c-derived average glucose (ADAG). GG was calculated as fasting blood glucose minus ADAG. Logistic regression was used to analyse SHR, GG with outcome and HT.

Results

A total of 423 patients were enrolled in the study. The incidence of SIH was as follows: 191/423 of patients with SHR > 0.89, 169/423 of patients with GG > -0.53. SHR > 0.89 (OR: 2.247, 95% CI: 1.344–3.756, P = 0.002) and GG>-0.53 (OR: 2.305, 95% CI: 1.370–3.879, P = 0.002) were both associated with poor outcomes (modified Rankin Scale > 2) at Day 90 and an increase risk of HT. Additionlly, receiver operating characteristic curves were used to assess the predictive performance of the SHR and GG on outcomes. The area under the curve for SHR to predict poor outcomes was 0.691, with an optimal cut-off value of 0.89. The area under the curve for GG was 0.682, with an optimal cut-off value of -0.53.

Conclusion

High SHR and high GG are strongly associated with poor 90-day prognosis in MT patients and an increased risk of HT.
Analysis of 2-year spherical equivalent progression in emmetropic children with non-cycloplegic refraction: a retrospective chart review
Authors: Kim Yoo Jin , Kim Tae Gi
Published: March 2023

Background

We aimed to investigate children with an emmetropic non-cycloplegic refraction (NCR) to compare the difference in progression of NC spherical equivalent (SE) over 2 years between the children with emmetropic and hyperopic cycloplegic refraction (CR) values.

Methods

Through a retrospective medical record review, 59 children aged under 10 years were evaluated. Refractive error was calculated as the average of the SE values of both eyes. According to the CR results, children with emmetropia (-0.50 to 1.00 diopter [D]) were assigned to group 1 (n = 29), and those with hyperopia (≥ 1.00 D) were assigned to group 2 (n = 30). The prevalence of myopia and SE progression were compared over 2 years. Correlations between final SE progression and baseline age and refractive error were analyzed and multiple regression analysis was conducted. Receiver operating characteristic curves that achieved the best cutoff points to distinguish between the groups were calculated.

Results

Group 1 showed significantly myopic SE changes compared to baseline at the 1-year follow-up, and group 1 was significantly myopic compared with group 2 at the 2-year follow-up. Myopia prevalence was 51.7% in group 1 and 6.7% in group 2 after 1 year, and 61.1% and 16.7% after 2 years, respectively. In the correlation analysis, baseline age, baseline CR, and difference between CR and NCR showed significant correlations with the 2-year SE progression (r = -0.359, p = 0.005; r = 0.450, p < 0.001; r = -0.562, p < 0.001, respectively). However, NCR refractive error showed no significant correlation (r = -0.097, p = 0.468). In multiple regression analysis, baseline age (β= -0.082), and CR-NCR difference (β= -0.214) showed a significant effect on SE progression for 2 years. When an NCR value of 0.20 D was set as the cut-off value to distinguish between the groups, a sensitivity of 70% and specificity of 92% were obtained.

Conclusion

Even if NCR showed emmetropia, children with baseline CR values of emmetropia showed greater SE progression compared with those with hyperopia. Cycloplegia is essential to confirm the correct refractive status in children. It may be useful for predicting prognosis of SE progression.
Assessment of bladder pressure and discomfort symptoms: How do overactive bladder differ from interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome patients?
Authors: Gousse Angelíca , Vetter Joel , Lai H. Henry
Published: March 2023

Background

To better understand the sensation of bladder “pressure” and “discomfort”, and how they are similar or distinct from the “pain” and “urgency” symptoms in IC/BPS and OAB.

Methods

IC/BPS and OAB patients rated their bladder pain, pressure, discomfort, and urinary urgency on separate 0–10 numeric rating scales (NRS). Their NRS ratings were compared between IC/BPS and OAB, and Pearson correlations were performed.

Results

Among IC/BPS patients (n = 27), their mean numeric ratings of pain, pressure, discomfort, and urinary urgency were almost identical (6.6 ± 2.1, 6.0 ± 2.5, 6.5 ± 2.2, and 6.0 ± 2.8 respectively). The three-way correlations between pain, pressure, or discomfort were very strong (all > 0.77). Among OAB patients (n = 51), their mean numeric ratings of pain, pressure, and discomfort (2.0 ± 2.6, 3.4 ± 2.9, 3.4 ± 2.9) were significantly lower than urgency (6.1 ± 2.6, p < 0.001). The correlations between urgency and pain, and between urgency and pressure were weak in OAB (0.21 and 0.26). The correlation between urgency and discomfort was moderate in OAB (0.45). The most bothersome symptom of IC/BPS was bladder/pubic pain, while the most bothersome symptom of OAB was urinary urgency and daytime frequency.

Conclusions

IC/BPS patients interpreted bladder pain, pressure, or discomfort as the similar concepts and rated their intensity similarly. It is unclear whether pressure or discomfort provide additional information beyond pain in IC/BPS. Discomfort may also be confused with urgency in OAB. We should re-examine the descriptors pressure or discomfort in the IC/BPS case definition.