bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gene polymorphism as a cause of hemorrhagic complications in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation treated with oral vitamin K-independent anticoagulants
Authors: Abdrakhmanov Ayan , Shaimerdinova Aizhana , Suleimen Zhanasyl , Abildinova Svetlana , Albayev Rustam , Tuyakova Gulnar , Rib Elena , Beysenbayeva Akmaral , Kabduyeva Gulden , Bekbossynova Makhabbat
Published: May 2024

Atrial fibrillation (AF) accounts for 40% of all cardiac arrhythmias and is associated with a high risk of stroke and systemic thromboembolic complications. Dabigatran, rivaroxaban, apixaban, and edoxaban are direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) that have been proven to prevent stroke in patients with non-valvular AF. This review summarizes the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and drug interactions of DOACs, as well as new data from pharmacogenetic studies of these drugs. This review is aimed at analyzing the scientific literature on the gene polymorphisms involved in the metabolism of DOACs. We searched PubMed, Cochrane, Google Scholar, and CyberLeninka (Russian version) databases with keywords: ‘dabigatran’, ‘apixaban’, ‘rivaroxaban’, ‘edoxaban’, ‘gene polymorphism’, ‘pharmacogenetics’, ‘ ABCB1’, ‘ CES1’, ‘ SULT1A’, ‘ ABCG2’, and ‘ CYP3A4’. The articles referred for this review include (1) full-text articles; (2) study design with meta-analysis, an observational study in patients taking DOAC; and (3) data on the single-nucleotide polymorphisms and kinetic parameters of DOACs (plasma concentration), or a particular clinical outcome, published in English and Russian languages during the last 10 years. The ages of the patients ranged from 18 to 75 years. Out of 114 reviewed works, 24 were found eligible. As per the available pharmacogenomic data, polymorphisms affecting DOACs are different. This may aid in developing individual approaches to optimize DOAC pharmacotherapy to reduce the risk of hemorrhagic complications. However, large-scale population studies are required to determine the dosage of the new oral anticoagulants based on genotyping. Information on the genetic effects is limited owing to the lack of large-scale studies. Uncovering the mechanisms of the genetic basis of sensitivity to DOACs helps in developing personalized therapy based on patient-specific genetic variants and improves the efficacy and safety of DOACs in the general population.
Eosinophilic esophagitis in adults and adolescents: epidemiology, diagnostic challenges, and management strategies for a type 2 inflammatory disease
Authors: Savarino Edoardo Vincenzo , Barbara Giovanni , Bilò Maria Beatrice , De Bortoli Nicola , Di Sabatino Antonio , Oliva Salvatore , Penagini Roberto , Racca Francesca , Tortora Annalisa , Rumi Filippo , Cicchetti Americo
Published: May 2024

Background:

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is recognized as a chronic type 2 inflammatory disease characterized by the eosinophilic infiltration of the esophageal tissue, posing a significant disease burden and highlighting the necessity for novel management strategies to address unmet clinical needs.

Objectives:

To critically evaluate the existing literature on the epidemiology and management of EoE, identify evidence gaps, and assess the efficacy of current and emerging treatment modalities.

Design:

An extensive literature review was conducted, focusing on the epidemiological trends, diagnostic challenges, and therapeutic interventions for EoE. This was complemented by a survey among physicians and consultations with a scientific expert panel, including a patient’s association (ESEO Italia), to enrich the study findings.

Data sources and methods:

The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, scrutinizing epidemiological studies and management research to compile comprehensive insights into the disease’s landscape. The physician survey and expert panel discussions aimed to bridge identified evidence gaps.

Results:

The review included 59 epidemiological and 51 management studies, uncovering variable incidence and prevalence rates of EoE globally, with an estimated diagnosed prevalence of 41 per 100,000 in Italy. Diagnostic challenges were identified, including nonspecific symptoms and the lack of definitive biomarkers, which complicate the use of endoscopy. Treatment options such as elimination diets, proton-pump inhibitors, and swallowed corticosteroids were found to have varying success rates, while Dupilumab, an emerging therapy targeting interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13, shows promise.

Conclusion:

Despite advancements in understanding and managing EoE, significant unmet clinical needs remain, particularly in biomarker identification, therapy personalization, and cost-effectiveness evaluation. A comprehensive, multidimensional approach to patient management is required, emphasizing the importance of early symptom recognition, accurate diagnosis, and tailored treatment strategies. Dupilumab offers potential as a novel treatment, underscoring the need for future research to explore the economic and social dimensions of EoE care pathways.
Deep learning and minimally invasive inflammatory activity assessment: a proof-of-concept study for development and score correlation of a panendoscopy convolutional network
Authors: Cardoso Pedro , Mascarenhas Miguel , Afonso João , Ribeiro Tiago , Mendes Francisco , Martins Miguel , Andrade Patrícia , Cardoso Hélder , Mascarenhas Saraiva Miguel , Ferreira João P.S. , Macedo Guilherme
Published: May 2024

Background:

Capsule endoscopy (CE) is a valuable tool for assessing inflammation in patients with Crohn’s disease (CD). The current standard for evaluating inflammation are validated scores (and clinical laboratory values) like Lewis score (LS), Capsule Endoscopy Crohn’s Disease Activity Index (CECDAI), and ELIAKIM. Recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI) have made it possible to automatically select the most relevant frames in CE.

Objectives:

In this proof-of-concept study, our objective was to develop an automated scoring system using CE images to objectively grade inflammation.

Design:

Pan-enteric CE videos (PillCam Crohn’s) performed in CD patients between 09/2020 and 01/2023 were retrospectively reviewed and LS, CECDAI, and ELIAKIM scores were calculated.

Methods:

We developed a convolutional neural network-based automated score consisting of the percentage of positive frames selected by the algorithm (for small bowel and colon separately). We correlated clinical data and the validated scores with the artificial intelligence-generated score (AIS).

Results:

A total of 61 patients were included. The median LS was 225 (0–6006), CECDAI was 6 (0–33), ELIAKIM was 4 (0–38), and SB_AIS was 0.5659 (0–29.45). We found a strong correlation between SB_AIS and LS, CECDAI, and ELIAKIM scores (Spearman’s r = 0.751, r = 0.707, r = 0.655, p = 0.001). We found a strong correlation between LS and ELIAKIM ( r = 0.768, p = 0.001) and a very strong correlation between CECDAI and LS ( r = 0.854, p = 0.001) and CECDAI and ELIAKIM scores ( r = 0.827, p = 0.001).

Conclusion:

Our study showed that the AI-generated score had a strong correlation with validated scores indicating that it could serve as an objective and efficient method for evaluating inflammation in CD patients. As a preliminary study, our findings provide a promising basis for future refining of a CE score that may accurately correlate with prognostic factors and aid in the management and treatment of CD patients.
Virtual reality use in pediatric patients for orthopedic clinical procedures: A randomized prospective trial of efficacy
Authors: Desai Bhumit , Newcomb Nicholas , Plost Brielle , Waldron Sean , Sarkar Korak , Haber Lawrence
Published: May 2024

Background:

Distraction therapy use such as virtual reality is novel in the pediatric orthopedic field. In this study, we use subjective and objective metrics to evaluate virtual reality efficacy to reduce anxiety and pain in a pediatric orthopedic cohort.

Methods:

A prospective randomized controlled trial included patients between age 5 and 17 years, presenting to a tertiary care pediatric orthopedic clinic. Parallel groups underwent orthopedic procedures in clinic, utilizing immersive and interactive virtual reality distraction therapies versus standard of care. Procedures included cast application, cast removal, bone pin removal, and fracture reduction. All preprocedure parameters were similar between the groups. Primary outcome was the difference between maximum procedural heart rate and baseline. Secondary outcomes included Wong Baker FACES Rating Scale (Wong & Baker, 1988, Oklahoma, USA) for pain and Visual Analog Scale scores for anxiety.

Results:

Ninety-five patients (66 M, 29 F) underwent 59 cast removals, 26 cast applications, 7 percutaneous pin removals, and 3 fracture reductions. Average patient age in the virtual reality and control cohorts was 10.1 (5–17) and 10.6 (5–17), respectively. Average change in maximum heart rate in the virtual reality and control groups was 10.6 ± 10.1 versus 18.4 ± 11.0 (p = 0.00048). The virtual reality group demonstrated trends toward lower perceived anxiety (1.7 ± 2.8 versus 2.9 ± 3.6, p = 0.0666) when compared to controls.

Conclusions:

This level 1 study is the first to utilize objective biometric measurements to evaluate use of interactive virtual reality during multiple types of pediatric orthopedic procedures in the clinical setting. The findings suggest that an interactive and immersive virtual reality experience can be effective in reducing pain and anxiety.

Level of evidence:

Level 1, Randomized Controlled Trial.
Multifaceted Chemico-Pharmacological Insights into Cynometra ramiflora L.: Unveiling its GC-MS, Cytotoxic, Thrombolytic, Anti-Inflammatory, Antioxidant, Anti-Diarrheal, Hypoglycemic, and Analgesic Potentials
Authors: Samadd Md. Abdus , Hossain Md. Rifaet , Taher Mohammad Abdullah , Hasan Mohammad Mahmudul , Haque Shariful , Rafid Mashruf Islam , Hossain Md. Solaiman , Islam Md. Ashraful , Khan Mala
Published: May 2024

Objective: This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the chemico-pharmacological properties of methanolic extractives derived from Cyanometra ramiflora leaves, encompassing a spectrum of activities including cytotoxic, thrombolytic, membrane-stabilizing, antioxidant, antidiarrheal, hypoglycemic, and analgesic effects. Methods: Phytomolecules were identified using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), while antioxidant activity was assessed using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and total phenolic content tests. Cytotoxicity was determined through the brine shrimp bioassay, while thrombolytic activity was evaluated via clot lysis assays, and membrane-stabilizing effects were investigated for potential anti-inflammatory properties. In-vivo experiments using mice were conducted solely with the methanolic extract to assess central and peripheral analgesic, hypoglycemic, and antidiarrheal properties. Results: The presence of 47 compounds in the methanolic extract, with tetratriacontyl pentafluoropropionate (9.25%), pentatriacontane (8.75%), and 2-methylhexacosane (5.9%) being predominant. The dichloromethane-soluble fraction exhibited the highest cytotoxicity, with a 50% lethal concentration (LC50) of 11.05 µg/mL. Both petroleum-ether and methanol-soluble fractions demonstrated more than 50% lysis in thrombolytic activity assays. Under hypotonic and heat-induced conditions, the ethyl acetate and dichloromethane-soluble fractions of C. ramiflora significantly reduced erythrocyte hemolysis. Notably, the methanol-soluble fraction exhibited significant antioxidant potential with 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 17.71 μg/mL compared to the standard EDTA (IC50 = 75.94 μg/mL). The hypoglycemic investigation revealed a 63.73% reduction at 90 min with a 600 mg/kg dose, while mild antidiarrheal activity was observed with a 37.5% reduction in diarrhea at 4 h intervals. Significant analgesic effects were demonstrated in both central and peripheral tests, with a 68.53% reduction in writhing during the peripheral test and an average tail immersion time of 5.38 s at 90 min. Conclusion: C. ramiflora leaves show promise as natural sources for various pharmacological activities, including cytotoxicity, thrombosis, inflammation, antioxidant, hypoglycemic, and analgesic effects. However, further comprehensive research is recommended to elucidate the precise mechanisms of action and analyze the phytochemical composition of C. ramiflora plants.
Films as a Signal: The Shoplifters and the Transformation of the Japanese Family
Authors: Jae Kevin
Published: May 2024

The field of futures studies has done little work on analysis of films and movies, with the exception of the science fiction genre. There has been little attempt to wrestle with and analyze other film genres, integrating such analyses into futures studies. This article makes an attempt at bridging that gap by analyzing the 2018 Palme d’Or winning film Shoplifters by Japanese filmmaker Hirokazu Kore-eda. In the article, we examine the film as a signal of transformation in the Japanese family by comparing this new form of the family to the Japanese family in the past. Using Shoplifters as a guiding post, I contextualize the transformations portrayed in the film with research on and trends in Japanese society. By using Shoplifters, I show how we can use films as guiding posts and as valuable sources of information.
Factors influencing online learning intentions of students: A pooled cross-sectional study in Vietnam for years 2020 and 2021
Authors: Maheshwari Greeni , Kha Khanh Linh
Published: May 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic precipitated a shift to online learning in many institutions-as a standard practice. Factors influencing its efficacy affect student behavior and future intentions. A cross-sectional study in Vietnam over 2 years assessed changes in student attitudes towards online learning from 2020 to 2021. Data gathered through online surveys, included 161 participants in 2020 and 395 in 2021 (total of 556 students), and were analysed using structural equation modeling. Results indicate perceived enjoyment (PE) as the primary factor influencing online learning intentions, with perceived usefulness (PU) gaining significance from 2020 to 2021. This shift suggests a transition in student mindsets towards online learning. Hence, institutions should adapt courses to optimize both enjoyment and utility, embracing technological evolution.
Case report of multiple primary cancers and results of genetic testing to preliminarily explore their pathogenesis
Authors: Hong Zhao , Tongsong Zhang , Cunhai Chen , Xiao Li , Haiping Song
Published: May 2024

The occurrence of multiple primary malignancies in a single patient has been relatively rare. We report here the case of a 71-year-old man with three primary tumors of lung cancer, intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, and prostate cancer, and a preliminary study of the mechanisms by which multiple primary tumors develop at the genetic level. Because of the late stage of the patient's condition, large tumor burden, and poor physical status, the patient survived only a few months. In the case presented herein, cholangiocarcinoma, lung cancer, and prostate cancer were found simultaneously, and the pathogenic sites are not related. Whole-exome sequencing was performed on the pathological tissues to explore the mechanism that may underlie multiple primary cancers at the genetic level. Several gene mutations were found in this case. They involved cell proliferation, cell cycle regulation, genetic stability, metabolism, cell invasion, angiogenesis, cell apoptosis, and other pathways. It can be preliminarily inferred that the mechanism underlying multiple primary tumors is related to the abnormality of tumor-promoting and suppressing pathways.
Lumbar epidural steroid injection for spasticity in paraplegic spinal cord injury: A case report
Authors: Arias Michael , Nedd Kester , Alicea Rodolfo
Published: May 2024

This is the case of a 33-year-old male with traumatic paraplegic lumbar spinal cord injury after knife assault, who was unable to participate in an intensive inpatient rehabilitation course due to bilateral lower limb spasticity. For therapeutic management of spasticity at the bedside in the inpatient rehabilitation setting, we performed an epidural steroid injection to the right L4-L5 interspace. After the intervention, a significant decrease in spasticity was noted. The patient could subsequently tolerate sit-to-stand transfers with a standing frame and ambulate with the an exoskeleton device in inpatient physical therapy, significantly improving his overall functional level in therapies. This case demonstrates that bedside epidural steroid injection can dramatically improve paraplegic spasticity secondary to lumbar spinal cord injury in the inpatient rehabilitation setting.
The Effect of Affection Control on University Learners’ Self-Evaluation and Theoretical Floatability: A Structural Equation Modeling
Authors: Abdulaal Mohammad Awad Al-Dawoody , Shaalan Iman El-Nabawi Abdel Wahed , Alenazi Maryumah Heji , Abuslema Naglaa Fathy Mohammad Atia
Published: May 2024

The main goals of a successful education should consider students’ mental health and academic achievement. To overcome obstacles and setbacks in the classroom, the learners must be equipped with self-aid strategies. Despite the associations between affection control, the foundation of self-evaluation, and theoretical floatability, no research in psycholinguistics has ever revealed their connections. In order to do this, the current study tested a structural model of the affection control, self-evaluation, and theoretical floatability of EFL university learners. 155 Saudi EFL university students were given the affection control questionnaire (ACQ), self-evaluation questionnaire (SEQ), and the theoretical floatability scale (TFS). The results showed that learners’ theoretical floatability can be predicted by affection control and self-evaluation based on structural equation modeling (SEM). It was also proven that self-evaluation contributed to theoretical floatability. The findings have implications for increasing learners’ realization of their personality features and self-evaluation, which can promote practical evaluation.
Comparing Data Quality and Response Behavior Between Smartphone, Tablet, and Computer Devices in Responsive Design Online Surveys
Authors: Décieux Jean Philippe , Sischka Philipp E.
Published: May 2024

Mobile device usage in online surveys has steadily increased in recent years. As mobile devices differ, for example, in their handling, from computers, device effects within online surveys are found for several data quality indicators. However, results concerning these device effects are neither comprehensive nor conclusive because existing research are often based on non-optimized designs or do not account for the type of mobile device, for example, smartphone or tablet. This study uses data from the emigrant sample of the German Emigration and Remigration Panel Study (GERPS) a probability-based online survey ( n = 4,888)—which made use of a mobile-optimized design—to compare data quality between smartphone, tablet, and computer respondents. Propensity score weighting was employed to account for device choice selectivity effects. The data quality indicators showed mixed results and smaller data quality differences across computers, smartphones, and tablets compared to previous studies. Higher dropout rates on mobile devices and here especially on smartphones remain the major challenge for survey participation, especially on small screens. However, our results render mixed-device data collection via mobile-optimized online surveys as a promising data collection approach, especially for exploiting the large response potentially associated with smartphone and tablet respondents.
Least Developed Countries: A Review of Worldwide Research
Authors: Navarro-Pabsdorf Margarita , Martínez-Vázquez Rosa María , de Pablo-Valenciano Jaime
Published: May 2024

In recent decades, a number of initiatives have been undertaken to reduce poverty and improve the economic situation of Least Developed Countries (LCDs), but there are still problems that prevent them from progressing toward their goals. This article studies the scientific contributions related to the issue of the LCDs to detect how these countries can achieve sustained economic growth with full use of their capacities, allowing access to new forms of production that could generate products and activities with greater added value. The research has been carried out using bibliometric tools (Vosviewer and Biblioshiny) and the data have been extracted from Web of Science and Scopus. This method includes the topics that have been dealt with the most, the trend followed by these publications, the concentration of authors and the responses that scientific journals offer on LDCs. In conclusion, there has been increased concern about these issues, especially around the topic of trade, sustainability, and the African continent, albeit with gaps in aspects such as the importance of raw materials, official development aid, transportation, and the distribution of its products, as well as other key variables to achieve its future development. As a recommendation, we suggest that the group of researchers on the subject must be stimulated so that the message provokes a reaction regarding the importance of the issues affecting these countries, their painful consequences, and the need to find adequate solutions considering their social and humanitarian significance. It is about raising awareness among the scientific community on topics that have been largely overshadowed by more media-driven current issues.
Going Beyond the Conventional Service Profit Chain Model
Authors: Zeglat Dia , Shrafat Fayiz , Al-Gasawneh Jassim
Published: May 2024

The main aim of this study is to enhance and go beyond the conventional service profit chain model (SPC) by adding new intervening variables suggested in the relevant literature. Empirical data were obtained from 201 service companies from different service businesses using a survey approach; 603 questionnaires were collected from three perspectives: customers, front-line employees, and managers. A SmartPLS package was used to check data reliability and validity and to test hypotheses for paths using a Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) approach. The findings of this study revealed that internal service quality (ISQ) enhanced employee satisfaction and that employees’ attitudes induced higher external service value and customer responsiveness alongside organizational performance. In addition, most of the intervening factors and links within the new SPC framework suggested in this study were supported. This study contributes to the relevant literature by adding new mediating factors to the conventional model. Hence, this study extends the integrative mechanism for how a firm’s internal operational activities will be translated into customer perceptions and business performance in the Saudi context.
State or Public Service Broadcasting? Assessing the Making of a National Television Service in Botswana
Authors: Lesitaokana William Ofentse
Published: May 2024

This paper uses the political economy framework to examine developments surrounding the establishment and structuring of Botswana Television since its introduction as a national broadcaster in 2000. The focus is to identify the broadcasting model for Btv, and establish whether PSB or SB would be appropriate for a national television in Botswana context. Data obtained through documentary analysis and semi-structured interviews showed that Btv has always been funded and structured to operate from either the Government Ministry of Transport and Communications, or the Office of the President. Consequently, the channel’s broadcasts are predisposed toward the ideologies of the ruling elites, than those of the public. Therefore, we argue that Btv should be re-structured and allowed to operate in the interests of both the state and public. Doing so could result in collective use of state media and safeguard against unnecessary government control. Thus, for developing contexts such as Botswana, we suggest a hybrid model of both PSB and SB.
A Study on Gansu’s Translation and Interpretation Talents Training from the Perspective of Market Demand
Authors: Chai Su , Cai Yuchen , Wei Chenxi
Published: May 2024

Local socioeconomic advancement has given rise to great growth in language service industry of Gansu China, creating the brisk demand for full-fledged translation and interpretation (T&I) talents. However, such progress is slowed by a lack of senior T&I talents and poor T&I training. The existing literature provides little information on the further exploration of the imbalance between T&I talents supply and market demand in Gansu. Therefore, this study adopts quantitative analysis of the data collected through two structured questionnaire surveys to investigate the root causes of this discrepancy. The first survey is for the employment status and curriculum satisfaction among Gansu’s Master of Translation and Interpreting (MTI) graduates. MTI graduates from Lanzhou University and Northwest Normal University provide 220 samples through the random sampling method. While the second survey examines employer demand for T&I talents. 52 samples are drawn from Gansu’s renowned and accredited language service providers (LSPs) and non-language service providers (non-LSPs) using the stratified sampling method. Results of the research reveal that only 3.18% MTI graduates enter into the T&I industry, confirming Gansu’s MTI training fail to meet the market demand. Based on the market-specific requirements for translators and interpreters, the present authors put forward several suggestions from the perspectives of aligning curriculum design with market needs, meeting the qualification requirements and enhancing the cultivation of essential T&I competences, with hope of providing effective references to the T&I training in Gansu Province and even other regions in northwest China.
Integrating Indigenous Knowledge Into Rural Social Work: A Community-Led Study in Ninghua, Fujian, China
Authors: Shanshan Hong , Islam M. Rezaul
Published: May 2024

The main objective of this study was to examine the integration of indigenous knowledge (IK) into the rapidly developing field of rural social work in China. The study demonstrated the incorporation of indigenous elements such as folkways, power structures, values, norms, traditions, and crafts into the practice through collaboration with the local community. The research employed purposive sampling, which included 4 agency directors, 1 head of a social work organization, 6 social workers, 21 social work students, 16 children and teenagers, 13 villagers, 1 folk writer, 5 local families, 3 teacher lecturers, and 6 government officers. Results showed that the integration process involves the identification, extraction, application, and evaluation of IK are closely linked to the indigenous environment, service recipients, and social workers. Nevertheless, further research is required to operationalize and evaluate the effectiveness of this integration. Findings would be important guidelines for policymakers, education and development experts, and service providers. The conclusions drawn from this study offer valuable insights into the effective integration of Indigenous Knowledge (IK) into social work practice. These insights hold significance for policymakers, education and development experts, as well as service providers not only in China but also in a broader international context.
Private Tutoring Before and After the “Double-Reduction” Policy in China: Choices and Rationale
Authors: Liu Dan , Morgan W. John , Zhang Xiaopeng , Wu Wenfeng
Published: May 2024

Despite private tutoring gaining increasing popularity in many countries, studies of the choice of and rationale for private tutoring among Chinese parents before and after the “double reduction” policy (issued on July 24, 2021) in China are limited. This mixed-methods paper compares parents’ choice of private tutoring before and after the policy and the role of socioeconomic status in influencing their choice. It presents the findings of questionnaires (486) and follow-up interviews (23) from parents of children in a primary and secondary school in Guangzhou, China. The findings showed that family socioeconomic status (measured by parental education and annual household income) affects spending on private tutoring both before and after the “double reduction” policy, with parents from lower socioeconomic backgrounds being more influenced by the policy. The findings have important implications for the more effective application of the “double reduction” policy in China.
Exploring Chinese College Students’ Emotions in EFL Speaking Classrooms
Authors: Sun Jinghan
Published: May 2024

This paper aims to report on Chinese college students’ emotions in English as a foreign language (EFL) speaking classrooms, including the trajectory of their emotions, and their perceived impacts of these emotions on their performances in class. Through conducting a case study among 12 Chinese college students and qualitatively analyzing the reflections and interview data collected over a semester, the present research, adopting the Positive Psychology perspective, reveals diverse emotions experienced by students in their EFL speaking classrooms. The emotions students felt were both complex and dynamic throughout the semester, and were found to interact with the changing internal and external factors, displaying a transition from the mixed emotions of excitement and anxiety to lower-intensity emotions (i.e., relaxation and boredom), and finally becoming inter-individually varied. As for the impacts of students’ emotions, students believed that both positive and negative emotions were associated with their performances in class. The present study suggests that much attention should be paid to EFL college students’ emotions in speaking classrooms both by themselves and by their teachers, and provides some possible sources of their emotions. In order to enhance students’ psychological well-being and achieve better teaching effects, this study also recommends pedagogical practices that boost positive emotions and reduce negative emotions to be incorporated into EFL speaking classes.
A Rare Case of Recurrent Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy Complicated by Thromboemboli
Authors: Javed Nismat , Ashraf Shoaib , Singh Amandeep , Kamalakkannan Gayathri
Published: May 2024

Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is a transient ventricular dysfunction with apical ballooning triggered by emotional and/or physical stress. A few risk factors have been observed in patients with recurrent TTS, for example, excessive sympathetic stimuli, medications, stress, and tumors. Clinical features can vary from chest pain to overt hemodynamic instability. Diagnosis requires both electrocardiographic features and invasive imaging such as angiography to rule out other causes of cardiomyopathy prior to diagnosis. In addition, renal infarcts presenting as a complication of TTS are relatively uncommon. In this case report, we discuss the case of a 61-year-old African American woman with a prior history of TTS being managed for abdominal pain who developed a recurrence of the TTS during the hospital course. Prompt diagnosis and management of the condition is crucial to improve outcomes especially in patients with thromboembolic phenomenon or hemodynamic instability. Further large-scale studies are warranted to determine outcomes of patients with recurrent Takotsubo cardiomyopathy with thromboembolic phenomenon.
The Holistic Capital Model: Time and Body Capital as Sources of Inequity
Authors: Wladis Claire , Fay Maggie P. , Hachey Alyse C.
Published: May 2024

We present a model of capital that expands existing models to introduce two new forms of capital (time and body capital) as sources of inequity in education. The aim is to (a) make visible core resources that are relevant to educational outcomes and also (often hidden) sources of inequity, (b) identify commonalities across diverse empirical and theoretical research strands, and (c) reconceptualize existing research from an asset rather than deficit framework. We explain how time and physiological resources can be conceptualized as forms of capital and link this to extant empirical and theoretical research across fields. Then, we describe how students may have different amounts and types of time and body capital, as well as different drains on capital, and how this may lead to educational inequities. We close by describing the affordances of using this theory as a lens for analyzing existing educational structures, policies and practices.
Quantitative Analysis of Challenges Encountered by UK Widening Participation Medical Students in Comparison With Their Non-Widening Participation Peers
Authors: Ravulapalli Krishna Chaitanya , Arroyave Caicedo Nicolle M , Zahra Daniel , Mirza Mahrukh
Published: May 2024

OBJECTIVES

Few studies have captured the experiences of widening participation (WP) medical students, and none have compared their experiences to their non-WP peers. This study aims to identify which challenges WP students are more likely to face.

METHODS

A 22-item questionnaire was distributed to medical students across all UK medical schools. Students were asked yes or no questions on whether they faced challenges in finances, socializing, physical and mental health, academic attainment, and COVID19-related teaching changes.

RESULTS

One-hundred seventy-six medical students from all year groups across the UK responded, with 97 students from a WP background. WP students were significantly more likely to have their personal background impacting their mental health (OR = 2.65, P  =  0.002), more than twice as likely to feel that their job impacted their studies (OR = 2.53, P ≤.05), more likely to feel limited by their financial situation (OR = 2.29, P≤.05) and to receive support from student finance (OR = 2.08, P < .05).

CONCLUSION

WP students were more likely to face challenges in mental health and finances in medical school compared to their peers. These findings, further informed by qualitative insights can aid in advancing equity in medical training.
Development of the WeChat Public Account I Love Parasitology and its Preliminary Application in the Teaching of Human Parasitology
Authors: Zhu Honggang , Deng Weiwen , Guan Fei , Lei Jiahui
Published: May 2024

OBJECTIVE

To better construct teaching resources, enhance real-time interaction and feedback between teachers and students in and out of class, and improve the teaching quality of parasitology, our team set up a WeChat public account I love Parasitology.

METHODS

The data sources were mainly from original pictures and multimedia materials of different parasites collected and produced by our team, as well as related materials collected from traditional publications and digital media. With the instant interactive platform, course schedules and corresponding teaching contents were sent by push notifications, case-based learning was carried out, and 2-way communication between students and teachers was achieved. Teaching effectiveness was assessed using a self-evaluation questionnaire.

RESULTS

A WeChat public account suitable for our daily teaching of parasitology was established. The second recursion and implementation of the learning resources allowed students to conduct in-depth reading and get unrestricted access to high-quality resources through the public account. In addition, all contents were in digital forms and made the original resources reborn, which would make up for our current and future shortage of physical teaching specimens. Moreover, the results from the questionnaire indicated that all these actions encouraged students to master theoretical knowledge, improved their abilities of case analysis and communication, and increased their knowledge of academic progress.

CONCLUSION

Our WeChat public account can provide excellent learning materials for students and is a good supplement to the routine education of human parasitology.
Developing Rural Entrepreneurs through Start-up Village Entrepreneurship Programme: Understanding Impact and Challenges for Marginalised Sections
Authors: Arahant Arvind , Kumar Narender
Published: May 2024

The Government of India has given special emphasis to develop entrepreneurship in the rural population and especially among the marginalised groups in recent times. This article attempts to understand the working of the programme in one of the Blocks of Karnal district in Haryana. This is a qualitative empirical study conducted in the Gharaunda Block of Karnal District, Haryana, in December 2021. The in-depth study is based on a collection of field data and observations documenting the success stories of rural entrepreneurs. Through this article, the authors analysed the functioning, success and challenges of the Start-up Village Entrepreneurship Programme implementation process. The study adopted triangulation data analysis method and recording oral history to document rural entrepreneurs’ stories, including the life story approach, to evaluate the programme. The study was conducted in the four villages of the Gharaunda Block. These rural entrepreneurs are from marginal sections of society, that is, the Scheduled Caste and Other Backward Caste sections. It is worth noting that all the selected entrepreneurs come from marginalised communities and happen to be women. In this article, the authors address the current gap by presenting a policy-relevant framework for conceptualising rural entrepreneurship. The study provides insights into the impact of the programme on rural entrepreneurship and offers input to address the challenges based on the fieldwork.
A Step Towards Dalit–Bahujan Unity? Reading the Alliance Between ‘Jat Party’ and ‘Dalit Party’ in Rajasthan
Authors: Takhar Krishan
Published: May 2024

As the Rajasthan elections were hardly a month away, the Rashtriya Loktantrik Party and Azad Samaj Party, popular among Jats and Dalits, respectively, entered into an alliance. What is the meaning of this alliance between the two parties whose major voting communities are in relations of domination and subjugation? The leaders, Chandrashekhar Azad and Hanuman Beniwal, invoked Ambedkar and Chhotu Ram and used the term parivaar for this alliance of jawan, kissan and Dalits. This article argues that for any meaningful alliance to work beyond electoral jugaad, the party holding influence over the dominant community must engage in structural work beyond the confines of symbols. The first step in the same direction is to acknowledge the power relations between the communities.
Reservation, Rage and Resentment: In Light of the Politics of De-reservation
Authors: Kalsi Kajal
Published: May 2024

The debates around reservations have intensified yet again, with various modifications suggested, one of which is de-reservation. The backlog of vacancies in the reserved seats is a concerning trend, highlighting the failure of the ‘equality of opportunity’ approach in ensuring ‘equality of outcome’ as envisaged by the constitution. Reservation was a method strategically designed on the lines of substantive equality to correct historical injustice. However, based on the notion of formal rationality, the recent proposal of de-reservation reflects an illiberal understanding of the idea of substantive justice. The author contends that the idea of de-reservation will set a dangerous precedent that will have implications for the collective upliftment of the oppressed groups, rendering reservation for the oppressed almost ineffectual. Instead of safeguarding systemic mechanisms to empower marginalized groups to access the promised ‘equality of opportunity’, de-reservation will prove counterproductive to the constitutional guarantee of social equity.
Teaching Social Justice: A Pedagogic Turn Necessary in India
Authors: Mohan Arjun S.
Published: May 2024

Drawing on two distinct works written in diverse contexts, this write-up problematizes the stigmatization of caste-based reservations in India. Paulo Freire’s visions in his influential text, ‘Pedagogy of the Oppressed,’ particularly his concept of dialogical teaching, serves as an analytical framework to develop a perspective aimed at destigmatizing reservations. Instead of delving into educational strategies and techniques, the commentary attempts to unravel the political dimension of teaching social justice. I argue for a pedagogic shift in India to legitimize affirmative actions in policy and practice.
Spartin is a Lipid Transfer Protein That Facilitates Lipid Droplet Turnover
Authors: Zhong Yaoyang , Levine Tim P.
Published: May 2024

One means by which cells reutilize neutral lipids stored in lipid droplets is to degrade them by autophagy. This process involves spartin, mutations of which cause the rare inherited disorder Troyer syndrome (or spastic paraplegia-20, SPG20). A recently published paper from the team led by Karin Reinsich (Yale) suggests that the molecular function of spartin and its unique highly conserved “senescence” domain is as a lipid transfer protein. Spartin binds to and transfers all lipid species found in lipid droplets, from phospholipids to triglycerides and sterol esters. This lipid transfer activity correlates with spartin's ability to sustain lipid droplet turnover. The senescence domain poses an intriguing question around the wide range of its cargoes, but intriguingly it has yet to yield up its secrets because attempts at crystallization failed and AlphaFold's prediction is unconvincing.
Relationship between perceived social support and mental health status of the advanced cancer patients receiving palliative care in Bangladesh
Authors: Biswas Jheelam , Bhuiyan A. K. M. Motiur Rahman , Alam Afroja , Chowdhury Mostofa Kamal
Published: May 2024

Background:

Cancer patients experience significant changes in their social roles along with various physical and psychological challenges. Despite the growing recognition of the importance of palliative care in Bangladesh, there is a notable gap in research focusing on the psychosocial issues faced by patients with advanced cancer.

Aim:

This study aims to explore the level of social support perceived by Bangladeshi cancer patients and determine how this support relates to their mental health status.

Methods:

This cross-sectional study was conducted among 115 advanced cancer (stages III and IV) patients admitted to the palliative medicine department of a tertiary care hospital in Bangladesh. Perceived social support was measured by the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and the mental health status of the patients was assessed by Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21. Data collection was done from June to November 2023. Relationships between perceived social support, depression, anxiety, and stress were assessed by the Spearman correlation test. The moderating effect of perceived social support on patients’ mental health variables was determined by multiple linear regression and simple slope analysis. p Value <0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.

Result:

The study included an almost equal number of male (49.6%) and female (50.4%) patients, with a mean age of 50.7 ± 14.4 years. Overall, perceived social support was moderate to high for most (74.7%) of the participants. Among the participants, 78.3% experienced anxiety, 77.4% suffered from depression, and 70.5% experienced stress. Depression, anxiety, and stress were all negatively and significantly ( p < 0.05) correlated with perceived social support. Younger patients reported higher levels of anxiety, stress, and depression. Perceived social support had a significant buffering effect on depression and anxiety among the younger patients.

Conclusion:

Perceived social support has a profound and significant effect on the mental health of advanced cancer patients. Integrating psychosocial support early in palliative care can be highly beneficial to the mental health of these patients.
Five cases of pulmonary Aspergillus nodules diagnosed at surgery and by pathology in immunocompetent patients, with a literature review
Authors: Dong Shuangxia , Wang Fengxiang , Jin Haizhen , Dai Xinjian
Published: May 2024

A pulmonary Aspergillus nodule is a rare subtype of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis. The diagnosis is difficult and is histological. There are only a few reports on such cases. Here, we report five cases of pulmonary Aspergillus nodules confirmed by surgery and pathology in immunocompetent patient and review the literature. Among the five patients in this group, three were females and two were males, aged 44–73 years old. Two cases had hemoptysis onset, and three cases were found to have a slow disease course on chest CT during imaging, ranging from months to years. The white blood cell count, carcinoembryonic antigen, and blood Galactomannan (GM) tests in five cases were all within normal range. Four cases had normal blood C-reactive protein, and one case had an increase. On imaging, there were two cases in the upper lobe of the right lung, two cases in the lower lobe of the left lung, one case in the upper lobe of the left lung, three cases were solitary nodular shadows, and two cases were nodular shadows with cavity formation, including one case with calcification, four cases with bronchial dilation shadows, and one case with gas containing cavity shadows. Five cases were treated with surgical resection and confirmed by histopathological examination. All five patients did not receive antifungal treatment after surgery, and there was no recurrence of Aspergillus nodules during regular follow-up.
Practical and ethical challenges in co-producing technology for good in justice settings
Authors: Morris Jason , Johns Diana
Published: May 2024

In this article, we reflect critically on the role of digital technology in supporting desistance from crime, and the process and outcomes of co-producing digital resources in that context. Drawing on concepts of social harm, and co-production (or “working-making-doing together”), we consider the risks of digital technology perpetuating coercive aspects of the justice system. We advocate for the conscientious inclusion of people with lived experience of criminalisation in the design, implementation, and evaluation of technology that supports desistance as one way of mitigating such risks. People’s lived experiences can attune them to underlying harms in the design and use of digital tools in the justice system and help safeguard future users of that technology. We also acknowledge the costs, risks, and complexities of this work. For instance, co-production may give permanence to voices and stories of lived experiences with both the power to inspire and promote desistance and the potential to reproduce or reinforce stigma and exclusion. We reflect on such ethical complexities by considering whose needs are served in co-producing technology to support desistance. We conclude by suggesting that the recruitment and promotion of experts by experience within justice organisations can help to create a learning culture where there is a heightened awareness of user experience and potential harms in the design, implementation, and evaluation of justice technology. Please note, this paper provides the authors’ reflections on co-producing technology that supports desistance. It is not intended to set out HMPPS policy on digital rehabilitative services or co-production methods. It is written in conversation with a colleague/interlocutor with lived experience of criminalisation and imprisonment, who remains anonymous here for various reasons and to whom the article is dedicated.