bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Alternative Drug Safety in Children with Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug Hypersensitivity
Authors: Aytekin Güvenir Funda , Turgay Yağmur İrem , Dibek Mısırlıoğlu Emine
Published: May 2024

Introduction: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are frequently used in the pediatric age group as pain relievers, antipyretics and anti-inflammatory drugs. Since NSAIDs are used in many medical conditions, there is a need for alternative NSAIDs to be used safely in people with hypersensitivity reactions. Selective and partially selective COX-2 inhibitors and weak COX-1 inhibitors are generally used as safe alternative drugs. The aim of this study was to evaluate safe NSAIDs determined by oral provocation tests (OPTs) according to phenotypes in children with NSAID hypersensitivity reactions. Methods: The results of the oral provocation test performed with alternative NSAIDs (paracetamol, meloxicam, nimesulide, celecoxib) in patients followed up with the diagnosis of NSAID hypersensitivity reaction in the Pediatric Immunology and Allergy Department between January 2015 and February 2023 were evaluated retrospectively. Results: During the study period, 91 patients underwent OPTs with 109 alternative drugs 48 (52.7%) of whom were girls, with a median age of 15 years. 91 patients had a history of reactions to 117 drugs. As an alternative NSAID; OPT was performed with paracetamol in 58 patients, meloxicam in 44 patients, nimesulide in 5 patients, and celecoxib in 2 patients. Since 15 patients used paracetamol safely at home, no tests were performed with paracetamol. Reactions were observed in 3 of the 73 patients (4.1%) who underwent OPT with paracetamol and in 2 of the 44 (4.5%) who underwent OPT with meloxicam. Reactions to nimesulide were also observed in the latter 2 patients (2/5, 40%), but they appeared to tolerate celecoxib. No reaction was observed in the 2 patients who were tested with celecoxib. Conclusion: Paracetamol, meloxicam, and nimesulide can be used as safe alternative drugs in most children with NSAID hypersensitivity. Selective COX-2 inhibitors should be tried as an alternative in patients who cannot tolerate them.
Therapy Targeted to the NLRP3 Inflammasome in Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Ji Yong , Hua Hu , Jia Zhanjun , Zhang Aihua , Ding Guixia
Published: May 2024

Background: The NLRP3 inflammasome is a cytoplasmic polymeric protein complex composed of the cytoplasmic sensor NLRP3, the apoptosis-related spot-like protein ASC, and the inflammatory protease caspase-1. NLRP3 activates and releases IL-1β through classical pathways, and IL-18 mediates inflammation and activates gasdermin-D protein to induce cellular pyroptosis. Numerous studies have also emphasized the non-classical pathway activated by the NLRP3 inflammasome in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and the inflammasome-independent function of NLRP3. Summary: The NLRP3-targeting inflammasome and its associated pathways have thus been widely studied in models of CKD treatment, but no drug that targets NLRP3 has thus far been approved for the treatment of CKD. Key Messages: We herein reviewed the current interventional methods for targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome in various CKD models, analyzed their underlying mechanisms of action, classified and compared them, and discussed the advantages and follow-up directions of various interventional methods. This review therefore provides novel ideas and a reference for the development of targeted NLRP3-inflammasome therapy in CKD.
O uso de estatísticas industriais no Brasil: dificuldades metodológicas e operacionais
Authors: Sarti Fernando , Suzigan Wilson
Published: May 2024

O trabalho avalia a adequabilidade do atual sistema de estatísticas industriais para analisar os complexos fenômenos e transformações em curso na economia e, particularmente, na indústria brasileira, decorrentes de tendências internacionais, mudanças na política econômica interna, incorporação de novas tecnologias e reestruturações produtivas, organizacionais e gerenciais. Enfatiza-se a importância de ampliar o escopo e a desagregação de indicadores e informações qualitativas para uso de executivos de empresas, policy makers e pesquisadores acadêmicos, bem como de revigorar o papel do IBGE, tanto na geração de estatísticas quanto na coordenação de um sistema nacional de informações econômicas com participação de outras instituições públicas e privadas.
Testing two types of monetary rules for Brazil
Authors: Rocha Fabiana
Published: May 2024

The purpose of this paper is to verify whether, if a monetary rule had been in effect, it would have resulted in smoother non-inflationary nominal GDPpaths over the period 1974.1-1992.111. Two types ofrules are considered. The first is an activist rule proposed by McCallum (1987, 1988), and the second is a non-activist rule proposed by Meltzer (1987). The results ofthe simulations indicate that neither ofthe two rules performed well during the period analyzed.
The applied perspective for seasonal cointegration testing
Authors: Oliveira Andre Luis Rossi de , Picchetti Paulo
Published: May 2024

Enquanto a literatura sobre cointegração lida exclusivamente com o caso de cointegração no longo prazo, ou na frequência zero, entre séries em um vetor de variáveis econômicas, pode ser que raízes unitárias estejam também presentes nas frequências sazonais, de forma que o conceito de cointegração pode ser extendido para o caso de cointegração sazonal. Neste artigo, fazemos uma resenha dos procedimentos disponíveis para testar e estimar as relações de cointegração nas frequências sazonais, bem como na frequência zero, quando raízes unitárias sazonais estão presentes. Uma motivação importante para este trabalho é a falta de um tratamento sobre cointegração sazonal, mesmo nos livros-texto mais recentes sobre cointegração.
Sobre as metas inflacionárias
Authors: Delfim Netto Antonio
Published: May 2024

The present paper aims at giving an overview ofthe monetary framework presently known as inflation targets. It will be analyzed the historical context in which this framework first appeared, as well as its basic theoretical hypotheses as its differences from the classical regime ofmonetary targets. Next, we will discuss some practical aspects linked to the implementation and working ofinflation targets; for instance, the various forms of inflation measurements employed by the countries that adopt inflation targets. Special attention will be given to the model used by the English government. Finally, we will comment on some of the methodological problems faced by central banks that set targets on inflation, such as the uncertainty of their economic forecasts and the complex cause-effect relationships that hold among the economic variables. In the Brazilian case, a simple model of inflation under floating exchange rate and capital mobility will be outlined in order to stress the latter difficulties.
Opções de política econômica
Authors: Delfim Netto Antonio
Published: May 2024

Through empirical and theoretical evidences, this article identifies and appraises four relevant policy mistakes incurred during the Real Plan. The first mistake was the common belief that strong currency means strong economy; the second, because of the inflationary memory of the recent past, was the fear that devaluation of the exchange rate would be translated fully into price increases; the third error asserts that, in a globalized world, the existence of sufficient foreign savings would finance any level of current account deficit; the fourth misjudgment asserts that the increase of the overall productivity of the Brazilian economy could be pursued by the overvaluation of the exchange rate and by the expanding insertion of the multinational corporations. Those mistakes contributed to increase the foreign constraints, historically the main restraint to Brazilian development.
Consumption, liquidity constraint and welfare in Brazil
Authors: Issler João Victor , Rocha Fernando de Paula
Published: May 2024

Usando-se um modelo padrão da literatura de macroeconomia, este artigo avalia qual é o ganho de bem-estar para o Brasil da suavização do ciclo econômico. Nosso procedimento segue a proposta de Lucas (1987) de decompor o consumo agregado em uma parte que representaria a sua tendência e outra que representaria o seu ciclo. Para estimar estes dois componentes do consumo, usa-se aqui um modelo econométrico baseado numa representação estado-espaço para a renda e o consumo, levando em conta o fato de que renda e consumo têm que obedecer uma relação de longo prazo pela Teoria da Renda Permanente, e uma relação de curto prazo caso haja restrições à liquidez. Ambas as relações são testadas empiricamente. A partir das estimativas para o ciclo e a tendência do consumo, calcula-se quanto o consumidor representativo deve ser compensado para ser indiferente entre a sequência de consumo observada e uma sequência modificada onde o ciclo é suavizado. Os resultados apontam para um ganho de bem-estar pequeno da suavização do ciclo econômico para o Brasil, o que é consistente com os resultados da literatura empirica de macroeconomia para o Brasil. Uma decomposição idêntica é implementada para os EUA de forma a comparar os resultados.
Are consumption taxes in Brazil regressive?
Authors: Siqueira Rozane Bezerra de , Nogueira Jose Ricardo , Souza Evaldo Santana de
Published: May 2024

This study, following suggestion from the theoretical and empirical welfare economics literature, takes total consumption expenditure as the most appropriate basis to assess the equity of consumption taxes in Brazil. The results show that, although the structure of effective tax rates is highly differentiated, the tax burden is distributed almost proportionately among the families. This means that substituting a tax system with a uniform rate on all goods and services for the existing structure would be approximately neutral from the distributive point of view.
Novos discursos de resistência na literatura angolana contemporânea
Authors: França Alex Santana
Published: May 2024

Este trabalho pretende refletir sobre o lugar do afrodescendente e do imigrante angolano dentro da sociedade brasileira e os discursos de reivindicação produzidos por eles, a partir do romance O ano em que Zumbi tomou o Rio, do escritor angolano José Eduardo Agualusa,  diante da própria experiência em seu país, Angola, o que, consequentemente, pode contribuir de maneira positiva na discussão e reconfiguração dessas relações no próprio Brasil.
Plasma Proteomics Identifies B2M as a Regulator of Pulmonary Hypertension in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction
Authors: Jheng Jia-Rong , DesJardin Jacqueline T. , Chen Yi-Yun , Huot Joshua R. , Bai Yang , Cook Todd , Hibbard Lainey M. , Rupp Jennifer M. , Fisher Amanda , Zhang Yingze , Duarte Julio D. , Desai Ankit A. , Machado Roberto F. , Simon Marc A. , Lai Yen-Chun
Published: May 2024

BACKGROUND:

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) represents an important phenotype in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). However, management of PH-HFpEF is challenging because mechanisms involved in the regulation of PH-HFpEF remain unclear.

METHODS:

We used a mass spectrometry–based comparative plasma proteomics approach as a sensitive and comprehensive hypothesis-generating discovery technique to profile proteins in patients with PH-HFpEF and control subjects. We then validated and investigated the role of one of the identified proteins using in vitro cell cultures, in vivo animal models, and independent cohort of human samples.

RESULTS:

Plasma proteomics identified high protein abundance levels of B2M (β2-microglobulin) in patients with PH-HFpEF. Interestingly, both circulating and skeletal muscle levels of B2M were increased in mice with skeletal muscle SIRT3 (sirtuin-3) deficiency or high-fat diet–induced PH-HFpEF. Plasma and muscle biopsies from a validation cohort of PH-HFpEF patients were found to have increased B2M levels, which positively correlated with disease severity, especially pulmonary capillary wedge pressure and right atrial pressure at rest. Not only did the administration of exogenous B2M promote migration/proliferation in pulmonary arterial vascular endothelial cells but it also increased PCNA (proliferating cell nuclear antigen) expression and cell proliferation in pulmonary arterial vascular smooth muscle cells. Finally,
B2m
deletion improved glucose intolerance, reduced pulmonary vascular remodeling, lowered PH, and attenuated RV hypertrophy in mice with high-fat diet–induced PH-HFpEF.

CONCLUSIONS:

Patients with PH-HFpEF display higher circulating and skeletal muscle expression levels of B2M, the magnitude of which correlates with disease severity. Our findings also reveal a previously unknown pathogenic role of B2M in the regulation of pulmonary vascular proliferative remodeling and PH-HFpEF. These data suggest that circulating and skeletal muscle B2M can be promising targets for the management of PH-HFpEF.
Single-Nucleus Transcriptomic Atlas of Human Pericoronary Epicardial Adipose Tissue in Normal and Pathological Conditions
Authors: Liu Xuanyu , Yuan Meng , Zhao Danni , Zeng Qingyi , Li Wenke , Li Tianjiao , Li Qi , Zhuo Yue , Luo Mingyao , Chen Pengfei , Wang Liqing , Feng Wei , Zhou Zhou
Published: May 2024

BACKGROUND:

Pericoronary epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is a unique visceral fat depot that surrounds the adventitia of the coronary arteries without any anatomic barrier. Clinical studies have demonstrated the association between EAT volume and increased risks for coronary artery disease (CAD). However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the association remain elusive.

METHODS:

We performed single-nucleus RNA sequencing on pericoronary EAT samples collected from 3 groups of subjects: patients undergoing coronary bypass surgery for severe CAD (n=8), patients with CAD with concomitant type 2 diabetes (n=8), and patients with valvular diseases but without concomitant CAD and type 2 diabetes as the control group (n=8). Comparative analyses were performed among groups, including cellular compositional analysis, cell type–resolved transcriptomic changes, gene coexpression network analysis, and intercellular communication analysis. Immunofluorescence staining was performed to confirm the presence of CAD-associated subclusters.

RESULTS:

Unsupervised clustering of 73 386 nuclei identified 15 clusters, encompassing all known cell types in the adipose tissue. Distinct subpopulations were identified within primary cell types, including adipocytes, adipose stem and progenitor cells, and macrophages.
CD83
high
macrophages and
FOSB
high
adipocytes were significantly expanded in CAD. In comparison to normal controls, both disease groups exhibited dysregulated pathways and altered secretome in the primary cell types. Nevertheless, minimal differences were noted between the disease groups in terms of cellular composition and transcriptome. In addition, our data highlight a potential interplay between dysregulated circadian clock and altered physiological functions in adipocytes of pericoronary EAT. ANXA1 (annexin A1) and SEMA3B (semaphorin 3B) were identified as important adipokines potentially involved in functional changes of pericoronary EAT and CAD pathogenesis.

CONCLUSIONS:

We built a complete single-nucleus transcriptomic atlas of human pericoronary EAT in normal and diseased conditions of CAD. Our study lays the foundation for developing novel therapeutic strategies for treating CAD by targeting and modifying pericoronary EAT functions.
Motivational Interviewing in an Animal Shelter – A Pilot Study
Authors: Andrukonis Allison , Schroeder Katy , Biles Kathy , Hall Nathaniel
Published: May 2024

Animal control officers serve their communities by communicating with the public to enforce animal-related laws and protect animals. Despite the importance of communication in this setting, research is lacking in this area. Motivational interviewing, a collaborative conversation style for strengthening motivation for behavioral change, is one evidence-based approach that could improve animal control officer communication skills. This pilot study aimed to investigate the implementation of motivational interviewing within an animal shelter. Participants (n = 10) were randomly assigned to attend a training session and were asked to answer a 3-question survey about their use of motivational interviewing at five different time points. Attending the training significantly predicted perceived opportunities to use motivational interviewing, ability to use motivational interviewing, and frequency of motivational interviewing use. The present study suggests that motivational interviewing training may be beneficial in animal shelters; however, future research should focus on improving training implementation and participant adherence.
Unveiling the Diversity: A Novel Species of Dicephalospora (Helotiaceae, Helotiales) Discovered in China
Authors: LUO L. , WEI D.P. , ZHAO Q. , THILINI CHETHANA K.W.
Published: May 2024

Dicephalospora is a discomycete belonging to the fungus family Helotiaceae (Helotiales). In the present study, a new species of Dicephalospora is identified based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses of combined ITS and LSU sequences. Dicephalospora xishuangbannanensis sp. nov. is characterized by yellow-orange, stipitate apothecia, eight-spored, unitunicate, 106–134 × 8.2–12.2 µm, cylindrical to clavate, J- asci, and fusiform, 19–27 × 4–6 µm, guttulate ascospores with a gelatinous sheath at both ends. An updated key to the known species of Dicephalospora is provided.
2. Towards a Social Network Analysis of the Holiness Code
Authors: Canu Højgaard Christian
Published: May 2024

There are dozens of persons in Leviticus 17–26. They are all interrelated in a complex web of interactions that can be used as a clue to their role in the implied society of the text. By contrast, previous studies of the text have focused more narrowly on individual persons, most often the sojourner but also the Israelite addressees, the priests, and the women.

This chapter provides a detailed introduction to the general research history of Leviticus 17–26, also known as the Holiness Code, before discussing previous presentations of the persons described in the legislative collection. It is argued that a social network analysis can better describe the roles and statuses of the participants because each participant is not treated as an isolate but as a part of a network of people. Accordingly, the chapter develops a model for conducting social network analysis on an ancient law text in light of relational and legal sociology.
8. Conclusion
Authors: Canu Højgaard Christian
Published: May 2024

The concluding chapter summarizes the findings of the book and evaluates the methods developed and results achieved. A number of potential avenues for further research are suggested including expanding the analysis to other legal corpora of the ancient Near East for the sake of comparing the world views represented by different corpora.
Theories of Democratic Civil–Military Relations and the Enduring Value of the Citizen-Soldier Ideal
Authors: Nielsen Suzanne C. , Liebert Hugh
Published: May 2024

James Burk’s “Theories of Democratic Civil-Military Relations” stands out for the theoretical insights and bold vision that underpin his critique of Samuel Huntington’s The Soldier and the State and Morris Janowitz’s The Professional Soldier. Burk situates these authors within long-standing traditions of political thought to clarify the need for a new normative theory of civil–military relations for mature democracies. A new normative theory, Burk says, will build on the idea of the “citizen-soldier” to explain how good civil–military relations sustain liberal democratic values. More than 20 years after Burk’s article appeared, the theoretical work he called for remains to be done. However, Burk’s intuition that the citizen-soldier ideal offers the most promising foundation for understanding how civil–military relations sustain liberal democratic values is sound. The political education the citizen-soldier ideal requires contributes to both sustaining liberal democratic values at home and to protecting democracies from external threats.
Inverse modeling of untethered electromagnetic actuators using machine learning
Authors: Türkmen Gökmen Atakan , Çetin Levent
Published: May 2024

Untethered electromagnetic actuation becomes an appealing concept for developing applications in microscale motion control. Although actuator modeling is critical, there is a lack of inverse modeling methods for untethered electromagnetic actuators (EMA) for control design and implementation. Herein, we focused on a machine learning-based framework to obtain inverse models of untethered EMAs. The inverse model is defined as a model which takes a point in the workspace of EMA together with the magnetic field at that point as input and gives the current(s) and position(s) of electromagnets as output. To obtain the inverse model; initially, the Maxwell Equations are solved for the defined set of coil currents and electromagnet positions numerically. Then, the classification problem is defined by concerning the obtained magnetic field values as data and corresponding the input values (currents and positions) as labels. The Random Forest Classifier is trained to obtain an inverse model to match the given magnetic field vector at a position with input values. The proposed approach is employed for three common structures: Single, Double, and Quadruple EMA. The performance test showed that the obtained inverse model is capable of giving the required magnetic field with accuracy of 1.43% Moreover, experimental study shown that the obtained inverse model is also capable of simulating the real-time behavior of EMA systems.
Influence of teachers’ pedagogical knowledge on their classroom practice when solving arithmetic word problems with their students. An exploratory study / Influencia del conocimiento pedagógico del profesorado en su práctica de aula cuando resuelve problemas aritméticos verbales con su alumnado. Un estudio exploratorio
Authors: Ramos Marta , Vicente Santiago , Rosales Javier , Chamoso Jose María
Published: May 2024

When primary school teachers solve arithmetic word problems with their students, they usually do so in a superficial manner, even when their semantic-mathematical structures are challenging and contain problem-solving aids. This could be due to the pedagogical knowledge that teachers have about teaching how to solve this type of problem. The aim of this study was to explore whether teachers with different levels of this knowledge solved standard problems (nonchallenging and without aids) and rewritten problems (challenging and with aids to reasoning) in different ways. A sample of eight teachers (four with high knowledge, four with low knowledge) were recorded and analysed solving two standard and two rewritten problems. The results showed that the teachers with high knowledge used more interaction cycles (mainly dedicated to reasoning) to solve the standard problems and especially the rewritten ones. This study is an initial approach to understanding teachers’ problem-solving behaviour and highlights the importance of developing their knowledge in how to teach problem-solving.
The impact of individual differences in the holistic-analytic thinking style and product incongruences on word of mouth / El efecto de las diferencias individuales en el estilo de pensamiento holístico-analítico y las incongruencias del producto en el boca a boca
Authors: Santos David , Sayin Eda , Requero Blanca
Published: May 2024

Individuals are regularly exposed to incongruences in their product or brand encounters (e.g., Moschino Cheap and Chic or Neutrogena Deep Clean Gentle). This research examines how individuals’ reactions towards such incongruences may differ based on their inherent thinking styles. Across two studies, we demonstrated that holistic (vs. analytic) thinkers exhibited greater willingness to engage in positive word of mouth for products with incongruent (vs. congruent) elements. Prior research mainly explored the effect of thinking styles on individuals’ evaluations of incongruent information comprised of both positive and negative characteristics. This research shows that even similarly positive but conceptually incongruent characteristics may cause different reactions based on individuals’ thinking styles.
Sodium–glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors in individuals with ischemia reperfusion injury: A systematic review
Authors: Behzad Hossein , Asham Hila , Beheshtirouy Samineh , Mashayekhi Sina , Jafari Negin , Entezari-Maleki Taher
Published: May 2024

Background: The effects of sodium–glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors on ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) is a novel concept and only limited number of animals studies have yet been investigated. We aimed to perform a systematic review of literature to explore the clinical studies which investigated the effects of SGLT-2 inhibitors on myocardial IRI setting.

Methods: We searched MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library from inception until December 7th, 2023. ClinicalTrials.gov was also explored for ongoing studies. Two authors independently conducted the literature search, examined the studies, and evaluated the eligibility criteria. Any disagreements or uncertainties were resolved by the corresponding author. The search strategy followed the PICO process (Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcome) and Emtree was used to select relevant keywords.

Results: Of 220 articles identified from the literature research, five articles were included in the study, of which three studies lately were retracted. The remaining studies included 1229 participants, with 209 receiving SGLT-2 inhibitors and 1090 not receiving them. All of the participants were diabetic patients admitted with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The results demonstrated that the use of SGLT-2 inhibitors is associated with lower troponin levels, and higher rates of ST resolution. The results of the studies also showed smaller infarct sizes, lower inflammatory biomarkers and improved left ventricular function at discharge among SGLT-2 inhibitor users.

Conclusion: In line with in vivo and ex vivo findings, the results of this systematic review supported benefits of SGLT-2 inhibitors in IRI through reducing infarct size and inflammatory biomarkers. However, further clinical trials are warranted to provide robust evidence.
Effect of high-dose intravenous iron injection on hepatic function in a rat model of cirrhosis
Authors: Kwon Ji-Hye , Kang RyungA , Lee Sangmin Maria , Hahm Tae Soo , Cho Hyun Sung , Jin Gayoung , Ko Justin Sangwook
Published: May 2024

Objective

To investigate the hepatic effects of high-dose intravenous (IV) iron, including those on liver function and the degree of fibrosis, in a rat model of cirrhosis.

Methods

We evenly allocated 25 Sprague–Dawley rats into five groups: normal rats (control group), cirrhotic rats receiving IV normal saline (liver cirrhosis [LC] group), and cirrhotic rats receiving 20, 40, or 80 mg/kg IV ferric carboxymaltose (LC-iron20, LC-iron40, and LC-iron80 group, respectively). Biochemical parameters were compared at 0, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days. The degrees of hepatic fibrosis and iron deposition were evaluated. Inflammatory and oxidative stress markers were also compared.

Results

There were no significant differences in the 28-day serum alanine aminotransferase levels among the LC-iron20, LC-iron40, and LC-iron80 groups (69 ± 7, 1003 ± 127, 1064 ± 309, 919 ± 346, and 820 ± 195 IU/L in the control, LC, LC-iron20, LC-iron40, and LC-iron80 groups, respectively). Hepatic iron accumulation increased in a dose-dependent manner, but the degree of hepatic fibrosis was comparable among the groups. The inflammatory and oxidative stress marker levels did not differ significantly according to the IV iron dose.

Conclusions

Administration of IV iron at various high doses appears safe in our rat model of cirrhosis.
Assessing the Effects of Privacy Concerns on Social Media-Driven Political Discussions and Participation: A Comparative Study of Asian and Western Contexts
Authors: Ahmed Saifuddin , Masood Muhammad
Published: May 2024

Research extensively explores how social media influences online political participation, yet there is limited focus on the cognitive factors that shape user interactions on these platforms. Moreover, most of this research centers around Western democracies, leaving a gap in understanding its applicability in more conservative, non-Western settings. This study builds upon the communication mediation model to enhance theoretical insights into social media’s role, particularly focusing on concerns about online privacy. By analyzing survey data from the United States (US), China, Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam, we find that the use of social media for news is positively associated with engaging in political discussions on social media (both heterogeneous/diverse and homogeneous/similar) and online political participation across all contexts. Nonetheless, except for Singapore, our observations indicate a negative relationship between privacy concerns and participation in all contexts. Further, moderated mediation analysis reveals that in Asian countries, the tendency of social media news to facilitate online political participation through political discussion is significantly reduced for those more concerned about online privacy. This pattern is consistent in the US for heterogeneous but not for homogenous discussions. The theoretical implications of the findings are discussed, including the differential findings from the US.
Electroacupuncture treatment improves postoperative ileus by inhibiting the Th1 cell-mediated inflammatory response through the vagus nerve
Authors: Gao Hao , Lu Liyue , Li Lili , Yin Zhiyu , Ruan Wenqing , Zou Yinghua , Li He , Zhou Yalan , Li Xing , Wang Yongqiang , Song Jiangang , Chen Wenting , Wang Jian
Published: May 2024

Background:

Electroacupuncture (EA) has been reported to improve intestinal motility in mice with postoperative ileus (POI). Previous studies, however, have yielded heterogeneous results regarding the effect of EA on POI.

Methods:

Herein, a POI mouse model was constructed by intestinal manipulation. To evaluate the effect of EA treatment on colonic transit, the levels of inflammatory markers (macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1 and intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); immune cell infiltration was detected by immunohistochemical staining of myeloperoxidase (MPO), ectodysplasin (ED)-1 and ED-2, and the percentage of CD4+ interferon (IFN)-γ+ Th1 cells and IFN-γ secretion levels were determined. Activated Th1 cells and pentoxifylline, a cell differentiation inhibitor, were used to assess the role of Th1 cells in EA treatment of POI. Neostigmine administration and unilateral vagotomy were performed to confirm whether the effects of EA treatment on Th1 cells were mediated by the vagus nerve (VN).

Results:

The results revealed that EA treatment at ST36 improved POI, as indicated by a decreased level of inflammatory-related markers and immune cell infiltration and shortened colonic transit time. The activated Th1 cells abolished the effects of EA treatment on POI. The effects of EA treatment on POI were enhanced by stimulation of the VN along with a decreased level of Th1 cells, but these effects were abolished by vagotomy along with an increased percentage of Th1 cells; this result indicates that the VN mediates the role of Th1 cells in the effects of EA treatment of POI.

Conclusion:

Our findings showed that the effects of EA treatment of POI were mainly mediated by Th1 cells through the stimulation of the VN and inhibition of the inflammatory response.
Discrepancies in plantar pressure distribution between affected and unaffected sides in patients with plantar fasciitis
Authors: Kyung Min Gyu , Lee Dong-Oh , Moon Kihyun , Yoon Young Sik , Lee Dong Yeon
Published: May 2024

Purpose

A fundamental understanding of plantar pressure distribution is important for prescribing an appropriate orthosis and applying nonoperative methods, such as stretching exercises, for the treatment of plantar fasciitis. Despite existing research on plantar pressure distribution, discrepancies between affected and unaffected sides in unilateral plantar fasciitis patients warrant further investigation. This study aimed to evaluate the plantar pressure distribution in patients with unilateral plantar fasciitis by comparing it with that on the contralateral unaffected side.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed records from 20 consecutive patients diagnosed with unilateral plantar fasciitis, using the unaffected side as the control. The emed® pedobarographic system was used to measure the plantar pressure distribution during gait. The analysis was performed using a 4-mask configuration (toes, forefoot, midfoot, and hindfoot).

Results

Both sides showed no significant differences in radiographic parameters. The affected side showed a significantly higher contact area, maximum force, and force-time integrals in the midfoot. However, the unaffected side demonstrated significantly higher maximum force and force-time integrals in the hindfoot. There was no difference in the distribution of the peak pressure and pressure-time integrals between the two sides in all mask regions. The increased contact area and maximum force in the midfoot on the side with plantar fasciitis may result from heel pain-induced weight transfer from the hindfoot.

Conclusion

The findings of this study provide a basic understanding of plantar pressure distribution in the treatment of plantar fasciitis and highlight the importance of considering inter-side differences when designing treatment interventions or orthotic devices.
Indigenous peoples, digital leisure, and popular culture
Authors: Day Madi , Sullivan Corrinne T
Published: May 2024

This is the introductory article for the special issue “Indigenous peoples, digital leisure, and popular culture”. Following the 2016 issue of AlterNative edited by Michelle Harris and Bronwyn Carlson “Indigenous people, popular pleasure and the everyday”, this article comments on the continued influence of the former issue and offers some new commentary on Indigenous popular and digital leisure today.
Preparation of PPA based composite reinforcing with glass beads and clays: Investigation of sound absorbing
Authors: Busra Simsek , Giuseppe Ciaburro , Gino Iannace , Mustafa Ozmen
Published: May 2024

The research investigates the sound absorption properties of potassium polyacrylate (PPA) composites, particularly those augmented with clay and porous hollow glass beads within a hydrogel template. This unique material combination shows promise for efficient sound absorption, relevant in industries requiring effective noise control like acoustic engineering and construction. Experimental assessment focused on measuring the sound absorption coefficient, crucial for quantifying a material’s ability to absorb sound energy across various frequencies. Incorporating clay and porous hollow glass beads introduces complexities, emphasizing the need for precise acoustic performance prediction. Collected data from sound absorption coefficient measurements formed the basis for training an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model. Leveraging the ANN’s pattern recognition capabilities, the model learned from diverse composite compositions, enabling accurate prediction of sound absorption coefficients for varying material compositions. This predictive model streamlines material design, offering a systematic approach to tailor composite acoustic characteristics. Integration of machine learning, particularly ANNs, enhances accuracy and expedites material design and optimization, contributing to innovative and customizable sound-absorbing materials for diverse industrial applications.
Engaging Young People in Peace Education Research: Using an Arts Based Approach to Gain Congruence through Democratic Methods
Authors: Anderson Sarah K. , Nesterova Yulia
Published: May 2024

Qualitative research has increasingly been utilising visual methods such as drawing to collect richer insights from participants of all ages and backgrounds. This article demonstrates the methodological potential of a structured arts based workshop that included a data walk, a drawing session, and a reflective peace wall. We reflect on the suitability and value of this approach to support young people’s learning about peace, to collect insights on what peace means to them, and how they envision their contribution to a peaceful world. This project was done with 12–18-year-old students in three schools in Glasgow, Scotland. We found that a structured approach allowed students to understand and express what positive peace means and to see themselves as agents of change. Three key methodological insights are offered: ways the approach addresses a crisis of praxis in peace education research, how research methods can gain congruence with democratic concepts in of peace education, and normative validity established through the voice of young people. This article contributes to the literature on arts based and creative methodologies and offers a novel model of peace education research inclusive of multiple ways of knowing and more democratic methods.
Analytical computation of magnetic field distribution in double-stator hybrid-excitation vernier motor based on an accurate subdomain model
Authors: Hao Xiuhong , Cai Xiang , Nie Yujing
Published: May 2024

The double-stator hybrid-excitation vernier motor (DSHEVM) is a type of low-speed high-torque motor. The establishment of an accurate mathematical model of the DSHEVM, accurate determination of the magnetic field distribution, and an explicit physical relationship between the design parameters and the output torque are the keys to multi-objective optimization. This study proposes an accurate DSHEVM subdomain model to obtain precise magnetic field distributions. This subdomain model considers the effects of the relative permeability of the permanent magnets, split-pole slots, and stator slots on magnetic field distribution. The governing equations of the seven subdomains are established in scalar magnetic potential. According to the boundary conditions and corresponding Fourier series expansion at the interface of each subdomain, the magnetic flux density distributions in the main subdomains are obtained, and the output torque of a DSHEVM is analyzed. Based on the finite element method and experiments, the calculation accuracy of the proposed subdomain method is verified. The findings of this study provide a basis for multi-objective optimization and precise analysis of loss and temperature field of the DSHEVM.
Clinical impact of fluoropolymer-based drug-eluting stent thrombosis in femoropopliteal artery occlusive lesions
Authors: Shimizu Haruna , Kobayashi Taira , Okazaki Takanobu , Mochizuki Shingo , Maeda Kazuki , Sato Tomoyasu , Emura Shogo , Arai Yasunori , Kato Yuichi , Takahashi Shinya
Published: May 2024

Background

Endovascular treatment (EVT) is recommended for superficial femoral artery (SFA) lesions, and good results have been reported after implantation of drug-eluting stents (DES) for SFA. However, the major concern after implantation is acute thrombosis during the follow-up period, resulting in major amputation and major adverse limb events. In this study, we examined the incidence and outcome of acute thrombosis after DES implantation in the SFA.

Objectives and Methods

DES implantation for a femoropopliteal lesion was performed in 288 patients at multiple centers in Japan from 2019 to 2021. A total of 25 patients (8.6%) with DES acute occlusion were analyzed retrospectively. The primary endpoint was amputation-free survival (AFS) after acute occlusion.

Results

The median patient age was 77 years, with 48% having diabetes, 40% undergoing maintenance dialysis, and 66% having chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI). The mean time from initial DES implantation to acute occlusion was 153.5 ± 177.6 days, with a median of 104 days. EVT was performed in 18 patients (72%), surgical revascularization in 3 (12%), and conservative treatment in 4 (16%). Two deaths within 30 days were both due to sepsis. No major amputation or major adverse cardiovascular events occurred within 30 days. The 1-year rates of patency and freedom from target lesion revascularization after DES thrombosis were 22.9% and 48.8%, respectively. AFS at 1 year was 55.1%.

Conclusion

Acute DES occlusion is relatively frequent, and the outcome is poor. Therefore, the indication of DES implantation for a complex SFA lesion may require careful consideration. Further investigation may be needed in DES implantation for a complex SFA lesion.
ABO incompatibility haploidentical peripheral blood stem cell transplantation combined with a single cord blood unit for severe aplastic anemia patients
Authors: Wang Xiaoning , Wang Yuqi , Saulat Aiman , Liu Ruimin , Ren Juan , Zhu Huachao , Zhang Mei , He Pengcheng
Published: May 2024

Objective:

To observe the efficacy of haploidentcial peripheral blood stem cell transplantation combined with a single unrelated cord blood unit for severe aplastic anemia patients with donor-recipient ABO incompatibility.

Methods:

This was a retrospective cohort study and data of 57 severe aplastic anemia patients underwent haploidentical stem cell transplantation from August 1, 2018 to February 28, 2022 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University was retrospectively analyzed. All patients were divided into two groups, the donor-recipient ABO matched group (bone marrow+peripheral blood group) using haploidentical bone marrow and peripheral blood stem cells as grafts, and donor-recipient ABO mismatched group (cord blood+peripheral blood group), using unrelated cord blood and haploidentical peripheral blood stem cells as grafts. The differences of hematopoietic reconstitution, acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease, Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, and overall survival between the two groups were compared.

Results:

There were 30 cases in cord blood+peripheral blood group and 27 cases in bone marrow+peripheral blood group. One patient in bone marrow+peripheral blood group had primary graft failure, while other patients were successfully implanted. There were no significant differences of neutrophil and platelet recovery rates between two groups. The erythrocyte recovery time of cord blood+peripheral blood group was slower than that of bone marrow+peripheral blood group ( p < 0.05). There was no significant difference of the incidence of graft-versus-host disease, CMV, EB virus infection and post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders between two groups ( p > 0.05). The incidence of grade III–IV acute graft-versus-host disease in cord blood+peripheral blood group was higher than that of bone marrow+peripheral blood group ( p < 0.05). The incidence of intestinal graft-versus-host disease was higher in minor ABO-mismatched transplantation than that in major ABO-mismatched transplantation ( p < 0.05). There was no significant difference of overall survival between two groups ( p > 0.05).

Conclusion:

These findings suggest that haploidentical peripheral blood stem cell transplantation combined with a single cord blood unit may be an alternative option for severe aplastic anemia patients with donor-recipient ABO incompatibility.
Prevalence of Mental Disorders Among Patients with Multimorbidity Visiting Primary Care Settings in Slums of Karachi, Pakistan
Authors: Sharif Hina , Sheikh Sana Sharif , Thompson Ambareen Main , Hashmi Muzna , Seemi Tooba , Zaidi Kashaf , Saleem Sheikh Mohd
Published: May 2024

Background:

Anxiety and depression often exacerbate multimorbidity conditions, leading to increased disability rates among affected individuals.

Objective:

The study aimed to assess the mental health status of individuals with multimorbidity belonging to the marginalized population of Karachi, Pakistan. Specifically, the prevalence of anxiety and depression was investigated.

Methods:

A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted between July 2022 and June 2023 in 10 primary healthcare clinics located in 4 peri-urban areas of Karachi. A total of 9331 participants were included in the study. The Patient Health Questionnaire 4 (PHQ-4), Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 (GAD-7), and Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9) were used to assess symptoms of anxiety and depression. The data collected were analyzed using the statistical analysis system (SAS) version 9.4.

Results:

Among the study participants, 2894 (31%) were men and 5534 (59.3%) were women. The prevalence of moderate to severe anxiety was 31% among men and 59.3% among women. The age group between 41 and 60 years exhibited the highest rates of moderate to severe anxiety, 19.3% as evaluated by GAD-7 and 34.6% by PHQ-9. The Pathan ethnic group had the highest prevalence of anxiety (11%) and depression (28.3%) in the neighborhoods. Unemployed participants showed moderate to severe anxiety in 21.3% of the cases and moderate to severe depression in 25.5% of the cases.

Conclusion:

The study revealed a significant cooccurrence of anxiety and depression among individuals with multimorbidity in the marginalized population of Karachi, Pakistan. Furthermore, the presence of anxiety symptoms in multimorbidity patients with depression indicates a more unfavorable health state. It is essential to explore the implementation of screening measures and therapeutic interventions for comorbid anxiety and depression in this population to improve clinical outcomes.
Social Support, Engagement, and Burnout: A Comparative Analysis of Student Athletes and Regular Students in Finnish Lower Secondary Schools
Authors: Kuokkanen Joni , Romar Jan-Erik , Hirvensalo Mirja
Published: May 2024

This study investigated the relationships between maternal, paternal, teacher, and peer social support, behavioral engagement, and school burnout among Finnish lower secondary student athletes ( n = 209) and regular students ( n = 156) using cross-sectional questionnaire data collected in Grade 7. Structural equation modeling revealed positive associations between social support and student behavioral engagement, and negative connections between social support and behavioral engagement and school burnout. Behavioral engagement mediated the association between maternal and peer support and school burnout, and teacher support was the strongest direct predictor of school burnout. Student athletes displayed stronger associations between behavioral engagement and school burnout in comparison to regular students. The results contribute to our understanding of the interplay between individual and environmental resources in shaping student athletes’ and regular students’ well-being in lower secondary school.
Politics on YouTube: Detecting Online Group Polarization Based on News Videos’ Comments
Authors: Mall Raghvendra , Nagpal Mridul , Salminen Joni , Almerekhi Hind , Jung Soon-gyo , Jansen Bernard J.
Published: May 2024

Technology-mediated group toxicity polarization is a major socio-technological issue of our time. For better large-scale monitoring of polarization among social media news content, we quantify the toxicity of news video comments using a Toxicity Polarization Score. For polarizing news videos, our premise is that the comments’ toxicity approximates either an “M” or “U” shaped distribution—that is, there is unevenly balanced toxicity among the comments. We evaluate our premises through a case study using a dataset of ~180,000 YouTube comments on ~3,700 real news videos from an international online news organization. Toward polarization-mitigating information systems, we build a predictive machine learning model to score the toxicity polarization of news content even when its comments are disabled or not available, as it is a current trend among news publishers to disable comments. Findings imply that the most engaging news content is also often the most polarizing, which we associate with increasing research on clickbait content and the detrimental effect of attention-based metrics on the health of online social media communities, especially news communities.