bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phenomenological Study of International Medical Graduates (IMGs) and the Supervisory Relationship: Implications for Enhancing Successful Transitions to Practice in Canada
Authors: Lynn Brenna M. , Bluman Bob , Curran Vernon R.
Published: June 2024

Introduction:
International medical graduates (IMGs) comprise a substantial proportion of the medical workforces of many developed countries. Supervision, mentoring and coaching are often used to support IMGs with their adjustment and transition to medical practice in many of these countries. This study sought to explore the experiences of IMGs and their supervisors with the supervisory process.
Methods
Applying a phenomenological approach, six focus group interviews were conducted with twenty-one supervisors and IMGs on temporary licensure to explore the nature of the supervisory relationship and perceptions of the roles and expectations of supervisors of IMGs in Canada.
Results
The role of supervisor was perceived as important to supporting the IMG with adjusting, transitioning and navigating medical practice in Canada. Access and availability of the supervisor was critical, while supervisors with IMG backgrounds were felt to be more empathetic to the needs of supervisees. Having mentors, in addition to one’s supervisor, was seen as valuable to help with personal and professional adjustments to life in a new country and a novel medical system.
Conclusion
Effective supervision has an important role in supporting the successful transition and adjustment of IMGs to their new countries of practice, and potentially enhancing retention of these physicians in the rural and underserved communities where they may practice. Aspects of effective supervision include regular access and availability of the supervisor, fostering a supportive relationship and knowledge of the IMG background to provide empathetic support.
Comparison of Network Architectures for Semantic Segmentation
Authors: Boyadzhiev Teodor
Published: June 2024

Semantic segmentation is an important task in computer vision applications like autonomous driving, remote sensing, and medical image processing. Recently deep convolutional neural networks have become a standard in semantic segmentation tasks. The encoder-decoder architecture, an example of which is the UNet, has become well established and widely used. However, a two stream architecture working at different resolutions, an example of which is the DDRNet, has shown promising results. This paper aims to compare the performance of encoder-decoder architecture to the two-stream architecture by training a UNet and a DDRNet under the same conditions over different datasets. The results of this paper showed that in all cases, with and without pre-training, over all datasets the two-stream architecture outperformed the encoder-decoder architecture. Although well established, the UNet, seems to have inferior performance when compared to the newer DDRNet.
Analysis of the Relationship between Neonatal Risk Factors and Adverse Events in the Transfer of Operational Patients to the Neonatology Unit at RSCM
Authors: Tamba Riana Pauline , Rinaldy Kshetra , Putra Shandy Vama
Published: June 2024

Introduction: Transport of neonates from the neonatology unit to the operating room and vice versa carries a high risk of adverse events (KTD). However, there have been no detailed studies studying this. This study aims to determine the risk factors that play a role in the occurrence of adverse events during perioperative transfer of neonates.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study at RSUPN dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo. Neonates who met the inclusion criteria and the exclusion criteria were included in this study. Risk factors and adverse event profiles were collected from the study subjects. Analysis was carried out using univariate, bivariate and multivariate analyses. This study was approved by RSUPN dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo.
Results: A total of 87 adverse events were recorded in the 56 neonates who were subjects in this study. Fifty one point seventy nine percent of the subjects were female, 48.21% of the subjects were premature, 58.93% had low birth weight, with an average birth weight of 2,138 grams. The most common adverse event features were desaturation, covering 71.43% of the study subjects. There is a significant association between invasive respiratory support and hypothermia (OR = 0.052; 95% CI = 0.005 – 0.506). There is a significant association between invasive respiratory support and medical device adverse events (OR = 0.175; 95% CI = 0.043 – 0.707). Invasive respiratory support is the factor that plays the most role in medical device adverse events based on multivariate analysis (aOR = 0.023; 95% CI = 0.054–0.995).
Conclusion: Prematurity, LBW, and congenital abnormalities were not associated with adverse events. Meanwhile, the use of invasive respiratory support is associated with hypothermia and medical device adverse events in neonatology unit surgery transfer patients.
Mutational signature analysis predicts bacterial hypermutation and multidrug resistance
Authors: Pursell Zachary , Hall Kalen , Williams Leonard , Smith Richard , Kuang Erin , Ernst Robert , Bojanowski Christine , Wimley William , Morici Lisa
Published: June 2024

Bacteria of clinical importance, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, can become hypermutators upon loss of DNA mismatch repair (MMR) and are clinically correlated with high rates of multidrug resistance (MDR). Here, we demonstrate that hypermutated MMR-deficient P. aeruginosa has a unique mutational signature and rapidly acquires MDR upon repeated exposure to first-line or last-resort antibiotics. MDR acquisition was irrespective of drug class and instead arose through common resistance mechanisms shared between the initial and secondary drugs. Rational combinations of drugs having distinct resistance mechanisms prevented MDR acquisition in hypermutated MMR-deficient P. aeruginosa. Mutational signature analysis of P. aeruginosa across different human disease contexts identified appreciable quantities of MMR-deficient clinical isolates that were already MDR or prone to future MDR acquisition. Mutational signature analysis of patient samples is a promising diagnostic tool that may predict MDR and guide precision-based medical care.
REVISION 1: Structural variations along the apatite F-OH join: II. The role of hydrogen bonding in fluoridated teeth
Authors: Hughes John M. , Harlov Daniel , Rakovan John F. , Ahmadi Jamshid , Sieber Melanie J.
Published: June 2024

Fluoride is one of the most consumed pharmaceuticals in the world, and its facility in preventing dental caries is recognized as one of the top 10 public health achievements of the 20th century. Although hydroxylapatite is often used as an analog of dental enamel, the details of the substitution of F for OH in the apatite anion column are not well known. Using new synthesis techniques, this study extends the structure work on P63/m apatites along the middle portion of the F-OH apatite join to compositions near the composition of fluoridated human teeth. The first F substituent in hydroxylapatite, near fluoridated dental enamel compositions, is dramatically underbonded by the surrounding Ca2 atoms (0.72 vu) in a hydroxylapatite matrix. However, the hydroxyl hydrogen is able to contribute 0.20 or 0.10 vu in hydrogen bonding, depending on whether the substitution creates a reversal site in the anion column; this hydrogen bonding alleviates the bonding requirements of the substituent F. As F concentrations increase along the join, the average hydroxyl contributes increasing amounts of hydrogen bonding to the F column anions; to mitigate the loss of its hydrogen bonding, the hydroxyl oxygen migrates toward the adjacent mirror plane that contains the bonded Ca2 atoms, and the triangle of bonded Ca2 ions concomitantly contracts. These two mechanisms increase bonding to the column hydroxyl oxygen from the adjoining Ca2 atoms to balance the loss of hydrogen bonding that stabilizes the substituent F column anion and the increasing concentration of underbonded F.
The quantum Ising chain for beginners
Authors: Mbeng Glen Bigan , Russomanno Angelo , Santoro Giuseppe E.
Published: June 2024

We present here various techniques to work with clean and disordered quantum Ising chains, for the benefit of students and non-experts. Starting from the Jordan-Wigner transformation, which maps spin-1/2 systems into fermionic ones, we review some of the basic approaches to deal with the superconducting correlations that naturally emerge in this context. In particular, we analyze the form of the ground state and excitations of the model, relating them to the symmetry-breaking physics, and illustrate aspects connected to calculating dynamical quantities, thermal averages, correlation functions, and entanglement entropy. A few problems provide simple applications of the techniques.
EL CONTROL INTERNO EN EL DEPARTAMENTO DE TALENTO HUMANO DEL GAD MUNICIPAL PEDRO CARBO
Authors: Pilay Rodríguez Grissell Estefanía , Jaime Baque Miguel Ángel
Published: June 2024

El objetivo de esta investigación fue analizar como incide el control interno en la gestión del talento humano del Gobierno Autónomo Descentralizado Municipal del Cantón Pedro Carbo. Se utilizó una metodología mixta, combinando datos cualitativos y cuantitativos a través de la entrevista y encuestas. Los resultados mostraron que el 84% de los encuestados califican el control interno como “Efectivo”, mientras que el 87% consideran que las políticas de talento humano son “Transparentes”. Sin embargo, solo el 8% recibe retroalimentación regular, y la identificación de riesgos se realiza “Ocasionalmente” en el 74% de los casos. La percepción general sobre la gestión del talento humano es mayormente “Neutra” con un 63%. Se puede concluir que, aunque el control interno es funcional, existen oportunidades para optimizar su efectividad mediante una mayor regularidad en la retroalimentación y una identificación de riesgos más proactiva. Además, se debe mejorar la comunicación y el compromiso del personal para aumentar la satisfacción y el desempeño organizacional.
A novel approach to flood risk zonation: integrating deep learning models with APG in the Aji Chay catchment
Authors: Abdollahzadeh Bina Ali , Fard Moradinia Sina
Published: June 2024

Each year, floods, as one of the natural calamities, lead to significant destruction in various regions globally. Consequently, precise flood prediction becomes crucial in mitigating human and financial losses and effectively managing water resources. To achieve this, Convolutional Neural Network and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) models were utilized in this study to map flood hazards in the Aji Chay watershed. Flood data points were collected from the study area and subsequently divided into two groups using the Absence Point Generation technique. The first group, comprising 70% of the data, served as the training dataset for model construction, while the remaining 30% formed the testing dataset for validation. Seven key factors influencing floods, namely, precipitation, land use, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, drainage density, flow direction, topographic wetness index, and terrain ruggedness index, were identified through Leave-One-Feature-Out approach and employed in the modeling process. The LSTM model with a Kolmogorov–Smirnov (KS) statistic value of 88.14 was chosen as the best model based on the KS plot. The results revealed that approximately 37% of the study area fell into high and very high flood risk classes. These research findings can be valuable in the effective management of flood-prone areas and the reduction of flood damages.
Perfil clínico y epidemiológico de la parálisis cerebral en Colombia
Authors: Rivera-Rujana Diana Maria , Tovar-Ruiz Luz Angela , Muñoz-Rodríguez Diana Isabel , Jacome-Jacome Angie Lizeth , Suarez-Guerrero Angie Lorena , Cuantin-Morales Gustavo
Published: June 2024

Introducción: la parálisis cerebral infantil (PCI) es un grupo de trastornos del desarrollo del movimiento y la postura, limita la actividad, impacta en la participación y afecta la calidad de vida de los niños. Es la causa más común de discapacidad motora y representa un problema de salud pública. Se desconocen los factores de riesgo asociados y las características clínicas. Objetivo: determinar el perfil clínico y epidemiológico de la PCI en la población participante. Método: estudio observacional, descriptivo, transversal con intención analítica y retrospectivo de 330 niños con PCI, de 3 departamentos de Colombia. Resultados: el sexo masculino, infección prenatal (12,4%), parto prolongado (24,2%) y asfixia neonatal (17,3%) fueron los factores asociados más frecuentes con la PCI. Los niños que alcanzaron los hitos motores tempranos, lo hicieron trece meses después respecto al desarrollo motor típico. Solo el 15% de los niños estudiados superaron todas las dimensiones de Gross motor function measure (GMFM-66) y el 14% no logró realizar ninguna tarea motora. Conclusiones: el nacimiento a término con complicación de parto prolongado fue el principal factor asociado con PCI encontrado en este estudio. Se sugiere investigar el control prenatal y atención perinatal en el país con el fin de prevenir este trastorno.
Crosstalk Between Cancer-associated Fibroblasts and Myeloid Cells Shapes the Heterogeneous Microenvironment of Gastric Cancer
Authors: Peng Zhiwei , Fang Can , Tong Zhiwei , Rao Qiufan , Ren Zihao , Hu Kongwang
Published: June 2024

Background:

Targeted therapies have improved the clinical outcomes of most patients
with cancer. However, the heterogeneity of gastric cancer remains a major hurdle for precision
treatment. Further investigations into tumor microenvironment heterogeneity are required to resolve
these problems.

Methods:

In this study, bioinformatic analyses, including metabolism analysis, pathway enrichment,
differentiation trajectory inference, regulatory network construction, and survival analysis,
were applied to gain a comprehensive understanding of tumor microenvironment biology within
gastric cancer using single-cell RNA-seq and public datasets and experiments were carried out to
confirm the conclusions of these analyses.

Results:

We profiled heterogeneous single-cell atlases and identified eight cell populations with
differential expression patterns. We identified two cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) subtypes,
with particular emphasis on the role of inflammatory cancer-associated fibroblasts (iCAFs) in
EMT and lipid metabolic crosstalk within the tumor microenvironment. Notably, we detected two
differentiation states of iCAFs that existed in different tissues with discrepant expression of genes
involved in immuno-inflammation or ECM remodeling. Moreover, investigation of tumor-infiltrating
myeloid cells has revealed the functional diversity of myeloid cell lineages in gastric cancer.
Of which a proliferative cell lineage named C1QC+MKI67+TAMs was recognized with high immunosuppressive
capacities, suggesting it has immune suppression and cell proliferation functions
in the tumor niche. Finally, we explored regulatory networks based on ligand-receptor pairs and
found crucial pro-tumor crosstalk between CAFs and myeloid cells in the tumor microenvironment
(TME).

Conclusion:

These findings provide insights for future cancer treatments and drug discovery.
Enhanced Permeation Retention Effect - Modeling and Imaging Approaches for Nanoparticle-mediated Anti-cancer Diagnostics or Therapy
Authors: P.K. Suresh
Published: June 2024

This perspective focuses on the hyper-permeable vasculature, contributing to the passive
accumulation of drugs or NP-drug combinations through the paracellular and/or transcellular pathways.
This unique, cardinal, pathological feature of the vasculature in solid tumors is a major determinant
for the entry of anti-cancer macromolecules, with longer drug retention, attributable to imperfections
in the lymphatic drainage system. However, the desmoplastic reaction, another challenge in
terms of drug delivery, is attributable to the collagen-dense, heterogeneous accumulation of stromal
components in the Tumour Microenvironment (TME). Thus, the consequent increases in the Interstitial
Fluid Pressure (IFP) have been determined by experimental and computational techniques. This
back-flow can contribute to decrements in the drug/NP-drug conjugate reaching the tumour site,
warranting strategies to be adopted that can lower this pressure. However, the translational potential
of the EPR-effect-mediated drug delivery in humans is limited. The tumour-specific, spatiotemporal
differences in the EPR effect require human-relevant tumour models as well as their analysis based
on advanced imaging, including MRI-based studies. This development, validation, and refinement of
an iterative strategy can lead to the optimization of such customized models for personalised, tailormade
medicine.
Assessment of Left Ventricular Diastolic Function in Patients with Diffuse LargeB-cell Lymphoma after Anthracycline Chemotherapy by using Vector FlowMapping
Authors: Yang Kun , Hu Jia , Yuan Xinchun , Xiahou Yu , Ren Ping
Published: June 2024

Background:

Patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) often experience a poor prognosis due to cardiac damage induced by anthracycline
chemotherapy, with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction manifesting early. Vector Flow Mapping (VFM) is a novel technology, and its
effectiveness in detecting left ventricular diastolic dysfunction following anthracycline chemotherapy remains unverified.

Objects:

This study evaluates left ventricular diastolic function in DLBCL patients after anthracycline chemotherapy using vector flow mapping (VFM).

Materials and Methods:

We prospectively enrolled 54 DLBCL patients who had undergone anthracycline chemotherapy (receiving a minimum of 4 cycles) as the case
group and 54 age- and sex-matched individuals as controls. VFM assessments were conducted in the case group pre-chemotherapy (T0), post-4
chemotherapy cycles (T4), and in the control group. Measurements included basal, middle, and apical segment energy loss (ELb, ELm, ELa) and
intraventricular pressure differences (IVPDb, IVPDm, IVPDa) across four diastolic phases: isovolumic relaxation (D1), rapid filling (D2), slow
filling (D3), and atrial contraction (D4).

Results:

When comparing parameters between the control and case groups at T0, no significant differences were observed in general data, conventional
ultrasound parameters, and VFM parameters (all P > 0.05). From T0 to T4, ELa significantly increased throughout the diastole cycle (all P < 0.05);
ELm increased only during D4 (all P < 0.05); and ELb increased during D1, D2, and D4 (all P < 0.05). All IVPD measurements (IVPDa, IVPDm,
IVPDb) increased during D1 and D4 (all P < 0.05) but decreased during D2 and D3 (all P < 0.05). Significant positive correlations were identified
between ELa-D4, IVPDa-D4, and parameters A, e’, E/e,’ and LAVI (all r > 0.5, all P < 0.001). Negative correlations were noted with E/A for ELa-
D4 IVPDa-D4 (all r < -0.5, all P < 0.001). Positive correlations were observed for IVPDa-D1, IVPDa-D2 with E, E/e’, and LAVI (0.3<r<0.5, all P<0.001).

Conclusion:

VFM parameters demonstrate a certain correlation with conventional diastolic function parameters and show promise in assessing left ventricular
diastolic function. Furthermore, VFM parameters exhibit greater sensitivity to early diastolic function changes, suggesting that VFM could be a
novel method for evaluating differences in left ventricular diastolic function in DLBCL patients before and after chemotherapy.
Development and Validation of New HPLC Method for the Determination of Imidazolidinyl Urea in Topical Formulation
Authors: Kızılçay Gamze Ergin , Toker Sıdıka Ertürk , Matur Dilek
Published: June 2024

Introduction:

In this study, a new, simple, selective, and fast liquid chromatographic
method has been developed and validated for the determination of imidazolidinyl urea used as an
anti-microbial agent in topical formulation.

Methods:

The developed HPLC method using a diode array detector for the determination of imidazolidinyl
urea was applied to the topical formulation. Imidazolidinyl urea in the sample was analyzed
in the cyano column (250 x 4,6 mm, 5 μm i.d.) under chromatographic conditions, where
the flow rate was determined as 1.0 mL/min. The column oven was 40.0°C, and imidazolidinyl
urea was detected at 210 nm. Isocratic application of acetonitrile-water (25:75, v/v) was used as
the mobile phase system. The validation of the developed method was performed according to the
International Conference on Harmonisation guidelines Q2 (R1).

Results:

The linearity range of the imidazolidinyl urea was 0.050-0.150 mg/mL, and the limits of
detection and quantification were calculated to be 62.5x10-6 mg/mL and 125x10-6 mg/mL, respectively.
Assay recovery and precision of imidazolidinyl urea from topical formulation at 0.050,
0.100, and 0.125 mg/mL concentrations were evaluated. The mean recoveries for imidazolidinyl
urea in the topical formulation were calculated as 98.857-104.560%.

Conclusion:

The validated method was successfully applied to the determination of imidazolidinyl
urea in a topical formulation. The proposed method is reproducible and reliable and can be
used safely for routine analysis.
Association Between Gallstone Disease and Risk of Mortality of
Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer: A Systematic Review and
Meta-Analysis
Authors: Rahimi Rasoul , Masoumi Shahab , Badali Ahmadreza , jafari Negar , Heidari-Soureshjani Saeid , Sherwin Catherine M.T.
Published: June 2024

Background:

Gallstone disease (GD) is increasing in the world and has various complications.

Objective:

This study aims to examine the relationship between GD and the risk of mortality from
cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer using a systematic review and meta-analysis approach.

Methods:

A comprehensive and systematic search was done in various databases, such as Web of
Science (WOS), Scopus, MEDLINE/PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase. The search included
studies published from 1980 to December 2023. Heterogeneity was assessed using Chi-square, I2,
and forest plots, while publication bias was evaluated through Begg's and Egger's tests. All analyses
were performed using Stata 15, with statistical significance set at p <0.05.

Results:

A pooled analysis of five studies involving 161,671 participants demonstrated that individuals
with GD had a significantly higher risk of mortality from CVD (RR 1.29, 95% CI:
1.11-1.50, p <0.001). Importantly, no evidence of publication bias was found based on the results
of Begg's test (p =0.806) and Egger's test (p =0.138). Furthermore, the pooled analysis of seven
studies, encompassing a total of 562,625 participants, indicated an increased risk of cancer mortality
among individuals with GD (RR 1.45, 95% CI: 1.16-1.82, p <0.001). Similarly, no publication
bias was detected through Begg's test (p =0.133) and Egger's test (p =0.089).

Conclusion:

In this study, the evidence of a significant association between GD and an elevated
risk of mortality from CVD and canceris provided. These findings suggest that implementing targeted
interventions for individuals with gallstone disease could reduce mortality rates among these
patients.
An In vitro Study on the Antibacterial Effect of a Combined Photodynamic and Sonodynamic Therapy Using IR780 Iodide-loaded Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles Against P. aeruginosa and Multi-Drug Resistant P. aeruginosa
Authors: Alagha Heba Z. , Gülsoy Murat
Published: June 2024

Background:

The aim of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial photodynamic,
sonodynamic, and combined photodynamic and sonodynamic potentials of IR780 iodide
loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticles against gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa
(P. aeruginosa) and multi drug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MDR P. aeruginosa).

Methods:

IR780 iodide loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticles were synthesized, and their
antimicrobial photodynamic and sonodynamic potentials against one P. aeruginosa strain,
and one MDR P. aeruginosa strain were investigated. Laser irradiation was achieved via a
785 nm diode laser (500 mW/cm2, 5 min). Ultrasound irradiation was achieved via a 1-MHz
ultrasound unit (1.5 W/cm2, 50% duty cycle, 3 min). Viable bacterial cells were counted by
serial dilution method. Data were analyzed by ANOVA followed by Tukey's test (p ≤ 0.05).

Results:

The results revealed that for P. aeruginosa, the combined photodynamic therapy
(PDT) and sonodynamic therapy (SDT) showed a 44% reduction in bacterial cell viability
as compared to 18% and 31% when exposed to SDT alone and PDT alone, respectively.
For MDR. P. aeruginosa, the combined treatment resulted in a 45% reduction in bacterial
cell viability, as compared to 14% and 30% when exposed to SDT alone and PDT alone,
respectively. The killing effect was mainly due to the photodynamic and sonodynamic effects
of the nanoparticles, mainly caused by singlet oxygen. No photothermal effect was
involved in the killing.

Conclusion:

The results of this study demonstrated that IR780 iodide-loaded mesoporous
silica nanoparticles have the potential to be utilized as photo/sono therapeutic agents for
the inactivation of drug-resistant bacteria.
Decoding the Duterte Doctrine: Understanding Strategic Changes in Philippine Foreign Policy during Duterte Administration
Authors:   Universitas Negeri Malang, Paller Gerale Christopher
Published: June 2024

This article employs a sophisticated neoclassical realist framework to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the intricate landscape of Philippine foreign policy under the administration of former Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, elucidating the contours of the so-called “The Duterte Doctrine”. This encompasses a nuanced exploration of the nation's role as a middle power, focusing on the pillars of national security, economic diplomacy, and the safeguarding of overseas Filipinos. Employing an analytical lens that intricately weaves systemic pressures and domestic imperatives, the study meticulously unravels the historical trajectory of Philippines-USA relations and the evolving dynamics in the Philippines-China relationship. Methodologically, a discerning review of historical events, policy decisions, and diplomatic maneuvers is undertaken to unveil discernible patterns and strategic recalibrations within the nation's foreign policy landscape. The main findings underscore a diplomatic chess game in the Philippines-China relationship, marked by a strategic departure in defense posture with the cessation of joint military exercises with the U.S. Economic diplomacy, encapsulated in the Duterte Doctrine, manifests as a fervent pursuit of diversified economic partnerships, concurrently raising cogent concerns about potential economic dependence. The analysis accentuates the adaptive resilience of Philippine foreign policy in response to the evolving global landscape, thereby substantively contributing to regional stability. As a middle power, the Philippines astutely leverages its agency amid great power competition while assiduously upholding principles of international law and justice, necessitating nuanced and context-specific approaches to maintain a delicate balance between traditional alliances and emerging economic partnerships.
Prevalence and preferred medication for vestibular migraine in Menière’s disease: a multicenter retrospective cohort study in Korea
Authors: Lee Dong-Han , Park Hong Ju , Kim Kyu-Sung , Kim Hyun Ji , Byun Jae-Yong , Kim Min-Beom , Kim Minbum , Suh Myung-Whan , Seo Jae-Hyun , Lee Jong Dae , Jeon Eun-Ju , Yoo Myung Hoon , Hong Seok Min , Hong Sung-Kwang , Lee Hyo-Jeong , Lee Jung Woo , Oh Se-Joon , Kim Hyun Ah , Lee Hyung , Lee Eek-Sung , Kwon Eun-Jin , Jeong Seong-Hae , Choi Jeong-Yoon , Kim Chang-Hee
Published: June 2024

Objectives: The aim of this study is to categorize headaches associated with definite Menière’s disease (MD) according to diagnostic criteria, to determine their prevalence, and to investigate the preferred medication across participating centers.Methods: Patients diagnosed with definite MD at 17 university hospitals in otolaryngology or neurology departments in Korea between January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021 were retrospectively included. Data on the presence of accompanying vestibular migraine (VM), migraine or non-migraine headaches, and clinical information were collected. A survey was conducted to assess preferences for treatment drugs for vertigo and headache control in MD patients with headache.Results: A total of 435 definite MD patients were included, with a mean age of 57.0±14.9 years. Among them, 135 (31.0%) had accompanying headaches, of whom 48 (11.0% of all definite MD patients) could be diagnosed with VM. The prevalence of comorbid VM (definite and probable) was significantly higher in females (41 of 288, 14.2%) than in males (7 of 147, 4.8%) (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in the prevalence of comorbid VM between unilateral and bilateral MD patients (10.8% and 13.6%, respectively) (p > 0.05). Benzodiazepines, antihistamines, and antiemetics were mainly preferred for acute vertigo control, while nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, acetaminophen, and triptans were preferred for acute headache control, and topiramate, propranolol, and calcium channel blockers were mainly preferred for headache prevention.Conclusions: VM is not uncommon in patients with definite MD in Korea. Further research is needed to understand the differences in headache prevalence and preferred medications across different centers.
Effect of early high-dose steroid treatment in patients with acute vestibular neuritis: a retrospective case-control study
Authors: Lee Jung-Yup , Kang Hyun-Seok , Kim Sang-Hyun , Kim Min-Beom
Published: June 2024

Objectives: This study is performed to evaluate the effect of early steroid treatment within 24 hours of onset in acute vestibular neuritis (AVN).Methods: We performed a retrospective case-control study with 46 patients with AVN. Video head impulse test paradigm (HIMP) and suppression HIMP were performed, and dizziness handicap index (DHI) was determined at initial; all tests were repeated at 1 month. Patients were divided into two groups depending on whether they were treated with steroids (group S, n=21) or not (group n-S, n=25).Results: There was no significant difference in age, sex, and side between the two groups. In HIMP, group S showed a significantly lower occurrence of overt corrective saccade (CS) (p=0.034) and lower peak velocity of overt CS (p=0.020) than group n-S at 1 month. In addition, the DHI score at 1 month was significantly lower in group S than in group n-S (p=0.040). In correlation analysis between subjective symptom and objective parameters, the DHI score showed a significant correlation with the occurrence of overt CS (p=0.028) and PR score (p=0.006) at 1 month.Conclusions: Early steroid treatment in AVN would be helpful for relieving symptoms and the improvement of vestibular ocular reflex function in the recovery phase.
Serum otolin-1 level is specific to benign paroxysmal positional vertigo
Authors: Kim Hoon , Kim Eun Ji , Kwon Eunjin , Jeong Seong-Hae
Published: June 2024

Objectives: When we see patients with a history of positional vertigo (PV), many patients are diagnosed with benign paroxysmal PV (BPPV) by performing a typical history and nystagmus during a positioning maneuver. Recent studies reported that Otolin-1 can be detected in serum and that its levels significantly increase with age and BPPV. Herein, we tried to study the relationship between serum otolin-1 level and the other clinical aspects in patients with PV.Methods: We measured the serum levels of otolin-1 in 117 BPPV patients (82 females; age range, 43–92 years; mean age±standard deviation [SD], 68.5±10.5 years), referred to as the BPPV group; and nine patients (seven females; age range, 61–79 years; mean age±SD, 66.9±5.9 years) with PV not compatible with BPPV, referred to as another PV group. All the BPPV patients were treated with an appropriate canal repositioning maneuver followed by blood sampling within 1 week. Results: The serum levels of otolin-1 were higher in the BPPV group than in another PV group (mean±SD, 350.1±319.1 pg/mL vs. 183.6±134.1 pg/mL, respectively; p=0.037). However, there were no differences in both laboratory findings (serum vitamin D, C-telopeptide of type collagen, and bone mineral density) and clinical findings (age, sex, vertigo duration, ear disease, ear symptom, migraine, motion sickness, trauma, and previous BPPV) between these two groups. Conclusions: Serum otolin-1 level could help predict the current existence of BPPV in patients with PV. However, further validation studies are needed.
Periodicals beyond Hierarchies: Challenging Geopolitical and Social ‘Centres’ and ‘Peripheries’
Authors: Dobó Gábor , Jones Aled Gruffydd , Szeredi Merse Pál , Török Zsuzsa
Published: June 2024

This special issue of the Journal of European Periodical Studies emerges from the 10th International European Society for Periodical Research (ESPRit) conference and postgraduate workshop, held in September 2022 at the Museum of Fine Arts – Central European Research Institute for Art History (KEMKI) in Budapest, Hungary, in collaboration with the Petőfi Literary Museum – Kassák Museum. Focused on the theme of ‘Periodicals beyond Hierarchies: Challenging Geopolitical and Social “Centres” and “Peripheries” through the Press’, the conference attracted scholars from diverse backgrounds who explored core–periphery tensions in various contexts. The essays included in this issue, stemming from selected presentations at the Budapest conference, offer an introduction to the spatial breadth and historical dimensions of the centre–periphery lens within periodical studies. Building upon theoretical foundations dating back to Raúl Prebisch’s recognition of core–periphery disparities in the 1920s, and subsequent critiques such as Immanuel Wallerstein’s identification of semi-peripheral regions, these essays critically engage with the evolving discourse surrounding core–periphery dynamics. Ultimately, this collection encourages a nuanced understanding of periodicals as cultural maps that survey the complexities of collaboration, competition, and conflict across diverse geographic landscapes. By doing so, it prompts critical interrogation of the centre–periphery model, questions its utility in enriching our understanding of periodical dynamics, and challenges preconceived notions of centrality and peripherality within periodical studies specifically, and cultural studies more generally.
Speech acts in Indonesian High School EFL textbooks: Representation & learning implications
Authors: Sudartini Siti , Sutrisno Adi , Roselani Ni Gusti Ayu
Published: June 2024

This study is to analyse the representation and characteristics of speech acts in Indonesian high school EFL textbooks, with two focuses: 1) the representation of speech acts; and 2) the characteristics of their presentation. Using qualitative method and critical discourse analysis, the data were taken from the textbooks of grade X by Widiati, U., Rohmah, Z., Furidah (2017; 2018) and grade XI by Bashir (2017). The researcher acted as an instrument, using qualitative descriptive analysis. The results of this study are as follows. First, the presentation of speech acts already exists in the textbooks, but it is inadequate, because there are only four: assertive, directive, commissive, expressive, while there is no declarative type. In addition, the representation is also less varied. Second, the characteristics of speech acts presentation are adequate to facilitate understanding for students in developing their English competence. The speech acts are presented in the form of speaking skill materials and dialogue examples. This study underlines the need to improve the representation and presentation of functional speech acts in Indonesian high school EFL education.
Analyzing microeconomic determinants of non-performing loans in Saudi Arabian banks: Implications for banking sector health and risk management
Authors:   Department of Finance and Insurance, College of Business Administration, Northern Border University, Arar, Saudi Arabia, Twairesh Abdullah Ewayed
Published: June 2024

This research aims to study the smaller economic factors that influence the percentage of loans that banks in Saudi Arabia have given out but are not getting repaid. It uses data from 10 Saudi Arabian banks, covering 130 instances from the years 2009 to 2021, to figure out which economic factors at the bank level matter most. These factors are taken from the banks' yearly financial statements. The study looks at five specific factors suggested by earlier research, which are believed to impact the percentage of these non-repaying loans in the banking sector. These factors are the ratio of loans to deposits, the capital adequacy ratio (CAR), the return on assets (ROA), the net interest margin (NIM), and the size of the bank. The findings reveal that the size of the bank, its CAR, its ROA, its ratio of loans to deposits (which has a reverse effect), and its NIM (which has a direct effect) all play significant roles in determining the percentage of non-repaying loans in Saudi Arabian banks. Understanding these factors is crucial for getting insights into the health of the banking system. Monitoring and evaluating the ratio of non-repaying loans is important for keeping the financial system healthy and supporting steady economic growth. The study suggests that to manage the risks of loans not being repaid and to keep the banking system stable, effective policies and risk management practices are needed. It advises that banks improve their lending processes to manage non-repaying loans better and ensure profits for their shareholders.
Взаємозв’язок генералізованого пародонтиту та підвищеного рівня продукції паратиреоїдного гормону
Authors: Mazur I.P. , Dobrovynska O.V. , Ventsuryk Yu.O.
Published: June 2024

Рівень поширеності хвороб пародонта продовжує зростати. Всесвітня організація охорони здоров’я опублікувала дані, що у 2019 році захворювання тканин пародонта мають близько 19 % дорослого населення світу, що становить понад 1 мільярд випадків у всьому світі. Дослідження взаємозв’язку між захворюваннями тканин пародонта і порушенням функції паращитоподібних залоз є важливим для визначення ролі системних чинників, що відповідають за регулювання обміну речовин у кістковій тканині, та обґрунтування використання фармакологічного лікування дистрофічно-деструктивних процесів у кістковій тканині альвеолярного відростка, а також визначення шляхів превенції прогресування генералізованого пародонтиту.
Metal Bioaccumulation in Albino Rat Tissues Treated with Decontaminated Sea Lettuce (Ulva lactuca L.)
Authors: Mulyati Mulyati , Wijayanti Susy , Islahi Annisa Nur , Saraswati Anindyanari Rahma Sriyekti , Hasnadewi Ashfiya Hanif , Setyasari Safira Ratri Dwi
Published: June 2024

Ulva lactuca is a macroalgae that contains high nutritional values. The heavy metal contaminants in natural Ulva lactuca needs to be eliminated or decreased using natural agent. The aim of this research was to determine the bioaccumulation of Pb, Cd, Hg, and the impact on liver and gastrointestinal function. Parameters of this research were Hepatosomatic Index (HSI), SGPT levels, SGOT levels, bioaccumulation Pb, Cd, Hg, and histological structure of liver and small intestine. Besides that, the progression of body weight was observed. Twelve female Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus Berkenhout, 1769) were randomly assigned to three groups: Control, NU (treated with natural Ulva lactuca), and DU (treated with heavy metal decontaminated Ulva lactuca using Averrhoa bilimbi juice).Treatment was carried out orally at a dose of 1000 mg/Kg BW/day for 30 days. Histological structure of rat’s liver and small intestine were prepared after necropsy at the end of this research. Based on results, it can be concluded that there were no significant differences observed in HSI, SGPT, and SGOT levels among the groups. However, there was a tendency for an increase in total bilirubin levels in the decontaminated Ulva lactuca group. Both natural and heavy metal decontaminated Ulva lactuca showed histological damage on liver and small intestine. Bioaccumulation of Cd and Hg in the liver and gastrointestinal tract of rats after consuming decontaminated Ulva lactuca was lower than the natural Ulva lactuca group, but need more observations.
Major Royal Jelly Protein 2 (mrjp2) Gene Detection in Apis dorsata Fabricius, 1793, Apis dorsata binghami Cockerell, 1906, Apis florea Fabricius, 1787, and Apis nigrocincta Smith, 1860
Authors: Dewi Yasinta , Purwanto Hari
Published: June 2024

Indonesian people’s interest in honey, the product from honey bees, is quite high. It caused many cases of honey fraud such as mislabelling the entomological origin of honey. The Major Royal Jelly Protein 2 (mrjp2) gene, which encodes MRJP, can be used to determine the entomological origin of honey. The mrjp2 gene, for example, can be detected in honey from A. mellifera and A. cerana using species-specific primers for A. mellifera (MF-MR) and A. cerana (CF-CR). This study aims to detect the mrjp2 gene in several honey bee species native to Indonesia, namely A. dorsata, A. dorsata binghami, A. florea, A. nigrocincta, A. mellifera, and A. cerana as well as analyse the feasibility of MF-MR and CF-CR primers in determining the entomological origin of honey. The results showed that the MF-MR primers can amplify the DNA of A. dorsata binghami, A. florea, and A. mellifera, while CF-CR primers can amplify the DNA of both A. nigrocincta and A. cerana. The amplicons were subsequently sequenced. The phylogenetic tree and the genetic distance showed that there were differences and variation between each species of honey bee samples with the honey bee database. The data obtained from this research indicated that both primers could not determine the entomological origin of honey directly up to species level. The species level determination will only be possible using sequences information. However, in certain situations, the MF-MR and CF-CR primers were able to differentiate the honey bee species by including the information of the geographical origin of honey sample and the distribution area of each species of honey bees in Indonesia.
Growth and Development of Winged Bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (L.) DC.) Treated with Paclobutrazol
Authors: Wijayanti Jihan Sekar , Dewi Kumala
Published: June 2024

Winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (L.) DC.) is one of the tropical legumes commonly grown for vegetable in Indonesia. Winged bean is a kind of plants that growth on vine so that for cultivation it requires stakes or awnings. It is known that paclobutrazol is a growth retardant that acts by inhibiting gibberellin biosynthesis and application of paclobutrazol could make plant become semidwarf or even dwarf. This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of paclobutrazol on growth, development, some phytochemicals content and yield of winged bean plants. This study used a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with one factor, namely paclobutrazol, which was applied at four different concentrations, namely 0 ppm (control), 25 ppm, 50 ppm, 75 ppm or 100 ppm. Three replicates were made for each treatment. The results showed that paclobutrazol significantly decreased plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, number of pods per plant, pod length, fresh weight of fruit, levels of vitamin C and protein in the pods, but increased the leaf chlorophyll content and stomata density on the abaxial (lower) leaf surfaces. Paclobutrazol showed its effect on accelerating flowering time at a concentration of 50 ppm.
In Vitro Seed Germination and Shoot Growth of Nepenthes jamban Chi. C. Lee, Hernawati & Akhriadi, A Unique Pitcher Plant from Indonesia
Authors: Prawestri Apriliana Dyah , Rahayu Resa Sri , Kurniajati Wulan Septiningtyas , Sunardi Sunardi , Mansur Muhammad
Published: June 2024

The study to optimize in vitro propagation of the Indonesian native and critically endangered species, Nepenthes jamban, in order to support the ex-situ conservation efforts has been done.  Using Murashige and Skoog (MS) as a basal media, disinfected seeds of N. jamban were germinated on five types of germination media, viz. ¼ MS, ½ MS, MS, ¼ MS+benzyl adenine (BA)+Biotin and MS+BA+Biotin. Afterwards, in vitro shoots with 6-7 leaves were inoculated on growing media, i.e., ¼ MS, ¼ MS 60 (3:1) (MS modification with a higher concentration of nitrogen), and ¼ MS+naphtalene acetic acid (NAA)+BA. The results showed that the germination of N. jamban seeds was slow, indicated by the percentage of germination being less than 20% after 6 months of being planted on germination media. The highest percentage of germination was after the 6th month and the greatest pitcher development at the 10th month were obtained on ¼ MS medium. Furthermore, shoot growth and pitchers development consistently increased for 12 months in ¼ MS 60 (3:1) medium while other media resulted in a decrease in pitcher formation. It seemed that low concentrations of nutrient in the medium proved to be more effective to induce in vitro seed germination and enhance shoot growth which was also supported by higher nitrogen (nitrate) concentration in the medium. This study provides information that supports ex situ conservation action of native and critically endangered Nepenthes species from Indonesia.
The Complete Chloroplast Genome of Medinilla tapete-magicum (Melastomataceae) from Sulawesi, Indonesia
Authors: Priyadi Arief , Kuswandi Paramita Cahyaningrum , Yulianti Evy , Pratiwi Risha Amilia , Asih Ni Putu Sri
Published: June 2024

In this study, the genome of an endemic Sulawesi’s plant, Medinilla tapete-magicum was sequenced using Illumina NextSeq 500 and assembled the whole chloroplast genome. Results showed that the cpGenome is 155,602 bp in size with typical quadripartite structure of a large single copy (LSC) region (85,409 bp), a short single copy (SSC) region (16,629 bp), and a pair of inverted repeats (IRs) regions (26,782 bp). The cpGenome is composed of 132 genes, which consists of 87 protein coding genes, 37 tRNAs, and 8 rRNAs. The sliding window analyses showed that psbB-psbH and ndhF-rpl32 can potentially be used as markers. Microsatellite motifs of mononucleotide A and T dominated in the cpGenome. The phylogenetic trees from the concatenated 76 shared protein coding gene sequences showed the Medinilla clade was monophyletic and M. tapete-magicum is a sister species in the SE Asian clade which contain M. magnifica and M. speciosa.
The First Report of the Occurrence of the Root Mealybug Ripersiella multiporifera Jansen (2008) (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Rhizoecidae) in Indonesia
Authors: Devi Komang Saraswati , Sudiarta I Putu , Sunari Anak Agung Ayu Agung Sri , Wirya Gusti Ngurah Alit Susanta , Devi Putu Shinta , Eka Wijayanti Febri
Published: June 2024

Ripersiella multiporifera is a root mealybug species within the family Rhizoecidae that has distinctive bitubular pores on the dorsal and ventral. This species was first discovered by Jansen (2008) in the Netherlands during an import interception of Sansevieria sp. from Indonesia and Hoya kerrii from Thailand. This species was also found during inspections in Sicily (Italy) on the roots of Sansevieria trifasciata. In Indonesia, there are no reports of the existence of R. multiporifera, emphasising the need for research on its presence. This work was conducted the morphological method based on modified determination key and the molecular method based on MtCOI gene. The identified species was R. multiporifera, and this finding represents the first evidence of R. multiporifera's presence in Bali (Indonesia) which can be used as a reference for future research, especially in population control approaches.