bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spatiotemporal differentiation and driving mechanisms of high-level Grade A tourist attractions in the Yangtze River Delta City Cluster
Authors: Chen Mengchan , Yang Fangqin , Sun Jianwei , Deng Lingling , Luo Jing
Published: May 2024

Herein, the spatial evolution characteristics of high-level Grade A tourist attractions in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) urban agglomeration, from 2001 to 2021, are studied by comprehensively applying the nearest neighbor index, kernel density analysis, standard deviation ellipse, and spatial autocorrelation. High-level Grade A tourist attractions are investigated using the random forest model as the driving mechanism of the spatial pattern. Results show that 1) the spatial distribution of high-level Class A tourist attractions in the YRD city cluster has grown to be an agglomeration, and the high-density areas have evolved from “point-like dispersion to regiment-like combination,” gradually forming a B-shaped core density structure. 2) The spatial distribution comprises an overall “northwest–southeast” direction, a small counterclockwise rotation, the distribution of the center of gravity to the southwest migration, and the center of gravity from the territory of Suzhou City to the territory of Huzhou City. 3) The high-level Class A tourist attractions in the YRD city cluster as a whole show a strong positive spatial correlation, and the significantly clustered areas include three types: high-high (H-H), low-low (L-L), and low-high (L-H). 4) The spatial distribution of high, A-level tourist attractions in the YRD city cluster results from the combined action of the natural environment, resource endowment, socioeconomy, and policy background. Each element has a nonlinear and complex influence on the distribution of scenic spots.
Epigenetic and physiological alterations in zebrafish subjected to hypergravity
Authors: Salazar Marcela , Joly Silvia , Anglada-Escudé Guillem , Ribas Laia
Published: May 2024

Gravity is one of the most constant environmental factors across Earth’s evolution and all organisms are adapted to it. Consequently, spatial exploration has captured the interest in studying the biological changes that physiological alterations are caused by gravity. In the last two decades, epigenetics has explained how environmental cues can alter gene functions in organisms. Although many studies addressed gravity, the underlying biological and molecular mechanisms that occur in altered gravity for those epigenetics-related mechanisms, are mostly inexistent. The present study addressed the effects of hypergravity on development, behavior, gene expression, and most importantly, on the epigenetic changes in a worldwide animal model, the zebrafish (Danio rerio). To perform hypergravity experiments, a custom-centrifuge simulating the large diameter centrifuge (100 rpm ~ 3 g) was designed and zebrafish embryos were exposed during 5 days post fertilization (dpf). Results showed a significant decrease in survival at 2 dpf but no significance in the hatching rate. Physiological and morphological alterations including fish position, movement frequency, and swimming behavior showed significant changes due to hypergravity. Epigenetic studies showed significant hypermethylation of the genome of the zebrafish larvae subjected to 5 days of hypergravity. Downregulation of the gene expression of three epigenetic-related genes (dnmt1, dnmt3, and tet1), although not significant, was further observed. Taken altogether, gravity alterations affected biological responses including epigenetics in fish, providing a valuable roadmap of the putative hazards of living beyond Earth.
Longitudinal and regional association between dietary factors and prevalence of Crohn’s disease in Japan
Authors: Kodama Makoto , Okano Soh , Nojri Shuko , Abe Keiko , Fukata Masayuki , Nagase Yoshihiro , Kodama Hiroko
Published: May 2024

Although a Western diet has been identified as a risk factor for Crohn’s disease (CD), there is still controversy surrounding the specific foods that may contribute to the development of the disease. In this study, we examined the association between food intake and the prevalence of CD in Japan, as Japanese patients with CD are known to have limited genetic involvement. We identified changes in food intake associated with an increase in the number of patients with CD by analyzing the per capita consumption of food types from 1981 to 2014. Additionally, we examined the association between CD prevalence and food intake in each prefecture. Finally, the relationship between food intake and estimated age at CD onset was also investigated. Between 1981 and 2014, we observed Increased consumption of meat, eggs, milk and dairy products, oil, and potatoes and decreased consumption of grains, beans, vegetables, fruit, fish, sugar, and seaweed. The annual incidence of CD increased by 1388% over the same period. We found that meat consumption was significantly associated with CD prevalence (β = 0.503, p = 0.0003), while a significant negative correlation was observed between CD prevalence and fruit and vegetable consumption (fruit, β = 0.464, p = 0.0012; vegetables, β = 0.404, p = 0.0023). Furthermore, we estimated that the peak consumption of more meat and less fruit and vegetables and the peak age of CD onset occurred within the age range of 20–24 years. Our study identified a clear correlation between the consumption of meat, fruits, and vegetables and the prevalence of CD in Japan. Additionally, we found an association between meat, fruit, and vegetable consumption and the age at CD onset.
Electrophysiological grading scale for polyneuropathy severity
Authors: Abraham Alon , Bril Vera
Published: May 2024

Objective

To establish a simple electrophysiological scale for patients with distal symmetric axonal polyneuropathy, in order to promote standardized and informative electrodiagnostic reporting, and understand the complex relationship between electrophysiological and clinical polyneuropathy severity.

Methods

We included 76 patients with distal symmetric axonal polyneuropathy, from a cohort of 151 patients with polyneuropathy prospectively recruited from November 2016 to May 2017. Patients underwent nerve conduction studies (NCS), were evaluated by the Toronto Clinical Neuropathy Score (TCNS), and additional tests. The number of abnormal NCS parameters was determined, within the range of 0–4, considering low amplitude or conduction velocity in the sural and peroneal nerve.

Results

Higher number of NCS abnormalities was associated with higher TCNS, indicating more severe polyneuropathy. Polyneuropathy severity per the TCNS was most frequently (63%-70%) mild in patients with a low (0–1) number of NCS abnormalities, and most frequently (57%-67%) severe in patients with a high number (3–4) of NCS abnormalities, while patients with an intermediate (2) number of NCS abnormalities showed mainly mild and moderate severity with equal distribution (40%).

Conclusions

A simple NCS classification system can objectively grade polyneuropathy severity, although significant overlap exists especially at the intermediate range, underscoring the importance of clinical based scoring.
Comparison of 2D and 3D oxygen-enhanced MRI of the placenta
Authors: Hubbard Cristinacce Penny L. , Patel Minal , Oh Alexander , Naish Josephine H. , Johnstone Edward D. , Ingram Emma
Published: May 2024

Oxygen-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging (OE-MRI) of the human placenta is potentially a sensitive marker of in vivo oxygenation. This methodological study shows that full coverage of the placenta is possible using 3D mapping of the change in longitudinal relaxation rate (ΔR1), in a group of healthy pregnant subjects breathing elevated levels of oxygen. Twelve pregnant subjects underwent a comparison of 2D and 3D OE-MRI. ΔR1 was mapped for a single 2D slice (ss-2D), a single matched-slice from the 3D volume (ss-3D) and the full 3D volume (vol-3D). The group-average median ΔR1 values for ss-3D (0.023 s-1) and vol-3D (0.022 s-1) do not differ significantly from ss-2D (0.020 s-1), when compared using a two-tailed paired t-test (ss-3D (p = 0.58) and vol-3D (p = 0.70)). However, median baseline T1 (T1b) for ss-2D was higher (1603 ms) than T1b for ss-3D (1540 ms, p = 0.07) and significantly higher than vol-3D (1515 ms, p = 0.02), when compared using a two-tailed paired t-test. In contrast with previous studies, no correlation of median ΔR1 with gestation age at scan for the normal group (N = 10) was observed for ss-2D, likely due to the smaller gestational range. Full volume OE-MRI maps reveal sensitivity to changes in ΔR1, with some participants showing an enhanced gradient in the intermediate space between the fetal and maternal sides of the placenta in the 3D data. This study shows that it is feasible to acquire whole placental volume OE-MRI data in women with healthy pregnancy.
Impact of Mindfulness on sleep quality in innovative corporate employees: A chain mediation of Social Interaction Anxiety and bedtime procrastination
Authors: Zheng Junjian , Zang Xiaojing , Xu Xiaowei , Zhang Hanzhong , Shah Wasi Ul Hassan
Published: May 2024

In the context of innovative enterprises in China, the significance of sleep quality for employees’ physical and mental well-being cannot be understated. This study explores the complex relationship between Mindfulness and sleep quality and examines the potential interaction between Social Interaction Anxiety and prolonged sleep behavior. To this end, a thorough evaluation involving the administration of the Mindfulness scale, Social Interaction Anxiety scale, sleep delay scale, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was conducted among a significant sample of innovative enterprise employees (N = 1648). The findings reveal that a notable proportion of these employees, 31.1% to be precise (as per PSQI 8), grapple with compromised sleep quality. Subsequent analyses shed light on compelling patterns, underscoring a robust negative correlation between Mindfulness and factors like Social Interaction Anxiety, sleep delay, and sleep quality (β = -0.71, -0.37, -0.35; P < 0.01). Conversely, a significant positive correlation emerges connecting Social Interaction Anxiety, sleep delay, and sleep quality (β = 0.23, 0.37, 0.32; P < 0.01). Interestingly, mediation analysis demonstrates that Mindfulness significantly negatively influences sleep quality, independent of demographic factors such as sex and age. This impact is mediated by sleep delay, which also interacts with Social Interaction Anxiety. In summary, the research emphasizes the predictive function of Mindfulness in improving sleep quality among employees in innovative enterprises, achieved through its reduction of Social Interaction Anxiety and bedtime procrastination tendencies.
Long-term stability and the physical and chemical factors predictive for antimicrobial activity in Australian honey
Authors: Fernandes Kenya E. , Dong Andrew Z. , Levina Aviva , Cokcetin Nural N. , Brooks Peter , Carter Dee A.
Published: May 2024

The growing burden of expired medicines contributes to environmental contamination and landfill waste accumulation. Medicinal honey, with its non-toxic nature and potentially long shelf-life, represents a promising and underutilised therapeutic that avoids some of these issues. However, limited knowledge on how its antimicrobial properties change over time combined with a lack of reliable processes in the honey industry for measuring antimicrobial potential, hinder its clinical adoption. Using a diverse selection of 30 Australian honey samples collected between 2005 and 2007, we comprehensively evaluated their antibacterial and antifungal activity and pertinent physical and chemical properties with the aims of assessing the effect of long-term storage on activity, pinpointing factors associated with antimicrobial efficacy, and establishing robust assessment methods. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assays proved superior to the standard phenol equivalence assay in capturing the full range of antimicrobial activity present in honey. Correlations between activity and a range of physical and chemical properties uncovered significant associations, with hydrogen peroxide, antioxidant content, and water activity emerging as key indicators in non-Leptospermum honey. However, the complex nature and the diverse composition of honey samples precludes the use of high-throughput chemical tests for accurately assessing this activity, and direct assessment using live microorganisms remains the most economical and reliable method. We provide recommendations for different methods of assaying various honey properties, taking into account their accuracy along with technical difficulty and safety considerations. All Leptospermum and fourteen of seventeen non-Leptospermum honey samples retained at least some antimicrobial properties after 15–17 years of storage, suggesting that honey can remain active for extended periods. Overall, the results of this study will help industry meet the growing demand for high-quality, medicinally active honey while ensuring accurate assessment of its antimicrobial potential.
Supporting patient self-management: A cross-sectional and prospective cohort study investigating Patient Activation Measure (PAM) and Clinician Support for PAM scores as part of a multi-centre haemodialysis breakthrough series collaborative
Authors: Keriakos Maria , Lee Sonia , Stannard Catherine , Ariss Steven , Dunn Louese , Wilkie Martin , Fotheringham James
Published: May 2024

Background

Patient self-management, measured by the Patient Activation Measure (PAM), is associated with reduced healthcare utilisation and better health-related quality of life. Self-management in haemodialysis (HD) is challenging and may require support from clinicians with positive attitudes towards self-management, measured by the Clinician Support for PAM (CSPAM).

Objectives

To assess whether kidney staff CSPAM scores are: 1) associated with their centre’s patient PAM scores and 2) modifiable through staff coaching.

Methods

Baseline PAM and CSPAM and six-month CSPAM were collected from HD patients and kidney staff respectively in seven UK kidney centres as part of a six-month breakthrough series collaborative (BTSC), which trained kidney staff in supporting patient independence with HD tasks. Firstly, multivariable linear regression analyses adjusted for patient characteristics were used to test the baseline association between centre-level staff CSPAM scores and patient PAM scores. Secondly, paired univariate and unpaired multivariable linear regression analyses were conducted to compare staff CSPAM scores at baseline and six months.

Results

236 PAM questionnaires (mean score = 55.5) and 89 CSPAM questionnaires (median score = 72.6) were analysed at baseline. There was no significant association between centre-level mean CSPAM scores and PAM scores in univariate analyses (P = 0.321). After adjusting for patient-level characteristics, increasing centre-level mean CSPAM score by 1 point resulted in a non-significant 0.3-point increase in PAM score (0.328 (95% CI: -0.157 to 0.812; P = 0.184). Paired (n = 37) and unpaired (n = 174) staff analyses showed a non-significant change in CSPAM scores following the BTSC intervention (mean change in CSPAM score in unpaired analysis = 1.339 (95% CI: -1.945 to 4.623; P = 0.422).

Conclusions

Lack of a significant: 1) association between CSPAM and PAM scores and 2) change in CSPAM scores suggest that modifying staff beliefs alone is less likely to influence patient self-management, requiring co-production between patients and staff.
Reconstruction and normalization of LISA for spatial analysis
Authors: Chen Yanguang
Published: May 2024

The local indicators of spatial association (LISA) are important measures for spatial autocorrelation analysis. However, there is an inadvertent fault in the mathematical processes of deriving LISA in literature so that the local Moran and Geary indicators do not satisfy the second basic requirement for LISA: the sum of the local indicators is proportional to a global indicator. This paper aims at reconstructing the calculation formulae of the local Moran indexes and Geary coefficients through mathematical derivation and empirical evidence. Two sets of LISAs were clarified by new mathematical reasoning. One set of LISAs is based on non-normalized weights and non-centralized variable (MI1 and GC1), and the other set is based on row normalized weights and standardized variable (MI2 and GC2). The results show that the first set of LISAs satisfy the above-mentioned second requirement, but the second the set cannot. Then, the third set of LISA was proposed and can be treated as canonical forms (MI3 and GC3). This set of LISAs satisfies the second requirement. The observational data of city population and traffic mileage in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region of China were employed to verify the theoretical results. This study helps to clarify the misunderstandings about LISAs in the field of geospatial analysis.
The excessive celebrity worship behavior questionnaire: Chinese scale development and validation
Authors: He Yiqing , Liu Qinxue
Published: May 2024

Objective

To develop a scale to assess the excessive behavior of superfans in celebrity worship and to test its reliability and validity in China.

Methods

The scale was developed based on the netnography and interviews of celebrity fans and the existing problematic Internet usage scales. Sample 1 (n = 465) was used for exploratory factor analysis, and Sample 2 (n = 804) was used for confirmatory factor analysis, reliability test, criterion validity, and discriminative validity test.

Results

There were 36 items in the final scale, including nine factors: impaired social functioning, replacement of real to virtual social relationships, sleep and eating problems, withdrawal, mood alteration, salience, excessive buying, increased craving, and escape from real life. The factor loadings ranged from 0.565 to 0.803. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the scale was well structured. The reliability of the scale and each factor were satisfactory. The scale showed good discriminant validity in reflecting celebrity worship behavior. In terms of scores, mood alteration was the highest, excessive buying was the lowest, and there were certain gender and age differences.

Conclusion

This study initially identified the main characteristics of excessive celebrity worship behavior among young fans on social media. The developed Chinese scale has good reliability and validity and can be used as a measurement tool.
Loss of the yeast transporter Agp2 upregulates the pleiotropic drug-resistant pump Pdr5 and confers resistance to the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide
Authors: Manzoor Yusra , Aouida Mustapha , Ramadoss Ramya , Moovarkumudalvan Balasubramanian , Ahmed Nisar , Sulaiman Abdallah Alhaj , Mohanty Ashima , Ali Reem , Mifsud Borbala , Ramotar Dindial
Published: May 2024

The transmembrane protein Agp2, initially shown as a transporter of L-carnitine, mediates the high-affinity transport of polyamines and the anticancer drug bleomycin-A5. Cells lacking Agp2 are hyper-resistant to polyamine and bleomycin-A5. In these earlier studies, we showed that the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide blocked the uptake of bleomycin-A5 into the cells suggesting that the drug uptake system may require de novo synthesis. However, our recent findings demonstrated that cycloheximide, instead, induced rapid degradation of Agp2, and in the absence of Agp2 cells are resistant to cycloheximide. These observations raised the possibility that the degradation of Agp2 may allow the cell to alter its drug resistance network to combat the toxic effects of cycloheximide. In this study, we show that membrane extracts from agp2Δ mutants accentuated several proteins that were differentially expressed in comparison to the parent. Mass spectrometry analysis of the membrane extracts uncovered the pleiotropic drug efflux pump, Pdr5, involved in the efflux of cycloheximide, as a key protein upregulated in the agp2Δ mutant. Moreover, a global gene expression analysis revealed that 322 genes were differentially affected in the agp2Δ mutant versus the parent, including the prominent PDR5 gene and genes required for mitochondrial function. We further show that Agp2 is associated with the upstream region of the PDR5 gene, leading to the hypothesis that cycloheximide resistance displayed by the agp2Δ mutant is due to the derepression of the PDR5 gene.
A novel machine learning-based prediction method for patients at risk of developing depressive symptoms using a small data
Authors: Yun Minyoung , Jeon Minjeong , Yang Heyoung
Published: May 2024

The prediction of depression is a crucial area of research which makes it one of the top priorities in mental health research as it enables early intervention and can lead to higher success rates in treatment. Self-reported feelings by patients represent a valuable biomarker for predicting depression as they can be expressed in a lower-dimensional network form, offering an advantage in visualizing the interactive characteristics of depression-related feelings. Furthermore, the network form of data expresses high-dimensional data in a compact form, making the data easy to use as input for the machine learning processes. In this study, we applied the graph convolutional network (GCN) algorithm, an effective machine learning tool for handling network data, to predict depression-prone patients using the network form of self-reported log data as the input. We took a data augmentation step to expand the initially small dataset and fed the resulting data into the GCN algorithm, which achieved a high level of accuracy from 86–97% and an F1 (harmonic mean of precision and recall) score of 0.83–0.94 through three experimental cases. In these cases, the ratio of depressive cases varied, and high accuracy and F1 scores were observed in all three cases. This study not only demonstrates the potential for predicting depression-prone patients using self-reported logs as a biomarker in advance, but also shows promise in handling small data sets in the prediction, which is critical given the challenge of obtaining large datasets for biomarker research. The combination of self-reported logs and the GCN algorithm is a promising approach for predicting depression and warrants further investigation.
Acute and long-term outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection in school-aged children in England: Study protocol for the joint analysis of the COVID-19 schools infection survey (SIS) and the COVID-19 mapping and mitigation in schools (CoMMinS) study
Authors: Looker Katharine J. , McClenaghan Elliot , Judd Alison , Pierotti Livia , Downing Harriet , Phelan Jody , Warren-Gash Charlotte , Ngozi Kalu , Dawe Fiona , Relton Caroline , Christensen Hannah , Hay Alastair D. , Mangtani Punam , Nguipdop-Djomo Patrick , Denholm Rachel
Published: May 2024

Background

The symptom profiles of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection and long-COVID in children and young people (CYP), risk factors, and associated healthcare needs, are poorly defined. The Schools Infection Survey 1 (SIS-1) was a nationwide study of SARS-CoV-2 infection in primary and secondary schools in England during the 2020/21 school year. The Covid-19 Mapping and Mitigation in Schools (CoMMinS) study was conducted in schools in the Bristol area over a similar period. Both studies conducted testing to identify current and previous SARS-CoV-2 infection, and recorded symptoms and school attendance. These research data have been linked to routine electronic health record (EHR) data.

Aims

To better understand the short- and long-term consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and their risk factors, in CYP.

Methods

Retrospective cohort and nested case-control analyses will be conducted for SIS-1 and CoMMinS data linked to EHR data for the association between (1) acute symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection and risk factors; (2) SARS-CoV-2 infection and long-term effects on health: (a) persistent symptoms; (b) any new diagnosis; (c) a new prescription in primary care; (d) health service attendance; (e) a high rate of school absence.

Results

Our study will improve understanding of long-COVID in CYP by characterising the trajectory of long-COVID in CYP in terms of things like symptoms and diagnoses of conditions. The research will inform which groups of CYP are more likely to get acute- and long-term outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and patterns of related healthcare-seeking behaviour, relevant for healthcare service planning. Digested information will be produced for affected families, doctors, schools, and the public, as appropriate.

Conclusion

Linked SIS-1 and CoMMinS data represent a unique and rich resource for understanding the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on children’s health, benefiting from enhanced SARS-CoV-2 testing and ability to assess a wide range of outcomes.
Surface plasmon resonance microscopy identifies glycan heterogeneity in pancreatic cancer cells that influences mucin-4 binding interactions
Authors: Aguilar Díaz de león Jesús S. , Thirumurty Miyuki , Ly Nguyen
Published: May 2024

Membrane proteins are the main targets of therapeutic drugs and most of them are glycosylated. Glycans play pivotal roles in several biological processes, and glycosylation changes are a well-established hallmark of several types of cancer, including pancreatic cancer, that contribute to tumor growth. Mucin-4 (MUC-4) is a membrane glycoprotein which is associated with pancreatic cancer and metastasis, and it has been targeted as a promising vaccine candidate. In this study, Surface Plasmon Resonance Microscopy (SPRM) was implemented to study complex influences of the native N-glycan cellular environment on binding interactions to the MUC-4 receptor as this is currently the only commercially available label-free technique with high enough sensitivity and resolution to measure binding kinetics and heterogeneity on single cells. Such unique capability enables for a more accurate understanding of the “true” binding interactions on human cancer cells without disrupting the native environment of the target MUC-4 receptor. Removal of N-linked glycans in pancreatic cancer cells using PNGase F exposed heterogeneity in Concanavalin (Con A) binding by revealing three new binding populations with higher affinities than the glycosylated control cells. Anti-MUC-4 binding interactions of enzymatically N-linked deglycosylated pancreatic cancer cells produced a 25x faster association and 37x higher affinity relative to the glycosylated control cells. Lastly, four interaction modes were observed for Helix Pomatia Agglutinin (HPA) binding to the glycosylated control cells, but shifted and increased in activity upon removal of N-linked glycans. These results identified predominant interaction modes of glycan and MUC-4 in pancreatic cancer cells, the kinetics of their binding interactions were quantified, and the influence of N-linked glycans in MUC-4 binding interactions was revealed.
Dampening of ISGylation of RIG-I by ADAP regulates type I interferon response of macrophages to RNA virus infection
Authors: Wang Yan , Feng Haixia , Li Xiao , Ruan Yina , Guo Yueping , Cui Xinxing , Zhang Pengchao , Li Yanli , Wang Xinning , Wang Xingran , Wei Luxin , Yi Yulan , Zhang Lifeng , Yang Xiaodong , Liu Hebin
Published: May 2024

While macrophage is one of the major type I interferon (IFN-I) producers in multiple tissues during viral infections, it also serves as an important target cell for many RNA viruses. However, the regulatory mechanism for the IFN-I response of macrophages to respond to a viral challenge is not fully understood. Here we report ADAP, an immune adaptor protein, is indispensable for the induction of the IFN-I response of macrophages to RNA virus infections via an inhibition of the conjugation of ubiquitin-like ISG15 (ISGylation) to RIG-I. Loss of ADAP increases RNA virus replication in macrophages, accompanied with a decrease in LPS-inducedIFN-βandISG15mRNA expression and an impairment in the RNA virus-induced phosphorylation of IRF3 and TBK1. Moreover, usingAdap-/-mice, we show ADAP deficiency strongly increases the susceptibility of macrophages to RNA-virus infectionin vivo. Mechanically, ADAP selectively interacts and functionally cooperates with RIG-I but not MDA5 in the activation of IFN-β transcription. Loss of ADAP results in an enhancement of ISGylation of RIG-I, whereas overexpression of ADAP exhibits the opposite effectin vitro, indicating ADAP is detrimental to the RNA virus-induced ISGylation of RIG-I. Together, our data demonstrate a novel antagonistic activity of ADAP in the cell-intrinsic control of RIG-I ISGylation, which is indispensable for initiating and sustaining the IFN-I response of macrophages to RNA virus infections and replication.
An assessment of policies to promote perennial energy crop and woodland planting
Authors: Ford Judith S. , Taylor Peter G.
Published: May 2024

If the UK is to meet its target of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to net zero by 2050, significant land-use change will be required. More woodland will have to be created and more perennial energy crops (PECs) will need to be grown. Land will also be required for food production, habitat restoration, and for new settlements. Government intervention will be required if landowners are to deliver this transition in land use. This research identified 43 policies that had been proposed for delivering increased planting of PECs and new woodlands. Their desirability, feasibility and potential effectiveness were assessed by a panel of experts using a policy Delphi method. Results showed that the most important was a comprehensive land-use policy, which will have to be delivered by the post-Brexit, Environmental Land Management (ELM) scheme in the UK. PEC cultivation could be most effectively encouraged by delivering investment or incentives to electricity generators at the top of the supply chain. Woodland creation requires support from attractive, well-administered grants to replace annual farm income. Educational and informational policies are also needed to breakdown the divisions between the farming and forestry sectors, and to overcome reluctance of landowners and farmers to grow non-food crops.
The Kerala Story, Sudipto Sen (dir.) (2023), India: Sunshine Pictures
Authors: Satkhed Bushra
Published: May 2024

Review of: The Kerala Story, Sudipto Sen (dir.) (2023), India: Sunshine Pictures
The storyteller as time traveller: Turning the page and the influence of ‘alternative bindings’ on the development of narrative structure
Authors: Owen Nigel
Published: May 2024

Storytelling is fundamental to our existence. It enables us to understand the world in which we live and our relationship to it and to each other. Storytelling surrounds us and we actively engage in it on a daily basis through our communications with each other. Through the stories that we tell each other, we are able to both inform and entertain, but the act of delivering a narrative more importantly offers us the chance to make sense of our complex lives. It feels instinctive and satisfying to both tell and hear a story. In recent years cutting edge new media has undoubtedly changed our understanding of storytelling. Film, television, theatre, music and literature were once the leading innovators when it came to delivering narrative and these media forms remain influential, but when it comes to a potentially totally immersive experience it is difficult to compete with an industry that appears to be expanding almost exponentially. As our world becomes increasingly dependent on digital media, immersive virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), our interaction with storytelling evolves rapidly.
From indoors to the great outdoors: An augmented reality-illustrated scavenger hunt
Authors: Hay Nicola
Published: May 2024

This review introduces the Illustrated Menagerie Augmented Reality Scavenger Hunt (IMARSH), a project merging extended reality (XR) with illustration for an immersive outdoor public exhibition. IMARSH aimed to reconnect individuals with nature through interactive animal-themed artworks, using XR to enhance engagement. The curated trail, part of the We Shine Portsmouth 2022 Festival, featured illustrations transformed into dynamic experiences with animation and sound. Key examples included artworks depicting endangered birds and highlighting ocean pollution. The article discusses technical aspects, audience engagement, and the potential of illustration and XR to deepen connections with nature. IMARSH serves as a pioneering initiative bridging art, technology and environmental awareness.
Algunas traductoras de Unamuno. Reflexiones sororales
Authors: Harkema Leslie J.
Published: May 2024

Este artículo analiza el papel de las mujeres en la traducción y difusión de la obra de Unamuno en el plano internacional durante la vida del autor y en las primeras décadas después de su muerte. Parte del corpus de las cartas de traductoras conservadas en el archivo de Unamuno y estudia varios casos representativos, divididos en tres grupos. Primero se comentan los desencuentros: cartas que Unamuno nunca contesta, contactos que se pierden y traducciones que nunca llegan a publicarse. Luego se destaca a dos traductoras francesas –Emma Clouard y Mathilde Pomès– que lograron publicar traducciones de la obra de Unamuno, además de desarrollar relaciones de amistad con el traducido. Por último, se considera el papel que desempeñaron dos norteamericanas –Eleanor L. Turnbull y Margaret T. Rudd– en la difusión de la obra e imagen de Unamuno en los Estados Unidos después de la muerte del escritor.
Características clínicas y patológicas del tumor de células granulares en cuerda vocal. Revisión de la literatura
Authors: San Millán-González María , Santos-Pérez Jaime , Duque-Holguera Victoria , Martín-Pascual María Consolación , Viveros-Díez Patricia , Saboya-Romero Diana Milena
Published: May 2024

Introducción y objetivo:
El tumor de células granulares, conocido como tumor de Abrikossoff, es una rara neoplasia con un patrón histológico distintivo. Aunque generalmente benigno, su capacidad para volverse maligno y su afectación en diversos tejidos presenta desafíos en su diagnóstico y tratamiento. Por tanto, esta revisión bibliográfica tiene como objetivo abordar los aspectos clínicos, histológicos, moleculares y terapéuticos de este tumor cuando se localiza en las cuerdas vocales.

Método:
Para llevar a cabo esta revisión, se realizó una búsqueda bibliográfica en bases de datos médicas, sin restricciones de idioma, con un rango de fechas del 11 de octubre de 2022 al 10 de octubre de 2023. Se seleccionaron 12 artículos que incluyeron casos clínicos, series de casos y revisiones sistemáticas.

Resultados:
Tras la búsqueda, se obtuvieron 12 artículos relevantes que definen aspectos clínicos, histológicos e inmunohistoquímicos, así como enfoques de tratamiento. A pesar de la contribución de todas las fuentes, se ha dado prioridad a las investigaciones más recientes.

Discusión:
El tumor de células granulares es una neoplasia rara que puede afectar cualquier parte del cuerpo, pero es más común en la cabeza y el cuello, incluyendo las cuerdas vocales. Su presentación clínica varía, y puede volverse agresivo, con metástasis en algunos casos. El síntoma más común es la disfonía. La nomenclatura del tumor ha evolucionado con el tiempo, y la histología revela células grandes con citoplasma eosinofílico granular y expresión de marcadores inmunohistoquímicos específicos. Por lo tanto, el diagnóstico diferencial es esencial para evitar errores de diagnóstico. El tratamiento principal es la extirpación quirúrgica, a menudo a través de métodos endoscópicos con láser de dióxido de carbono. Además, el seguimiento postoperatorio es crucial para la evaluación de la voz y la detección de complicaciones.

Conclusiones:
En resumen, esta revisión destaca la rareza y heterogeneidad del tumor de células granulares en las cuerdas vocales. Se enfatiza la importancia del diagnóstico diferencial, la inmunohistoquímica y el seguimiento postoperatorio para garantizar un manejo efectivo en las consultas de otorrinolaringología y la mejora de la calidad de vida de los pacientes afectados.
Efectividad real de la terapia biológica en el tratamiento de pacientes con rinosinusitis crónica con poliposis nasosinusal
Authors: García-García Cristina , Villarreal-Patiño Ithzel , Pardo-Maza Adriana , Bosco-Morales Gabriela , Miranda-Sánchez Estefanía , Plaza-Mayor Guillermo
Published: May 2024

Introducción y objetivo:
El tratamiento de la rinosinusitis crónica con poliposis nasosinusal (RSCcPN) se basa en el uso de corticoterapia local intranasal, ciclos de corticoides sistémicos y cirugía endoscópica nasal. La terapia biológica está ganando cada vez más protagonismo en el tratamiento de esta patología en casos resistentes al tratamiento cásico. El objetivo de este trabajo es determinar la efectividad real de los tratamientos biológicos administrados para la RScPN fuera del ámbito de los ensayos clínicos.

Método:
Estudio retrospectivo sobre pacientes con RSCcPN y asma en tratamiento con terapia biológica en un hospital universitario. Analizaremos mediante un estudio de Wilcoxon signed-rank la eficacia de los distintos tratamientos biológicos administrados.

Resultados:
La muestra incluyó 21 pacientes con un seguimiento mínimo de 24 meses. Se evidenció una significación estadistica (p =
Study of the photoperiodic dynamics of the peripheral dopamine content in comparison with the thyroid profile in various groups of men from the European North
Authors: Tipisova E. V. , Zyabisheva V. N. , Alikina V. A. , Elfimova A. E. , Molodovskaya I. N.
Published: May 2024

BACKGROUND: Knowledge of the physiological mechanisms of adaptation arising in response to changes in photoperiods is especially important for residents of the European North. In the literature, there is practically no information about photoperiodic dynamics of serum dopamine level, despite its significant role in the regulation of the body’s activity. The mutual modulating effect of the dopaminergic and thyroid systems is known.

AIM: To show the ratio of dopamine levels and the content of hormones, protines and autoantibodies of the thyroid system, taking into account photoperiod of the year, in practically healthy populations of the European North.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Healthy male population (20 men) of Arkhangelsk was examined in various photoperiods of the year (80 samples): an increase in the length of daylight hours (March), its maximum duration (June), a decrease (September), and a minimum duration (December). The inhabitants of the settlements and the nomadic aboriginal population (100 men) were examined during 2 photoperiods of the year — March and December. The serum levels of iodothyronines, TSH, TG, antibodies to TPO, antibodies to TG and plasma level of dopamine were determined using ELISA methods.

RESULTS: Residents of Arkhangelsk in June compared to December have higher levels of dopamine (0.502 and 0.365 nmol/l, p=0.01), T3 (1.09 and 0.94 nmol/l, p=0.003), T4 (113.45 and 99.03 nmol/l, p=0.0002). In September, compared with June, a decrease in dopamine (0.235 nmol/l, p=0.0003), T3 (0.92 nmol/l, p=0.004) was recorded with an increase in T4/T3 ratio from 106.54 to 117.89 units (p=0.006). The nomadic aboriginal population in March compared with December showed a tendency to a higher content of dopamine (0.00 and 0.394 nmol/l, p=0.07) with the decrease in fT4 (15.20 and  13.90, p=0.015), fT4/fT3 ratio from 3.13 to 2.28 units (p=0.006). In December, 67% of nomadic population had undetectable dopamine values (0 nmol/l) and 22% — excess dopamine values, in March 27% — excess values.

CONCLUSION: Unidirectional changes in dopamine and thyroid activity in men of the European North were shown with their decrease during periods of decrease and minimum daylight hours and an increase during periods of increase and maximum daylight hours.
Thyrotropin-secreting pituitary adenomas: clinical features and results of treatment in 45 patients
Authors: Trukhina D. A. , Przhiyalkovskaya E. G. , Belaya Zh. E. , Grigoriev A. Yu. , Azizyan V. N. , Mamedova E. O. , Rozhinskaya L. Ya. , Lapshina A. M. , Pigarova E. A. , Dzeranova L. K. , Platonova N. M. , Troshina E. A. , Melnichenko G. A.
Published: May 2024

BACKGROUND: Thyrotropin-secreting pituitary adenomas (TSH-PA) are a rare cause of thyrotoxicosis and account for 0.5-2% of all pituitary adenomas. Taking into account the rarity of the disease, it is extremely important to analyze each case of TSH-PA. AIM: To analyze the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of patients with TSH-PA, as well as to determine preoperative and early postoperative factors that predict long-term remission.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a single-center retrospective study we analyzed clinical signs, laboratory and instrumental studies, as well as the treatment outcomes of patients with TSH-PA from 2010 to 2023. Preoperative factors, as well as TSH level measured on day 3 postoperatively, were evaluated for their ability to predict long-term remission when comparing groups of patients with and without remission. RESULTS: The study included 45 patients with TSH-PA (14 men, 31 women), with a median age of 45 years [30; 57]. The most common clinical manifestations of TSH-PA were: cardiac arrhythmia in 37 (82.2%) patients, thyroid pathology in 27 (60%), neurological disorders in 24 (53.35%). Most PAs were macroadenomas (n=35, 77.8%). Preoperatively, 28 (77.8%) patients received somatostatin analogs, and 20 (71.4%) patients were euthyroid at the time of surgery. Surgical treatment was performed in 36 (80%) patients, postoperative remission was achieved in 31 cases (86.1%). Administration of somatostatin analogues to patients with no remission/relapse after surgery lead to the remission in 100% of cases (4/4). A 1 mm increase in PA size raised the odds of recurrence/no remission by 1.15-fold,and PA invasion during surgery — by  5.129 fold. A TSH level on day 3 postoperatively above 0.391 mIU/L (AUC, 0.952; 95% CI 0.873–1.000; standard error 0.04; p<0.001) identifies patients with relapse/absence of remission after surgical treatment (sensitivity = 100%, specificity = 88.9%).

CONCLUSION: The TSH-PA in the structure of PAs is extremely rare, and as a result, most of them are misdiagnosed and detected already at the stage of macroadenoma. The most effective method of treatment is transnasal transsphenoidal adenomectomy. Somatostatin analogues can be used as second-line therapy if surgical treatment is ineffective. We have proposed a possible model for postoperative TSH levels (>0.391 mU/l) to predict recurrence of TSH-PA, which requires validation on an expanded number of cases.
Toxic manifestations of alpelisib in endocrinology. Description of the clinical case
Authors: Kudaeva L. M. , Kozhedub E. E. , Kupryshina V. O. , Aliyev T. Z. , Troshina E. A.
Published: May 2024

Breast cancer (BC) is a serious disease and is considered an important health problem worldwide. The prevalence of the disease in women according to Rosstat was 64,951 cases in the Russian Federation in 2020 (21.7% among all types of cancer).  Hormone-dependent estrogen receptor-positive (HR+), human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 negative (HER2-) metastatic breast cancer (mBC) accounts for 70% of all cases.  About 40% of patients with ER+/HER2- mBC have mutations in the PIK3CA gene, leading to hyperactivation of the alpha isoform (p110α) of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K). Hormonal therapy with or without cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and 6 (CDK4/6) inhibitor is considered the standard treatment for patients with ER+/HER2- mBC. However, acquired resistance to this therapy remains a problem. Innovative methods for the treatment of breast cancer are the use of targeted therapeutic agents aimed at direct inhibition of the PI3K pathway in combination with hormone therapy. Alpelisib is a PI3Kα-specific inhibitor. Hyperglycemia is the most common side effect of alpelisib treatment. Currently, there is a consensus on the prevention and correction of hyperglycemia in patients receiving therapy with alpelisib, which recommends that before starting therapy, in  order to diagnose carbohydrate metabolism disorders and assess the risk of developing hyperglycemia, determine in all patients: the level of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), glucose fasting plasma (FPG), body mass index (BMI). And also to evaluate such risk factors as the presence of a family history of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM 2), the presence of gestational diabetes in the patient’s history, or the fact of the birth of children weighing more than 4 kilograms.

Recently, new combinations of drugs have been actively used to treat disorders of carbohydrate metabolism, such as pioglitazone + metformin. This paper discusses the mechanism of action of PI3K inhibitors, new therapeutic combinations and their undesirable effects, and presents therapeutic experience.
DICER1 syndrome: clinical variety endocrine manifestations and features of diagnostics
Authors: Novokreshennih E. E. , Kolodkina A. A. , Bezlepkina O. B.
Published: May 2024

DICER1 syndrome is a rare genetic disorder with the progressive development of malignant and non-malignant diseases in childhood. The cause of this syndrome is a dusfunction of the endoribonuclease DICER, which plays an important role in the processing of microRNAs with subsequent regulation of the control of the expression of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. Clinical manifestations of dyseropathies is very different and may include both endocrine manifestations – multinodular goiter, differentiated thyroid cancers, ovarian stromal tumors, pituitary blastoma, and non–endocrine formations — pleuropulmonary blastoma, cystic nephroma, pineoblastoma. The presence of somatic mutations of the DICER1 gene is a resultant stage in the pathogenesis of dyseropathies, determining the further path of oncogenesis. At present, DICER1 syndrome is diagnosed extremely rarely, which leads to late detection of the components of the disease in the patient, late diagnosis of neoplasms, lack of family counseling. Diagnosis at the early stages of the disease, the development of screening programs for the management of these patients allows minimizing the risks of developing more malignant, aggressive forms of the disease.
Resolution of the national interdisciplinary council of experts "High-dose vitamin D (Devilam) in the practice of an obstetrician-gynecologist"
Authors: Andreeva E. N. , Artymuk N. V. , Vesnina A. F. , Zazerskaya I. E. , Karakhalis L. Y. , Katkova N. Y. , Pigarova E. A. , Sakhautdinova I. V. , Spiridonova N. V. , Tapilskaya N. I. , Khamoshina M. B. , Sheremetyeva E. V. , Yureneva S. V. , Yarmolinskaya M. I.
Published: May 2024

On March 28, 2024, the Council of Experts “High-dose vitamin D (Devilam) in the practice of obstetrician-gynecologist, gynecologist and endocrinologist” was held in Moscow with the participation of leading experts gynecologists, endocrinologists and obstetricians-gynecologists, during which new possibilities for the use of high-dose vitamin D in patients of various ages who need correction of existing vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency.