bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Provision of Dialysis Service and Mortality in Veterans Receiving Maintenance Hemodialysis in the VA: An Interrupted Time-Series Analysis
Authors: Patel Samir , Trujillo Rivera Eduardo A. , Raman Venkatesh K. , Faselis Charles , Wang Virginia , Fink Jeffrey C. , Roseman Jeffrey M. , Morgan Charity J. , Zhang Sijian , Sheriff Helen M. , Heimall Michael S. , Wu Wen-Chih , Zeng-Treitler Qing , Ahmed Ali
Published: August 2023

Introduction: According to the US Renal Data System (USRDS), patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) on maintenance dialysis had higher mortality during early COVID-19 pandemic. Less is known about the effect of the pandemic on the delivery of outpatient maintenance hemodialysis and its impact on death. We examined the effect of pandemic-related disruption on the delivery of dialysis treatment and mortality in patients with ESKD receiving maintenance hemodialysis in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) facilities, the largest integrated national healthcare system in the USA. Methods: Using national VHA electronic health records data, we identified 7,302 Veterans with ESKD who received outpatient maintenance hemodialysis in VHA healthcare facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic (February 1, 2020, to December 31, 2021). We estimated the average change in the number of hemodialysis treatments received and deaths per 1,000 patients per month during the pandemic by conducting interrupted time-series analyses. We used seasonal autoregressive moving average (SARMA) models, in which February 2020 was used as the conditional intercept and months thereafter as conditional slope. The models were adjusted for seasonal variations and trends in rates during the pre-pandemic period (January 1, 2007, to January 31, 2020). Results: The number (95% CI) of hemodialysis treatments received per 1,000 patients per month during the pre-pandemic and pandemic periods were 12,670 (12,525–12,796) and 12,865 (12,729–13,002), respectively. Respective all-cause mortality rates (95% CI) were 17.1 (16.7–17.5) and 19.6 (18.5–20.7) per 1,000 patients per month. Findings from SARMA models demonstrate that there was no reduction in the dialysis treatments delivered during the pandemic (rate ratio: 0.999; 95% CI: 0.998–1.001), but there was a 2.3% (95% CI: 1.5–3.1%) increase in mortality. During the pandemic, the non-COVID hospitalization rate was 146 (95% CI: 143–149) per 1,000 patients per month, which was lower than the pre-pandemic rate of 175 (95% CI: 173–176). In contrast, there was evidence of higher use of telephone encounters during the pandemic (3,023; 95% CI: 2,957–3,089), compared with the pre-pandemic rate (1,282; 95% CI: 1,241–1,324). Conclusions: We found no evidence that there was a disruption in the delivery of outpatient maintenance hemodialysis treatment in VHA facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic and that the modest rise in deaths during the pandemic is unlikely to be due to missed dialysis.
Un destino tropical: una lectura “archifilológica” del guion inconcluso Nina y Hé de Manuel Puig
Authors: Villagarcia Martin
Published: August 2023

A finales de 1961, instalado en Roma luego de pasar dos años trabajando en producciones cinematográficas en Buenos Aires, Manuel Puig comenzó a escribir el que iba a ser su cuarto guion. El proyecto recibió el título provisorio Nina y Hé y el argumento estaba centrado en el rodaje de una película en Brasil con un equipo técnico latinoamericano y la participación estelar de una actriz proveniente de Hollywood. Luego de tres meses de una intensa campaña de escritura, Manuel Puig abandonó el guion, dejándolo inconcluso para abocarse a un nuevo proyecto sobre su pueblo natal General Villegas, que devendría en su primera novela: La traición de Rita Hayworth. Aunque el guion Nina y Hé permaneció inacabado, esa escritura siguió escribiendo en la obra de Manuel Puig y en su lectura pueden prefigurarse muchos de los motivos que se convertirían en característicos de su literatura.
Domestic Digital Diplomacy: Digital Disruption at the Macro and Micro Levels
Authors: Manor Ilan
Published: August 2023

Studies examining the digital disruption of diplomacy focus on the micro level of diplomats’ working routines. This article investigates the new practice of ‘domestic digital diplomacy’ to explore interactions between micro- and macro-level disruptions. The practice of domestic digital diplomacy stems from the digital disruption of government ministries that embrace an outward-looking stance. Domestic digital diplomacy also impacts society as diplomats create a prism through which citizens can make sense of their world. Few studies have investigated how ministries of foreign affairs (MFAs) create such a domestic prism. This study addresses this gap by analysing the images shared on Twitter by the British Foreign Office following Brexit. Using Barthes’s semiotic approach to image analysis, this study demonstrates that MFAs can use images to shape their citizens’ worldviews, values and beliefs. The study concludes that investigating digital disruption in diplomacy requires that scholars focus on interactions between micro- and macro-level disruptions.
Insulin Glargine Associated Nausea in a Patient Seen by a Collaborative Drug Therapy Management Pharmacist in an Urban Community Hospital: A Case Report
Authors: Gerber Anthony , Quinn Rachel
Published: August 2023

Background: Diabetes mellitus has become increasingly prevalent and a considerable health risk in the United States. Early introduction of insulin can improve overall health outcomes of patients with diabetes. With the development of long-acting insulin analogs, such as insulin glargine, limitations such as variable absorption and hypoglycemia were reduced. Majority of reported adverse drug effects secondary to insulin glargine include injection site reaction and hypoglycemia. There is limited data on gastrointestinal adverse effects, including nausea, of insulin glargine. Case Presentation: A 51-year-old female with a past medical history of type 2 diabetes was referred to the collaborative drug therapy management pharmacist for diabetes education and management. The patient was initiated on insulin glargine (Lantus®) and began to experience episodes of nausea and emesis over a 9 week period. Once the patient was switched from insulin glargine (Lantus®) to insulin detemir, symptoms subsided. Upon re-trial of insulin glargine (Lantus®), nausea and emesis-like symptoms resumed. A probable relationship between insulin glargine (Lantus®) and the reaction was estimated using the Naranjo Adverse Drug Reaction Probability Scale. Conclusion: Potential mechanisms behind the relationship of insulin glargine (Lantus®) and nausea are hypothesized, however there is limited literature supporting this claim and further investigation is warranted.
Nonprofit Boards in Pursuit of Innovation for Growth: Views From the Frontline
Authors: Richardson Sarah , Kelly Sarah Jane
Published: August 2023

Conventional thinking holds that for-profits need to innovate for growth to be financially viable. Nevertheless, to date, we have not recognized the importance of nonprofit growth and innovation’s function here. Yet despite “innovation for growth” being an even greater imperative for nonprofits in their quest to resolve societal challenges, prior sector research has, at most, only superficially investigated this construct new to nonprofits. In this first-in-field conceptual project, we weave together a comprehensive literature review with findings from 26 interviews with nonprofit directors. In doing so, we advance the scattered nonprofit-innovation and organization-performance research by describing nonprofit innovation for growth and why it matters. And we originally conceptualize that nonprofit boards seem to prioritize particular factorial determinants new to nonprofit-innovation research in their effective pursuit of innovation for growth.
Cross domain fault diagnosis based on generative adversarial networks
Authors: Alabsi Mohammed , Pearlstein Larry , Franco-Garcia Michael
Published: August 2023

Data-driven fault diagnosis utilizing deep learning algorithms is currently a topic of great interest. Without proper training, data-driven models usually fail to generalize on operating conditions different from the ones used in the training set. The majority of domain adaptation research for machinery fault diagnosis focuses on the transfer between limited working conditions for the same machine. In real-life applications, machines operate under a wide range of operating conditions and the data are mostly available for healthy conditions with seldom failures. Hence, models generated from controlled experiments do not usually generalize well under substantial domain shifts. To address this issue, this paper proposes a semi-unsupervised domain adaptation approach for cross-machine fault diagnosis which integrates model optimization and Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) to bridge the gap between source and target domains. Experiments of transferring between two bearing data sets show that the proposed method is able to effectively train an optimized model that generalizes on both the source and target domains, and train a generator that learns the source domain probability distribution to substitute for larger domain shifts.
Vibration analysis and adaptive model predictive control of active suspension for vehicles equipped with non-pneumatic wheels
Authors: Liu Wei , Wang Ruochen , Rakheja Subhash , Ding Renkai , Meng Xiangpeng , Sun Dong
Published: August 2023

In this paper, an adaptive controller is proposed for an active suspension system to achieve optimal compromise performance for vehicles equipped with non-pneumatic wheels under different road conditions. Firstly, the effective vertical stiffness of the non-pneumatic wheel (NPW) was identified through the static force-deflection tests. Then, the effect of the variations in NPW stiffness and mass on the vibration responses was investigated using a quarter-vehicle model. In order to coordinate the ride comfort and handling performance of the vehicle for different road excitations, an adaptive controller was synthesized using the model predictive control (MPC) theory together with an H ∞ state observer. The control gains for different control objectives were determined using a genetic algorithm (GA). Simulations indicate that the proposed controller can adapt to different road excitations and effectively enhance the dynamic performance of the vehicle. Specifically, by applying adaptive control, the root-mean-square (RMS) value of sprung mass acceleration (SMA) and the dynamic wheel load (DWL) coefficient are reduced by 19.4% and −9.3% on Class B roads and 12.4% and 3.8% on Class C roads, respectively, which is superior to the modified skyhook control (19.4% and −11.8% on Class B roads, and 19.3% and −12.3% on Class C roads). The effectiveness of simulation results was subsequently verified through hardware-in-the-loop experiments.
The effectiveness of cognitive rehabilitation intervention with the telerehabilitation method for amnestic mild cognitive impairment: A feasibility randomized controlled trial
Authors: Torpil Berkan , Pekçetin Emel , Pekçetin Serkan
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Although different cognitive rehabilitation (CR) approaches have been developed for mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a standard method has not been determined for interventions, especially with the telerehabilitation (TR) method, which is one of the alternative solutions to the problems of accessing rehabilitation services. The study was planned to compare the effectiveness of the CR intervention applied in the older adults with amnestic-MCI with face-to-face and TR methods.

Methods

A total of 68 participants were randomly assigned to the TR and face-to-face groups. TR method was delivered by teleconference method in the participant's own home. A 12-week CR intervention was applied to both groups. Pre- and post-intervention cognitive skills of the participants were evaluated using the Loewenstein occupational therapy cognitive assessment-geriatric (LOTCA-G).

Results

Cognitive skills were increased in both groups ( p < 0.001). A statistically significant difference was observed between the groups in the post-intervention visual-spatial perception, praxis, and total LOTCA-G scores ( p < 0.01).

Discussion

It was determined that a 12-week CR program had positive effects on cognitive functions in the older adults with amnestic MCI. Both TR and face-to-face methods can be used in CR interventions for amnestic MCI. In addition, the TR method can be advantageous in terms of time and accessibility.

Clinical trial number

NCT05664984.
Mitigating inequity: ethically prioritizing patients for CAR T-cell therapy
Authors: Bell Jennifer A. H. , Jeffries Gregory A. , Chen Christine I.
Published: August 2023

Manufacturing capacity and institutional infrastructure to deliver chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapies (CAR-T) are pressured to keep pace with the growing number of approved products and expanding eligible patient population for this potentially life-saving therapy. Consequently, many cell therapy programs must make difficult decisions about which patient should get the next available treatment slot. This situation requires an ethical framework to ensure fair and equitable decision-making. In this perspective, we discuss the application of Accountability for Reasonableness (A4R), a priority-setting framework grounded in procedural justice, to the problem of limited CAR-T slots at our institution. We formed a multidisciplinary working group spanning several hematological malignancies. Through multiple rounds of partner engagement, we used A4R guiding principles to identify 4 main criteria to prioritize patients for CAR-T: medical benefit, safety/risk of complications, psychosocial factors, and medical urgency. Associated measures/tools and an implementation process were developed. We discuss further how ethical principles of fairness and equity demand a consistent approach within health systems that does not disadvantage medically underserved or underrepresented populations and supports overcoming barriers to care. In our commitment to transparency and collaboration, we make our tools available to others, ideally to be used to engage in their own A4R process, adapting the tools to their unique environments. Our hope is that our preliminary work will support the advancement of further study in this area globally, aiming for justice in resource allocation for all potential CAR-T candidates, wherever they may seek care.
Investigation of the interaction between Genetic Risk Score (GRS) and fatty acid quality indices on mental health among overweight and obese women
Authors: Rasaei Niloufar , Samadi Mahsa , Khadem Alireza , Fatemi Seyedeh Fatemeh , Gholami Fatemeh , Mirzaei Khadijeh
Published: August 2023

Background & aims

Mental disorders are associated with dietary fatty acids and genome-wide association studies have found multiple risk loci robustly related to depression, anxiety, and stress. The aim of this study is to investigate the interaction of genetic risk score (GRS) and dietary fat quality indices on mental health.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included 279 overweight and obese women for N6/N3 ratio and 378 overweight and obese women for CSI aged 18–68 years. Using reliable and verified standard protocols, body composition, anthropometric indices, blood pressure, physical activity, and dietary fat quality were measured. Serum samples were used to determine biochemical tests. A genetic risk score (GRS) was calculated using the risk alleles of the three SNPs. A generalized linear model (GLM) was applied to assess the interactions between GRS and fat quality indices. Mental health was evaluated using Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21).

Results

The mean (± SD) age and BMI of our participants were 36.48 (8.45) and 30.73 (3.72) kg/m2 respectively. There was a marginally significant mean difference among tertiles of the CSI in terms of stress (P = 0.051), DASS-21 (P = 0.078) in the crude model. After adjusting for age, energy intake, physical activity and BMI in model 1, there was a positive interaction between GRS and T3 of N6/N3 ratio on anxiety (β = 0.91, CI = 0.08,1.75, P = 0.031), depression (β = 1.05, CI = 0.06,2.04, P = 0.037), DASS-21 (β = 2.22, CI= -0.31,4.75, P = 0.086).

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that higher ratio of N-6 to N-3 considering genetics were predictive of mental disorder in our population.
Cardioprotective effects of Schisantherin A against isoproterenol-induced acute myocardial infarction through amelioration of oxidative stress and inflammation via modulation of PI3K-AKT/Nrf2/ARE and TLR4/MAPK/NF-κB pathways in rats
Authors: Mi Xiaolong , Zhang Zhijun , Cheng Jinfang , Xu Zheng , Zhu Kaiyi , Ren Yunxia
Published: August 2023

Background and aims

The scientific community is concerned about cardiovascular disease mortality and morbidity, especially myocardial infarction (MI). Schisantherin A (SCA), a dibenzocyclooctadiene lignan monomer found in S. chinensis fruits has cardiovascular advantages such as increasing NO production in isolated rat thoracic aorta and reducing heart damage caused by ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) through decreasing apoptosis. The present study was undertaken to explore the potential effects of SCA on ISO-induced myocardial infarction in rats.

Methods

Rats were randomly allocated to four groups: control; ISO-treated, and two additional groups of ISO + SCA (5 or 10 mg/kg body weight). All SCA-treated groups were administered with SCA for 20 days and all ISO groups were challenged with ISO on days 19 and 20.

Results

SCA significantly attenuated ISO-induced rise in heart/body weight ratio, myocardial infarct size, and cardiac functional biomarkers (CK-MB, cTnI and BNP). SCA pre- and co-treatment resulted in a significant reduction in oxidative stress (via MDA, NO and GSH and increased activities of SOD, CAT and GPx) and inflammation (via decreased levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β) markers when compared to the same levels in cardiac tissue of ISO-treated rats. This study also showed that SCA protects ISO-induced oxidative stress and inflammation by activating the PI3K-AKT/Nrf2/ARE pathway and suppressing TLR4/MAPK/NF-κB pathways. Furthermore, SCA treatment protected histopathological alterations observed in only ISO-treated cardiac transverse sections of rats.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the findings of this study suggest that SCA protects against cardiac injury in the ISO-induced MI model of rats.
Effects of acupuncture on mental health of migraine patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Li Zhao , Feng Jie , Yin Shao , Chen Xin , Yang Qicheng , Gao Xu , Che Deya , Zhou Li , Yan Hui , Zhong Yue , Zhu Fengya
Published: August 2023

Background

Migraine is a neurological disease characterized by moderate to severe headache and various neurological symptoms. It is often cause mood and anxiety disorders that can seriously affect quality of life. Acupuncture has been claimed to have a role in treating neuropsychiatric disorders and is becoming increasingly popular. However, it remains unclear whether current evidence is sufficient to support acupuncture in improving mental health in migraine patients.

Objectives

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the effect of acupuncture on the management of pain and mood disorders in patients with migraine.

Methods

We searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Wan Fang Data Knowledge Service Platform for reports, conferences and academic papers published before January 1, 2022. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) including acupuncture, sham acupuncture and medication for migraine were included. Stata 16.0 software and Cochrane RoB2.0 were used for data processing and migration risk analysis.

Result

Thirteen randomized controlled trials containing 1766 migraine patients were included in the present study, the results showed that compared with sham acupuncture and medication, acupuncture seemed to have advantage in improving SAS (WMD: -5.64;95% CI: -10.89, -0.39; p = 0.035) and SDS (WMD: -4.65; 95% CI: -9.25, -0.05; p = 0.048) in migraine patients. And it seems to be more effective in improving MH (SMD: 0.77; 95% CI: 0.19, 1.35; p = 0.009), VAS (SMD: -1.06; 95% CI: -1.73, -0.4; p = 0.002;) and MSQ (WMD: 4.76; 95% CI: 2.36, 7.15; p < 0.001) than sham acupuncture and medication.

Conclusion

The present results suggest that, compared with Western medicine and sham acupuncture, acupuncture seems to be able to effectively improve anxiety and depression in migraine patients.And it may be more effective in improving SF36-mental health, VAS and MSQ than shame acupuncture or Western medicine. The results of this study need to be verified by higher quality RCTs.
FACT regulates pluripotency through proximal and distal regulation of gene expression in murine embryonic stem cells
Authors: Klein David C. , Lardo Santana M. , McCannell Kurtis N. , Hainer Sarah J.
Published: August 2023

Background

The FACT complex is a conserved histone chaperone with critical roles in transcription and histone deposition. FACT is essential in pluripotent and cancer cells, but otherwise dispensable for most mammalian cell types. FACT deletion or inhibition can block induction of pluripotent stem cells, yet the mechanism through which FACT regulates cell fate decisions remains unclear.

Results

To explore the mechanism for FACT function, we generated AID-tagged murine embryonic cell lines for FACT subunit SPT16 and paired depletion with nascent transcription and chromatin accessibility analyses. We also analyzed SPT16 occupancy using CUT&RUN and found that SPT16 localizes to both promoter and enhancer elements, with a strong overlap in binding with OCT4, SOX2, and NANOG. Over a timecourse of SPT16 depletion, nucleosomes invade new loci, including promoters, regions bound by SPT16, OCT4, SOX2, and NANOG, and TSS-distal DNaseI hypersensitive sites. Simultaneously, transcription of Pou5f1 (encoding OCT4), Sox2, Nanog, and enhancer RNAs produced from these genes’ associated enhancers are downregulated.

Conclusions

We propose that FACT maintains cellular pluripotency through a precise nucleosome-based regulatory mechanism for appropriate expression of both coding and non-coding transcripts associated with pluripotency.
CSF1R regulates schizophrenia-related stress response and vascular association of microglia/macrophages
Authors: Yan Ling , Li Yanli , Fan Fengmei , Gou Mengzhuang , Xuan Fangling , Feng Wei , Chithanathan Keerthana , Li Wei , Huang Junchao , Li Hongna , Chen Wenjin , Tian Baopeng , Wang Zhiren , Tan Shuping , Zharkovsky Alexander , Hong L. Elliot , Tan Yunlong , Tian Li
Published: August 2023

Background

Microglia are known to regulate stress and anxiety in both humans and animal models. Psychosocial stress is the most common risk factor for the development of schizophrenia. However, how microglia/brain macrophages contribute to schizophrenia is not well established. We hypothesized that effector molecules expressed in microglia/macrophages were involved in schizophrenia via regulating stress susceptibility.

Methods

We recruited a cohort of first episode schizophrenia (FES) patients (n = 51) and age- and sex-paired healthy controls (HCs) (n = 46) with evaluated stress perception. We performed blood RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) and brain magnetic resonance imaging, and measured plasma level of colony stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R). Furthermore, we studied a mouse model of chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) combined with a CSF1R inhibitor (CSF1Ri) (n = 9 ~ 10/group) on anxiety behaviours and microglial biology.

Results

FES patients showed higher scores of perceived stress scale (PSS, p < 0.05), lower blood CSF1R mRNA (FDR = 0.003) and protein (p < 0.05) levels, and smaller volumes of the superior frontal gyrus and parahippocampal gyrus (both FDR < 0.05) than HCs. In blood RNA-seq, CSF1R-associated differentially expressed blood genes were related to brain development. Importantly, CSF1R facilitated a negative association of the superior frontal gyrus with PSS (p < 0.01) in HCs but not FES patients. In mouse CUS+CSF1Ri model, similarly as CUS, CSF1Ri enhanced anxiety (both p < 0.001). Genes for brain angiogenesis and intensity of CD31+-blood vessels were dampened after CUS-CSF1Ri treatment. Furthermore, CSF1Ri preferentially diminished juxta-vascular microglia/macrophages and induced microglia/macrophages morphological changes (all p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Microglial/macrophagic CSF1R regulated schizophrenia-associated stress and brain angiogenesis.
Efficacy of zinc oxide and copper oxide nanoparticles on virulence genes of avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC) in broilers
Authors: El-Shenawy Fawzia A. , El-Sherbeny Eman M. El. , Kassem Samr
Published: August 2023

Background

Colibacillosis is one of the broilers’ most dominant bacterial diseases, either as a primary or a secondary infection. As E. coli antimicrobial drug resistance is rising; there is a need to develop new approaches to its control. In light of this, a comparative study of the in-vitro antibacterial activity of Arabic gum stabilized zinc and copper nanoparticles (AG-ZnNPs and AG-CuNPs) against PCR-identified field avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC) strains and virulence genes (ibeA, hlyA, iss, pap C and ompA) was applied to study the therapeutic effect of zinc and copper nanoparticles to be used as an antibiotic alternative (Nanobiotic). Furthermore, the in-vivo effects of CuNPs were evaluated. Additionally, the CuNPs liver and muscle residues with or without infection were examined. The eighty broilers were divided into four groups; G1: negative control, G2: infected control with E. coli O17, G3: non-infected treated (AG-CuNPs 50 mg/kg body weight), and G4: infected treated (AG-CuNPs 50 mg/kg body weight). AG-CuNPs treatment was given to broilers for five days in drinking water.

Results

E. coli was isolated from diseased broilers at an average incidence rate of 20% from intestinal and liver samples. All identified serotypes (O17, O78, O91, O121, and O159) were resistant to AG-ZnNPs and sensitive to AG-CuNPs. AG-CuNPs minimal inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations (MIC and MBC) for O17 were 7.5 and 60 mg/ml, respectively. Conventional uniplex PCR results showed that strain O17 contained virulence genes (ibeA, hlyA, iss, and papC), where AG-CuNPs significantly reduced the expression of all target genes when examined by Real-time quantitative PCR. Additionally, the bactericidal activity of AG-CuNPs on O17 was 100% at 20 minutes and 40 mg/ml and confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. Furthermore, no mortality was recorded in treated groups compared to G2. Subsequently, no E. coli was re-isolated from the liver in the G4 after treatment. The total protein, albumin, globulin, and lysozyme activity were significantly increased in G4 compared to G2, while the activities of liver enzymes (alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP)) were markedly decreased in G4 compared to G2. Additionally, uric acid, creatinine, and C-reactive protein levels were decreased in G4 compared to G2. However, the liver enzymes, kidney functions, C-reactive protein levels, and Cu residues were non-significantly changed in G4 compared to G1.

Conclusion

Green synthesized AG-CuNPs are recommended as an effective antimicrobial alternative against APEC strains.
Attitudes and prevention towards malaria in the context of COVID-19 pandemic in urban community in Benin, West Africa
Authors: Hessou-Djossou Donald , Djègbè Innocent , Loko Yêyinou Laura Estelle , Boukari Massioudou Koto Yerima Gounou , Nonfodji Odilon M. , Tchigossou Geneviève , Djouaka Rousseau , Akogbeto Martin
Published: August 2023

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic and its damages have severely impacted the global healthcare system even in countries with the best systems. In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), it could worsen the malaria situation in endemic countries such as Benin. This study was conducted to describe the potential effects of the pandemic on urban dwellers attitudes, prevention and treatment against malaria in four major cities of Benin.

Methods

A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted in Cotonou, Bohicon, Parakou and Natitingou, four urban cities of Benin. A total of 800 randomly selected households were interviewed. The questionnaire consisted of four parts: sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge, attitude, and practice. Descriptive statistics and binomial logistic regression analysis were used in the statistical analysis.

Results

More than 90% of the participants interviewed had a good level of knowledge about the transmission and prevention of malaria in the cities surveyed. In contrast, low proportions of participants reported visiting health-care facilities when they suspected malaria. Compared to the proportions observed at Parakou and Natitingou, the low proportion of participants was statistically significant at Cotonou (Parakou: X2 = 31.345, df = 1, P < 0.0001; Natitingou: X2 = 17.471, df = 1, P < 0.0001). Among the reasons for not seeking care, these related to COVID-19 were the most mentioned. Moreover, the good education level of the participants was one of the factors associated with the non-use of healthcare facilities due to over-knowledgeable about Covid-19, which might have increased the fear to go to the health facilities. Finally, high proportions of self-medication practice were mentioned with high use of malaria drugs to treat both malaria and to protect against COVID-19.

Conclusions

The data show a negative impact of COVID-19 on visits to healthcare facilities for malarial treatment and malaria drugs usage by the population. It is, therefore, necessary to rebuild malaria programmes by integrating measures adapted to health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Etiological relationship between lipid metabolism and endometrial carcinoma
Authors: Li Wenzhe , Xu Yi , Zeng Xinling , Tan Jie , Wang Ya , Wu Hongyan , Li Maokun , Yi Cunjian
Published: August 2023

Endometrial carcinoma (EC) has become one of the most common gynecological malignant neoplasms in developed countries worldwide. Studies have shown that this may be closely related to the abnormal metabolism of blood lipids, which was the most significant metabolic change in the human body in this cancer. In this review, we focus on the correlation between lipid metabolism and EC and discuss the evidence that abnormal lipid metabolism promotes an increase in EC growth and metabolism, as well as the regulatory mechanism and related signaling pathways involved in this relationship. In addition, we also discussed the research progress of targeted therapies and drug treatments for EC that act on lipid metabolism, and statins are expected to become adjuvant drugs for EC in the future. This review will provide a systematic view for a better understanding of the etiological relationship between lipid metabolism and EC and further open up new therapeutic possibilities and effective treatments for EC by targeting lipid metabolism.
New trends in brain tumor immunity with the opportunities of lymph nodes targeted drug delivery
Authors: Qi Yangzhi , Xiong Wei , Chen Qianxue , Ye Zhifei , Jiang Cailei , He Yan , Ye Qingsong
Published: August 2023

Lymph nodes targeted drug delivery is an attractive approach to improve cancer immunotherapy outcomes. Currently, the depth of understanding of afferent and efferent arms in brain immunity reveals the potential clinical applications of lymph node targeted drug delivery in brain tumors, e.g., glioblastoma. In this work, we systematically reviewed the microenvironment of glioblastoma and its structure as a basis for potential immunotherapy, including the glial-lymphatic pathway for substance exchange, the lymphatic drainage pathway from meningeal lymphatic vessels to deep cervical lymph nodes that communicate intra- and extracranial immunity, and the interaction between the blood–brain barrier and effector T cells. Furthermore, the carriers designed for lymph nodes targeted drug delivery were comprehensively summarized. The challenges and opportunities in developing a lymph nodes targeted delivery strategy for glioblastoma using nanotechnology are included at the end.
Advances in radiotherapy and immunity in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Yang Yuhan , Xiong Liting , Li Mengyuan , Jiang Ping , Wang Junjie , Li Chunxiao
Published: August 2023

Primary liver cancer is one of the most common malignant tumours worldwide; it caused approximately 830,000 deaths in 2020. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of primary liver cancer, accounting for over 80% of all cases. Various methods, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and radiofrequency ablation, have been widely used in the treatment of HCC. With the advancement of technology, radiotherapy has become increasingly important in the comprehensive treatment of HCC. However, due to the insufficient sensitivity of tumour cells to radiation, there are still multiple limitation in clinical application of radiotherapy. In recent years, the role of immunotherapy in cancer has been increasingly revealed, and more researchers have turned their attention to the combined application of immunotherapy and radiotherapy in the hope of achieving better treatment outcomes. This article reviews the progress on radiation therapy in HCC and the current status of its combined application with immunotherapy, and discusses the prospects and value of radioimmunotherapy in HCC.
Analysis of the relationship between GLUT family in the progression and immune infiltration of head and neck squamous carcinoma
Authors: Li Bing
Published: August 2023

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) causes much health and economic burden, and the therapeutic results must be improved. Glucose metabolism is an essential component of tumor metabolism and is instrumental in its development. Glucose transporter types (GLUTs) can uptake glucose from the extracellular matrix (ECM), regulating cellular metabolism in several cancers. However, the function of different GLUT proteins in HNSCC remains unclear. To clarify the role of GLUTs in HNSCC, several open-access online databases (Oncomine, GEPIA, Kaplan–Meier, cBioPortal, GeneMANIA, and TIMER) were used to evaluate the differential expression, clinical significance, genetic alteration, and relative immune cell infiltration. The expression of GLUTs was detected in clinical patient samples by immunohistochemistry. The mRNA level of SLC2A1/3 significantly increased in HNSCC, while SLC2A4 reduced. SLC2A3 was related to the advanced clinical stage and short overall survival (OS) in HNSCC. Also, higher SLC2A1/2 mRNA expression was related to shorter OS in HNSCC patients. The expression of GLUTs was related to diverse immune cells, including B cells, CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, dendritic cells (DCs), macrophages, and Treg cells in HNSCC. Moreover, the high expression of GLUTs was demonstrated by immunohistochemistry in patient tissues. GLUTs might have a potential role in HNSCC's progression and development. Therefore, the current findings might offer a novel perception for selecting GLUT family prognostic markers and treatment for HNSCC patients.
Enhanced differentiation of the mouse oli-neu oligodendroglial cell line using optimized culture conditions
Authors: Bey Guillermo Rodriguez , Padiath Quasar Saleem
Published: August 2023

Objective

Oligodendrocytes (OL) are the glial cell type in the CNS that are responsible for myelin formation. The ability to culture OLs in vitro has provided critical insights into the mechanisms underlying their function. However, primary OL cultures are tedious to obtain, difficult to propagate and are not easily conducive to genetic manipulation. To overcome these obstacles, researchers have generated immortalized OL like cell lines derived from various species. One such cell line is the mouse Oli-neu line which is thought to recapitulate characteristics of OLs in early stages of maturity. They have been extensively utilized in multiple studies as surrogates for OLs, especially in analyzing epigenetic modifications and regulatory pathways in the OL lineage.

Results

In this report we present the development of optimized culture media and growth conditions that greatly facilitate the differentiation of Oli-neu cells. Oli-neu cells differentiated using these new protocols exhibit a higher expression of myelin related genes and increased branching, both of which are defining characteristics of mature OLs, when compared to previous culture protocols. We envision that these new culture conditions will greatly facilitate the use of Oli-neu cells and enhance their ability to recapitulate the salient features of primary OLs.
Blockade of intercostobrachial nerve by an erector spinae plane block at T2 level: a case report
Authors: Yoshida Takayuki , Nakamoto Tatsuo
Published: August 2023

Background

The intercostobrachial nerve blockade is required, in addition to brachial plexus block, to anesthetize the entire upper arm. No studies have described the use of erector spinae plane (ESP) block for an intercostobrachial nerve block.

Case presentation

A 72-year-old man was scheduled to undergo left brachial vein transposition-arteriovenous fistula creation for hemodialysis access. An ultrasound-guided infraclavicular brachial plexus block was performed using a mixture of 0.5% levobupivacaine (12.5 ml) and 2% lidocaine (12.5 ml). An ESP block was implemented using 10 ml of the same local anesthetic at the T2 level. A pinprick test showed that the entire upper arm and lateral aspect of the left upper chest wall were anesthetized 20 min after the blocks. Surgery was successfully performed without the need for general anesthesia.

Conclusions

In the present case, an ESP block performed at the T2 level provided sensory loss of the area innervated by the intercostobrachial nerve.
Who is ‘the person of unsound mind’? The problem of terminological incompatibility in law and medical sciences in the context of the proper legal protection of people with mental disorders subjected to penal coercive measures
Authors: Burdzik M.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Penal coercive measures (e.g., detention) seriously interfere with the individual’s fundamental rights (especially the right to liberty). It is necessary to have proper guarantee mechanisms to protect an individual against the arbitrariness of decisions made in this regard. It is especially significant in the case of people with mental disorders (MD). This group of entities may not be able to take intended legal actions to protect their rights and, thus, requires enhanced legal protection. The effectiveness of legal solutions depends on the appropriate terminology. Vague, ambiguous, or archaic terms pose a risk of over-interpretation and create an area for abuse. An example of such solution is art. 5(1)(e) of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) allows deprivation of liberty for “the person of unsound mind.”

Objectives

The study aims to analyze the concept of “person of unsound mind” appearing in the ECHR and to define its semantic scope in relation to mental disorders. This procedure aims to determine whether the status of a person of unsound mind is the same as the status of a person with MD - both in legal and medical contexts.

Methods

The study consists of two stages. The first stage included the narrative review of the literature by searching the PubMed and Google Scholar databases with the keywords “unsound mind” and “person of unsound mind”. The second stage included the analysis of the European Court of Human Rights judgments relating to art. 5(1)(e) of ECHR, collected in the HUDOC database. Forty-four articles and 128 judgments met inclusion criteria and were included for further analysis.

Results

The study shows that the concept of a “person of unsound mind” is primarily indefinite. The term does not correspond to the current standards of medical terminology. It relates to mental disorders but has a narrower scope. The term “unsound mind” refers only to “true mental disorder”, which is of that kind or degree that warrants compulsory confinement. To be considered a “true” mental disorder has to be of a certain severity. This term should be interpreted narrowly, but there are no grounds to limit its scope to psychotic disorders only. However, including some non-psychotic disorders in its scope may be questionable (e.g., antisocial personality disorder).

Conclusions

The structure of art. 5(1)(e) ECHR does not comply with the current medical terminology standards. This inconsistency in terminology and primary indefinite character of the “unsound mind” may implicate a lot of difficulties in precisely defining its meaning and scope of use in individual cases. It is dangerous from the perspective of the personal liberty of people with MD. This term should be replaced with the term “mental disorders,” the meaning of which is well-established in medicine.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Biology and ecology of Juniperus drupacea Labill.
Authors: Boratyński Adam , Dönmez Ali A. , Dagher-Kharrat Magda Bou , Romo Ángel , Tan Kit , Ok Tolga , Iszkuło Grzegorz , Sobierajska Karolina , Marcysiak Katarzyna
Published: August 2023

This literature review focuses on the biology and ecology of Juniperus drupacea. Within the context of the series ‘Our Forest Trees’ by the Institute of Dendrology PAS at Kórnik, the following key topics are discussed: taxonomy with paleo-records, morphology, anatomy, geographical distribution, ecology (including habitat, communities, response to biotic factors and the environment, and phenology), disease, and conservation. Juniperus drupacea, also known as the Syrian juniper, is a dioecious evergreen gymnosperm found primarily in two distribution centers: one in the southern Peloponnese in Europe and the other in the mountains along the Mediterranean Sea in Southwest Asia. The populations from Europe and Asia differ genetically, biochemically, and morphologically. Juniperus drupacea is a medium-sized tree occurring in mountains, predominantly at elevations of 800–1400 m, on basic to moderately alkaline soils and even on calcareous rock. It is a component of fir, pine, cedar, and sometimes also juniper forest, rarely entering maquis. As with other junipers, it is a light-demanding, moderately frost- and drought-resistant, sometimes acting as an invader of abandoned fields and pastures. It is rarely grazed by goats. Its low palatability is a result of the high content of volatile oils in the needles and cones. The volatile oils have been extensively used in folk medicine and have been investigated for new medicinal uses. The species is rare, endangered and protected in Greece, parts of Turkey and Lebanon. Its ecological niche could potentially be reduced by global climate change.
ΑΘΗΝΑ ΨΑΡΟΠΟΥΛΟΥ, "Σαν μια νεάνις που φορεί πλατύ φουστάνι": Η εμπειρίκεια επιφάνεια ως σύνθεση μνήμης και φωτογραφίας
Authors: Ψαροπούλου Αθηνά
Published: August 2023

“Like a young woman in a loose-fitting dress”: The epiphany of Andreas Embiricos as fusion of memory and photography
This paper attempts to shed light on the significance and role of the four “epiphanies of the past recaptured”, which are an integral part of the “analysis” of the poem “8th January 1942” by Andreas Embiricos and derive from the verbal image of the verse “Like a young woman in a loose-fitting dress”. In these epiphanies, time becomes fluctuant and the memory of the past (specifically the memory of four exceptional women-muses of important surrealist creators) is fused with the present experience of the poet. The fourth of them, which embodies Embiricos’ first wife, enlivens the memory of a past event and a photograph. Those two turn into a present reality, in a complete osmosis of the epiphanic object’s unconscious, revealed through the photograph, with the epiphanic subject’s unconscious that perceives it. In effect, spatial time blends with psychological time, as in communicating vessels, revealing the “convulsive beauty” of surreality.
Improving access to general practice for people with severe and multiple disadvantage: a realist review protocol (the connection study)
Authors: Potter Lucy , McDonagh Lorraine , Horwood Jeremy , Farr Michelle , Feder Gene , Wong Geoff
Published: August 2023

Introduction: Despite having high unmet health need, people with severe and multiple disadvantage (SMD, including combinations of homelessness, substance misuse, poor mental health and domestic violence and abuse) have poor access to general practice. This realist review will examine the existing evidence on interventions or aspects of routine care in general practice that are likely to increase or decrease access to general practice for people with SMD.

Methods and analysis: The aim of this review is to identify how these interventions or aspects of routine care increase or decrease access to general practice for people with SMD, in which contexts and for which patients. This review will involve a process comprising five sequential phases: (1) identifying established theories, (2) conducting an extensive search for proof, (3) selecting appropriate articles, (4) gathering and organising relevant data, and (5) utilising a realist analytical approach to synthesise evidence and make conclusions. Local implementation documents, in addition to published research studies, will be incorporated to enrich the analysis. We will collaborate with a stakeholder group consisting of people with lived experience of SMD and those who support them to advise us throughout.

Ethics and dissemination: Ethical approval is not required. Our findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations and lay summaries and will be used to develop a complex intervention for improving access to general practice for and with people with severe and multiple disadvantage.
Approaching law in superdiverse, global societies: The challenges of and for legal translation in plural legal orders
Authors: Martín Ruano Rosario
Published: August 2023

‘Translation’, understood in a broad sense, has been defined as a basic ingredient of globalisation and, more specifically, of the current globalising processes of law. This article reviews contributions that have explored the interconnection of translation and law in various disciplines. Inspired by the call for interdisciplinarity in Legal Translation Studies and for an “outward turn” in Translation Studies, this article will draw on theories of legal pluralism which have used various conceptualisations of translation to offer critical insights into the challenges of and for legal translation as a discipline and a professional practice in the superdiverse societies of the global era. The ultimate aim of this interdisciplinary round trip is to contribute towards increased self-reflexivity in Legal Translation Studies and towards a re-imagining of dominant legal translation practices in line with the growing commitment to diversity in institutional settings.