bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing the Agreement Between Diffusion Tension Imaging (DTI) and T2-Weighted MRI Sequence for Biometry of the Fetal Corpus Callosum
Authors: Cohn Liel N. , Bookstein Shai , Laytman Klein Tamar , Mordenfeld Kozlovsky Nadia , Ziv-Baran Tomer , Mayer Arnaldo , Katorza Eldad
Published: December 2024

Background/Objectives: Little is known about the advantages of Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) when evaluating the fetal corpus callosum (CC), a sensitive indicator for normal brain development. This study evaluates the contribution of DTI compared to T2-weighted imaging to assess fetal CC biometry. Methods: Data from the fetal MRI exams of singleton pregnancies between July 2017 and 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Mid-sagittal sections were used to measure the CC biometry, and inter- and intra-observer agreements were assessed using the interclass correlation coefficient (ICC), targeting an ICC above 0.85. Results: The results from 100 patients (mean gestational age, 32.24 weeks) indicated excellent inter-observer reliability for DTI (ICC = 0.904, 95% CI = 0.815–0.952) and moderate agreement for T2-weighted imaging (ICC = 0.719, 95% CI = 0.556–0.842). Intra-observer assessments showed excellent reliability for both DTI and T2-weighted imaging (ICC = 0.967, 95% CI = 0.933–0.984 and ICC = 0.942, 95% CI = 0.884–0.971, respectively). However, a comparison between DTI and T2-weighted images for CC biometry showed poor agreement (ICC = 0.290, 95% CI = 0.071–0.476). Conclusions: In conclusion, the study highlights a lack of agreement between DTI and T2-weighted imaging in fetal CC biometry, suggesting the need for further research to understand this discrepancy and the role of DTI in fetal health.
An Evaluation of the Relationship Between the Mesiobuccal Canal Configuration, the Interorifice Distance, and the Root Lengths of the Permanent Maxillary First Molars with Cone Beam Computed Tomography
Authors: Ozemre Mehmet Ozgur , Karslıoglu Hazal , Kamburoglu Kıvanc
Published: December 2024

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the mesiobuccal root canal configuration (MB RCC), the interorifice distance (IOD) and the corresponding root and other root lengths of the permanent maxillary first molars; Methods: Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images were acquired between 2020 and 2023 for different purposes unrelated to this study. Overall, 1550 CBCT images were retrospectively evaluated. A dentomaxillofacial radiologist with 15 years of experience evaluated the CBCT images and performed the measurements; Results: According to the MB RCC, there was no statistically significant difference between the Vertucci type II and Vertucci type IV groups in terms of the mean age and sex distribution (p = 0.694 and p = 0.273). There was no statistically significant difference in the IOD between the MB RCC groups (p = 0.755). Moreover, according to the MB RCC, there was no statistically significant difference between the Vertucci type II and Vertucci type IV groups in terms of the mesiobuccal, distobuccal, palatinal, and mean root lengths (p > 0.05); Conclusions: There was no association between the IOD and the type of RCC in the maxillary first molars. New studies conducted by collecting data from different centers to explore the different morphological features of maxillary first molars and detect their anatomical differences will provide more reliable and accurate results.
The Influence of Vowels on the Identification of Spoken Disyllabic Words in the Malayalam Language for Individuals with Hearing Loss
Authors: Narne Vijaya Kumar , Mohan Dhanya , Badariya M. , Avileri Sruthi Das , Jain Saransh , Ravi Sunil Kumar , Krishna Yerraguntla , Hussain Reesha Oovattil , Almudhi Abdulaziz
Published: December 2024

Background/Objectives: The present study investigates the reasons for better recognition of disyllabic words in Malayalam among individuals with hearing loss. This research was conducted in three experiments. Experiment 1 measured the psychometric properties (slope, intercept, and maximum scores) of disyllabic wordlists. Experiment 2 examined PBmax scores across varying degrees of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and compared these findings with studies in other Indian and global languages. Experiment 3 analyzed the recognition performance of different vowel combinations across varying degrees of hearing loss. Methods: Experiment 1: Psychometric functions for disyllabic word recognition were derived from 45 individuals with normal hearing. Word recognition was tested in quiet at nine hearing levels ranging from −10 to +40 dB HL. Experiment 2: 1000 participants with SNHL were categorized by hearing loss severity (mild, moderate, moderately severe, severe, and profound). Word recognition scores, including PBmax, were analyzed and compared across severity levels. Experiment 3: Percent error scores for 17 vowel combinations were assessed in 37 participants with SNHL. Ten disyllabic words represented each combination. Results: Disyllabic wordlists showed significantly higher word recognition scores than monosyllabic lists across all degrees of hearing loss. Individuals with mild-to-moderately severe SNHL achieved higher PBmax scores, with performance declining at severe- and profound-loss levels. The higher recognition of disyllabic words was attributed to contextual cues and low-frequency vowel-based information, particularly benefiting those with residual low-frequency hearing. Error analysis highlighted the influence of specific vowel combinations on word recognition performance. Conclusions: Disyllabic words are easier to recognize than monosyllabic words for individuals with SNHL due to their rich contextual and low-frequency energy cues. Disyllabic wordlists sustain higher recognition scores up to moderately severe hearing loss but show a marked decline with more severe losses. The phonemic balance of wordlists and vowel combinations significantly influences word recognition, emphasizing the importance of these factors in developing wordlists for clinical use.
Predicting Surgical Site Infections in Spine Surgery: Association of Postoperative Lymphocyte Reduction
Authors: Miyamoto Akiyoshi , Tanaka Masato , Flores Angel Oscar Paz , Yu Dongwoo , Jain Mukul , Heng Christan , Komatsubara Tadashi , Arataki Shinya , Oda Yoshiaki , Shinohara Kensuke , Uotani Koji
Published: December 2024

Objective: Postoperative lymphopenia is reported as an excellent indicator to predict surgical-site infection (SSI) after spine surgery. However, there is still controversy concerning which serological markers can predict spinal SSI. This study aims to evaluate excellent and early indicators for detecting SSI, focusing on spine instrumented surgery. Materials and Methods: This study included 268 patients who underwent spinal instrumented surgery from January 2022 to December 2023 (159 female and 109 male, average 62.9 years). The SSI group included 20 patients, and the non-SSI group comprised 248 patients. Surgical time, intraoperative blood loss, and glycemic levels were measured in both groups. The complete blood cell counts, differential counts, albumin, and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were measured pre-surgery and postoperative on Days 1, 3, and 7. In comparing the groups, the Mann–Whitney U test analysis was used for continuous variables, while the chi-squared test and Fisher’s exact test were used for dichotomous variables. Results: The incidence of SSI after spinal instrumentation was 7.46% and was relatively higher in scoliosis surgery. The SSI group had significantly longer surgical times (248 min vs. 180 min, p = 0.0004) and a higher intraoperative blood loss (772 mL vs. 372 mL, p < 0.0001) than the non-SSI group. In the SSI group, the Day 3 (10.5 ± 6.2% vs. 13.8 ± 6.0%, p = 0.012) and Day 7 (14.4 ± 4.8% vs. 18.8 ± 7.1%, p = 0.012) lymphocyte ratios were lower than the non-SSI group. Albumin levels on Day 1 in the SSI group were lower than in the non-SSI group (2.94 ± 0.30 mg/dL vs. 3.09 ± 0.38 mg/dL, p = 0.045). There is no difference in CRP and lymphocyte count between the two groups. Conclusions: SSI patients had lower lymphocyte percentages than non-SSI patients, which was a risk factor for SSI, with constant high inflammation. The Day 3 lymphocyte percentage may predict SSI after spinal instrumented surgery.
Effects of the Quantum Vacuum at a Cosmic Scale and of Dark Energy
Authors: Santos Emilio
Published: December 2024

The Einstein equation in a semiclassical approximation is applied to a spherical region of the universe, with the stress-energy tensor consisting of the mass density and pressure of the ΛCDM cosmological model plus an additional contribution due to the quantum vacuum. Expanding the equation in powers of Newton constant G, the vacuum contributes to second order. The result is that at least a part of the acceleration in the expansion of the universe may be due to the quantum vacuum fluctuations.
The Presence and Progression of Rare Vocabulary in Texts Across Elementary Grades and Between Genres
Authors: Hiebert Elfrieda H. , Pugh Alia , Kearns Devin M.
Published: December 2024

This study analyzed the prevalence and characteristics of low-frequency and rare words, together described as rarer words, in elementary-level texts, examining both narrative and expository materials to assess their vocabulary demands. By mapping the nature of shifts in rarer words across grade levels and text types, this research aimed to better understand the lexical challenges students face as they progress as readers. Analyzing a corpus of 300,000 words from narrative and expository texts at grades 1, 3, and 5, the research employed both quantitative and qualitative methods. Quantitatively, a digital program categorized words into four frequency groups—high, medium, low, and rare—while examining features of word length and age of acquisition that can influence word meaning recognition. Qualitatively, the analysis classified rarer words into 13 lexical categories and assessed their morphological family membership. The findings reveal an increase in total rarer words from 5.7% to 8.7% across grades, alongside a major rise in unique rarer words (32% to 43%). The complexity of features predicting word recognition—word length and age of acquisition—also escalates with grade level. Notably, 23% of rarer words are forms typically not taught in vocabulary instruction, such as proper names, while 76% of rare words belong to morphological families in the high-, medium-, and low-frequency word zones. These results highlight the need for targeted vocabulary instruction that incorporates the complexities of rarer word usage in authentic texts, ultimately aiming to enhance students’ reading comprehension.
What Works to Retain Beginning Teachers in the Profession? A Mixed Methods Approach to Detect Determining Factors
Authors: Göregen Muhammet Safa , Tanghe Els , Schelfhout Wouter
Published: December 2024

This study investigates the determinants of teacher retention, focusing on the Flemish region of Belgium, where early-career teacher attrition presents a significant challenge. Employing a mixed methods approach, the research combines quantitative survey data (N = 133) and qualitative interviews (N = 12) to examine variables related to initial guidance (general support, learning and sharing with colleagues, mentoring) and the supportive school context (sense of belonging at school, cooperation, clear goals and support, appreciative school leadership). The findings demonstrate that key elements within the supportive school context—particularly sense of belonging, cooperation, clear goals, and appreciative leadership—have a positive influence on teacher retention. Conversely, general support within initial guidance exhibits a comparatively weaker predictive value. The qualitative analysis reveals inconsistencies in the provision and quality of initial guidance support across schools, which adversely impacts teachers’ professional integration and job satisfaction. The study concludes that the implementation of structured support systems, well-defined goals, and appreciative leadership are critical for improving retention rates. These findings underscore the necessity for schools to adopt both individualized and institutional strategies to address early-career teacher attrition effectively.
The Impact of a New Specialized Learning Platform on Enhancing Students’ Skills in Designing and Producing Online Educational Talking Books
Authors: Ahmed Mohamed Elsayed , Hasegawa Shinobu
Published: December 2024

The use of digital audio-based learning applications in classrooms is increasing. Thus, instructional technology professionals need to become more skilled in designing and developing these apps. To succeed in the future learning process, students studying instructional technology need to have mastered these skills. This study aims to examine the impact of a specialized platform proposed to cultivate students’ skills in easily designing and producing online educational talking books (online ETBs). To improve the target abilities, we developed a new specialized platform as a web-based system for this investigation that includes several innovative tools and special learning content. The research design used was quasi-experimental. Thirty-two undergraduate students majoring in instructional technology who were in the third grade examined the proposed platform. With the pre-and post-test design, all participants were placed into one group. Three online instruments were used to gather the data: a performance observation card; a product evaluation card; and a usability questionnaire. According to the results, the suggested platform considerably increased the practical skills required to design and create an online ETB. Additionally, the proposed platform positively impacted the production of online ETB products with an acceptable proficiency level across various educational subjects. The customized platform has also proven to be a comfortable learning environment for the participating instructional technology students. This platform may be utilized as an ICT teaching tool to enhance instructional technology departments as it is appropriate for constructing online ETBs in various educational areas without coding barriers.
Embracing Linguistic Diversity: Pre-Service Teachers’ Lesson Planning for English Language Learning in Sweden
Authors: Paulsrud BethAnne , Gheitasi Parvin
Published: December 2024

Pre-service teachers today face challenges and opportunities in increasingly linguistically diverse Swedish schools. The present study aims to understand how pre-service English teachers of Years 4–6 (ages 10–12) plan lessons while considering this linguistic diversity. The focus is on pre-service teachers studying a course, English Language Learning and Teaching, with an analysis of their lesson unit assignments, spotlighting multilingual perspectives in their planning. Language orientations (language-as-right, language-as-problem, and language-as-resource) form the theoretical foundation of this study. An ecological perspective is also utilized, focusing on how potential affordances for lesson planning found in contextual layers (e.g., the national curriculum or course materials) may affect their planning. The findings indicate that pre-service teachers generally employ a multilingual stance in their lesson unit planning, revealing a clear language-as-resource orientation across the cohorts studied. Furthermore, micro-level factors, such as course literature, have a more immediate impact than macro-level influences, such as the Swedish Language Act. New knowledge of how and why pre-service teachers understand multilingualism, as well as how they then plan lessons for English as a foreign language in the linguistically diverse classrooms of today, can be of value to all teacher educators.
Interactive Videos as Effective Tools for Media Literacy Education in Communication and Media Courses
Authors: Matsiola Maria
Published: December 2024

The vast amount of audiovisual and multimedia content that is currently delivered via multiple ways and platforms makes media literacy imperative to enhance citizens’ ability to assess the credibility and trustworthiness of media sources. By recognizing bias and misinformation and understanding the impact the media can have on individuals and society, media literate citizens are better equipped to analyze the information they receive, thus presenting critical thinking. This paper, through research conducted among university students that attended the course of “Creative studio and audiovisual productions” at the Department of Communication and Digital Media, University of Western Macedonia, Greece, aims to present the effective use of interactive video production to media literacy. Prior to the beginning of the semester, the students were asked to state, among other things, their knowledge of media literacy, their digital literacy levels, and their skills level on various forms of video productions. At the end of the semester, they were asked to assess the knowledge and skills acquired through the process of creating an interactive video production on media literacy. The results revealed that through this project that brought them enjoyment, they gained knowledge, and they highly valued the role of interactive videos as communication tools.
Spotting Sneaky Scammers: Malicious Account Detection from a Chinese Financial Platform
Authors: Yao Shunyu , Liu Dan , Guo Zhifei , Zhang Zhiyuan , Hu Jie
Published: December 2024

With the rapid development of e-commerce, malicious accounts have become a threat, especially in the business field. Therefore, how to efficiently detect malicious accounts has become one an important issue requiring resolution. Present research on malicious detection mainly uses the basic statistics of the original data to build models, and ignores malicious activities in the business field. To address the context-independent nature of business activities and their lack of social structure, this study constructs an online model for detecting malicious accounts in the business field based on a stacking ensemble strategy with BiGRU-Conv1D-Capsule, XGBoost, and LightGBM as individual learners and AdaBoost as a meta-learner. Experimental results show that the stacking ensemble model constructed in this study has better predictive power than the typical shallow learning and baseline deep learning models. In addition to the basic feature, the behavior sequence of users is also applied in the proposed model. Overall, our experiments based on a real dataset from a financial platform show that the TPR, AUC, and F1 of the stacking ensemble model can reach 0.8258, 0.9860, and 0.8922 respectively, which outperforms all baseline models.
Ecological Niches of Generalist and Specialist Plants in the Subalpine Conifer Habitats (Abies sp.) of Northeast Asia: From South Korea to the Manchurian Region of China
Authors: Park Byeong-Joo , Heo Tae-Im , Cheon Kwangil
Published: December 2024

Herein, we explored the ecologic niches of generalist and specialist species within the subalpine vegetation zone, a habitat of Abies sp. distributed throughout South Korea and China. We included Abies sp. habitats in inland areas of South Korea and parts of the Manchurian region of China. Rhododendron schlippenbachii Maxim., Acer pseudosieboldianum (Pax) Kom., Picea jezoensis (Siebold & Zucc.) Carrière, Betula ermanii Cham., Acer komarovii Pojark., Pinus koraiensis Siebold & Zucc., Betula davurica Pall., Betula costata Trautv., Quercus mongolica Fisch. ex Ledeb, and Sorbus commixta Hedl. were selected as generalist species. Betula chinensis Maxim., Betula platyphylla var. japonica (Miq.) H. Hara, Euonymus pauciflorus Maxim., Salix maximowiczii Kom., Cornus walteri F.T. Wangerin, Carpinus laxiflora (Siebold & Zucc.) Blume, Populus davidiana Dode, Philadelphus tenuifolius Rupr. & Maxim., Rhododendron brachycarpum D. Don ex G. Don, and Larix olgensis var. koreana (Nakai) Nakai were selected as specialist species. NMS ordination analysis showed that specialist, generalist, and other plant species distribution correlated with basal area at breast height, stand density, and species diversity index. Generalist species could be grouped based on Quercus sp., Betula sp., and Acer sp. niche spaces. Specialist species shared ecological niches with plant species found in the limestone zone, sedimentary rock zone, and valley area.
Biocontrol Potential of Streptomyces Strain FY4 Against Heterobasidion Root Rot Pathogen In Vitro
Authors: Li Yilin , Li Xuehai , Geng Li , Li Shijie , Gao Ziwen , Huang Lin , Vaario Lu-Min , Sun Hui
Published: December 2024

Root and butt rot, caused by Heterobasidion species, poses a significant threat to coniferous forests in the Northern Hemisphere. Innovative and effective strategies are crucial to enhance the control of this disease. This study aimed at identifying a Streptomyces strain, FY4, and evaluating its biocontrol potential against H. annosum and H. parviporum. Strain FY4 was identified as Streptomyces blastmyceticus based on morphological, physiological, and biochemical characteristics, supported by a multigene phylogenetic analysis using the 16S rRNA, atpD, rpoB, and trpB genes. In vitro dual-culture experiments showed that S. blastmyceticus exhibited antagonistic activity against both H. annosum and H. parviporum, with an inhibition zone diameter exceeding 15 mm. Moreover, the fermentation broth of S. blastmyceticus FY4 displayed significant inhibitory effects on the mycelial growth and spore germination of both Heterobasidion species. At a 10% concentration, the fermentation broth inhibited the mycelial growth by over 90% and reduced the spore germination rate by more than 60%. Additionally, the fermentation broth exhibited significant inhibitory effects on the mycelial growth of four common pathogenic fungi—Phytophthora cinnamomi, P. sojae, Rhizoctonia solani, and Verticillium dahlia, with an inhibition rate over 50%. These findings suggest that S. blastmyceticus FY4 produces antifungal substances capable of effectively suppressing infection of Heterobasidion species in conifers. Consequently, strain FY4 holds great promise as a biological control agent for managing root and butt rot caused by these pathogens, as well as potential for controlling other fungal diseases.
Effects of Ectomycorrhizae and Hyphae on Soil Fungal Community Characteristics Across Forest Gap Positions
Authors: Shen Ya , Xu Lin , You Chengming , Zhang Li , Li Han , Wang Lixia , Liu Sining , Xu Hongwei , Tan Bo , Xu Zhenfeng
Published: December 2024

The interactive effects of environmental heterogeneity caused by forest gaps and ectomycorrhizae on fungal community characteristics remain insufficiently explored. To address this knowledge gap, we established a three-year field manipulation experiment in a Picea asperata (Picea asperata Mast.) plantation located in the subalpine region of western Sichuan, China. Growth bags with three mesh sizes—1000 μm (allowing ectomycorrhizae and hyphae), 48 μm (excluding ectomycorrhizae), and 1 μm (excluding both)—were placed across forest gaps (closed canopy, gap edge, and gap center) to investigate how gap disturbances influence soil fungal communities via changes in ectomycorrhizal and hyphal turnover alongside soil physicochemical properties. Soil fungal α-diversity was significantly lower under closed-canopy conditions than at forest gap centers and remained unaffected by ectomycorrhizal and hyphal treatments. Particularly, species diversity increased by 9%, and phylogenetic diversity increased by 10% in forest gap centers compared to the closed canopy. In contrast, soil fungal β-diversity responded to both ectomycorrhizal/hyphal treatments (R2 = 0.061; p = 0.001) and forest gap positions (R2 = 0.033; p = 0.003). Pairwise comparative analyses revealed significant distinctions between treatments, concurrently excluding ectomycorrhizal and hyphal treatments versus other experimental treatments, as well as between closed-canopy conditions and forest gap centers. The fungal community was dominated by four major phyla: Ascomycota (25.6%–71.0%), Basidiomycota (17.7%–43.7%), Mortierellomycota (1.4%–24.5%), and Rozellomycota (0.4%–2.9%), the relative abundances of which were unaffected by either ectomycorrhizal/hyphal treatments or forest gap positions. The biomass of ectomycorrhizal and saprotrophic fungi showed no significant response to ectomycorrhizal/hyphal treatments. Notably, the exclusion of ectomycorrhizae and hyphae enhanced the significant correlations between fungal community characteristics and soil physicochemical properties. Hierarchical partitioning analysis revealed that the soil water content (SWC) and dissolved organic carbon content were the key determinants of soil fungal community characteristics beneath closed-canopy conditions. In contrast, at forest gap edges and centers, the fungal communities were predominantly shaped by the SWC and dissolved carbon and nitrogen contents. This study highlights the impacts of forest gap disturbances and ectomycorrhizal treatments on soil fungal communities, offering valuable insights for the sustainable management and biodiversity conservation of subalpine forest ecosystems.
Exploring the Potential of Yellow Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) Oil as a Nutraceutical Ingredient
Authors: Martínez-Pineda Montserrat , Juan Teresa , Antoniewska-Krzeska Agata , Vercet Antonio , Abenoza María , Yagüe-Ruiz Cristina , Rutkowska Jarosława
Published: December 2024

During defatted Tenebrio molitor (TM) larvae powder production, oil is obtained as a by-product, mainly intended for feed enrichment or as a biofuel component. In 2021, EFSA authorized TM as the first insect to be a novel food. Thus, the study aimed to assess the composition, including fatty acids (FAs), tocopherols, carotenoids, phenolics, volatiles, antioxidant capacity, sensory aroma attributes, physical properties, and oxidative and hydrolytic stability of TM oil. The FAs profile was dominated by oleic—C18:19c (36.8%) and linoleic—C18:29c12c (32,4%) acids, resulting in a PUFA/SFA ratio similar to vegetable oils. Thus, TM oil was characterized by a beneficial Health Promoting Index (HPI) (2.42), which was 10-fold higher than the HPI of common animal fats. TM oil contained bioactive compounds such as carotenoids (13.65 mg/kg), tocopherols (105.8 mg/kg), and phenolic compounds (74 mg GAE/kg). A noticeable amount of apigenin was also noted among nine detected phenolic compounds. The substantial presence of lipophilic and phenolic compounds contributed to antioxidative potential. Sensory estimation revealed the dominance of fried and nutty aromas, probably because of the abundance of Strecker aldehydes and pyrazines in their volatile profile. The results indicated that the technological process needs modification to limit the formation of lipid oxidation volatile compounds such as aldehydes and eliminate some differences between batches. This preliminary study on the composition and properties of TM oil encourages its use as an ingredient for food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics purposes.
Haplotype-Based Approach Represents Locus Specificity in the Genomic Diversification Process in Humans (Homo sapiens)
Authors: Shimada Makoto K. , Nishida Tsunetoshi
Published: December 2024

Background/Objectives: Recent progress in evolutionary genomics on human (Homo sapiens) populations has revealed complex demographic events and genomic changes. These include population expansion with complicated migration, substantial population structure, and ancient introgression from other hominins, as well as human characteristics selections. Nevertheless, the genomic regions in which such evolutionary events took place have remained unclear. Methods: Here, we focused on eight loci containing the haplotypes that were previously presented as atypical for the mutation pattern in sequence and/or geographic distribution pattern with the model of recent African origin, which constitute two major clusters: African only, and global. This was the consensus model before information regarding introgression from Neanderthal (Homo neanderthalensis) was available. We compared diversity in identical datasets of the modern human population genome, with the 1000 Genomes project among them. Results/Conclusions: This study identified representative genomic regions that show traces of various demographic events and genomic changes that modern humans have undergone by categorizing the relationships in sequence similarity and in worldwide geographic distribution among haplotypes.
Barriers to Radiotherapy Access in Sub-Saharan Africa for Patients with Cancer: A Systematic Review
Authors: Ramashia Portia N. , Nkosi Pauline B. , Mbonane Thokozani P.
Published: December 2024

Background: Access to radiotherapy services is critical for effective cancer treatment, yet patients in sub-Saharan Africa face numerous barriers to accessing these services. The region is experiencing a significant increase in cancer cases, with a more than 85% increase in cancer cases reported in the past decade, highlighting the critical role of radiotherapy in enhancing patient prognosis. This systematic review aims to explore the barriers to radiotherapy access in sub-Saharan Africa. The barriers explored will be used to inform the development of the framework to improve access to radiotherapy in the Gauteng provinces, South Africa. Methods: A systematic search of electronic databases was conducted to identify relevant studies published between January 2013 and December 2023. Studies reporting on barriers to radiotherapy access in SSA were included and put into four categories of barriers: health system factors, patient sociodemographic factors, patient factors, and provider factors. Data were synthesised using thematic analysis. Results: This review identifies geographical, financial, cultural, logistical, and systemic barriers to radiotherapy access in sub-Saharan Africa, including limited infrastructure, long travel distances, and inequitable distribution of services. Systemic barriers, including policy gaps and governance issues, also contribute to the inequitable distribution of radiotherapy services in the region. Conclusions: This systematic review highlights the diverse array of barriers to radiotherapy access in sub-Saharan Africa and emphasises the urgent need for targeted interventions to address these challenges.
Awareness and Knowledge of Developmental Coordination Disorder Among Healthcare Professionals in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Al-Ahmari Abdulaziz A. , Alshabaan Abdullah A. , Almeer Ali A. , AlKhater Mohammed N. , Al-Ibrahim Mohammed A. , Altuwal Hassan H. , Al-Dajani Alaeddin A. , Alqahtani Saleh A. , Al-Omari Mohammed A. , Almutairi Abdullah K. , AlQurashi Faisal O.
Published: December 2024

Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) is a lifelong neurological disorder impairing the coordination and planning of motor and sensory tasks. Its functional manifestation includes difficulties in various aspects of daily living, making early diagnosis and management essential. This cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study targeted healthcare providers in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province who work with children under the age of 18. The questionnaire was completed through field visit interviews and electronically via social platforms from October 2023 to March 2024, collecting data on demographics, professional experience, familiarity with related disorders, and awareness of dyspraxia symptoms. Of the participants, 21.2% had previously diagnosed at least one child with dyspraxia, with family physicians comprising 30% of those diagnoses. The overall mean knowledge score was 17%, ranging from 8.3% to 23.1%. The most recognized symptom was motor learning difficulties (22.7%), followed by gross and fine motor skill delays (22.3%). Notably, 65.15% of respondents were unsure about the gender distribution of dyspraxia. The findings align with international studies, showing significant knowledge gaps among healthcare providers in the Eastern Province. These findings also emphasize the need for targeted health promotion programs, promotional activities, and media involvement for enhancing public health outcomes, early identification, and better management of DCD.
Mental and Physical Wellbeing of Carer–Employees in Canada
Authors: Peng Ito
Published: December 2024

Today, an increasing number of Canadian adults are providing unpaid care to their family members and friends while working full or part-time. We conducted a national survey of unpaid caregiving for older people in 2022 to learn who these people are, why they care, and to identify the social, economic, and health impacts of unpaid caregiving. Our findings show that many of these caregivers are also employees. While most research shows that women caregivers and carer-employees experience work-care tension that results in negative mental and physical health outcomes, our results are more mixed. This paper provides descriptive findings of carer-employee’s health and well-being, and compares them to previous research in Canada and abroad. I conclude with policy options for governments and employers to support the health and well-being of carer-employees.
Women’s Empowerment and Health: A Narrative Review
Authors: Couva Marina , Talias Michael A. , Christou Miranda , Soteriades Elpidoforos S.
Published: December 2024

Empowerment, the process by which a person is enabled to increase control over decisions concerning their life, is a multidimensional construct that has been extensively discussed by various disciplines for more than four decades. Several empowerment models have been presented, based on different approaches. This paper proposes a four-step model, based on individual and contextual awareness and advancement. Disparate factors may positively or negatively affect empowerment, including gender, race, culture, education, financial autonomy, socioeconomic status, family, neighborhood, religion, social cohesion, civic society, and political context. Empowerment has been extensively discussed in parallel with health promotion, since it is expected to positively affect health, both on the level of the individual and community, as well as in the context of the patient–healthcare professional relationship. Considering the position of women in patriarchal societies, where women may experience feelings of powerlessness, their social position and more importantly health may be adversely affected. Gender biases that were developed due to the marginalized position of women in different societies, coupled with paternalistic approaches of healthcare professionals, may significantly contribute to higher comorbidity, albeit longer life expectancy for women. Empowerment can therefore be a powerful tool for achieving equity in health and improving women’s well-being.
Digital Financial Knowledge Scale (DFKS): Insights from a Developing Economy
Authors: Vieira Kelmara Mendes , Matheis Taiane Keila , Lehnhart Eliete dos Reis , Tavares Fernando Oliveira
Published: December 2024

This work aims to create and validate the digital financial knowledge scale (DFKS). Three studies were carried out, including a focus group, expert validation, pre-testing, and the application of item response theory. From these procedures, two versions of the scale were constructed and validated. An evaluation and classification methodology was proposed. Two versions for measuring digital financial knowledge are presented. The long version is composed of 40 items and the short version has 26 items. Applying the proposed methodology, it is possible to classify the level of digital financial knowledge as low, intermediate, or high. The DFKS can be useful for both financial system agents and governments and researchers, who can use it in different contexts. In the banking sector, identifying the level of digital financial knowledge can reduce risks, as losses suffered by clients due to an uninformed adoption of digital banking services break the relationship of trust and can lead to lower financial inclusion.
Distinct Hemostasis and Blood Composition in Spiny Mouse Acomys cahirinus
Authors: Filatov Nikita S. , Khismatullin Rafael R. , Bilyalov Airat I. , Khabirova Alina I. , Salyakhutdinova Shakhnoza M. , Ursan Roman V. , Kasimova Roza N. , Peshkova Alina D. , Gazizov Insaf I. , Shagimardanova Elena I. , Woroncow Mary V. , Kiyasov Andrey P. , Litvinov Rustem I. , Gusev Oleg A.
Published: December 2024

The spiny mouse (Acomys species) is capable of scarless wound regeneration through largely yet unknown mechanisms. To investigate whether this capacity is related to peculiarities of the hemostatic system, we studied the blood of Acomys cahirinus in comparison to Mus musculus (Balb/c) to reveal differences in blood composition and clotting in both males and females. In response to surgical manipulations, blood clots formed in wounds of Acomys comprised a stronger hemostatic seal with reduced surgical bleeding in comparison with Balb/c. Acomys demonstrated notably shorter tail bleeding times and elevated clottable fibrinogen levels. Histological analysis revealed that clots from Acomys blood had densely packed fibrin-rich clots with pronounced fibrin segregation from erythrocytes. Acomys exhibited superior plasma clot stiffness as revealed with thromboelastography. The latter two characteristics are likely due to hyperfibrinogenemia. Light transmission platelet aggregometry demonstrated that ADP-induced platelet aggregates in Acomys males are stable, unlike the aggregates formed in the plasma of Balb/c undergoing progressive disaggregation over time. There were no apparent distinctions in platelet contractility and baseline expression of phosphatidylserine. Hematological profiling revealed a reduced erythrocytes count but increased mean corpuscular volume and hemoglobin content in Acomys. These results demonstrate the distinctive hemostatic potential of Acomys cahirinus, which may contribute to their remarkable regenerative capacity.
Investigation of Gallium(III) Complexes with Thiouracil Derivatives: Effects of pH on Coordination and Stability
Authors: Skrobanska Monika , Zabiszak Michał , Grześkiewicz Anita M. , Kaczmarek Malgorzata T. , Jastrzab Renata
Published: December 2024

This study explores the formation and properties of new complexes involving gallium(III) and thiouracil derivatives—2-thiouracil (TU), 6-methyl-2-thiouracil (MTU), 6-propyl-2-thiouracil (PTU), 5-carboxy-2-thiouracil (CTU), and 6-methoxymethyl-2-thiouracil (MMTU). Conducted in aqueous solutions at relatively low concentrations, this research enabled the formation of soluble complexes, identified and described here for the first time. The influence of metal-to-ligand ratios on species distribution and their fluorescence properties was examined through potentiometric titration, alongside visible and fluorescence spectroscopy. Stability constants were determined, revealing that coordination mode and complex stability are pH-dependent, and nitrogen, sulfur, and oxygen atoms are involved in higher pH coordination. Additionally, the structure of the ligand 6-methoxymethyl-2-thiouracil was characterized. The findings suggest that these complexes hold potential for future biomedical applications, particularly as antibacterial and anticancer agents, warranting further studies under physiological conditions.
Characteristics and Genomic Localization of Nurse Shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum) IgNAR
Authors: Tang Wenjie , Zheng Kaixi , Sun Shengjie , Zhong Bo , Luo Zhan , Yang Junjie , Jia Lei , Yang Lan , Shang Wenna , Jiang Xiaofeng , Lyu Zhengbing , Chen Jianqing , Chen Guodong
Published: December 2024

The variable domain of IgNAR shows great potential in biological medicine and therapy. IgNAR has been discovered in sharks and rays, with the nurse shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum) IgNARs being the most extensively studied among sharks. Despite being identified in nurse sharks over 30 years ago, the characteristics and genomic localization of IgNAR remain poorly defined, with significant gaps even in the latest released genome data. In our research, we localized the IgNAR loci in the nurse shark genome and resolved the previously missing regions. We identified three IgNAR loci, designated GcIgNAR1, GcIgNAR2, and GcIgNAR3, with only GcIgNAR1 and GcIgNAR2 being expressed. GcIgNAR1 and GcIgNAR2 belong to type I and type II IgNARs, respectively, and each exhibits several different isoforms. Most nurse shark IgNARs possess five constant domains. However, we found transcripts of GcIgNAR1 and GcIgNAR2 lacking two constant domains, C4 and C5, which differ from the IgNAR of the whitespotted bamboo shark. The protein structures of GcIgNAR1 and GcIgNAR2, generated by AlphaFold3, confirmed the accuracy of the IgNAR loci we identified. Our findings advance scientific understanding of IgNAR in nurse sharks and facilitate future research and medical applications.
1,3-Dithiolane as a Privileged Scaffold in Bioactive Derivatives: Chiral Resolution and Assignment of Absolute Configuration
Authors: Listro Roberta , Rossino Giacomo , Cavalloro Valeria , Rossi Daniela , Boiocchi Massimo , Robescu Marina Simona , Bavaro Teodora , Franchini Silvia , Sorbi Claudia , De Amici Marco , Linciano Pasquale , Collina Simona
Published: December 2024

The 1,3-dithiolane ring has been recently rehabilitated as a chemical scaffold in drug design. However, for derivatives that are substituted in position 4, the introduction of a chiral center on the heterocycle demands the separation and characterization of the stereoisomers. We report the first chiral resolution and absolute configuration (AC) assignment for (1,4-dithiaspiro[4.5]decan-2-yl)methanol (R/S)-1, a key synthon for dithiolane-based biologically active compounds. Using (semi)preparative enantioselective HPLC, we isolated enantiomeric 1. The AC was assigned by using (+)-1 for the enantioselective synthesis of (+)-BS148, a sigma receptor modulator. An X-ray diffraction analysis established the (R)-configuration of (+)-BS148 and, by extension, of (+)-1. This method provides a reliable approach for preparing enantiopure 1,3-dithiolane scaffolds and establishes reference standards for AC determination of related compounds.
Cushing’s Disease Manifestation in USP8-Mutated Corticotropinoma May Be Mediated by Interactions Between WNT Signaling and SST Trafficking
Authors: Nerubenko Elena , Ryazanov Pavel , Kuritsyna Natalia , Paltsev Artem , Ivanova Oksana , Grineva Elena , Kostareva Anna , Dmitrieva Renata , Tsoy Uliana
Published: December 2024

In the current work, we aimed to evaluate the association of clinical data of Cushing’s disease (CD) patients with USP8 mutation status and to study USP8-related molecular mechanisms connected to the regulation of corticotropinoma growth and activity. 35 CD patients were enrolled; the sequencing of exon 14 in USP8 revealed variants in eighteen adenomas, two of which were described for the first time in CD. USP8 variants were more common in women (94% vs. 76%; p = 0.001), and microadenomas and tumor recurrence were prevalent in the USP8-mutant group (44% vs. 29%; p = 0.04 and 44% vs. 22%; p = 0.0015). Preoperative ACTH and serum cortisol did not differ in the USP8-WT and USP8-mutant patients. All USP8-mutant adenomas were SST5-positive, and 73% of them were double-positive (SST5+/SST2+). A total of 50% of USP8-WT adenomas were double-negative (SST5−/SST2−), and 40% of them were SST5-positive. Analysis of transcriptome was performed for nine USP8-mutant and six USP8-WT adenomas and revealed the that the bidirectional dysregulation of Wnt signaling, including both the agonist RSPO2 and antagonist SFRP1, in the USP8-mutant corticotropinomas was downregulated. These alterations may indicate the existence of regulatory connections between USP8 enzyme activity, Wnt signaling, EGFR signaling and somatostatin receptors’ trafficking, which can explain, at least in part, the clinical manifestations of CD in patients with corticotropinomas harboring USP8 variants.
Calcium Phosphate Nanoparticles as Carriers of Low and High Molecular Weight Compounds
Authors: Popova Ekaterina , Tikhomirova Victoria , Akhmetova Assel , Ilina Irina , Kalinina Natalia , Taliansky Michael , Kost Olga
Published: December 2024

Nanoparticles could improve the bioavailability of active agents of various natures to human, animal, and plant tissues. In this work, we compared two methods on the synthesis of calcium phosphate nanoparticles (CaPs), differed by the synthesis temperature, pH, and concentration of the stabilizing agent, and explored the possibilities of incorporation of a low-molecular-weight peptide analogue enalaprilat, the enzyme superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), as well as DNA and dsRNA into these particles, by coprecipitation and sorption. CaPs obtained with and without cooling demonstrated the highest inclusion efficiency for enalaprilat upon coprecipitation: 250 ± 10 μg/mg of CaPs and 340 ± 30 μg/mg of CaPs, respectively. Enalaprilat sorption on the preliminarily formed CaPs was much less effective. SOD1 was only able to coprecipitate with CaPs upon cooling, with SOD1 loading 6.6 ± 2 μg/mg of CaPs. For the incorporation of DNA, the superiority of the sorption method was demonstrated, allowing loading of up to 88 μg/mg of CaPs. The ability of CaPs to incorporate dsRNa by sorption was also demonstrated by electrophoresis and atomic force microscopy. These results could have important implications for the development of the roots for incorporating substances of different natures into CaPs for agricultural and medical applications.
Spinal Nerve Axotomy: Effects on Ih In Vivo and HCNs in DRG Neurons
Authors: Song Yuanlong , Gao Linlin
Published: December 2024

In vitro experiments performed on dissociated dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons suggest the involvement of the hyperpolarization-activated cation current (Ih) in enhancing neuronal excitability, potentially contributing to neuropathic pain. However, the more confirmative in vivo information about how nerve injury interacts with Ih is lacking. In this study, Ih was recorded in vivo using the dynamic single-electrode voltage clamp (dSEVC) technique on L5 DRG neurons of normal rats and those seven days after spinal nerve axotomy (SNA). Compared to normal rats, SNA unexpectedly inhibited the activity of Ih channels on A-fiber DRG neurons: (a) the Ih current magnitude, density, and conductance were consistently diminished; and (b) the Ih activation velocity was slowed and the voltage for Ih activation was hyperpolarized. The half-activation voltage (V0.5) exhibited a negative shift, and the time constant for Ih activation was prolonged across all test potentials, indicating the reduced availability of Ih after SNA. To further investigate the mechanisms of SNA on Ih, the underlying HCN channels and the correlated mRNA were quantified and compared. The mRNA expression level of HCN1-4 was uniformly enhanced after SNA, which might have contributed to the increased cytoplasmic HCN1 intensity observed in both medium- and large-sized DRG neurons. This finding contradicted the functional reduction of Ih after SNA. Surprisingly, the HCN labeling pattern was altered after SNA: the labeling area of HCN1 and HCN2 at the membranous ring region of the axotomized large neurons became significantly thinner or absent. We concluded that the diminished ring immunoreactivity for HCN1 and HCN2 correlated with a reduced availability of Ih channels, elucidating the observed decrease in Ih in axotomized A-fiber neurons.