bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Selection bias risk in “low bias” (RoB 2) rated randomised control trials (Preprint)
Authors: Mickenautsch Steffen , Yengopal Veerasamy
Published: June 2024

Aim
To establish the risk of selection bias in randomised control trials (RCT) that were overall rated as having “low bias” risk, according to Cochrane’s Risk of Bias, Version 2 (RoB 2) tool.
Methods
A systematic literature search of current systematic reviews of RCTs was conducted. From the identified reviews, RCTs with overall “high bias” and “low bias” RoB 2 risk ratings were extracted. All RCTs were statistically tested for selection bias risk. From the test results, true positive, true negative, false positive or false negative ratings were established, and the false omission rate (FOR) with 95% Confidence interval (CI) computed. Subgroup analysis was conduced by computing the negative likelihood ratio (-LR) concerning RoB 2 domain 1 ratings: Bias arising from the randomisation process.
Results
A total of 1070 published RCTs (median publication year: 2018; Interquartile range: 2013–2020) were identified and tested. A total of 7.61% of all RCTs, rated with RoB 2 as of overall “low bias” risk were discovered to be of high selection bias risk (FOR 7.61%; 95% CI: 6.31–9.14%). The likelihood for high selection bias risk in RCTs that were rated as of “low bias” risk in the RoB 2 domain 1 was 6% higher than the likelihood for low selection bias risk (-LR 1.06; 95%CI: 0.98–1.15).
Conclusion
The findings of this study raise issues about the validity of “low bias” risk ratings using Cochrane’s RoB 2 tool, as well as the validity of the results from 1070 recently published RCTs. Our results also suggest that the likelihood of a ”low-bias” risk rated body of clinical evidence being actually bias-free is low, and that generalization based on a limited, pre-specified set of appraisal criteria may not justify a high level of confidence that such evidence reflects the true treatment effect.
WITHDRAWN: Is there an association between the serum zonulin concentration and the occurrence of PPROM?
Authors: Mert Sule Atalay
Published: June 2024

Aim: This study aimedto evaluate the associationsbetween intestinal permeability andzonulin (ZO) levels and preterm premature membrane rupture (PPROM) in patients.
Methods: A total of 44 pregnant women, 22 with PPROM and 22 in the control group, were included in this prospective case‒controlstudy. Venousblood samples and umbilical cord blood samples were taken from all participants after delivery. The blood samples were centrifuged at 3000 RPM for 10 minutes and stored at -80°C until biochemical analysis.
Results: The median gestational age at delivery was 34 weeks (24-36 weeks). The median maternal blood ZO level (99.1 ng/mL [67.5-307.5] vs. 95.6 ng/mL [65.7-320.0], p = 0.925) and the cord blood ZO level (81.9 ng/mL [30.9-271.3] vs. 76.9 ng/mL [44.1-314.8], p = 0.681) were not different between the PPROM group and the control group. The demographic and clinical data revealeda significant correlation between maternal and fetal cord ZO levels and newborn birthweight in the PPROM group (r=0.607, p=0.003; r=0.617, p=0.002, respectively). A strong positive correlation was also found between the ZO levels in maternal serum (r: 0.837, p <0.001) and fetal cord blood (r: 0.944, p <0.001).
Conclusion: No significant difference inmaternal serum/umbilical cord blood zonulin levels was detected between PPROM patientsand control patients. However, a positive correlation was found between newborn birthweight and maternal serum zonulin levels, as well as umbilical cord levels. In the PPROM patients, there was a positive correlation between maternal serum and fetal cord zonulin levels in all patients.
Incorporating new variables into a model of brand extension in fast fashion
Authors: Burešová Jitka , Vavrek Roman
Published: June 2024

This study tests a brand extension in fast fashion to explore the extension’s effect on the parent brand. It investigates whether extensions to varyingly distant product classes modify customers’ attitudes toward the parent brand. University students from the Technical University of Liberec, the Faculty of Economics (Czech Republic), aged 22-25 years, participated in an online survey for this study. The number of respondents was 310. The outcomes are relevant for this segment of customers. The model with classic brand extension factors (perceived fit (FIT), attitudes toward the brand extension (ATE), parent brand attitude change (PBCH)) was constructed. Factors of fashion leaders and emotional variables (e.g., trust and loyalty) were added to the model. The model was tested using structural equation modeling (SEM) in AMOS software and was statistically significant (Chi-squared value of 6.402, p = 0.171). A positive relationship was observed between FIT and ATE (β = 0.534, p-value = 0.000), the same as trust and ATE (β = 0.693, p-value = 0.000). Equally, ATE had a significant positive impact on PBCH (β = 0.722, p-value = 0.000) and trust and loyalty (β = 0.649, p-value = 0.000). Loyalty negatively affects ATE (β = -0.126, p-value = 0.010), indicating that these customers may have problems with brand extension, similar to a fashion leader (β = -0.126, p-value = 0.010). TRUST has a negative effect on the PBCH (β = -0.338, p-value = 0.000). Insights derived from this study hold substantial relevance for marketers in fast fashion aiming to prepare brand extensions effectively.
AcknowledgmentThis work is supported by the Technical University of Liberec, Faculty of Economics – internal grant.
DISCURSIVE-COGNITIVE PARADIGM OF THE CATEGORY OF POLITENESS IN SCIENTIFIC COMMUNICATION (ON THE MATERIAL OF GERMAN-LANGUAGE REVIEWS)
Authors:   Moscow Finance and Law University (MFUA), Kaliningrad Branch, Mkhitaryants Evelina G.
Published: June 2024

Problems of functioning of linguistic category of politeness in scientific discourse is relevant and not fully studied. The purpose of this article is a discourseoriented analysis of the implementation of that category. Within the framework of this study, textual typological, anthropocentric and intertextual features are taken into account. Secondary informativeness of the review is characterized by compression of the content space of the primary scientific text and by other features. The material of the study was reviews of articles and monographs in the field of German studies, sociolinguistics and methods of teaching German as a foreign language. The research methods are the contextual method, the method of linguistic interpretation of the text, the comparative method. Forms of politeness are the object of study from the point of view of various perspectives. As the analysis showed, the concept of conventional academic politeness reveals its polytextual nature, interacting with such categories as accentuation, evaluation, modality, intertextuality, dialogicity. Communication in the scientific-critica discourse has its own characteristics, which reveal themselves in the evaluativemodal markers of positive and negative politeness. Three microfields of negative assessment can be distinguished: reinforcing, neutral and mitigating. The last of the listed microfields can be considered as negative politeness. The modal and temporal markedness of the modes of reinforcing and mitigating a negative assessment is localized in the compositional and semantic structure of the review text. Positive and negative politeness accompanies the evaluative-argumentative segments of the communicative-pragmatic paradigm of scientific-critical intertext.
LINGUISTIC AND PRAGMATIC ASPECTS OF THE POLITENESS CATEGORY IN CHESS LITERATURE (in German and Russian languages)
Authors:   St. Petersburg State University, Filippov Andrei K.
Published: June 2024

The article studies linguistic expression of politeness and its pragmatic value in chess literature, focusing on works by Z. Tarrash, A. Nimzowitsch and A. Alekhine. In the beginning of the 20th century, authors of books on chess aimed at popularizing the game among amateurs, as well as engaging in arguments with other chess players. Accordingly, the studied texts represent a number of techniques for expressing politeness towards the reader and towards the players whose games are analyzed. Politeness in regard to a participant of a game can be expressed by a compliment in relation to a strong move, as well as in “polite surprise” at a bad decision taken by a strong chess player. Politeness towards the reader includes direct address, sometimes using ritual formulas, unobtrusive advice, and various techniques of authorial distancing as an indicator of modesty. A method specific to chess literature is referring to the participants of a game as Weiß/белые (‘white’) and Schwarz/черные (‘black’), even if one of the sides is the author of the commentary. Another way is using plural pronouns instead of singular, which is characteristic of the scientific style. In Russian texts, there are also cases of distancing through the use of impersonal constructions. The pragmatic purpose of politeness in relation to the reader is most likely winning them over, while politeness towards chess players can serve various purposes.
LINGUISTIC POLITENESS STRATEGIES IN CORPORATE DISCOURSE (by the example of corporate codes of conduct of companies)
Authors:   St. Petersburg State University, Imeretinskaya Natalia D.
Published: June 2024

This article attempts to study linguistic politeness strategies in corporate discourses with means of linguopragmatic analysis of Codes of Conducts, available on the Internet open sources. Codes of Conduct are meant to evoke in the addressee (company employees, business partners, customers, government agencies, or society as a whole) a positive impression, while formulating corporate behavior norms obligatory for the employees and partners to comply with. Being a set of directive and commission speech acts, on the one hand, and on the other hand, being a document that forms the image of the company, Codes of Conduct represent an interesting material for the analysis of the ways to reduce face-threatening acts. The methodological basis of the undertaken research are the communication theory, corporate discourse and the sociolinguistic postulates of Brown and Levinson’s Theory of Politeness. Politeness, as an essential condition for any kind of communication, is a social and cultural phenomenon, as it signifies linguistic features associated with norms of social behavior. Respectful attitude towards each other correlates in business communication with superior-subordinate relationship. Social norms or behavioral rules adopted in corporate discourse determine the speaker’s choice of politeness strategies and linguistic features. The article analyzes linguistic politeness strategies, aimed to reduce communicative pressure within the directive speech act, as well as interaction of these strategies and their linguistic execution. The most often-used politeness strategies to be find in Codes of Conduct are use of in-group identity markers and stating a directive speech act as a general rule or a practice already established in a company.
CATEGORY OF POLITENESS IN RUSSIAN AND GERMAN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENCE
Authors:   St. Petersburg State University, Grigorieva Liubov N. , Jesan Irina J. ,   St. Petersburg State University, Kovtunova Elena A. ,   St. Petersburg State University
Published: June 2024

Politeness is an integral part of any communication — it acts as a regulator of the communicative process in different spheres of human activity. This category is particularly significant in the official communication, where careful selection of language means is necessary. The actual study of politeness in the official and business communication styles is presented in a contrastive aspect, comparing national-cultural peculiarities of politeness in different countries. Therefore, the novelty of this article lies in the comparative analysis of business letters in German and Russian and in the study of the means of politeness expression in separate communicative blocks as well. This study is structured considering modern trends in the development of conventional norms of official communication, the processes of their personalization, democratization, dialogization and individualization. The textbooks on business correspondence published in Germany and Russia are used as material. In addition, this article uses contextual and semantic analysis. The authors for the first time resort to the method of rubricating business letters into communicative blocks, identifying verbal means of politeness expression. As a result, differences between the analyzed types of German and Russian business letters were identified not only in the manifestation of the above-mentioned trends, but also in the representation of politeness expression in each of the communicative blocks. The results reveal socio-cultural specificity of these texts in German and Russian correspondence, which allows us to use them in teaching native and foreign language for business communication, as well as in the process of teaching translation.
LEXICAL AND GRAMMATICAL FEATURES OF CORPORATE CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR’S GREETINGS IN GERMAN AND RUSSIAN CULTURES
Authors:   St. Petersburg State University, Zhiliuk Sergei A.
Published: June 2024

The article focuses on the text type greeting in German and Russian languages. It aims at identifying lexical and grammatical means of corporate greeting in German language culture. The study is novel in that it discusses contemporary corporate greetings in German and in Russian as a part of the language politeness. The methods used in the study include continuous sampling method, lexical and semantical analysis, and comparison. The greetings under discussion consist of three obligatory (address, wishes and signature) and two extra parts (introduction and gratitude). The introduction aims at establishing of festive mood and can have a quote in German greetings. In Russian congratulations, the introduction is rare, in certain cases it is replaced with congratulation on a holiday. The reason why in German texts there is no congratulation is the fact that the congratulation is written on a card which has pre-printed greeting. There are semantical differences between Russian and German wishes. The Russians tend to express wishes for the whole upcoming year. They are about job and private life of an addressee. The Germans focus their wishes on Christmas, and an addressee is supposed to spend it in a quiet company of relatives and friends. The wishes on New Year’s Day are similar to Russian ones. The difference in wishes partly would raise from the difference in calendars: While the Germans celebrate Christmas right after working days, the Russians have it at the end of a series of days-off at the beginning of January.
TERMS OF ENDEARMENT IN GERMAN AND THE ASPECTS OF THEIR LEXICOGRAPHIC DESCRIPTION WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE LINGUOCULTUROLOGICAL APPROACH
Authors:   Tula State Lev Tolstoy Pedagogical University, Nikitina Olga A. , Gudkova Olga A. ,   Tula State Lev Tolstoy Pedagogical University
Published: June 2024

The article discusses the terms of endearment that function as the affectionate etiquette expressions in German. Some terminological problems related to determining their status as the primary element of intimate discourse are considered. The main ways of building of terms of endearment as well as their semantic and derivational features are revealed. The terms of endearment are considered to be the linguistic universals that have the special cultural potency due to their ability to express typical emotive and evaluative reactions and represent the most significant stereotypes and standards of the linguocultural community. The describing of the terms of endearment requires a synergetic approach, which is not limited only to structural and semantic classification. It is necessary to study and interpret the images in the categories of a particular linguistic culture through the prism of cultural stereotypes, ideas and attitudes. The terms of endearment are created by speakers mainly through the use of metaphorical and metonymic images supplemented by diminutive suffixation and word composition. The most productive is the biomorphic cultural code. In addition, the article presents some conceptual considerations about the structure and content of the dictionary of German terms of endearment with cultural and historical comments. The linguoculturological comment on the inner forms of terms of endearment allows describing the cultural stereotypical vision and perception of partners. The use of linguistic symbols in the terms of endearment is due to archetypal ideas, mythologems, as well as social stereotypes and attitudes in the German linguistic and cultural community.
THE CATEGORY OF POLITENESS IN THE PROCESS OF MODELLING OF A LITERARY TEXT’S CULTURAL SPACE
Authors:   Kuban State University, Gorbatovsky Alexandr S. , Oleynik Marina A. ,   Kuban State University
Published: June 2024

The aim of the research is to determine the linguocultural potential of the category of politeness and the means of its verbalization in a literary text, which represents the traditions of etiquette in the German language. The norms of linguistic behaviour are considered as an important part of cultural space, which is conveyed by the author of the text through the use of specific linguistic means. The novelty of the study lies in the involvement of the linguistic theory of politeness in the process of modeling cultural space in a literary text. The special combination of the denotative and connotative meanings of the lexemes expressing different ways of social interaction in the aspect of politeness enables not only identification of the strategies of politeness, but also determination of their linguocultural potential. Etiquette norms, which constitute an important part of the real cultural space, are reflected in the text due to the specific interaction of the elements of cultural space. The interaction between the category of politeness and such linguistic categories as modality and presupposition plays a peculiar role in the system of the text’s cultural space. The material for this study is Daniel Kellmann’s novel Tyll. The results of the analysis of empirical material served as the basis for the consideration of politeness as one of the linguistic categories that help to model the cultural space. The presented conclusions have been obtained using the comparative method as well as the method of semantic, contextual and linguocultural analysis.
POLITENESS AS A WAY TO ENCOURAGE CONVERSATION
Authors:   St. Petersburg State University, Dmitrieva Maria N.
Published: June 2024

The empirical material is the novel of the German-speaking writer B. Schirmer Schlehweins Giraffe. The research focuses on speech strategies and tactics of politeness as one of the components of verbal communication addressed to the Giraffe. Recorded in a text, the model of verbal and non-verbal behavior of a person, the author, trying to encourage a conversation with an animal is analysed. The category of politeness, thus, appears in a single discursive space with the direction. The relevance of the study is explained by the communicative and pragmatic approach applied to the analysis of speech addressed to an animal. The narrator treats the animal with great care. He also asks various questions to the Giraffe as he believes the Giraffe is able to communicate. However, the author fails to establish communication. The Giraffe is silent. The narrator uses directive linguistic means in the colloquial style of speech: brief questions, accentual particles, lexical and syntactic repetitions, appeals to the Giraffe and so on. The author-narrator repeatedly corrects his verbal behavior, uses various strategies, but, eventually, comes to the conclusion, that the Giraffe is incoherent. Finding herself in a usual natural environment, the Giraffe unexpectedly reproduces a phrase which belongs to the group of precedent texts, to the surprise of the narrator. The narrator understands the reasons for the Giraffe’s persistent silence. The communicative strategy of the author-narrator changes, his speech becomes rude and impolite. Thus, the language material illustrates the widest spectrum of politeness pragmatics and deviations from this speech strategy.
POLITENESS AS A REGULATOR OF COMMUNICATIVE BEHAVIOUR OF GERMANS IN THE 18th CENTURY
Authors:   St. Petersburg State University, Birr-Tsurkan Lilia F.
Published: June 2024

This paper analyses politeness as one of the most important categories regulating communicative behaviour in a culture based on the codes of conduct of the 18th century. The latter played an important role in courtesy becoming a cultural value in German history. Through methods of description, component and contextual analysis, the author investigates what was considered polite discourse in the German society and what it depended on. Principal behavioural situations studied include greetings, expressing gratitude, apologies, bidding farewell, as well as table manners, etiquette of dancing and travelling, extending invitations, expressing condolences on a bereavement, congratulations on different occasions. Сompliment, a basic concept of eighteenth-century etiquette, is primarily understood as an etiquette formula applied to a particular etiquette situation. Addressing has two functions: addressing an utterance and reflection of the relationship between the addressee and the addressee, which is strictly regulated by the social status and position of both. One defining feature of etiquette statements in the codes of conduct is the active use of superlative forms. It is concluded that in the 18th century, the category of politeness was primarily an ethical one, which depended on the time, place and persons involved in discourse, first and foremost on their social status and gender. The novelty of the study lies in the material chosen and in studying the development of the politeness category in diachrony.
Antineoplastic Effect of Valproic Acid: A Systematic Review of In Vivo
Studies
Authors: Suárez Ketty , Fernández Gisselle , Borroto Alicia , Fernández Tammy , Pérez Carlos L
Published: June 2024

Background::

In recent years, cancer has become a noncommunicable disease with a high
mortality in the world, constituting the second cause of death. Although it has a predominance of
genetic abnormalities, molecular studies have shown that epigenetic alterations share a leading role in
its development. Among the epigenetic drugs inhibiting deacetylases, we have valproic acid [VPA],
a short-branched chain fatty acid with more than 50 years of clinical use. The potentialities of this
drug that justify its use in antineoplastic therapy have been described recently. This drug offers the
possibility of reversing some malignant characteristics of cancer cells, and it can be used in small,
minimally toxic doses at low cost.

Objective::

The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of valproic acid as an antineoplastic treatment
in animal models.

Methods::

A systematic review was conducted following the Prisma guidelines. Pubmed and Scopus
were consulted for original articles that had evaluated the antineoplastic effect of VPA in vivo in the
last 10 years. Results are presented in tables and graphs

Results::

A total of 41 specific articles on the topic were selected. Few preclinical in vivo studies
demonstrated the antineoplastic effects of VPA. Prostatic and hepatocellular carcinoma were the most
common cancers in the consulted reports. Combination therapies using VPA with cytotoxic agents
prevailed in this research, demonstrating a synergistic effect in reducing tumour volume.

Conclusion::

VPA has an antineoplastic effect, and combination therapies show better results than
monotherapies. However, more studies are required to confirm the usefulness of VPA as an adjuvant
in the treatment of cancer.
Role of Menstrual Blood Stem Cell-Derived Secretome, Follicular Fluid,
and Melatonin in Oocyte Maturation and Embryo Development in
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Authors: Rastegari Hilda , Kazemnejad Somaieh , Hayati Roodbari Nasim , Ansaripour Soheila
Published: June 2024

Background::

In vitro maturation has been considered an approach to mature oocytes
derived from women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). It is suggested that the IVM of oocytes
may benefit from mesenchymal stem cells derived conditioned medium (CM-MSC).

Objective::

The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of a cocktail of menstrual
blood stem cell (MenSCs)-derived secretome, along with follicular fluid and melatonin, in oocyte
maturation and embryo development in PCOS.

Methods::

Four hundred left germinal vesicle oocytes were collected from 100 PCOS patients and
randomly divided into four treatment groups: 1) control, 2) secretome, 3) follicular fluid, and 4)
melatonin. Oocyte maturation, fertilization rate, and embryo development were monitored, as
well as the expression levels of oocyte-secreted factors (GDF9- BMP15), oocyte maturation (MPK3),
and apoptosis (BAX- Bcl2).

Results::

The rate of oocyte maturation increased in all test groups, but only the results for the
SEC group were significant (P= 0.032). There were no significant differences in oocyte fertilization
and embryo yield among groups. However, the quality of embryos significantly increased in
the melatonin group compared to the control. Cytoplasmic maturation was confirmed by the expression
of oocyte maturation-related genes using Real-time PCR. Additionally, the expression
level of BCL-2 was significantly higher in the SEC-FF-MEL group than in the control group (p ≤
0.01).

Conclusion::

Enrichment of IVM media using MenSCs-secretome, particularly along with melatonin,
could be an effective strategy to improve oocyte maturation and embryo development in
PCOS.
Lipid-Based Nanomedicine for Alzheimer's Disease: A Comprehensive
Review of Recent Advances
Authors: Dhankhar Sanchit , Garg Nitika , Sharma Himanshu , Chauhan Samrat , Saini Monika
Published: June 2024

Background::

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia and is expected
to greatly rise in future, making it a major worldwide health concern with severe impacts on
individuals and society. Despite advancements in understanding the cellular and molecular aspects
of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in recent decades, it still poses a significant problem. A major problem
is accurately delivering drugs to diseased neurons while minimising effects on healthy neurons. This
difficulty is worsened by the low water solubility of anti-Alzheimer's disease medicines and the
blood-brain barrier (BBB) that hinders the entry of central nervous system pharmaceuticals that are
highly lipophilic.

Objective::

The focus of this article is on nanocarriers that are lipid-based. This is one of the more
widely accepted methods of treating Alzheimer's disease, as it increases therapeutic efficacy while
decreasing side effects related to cooperated neurological disorder payload.

Method::

Searched many databases for papers published under the title (including PubMed, Elsevier,
and Google Scholar).

Results/Conclusion:

Nano Lipid Carriers (NLCs) are recognized for their ability to target the brain
effectively due to their lipid-loving properties and compatibility with living tissues. They improve
the absorption of drugs in the brain while decreasing the accumulation of drugs in unintended organs.
This work emphasises the importance of nano lipid carriers, which are lipophilic and biocompatible
and have demonstrated exceptional targeting efficiency, making them an ideal carrier system
for delivering medications to the brain.
Memahami Kebutuhan Bimbingan Komunikasi untuk Anak Pra-Operasional
Authors: Risyanindya Aldilla , Batara Dika Raihan , Khairunnisa Iqlima Rahma , Listiawati Raisa Putri , Tania Sheryl , Hamidah Siti
Published: June 2024

Anak-anak pada tahap pra-operasional memiliki ciri-ciri perkembangan kognitif yang spesifik dan ditandai dengan pemikiran konkret serta belum memiliki kemampuan melakukan operasi mental yang rumit. Anak cenderung menggunakan intuisi dan mengandalkan penampilan fisik sebagai panduan. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk menyelidiki lebih lanjut kebutuhan komunikasi anak-anak pada tahap pra-operasional. Hal ini dilakukan dengan menemukan strategi bimbingan yang sesuai dan efektif. Metode Systematic Literature Review (SLR) dilakukan dengan cara mengumpulkan artikel-artikel jurnal yang memuat ide atau topik yang serupa. Analisis data menggunakan model PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses). Hasil analisis data menunjukkan bahwa perkembangan komunikasi pada anak pra-operasional dipengaruhi oleh beberapa hal, seperti perkembangan otak dan kecerdasan anak, lingkungan keluarga, kondisi fisik, kondisi ekonomi, dan bilingualism (penggunaan 2 bahasa) serta penggunaan bahasa gaul yang sedang marak pada saat ini membuat perkembangan komunikasi pada anak tidak sesuai dengan yang perkembangan komunikasinya. Maka dari itu, baik dari pendidik maupun orang tua hendaknya membantu dan mengawasi perkembangan komunikasi anak dengan berbagai metode yang bisa diterapkan untuk membantu perkembangan komunikasi anak agar lebih efektif.
An Approach to Potentially Increasing Adoption of an Artificial Intelligence–Enabled Electronic Medical Record Encounter in Canadian Primary Care: Protocol for a User-Centered Design
Authors: Francisco Krizia Mae , Burns Catherine M
Published: June 2024

Background

Primary care physicians are at the forefront of the clinical process that can lead to diagnosis, referral, and treatment. With electronic medical records (EMRs) being introduced and, over time, gaining acceptance by primary care users, they have now become a standard part of care. EMRs have the potential to be further optimized with the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI). There has yet to be a widespread exploration of the use of AI in primary health care and how clinicians envision AI use to encourage further uptake.

Objective

The primary objective of this research is to understand if the user-centered design approach, rooted in contextual design, can lead to an increased likelihood of adoption of an AI-enabled encounter module embedded in a primary care EMR. In this study, we use human factor models and the technology acceptance model to understand the results.

Methods

To accomplish this, a partnership has been established with an industry partner, TELUS Health, to use their EMR, the collaborative health record. The overall intention is to understand how to improve the user experience by using user-centered design to inform how AI should be embedded in an EMR encounter. Given this intention, a user-centered approach will be used to accomplish it. The approach of user-centered design requires qualitative interviewing to gain a clear understanding of users’ approaches, intentions, and other key insights to inform the design process. A total of 5 phases have been designed for this study.

Results

As of March 2024, a total of 14 primary care clinician participants have been recruited and interviewed. First-cycle coding of all qualitative data results is being conducted to inform redesign considerations.

Conclusions

Some limitations need to be acknowledged related to the approach of this study. There is a lack of market maturity of AI-enabled EMR encounters in primary care, requiring research to take place through scenario-based interviews. However, this participant group will still help inform design considerations for this tool. This study is targeted for completion in the late fall of 2024.

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/54365
Use of Deep Neural Networks to Predict Obesity With Short Audio Recordings: Development and Usability Study
Authors: Huang Jingyi , Guo Peiqi , Zhang Sheng , Ji Mengmeng , An Ruopeng
Published: June 2024

Background

The escalating global prevalence of obesity has necessitated the exploration of novel diagnostic approaches. Recent scientific inquiries have indicated potential alterations in voice characteristics associated with obesity, suggesting the feasibility of using voice as a noninvasive biomarker for obesity detection.

Objective

This study aims to use deep neural networks to predict obesity status through the analysis of short audio recordings, investigating the relationship between vocal characteristics and obesity.

Methods

A pilot study was conducted with 696 participants, using self-reported BMI to classify individuals into obesity and nonobesity groups. Audio recordings of participants reading a short script were transformed into spectrograms and analyzed using an adapted YOLOv8 model (Ultralytics). The model performance was evaluated using accuracy, recall, precision, and F1-scores.

Results

The adapted YOLOv8 model demonstrated a global accuracy of 0.70 and a macro F1-score of 0.65. It was more effective in identifying nonobesity (F1-score of 0.77) than obesity (F1-score of 0.53). This moderate level of accuracy highlights the potential and challenges in using vocal biomarkers for obesity detection.

Conclusions

While the study shows promise in the field of voice-based medical diagnostics for obesity, it faces limitations such as reliance on self-reported BMI data and a small, homogenous sample size. These factors, coupled with variability in recording quality, necessitate further research with more robust methodologies and diverse samples to enhance the validity of this novel approach. The findings lay a foundational step for future investigations in using voice as a noninvasive biomarker for obesity detection.
Association of Smartwatch-Based Heart Rate and Physical Activity With Cardiorespiratory Fitness Measures in the Community: Cohort Study
Authors: Zhang Yuankai , Wang Xuzhi , Pathiravasan Chathurangi H , Spartano Nicole L , Lin Honghuang , Borrelli Belinda , Benjamin Emelia J , McManus David D , Larson Martin G , Vasan Ramachandran S , Shah Ravi V , Lewis Gregory D , Liu Chunyu , Murabito Joanne M , Nayor Matthew
Published: June 2024

Background

Resting heart rate (HR) and routine physical activity are associated with cardiorespiratory fitness levels. Commercial smartwatches permit remote HR monitoring and step count recording in real-world settings over long periods of time, but the relationship between smartwatch-measured HR and daily steps to cardiorespiratory fitness remains incompletely characterized in the community.

Objective

This study aimed to examine the association of nonactive HR and daily steps measured by a smartwatch with a multidimensional fitness assessment via cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) among participants in the electronic Framingham Heart Study.

Methods

Electronic Framingham Heart Study participants were enrolled in a research examination (2016-2019) and provided with a study smartwatch that collected longitudinal HR and physical activity data for up to 3 years. At the same examination, the participants underwent CPET on a cycle ergometer. Multivariable linear models were used to test the association of CPET indices with nonactive HR and daily steps from the smartwatch.

Results

We included 662 participants (mean age 53, SD 9 years; n=391, 59% women, n=599, 91% White; mean nonactive HR 73, SD 6 beats per minute) with a median of 1836 (IQR 889-3559) HR records and a median of 128 (IQR 65-227) watch-wearing days for each individual. In multivariable-adjusted models, lower nonactive HR and higher daily steps were associated with higher peak oxygen uptake (VO2), % predicted peak VO2, and VO2 at the ventilatory anaerobic threshold, with false discovery rate (FDR)–adjusted P values <.001 for all. Reductions of 2.4 beats per minute in nonactive HR, or increases of nearly 1000 daily steps, corresponded to a 1.3 mL/kg/min higher peak VO2. In addition, ventilatory efficiency (VE/VCO2; FDR-adjusted P=.009), % predicted maximum HR (FDR-adjusted P<.001), and systolic blood pressure-to-workload slope (FDR-adjusted P=.01) were associated with nonactive HR but not associated with daily steps.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that smartwatch-based assessments are associated with a broad array of cardiorespiratory fitness responses in the community, including measures of global fitness (peak VO2), ventilatory efficiency, and blood pressure response to exercise. Metrics captured by wearable devices offer a valuable opportunity to use extensive data on health factors and behaviors to provide a window into individual cardiovascular fitness levels.
Біохімічні показники ротової рідини у дітей із недосконалим остеогенезом
Authors: Khodzinska I.R.
Published: June 2024

Актуальність. Позаскелетні, зокрема стоматологічні, прояви недосконалого остеогенезу (НО) у дітей мають різноманітний характер та потребують мультидисциплінарного підходу із залученням команди фахівців, включно з дитячими стоматологами, а вивчення стоматологічного здоров’я та факторів ризику виникнення стоматологічних захворювань у цієї категорії пацієнтів є актуальною проблемою. Мета: оцінити зміни біохімічних показників ротової рідини у дітей із недосконалим остеогенезом. Матеріали та методи. Клінічні дослідження проводили за участю дітей віком від 2 до 17 років із встановленим діагнозом НО, у яких визначали вміст кальцію, фосфору, кислої й лужної фосфатаз, малонового діальдегіду і каталази в ротовій рідині. Результати. Визначено низький мінералізуючий потенціал ротової рідини, суттєве порушення балансу Са/Р та мінерального складу ротової рідини, а також знижений рівень антиоксидантного захисту порожнини рота у дітей із НО порівняно із соматично здоровими дітьми. Висновки. Основні біохімічні показники ротової рідини свідчать про порушення мінерального балансу та антиоксидантного захисту порожнини рота у дітей із НО.
З історії розвитку кафедри терапевтичної стоматології НУОЗ України імені П.Л. Шупика до 60-річчя з дня її заснування
Authors: Asharenkova O.V. , Kolosova K.Y.
Published: June 2024

У статті подано історичний нарис розвитку кафедри терапевтичної стоматології НУОЗ України імені П.Л. Шупика протягом 60 років з дня її заснування — 17 лютого 1964 року. Висвітлюються системні заходи, які вживалися засновником і першим очільником кафедри, а також видатними професорами, що брали на себе керівництво наступними роками, спрямовані на формування нових підрозділів клінічної бази кафедри, організацію та проведення активної науково-педагогічної і консультативно-лікувальної роботи. Зусилля керівників кафедри разом із її колективом спрямовані на вирішення важливих завдань, як-от розробка нових патогенетично обґрунтованих схем лікування, обговорення наукових досягнень на державних і міжнародних науково-практичних конференціях, впровадження передових технологій в освітній процес та стоматологічну практику, написання наукових статей, підручників, навчальних посібників тощо, отримання патентів, а також створення сучасних програм для підвищення кваліфікації лікарів-стоматологів. Шляхом продуктивної щоденної праці керівники кафедри разом із колективом присвятили себе збереженню власної спадщини та вирішенню питань, спрямованих на збереження стоматологічного здоров’я громадян України.
FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF MICROEMULSION-BASED SUBLINGUAL LIQUID CONTAINING VALERIAN ROOT EXTRACT
Authors: VIRASHRI M NORAJE  , VIJAYANAND PUJARI
Published: June 2024

Objective: The objective of this work was to perform pre-formulation studies, prepare, and optimize microemulsion containing valerian root extract, and evaluate the prepared microemulsion liquid containing valerian root extract.
Methods: Valerian roots were subjected to extraction by maceration and percolation methods. The microemulsion formulation was prepared using different concentrations of peanut oil as an oil phase, Tween 20 as a surfactant, and span 80 as a cosurfactant. Pseudoternary phase diagrams were constructed to identify the microemulsion region, and a suitable composition was identified to formulate the microemulsion. The microemulsion was evaluated for viscosity, pH, staining test, globule size, zeta potential, and transmission electron microscopy.
Results: The extractive value of valerian root in 70% ethanol was the maximum (27.56±1.95% w/w). Based on the thin-layer chromatography experiment, the reported Rf value for valerenic acid is 0.48. Peanut oil showed the highest solubilization capacity for the drug, i.e., 7.00±0.02 mg/mL. The optimized F4 formulation showed viscosity 110±7.9cP, pH 6.22±2.00, globule size 96.78±10.9, and zeta potential +67.5±1.9. The staining test for the optimized formulation (F4) indicated that the emulsion is an zo/w type of microemulsion.
Conclusion: This novel delivery of the drug in the oral cavity may ensure the quick and full release of the drug without interfering with the food, pH, enzymatic degradation, and gastric motility. This formulation containing herbal drug may offer an alternative natural solution for the treatment of insomnia.
Österreichischer Forschungs- und Technologiebericht 2024
Authors:   WPZ Research GmbH, Ecker Brigitte , Bolibok Olga , Frantz Florentine , Grabner Simone Maria , Hartmann Ernst , Jaik Katharina , Kasneci Gerdhard , Kaufmann Joachim , Kaufmann Peter , Kofler Jakob , Philipp Stefan , Régent Verena , Sardadvar Sascha , Schuch Klaus , Sturn Dorothea , Wagner Valentin , Warta Katharina
Published: June 2024

Der Forschungs- und Technologiebericht 2024 ist ein Bericht der Bundesregierung über die Lage und Bedürfnisse von Forschung, Technologie und Innovation in Österreich gem. FOG § 8 (2).
Evaluation of the viability of old seeds of several important agricultural weeds
Authors: Sikuljak Danijela , Uludag Ahmet , Andjelkovic Ana , Trkulja Nenad , Bozic Dragana , Vrbnicanin Sava
Published: June 2024

Persistent seed banks are equally important in agriculture and invasion
biology. While seed vitality persistence exemplifies an eternal uphill
battle for weed control in agriculture, it signals a potential invasiveness
of species in invasion biology. Considering yield losses caused by
Amaranthus retroflexus, Abutilon theophrasti, Chenopodium album and Datura
stramonium in agriculture, and the importance of Ambrosia trifida as an
emerging invader in Europe, the objective of this study was to test the
viability and longevity of the aged seeds of these economically important
weeds. Three seed viability/longevity tests were conducted: the crush test,
germination test in Petri dishes, and 3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride
(TTC) test. The results revealed a significant variation in germination
potential among the tested species. The highest vitality was observed in
7-year-old seeds of A. retroflexus (41.67 %), followed by 16-year-old A.
theophrasti seeds (17.78 %), 13-year-old C. album seeds (15.00 %) and
17-yearold D. stramonium seeds (7.5 %). Furthermore, a remarkable seed
longevity was documented in the tested species (with the exception of A.
trifida), preserving their germination potential for over half a century.
Seed germination was recorded in 49-year-old seeds of D. stramonium,
53-year-old seeds of A. retroflexus, 58-year-old seeds of A. theophrasti and
59-year-old seeds of C. album, in strong evidence of the persistence of
these weed species? seeds in the environment.
Assessing sister chromatid exchanges in human peripheral lymphocytes exposed to tetrachlorvinphos during G0 phase
Authors: Akgun Ebral , Cobanoglu Hayal
Published: June 2024

While pesticides undeniably contribute to enhancing agricultural
productivity, the escalating trend in their usage has given rise to a myriad
of environmental and public health challenges over time. Tetrachlorvinphos,
an organophosphate pesticide deemed potentially carcinogenic by the
International Agency for Research on Cancer, is commonly employed to combat
flies, mites, and larvae in animals, safeguarding public health in open
spaces, and managing pest issues in domestic animals. We aimed to
investigate the genotoxic and cytostatic effects of tetrachlorvinphos on
human lymphocytes in the G0 phase of the cell cycle using the sister
chromatid exchange (SCE) assay. We found that tetrachlorvinphos increased
SCE values at 3 concentrations (5, 25, 50 ?M). On the other hand, the
increase in SCE values was found to be statistically significant only at the
highest concentration (50 ?M, p<0.05). We also found that the SCE value
showed a linear dose-dependent increase (p=0.005). We concluded that
exposure to tetrachlorvinphos had genotoxic potential on human lymphocytes
in the G0 phase of the cell cycle. Additionally, exposure of cells in the G0
phase of cell cycle to tetrachlorvinphos was found to have no discernible
impact on cell cycle kinetics.
Pelatihan Penulisan Artikel Ilmiah dan Pemanfaatan Alat Bantu Penulisan Artikel Ilmiah untuk Mahasiswa
Authors: Deny Hadi Siswanto  , Samsinar  , Aldo Setiawan  , Nur Wahyuni  , Puguh Wahyu Prasetyo
Published: June 2024

Tujuan dari kegiatan ini yaitu untuk: (1) memberikan pemahaman kepada mahasiswa S1 mengenai penulisan artikel ilmiah; (2) dapat memahami cara publikasi artikel ilmiah ke jurnal nasional terakreditasi maupun tidak terakreditasi; (3) sebagai sarana motivasi bagi mahasiswa agar dapat menulis artikel ilmiah. Metode yang digunakan dalam pelaksanaan kegiatan Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat (PKM) ini adalah metode ceramah dan pemaparan. Pelaksanaan kegiatan ini melalui Zoom Meeting pada tanggal 3 Juni 2023. Narasumber dalam kegiatan ini yaitu dosen UPY, yaitu Bapak Padrul Jana, M.Pd. dan mahasiswa Magister Pendidikan Matematika UAD yaitu Samsinar. Peserta yang terlibat dalam kegiatan ini mencakup 130 mahasiswa S1 dari perguruan tinggi di Indonesia. Materi pertama membahas tentang "Pemilihan Jurnal Nasional Terakreditasi dan Penulisan Artikel Ilmiah" yang mencakup cara menulis cara memilih jurnal terakreditasi atau tidak serta menulis artikel ilmiah. Materi kedua membahas "Alat Bantu dalam Penulisan Karya Tulis Ilmiah" yang mencakup cara penggunaan alat bantu penulisan seperti aplikasi Mendeley, Publish or Perish dan Quilbot. Kegiatan ini diharapkan dapat meningkatkan motivasi mahasiswa untuk semangat dalam menulis dan mempublikasi artikel ilmiah
Edukasi Penerapan Google Form Sebagai Alat Penilaian Pembelajaran di SDN 26 Palu Melalui Program Kampus Mengajar
Authors: Putra Exsa , Ali Zaenudin
Published: June 2024

Pengabdian ini dilatarbelakangi oleh kegiatan Kampus Mengajar Angkatan 5 yang merupakan bentuk dari pelaksanaan program Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) dari Kementerian Pendidikan. Program ini didasari atas kurang efektifnya pelaksanaan pembelajaran yang dilaksanakan di masa kini. Hal tersebut terlihat dari menurunnya minat belajar peserta didik, tingkat pemahaman peserta didik ketika pembelajaran, dan kemampuan literasi dan numerasi peserta didik. Berdasarkan permasalahan tersebut mempengaruhi efektivitas proses pembelajaran, salah satunya di SDN Negeri 26 Palu. Metode yang digunakan pada pengabdian salah satunya berupa kegiatan pembiasaan literasi dan numerasi. Hasil akhir dari kegiatan ini berupa pembiasaan literasi dan numerasi untuk peserta didik-siswi di SD Negeri 26 Palu serta meningkatkan peran dan kontribusi nyata perguruan tinggi dan mahapeserta didik dalam pembangunan nasional.