bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mesenchymal Stromal/Stem Cells-Derived Exosomes as an Antimicrobial Weapon for Orodental Infections
Authors: Jafari Nazanin , Khoradmehr Arezoo , Moghiminasr Reza , Seyed Habashi Mina
Published: January 2022

The oral cavity as the second most various microbial community in the body contains a broad spectrum of microorganisms which are known as the oral microbiome. The oral microbiome includes different types of microbes such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoa. Numerous factors can affect the equilibrium of the oral microbiome community which can eventually lead to orodental infectious diseases. Periodontitis, dental caries, oral leukoplakia, oral squamous cell carcinoma are some multifactorial infectious diseases in the oral cavity. In defending against infection, the immune system has an essential role. Depending on the speed and specificity of the reaction, immunity is divided into two different types which are named the innate and the adaptive responses but also there is much interaction between them. In these responses, different types of immune cells are present and recent evidence demonstrates that these cell types both within the innate and adaptive immune systems are capable of secreting some extracellular vesicles named exosomes which are involved in the response to infection. Exosomes are 30–150 nm lipid bilayer vesicles that consist of variant molecules, including proteins, lipids, and genetic materials and they have been associated with cell-to-cell communications. However, some kinds of exosomes can be effective on the pathogenicity of various microorganisms and promoting infections, and some other ones have antimicrobial and anti-infective functions in microbial diseases. These discrepancies in performance are due to the origin of the exosome. Exosomes can modulate the innate and specific immune responses of host cells by participating in antigen presentation for activation of immune cells and stimulating the release of inflammatory factors and the expression of immune molecules. Also, mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs)-derived exosomes participate in immunomodulation by different mechanisms. Ease of expansion and immunotherapeutic capabilities of MSCs, develop their applications in hundreds of clinical trials. Recently, it has been shown that cell-free therapies, like exosome therapies, by having more advantages than previous treatment methods are emerging as a promising strategy for the treatment of several diseases, in particular inflammatory conditions. In orodental infectious disease, exosomes can also play an important role by modulating immunoinflammatory responses. Therefore, MSCs-derived exosomes may have potential therapeutic effects to be a choice for controlling and treatment of orodental infectious diseases.
Acupuncture Relieves Stress-Induced Depressive Behavior by Reducing Oxidative Stress and Neuroapoptosis in Rats
Authors: Cheng Wen-Jing , Li Peng , Huang Wen-Ya , Huang Yang , Chen Wen-Jie , Chen Yi-Ping , Shen Jun-Liang , Chen Jian-Kun , Long Na-Sha , Meng Xian-Jun
Published: January 2022

Oxidative stress is closely related to the occurrence of depression. Acupuncture has been proved to be an effective method for treating depression. In order to explore the mechanism of the antidepressant effect of acupuncture, this study performed acupuncture prevention on chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) depression model rats, and observed the effect of acupuncture on hippocampal oxidative stress and Nrf2 signaling pathway. Male SD rats were randomly divided into control group, CUMS group, acupuncture group, and fluoxetine group (n = 10/group). Fluoxetine, a common antidepressant, was used as a positive control drug in this study. In the fluoxetine group, rats were given fluoxetine (2.1 mg/kg) intragastrically once a day for 28 days. The acupoints of Shangxing (GV23) and Fengfu (GV16) were applied in acupuncture group, once every other day for 14 times in total. Behavioral tests and biological detections were used to evaluate the effects of the interventions and the changes of factors related to oxidative stress, Nrf2 pathway, and neuronal apoptosis. The results showed that both acupuncture and fluoxetine could increase sugar preference rate in SPT and decrease immobility time in FST in depression model rats. It also significantly decreased oxidative stress products such as ROS and H2O2, and elevated the protein and mRNA expressions of Nrf2 and HO-1. From Nissl’s staining, there were more abundant nerve cells in two intervention groups compared with CUMS group. Plus, acupuncture down-regulated the expression levels of Bax and caspase-3 and up-regulated the expression of Bcl-2. Our findings indicate that acupuncture improved depression-like behaviors of CUMS rats. And CUMS-induced depression-like behaviors in rats were related to oxidative stress and neuronal apoptosis in hippocampus. Acupuncture showed antidepressant effects in reducing oxidative stress products via regulating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway so that prevented neuronal apoptosis.
Contributions of Socioneuroscience to Research on Coerced and Free Sexual-Affective Desire
Authors: Racionero-Plaza Sandra , Puigvert Lídia , Soler-Gallart Marta , Flecha Ramon
Published: January 2022

Neuroscience has well evidenced that the environment and, more specifically, social experience, shapes and transforms the architecture and functioning of the brain and even its genes. However, in order to understand how that happens, which types of social interactions lead to different results in brain and behavior, neurosciences require the social sciences. The social sciences have already made important contributions to neuroscience, among which the behaviorist explanations of human learning are prominent and acknowledged by the most well-known neuroscientists today. Yet neurosciences require more inputs from the social sciences to make meaning of new findings about the brain that deal with some of the most profound human questions. However, when we look at the scientific and theoretical production throughout the history of social sciences, a great fragmentation can be observed, having little interdisciplinarity and little connection between what authors in the different disciplines are contributing. This can be well seen in the field of communicative interaction. Nonetheless, this fragmentation has been overcome via the theory of communicative acts, which integrates knowledge from language and interaction theories but goes one step further in incorporating other aspects of human communication and the role of context. The theory of communicative acts is very informative to neuroscience, and a central contribution in socioneuroscience that makes possible deepening of our understanding of most pressing social problems, such as free and coerced sexual-affective desire, and achieving social and political impact toward their solution. This manuscript shows that socioneuroscience is an interdisciplinary frontier in which the dialogue between all social sciences and all natural sciences opens up an opportunity to integrate different levels of analysis in several sciences to ultimately achieve social impact regarding the most urgent human problems.
Competition, Conflict and Change of Mind: A Role of GABAergic Inhibition in the Primary Motor Cortex
Authors: Ribot Bastien , de Rugy Aymar , Langbour Nicolas , Duron Anne , Goillandeau Michel , Michelet Thomas
Published: January 2022

Deciding between different voluntary movements implies a continuous control of the competition between potential actions. Many theories postulate a leading role of prefrontal cortices in this executive function, but strong evidence exists that a motor region like the primary motor cortex (M1) is also involved, possibly via inhibitory mechanisms. This was already shown during the pre-movement decision period, but not after movement onset. For this pilot experiment we designed a new task compatible with the dynamics of post-onset control to study the silent period (SP) duration, a pause in electromyographic activity after single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation that reflects inhibitory mechanisms. A careful analysis of the SP during the ongoing movement indicates a gradual increase in inhibitory mechanisms with the level of competition, consistent with an increase in mutual inhibition between alternative movement options. However, we also observed a decreased SP duration for high-competition trials associated with change-of-mind inflections in their trajectories. Our results suggest a new post-onset adaptive process that consists in a transient reduction of GABAergic inhibition within M1 for highly conflicting situations. We propose that this reduced inhibition softens the competition between concurrent motor options, thereby favoring response vacillation, an adaptive strategy that proved successful at improving behavioral performance.
Iron-Dependent Mitochondrial Dysfunction Contributes to the Pathogenesis of Pulmonary Fibrosis
Authors: Takahashi Mai , Mizumura Kenji , Gon Yasuhiro , Shimizu Tetsuo , Kozu Yutaka , Shikano Sotaro , Iida Yuko , Hikichi Mari , Okamoto Shinichi , Tsuya Kota , Fukuda Asami , Yamada Shiho , Soda Kaori , Hashimoto Shu , Maruoka Shuichiro
Published: January 2022

Although the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis remains unclear, it is known to involve epithelial injury and epithelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT) as a consequence of cigarette smoke (CS) exposure. Moreover, smoking deposits iron in the mitochondria of alveolar epithelial cells. Iron overload in mitochondria causes the Fenton reaction, leading to reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and ROS leakage from the mitochondria induces cell injury and inflammation in the lungs. Nevertheless, the mechanisms underlying iron metabolism and pulmonary fibrosis are yet to be elucidated. In this study, we aimed to determine whether iron metabolism and mitochondrial dysfunction are involved in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis. We demonstrated that administration of the iron chelator deferoxamine (DFO) reduced CS-induced pulmonary epithelial cell death, mitochondrial ROS production, and mitochondrial DNA release. Notably, CS-induced cell death was reduced by the administration of an inhibitor targeting ferroptosis, a unique iron-dependent form of non-apoptotic cell death. Transforming growth factor-β-induced EMT of pulmonary epithelial cells was also reduced by DFO. The preservation of mitochondrial function reduced Transforming growth factor-β-induced EMT. Furthermore, transbronchial iron chelation ameliorated bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis and leukocyte migration in a murine model. Our findings indicate that iron metabolism and mitochondrial dysfunction are involved in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis. Thus, they may be leveraged as new therapeutic targets for pulmonary fibrosis.
Perception, Attitude, and Confidence of Physicians About Antimicrobial Resistance and Antimicrobial Prescribing Among COVID-19 Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study From Punjab, Pakistan
Authors: Hayat Khezar , Mustafa Zia Ul , Ikram Muhammad Nabeel , Ijaz-Ul-Haq Muhammad , Noor Irum , Rasool Muhammad Fawad , Ishaq Hafiz Muhammad , Rehman Anees Ur , Hasan Syed Shahzad , Fang Yu
Published: January 2022

Background: Patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) could experience multiple coinfections, and judicial antimicrobials, including antibiotics, is paramount to treat these coinfections. This study evaluated physicians’ perception, attitude, and confidence about antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and antimicrobial prescribing in patients with COVID-19.

Methods: A self-administered and validated online questionnaire comprised of six sections was disseminated among physicians working in public sector hospitals in Punjab, Pakistan, using the convenience sampling method from April to May 2021. The study also assessed the validity and reliability of the study questionnaire using exploratory factor analysis and Cronbach’s alpha. In addition, the descriptive and inferential statistics present survey results.

Results: A total of 387 physicians participated in this study. The study showed that the questionnaire demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.77). Most physicians (n = 221, 57.1%) believed that AMR is a considerable problem in Pakistan. Less than a quarter of respondents (n = 91, 23.5%) consulted with local antibiotic resistance data to prescribe antibiotics in COVID-19 patients. However, the respondents were confident to select a suitable antibiotic (n = 229, 59.2%). More than three-quarters of the respondents believed that advice from a senior colleague (n = 336, 86.8%), infectious disease (ID) physician (n = 315, 81.4%), and implementing antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) could facilitate appropriate prescribing of antibiotics in COVID-19 patients. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that physicians with more than 10 years of experience had higher odds of consulting local guidelines for antibiotic therapy (OR, 4.71 95% CI: 1.62–13.73, p = 0.004) than physicians with less than 5 years of experience. Similar trends were found for consulting national guidelines and local resistance data to select an empiric antibiotic therapy.

Conclusion: AMR-related awareness was optimal among physicians. Only a few physicians looked up local antibiotic resistance data before prescribing antibiotics to COVID-19 patients empirically. The significant approaches advised by physicians to reduce AMR risk among COVID-19 patients were the implementation of ASPs combined with advice from ID physicians.
Triceps Surae Muscle-Tendon Properties as Determinants of the Metabolic Cost in Trained Long-Distance Runners
Authors: Machado Esthevan , Lanferdini Fábio Juner , da Silva Edson Soares , Geremia Jeam Marcel , Sonda Francesca Chaida , Fletcher Jared R. , Vaz Marco Aurélio , Peyré-Tartaruga Leonardo Alexandre
Published: January 2022

Purpose: This study aimed to determine whether triceps surae’s muscle architecture and Achilles tendon parameters are related to running metabolic cost (C) in trained long-distance runners.

Methods: Seventeen trained male recreational long-distance runners (mean age = 34 years) participated in this study. C was measured during submaximal steady-state running (5 min) at 12 and 16 km h–1 on a treadmill. Ultrasound was used to determine the gastrocnemius medialis (GM), gastrocnemius lateralis (GL), and soleus (SO) muscle architecture, including fascicle length (FL) and pennation angle (PA), and the Achilles tendon cross-sectional area (CSA), resting length and elongation as a function of plantar flexion torque during maximal voluntary plantar flexion. Achilles tendon mechanical (force, elongation, and stiffness) and material (stress, strain, and Young’s modulus) properties were determined. Stepwise multiple linear regressions were used to determine the relationship between independent variables (tendon resting length, CSA, force, elongation, stiffness, stress, strain, Young’s modulus, and FL and PA of triceps surae muscles) and C (J kg–1m–1) at 12 and 16 km h–1.

Results: SO PA and Achilles tendon CSA were negatively associated with C (r2 = 0.69; p < 0.001) at 12 km h–1, whereas SO PA was negatively and Achilles tendon stress was positively associated with C (r2 = 0.63; p = 0.001) at 16 km h–1, respectively. Our results presented a small power, and the multiple linear regression’s cause-effect relation was limited due to the low sample size.

Conclusion: For a given muscle length, greater SO PA, probably related to short muscle fibers and to a large physiological cross-sectional area, may be beneficial to C. Larger Achilles tendon CSA may determine a better force distribution per tendon area, thereby reducing tendon stress and C at submaximal speeds (12 and 16 km h–1). Furthermore, Achilles tendon morphological and mechanical properties (CSA, stress, and Young’s modulus) and triceps surae muscle architecture (GM PA, GM FL, SO PA, and SO FL) presented large correlations with C.
Selective Deletion of the Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin From the Renal Collecting Duct Principal Cell in Mice Down-Regulates the Epithelial Sodium Channel
Authors: Chen Bruce , Fluitt Maurice B. , Brown Aaron L. , Scott Samantha , Gadicherla Anirudh , Ecelbarger Carolyn M.
Published: January 2022

The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), a serine-threonine-specific kinase, is a cellular energy sensor, integrating growth factor and nutrient signaling. In the collecting duct (CD) of the kidney, the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) essential in the determination of final urine Na+ losses, has been demonstrated to be upregulated by mTOR, using cell culture and mTOR inhibition in ex vivo preparations. We tested whether CD-principal cell (PC) targeted deletion of mTOR using Cre-lox recombination would affect whole-body sodium homeostasis, blood pressure, and ENaC regulation in mice. Male and female CD-PC mTOR knockout (KO) mice and wild-type (WT) littermates (Cre-negative) were generated using aquaporin-2 (AQP2) promoter to drive Cre-recombinase. Under basal conditions, KO mice showed a reduced (∼30%) natriuretic response to benzamil (ENaC) antagonist, suggesting reduced in vivo ENaC activity. WT and KO mice were fed normal sodium (NS, 0.45% Na+) or a very low Na+ (LS, <0.02%) diet for 7-days. Switching from NS to LS resulted in significantly higher urine sodium losses (relative to WT) in the KO with adaptation occurring by day 2. Blood pressures were modestly (∼5–10 mm Hg) but significantly lower in KO mice under both diets. Western blotting showed KO mice had 20–40% reduced protein levels of all three subunits of ENaC under LS or NS diet. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) of kidney showed enhanced apical-vs.-cellular localization of all three subunits with LS, but a reduction in this ratio for γ-ENaC in the KO. Furthermore, the KO kidneys showed increased ubiquitination of α-ENaC and reduced phosphorylation of the serum and glucocorticoid regulated kinase, type 1 [serum glucocorticoid regulated kinase (SGK1)] on serine 422 (mTOR phosphorylation site). Taken together this suggests enhanced degradation as a consequence of reduced mTOR kinase activity and downstream upregulation of ubiquitination may have accounted for the reduction at least in α-ENaC. Overall, our data support a role for mTOR in ENaC activity likely via regulation of SGK1, ubiquitination, ENaC channel turnover and apical membrane residency. These data support a role for mTOR in the collecting duct in the maintenance of body sodium homeostasis.
Novel Targets and Interventions for Cognitive Complications of Diabetes
Authors: Wolf Victoria , Abdul Yasir , Ergul Adviye
Published: January 2022

Diabetes and cognitive dysfunction, ranging from mild cognitive impairment to dementia, often coexist in individuals over 65 years of age. Vascular contributions to cognitive impairment/dementia (VCID) are the second leading cause of dementias under the umbrella of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). Over half of dementia patients have VCID either as a single pathology or a mixed dementia with AD. While the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in individuals with dementia can be as high as 39% and diabetes increases the risk of cerebrovascular disease and stroke, VCID remains to be one of the less understood and less studied complications of diabetes. We have identified cerebrovascular dysfunction and compromised endothelial integrity leading to decreased cerebral blood flow and iron deposition into the brain, respectively, as targets for intervention for the prevention of VCID in diabetes. This review will focus on targeted therapies that improve endothelial function or remove iron without systemic effects, such as agents delivered intranasally, that may result in actionable and disease-modifying novel treatments in the high-risk diabetic population.
Span of Supervision and Repercussions of Envy: The Moderating Role of Meaningful Work
Authors: Tariq Hafiz Muhammad Burhan , Mahmood Asif , Ahmad Ayyaz , Khan Maria , Murtaza Shah Ali , Ali Asif Arshad , Molnár Edina
Published: January 2022

Though the current research stream has provided some risk factors for envy at the workplace, little is still known about the drivers and consequences of envy. Based on Vecchio’s theory, this study investigates the ripple effect of the span of supervision on envy. Moreover, it sheds light on the moderating role of meaningful work in their relationship. The data comprising sample size 439 were collected from confrères of four fast food companies listed on the Stock Exchange of Pakistan. Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) technique was implemented through SmartPLS 3.3.2 to analyze the measurement and structural relationships. The results demonstrate that a narrow span of supervision will increase work engagement, and reduce instigated incivility via decreasing envy and resource depletion in sequence. Moreover, meaningful work would help regulate the inimical stream of dénouement of envy. Theoretical and practical implications, along with the limitations and future directions, have also been discussed.
Is It Possible to Monetarily Quantify the Emotional Value Transferred by Companies and Organizations? An Emotional Accounting Proposal
Authors: Retolaza Jose Luis , San-Jose Leire
Published: January 2022

Social accounting focuses on value transactions between organizations and their stakeholders; both market ones, where the value perceived by the different stakeholders is identified, and non-markets ones, where transactions are monetized at their fair value. There was long awareness of an emotional value translation, linked to the transfer of different products, services, remunerations, and incentives, regardless of whether they were market or non-market. Yet that emotional value seemed to be anchored in the field of psychology and managed to elude economic science. This study seeks to identify emotional value with consumer surplus and, by extension, of the other stakeholders in a value transfer process. This proposal allows the emotional value to be anchored in the micro-economy and allows it to be objectively calculated using a regression involving three elements: the market price, the fair value interval, and a perceived satisfaction score by the different stakeholders in the form of significant sampling. The result obtained not only allows Social Accounting to be complemented with emotional value, but it also facilitates its incorporation in the strategy to optimize the emotional value. Furthermore, it enables a quantification of the perceived subjective utility, which opens up a research path where some possible lines are clearly identified.
Characteristics of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients With Hypertension and Factors Associated With Autotitration Acceptance
Authors: Zhang Xuan , Zhang Ning , Yang Yang , Wang Shuo , Yu Ping , Guan Bo-Yuan , Wang Chun-Xue
Published: January 2022

In order to explore the characteristics and treatment status of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients with hypertension, a retrospective study was conducted on 306 patients admitted from October 2018 to December 2019. According to the apnea hypopnea index (AHI), OSA patients with hypertension were divided into three groups. 69 cases were mild OSA (5 ≤ AHI < 15), 86 cases were moderate (15 ≤ AHI < 30), and 151 cases were severe (AHI ≥ 30). Compared with patients in the mild and moderate groups, the severe group had more male patients, with higher body mass index (BMI) and non-rapid eye movement stage 1 accounted for total sleep time (N1%), and lower non-rapid eye movement stage 2 accounted for total sleep time (N2%), average and minimum blood oxygen. Among all the patients, those who underwent the titration test accounted for 20.6% (63/306). Multivariate analysis showed that sleep efficiency (p < 0.001) and AHI (p < 0.001) were independent factors for patients to accept titration test. OSA patients with hypertension had a low acceptance of titration therapy. These people with higher sleep efficiency and AHI were more likely to receive autotitration.
The Associations Between the Anorexic Readiness Syndrome, Familism, and Body Image Among Physically Active Girls
Authors: Ziółkowska Beata , Ocalewski Jarosław , Da̧browska Aleksandra
Published: January 2022

Introduction:Anorexic Readiness Syndrome (ARS) is a construct of prophylactic importance, useful in the selection of people showing a tendency to use restrictive diets and increased concentration on the body. The aim of the research was to verify the significance of the type of physical activity, body perception and familism for the development of ARS.

Material and Method: The research was carried out in the first half of 2021on a sample of 163 girls. It consisted of: (1) physically inactive girls (n = 48), (2) physically active girls in disciplines other than aesthetic (n = 69), (3) girls engaged in aesthetic physical activity (n = 46). The study used: Anorexic Readiness Syndrome Questionnaire (ARS-12), Familism Scale (FS) and Body Image Avoidance Questionnaire (BIAQ).

Results: The highest average ARS score was recorded in the group of girls engaged in aesthetic activity. A significant difference in the severity of ARS occurs between people who do not engage in activity and those who practice aesthetic activity. The severity of ARS rises as the difference between real and ideal body weight increases. People active in aesthetic disciplines who obtained a high score on the Respect scale (FS subscale) have a lower ARS score than those physically active in other disciplines who obtained low scores on the Respect scale. The higher the score on the Material success and achievement scale (FS), the greater the ARS intensity in all subgroups. What is much more important in shaping ARS is the perception of your body. The focus on eating and body weight and Clothing and appearance (BIAQ subscales) are relevant to the ARS and moderate the relationship between Material success (FS subscale) and anorexic readiness.

Conclusions: People engaging in aesthetic physical activity are more likely to suffer from ARS. The family can certainly prevent a child from developing anorexic readiness by shaping a sense of community and family identity, a clear division of roles, limiting the importance of materialism and competition in raising children. The prevention of ARS and eating disorders should also focus on strengthening the realistic assessment of body parameters and their acceptance, as well as promoting strategies for healthy weight control.
Confirmatory Factor Analysis of Three Versions of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-42, DASS-21, and DASS-12) in Polish Adults
Authors: Makara-Studzińska Marta , Tyburski Ernest , Załuski Maciej , Adamczyk Katarzyna , Mesterhazy Jacek , Mesterhazy Agnieszka
Published: January 2022

Background: The Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) are designed to identify quickly and differentiate between the symptoms of depression and anxiety in the non-clinical population. Different versions (original and short) were validated in many cultures. Nevertheless, there are no data of factorial validity of the different versions of this scale in Polish culture. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the factor structure using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and internal consistency of DASS-42 (original version) and two short versions (DASS-21 items and DASS-12 items) in the Polish population.

Methods: The DASS-42 was administered to a non-clinical sample, broadly representative of the general Polish adult population (n = 1,021) in terms of demographic variables. The DASS-21 and DASS-12 version used in this study comprise seven and four items from each of the following corresponding three subscales of the Polish version of DASS-42.

Results: There were two models that fitted best for DASS-42: (a) modified three correlated factors (depression, anxiety, and stress) with cross-loadings and (b) second order (general factor of psychological distress) and three factors with cross-loadings. There were also two models that fitted best for DASS-21 and DASS-12: (a) modified three correlated factors (depression, anxiety, and stress) and (b) second order (general factor of psychological distress) and three factors.

Conclusions: All three versions of DASS appear to have an acceptable factorial structure. However, the shorter versions (DASS-21 and DASS-12) may be more feasible to use in general medical practice and also be less burdensome to participants.
The Experience of Volunteers in Prisons in Portugal: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Salselas Mónica , Pinto da Costa Mariana
Published: January 2022

Background: Portugal is one of the countries that has a legal framework for volunteering, and there are different associations to support inmates through volunteering support. This volunteering can be beneficial for prisoners to address their social isolation and supporting them in the acquisition of skills and competencies to help them during their time in prison, but also beyond, supporting them in their resocialization and social reintegration in the community. However, little is known about the experiences of volunteers that provide such support to inmates.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore the experiences and motivations of volunteers who interact with prisoners in the prison context of the three main cities in Portugal (Coimbra, Lisbon, and Porto). The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using the thematic analysis method.

Results: Thirty-nine prison volunteers agreed to participate in this study (n = 24 women, n = 15 men), with two to thirty years of experience of volunteering. The main themes emerging from the analysis were “Different motivations to volunteer”, “Volunteers” interactions with inmates”, “Volunteers” interactions with prison staff”, “Volunteering in prisons has an impact on volunteers”, “Volunteers” perception of helping inmates' and “More support to volunteering in prisons”.

Conclusions: Community volunteers who support prisoners can develop positive and trusting relationships with the inmates, despite its challenges. These findings can raise awareness of volunteering in prisons as a potentially helpful intervention, and call for further research to better explore its long-term impact.
Implementation of Therapeutic Virtual Reality Into Psychiatric Care: Clinicians' and Service Managers' Perspectives
Authors: Chung Olivia S. , Robinson Tracy , Johnson Alisha M. , Dowling Nathan L. , Ng Chee H. , Yücel Murat , Segrave Rebecca A.
Published: January 2022

Objectives: Virtual reality (VR) has emerged as a highly promising tool for assessing and treating a range of mental illnesses. However, little is known about the perspectives of key stakeholders in mental healthcare, whose support will be critical for its successful implementation into routine clinical practise. This study aimed to explore the perspectives of staff working in the private mental health sector around the use of therapeutic VR, including potential implementation barriers and facilitators.

Methods: Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with cross-disciplinary clinicians (n = 14) and service managers (n = 5), aged 28–70 years working in a major private mental health hospital in Victoria, Australia. Transcripts were analysed using general inductive coding to allow themes to naturally emerge.

Results: Three major themes were identified: clinical factors (four subthemes), organisational factors (five subthemes), and professional factors (three subthemes). The themes encompassed enabling factors and potential barriers that need to be addressed for successful implementation of VR. Clinical factors highlighted the influence of knowledge or perceptions about appropriate clinical applications, therapeutic efficacy, safety and ethical concerns, and patient engagement. Organisational factors emphasised the importance of service contexts, including having a strong business case, stakeholder planning, recruitment of local opinion leaders to champion change, and an understanding of resourcing challenges. Professional factors highlighted the need for education and training for staff, and the influence of staff attitudes towards technology and perceived usability of VR.

Conclusions: In addition to enabling factors, potential implementation barriers of therapeutic VR were identified, including resourcing constraints, safety and ethical concerns, negative staff attitudes towards technology and VR system limitations. Future dissemination should focus on addressing knowledge and skills gaps and attitudinal barriers through development of clinical guidelines, training programs, and implementation resources (e.g., adoption decision tools, consultation opportunities).
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms and Its Predictors Among Healthcare Workers Following COVID-19 Pandemic in Southern Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Ayalew Mohammed , Deribe Bedilu , Abraham Yacob , Reta Yared , Tadesse Fikru , Defar Semira
Published: January 2022

Background:COVID-19 causes immense psychological pressure on communities in addition to physical misery. There is currently a scarcity of data on the psychological impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on Ethiopian healthcare workers (HCWs). Therefore, this study was aimed to assess the post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and its predictors following COVID-19 pandemic among healthcare workers (HCWs) in southern Ethiopia.

Methods:A hospital based cross-sectional study design was used among 387 randomly selected HCWs between September 25 and October 25, 2020 at four selected public hospitals in Sidama National Regional State, southern Ethiopia. Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) was used to collect data post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Logistic regression analyses with 95% CI were used to examine the relationship between independent and outcome variables.

Result:The prevalence of PTSD symptoms was found in 56.8% of participants. Significant factors that increase risk of PTSD symptoms were being female (AOR = 1.91, 95% CI = 1.19, 3.05), married (AOR = 1.87, 95% CI = 1.12, 3.14) and nurses (AOR = 3.31, 95% CI = 1.66, 6.63). On the other hand, HCWs working other than emergency unit such as inpatients/wards (AOR = 0.43, 95% CI = 0.24, 0.75), OPD (AOR = 0.48, 95% CI = 0.24, 0.97) and other units (AOR = 0.49, 95% CI = 0.25, 0.96) less likely to be affected by PTSD symptoms.

Conclusion:The current study showed high levels of PTSD symptoms as psychological challenges for HCWs. Sex, age, marital status, type of profession and working environment were significant factors for PTSD symptoms in HCWs during the pandemic. HCWs require mental health support during and after the pandemic.
“This Is Not Our Disease”: A Qualitative Study of Influencers of COVID-19 Preventive Behaviours in Nguenyyiel Refugee Camp (Gambella, Ethiopia)
Authors: Tsegaye Ademe , Wilunda Calistus , Manenti Fabio , Bottechia Matteo , D'Alessandro Michele , Putoto Giovanni , Atzori Andrea , Frehun Daniel , Cardona-Fox Gabriel
Published: January 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has infected more than 263 million people and claimed the lives of over 5 million people worldwide. Refugees living in camp settings are particularly vulnerable to infection because of the difficulty implementing preventive measures and lack of medical resources. However, very little is known about the factors that influence the behavioural response of refugees towards COVID-19. There is an urgent need for field evidence to inform the design and implementation of a robust social and behaviour change communication strategy to respond to the threat posed by COVID-19 in humanitarian settings. This study examines factors influencing COVID-19-related behavioural decisions in the Nguenyyiel refugee camp located in Gambella, Ethiopia using data collected from focus group discussions and key informant interviews in September 2020. The evidence suggests that while a number of factors have been facilitating the adoption of COVID-19 prevention measures, including good general knowledge about the virus and the necessary preventive strategies and the active engagement by community leaders and non-governmental organisations, important structural and cultural factors have hindered the uptake of COVID-19 prevention measures. These include: difficultly staying at home to minimise physical contact; overcrowding in the camp and within home dwellings; a lack of hand sanitizers and masks and of funds to purchase these; inconsistent use of facemasks when available; COVID-19 denial and misconceptions about the disease, and other cultural beliefs and habits. Overall, the study found that refugees perceived COVID-19 to pose a low threat (susceptibility and severity) and had mixed beliefs about the efficacy of preventive behaviours. This study identified gaps in the existing information education and communication strategy, including a lack of consistency, inadequate messaging, and a limited use of communication channels. While awareness of COVID-19 is a necessary first step, it is not sufficient to increase adoption of prevention measures in this setting. The current communication strategy should move beyond awareness raising and emphasise the threat posed by COVID-19 especially among the most vulnerable members of the camp population. This should be accompanied by increased community support and attention to other barriers and incentives to preventive behaviours.
Adversarially Robust Learning via Entropic Regularization
Authors: Jagatap Gauri , Joshi Ameya , Chowdhury Animesh Basak , Garg Siddharth , Hegde Chinmay
Published: January 2022

In this paper we propose a new family of algorithms, ATENT, for training adversarially robust deep neural networks. We formulate a new loss function that is equipped with an additional entropic regularization. Our loss function considers the contribution of adversarial samples that are drawn from a specially designed distribution in the data space that assigns high probability to points with high loss and in the immediate neighborhood of training samples. Our proposed algorithms optimize this loss to seek adversarially robust valleys of the loss landscape. Our approach achieves competitive (or better) performance in terms of robust classification accuracy as compared to several state-of-the-art robust learning approaches on benchmark datasets such as MNIST and CIFAR-10.
Visual Collaboration Leader-Follower UAV-Formation for Indoor Exploration
Authors: Evangeliou Nikolaos , Chaikalis Dimitris , Tsoukalas Athanasios , Tzes Anthony
Published: January 2022

UAVs operating in a leader-follower formation demand the knowledge of the relative pose between the collaborating members. This necessitates the RF-communication of this information which increases the communication latency and can easily result in lost data packets. In this work, rather than relying on this autopilot data exchange, a visual scheme using passive markers is presented. Each formation-member carries passive markers in a RhOct configuration. These markers are visually detected and the relative pose of the members is on-board determined, thus eliminating the need for RF-communication. A reference path is then evaluated for each follower that tracks the leader and maintains a constant distance between the formation-members. Experimental studies show a mean position detection error (5 × 5 × 10cm) or less than 0.0031% of the available workspace [0.5 up to 5m, 50.43° × 38.75° Field of View (FoV)]. The efficiency of the suggested scheme against varying delays are examined in these studies, where it is shown that a delay up to 1.25s can be tolerated for the follower to track the leader as long as the latter one remains within its FoV.
Charge-Exchange Byproduct Cold Protons in the Earth’s Magnetosphere
Authors: Borovsky Joseph E. , Liu Jianghuai , Ilie Raluca , Liemohn Michael W.
Published: January 2022

Owing to the spatial overlap of the ion plasma sheet (ring current) with the Earth’s neutral-hydrogen geocorona, there is a significant rate of occurrence of charge-exchange collisions in the dipolar portion of the Earth’s magnetosphere. During a charge-exchange collision between an energetic proton and a low-energy hydrogen atom, a low-energy proton is produced. These “byproduct” cold protons are trapped in the Earth’s magnetic field where they advect via E×B drift. In this report, the number density and behavior of this cold-proton population are assessed. Estimates of the rate of production of byproduct cold protons from charge exchange are in the vicinity of 1.14 cm−3 per day at geosynchronous orbit or about 5 tons per day for the entire dipolar magnetosphere. The production rate of cold protons owing to electron-impact ionization of the geocorona by the electron plasma sheet at geosynchronous orbit is about 12% of the charge-exchange production rate, but the production rate by solar photoionization of the neutral geocorona is comparable or larger than the charge-exchange production rate. The byproduct-ion production rates are smaller than observed early time refilling rates for the outer plasmasphere. Numerical simulations of the production and transport of cold charge-exchange byproduct protons find that they have very low densities on the nightside of geosynchronous orbit, and they can have densities of 0.2–0.3 cm−3 at geosynchronous orbit on the dayside. These dayside byproduct-proton densities might play a role in shortening the early phase of plasmaspheric refilling.
The Art of Letting Go: Transforming Participatory Research on Adaptation Practices Among Local Livestock-Keepers in East Africa in Times of Covid-19
Authors: Habermann Birgit , Crane Todd A. , Gichuki Leah , Worku Tigist , Mugumya Roland , Maiyo Nathan , Kiptoo Emmaculate , Goshme Shenkute , Mohammednur Fuad , Tugume Geoffrey , Satia Kamango Alphaeus , Siamito Joel Reagan
Published: January 2022

Participatory action research (PAR) puts high emphasis on the interaction of the research participants. However, with the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020, the central role of researchers in participatory research processes had to be questioned and revisited. New modes of PAR developed dynamically under the new circumstances created by the pandemic. To better understand how Covid-19 changed the way PAR is applied, we analyzed PAR in agricultural research for development carried out in the Programme for Climate-Smart Livestock Systems (PCSL) implemented by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) at five research sites in Kenya, Ethiopia, and Uganda. To understand how PAR changed in a component on adaptation research in the PCSL we facilitated a reflexive study with livestock keepers and researchers to document their experiences of PAR during the Covid-19 pandemic. The analytical framework focuses on highlighting the core characteristics and the underlying ethos of PAR in this case study. The lessons learnt in the process of adapting to the realities of doing participatory research in the middle of a pandemic provide important arguments for further amalgamating the PAR philosophy into similar research designs. The onset of the pandemic has led to a further decentering of the researcher and a shift of the focus to the citizen, in this case the local livestock keeper, that made it more participatory in the stricter interpretation of the term. Letting go of controlling both narrative and implementation of the research will be challenging for researchers in many research fields. However, this shift of power and this transformation of research methodologies is inevitable if the research should remain relevant and impactful. Ultimately, the transition into a Covid-19 future and the awareness that similar pandemics could dramatically interrupt our lives any time, will have an impact on how projects are designed and funded. More long-term funding and less pressure on providing immediate results can build community trust and ownership for research at a local level.
Endoscopic Treatment of Pilonidal Sinus Disease: State of Art and Review of the Literature
Authors: Manigrasso Michele , Anoldo Pietro , Cantore Grazia , Chini Alessia , D'Amore Anna , Gennarelli Nicola , Maione Francesco , Marello Alessandra , Schettino Pietro , Sorrentino Carmen , Vertaldi Sara , Sosa Fernandez Loredana Maria , De Palma Giovanni Domenico , Milone Marco
Published: January 2022

Background: Pilonidal sinus disease (PSD) is a chronic troublesome pathology of the natal cleft of the sacrococcygeal region, with an estimated incidence of 26 cases in every 100,000 inhabitants. The aim of this review is to give a snapshot of the current literature on the endoscopic approach to PSD.

Methods: A search on endoscopic treatment of pilonidal disease was performed according to PRISMA guidelines, adopting the following search terms: (pilonidal OR sacrococcygeal) and (endoscopic OR VAAPS OR EPSiT OR minimally invasive OR video-assisted OR video assisted).

Results: Thirty-four articles were included in the final analysis, among which 23 were on adults and 11 were on pediatric population. The endoscopic approach is associated with painless postoperative pain, good aesthetic results, short time off work, and high patient satisfaction.

Despite these advantages in short-term outcomes, results on recurrence rate in a long-term follow up are needed to definitively confirm the importance of this technique.

Conclusions: The endoscopic approach is associated with significant postoperative advantages over other standard surgical approaches, and it should be included in the surgical portfolio for the treatment of PSD. According to the Italian guidelines, this technique could be considered as the gold standard for limited PSD. However, the favorable short-term-outcomes and lack of reliable data on long-term follow-up must be a stimulus to perform further high-quality studies to give definitive conclusions on this technique.
Collagen and Microvascularization in Placentas From Young and Older Mares
Authors: Neto da Silva Ana Catarina , Costa Ana Luísa , Teixeira Ana , Alpoim-Moreira Joana , Fernandes Carina , Fradinho Maria João , Rebordão Maria Rosa , Silva Elisabete , Ferreira da Silva José , Bliebernicht Miguel , Alexandre-Pires Graça , Ferreira-Dias Graça
Published: January 2022

In older mares, increasing collagen fibers (fibrosis) in the endometrium and oviduct predisposes to sub-fertility and infertility. In this study, (i) gene transcription of collagen (qPCR: COL1A1, COL1A2, COL3A1, COL5A1); (ii) total collagen protein (hydroxyproline); (iii) collagen distribution (Picrosirius red staining; polarized light microscopy); and (iv) microvascular density (Periodic acid-Schiff staining), were evaluated in mares' placenta, and related to mares age, and placenta and neonate weights. Samples were collected from the gravid horn, non-gravid horn, and body of the placenta from younger (n = 7), and older mares (n = 9) of different breeds. Transcripts of COL1A1, COL3A1 and COL5A1, total collagen protein, chorionic plate connective tissue thickness, and microvascularization increased in the gravid horn of older mares' placentas, compared to the youngest (P < 0.05). Although in other species placenta fibrosis may indicate placental insufficiency and reduced neonate weight, this was not observed here. It appears that older fertile mares, with more parities, may develop a heavier, more vascularized functional placenta with more collagen, throughout a longer gestation, which enables the delivery of heavier foals. Thus, these features might represent morphological and physiological adaptations of older fertile mares' placentas to provide the appropriate nutrition to the equine fetus.