bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
De Ugly Peggy a Working Girl
Authors: Melo Junior Mauro de
Published: February 2023

Em vista ao grande aumento de discussões do campo feminista nos últimos anos, principalmente dentro do segmento do audiovisual, este artigo busca discutir a ideia de uma construção feminista por meio dos figurinos e caracterizações da personagem Peggy Olson na série televisiva Mad Men (2007). No encontro entre objetos distintos, a moda e o figurino, os diálogos entre os novos ideais exportados ao longo dos anos de 1960 e os rumos trilhados pela personagem analisada, ganham resultados norteadores na construção contemporânea de um produto seriado audiovisual preocupado com uma “forte” e questionável representação feminina.
A política impressa
Authors: Marendino Laiz Perrut
Published: February 2023

Resenha do livro “Imprensa e Poder - A via Chilena ao Socialismo e os jornais El Mercurio e La Nación” de Emmanuel dos Santos.
Insegurança alimentar em escolares e suas famílias em região vulnerável do litoral paulista, em tempos de pandemia por COVID-19
Authors: Santos Cassiane de Jesus , Mata Mayline Menezes da , Barbosa Sofia Bonna Boschetti , Medeiros Maria Angélica Tavares de
Published: February 2023

Este estudo teve por objetivo analisar a (in)segurança alimentar e seus fatores associados, em famílias de escolares do Jardim e da Pré-escola de Unidade Municipal de Educação, localizada em região de vulnerabilidade social de Santos (São Paulo/SP.), Brasil, no cenário da pandemia por Covid-19. Trata-se de um estudo transversal, com amostra por conveniência, realizado em escola de tempo integral no período de março a abril de 2022. Analisaram-se variáveis sociodemográficas, econômicas e (in)segurança alimentar, medida pela Escala Brasileira de Insegurança Alimentar. Para verificar a associação entre insegurança alimentar (IA) e demais variáveis foram utilizados os Teste Qui-quadrado e o Teste Exato de Fisher. Das 78 famílias participantes, metade experimentava IA leve (33,3%) ou moderada (16,7%). A IA associou-se a: presença de chefes de domicílio de cor parda/preta, solteiros (p=0,019), famílias beneficiárias de programas de transferência de renda (p≤0,001), com renda familiar mensal de até 1 salário-mínimo (p≤0,001), com três ou mais pessoas na residência (p=0,049) e com duas ou mais crianças (p=0,047). Em conclusão, as elevadas proporções de IA familiar podem refletir o cenário atual de desmonte das políticas públicas nacionais, agravado pelas crises sanitária e econômica decorrentes da pandemia, contribuindo para aumentar a fome em todo o território brasileiro. Embora se trate de região vulnerabilizada, a ausência de IA grave sugeriria que o Programa Nacional de Alimentação Escolar- PNAE foi importante aliado na proteção contra a fome nestas famílias, pelo fornecimento de quatro refeições diárias aos escolares.
SOCIOECONOMIC AS STUNTING PREDICTOR ON CHILDREN AGED 24-59 MONTHS AT BEFORE AND DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Authors: Suryani Wahyuningrum Sri , Riyanto Slamet , Hidayat Taufiq , Ashar Hadi
Published: February 2023

Background: Stunting is a high-priority malnutrition problem globally. The COVID-19 pandemic was predicted to increase hunger and worsen the condition of stunted children. Purpose: To determine the socioeconomic factors for stunting in children aged 24-59 months before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Magelang Regency. Methods: This study used a case-control design from August to November 2021. Subjects were children under five aged 24-59 months from the Magelang Regency. The subjects consisted of 162 stunted children and 166 normal children. The nutritional status screening was derived from e-PPGBM data, and was further validated through repeated anthropometric measurements. Phone interviews with mothers or trustees were done to obtain primary data. Data were analyzed using a chi-square test and declared significant if the p-value was below 0.05. Results: Socioeconomic status factors significantly related to stunting before the COVID-19 pandemic were family income below the region’s minimum wage (cOR = 2.18; 95% CI = 1.31-3.64), incapability to fulfill food and household needs (cOR = 2; 95% CI = 1.25-3.23), and incapability to save income (cOR = 2; 95% CI = 1.32-3.33). During the COVID-19 pandemic, a socioeconomic factor that was found to be significantly related to stunting was incapability to fulfill food and household needs (cOR = 1.57; 95% CI = 1-2.46). Conclusion: Low family income and incapability to fulfill food and household needs was strongly associated with stunting. Improvements to community empowerment and stunting prevention programs in response to COVID-19 need to be made to prevent new stunting cases.
DETERMINANT FACTORS OF COVID-19 MORTALITY IN EAST JAKARTA IN 2021
Authors: Fitria Maulida , Febrianti Thresya , Salama Ngabila
Published: February 2023

Background: The Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic, which lasted for more than a year in Indonesia, has caused various negative impacts, including rapid inter-individual transmission, followed by an increasing number of cases and even death. The total number of deaths from COVID-19 in East Jakarta from November-January 2021 was 30%. Purpose: This study aims to determine the factors that influence deaths from COVID-19 in East Jakarta. Methods: The study was conducted using a quantitative method and a case-control design with secondary data from November 2020 to February 2021 in East Jakarta. The incidence number of COVID-19 cases is 0.3 per 100,000 population, while the variables assessed were age, sex, respiratory symptoms, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The case sample was 74 people with COVID-19 who had died, while the control was 74 people who lived. Furthermore, the total sampling technique was used in the case group, while simple random sampling was employed in the control and data analysis was performed using the Chi-Square test. Results: Factors related to the incidence of COVID-19 death in this study were age with p-value = 0.01; OR = 3.99 95%CI 1.88 – 8.47 and male gender with p-value = 0.01; OR = 2.41 95%CI 1.25 – 4.68. Other factors analyzed, namely the presence of symptoms in the respiratory tract, comorbid hypertension, cardiovascular and COPD, did not have a significant relationship (p value> 0.05). Conclusion: Age and gender are factors associated with COVID-19 deaths in East Jakarta City between November 2020 and January 2021.
Biased behavior in borrowing from loan sharks
Authors: Pratiwi Novita Rahayu , Indrawati Nur Khusniyah , Wijayanti Risna
Published: February 2023

Purpose – This study aims to explore and understand how the mindset of merchant women in Montong Traditional Market so choose loan sharks as their loan source, which refers to the perspective of behavior and financial literacy.Methodology – This qualitative research with a Schutz phenomenological design, takes the research setting in Montong Traditional Market, Tuban. Data were collected through observation, interviews, and documentation.Findings – The results of the study show five biased of merchant women towards loan sharks, namely confirmation bias, framing, herding effect, hindsight bias, and representativeness. 'Agamis' in the merchant women in Montong Traditional Market does not guarantee that she is free from loan sharks. Implications – The results of this study indicate that related parties, such as religious leaders, the society leader, and cooperatives in Montong Traditional Market, Tuban, are expected to be able to increase education related to financial literacy through existing programs effectively and efficiently. Banks and cooperatives in the Montong Traditional Market area should be able to pick up the ball by providing door-to-door services to merchant women in Montong Traditional Market as a maximum effort to eradicate loan shark practices.Originality – This study explores the mindset of merchant women on loan sharks, whereas previous studies related to loan sharks have only explored them from an economic perspective.
Intention to use cryptocurrency: Social and religious perspective
Authors: Koeswandana Noorfaiz Athallah , Sugino Fakhruddin Amanullah
Published: February 2023

Purpose – This study tries to find out what factors influence the intention to use cryptocurrency from a social and religious perspective using Self Determination Theory (SDT) and Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB).Methodology – Respondents were chosen using purposive sampling targeting z generation and analyze using Structural Equation Modeling - Pooled Least Square (SEM-PLS). 100 respondents took part in this study and analyze using SmartPLS 3.2.9 Software.Findings – The result of this study indicates that FoMO and Islamic financial literacy does not have influences on intention to use cryptocurrency while Attitude has a positive effect on intention to use cryptocurrency. The other finding of this study is religiosity and subjective norms has influence on attitude while higher level of religiosity will increase the Islamic financial literacy.Implications – Theoretically, this study contributes to financial behavior and financial technology study. Practically, this study can be used by developer of sharia investment platform to optimize their product. Because even all of our respondents are a moslem, majority of them didn’t investing in sharia product but also don’t have intention to engage in Cryptocurrency. Originality – We believe this study is the first empirical study that investigates the intention to use cryptocurrency from a religious perspective, specifically Islamic financial literacy.
Automated Quantification of Pneumonia Infected Volume in Lung CT Images: A Comparison With Subjective Assessment of Radiologists
Authors: Mirniaharikandehei Seyedehnafiseh , Abdihamzehkolaei Alireza , CHOQUEHUANCA Angel , AEDO MARCO , PACHECO WILMER , ESTACIO LAURA , CAHUI VICTOR , HUALLPA LUIS , QUIÑONES KEVIN , CALDERON VALERIA , GUTIERREZ ANA , VARGAS ANA , GAMERO DERY , CASTRO EVELING , Qiu Yuchen , Zheng Bin , Jo Javier
Published: February 2023

Assessment of the percentage of disease infected lung volume using computed tomography (CT) images can play an important role to detect lung diseases and predict disease severity. However, manual segmentation of disease infected regions from many CT image slices is tedious and not feasible in clinical practice. To help solve this clinical challenge, this study aims to investigate a new strategy to automatically segment disease infected regions and predict disease severity. We employed a public dataset acquired from 20 COVID-19 patients, which includes manually annotated lung and infections masks, to train a new ensembled deep learning (DL) model that combines the five customized residual attention UNet models to segment disease infected regions followed by a Feature Pyramid Network (FPN) model to classify severity stage of COVID-19 infection. To test potentially clinical utility of new model, we first gathered and processed another set of CT images acquired from 80 Covid-19 patients. Next, we asked two chest radiologists to read CT images of each patient and report the estimated percentage of infected lung volume and disease severity level. Additionally, we asked radiologists to rate acceptance of DL model-generated segmentation results using a 5-scale rating method. Data analysis results show that agreement between disease severity classification is >90% in 45 testing cases. Furthermore, >73% of cases received the high rating score from two radiologists (scored more than 4). This study demonstrates feasibility of developing a new DL-model to efficiently provide quantitative assessment of disease severity based on the automated segmentation of the disease infected regions to support improving efficacy of radiologists in disease diagnosis.
Enhancement of Diabetic Retinopathy Prognostication Utilizing Deep Learning, CLAHE, and ESRGAN
Authors: Alwakid Ghadah , Gouda Walaa , Humayun Mamoona
Published: February 2023

Sometimes when diabetic retinopathy (DR) is found and treated quickly, vision loss can indeed be spared. This study deploys a deep learning (DL) model that can discover all 5 stages of DR more accurately than other methods. The proposed methodology shows two cases scenarios: case 1 with image enhancement using CLAHE and ESRGAN, and case 2 without image enhancement. Augmentation techniques are then employed to produce a balanced dataset with the identical criteria for both scenarios. The generated model using DenseNet-121 on the APTOS dataset outperformed other approaches for locating the 5 stages of DR, with an accuracy of 98.7 percent for case 1 and 81.2 percent for case 2. Using CLAHE and ESRGAN was shown to improve a model's performance and ability to learn.
Homotopic Quantum Fuzzy Adaptive Simulated Annealing [ HQF ASA ]
Authors: Oliveira Jr. Hime A. e
Published: February 2023

The work proposes a new approach for evolutionary global optimization which, in simple terms, may be described as a fusion of quantum and simulated annealing. This becomes possible by using basic concepts from Homotopy Theory, conjugated to the already existing Fuzzy Adaptive Simulated Annealing paradigm and other components. In this fashion, it occurs a temporal and nonlinear superposition of the two types of annealing, provoking interesting effects in runtime, including the so-called quantum tunneling, when there is a sudden transition between attraction basins of different minima without "climbing" potential barriers. In addition, the proposal includes a generalization of the "deformation" of Hamiltonians used in quantum annealing by suggesting the use of general homotopies between the surface corresponding to the cost function under processing and another specific landscape, being this possible because of the ability of Fuzzy ASA of handling time-varying objective functions. The proposed paradigm shows that it is possible and beneficial to superpose the two types of annealing, displaying amazing numerical results and suggesting a kind of interlacing or synergic behavior - perhaps we could call it an "annealing entanglement". Finally, given the fast advances in commercial quantum annealing processors, it seems sensible to expect that an implementation of the proposed approach using such devices may occur very soon. In order to demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed algorithm, some significant and detailed examples are included in the text, so as to illustrate and clarify the presented ideas.
INDEL-Typing of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis Strains
Authors: Trukhachev A. L. , Meloyan M. G. , Voskresenskaya E. A. , Vodop’yanov A. S. , Vodop’yanov S. O. , Podladchikova O. N. , Pisanov R. V. , Chesnokova M. V. , Rykova V. A. , Kuznetsova D. A. , Klimov V. T. , Kokorina G. I. , Bogumil’chik E. A.
Published: February 2023

The aim of this study was to develop a new method of intraspecific genetic differentiation of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis, based on the detection of INDEL-markers using PCR. Materials and methods. Analyzed were 308 strains from the NCBI database and 15 strains sequenced within the frames of this study. The nucleotide sequences of the strains were determined using the MiSeq technology platform. The genomes of the strains sequenced in the work, as well as genomes from the NCBI database, were assessed using in silico PCR with 7 pairs of primers designed in the study. As a result of a comparison of genome-wide sequences of 22 Y. pseudotuberculosis strains from the NCBI database, using the author’s software (GenExpert), 7 INDEL-markers were selected that make it possible to effectively distinguish between strains of the causative agent of pseudotuberculosis. Based on these markers, 7 pairs of primers were designed and synthesized for the analysis of different strains using PCR. Analysis of 323 strains in PCR in silico and 70 strains in PCR in vitro allowed for dividing them into 30 genetic groups. Comparison of the results of PCR in silico and in vitro confirmed the possibility of using the proposed primers for intraspecific differentiation of Y. pseudotuberculosis. Based on the data obtained, a dendrogram reflecting the phylogenetic relations of different strains of Y. pseudotuberculosis was constructed. When analyzing the distribution of Y. pseudotuberculosis strains by various clusters and genetic groups, a number of patterns were revealed. Conducted in silico and in vitro PCR show that the proposed method of INDEL-typing can be used for intraspecific genetic differentiation of the causative agent of pseudotuberculosis.
Yersinia pestis ssp. pestis Spatial MLVA25 Genotypic Structure in the Transboundary Saylyugem Natural Plague Focus
Authors: Yarygina M. B. , Vityazeva S. A. , Korzun V. M. , Tungalag H. , Tserennorov D. , Balakhonov S. V.
Published: February 2023

Advanced molecular-genetic methods for the diagnosis and typing of Yersinia pestis ssp. pestis in the field and clinical material are used for epidemiological surveillance of plague in the Saylyugem natural focus. The aim of the work was to study the spatial genotypic structure of Y. pestis ssp. pestis in the transboundary Saylyugem natural plague focus using MLVA25 typing. Materials and methods. The MLVA25 typing of 160 strains of Y. pestis ssp. Pestis isolated in the Saylyugem natural plague focus in 2012–2021 was carried out. Phylogenetic tree construction was performed with the help of UPGMA and MST methods. Results and discussion. The Y. pestis ssp. pestis strains isolated from the Saylyugem natural plague focus were differentiated into 15 MLVA types by the 25 VNTR loci cluster analysis. The studied strains form a homogeneous complex of MLVA25 types without marked geographical distribution across seven spatial groups. The analysis of the frequency of occurrence of the tandem repeats number for three variable loci of Y. pestis ssp. pestis strains shows the significant differences between the samples from the Mongolian and Russian parts of the Saylyugem natural plague focus. The most pronounced differences in spatial genotypic structure are traced through the yp4280ms62 locus.
Variability of pgm‑Region Genes in Yersinia pestis Strains from the Caspian Sandy and Adjacent Plague Foci
Authors: Goryunova P. A. , Eroshenko G. A. , Kukleva L. M. , Naryshkina E. A. , Devdariani Z. L. , Chervyakova N. S. , Kutyrev V. V.
Published: February 2023

The aim of the study was to compare the nucleotide sequences of pgm‑region genes in Yersinia pestis strains isolated on the territory of the Caspian sandy and adjacent plague foci in 1925–2015. Materials and methods. 65 Y. pestis strains from the Caspian sandy and adjacent plague foci were used in the work. DNA isolation was performed using the PureLink Genomic DNA Mini Kit. Whole genome sequencing was conducted in Ion S5 XL System (Thermo Fischer Scientific). Data processing was carried out using Ion Torrent Suite software package 3.4.2 and NewblerGS Assembler 2.6. To compare the obtained sequences with the NCBI GenBank database, the Blast algorithm was used. The phylogenetic analysis was performed according to the data of whole genome SNP analysis based on 1183 identified SNPs. The search for marker SNPs was performed using the Snippy 4.6 program. The phylogenetic tree was constructed using the Maximum Likelihood algorithm, the GTR nucleotide substitution model. Results and discussion. The nucleotide sequences of pgm‑region genes of 65 Y. pestis strains from the Caspian sandy and adjacent plague foci have been assessed. Single nucleotide substitutions have been identified in Y. pestis strains from the Caspian sandy and Kobystan plain-foothill foci in the hmsR, astB, ybtS, ypo1944, ypo1943, ypo1936 genes, as well as a deletion of 5 bp in the ypo1945 gene, which is characteristic of strains of one of the phylogenetic lines of Y. pestis from the foci of Caucasus and Transcaucasia, isolated in 1968–2001. The data obtained can be used to differentiate Y. pestis strains from the Caspian sandy focus, as well as to establish the directions of microevolution of the plague pathogen in this region and adjacent foci.
Decolonising mental health interventions in the humanitarian system
Authors: Shaul Hillel Roei
Published: February 2023

Mental health is an increasing concern around the world, but there is a substantial gap between Western and non-Western countries in terms of access to quality mental healthcare. To help close this gap and improve the delivery of mental health and psychosocial support services (MHPSS), the UN’s 2016 Grand Bargain declared a new approach of prioritising the localisation of these services. This paper examines the effects of the Grand Bargain on the localisation of mental health and psychosocial support services in non-Western countries, as a means to decolonise mental health.
An outcome evaluation was carried out to measure the amount of funding received by local and national agencies that provide MHPSS services in less economically developed countries. All data was gathered from the UN Financing Track System (FTS) and looked at financial contributions over time in six humanitarian sectors: health; water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH); gender-based violence; nutrition; protection, and shelter. The results show that local and national agencies received only 3% of international donors' MHPSS-related humanitarian funding between 2017 and 2021. Most localised MHPSS-related funding is driven by country-based pooled funds, with Middle Eastern countries as the primary beneficiaries, and localised MHPSS funding predominantly went to the health, WASH, and protection sectors. The study found limited localisation of MHPSS services in less economically developed countries, and a limited focus on community capacity building through associated humanitarian sectors. Based on this study, it is recommended that humanitarians should advocate for increased localisation and culturally competent practices in the MHPSS space.
STING-triggered CNS inflammation in human neurodegenerative diseases
Authors: Ferecskó Alex S. , Smallwood Miranda J. , Moore Adrian , Liddle Corin , Newcombe Jia , Holley Janet , Whatmore Jacqueline , Gutowski Nicholas J. , Eggleton Paul
Published: February 2023

Background: Some neurodegenerative diseases have an element of neuroinflammation that is triggered by viral nucleic acids, resulting in the generation of type I interferons. In the cGAS-STING pathway, microbial and host-derived DNA bind and activate the DNA sensor cGAS, the resulting cyclic dinucleotide, 2’3-cGAMP binds to a critical adaptor protein, stimulator of interferon genes (STING), which leads to activation of downstream pathway components. However, there is limited work demonstrating the activation of the cGAS- STING pathway in human neurodegenerative diseases.
Methods: Post-mortem CNS tissue from donors with multiple sclerosis (n=4), Alzheimer's diseases (n=6) and Parkinson's disease (n=3), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (n=3) and non-neurodegenerative controls (n=11) were screened by immunohistochemistry for STING and relevant protein aggregates (e.g., amyloid-b, a-synuclein, TDP-43). Human brain endothelial cells were cultured and stimulated with the STING agonist palmitic acid (1-400µM) and assessed for mitochondrial stress (release of mitochondrial DNA into cytosol, increased oxygen consumption), and downstream regulator factors, TBK-1/pIRF3 and inflammatory biomarkers interferon-β release and changes ICAM-1 integrin expression.
Results: In neurodegenerative brain, elevated STING protein was observed mainly in brain endothelial cells and neurons compared to non-neurodegenerative control tissues where STING protein staining was weaker in comparison. Interestingly, higher STING presence was associated with toxic protein aggregates. (e.g., in neurons). Similarly high STING protein levels were observed within acute demyelinating lesions in multiple sclerosis subjects. To understand non-microbial/metabolic stress activation of the cGAS-STING pathway, brain endothelial cells were treated with palmitic acid. This evoked mitochondrial respiratory stress up to a ~2.5-fold increase in cellular oxygen consumption. Palmitic acid induced a statistically significant increase in cytosolic DNA leakage from endothelial cell mitochondria (Mander’s coefficient; P <0.05) and a significant increase in TBK-1, phosphorylated transcription factor IFN regulatory factor 3, cGAS, cell surface ICAM. In addition, a dose response in secretion of interferon-b was observed but failed to reach statistical significance.
Conclusions: The histological evidence show that the common cGAS-STING pathway appears to be activated in endothelial and neural cells in all four neurodegenerative diseases examined. Together with the in vitro data suggest that the STING pathway might be activated via perturbation of mitochondrial stress and DNA leakage resulting in downstream neuroinflammation hence this pathway may be a target for future STING therapeutics.
The effectiveness of interventions used to improve general health check uptake by the older adult population: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Lau Wing Yan , Lian Jinxiao , Yap Maurice
Published: February 2023

As the population ages, promoting good health maintenance practices has become an important strategy in many health systems. Regular general health checks detect common diseases and empower older adults to monitor their physical health. Yet the service uptake rate is low. Previous reviews have identified intervention methods to improve the uptake rate, but the overall effectiveness of these interventions remains unclear. This review aims to determine the overall effectiveness of the interventions used to improve general health check uptake and identify the behavior change techniques used in these interventions. Literature searches were conducted in four electronic databases in August 2020 and updated in May 2021. Six randomized controlled trials were included in this review. Seven intervention types were identified, including enhanced invitation letters, telephone invitation, question-behavior-effect questionnaire, financial incentive, leaflet, pre-notification, and SMS reminder. Overall, the interventions are effective, with an odds ratio of 1.21, and a 95% confidence interval between 1.09–1.33. Fifteen behavior change techniques were identified using the Behaviour Change Technique Taxonomy (v1). The findings suggest that the current interventions implemented in invitation methods are effective in improving the general health check uptake rate, but there are still opportunities to further improve the uptake rate by considering other intervention types. Future studies could consider how other intervention types could be implemented alone or with the enhanced invitation methods to maximize the service uptake rate. The systematic review protocol is registered on PROSPERO (ref: CRD42021221041).
ZFHX3 acts as a tumor suppressor in prostate cancer by targeting FTO-mediated m6A demethylation
Authors: Hu Qingxia , yin junling , zhao sijie , wang yibo , Yan Keqiang , huang shuhong
Published: February 2023

Zinc-finger homeobox 3 (ZFHX3, also known as ATBF1) suppresses prostatic tumorigenesis; ZFHX3 is frequently found to have numerous deletions when found in human prostate cancer (PCa). However, the underlying molecular function of ZFHX3 during prostatic tumorigenesis is not well understood. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification in RNA plays a critical role in the development of cancers; however, the relationship between ZFHX3 and m6A modification is largely unknown in PCa. In this study, we found that ZFHX3 knockdown decreased total m6A levels through enhancing the transcriptional activity of FTO in PCa cells. Importantly, FTO inhibition suppressed cell proliferation and rescued the promoting function of ZFHX3 knockdown on cell proliferation. Through transcriptome sequencing and Me-RIP sequencing, we revealed that E2F2 and CDKN2C were the direct targets of FTO-mediated m6A modification and identified the role of E2F2 and CDKN2C in cell cycle arrest in FTO-depleted cells. Interestingly, ZFHX3 expression was in return regulated by FTO in m6A-dependent way. In vivo, we verified that FTO was upregulated and ZFHX3 was decreased in PCa patients and that a high level of ZFHX3 is indispensable for low FTO expression and is correlated with better patient survival. These findings establish a novel crosstalk mechanism between ZFHX3 and FTO in prostatic tumorigenesis.
Comparison of the Effectiveness of Family-Focused Therapy and Social Cognition and Interaction Training in Preventing the Relapse of Bipolar Disorder and Improving the Patient’s Interpersonal Relationships and Components Related to Social Functioning: Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Tabas Maryam Yousefi , Momeni Fereshte , Bakhshani Nour Mohammad , Pourshahbaz Abbas , Rezaei Omid , Bagajan Kaveh Qaderi
Published: February 2023

Background:Bipolar disorder type I (BD-I) is characterized by periodic mood swings, including mania and depression. Family stress and cognitive defects are among the important factors in the relapse of this disorder. The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of family-focused therapy (FFT) and social cognitive and interaction training (SCIT) in preventing BD-I relapse and improving the patient’s interpersonal relationships and components related to social functioning.Methods:This quasi-experimental study had a controlled, pretest-posttest, and three-month follow-up design. Sixty patients with BD-I, hospitalized in Zahedan Psychiatric Hospital (Zahedan, Iran), as well as one of their primary caregivers, were selected purposefully based on the inclusion criteria and randomly assigned to three groups. A total of 56 individuals completed all the study questionnaires until the follow-up. The SCIT group (consisting of only patients) and the FFT group (consisting of patients with a primary caregiver) each participated in 15 sessions of group interventions. The research tools were completed before the intervention, after the first session of the intervention, after the intervention, and in the follow-up.Results:The present results showed that the SCIT and FFT could equally improve relapse prevention and promote social functioning and its components, except for the component of interpersonal relationships, where SCIT was more effective than FFT in the posttest (β=3,P=0.034) and follow-up (β=5.043,P=0.001).Conclusion:According to the present results, since FFT is an evidence-based treatment for BD-I patients, SCIT can be used along with this intervention, as simultaneous attention to environmental factors and social cognitive defects can provide an opportunity to improve the social functioning of patients with BD-I, especially their interpersonal relationships.
Rapid Indian ocean warming threatens Agricultural productivity in North America
Authors: Yang Young-Min
Published: February 2023

During the recent several decades, the Indian Ocean has recorded the largest warming trends in the globe and has led to pronounced regional and global impacts. However, its impact, particularly on agricultural productivity and relevant terrestrial carbon sink is unclear. Here we investigated how and to what extent the tropical Indian Ocean (TIO) influences the changes in US state-level crop yields and gross primary productivity (GPP) using multiple datasets including observation and process-driven from Earth System Model experiment. We found that crop yields in the US declined with increasing TIO temperature by 5–20 percent. Our results suggest that the reduction in agricultural productivity may be mainly attributed to the deficit of precipitation induced by atmospheric teleconnection from the tropical Indian Ocean to the United States (US) through the North Pacific. We also found that the reduction in gross primary productivity (GPP) is approximately 25 percent from multiple datasets and carbon sink loss of 0.25 P g C yr− 1over the US. A strong TIO warming in near future could enhance the negative impact on human life through adverse climate conditions and reduction in crop yields, and suppress further carbon-climate feedback.
Differences in the disclosure of a cancer diagnosis by healthcare professionals and the repercussions on patients’ emotions and health
Authors: Sancho E. Ruiz , Nieto M.A. Pérez , Román F. , León L. , Escamilla F. Sánchez , Francés S. Enrech , Escutia M.A. Pérez , Martel I. Juez , Pérez-Segura P. , Aguirre A. , Delgado M. Redondo
Published: February 2023

Purpose: This study serves a dual purpose. Our initial aim is to study how a cancer diagnosis is disclosed to patients by different physicians (oncologists, consultants, and general practitioners). Secondly, we set out to study how the way in which oncologists normally communicate with their patients is related to variables such as anxiety, depression, coping mechanisms, and the perception of both their health and their quality of life. Methods: A cohort of 177 patients from three cancer associations answered a battery of questionnaires on sociodemographic data, aspects of the disease, monitoring of the SPIKES protocol by the physician delivering the diagnosis, and their satisfaction with their communication with the oncologist (EORTC QLQ-COMU26). The patients also completed the ADAF screening questionnaire for detecting the presence of anxiety, depression, and dysfunctional coping strategies. Results: The analyses recorded medium-low scores for some of the steps in the SPIKES protocol when delivering the diagnosis, and significant differences in some of them among the different physicians. It seems that oncologists perform this task better than consultants. In turn, satisfaction with the communication with oncologists is related to the levels of anxiety, depression, vulnerability, and the perception of health and quality of life among cancer patients. Conclusions: Better communication strategies are called for among all healthcare professionals to enable them to deal with the task of breaking bad news to their patients. This will have a positive impact on patients’ emotional and health issues, while reducing stress and burnout among the physicians themselves.
Mechanically induced topological transition of spectrin regulates its distribution in the mammalian cortex
Authors: Ghisleni Andrea , Bonilla-Quintana Mayte , Crestani Michele , Rangamani Padmini , Gauthier Nils
Published: February 2023

The cell cortex is a dynamic assembly formed by the plasma membrane and the underlying cytoskeleton. As the main determinant of cell shape, the cortex ensures its integrity during passive deformation or active response by adapting cytoskeleton topologies with poorly understood mechanisms. The spectrin meshwork ensures such adaptation in erythrocytes and neurons by adopting dramatically different organizations. Erythrocytes rely on triangular-like lattices of spectrin tetramers, which in neurons are organized in parallel and periodic arrays. Since spectrin is ubiquitously expressed, we exploited Expansion Microscopy to discover that these two distinct topologies can co-exist in other mammalian cells such as fibroblasts. We show through biophysical measurements and computational modeling that spectrin provides coverage of the cortex and, with the intervention of actomyosin, erythroid-like lattices can dynamically transition into condensates that resemble neuron-like periodic arrays fenced by actin stress fibers. Spectrin condensates experience lower mechanical stress and turnover despite displaying an extension close to the contour length of the tetramer. Our study sheds light on the adaptive properties of spectrin, which ensures protection of the cortex by undergoing mechanically induced topological transitions.
Isolation of a methyl-reducing methanogen outside the Euryarchaeota
Authors: Cheng Lei , Wu Kejia , Zhou Lei , Tahon Guillaume , Liu Laiyan , Li Jiang , Zhang Jianchao , Zheng Fengfeng , Deng Chengpeng , Han Wenhao , Bai Li-ping , Fu Lin , Dong Xiuzhu , Zhang Chuanlun , Ettema Thijs , Diana Sousa
Published: February 2023

Methanogenic archaea are main contributors to methane emissions, and thus play a crucial role in carbon cycling and global warming. Until recently, methanogens were confined to the phylum Euryarchaeota, but metagenomic studies revealed the presence of genes encoding the methyl coenzyme M reductase complex in other archaeal clades, thereby opening up the premise that methanogenesis is taxonomically more widespread. Nevertheless, laboratory cultivation of these non-Euryarchaeal methanogens was missing to allow the study of their physiology and to corroborate their potential methanogenic capability. Here we describe a thermophilic co-culture from an oil field, containing a single archaeon (strain LWZ-6) belonging to the proposed order Candidatus Verstraetearchaeia, together with a H2-producing Acetomicrobium sp. CY-2. Strain LWZ-6, for which we propose the name Verstraetearchaeum methanopetracarbonis, is a H2-dependent methylotrophic methanogen. Although previous metagenomic studies speculated on the fermentative potential of Verstraetearchaeial methanogens, strain LWZ-6 does not ferment sugars, peptides, and amino acids. Its energy metabolism is linked to methanogenesis, with methanol and monomethylamine as electron acceptors and H2 as electron donor. Comparative (meta)genome analysis revealed that H2-dependent methylotrophic methanogenesis is a shared trait among Verstraetearchaeia. Our findings corroborate that the diversity of methanogens expands beyond the classical Euryarchaeota and change our current conception of the global carbon cycle.
Assessing Awareness of Social Determinants of Health in an Emergency Medicine Residency Program
Authors: Moussa Mohamad , Kaur Darpan , Irfan Faryal , Aoun Jihad , Shih James
Published: February 2023

Background
In recent years there has been increased recognition regarding the importance of social determinants of health (SDOH) on health outcomes. Although SDOH awareness is already incorporated into medical education, there is a lack of comprehensive tools available to assess SDOH understanding, attitudes, and application in medicine[1]. By determining the limitations in current medical education, this study aims to address shortcomings in SDOH education to provide optimal care to patients from diverse backgrounds by meeting their individual needs.
Methods
Participants completed a pre-survey prior to the intervention. Participants were then presented with an educational PowerPoint on the social determinants of health. Post-presentation, participants were divided randomly into small groups to discuss 3 different cases incorporating SDOH. Afterward, they completed a post-survey.
Results
Participants are statistically significantly more comfortable talking with their future patients after the session on 10 out of 12 topics (the exceptions are gender identity and sexual orientation). These improvements remain significant on 6 topics (i.e., the community they practice, access to care, food insecurity, healthy diet, homelessness, and intimate partner violence) even after multiple comparison corrections using Bonferroni procedure.
Conclusion
The current study provides evidence that residents benefit from the inclusion of SDOH-specific education in their curriculum as shown by our quantitative assessment.
Dental workforce challenges in rural England:
Survey into recruitment and retention in Devon and Cornwall
Authors: Mills Ian , Bryce Marie , Clarry Laura , Evans Deborah , Hanks Sally
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Devon and Cornwall have been identified as a “dental desert” with limited NHS dental access, high levels of oral health inequality and challenges in recruitment and retention of the dental workforce. Recruitment and retention of all members of the dental team has been identified as an important factor in the availability of dental services particularly within rural and coastal areas. During the last five years there has been an 8% decrease in the number of dentists working within the NHS in Devon, and although this may be due to a variety of factors, recruitment and retention appears to be key

Aims

The aim of this research was to explore the experiences of dental practices within Devon and Cornwall in relation to recruitment and retention of the dental workforce.

Method

A self-administered, online questionnaire was used to explore various aspects of recruitment and retention of the dental workforce in Devon and Cornwall. The questionnaire included categorical rating scale and free text question formats providing both quantitative and qualitative data. Rating scales were analysed using frequency analysis, and the free-text answers analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

106 dental practices responded to the survey, providing a response rate of 36%. The vast majority of respondents (94%) considered recruitment and retention to be a major barrier to delivering NHS services. 77% of practices had a current staff vacancy; 57% had a dentist vacancy; and 48% had a vacancy for dental nurses. Thematic analysis led to identification of four main themes which were considered to influence recruitment and retention: NHS system; Economic Challenges; Logistics; Support Networks. The current NHS dental contract was identified as the main barrier in recruiting and retaining workforce within the NHS in the region. Other factors such as income generation, workload, economic challenges, geographic isolation, lack of support, training opportunities and career development were identified as important issues which affected both NHS and private practices in rural and coastal areas.

Conclusion

Recruitment and retention of the dental workforce is a major barrier to delivering oral healthcare services in the Southwest Peninsula. A large number of dental practices are failing to operate at capacity due to workforce shortages which is affecting both NHS and private practices. The situation is most acute in recruitment and retention of dentists and dental nurses, with NHS practices affected more than the private sector. Urgent action is needed at a local, regional and national level to avoid further deterioration.
Space use and residency patterns of largemouth bass relative to a freshwater protected area
Authors: Zolderdo Aaron J. , Brownscombe J. W. , Abrams A. E.I. , Suski Cory D. , Cooke S. J.
Published: February 2023

Fish movement patterns are an essential consideration for the design of effective freshwater protected areas (FPAs). The Rideau Waterway system (Ontario, Canada) is home to some of the oldest single-resource FPAs in Ontario (> 70 years active). Initially, these FPAs were intended to provide holistic protection to the heavily exploited largemouth bass, but since their establishment, little is known regarding their protective capacity. Using a passive acoustic telemetry network, we measured how site fidelity varied with body size and across seasons in largemouth bass within one Rideau Waterway FPA. Collectively, 50 bass were tracked for an average of 227 days, with some individuals tracked upwards of 744 days. Tagged fish spent on average 55% of their time at liberty within the FPA, with occupancy rates exceeding 85% for some individuals. Most of the tagged fish displayed cyclical movement behaviour between the FPA and non-protected areas, largely corresponding with known life-history stages. Largemouth bass occupancy was highest in the spring-summer seasons (i.e., reproductive period), with a sharp decline during the fall that sustained through the winter. FPA occupancy varied with body size, with large fish (> 430 mm) using the FPA more extensively. Our findings show that this Rideau Waterway FPA provides temporal protection from exploitation to a highly targeted sportfish, especially during their reproductive period, likely providing major conservation benefits. These findings also highlight the value of considering the habitat requirements of a species across life-stages to inform effective FPA design.
Identification and validation of a novel overall survival prediction model for immune-related genes in bone metastases of prostate cancer
Authors: Bi Wen , Guo Weiming , Wan Teng , Fan Gang , Jiang Changqing
Published: February 2023

Background
Immunotherapy has become a revolutionary treatment for cancer and brought new vitality to tumor immunity. Still, using either immunotherapy alone is unlikely to significantly change the outcome of prostate cancer (PCa), especially metastatic PCa. Bone metastases are the most prevalent metastatic site for advanced PCa. Therefore, finding new immunotherapy targets in PCa patients with bone metastasis is urgently needed.
Methods
We conducted an elaborative bioinformatics study of immune related genes (IRGs) and tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TIICs) in PCa bone metastases. The TCGA-PRAD and cBioPortal databases were integrated to obtain RNA-sequencing data and clinical prognostic information. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were conducted to construct an overall survival (OS) prediction model. GSE32269 in the GEO database was analyzed to acquire differentially expressed IRGs. A total of 209 differentially expressed IRGs were identified, of which 159 were down-regulated and 50 were up-regulated. Subsequently, the PPI network was established by Cytoscape for identifying hub genes and biological network. The OS prediction model was established by employing six IRGs (MAVS, HSP90AA1, FCGR3A, CTSB, FCER1G, and CD4). The CIBERSORT algorithm was adopted to assess the proportion of TIICs in each group. Furthermore, Transwell, MTT, and wound healing assays were employed to determine the effect of MAVS on PCa cells.
Results
High-risk patients had worse OS compared to the low-risk patients in the training and validation cohorts. Meanwhile, clinically practical nomograms were generated using these identified IRGs to predict the 3- and 5-year survival rates of patients. The infiltration percentages of some TIICs were closely linked to the risk score of the OS prediction model. Naïve B cells, M1 and M2 macrophages, and CD4 memory resting T cells were related to the OS. FCGR3A was closely correlated with some TIICs. In vitro experiments verified that up-regulation of MAVS suppressed the proliferation and metastatic abilities of PCa cells.
Conclusions
Our work presented a thorough interpretation of TIICs and IRGs for illustrating and discovering new potential immune checkpoints in bone metastases of PCa. Additionally, we developed a trustworthy OS risk score model that may serve as a prognostic biomarker and potential immune checkpoints for immunotherapy.