bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influencing factors of humanistic care ability and its dimensions among mental health workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: an online cross-sectional study
Authors: Liu Xiaolin , Zhu Hongjin
Published: March 2023

Background

In psychiatric services, humanistic care ability significantly affects the quality of the therapeutic relationship and thus affects the therapeutic outcomes for patients. Mental health workers may be confronted with more obstacles in humanistic care during the COVID-19 pandemic wherethe authors aimed to explore the capacity level of humanistic care among mental health workers and its potential influencing factors.

Method(s)

An online cross-sectional survey was conducted among 262 mental health workers working in Chongqing, China, from December 2020 to January 2021. Data were collected by the Caring Ability Inventory (CAI), the Psychological Capital Questionnaire (PCQ-24), the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire-Revised, and the Short Scale for Chinese (EPQ-RSC). Multiple linear regression analysis was used to explore the influencing factors of humanistic care ability.

Results

Mental health workers’ humanistic care ability is at a low level, with a score of 186.47 ± 21.34. Psychological capital is positively associated with humanistic care ability (β[95%CI] = 0.41 [0.46–0.77], p < 0.001), and its two dimensions (cognition: β[95%CI] = 0.51 [0.30–0.47], p < 0.001; patience: β[95%CI] = 0.48 [0.17–0.28], p < 0.001). Psychoticism is negatively associated with humanistic care ability (β[95%CI] = -0.28 [-5.18 - -2.51], p < 0.001) and its three dimensions (cognition: β[95%CI] = -0.12 [-1.57 - -0.17], p < 0.05; courage: β[95%CI] = -0.17 [-1.7 - -0.32], p < 0.01; patience: β[95%CI] = -0.19 [-1.33 - -0.36], p < 0.01). Extroversion is positively associated with humanistic care ability (β[95%CI] = 0.19 [0.69–2.08], p < 0.001), and its two dimensions (cognition: β[95%CI] = 0.19 [0.32–1.05], p < 0.001; courage: β[95%CI] = 0.27 [0.5–1.23], p < 0.001). Neuroticism is negatively associated with humanistic care ability (β[95%CI] = -0.13[-1.37 - -0.19], p < 0.01) and its one dimension (courage: β[95%CI] = -0.25 [-0.98 - -0.35], p < 0.001).

Conclusion(s)

The research has found that the humanistic care ability of mental health workers is at a low level, and the psychological capital and personality traits are significant factors influencing the humanistic care ability and its sub-dimensions. Interventions to improve the psychological capital of mental health workers or to promote the change of personality traits they want are recommended, thereby to promote humanistic practice.
Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) effects on the worries of women with poly cystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Authors: Salajegheh Zahra , Ahmadi Atefeh , Shahrahmani Hadis , Jahani Yunes , Alidousti Katayoun , Nasiri Amiri Fatemeh , Salari Zohreh
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Polycystic ovary syndrome is one of the women’s most common endocrine disorders that can cause anxiety, psychological distress, and reduced quality of life. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the effect of mindfulness-based stress reduction counseling on the worries of women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Materials and methods

This quasi-experimental was implemented on 60 women with polycystic ovary syndrome, referring to health centers in Kerman, Iran, from April to September 2021. In the intervention group, MBSR was conducted in eight 90-minute sessions twice a week. A researcher-made questionnaire with 34 questions (with six domains including worries related to mental complications, interpersonal problems, non-pregnancy physical complications, pregnancy complications, sexual complications, and religious issues) on the worries of women with polycystic ovary syndrome was completed by the participants in two intervention and control groups as pre-and post-test and one month later. 22 SPSS statistical software was used for analysis.

Results

The mean score of worries in the intervention group (48.18 ± 5.18) compared to the control group (75.73 ± 8.08) was significantly reduced in total and all six domains immediately after the intervention (P < 0.0001). One month later also, the total mean score of worries and subtitles decreased significantly (P < 0.0001) in the intervention group (38.27 ± 3.58) in comparison with the control group (76.13 ± 7.52).

Conclusion

Results showed that the method of reducing stress based on mindfulness had caused a significant reduction in worries in the intervention group. Therefore, this method can be used to improve the mental health of this group of patients in health centers.
Understanding registered nurses’ career choices in home care services: a qualitative study
Authors: Haaland Guro Hognestad , Øygarden Olaug , Storm Marianne , Mikkelsen Aslaug
Published: March 2023

Background

The anticipated growth in number of older people with long-term health problems is associated with a greater need for registered nurses. Home care services needs enough nurses that can deliver high quality services in patients’ homes. This article improves our understanding of nurses’ career choices in home care services.

Methods

A qualitative study using individual semi-structured interviews with 20 registered nurses working in home care services. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and thematically analyzed.

Results

The analysis resulted in three themes emphasizing the importance of multiple stakeholders and contextual factors, fit with nurses’ private life, and meaning of work. The results offer important insights that can be used to improve organizational policy and HR practices to sustain a workforce of registered nurses in home care services.

Conclusion

The results illustrate the importance of having a whole life perspective to understand nurses’ career choices, and how nurses’ career preferences changes over time.
Bosutinib high density lipoprotein nanoformulation has potent tumour radiosensitisation effects
Authors: Dehghankelishadi Pouya , Badiee Parisa , Maritz Michelle F. , Dmochowska Nicole , Thierry Benjamin
Published: March 2023

Disruption of the cell cycle is among the most effective approach to increase tumour cells’ radio-sensitivity. However, the presence of dose-limiting side effects hampers the clinical use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors targeting the cell cycle. Towards addressing this challenge, we identified a bosutinib nanoformulation within high density lipoprotein nanoparticles (HDL NPs) as a promising radiosensitiser. Bosutinib is a kinase inhibitor clinically approved for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia that possesses radiosensitising properties through cell cycle checkpoint inhibition. We found that a remarkably high bosutinib loading (> 10%) within HDL NPs could be reliably achieved under optimal preparation conditions. The radiosensitisation activity of the bosutinib-HDL nanoformulation was first assessed in vitro in UM-SCC-1 head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cells, which confirmed efficient disruption of the radiation induced G2/M cell cycle arrest. Interestingly, the bosutinib nanoformulation out-performed free bosutinib, likely because of the specific affinity of HDL NPs with tumour cells. The combination of bosutinib-HDL NPs and radiotherapy significantly controlled tumour growth in an immunocompetent murine HNSCC model. The bosutinib-HDL nanoformulation also enhanced the radiation induced immune response through the polarisation of tumour associated macrophages towards proinflammatory phenotypes.
Impact of ¡Míranos! on parent-reported home-based healthy energy balance-related behaviors in low-income Latino preschool children: a clustered randomized controlled trial
Authors: Ullevig Sarah L. , Parra-Medina Deborah , Liang Yuanyuan , Howard Jeffrey , Sosa Erica , Estrada-Coats Vanessa M. , Errisuriz Vanessa , Li Shiyu , Yin Zenong
Published: March 2023

Background

Widespread establishment of home-based healthy energy balance-related behaviors (EBRBs), like diet, physical activity, sedentary behavior, screen time, and sleep, among low-income preschool-aged children could curb the childhood obesity epidemic. We examined the effect of an 8-month multicomponent intervention on changes in EBRBs among preschool children enrolled in 12 Head Start centers.

Methods

The Head Start (HS) centers were randomly assigned to one of three treatment arms: center-based intervention group (CBI), center-based plus home-based intervention group (CBI + HBI), or control. Before and following the intervention, parents of 3-year-olds enrolled in participating HS centers completed questionnaires about their child’s at-home EBRBs. Adult-facilitated physical activity (PA) was measured by an index based on questions assessing the child’s level of PA participation at home, with or facilitated by an adult. Fruit, vegetable, and added sugar intake were measured via a short food frequency questionnaire, and sleep time and screen time were measured using 7-day logs. A linear mixed effects model examined the intervention’s effect on post-intervention changes in PA, intake of fruit, vegetable, and added sugar, sleep time, and screen time from baseline to post-intervention.

Results

A total of 325 parents participated in the study (CBI n = 101; CBI + HBI n = 101; and control n = 123). Compared to control children, CBI and CBI + HBI parents reported decreases in children’s intake of added sugar from sugar-sweetened beverages. Both CBI and CBI + HBI parents also reported smaller increases in children’s average weekday screen time relative to controls. In addition, CBI + HBI parents reported CBI + HBI parents reported increases in children’s adult-facilitated PA, fruit and vegetable intake, and daily sleep time during weekdays (excluding weekends) and the total week from baseline to post-intervention, while children in the CBI increased sleep time over the total week compared to the children in the control group.

Conclusions

Parent engagement strengthened the improvement in parent-reported EBRBs at home in young children participating in an evidence-based obesity prevention program in a childcare setting. Future studies should investigate equity-related contextual factors that influence the impact of obesity prevention in health-disparity populations.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03590834. Registered July 18, 2018, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03590834
Immune profiling and prognostic model of pancreatic cancer using quantitative pathology and single-cell RNA sequencing
Authors: Chen Kai , Wang Qi , Liu Xinxin , Tian Xiaodong , Dong Aimei , Yang Yinmo
Published: March 2023

Background

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has a complex tumor immune microenvironment (TIME), the clinical value of which remains elusive. This study aimed to delineate the immune landscape of PDAC and determine the clinical value of immune features in TIME.

Methods

Univariable and multivariable Cox regression analyses were performed to evaluate the clinical value of immune features and establish a new prognostic model. We also conducted single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to further characterize the immune profiles of PDAC and explore cell-to-cell interactions.

Results

There was a significant difference in the immune profiles between PDAC and adjacent noncancerous tissues. Several novel immune features were captured by quantitative pathological analysis on multiplex immunohistochemistry (mIHC), some of which were significantly correlated with the prognosis of patients with PDAC. A risk score-based prognostic model was established based on these immune features. We also constructed a user-friendly nomogram plot to predict the overall survival (OS) of patients by combining the risk score and clinicopathological features. Both mIHC and scRNA-seq analysis revealed PD-L1 expression was low in PDAC. We found that PD1 + cells were distributed in different T cell subpopulations, and were not enriched in a specific subpopulation. In addition, there were other conserved receptor-ligand pairs (CCL5-SDC1/4) besides the PD1-PD-L1 interaction between PD1 + T cells and PD-L1 + tumor cells.

Conclusion

Our findings reveal the immune landscape of PDAC and highlight the significant value of the combined application of mIHC and scRNA-seq for uncovering TIME, which might provide new clues for developing immunotherapy combination strategies.
Transcriptomes of the tumor-adjacent normal tissues are more informative than tumors in predicting recurrence in colorectal cancer patients
Authors: Kim Jinho , Kim Hyunjung , Lee Min-Seok , Lee Heetak , Kim Yeon Jeong , Lee Woo Yong , Yun Seong Hyeon , Kim Hee Cheol , Hong Hye Kyung , Hannenhalli Sridhar , Cho Yong Beom , Park Donghyun , Choi Sun Shim
Published: March 2023

Background

Previous investigations of transcriptomic signatures of cancer patient survival and post-therapy relapse have focused on tumor tissue. In contrast, here we show that in colorectal cancer (CRC) transcriptomes derived from normal tissues adjacent to tumors (NATs) are better predictors of relapse.

Results

Using the transcriptomes of paired tumor and NAT specimens from 80 Korean CRC patients retrospectively determined to be in recurrence or nonrecurrence states, we found that, when comparing recurrent with nonrecurrent samples, NATs exhibit a greater number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) than tumors. Training two prognostic elastic net-based machine learning models—NAT-based and tumor-based in our Samsung Medical Center (SMC) cohort, we found that NAT-based model performed better in predicting the survival when the model was applied to the tumor-derived transcriptomes of an independent cohort of 450 COAD patients in TCGA. Furthermore, compositions of tumor-infiltrating immune cells in NATs were found to have better prognostic capability than in tumors. We also confirmed through Cox regression analysis that in both SMC-CRC as well as in TCGA-COAD cohorts, a greater proportion of genes exhibited significant hazard ratio when NAT-derived transcriptome was used compared to when tumor-derived transcriptome was used.

Conclusions

Taken together, our results strongly suggest that NAT-derived transcriptomes and immune cell composition of CRC are better predictors of patient survival and tumor recurrence than the primary tumor.
Women’s and health providers’ perceptions of companionship during labor and childbirth: a formative study for the implementation of WHO companionship model in Burkina Faso
Authors: Yaya Bocoum Fadima , Kabore Charles Paulin , Barro Saran , Zerbo Roger , Tiendrebeogo Simon , Hanson Claudia , Dumont Alexandre , Betran Ana Pilar , Bohren Meghan A.
Published: March 2023

Introduction

A key component of achieving respectful maternal and newborn care is labor companionship. Despite important health benefits for the woman and baby, there are critical gaps in implementing labor companionship for all women globally. The paper aims to present the perceptions and experiences of pregnant women, postpartum women, and health care providers regarding companionship during labor and childbirth, and to identify barriers and facilitating factors to the implementation of labor companionship in Burkina Faso.

Methods

This is a formative study to inform the “Appropriate use of cesarean section through QUALIty DECision-making by women and providers” (QUALI-DEC) study, to design, adapt and implement a strategy to optimize the use of the cesarean section, including labor companionship. We use in-depth interviews (women, potential companions, and health workers) and health facility readiness assessments in eight hospitals across Burkina Faso. We use a thematic analysis approach for interviews, and narrative summaries to describe facility readiness assessment.

Results

In all, 77 qualitative interviews and eight readiness assessments are included in this analysis. The findings showed that all participants acknowledged an existing traditional companionship model, which allowed companions to support women only in the hospital waiting room and post-natal room. Despite recognizing clear benefits, participants were not familiar with companionship during labor and childbirth in the hospital as recommended by WHO. Key barriers to implementing companionship throughout labor and birth include limited space in labor and delivery wards, no private rooms for women, hospital rules preventing companionship, and social norms preventing the choice of a companion by the woman.

Conclusion

Labor companionship was considered highly acceptable in Burkina Faso, but more work is needed to adapt to the hospital environment. Revisions to hospital policies to allow companions during labor and childbirth are needed as well as changes to provide private space for women. Training potential companions about their roles and encouraging women’s rights to choose their companions may help to facilitate effective implementation.
Effect of different doses of Lacticaseibacillus paracasei K56 on body fat and metabolic parameters in adult individuals with obesity: a pilot study
Authors: Kadeer Guzailinuer , Fu Wanrui , He Yaqi , Feng Ying , Liu Wei-Hsein , Hung Wei-Lian , Feng Haotian , Zhao Wen
Published: March 2023

Background

Studies have shown that probiotics have an effect on reducing body fat on a strain-specific and dose–response bases. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a novel probiotic strain Lacticaseibacillus paracasei K56 on body fat and metabolic biomarkers in adult individuals with obesity.

Methods

74 adult subjects with obesity (body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2, or percent body fat > 25% for men, percent body fat > 30% for women) were randomized into 5 groups and supplemented with different doses of K56 (groups VL_K56, L_K56, H_K56, and VH_K56: K56 capsules, 2 × 107 CFU/day, 2 × 109 CFU/day, 2 × 1010 CFU/day, 2 × 1011 CFU/day, respectively) or placebo (group Pla: placebo capsule) for 60 days. Subjects were advised to maintain their original dietary intake and physical activity. Anthropometric measurements, body composition assessment, and metabolic parameters were measured at baseline and after 60 days of intervention.

Results

The results showed that the L_K56 group had significant decreases in percent body fat (p = 0.004), visceral fat area (p = 0.0007), total body fat mass (p = 0.018), trunk body fat mass (p = 0.003), waist circumference (p = 0.003), glycosylated hemoglobin(p = 0.002) at the end of the study compared with baseline. There were non-significant reductions in Body weight and BMI in the L_K56, H_K56, VL_K56 groups, whereas increases were observed in the placebo and VH_K56 groups compared with baseline values. In addition, K56 supplementation modulated gut microbiota characteristics and diversity indices in the L-K56 group. However, mean changes in body fat mass, visceral fat area, weight, body mass index, waist circumference and hip circumference were not significantly different between groups.

Conclusions

The results suggest that supplementation with different doses of Lacticaseibacillus paracasei K56 has certain effect on reducing body fat and glycosylated hemoglobin, especially at a dose of 109 CFU/day.

Trial registration: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT04980599.
“And when will you install the new water pump?”: disconcerted reflections on how to be a ‘good’ Global Health scholar
Authors: Borst Robert A.J. , Wehrens Rik , Bal Roland
Published: March 2023

Background

While critique on Global Health is not new, recent years show a surge of criticism on the field’s colonial legacy and practices specifically. Such accounts argue that despite Global Health’s strive for universality and equity in health, its activities regularly produce the opposite. The epistemic privileging of Northern academics and scientific method, further augmented by how Global Health funding is arranged, paints a picture of a fragmented field in which ‘doing good’ has become a normatively laden and controversial term. It is specifically this controversy that we seek to unpack in this paper: what does it take to be a ‘good’ Global Health scholar?

Results

We used Helen Verran’s notion of ‘disconcertment’ to analyse three auto-ethnographic vignettes of Robert’s Global Health ‘fieldwork’. We illustrate that disconcertment, a bodily and personalised experience of unease and conflicting feelings, may serve as an important diagnostic of conflicting imperatives in Global Health. Robert’s fieldwork was entangled with incongruous imperatives which he constantly had to navigate through and that repeatedly produced disconcertment. The contribution that we seek to make here is that such disconcertment is not something to defuse or ignore, but to take seriously and stay with instead.

Conclusion

Staying with the disconcertment serves as a starting point for conversations about ‘doing good’ in Global Health fieldwork and creates opportunity for making Global Health teaching and projects more reflexive. The paper thereby positions itself in discussions about fair collaborations between the Global North and South and our analysis offers a set of considerations that can be used by Northern scholars to critically reflect on their own role within Global Health.
Unraveling the patterns and pathways of local recurrence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma: evidence for individualized clinical target volume delineation
Authors: Ou Xiaomin , Yan Wenbin , Huang Yangle , He Xiayun , Ying Hongmei , Lu Xueguan , Zhu Hui , Wu Bin , Wang Jiazhou , Hu Chaosu
Published: March 2023

Backgrounds

Despite publication of international guidelines, there are notable controversial points of clinical target volume (CTV) delineation in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Recently, scholars proposed a novel way of delineation of CTV in NPC—individualization of CTV delineation based on T classification and spread patterns, which yielded excellent long-term local control with limited late toxicities. The aim of this study was to clarify the anatomic patterns and pathways of local recurrence of NPC and provide a clinical reference for the delineation of CTV.

Methods

A total of 869 patients with non-metastatic NPC were treated with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) at our institution between 2009 and 2010. Among the 57 cases of local/locoregional recurrence, 52 cases with traceable radiotherapy plans and magnetic resonance imaging at the time of the first diagnosis of recurrence were included. Anatomical structures and gross tumor volume of local recurrence were contoured. The incidence of relapse of each anatomic structure, route of local recurrence, and their correlation were analyzed.

Results

Locally advanced disease had a significantly increased risk of recurrence in the posterior nasal cavity and a trend towards higher risk of recurrence in the clivus, lateral pterygoid muscle, and hypoglossal canal. Based on the incidence of local recurrence, we constructed a high-risk map for the early and locally advanced stages. Local recurrences were classified into five routes, where anterior extension accounted for the majority (30.8%), and caudal tumor extension pathway had the lowest incidence (5.8%). There was a significant correlation between the local recurrences of neural foramina and neighboring anatomical structures along each pathway. All cases relapsed at unilateral cavernous sinus, most at the same side of primary tumor. Based on our findings, we proposed some suggestions on delineations of CTV, based on T classification and local extension pattern.

Conclusions

Local recurrence of NPC varied according to T classification, followed a stepwise pattern, spread via neural foramina, and recurred at ipsilateral cavernous sinus. This provides meaningful clinical evidence for delineation of CTV, especially individualized delineation.
Chromatin remodeler Activity-Dependent Neuroprotective Protein (ADNP) contributes to syndromic autism
Authors: D’Incal Claudio Peter , Van Rossem Kirsten Esther , De Man Kevin , Konings Anthony , Van Dijck Anke , Rizzuti Ludovico , Vitriolo Alessandro , Testa Giuseppe , Gozes Illana , Vanden Berghe Wim , Kooy R. Frank
Published: March 2023

Background

Individuals affected with autism often suffer additional co-morbidities such as intellectual disability. The genes contributing to autism cluster on a relatively limited number of cellular pathways, including chromatin remodeling. However, limited information is available on how mutations in single genes can result in such pleiotropic clinical features in affected individuals. In this review, we summarize available information on one of the most frequently mutated genes in syndromic autism the Activity-Dependent Neuroprotective Protein (ADNP).

Results

Heterozygous and predicted loss-of-function ADNP mutations in individuals inevitably result in the clinical presentation with the Helsmoortel–Van der Aa syndrome, a frequent form of syndromic autism. ADNP, a zinc finger DNA-binding protein has a role in chromatin remodeling: The protein is associated with the pericentromeric protein HP1, the SWI/SNF core complex protein BRG1, and other members of this chromatin remodeling complex and, in murine stem cells, with the chromodomain helicase CHD4 in a ChAHP complex. ADNP has recently been shown to possess R-loop processing activity. In addition, many additional functions, for instance, in association with cytoskeletal proteins have been linked to ADNP.

Conclusions

We here present an integrated evaluation of all current aspects of gene function and evaluate how abnormalities in chromatin remodeling might relate to the pleiotropic clinical presentation in individual“s” with Helsmoortel–Van der Aa syndrome.
Sex-based analysis of treatment responses in animal models of sepsis: a preclinical systematic review protocol
Authors: Zhang MengQi , Fergusson Dean A. , Sharma Rahul , Khoo Ciel , Mendelson Asher A. , McDonald Braedon , Macala Kimberly F. , Sharma Neha , Gill Sean E. , Fiest Kirsten M. , Lehmann Christian , Shorr Risa , Jahandideh Forough , Bourque Stephane L. , Liaw Patricia C. , Fox-Robichaud Alison , Lalu Manoj M. ,   on behalf of the Canadian Critical Care Translational Biology Group, the Sepsis Canada National Preclinical Sepsis Platform, Avey Marc T. , Charbonney Emmanuel , Kristof Arnold , Vazquez-Grande Gloria , Veldhuizen Ruud , Winston Brent , Qureshi Salman , Zhou Juan
Published: March 2023

Background

The importance of investigating sex- and gender-dependent differences has been recently emphasized by major funding agencies. Notably, the influence of biological sex on clinical outcomes in sepsis is unclear, and observational studies suffer from the effect of confounding factors. The controlled experimental environment afforded by preclinical studies allows for clarification and mechanistic evaluation of sex-dependent differences. We propose a systematic review to assess the impact of biological sex on baseline responses to disease induction as well as treatment responses in animal models of sepsis. Given the lack of guidance surrounding sex-based analyses in preclinical systematic reviews, careful consideration of various factors is needed to understand how best to conduct analyses and communicate findings.

Methods

MEDLINE and Embase will be searched (2011-present) to identify preclinical studies of sepsis in which any intervention was administered and sex-stratified data reported. The primary outcome will be mortality. Secondary outcomes will include organ dysfunction, bacterial load, and IL-6 levels. Study selection will be conducted independently and in duplicate by two reviewers. Data extraction will be conducted by one reviewer and audited by a second independent reviewer. Data extracted from included studies will be pooled, and meta-analysis will be conducted using random effects modeling. Primary analyses will be stratified by animal age and will assess the impact of sex at the following time points: pre-intervention, in response to treatment, and post-intervention. Risk of bias will be assessed using the SYRCLE’s risk-of-bias tool. Illustrative examples of potential methods to analyze sex-based differences are provided in this protocol.

Discussion

Our systematic review will summarize the current state of knowledge on sex-dependent differences in sepsis. This will identify current knowledge gaps that future studies can address. Finally, this review will provide a framework for sex-based analysis in future preclinical systematic reviews.

Systematic review registration

PROSPERO CRD42022367726.
Clinicopathologic characteristics and long-term prognosis of intraductal papillary neoplasm of the bile duct: a retrospective study
Authors: Wu Xin , Li Binglu , Zheng Chaoji
Published: March 2023

Background

Intraductal papillary neoplasm of the bile duct (IPNB) is a premalignant neoplasm that can involve both the intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts. Owing to the low incidence and confusing nomenclature, its clinicopathological features remain controversial. Additionally, only a few studies have reported on the long-term prognosis of IPNB to date. Therefore, the present study aimed to clarify the clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of IPNB.

Methods

Medical records of patients with IPNB treated at our hospital between August 2000 and October 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. A database of demographic characteristics, test results, surgical details, pathological findings, and follow-up information was constructed for analysis. Patients were divided into intrahepatic and extrahepatic groups, and dysplasia and invasive carcinoma groups for comparison. Differences between study groups were analyzed using the χ2 test, Fisher’s exact test, t-test, or Mann–Whitney U test, as appropriate. Cumulative survival rates were estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method.

Results

In total, 43 patients (21 men and 22 women) with IPNB were included in the study. The median age at diagnosis was 62 (54–69) years. Thirty-eight patients underwent surgery. The mean operation time was (269.5 ± 94.9) min. Five patients underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography for biopsy. Twenty-one and 22 patients had intrahepatic and extrahepatic lesions, respectively. The extrahepatic group had more patients with intraluminal masses (p = 0.021) and abnormal bilirubin levels (p = 0.001), but fewer patients with hepatolithiasis (p = 0.021). The operation time was longer in patients with extrahepatic lesions (p = 0.002). Twenty patients had dysplasia and 23 had invasive carcinoma. The invasive carcinoma group had a longer operation time than the dysplasia group (p = 0.004). As of March 2022, 39 patients were followed up, with a mean follow-up time of (56.2 ± 38.2) months. Fifteen patients survived without tumors, two survived with tumors, and 22 patients died. The 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year cumulative overall survival rates were 86.9%, 65.8%, 49.8%, and 32.0%, respectively.

Conclusions

IPNB is a rare bile duct disease that occurs mainly in patients with advanced age. Surgery is the primary treatment strategy. Intrahepatic and extrahepatic lesions, as well as dysplasia and invasive carcinoma have their own unique characteristics. The long-term prognosis of IPNB is generally poor.
Transformation through (re-)politicisation of socio-technical futures: how cultural semiotics can improve transformative vision assessment
Authors: Dobroć Paulina , Lösch Andreas
Published: March 2023

The politicisation of the future is gaining attention, especially in research on the impact of emerging technologies on modern societies. This observation has motivated technology assessment (TA) and related research in science and technology studies (STS) to involve transformative practices in their examination of existing socio-technical futures in order to adapt them to societal needs. To this end, participation processes are initiated that aim to bring together different stakeholders, from research and development and beyond, to debate existing visions of the future and to confront the different stakeholders with their own ideas and the consequences thereof. Currently, however, especially in the context of responsible research and innovation (RRI), voices are also calling for reflection on the process of participation itself. We reflect on the process of framing discussions in society based on technical visions of the future from a cultural studies perspective.

Building on cultural semiotic analysis and our definition of visions of the future as cultural techniques, this paper discusses the consequences of the orientation along the future in transformative research. Cultural semiotics provides a kind of meta-reflection on the role of research in TA and STS on the politicisation of the future. We fall back on the definition of visions of the future as cultural techniques to show that visions of the future not only originate in modern culture, but also contribute to its further development.

Using the example of the transformative vision assessment project on 3D printing futures conducted within the research cluster “3D Matter Made to Order (3DMM2O)”, and based on the cultural semiotic approach, we reflect on the prerequisites and limitations of the politicisation of the future and the intervention of transformative vision assessment in politicisation processes. The limitation stems from the fact that vision assessment, and more generally TA, is oriented in its intervention towards visions of the future and thus itself contributes to the further politicisation of the future. To elaborate the preconditions of the dynamic and culture-changing effects of visions of the future, we turn to the concept of cultural mechanism to grasp different steps of the politicisation processes in which vision assessment practices are involved. The role of vision assessment in the politicisation process is unavoidable; however, it can be mitigated by meta-reflection on its own orientation to the future.
The role of social networks for combating COVID-19 pandemic: a study with reference to the Chinese new immigrants in Germany
Authors: Zhu Qian , Lu Ming , Qin Yanjia
Published: March 2023

Social network theories are used extensively to analyze the international migration of Chinese to overseas regions in the era of Market Economy Reform since 1978. Attention is paid especially on the role of social networks among overseas Chinese on disaster relief in China. Focusing on the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, this paper investigates how social networks work as a crucial mechanism through which Chinese immigrants in Germany initiated and delivered monetary and material donations to China in early 2020 and then organized self-help in their everyday lives in Germany in late 2020. Different from previous studies, this paper scrutinizes social networks for disaster relief on the macro, meso, and micro levels. Multi-site ethnographic fieldwork in China and Germany combined with online and offline data collected from focus group sessions, interviews with individuals, participant observations, surveys, analysis of news reports on the pandemic, and analysis on relevant policies are utilized comprehensively to collect data on the three levels. This research discovers that internet tools – represented by WeChat – have integrated tightly into the traditional social networks of Chinese immigrants and consolidated the cultural cohesion from overseas Chinese to their connections in China. This paper aims at contributing to present studies on Chinese new immigrants, social network, and disaster management theories with an updated ethnographic case on the COVID-19 pandemic from Germany.
The health impact of long COVID: a cross-sectional examination of health-related quality of life, disability, and health status among individuals with self-reported post-acute sequelae of SARS CoV-2 infection at various points of recovery
Authors: Tak Casey R.
Published: March 2023

Objective

The novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) has continued to present a significant burden to global public health efforts. The purpose of this study was to estimate the health-related quality of life, disability, and health status of individuals with self-reported long COVID at various lengths of recovery.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional online survey of individuals with self-reported long COVID. Participants were asked to complete the five-item EuroQOL EQ-5D-5L and EQ visual analog scale, the 12-item World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS) 2.0 and the 10-item Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Global Health v1.2 short form. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to characterize the responses and differences across groups.

Results

Eighty-two participants from 13 countries completed the EQ-5D-5L, 73 completed the WHODAS 2.0 and 80 participants completed the PROMIS. The mean EQ-5D-5L utility score was 0.51. The mean WHODAS score was 49.0. In the previous 30 days, participants reported their symptoms affected them for a mean of 24 days, they were totally unable to carry out usual activities for 15 days, and they cut back or reduced activities for 26 days. The mean PROMIS physical health and mental health scores were 10.7 and 8.6, respectively, corresponding to below-average health. No significant differences were detected across time or according to severity of acute infection.

Conclusions

Long COVID presents a significant chronic health burden to adults in the US and abroad. This health burden may persist for many months post-acute infection.
Metastases to breast from primary lung cancer
Authors: Fares Nevien Ragae
Published: March 2023

Background

Metastatic involvement of the breast is relatively rare and has an incidence of 0.5–3%. Lesions that metastasize to the breast may produce changes that look similar to those of primary breast cancer on mammography, but they are more likely to be multiple and are frequently bilateral.

Case presentation

A 38-year-old female complaining of progressive proptosis with bilateral palpable breast lumps. She was referred to the breast imaging unit to evaluate the nature of those breast lesions, diagnostic mammography, and complementary ultrasound was done that revealed multiple variable-sized well-defined masses scattered all over their parenchyma. True cut biopsy was taken from one of them that show metastatic carcinoma of non-mammary origin. Immunophenotyping revealed neuroendocrine carcinoma of lung origin. A metastatic workup was done that revealed horrible metastatic deposits in multiple organs and the primary was found in the lung.

Conclusions

Metastasis to the breast from extra-mammary carcinomas is extremely rare. The most common types are malignant melanoma, secondary lymphomas, and tumors of neuroendocrine origin like Small cell carcinoma. Histopathology and sometimes immunophenotyping can provide the diagnosis.
Annihilation of singlet fermionic dark matter into two photons via pseudo-scalar mediator
Authors: Ettefaghi M. M. , Moazzemi R. , Yazdani Najafabadi M.
Published: March 2023

We consider the indirect detection of dark matter within an extension of the standard model (SM) including a singlet fermion as cold dark matter (CDM) and a singlet pseudo-scalar as a mediator between dark matter and the SM particles. The annihilation cross-section of the CDM into two monochromatic photons is calculated and compared with the latest H.E.S.S. data. Although for dark matter masses below 1 TeV the predicted observable cross-sections are far from the sensitivity of the recent gamma-ray experiments, it can be comparable to the strongest H.E.S.S. upper bounds for some models with more massive CDM.
Selective Activation of NAc D1R-VP/LH Circuits Promotes Reanimation From Sevoflurane Anesthesia in Mice
Authors: Bao Weiwei , Ding Jiahui , Jiang Shan , Yao Zhen , Qu Weimin , Li Wenxian , Huang Zhili , Han Yuan
Published: March 2023

BACKGROUND:

Emerging evidence has uncovered a vital role of nucleus accumbens (NAc) neurons that express the dopamine D1 receptor (D1R) and its upstream neural circuit in general anesthesia (GA) regulation. However, the underlying downstream neural basis of the modulation of GA emergence by NAcD1R neurons remains unknown. In the present study, we explored the downstream neural mechanism of NAcD1R neurons in the modulation of emergence from sevoflurane GA.

METHODS:

We traced the axonal projections of NAcD1R neurons using a cell type-specific anterograde tracing method and immunohistochemical techniques in D1R-Cre mice. Optogenetic stimulations combined with electroencephalogram/electromyogram recordings and behavioral tests were used to determine the effects of optogenetic activation of the axonal terminals of NAcD1R neurons on sevoflurane emergence during sevoflurane-induced continuous, steady-state general anesthesia (CSSGA) or burst-suppression oscillations.

RESULTS:

Labeled efferent fibers of NAcD1R neurons were highly distributed in the ventral pallidum (VP), lateral hypothalamus (LH), and substantia nigra pars compacta. Optogenetic activation of the NAcD1R–VP circuit during CSSGA with sevoflurane induced cortical activation (mean ± standard deviation [SD]; delta power: prestimulation versus during stimulation, 48.7% ± 5.7% vs 35.1% ± 3.3%, P < .0001; beta power: 7.1% ± 2.7% vs 14.2% ± 3.3%, P = .0264) and behavioral emergence, and restored the righting reflex in 66.7% of ChR2 mice. Optogenetic stimulation of the NAcD1R–LH circuit also produced cortical activation (delta power: prestimulation versus during stimulation, 45.0% ± 6.5% vs 36.1% ± 4.6%, P = .0016) and behavioral emergence, and restored the righting reflex in 100% of the ChR2 mice during CSSGA with sevoflurane. Under a sevoflurane-induced burst-suppression state, NAcD1R–VP/LH circuit activation produced evidence of cortical activation (burst-suppression ratio [BSR]: NAcD1R–VP circuit, prestimulation versus during stimulation, 42.4% ± 4.0% vs 26.3% ± 6.0%, P = .0120; prestimulation versus poststimulation, 42.4% ± 4.0% vs 5.9% ± 5.6%, P = .0002; BSR: NAcD1R–LH circuit, prestimulation versus during stimulation, 33.3% ± 13.4% vs 5.1% ± 4.9%, P = .0177; prestimulation vs poststimulation, 33.3% ± 13.4% vs 3.2% ± 4.0%, P = .0105) and behavioral emergence.

CONCLUSIONS:

Both NAcD1R–VP and NAcD1R–LH circuits are sufficient to promote reanimation from sevoflurane GA by simultaneously inducing cortical and behavioral emergence.
Ο Διαφωτισμός στην Πατριαρχική Σχολή της Ξηροκρήνης
Authors: Νικολαϊδης Νικόλαος
Published: March 2023

Η Πατριαρχική Σχολή της Ξηροκρήνης (1804-1825) ήταν ένα φιλόδοξο εκπαιδευτικό εγχείρημα που επιχείρησε η Μεγάλη Εκκλησία κατά την πρώτη πατριαρχία του Καλλινίκου Ε΄ (1801-1806). Η διατριβή αυτή αποτελεί απόπειρα περαιτέρω διερεύνησης της ήδη καλά τεκμηριωμένης ιστορίας του εκπαιδευτηρίου και εμβάθυνσης σε ορισμένες ανεπαρκώς γνωστές πτυχές του. Αναλύονται λοιπόν όλες οι ανανεωτικές προσπάθειες που σημάδεψαν τη λειτουργία της σχολής, όπως οι νέες διδακτικές μέθοδοι, το πρόγραμμα σπουδών, ο εμπλουτισμός της βιβλιοθήκης και η απόπειρα σύνταξης του αρχαιοελληνικού λεξικού της «Κιβωτού». Για να γίνει αντιληπτό το πνεύμα που επικρατούσε στη σχολή επιχειρείται η σκιαγραφία της πνευματικής φυσιογνωμίας των λογίων που την ποδηγέτησαν ως σχολάρχες μέσω της ανάλυσης της εκπαιδευτικής και επαγγελματικής τους πορείας, του επιστημονικού και μεθοδολογικού στοχασμού που απαντά στις εργασίες τους, όπως επίσης και της εν γένει ιδεολογικής τους στάσης. Ωστόσο, η έρευνα δεν περιορίζεται μόνο στα ιδεολογικά συμφραζόμενα αλλά επεκτείνεται για να συμπεριλάβει τους πολλαπλούς πολιτικούς, κοινωνικούς και πολιτισμικούς παράγοντες όπως αυτοί διαμορφώθηκαν εντός του ιστορικού πλαισίου της οθωμανικής κυριαρχίας και οι οποίοι καθόρισαν την έκβαση του εγχειρήματος.
Smart micro- and nano-composites
Authors: Φωτεινίδης Γεώργιος
Published: March 2023

Τα προηγμένα σύνθετα υλικά κατέχουν ηγετική θέση στην αεροναυπηγική βιομηχανία βρίσκοντας εφαρμογή σε ένα πλήθος δομικών στοιχείων των αεροσκαφών. Παρά τις εξαιρετικές τους ιδιότητες, ένα σημαντικό μειονέκτημα των σύνθετων υλικών είναι ότι είναι ευαίσθητα σε ζημιές λόγω κρούσης, π.χ. ζημιές από χαλάζι. Η παρακολούθηση της δομικής υγείας είναι ζωτικής σημασίας καθώς παρέχει πληροφορίες σχετικά με την δομική ακεραιότητα ενός υλικού/κατασκευής. Μια προσέγγιση για την εφαρμογή της παρακολούθησης της υγείας είναι η χρήση αισθητήρων προσαρτημένων ή ενσωματωμένων μέσα στη δομή. Μια άλλη προσέγγιση είναι η κατασκευή σύνθετων υλικών η οποία διαθέτει την ικανότητα της αυτο-ανίχνευσης βλάβης. Η αυτο-ανίχνευση ορίζεται ως η ικανότητα του υλικού να παρέχει πληροφορίες σχετικά με τη δομική του ακεραιότητα αποφεύγοντας τη χρήση αισθητήρων χρησιμοποιώντας κάποιες από τις φυσικές του ιδιότητες. Η αυτο-ανίχνευση παρουσιάζει σημαντικά πλεονεκτήματα σε σύγκριση με την ενσωμάτωση μη δομικών στοιχείων, όπως ενός αισθητήρα, μέσα στη δομή του σύνθετου υλικού. Δεδομένου ότι το αισθητήριο στοιχείο είναι αναπόσπαστο μέρος της δομής του, η δομική υποβάθμιση ελαχιστοποιείται.Η παρούσα διατριβή έχει ως στόχο τη μετατροπή ενός συμβατικού σύνθετου υλικού σε μια πολυ-λειτουργική δομή ικανή να παρέχει πληροφορίες για τη δομική του ακεραιότητα. Μια διάταξη από αγώγιμα υλικά, τα οποία χρησιμοποιούνται ευρέως στη βιομηχανία των σύνθετων υλικών, ενσωματώθηκε μέσα σε ένα σύνθετο υλικό με ίνες γυαλιού και σε συνδυασμό με την χρήση μιας νανο-τροποποιημένης εποξικής μήτρας, έδωσε στο σύνθετο δυνατότητες τοπογραφίας βλάβης, χρησιμοποιώντας την τεχνική της διηλεκτρικής φασματοσκοπίας. Μια περαιτέρω ανάπτυξη της ικανότητας που αναφέρθηκε παραπάνω ήταν ο συνδυασμός της με την τεχνολογία της αυτο-ίασης. Μεταξύ των δυνατοτήτων του σύνθετου υλικού που αναπτύχθηκε ήταν η εκτίμηση και ο εντοπισμός βλάβης, η αξιολόγηση της επούλωσης που προέκυψε με τη χρήση μικροκαψουλών ουρίας-φορμαλδεΰδης και τέλος, η αποκατάσταση των αρχικών ιδιοτήτων της δομής οι οποίες μπορούν να επεκτείνουν τη διάρκεια ζωής της αυτο-ανίχνευσης.
Wetting phenomena and foam drainage on complex substrates
Authors: Κουρσάρη Νεκταρία
Published: March 2023

Διερευνάται η αλληλεπίδραση αφρού και σταγονιδίων με πολλαπλά υποστρώματα. Η έρευνα αυτή χωρίζεται σεοι ακόλουθες περιοχές 1. Ισορροπία σταγονιδίων σε παραμορφώσιμα υποστρώματα: Συνθήκες ισορροπίας 2. Υστέρηση γωνίας επαφής άμιστων σταγονιδίων σε παραμορφώσιμα υποστρώματα: Επίδραση της πίεσης διάσπασης 3.Αποστράγγιση αφρού σε λεπτό πορώδες στρώμα 4.Ξήρανση αφρού υπό συνθήκες μικροβαρύτητας και 5. Μοντελοποίησηαποστράγγιση αφρού γαλακτώματος.