bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quality assessment of global health care system in the shadow of COVID-19: - a systematic review
Authors: Kaur Karuna Nidhi , Niazi Farah , Thakur Ruchi , Saeed Shazina , Rana Shweta , Singh Harpreet
Published: May 2023

Introduction

The healthcare system is critical to the country’s overall growth, which involves the healthy development of individuals, families, and society everywhere. This systematic review focuses on providing an overall assessment of the quality of healthcare delivery during COVID-19.

Methodology

The literature search was conducted from March 2020 till April 2023 utilising the databases “PubMed,“ “Google Scholar,“ and “Embase.“ A total of nine articles were included. Descriptive statistics was performed using Microsoft Excel. PROSPERO registration ID- CRD42022356285.

Results

According to the geographic location of the studies included, four studies were conducted in Asia [Malaysia(n = 1); India (Madhya Pradesh) (n = 1); Saudi Arabia(n = 1); Indonesia (Surabaya) (n = 1)], three in Europe [U.K. (n = 1); Poland (n = 1); Albania (n = 1)] and two in Africa [Ethiopia(n = 1); Tunisia (n = 1)]. Overall patient satisfaction was found highest among studies conducted in Saudi Arabia (98.1%) followed by India (Madhya Pradesh) (90.6%) and the U.K. (90%).

Conclusion

This review concluded five different aspects of patients satisfaction level i.e. reliability, responsiveness, assurance, empathy, and tangibility. It was found that the empathy aspect had the greatest value of the five factors, i.e., 3.52 followed by Assurance with a value of 3.51.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on enrollment in undergraduate health-related studies in Spain
Authors: March-Amengual Jaume-Miquel , Cambra-Badii Irene , Pineda Galán Consolación , Busquets-Alibés Ester , Masó Aguado Montse , Ramon-Aribau Anna , Feito Grande Lydia , Comella Cayuela Agustí , Terribas i Sala Nuria , Andrade-Gómez Elena , Martínez-Perez Naiara , Jerez-Roig Javier
Published: May 2023

The aim of this study was to determine whether the pandemic has reinforced the choice of pursuing health-related bachelor’s degrees, and to identify underlying factors that could contribute to that impact. This is a cross-sectional study using an online survey of 2,344 students of nursing, physiotherapy, medicine, psychology and podiatry who started health-related bachelor’s degrees after the COVID-19 outbreak in Spanish higher education institutions. The pandemic influenced the choice of these studies by increasing the desire to help others (33.2%), by increasing citizenship values (28.4%), and by increasing the desire to contribute to improving the situation of the country (27.5%). Women had a significantly greater influence on the increase in social values related to the practice of the profession produced by the pandemic, whereas men and the bachelor’s degree in podiatry were more influenced by salary prospects. An increased desire to help others was significantly higher among women and nursing and medical students. Podiatry and psychology were the degrees were most influenced by the pandemic, as more students decided to pursue them, something they had previously doubted, while in nursing, psychology, and medicine the pandemic reinforced their interest in pursuing the degree the most. Students personally affected by COVID-19 reported being more influenced in reconsidering their professional path and in reinforcing their desire to pursue the health-related studies.
Pharmacopeial quality of artemether–lumefantrine anti-malarial agents in Uganda
Authors: Ocan Moses , Nakalembe Loyce , Otike Caroline , Omali Denis , Buzibye Allan , Nsobya Sam
Published: May 2023

Background

Substandard anti-malarial agents pose a significant challenge to effective malaria control and elimination efforts especially in sub-Saharan Africa. The quality of anti-malarials in most low-and-middle income countries (LMICs) is affected by several factors including inadequate regulation and limited resources. In this study, the pharmacopeial quality of artemether–lumefantrine (AL) in low and high malaria transmission settings in Uganda was assessed.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study conducted among randomly selected private drug outlets. The AL anti-malarials available in drug outlets were purchased using overt method. The samples were screened for quality using visual inspection, weight uniformity, content assay and dissolution tests. The assay test was done using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS). The samples were considered substandard if the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) content was outside 90–110% range of the label claim. Dissolution test was conducted following United States Pharmacopoeia (USP) method. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and presented as means with standard deviations, frequencies, and proportions. Correlation between medicine quality and independent variables was determined using Fisher’s exact test of independence at 95% level of significance.

Results

A total of 74 AL anti-malarial samples were purchased from high (49/74; 66.2%) and low (25/74; 33.8%) malaria transmission settings. The most common batch of AL was LONART, 32.4% (24/74), with 33.8% (25/74) being ‘Green leaf’. Overall prevalence of substandard quality artemether–lumefantrine was 18.9% (14/74; 95% CI: 11.4–29.7). Substandard quality AL was significantly associated with setting (p = 0.002). A total of 10 samples (13.5%) failed artemether content assay test while, 4 samples (5.4%, 4/74) failed the lumefantrine assay test. One sample from a high malaria transmission setting failed both artemether and lumefantrine assay content test. Of the samples that failed artemether assay test, 90% had low (< 90%) artemether content. All the samples passed visual inspection and dissolution tests.

Conclusion

Artemether–lumefantrine agents, the recommended first-line treatment for uncomplicated malaria with APIs outside the recommended pharmacopeial content assay limit is common especially in high malaria transmission settings. There is need for continuous surveillance and monitoring of the quality of artemisinin-based anti-malarials across the country by the drug regulatory agency.
Evolution and biogeography of apple stem grooving virus
Authors: Shokri Shohreh , Shujaei Kamal , Gibbs Adrian J. , Hajizadeh Mohammad
Published: May 2023

Background

Apple stem grooving virus (ASGV) has a wide host range, notably including apples, pears, prunes and citrus. It is found worldwide.

Method

In this study, two near complete genomes, and seven coat protein (CP) sequences of Iranian isolates from apple were determined. Sequences added from GenBank provided alignments of 120 genomic sequences (54 of which were recombinant), and 276 coat protein genes (none of them recombinant).

Result

The non-recombinant genomes gave a well supported phylogeny with isolates from diverse hosts in China forming the base of the phylogeny, and a monophyletic clade of at least seven clusters of isolates from around the world with no host or provenace groupings among them, and all but one including isolates from China. The six regions of the ASGV genome (five in one frame, one − 2 overlapping) gave significantly correlated phylogenies, but individually had less statistical support. The largest cluster of isolates contained those from Iran and had isolates with worldwide provenances, and came from a wide range of mono- and dicotyledonous hosts. Population genetic comparisons of the six regions of the ASGV genome showed that four were under strong negative selection, but two of unknown function were under positive selection.

Conclusion

ASGV most likely originated and spread in East Asia in one or more of various plant species, but not in Eurasia; the ASGV population of China had the greatest overall nucleotide diversity and largest number of segregating sites.
High-risk human papillomavirus genotype distribution among women living with HIV; implication for cervical cancer prevention in a resource limited setting
Authors: Akakpo Patrick Kafui , Ken-Amoah Sebastian , Enyan Nancy Innocentia Ebu , Agyare Elizabeth , Salia Emmanuel , Baidoo Ibrahim , Derkyi-Kwarteng Leonard , Asare Matthew , Adjei George , Addo Stephen Ayisi , Obiri-Yeboah Dorcas
Published: May 2023

Background

For women living with HIV (WLHIV), the burden of persistent HPV infection, cervical pre-cancerous lesions and cancer have been demonstrated to be higher than among HIV-negative women. As Ghana and other lower-middle-income countries (LMIC) work toward developing national cervical cancer programmes, it is essential that local scientific evidence be provided to guide policy decisions, especially for such special populations. The objective of this study was to determine the distribution of high-risk HPV genotype and related factors among WLHIV and its implication for the prevention of cervical cancer prevention efforts.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital in Ghana. WLHIV, aged 25–65 years, who met the eligibility criteria were recruited through a simple random sampling method. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to gather socio-demographic, behavioural, clinical and other pertinent information. The AmpFire HPV detection system (Atila BioSystem, Mointain View, CA was used to detect 15 high-risk HPV genotypes from self-collected cervico-vaginal samples. The data collected were exported to STATA 16.0 for statistical analysis.

Results

In all, 330 study participants, with mean age of 47.2 years (SD ± 10.7), were involved. Most (69.1%, n = 188/272) had HIV viral loads < 1000 copies/ml and 41.2% (n = 136) had ever heard of cervical screening. The overall hr-HPV prevalence was 42.7% (n = 141, 95% CI 37.4–48.1) and the five commonest hr-HPV types among screen positives were HPV59 (50.4%), HPV18 (30.5%), HPV35 (26.2%), HPV58 (17%) and HPV45 (14.9%). Most infected women (60.3%, n = 85) had multiple hr-HPV infections, with about 57.4% (n = 81) having 2–5 h-HPV types, while 2.8% (n = 4) had more than five hr-HPV types. A total of 37.6% (n = 53) had HPV16 and/or18, while 66.0% (n = 93) had the hr-HPV genotypes covered by the nonavalent vaccine. Women with HIV viral load ≥ 1000copies/ml (AOR = 5.58, 95% CI 2.89–10.78, p < 0.001) had a higher likelihood of being co-infected.

Conclusion

This study found out that the prevalence of hr-HPV still remains high in women with HIV, with a notable occurrence of multiple infections and infection with genotypes 16 and/or18. Additionally, an association was established between hr-HPV and infection HIV viral load.. Therefore, comprehensive HIV care for these women should include awareness of cervical cancer, consideration of vaccination and implementation of screening and follow-up protocols. National programmes in LMIC, such as Ghana, should consider using HPV-based screen-triage-treat approach with partial genotyping.
Therapeutic targeting of P2X4 receptor and mitochondrial metabolism in clear cell renal carcinoma models
Authors: Rupert Christofer , Dell’ Aversana Carmela , Mosca Laura , Montanaro Vittorino , Arcaniolo Davide , De Sio Marco , Bilancio Antonio , Altucci Lucia , Palinski Wulf , Pili Roberto , de Nigris Filomena
Published: May 2023

Background

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the most common subtype of renal cancer. Large-scale metabolomic data have associated metabolic alterations with the pathogenesis and progression of renal carcinoma and have correlated mitochondrial activity with poor survival in a subset of patients. The aim of this study was to determine whether targeting mitochondria-lysosome interaction could be a novel therapeutic approach using patient-derived organoids as avatar for drug response.

Methods

RNAseq data analysis and immunohistochemistry were used to show overexpression of Purinergic receptor 4 (P2XR4) in clear cell carcinomas. Seahorse experiments, immunofluorescence and fluorescence cell sorting were used to demonstrate that P2XR4 regulates mitochondrial activity and the balance of radical oxygen species. Pharmacological inhibitors and genetic silencing promoted lysosomal damage, calcium overload in mitochondria and cell death via both necrosis and apoptosis. Finally, we established patient-derived organoids and murine xenograft models to investigate the antitumor effect of P2XR4 inhibition using imaging drug screening, viability assay and immunohistochemistry.

Results

Our data suggest that oxo-phosphorylation is the main source of tumor-derived ATP in a subset of ccRCC cells expressing P2XR4, which exerts a critical impact on tumor energy metabolism and mitochondrial activity. Prolonged mitochondrial failure induced by pharmacological inhibition or P2XR4 silencing was associated with increased oxygen radical species, changes in mitochondrial permeability (i.e., opening of the transition pore complex, dissipation of membrane potential, and calcium overload). Interestingly, higher mitochondrial activity in patient derived organoids was associated with greater sensitivity to P2XR4 inhibition and tumor reduction in a xenograft model.

Conclusion

Overall, our results suggest that the perturbed balance between lysosomal integrity and mitochondrial activity induced by P2XR4 inhibition may represent a new therapeutic strategy for a subset of patients with renal carcinoma and that individualized organoids may be help to predict drug efficacy.
No significant effect of mortality salience on unconscious ethnic bias among the Japanese
Authors: Otsubo Kai , Yamaguchi Hiroyuki
Published: May 2023

Objective

Terror management theory posits that when mortality is salient, individuals attempt to defend their cultural worldviews. Although numerous studies have confirmed this hypothesis, some recent studies have suggested that East Asians do not engage in worldview defense. We conducted a pre-registered experiment with 895 Japanese adults to investigate whether they exhibited worldview defense at an unconscious level. Participants performed the Implicit Association Test using Japanese and Korean surnames as stimuli after being primed with thoughts about mortality.

Results

The results revealed that mortality salience had no influence on implicit ethnic bias. These findings support the notion that East Asians do not engage in worldview defense, in accord with recent criticism of the validity of terror management theory. We discuss the limitations and implications of our findings.
Pneumocephalus secondary to epidural analgesia: a case report
Authors: Ahmad Maira , Bellamy Shannay , Ott William , Mekhail Rany
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Epidural anesthesia is commonly used for analgesia during labor, and headache is a common complaint following this procedure. Pneumocephalus, on the other hand, is a rare and potentially serious complication of epidural anesthesia, which is most often caused by accidental puncture of the dura with the introduction of air into intrathecal space.

Case presentation

We present the case of a 19-year-old Hispanic female who developed a severe frontal headache and neck pain eight hours following epidural catheter placement to deliver analgesia during labor. Physical examination was within normal limits without any neurological deficits. Computed tomography of the head and neck would later demonstrate small to moderate amounts of pneumocephalus, predominantly within the frontal horn of the lateral ventricles, and a moderate amount of air within the spinal canal. She was treated conservatively with analgesia. Though headache recurred after discharge, repeat imaging showed improvement in the volume of pneumocephalus and conservative management was continued.

Conclusions

Although a rare complication and an uncommon cause of headache following epidural anesthesia, a high index of suspicion must remain for pneumocephalus as it may cause significant morbidity and, in some cases, be potentially life-threatening.
The morphology and metabolic changes of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae during its growth as a biofilm
Authors: Zhang Qiuhong , Peng Lu , Han Weiyao , Chen Hongyu , Tang Hao , Chen Xiabing , Langford Paul R. , Huang Qi , Zhou Rui , Li Lu
Published: May 2023

Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae is an important swine respiratory pathogen. Previous studies have suggested that growth as a biofilm is a natural state of A. pleuropneumoniae infection. To understand the survival features involved in the biofilm state, the growth features, morphology and gene expression profiles of planktonic and biofilm A. pleuropneumoniae were compared. A. pleuropneumoniae in biofilms showed reduced viability but maintained the presence of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) after late log-phase. Under the microscope, bacteria in biofilms formed dense aggregated structures that were connected by abundant EPS, with reduced condensed chromatin. By construction of Δpga and ΔdspB mutants, polymeric β-1,6-linked N-acetylglucosamine and dispersin B were confirmed to be critical for normal biofilm formation. RNA-seq analysis indicated that, compared to their planktonic counterparts, A. pleuropneumoniae in biofilms had an extensively altered transcriptome. Carbohydrate metabolism, energy metabolism and translation were significantly repressed, while fermentation and genes contributing to EPS synthesis and translocation were up-regulated. The regulators Fnr (HlyX) and Fis were found to be up-regulated and their binding motifs were identified in the majority of the differentially expressed genes, suggesting their coordinated global role in regulating biofilm metabolism. By comparing the transcriptome of wild-type biofilm and Δpga, the utilization of oligosaccharides, iron and sulfur and fermentation were found to be important in adhesion and aggregation during biofilm formation. Additionally, when used as inocula, biofilm bacteria showed reduced virulence in mouse, compared with planktonic grown cells. Thus, these results have identified new facets of A. pleuropneumoniae biofilm maintenance and regulation.
The pathophysiology of negative symptoms of schizophrenia: main hypotheses and open challenges
Authors: Galderisi Silvana , Kaiser Stefan
Published: May 2023

Important developments in the conceptualisation and classification of negative symptoms have contributed to refining hypotheses on their pathophysiology. The uptake of recent progress is still only partial and the whole field might make a leap forward once relevant studies fully make use of assessment tools based on current conceptualisations.
Impact of 18F-Labeled Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography Versus Conventional Staging in Patients With Locally Advanced Breast Cancer
Authors: Dayes Ian S. , Metser Ur , Hodgson Nicole , Parpia Sameer , Eisen Andrea F. , George Ralph , Blanchette Phillip , Cil Tulin D. , Arnaout Angel , Chan Adrien , Levine Mark N.
Published: May 2023

PURPOSE

Patients with locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) typically undergo staging tests at presentation. If staging does not detect metastases, treatment consists of curative intent combined modality therapy (neoadjuvant chemotherapy, surgery, and regional radiation). Positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) may detect more asymptomatic distant metastases, but the evidence is based on uncontrolled studies.

METHODS

For inclusion, patients had histological evidence of invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast and TNM stage III or IIb (T3N0, but not T2N1). Consenting patients from six regional cancer centers in Ontario were randomly assigned to 18F-labeled fluorodeoxyglucose PET-CT or conventional staging (bone scan, CT of the chest/abdomen and pelvis). The primary end point was upstaging to stage IV. A key secondary outcome was receiving curative intent combined modality therapy (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02751710 ).

RESULTS

Between December 2016 and April 2022, 184 patients were randomly assigned to whole-body PET-CT and 185 patients to conventional staging. Forty-three (23%) PET-CT patients were upstaged to stage IV compared with 21 (11%) conventional staged patients (absolute difference, 12.3% [95% CI, 3.9 to 19.9]; P = .002). Consequently, treatment was changed in 35 (81.3%) of 43 upstaged PET-CT patients and 20 (95.2%) of the 21 upstaged conventional patients. Subsequently, 149 (81%) patients in the PET-CT group received combined modality treatment versus 165 (89.2%) patients in the conventional staging group (absolute difference, 8.2% [95% CI, 0.1 to 15.4]; P = .03).

CONCLUSION

In patients with LABC, PET-CT detected more distant metastases than conventional staging, and fewer PET-CT patients received combined modality therapy. Our randomized trial demonstrates the utility of the PET-CT staging strategy.
Tumor-Induced Osteomalacia in Patients With Malignancy: A Meta-analysis and Systematic Review of Case Reports
Authors: Bouraima Farouk , Sapin Vincent , Kahouadji Samy , Pickering Marie-Eva , Pereira Bruno , Bouvier Damien , Oris Charlotte
Published: May 2023

Context

Tumor-induced osteomalacia (TIO) due to fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) overexpression is becoming recognized in patients with malignancy. The condition may be underdiagnosed, with a scarce medical literature.

Objective

To perform a meta-analysis of case reports to allow a better understanding of malignant TIO and its clinical implications.

Methods

Full texts were selected according to strict inclusion criteria. All case reports were included where patients had hypophosphatemia, malignant TIO, and FGF23 blood levels. Thirty-two of 275 eligible studies (n = 34 patients) met inclusion criteria. A list of desired data was extracted and graded for methodological quality.

Results

Prostate adenocarcinoma (n = 9) were the most tumors reported. Twenty-five of 34 patients had a metastatic disease and a poor clinical outcome was reported for 15 of 28 patients. The median levels of blood phosphate and C-terminal FGF23 (cFGF23) were 0.40 mmol/L and 788.5 RU/mL, respectively. For most of patients, blood PTH was elevated or within range, and calcitriol levels were inappropriately low or normal. Alkaline phosphatase concentrations were increased for 20 of 22 patients. The cFGF23 values were significantly higher for patients with a poor clinical outcome when compared to other patients (1685 vs 357.5 RU/mL). In case of prostate cancer, cFGF23 levels were significantly lower (429.4 RU/mL) than for other malignancies (1007.5 RU/mL).

Conclusion

We report for the first time a detailed description of the clinical and biological characteristics of malignant TIO. In this context, FGF23 blood measurement would be of value for the diagnostic workup, prognostication, and follow-up of patients.
Zoledronate Increases Bone Mineral Density in Nonambulant Children With Cerebral Palsy: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Granild-Jensen Jakob Bie , Møller-Madsen Bjarne , Rackauskaite Gija , Farholt Stense , Søndergaard Charlotte , Sørensen Tine Høg , Vestergaard Esben Thyssen , Langdahl Bente Lomholt
Published: May 2023

Context

Zoledronate appears to reduce fracture rates in children with cerebral palsy (CP), but no previous randomized, controlled trial has been performed to compare the effect of zoledronate to placebo in children with CP.

Objective

To investigate the effect of zoledronate on bone mineral density (BMD) Z-scores in children with nonambulant CP in a randomized, controlled, double-blind trial.

Methods

Nonambulant children with CP (5 to 16 years of age) were randomized 1:1 to receive 2 doses of zoledronate or placebo at a 6-month interval. BMD Z-score changes at the lumbar spine and the lateral distal femur (LDF) were calculated from dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scans. Monitoring included weight, bone age, pubertal staging, knee-heel length, adverse events, biochemical markers, and questionnaires.

Results

Twenty-four participants were randomized and all completed the study. Fourteen were assigned to zoledronate. The mean lumbar spine BMD Z-score increased 0.8 SD (95% CI: 0.4; 1.2) in the zoledronate group, which was significant when compared to 0.0 SD (95% CI: −0.3; 0.3) in the placebo group. Similarly, the LDF BMD Z-scores increased more in the zoledronate group. Severe acute phase symptoms affected 50% of the patients in the zoledronate group but were reported exclusively after the first dose. Growth parameters were similar in both groups.

Conclusion

Zoledronate for 12 months increased BMD Z-scores significantly without affecting growth, but first-dose side effects were common and considerable. Studies into lower first doses and long-term outcomes are needed.
Prolactin Regulates Testicular Gene Expression and Cell Cycle Processes Predominantly via JAK2/STAT5 Pathway in the Male Rat
Authors: Raut Sanketa , Khambata Kushaan , Goffin Vincent , Balasinor Nafisa
Published: May 2023

Hyperprolactinemia is prevalent in up to 16% of infertile males. Although the prolactin receptor (PRLR) is present on various testicular cells, the physiological role of this receptor in spermatogenesis remains elusive. The aim of this study is to delineate prolactin actions in rat testicular tissue. Serum prolactin, developmental expression of PRLR, signaling pathways associated, and gene transcription regulation in the testes were investigated. Serum prolactin and testicular PRLR expression was found to be significantly increased at pubertal and adult ages as compared to prepubertal. Further, PRLR activated the JAK2/STAT5 pathway, but not the MAPK/ERK and PI3K/AKT pathway in the testicular cells. Gene expression profiling following prolactin treatment in seminiferous tubule culture resulted in a total of 692 differentially expressed genes, of which 405 were upregulated and 287 were downregulated. Enrichment map analysis showed that prolactin target genes are involved in processes such as cell cycle, male reproduction, chromatin remodeling, and cytoskeletal organization. Novel gene targets of prolactin whose role in testes is unexplored were obtained and validated by qPCR. Additionally, 10 genes involved in cell cycle process were also validated; 6 genes (Ccna1, Ccnb1, Ccnb2, Cdc25a, Cdc27, Plk1) were found to be significantly upregulated, whereas 4 genes (Ccar2, Nudc, Tuba1c, Tubb2a) were found to be significantly downregulated in testes after treatment with prolactin. Taken together, the findings from this study suggest a crucial role of prolactin in male reproduction and identified target genes regulated by prolactin in the testes.
Distinct Lipids Profiles and Associations With Clinical Indicators and Gut Microbiota in Children With Prader–Willi Syndrome
Authors: Hou Yaping , Deng Fuli , Guo Jia , Lv Lijuan , Ouyang Haimei , Wang Xingwang , Luo Yasha , Chen Xiuwen , Wang Fanghua
Published: May 2023

Lipid metabolism is closely linked to adiposity. Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS) is a typical genetic disorder causing obesity; however, the distinct lipidomic profiles in PWS children have not been thoroughly investigated. Herein, serum lipidomics analyses were simultaneously explored in PWS, simple obesity (SO), and normal children (Normal). Results indicated that the total concentration of phosphatidylcholine (PC) and lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) in the PWS group were significantly deceased compared with both the SO and the Normal group. In contrast, compared with the Normal group, there was an overall significant increase in triacylglycerol (TAG) levels in both the PWS and the SO groups, with the highest found in SO group. Thirty-nine and 50 differential lipid species were screened among 3 groups: between obesity (PWS and SO) and the Normal group. Correlation analysis revealed distinct profiles in PWS that was different from other 2 groups. Notably, PC (P16:0/18:1), PE (P18:0-20:3), PE (P18:0-20:4)) showed significant negative correlation with body mass index (BMI) only in the PWS group. PE (P16:0-18:2) showed a negative association with BMI and weight in the PWS group, but significant positive correlation in the SO group; no statistically significant association was found in the Normal group. We also found a significant negative correlation between Blautia genus abundance and several significantly changed lipids, including LPC (14:0), LPC (16:0), TAG (C50:2/C51:9), TAG (C52:2/C53:9), TAG (C52:3/C53:10), and TAG (C52:4/C53:11), but no significant correlation in the Normal group and the SO group. Similarly, in the PWS group, the Neisseria genus was significantly negatively associated with acylcarnitine (CAR) (14:1), CAR (18:0), PE (P18:0/20:3), and PE (P18:0/20:4), and extremely positively associated with TAG (C52:2/C53:9); no obvious correlations were observed in the Normal group and the SO group.
On the Psychic Work of Reading
Authors: Amoretti Valerio
Published: May 2023

This essay argues that reading involves a form of unconscious psychic work that has the potential to deeply affect and transform the reader. Recent discussions about the practice of reading shunned psychoanalysis because of its alleged reliance on a suspicious epistemology rooted in the Freudian-Lacanian framework. But object-relations theory offers an alternative paradigm, as Eve Sedgwick knew when she proposed the concept of “reparative reading.” This essay looks to post-Kleinian developments in psychoanalysis, in particular the work of Wilfred Bion and the contemporary Bionians, to describe reading as a creative, quasi-intersubjective process, constituted by the unique match of the psychic demands made by a text and a reader's ability to work with those demands.
Aliar-se a influenciadores ou a celebridades?
Authors: Fasanella Gabriela , Shimabukuro Sandes Fábio , Brito Eliane Pereira Zamith
Published: May 2023

Analisar o fenômeno de influência nas redes sociais, discutindo as diferenças entre as celebridades e os influenciadores digitais, ressaltando os aspectos a serem considerados pelos gestores de marcas que se associam a esses atores digitais.
Towards a dialogical and progressive educational policy framework: Manoeuvring a middle way among the polarised constructs
Authors: David Solomon Arulraj
Published: May 2023

Policy science and practice around the world, including educational policies, are dominated by popular, extreme approaches such as market-orientated approaches at one end and critical argumentative approaches at the other end. This study therefore aims to manoeuvre a middle way to propose a dialogical and progressive educational policy framework and explores the research question: ‘how could a middle way (a dialogical and progressive framework) be manoeuvred among the polarised policy constructs?’ The study embraces Lynham’s five phases of theory building as the basis for this research, which includes conceptual development, operationalisation, confirmation/disconfirmation, application, and continuous refinement. The study explores some of the known existing policy frameworks for conceptual mapping, investigates the underlying dynamics and discourses to operationalise, uses diverse arguments in the literature to confirm/disconfirm and proposes to mark the emerging patterns, trends, and gaps in policy research to apply and refine. The study contends that if it is possible to have a polarised market-oriented and critical argumentative policy frameworks, it is then possible to have a dialogical, progressive middle-way policy framework. The study had to limit to the most important and related theories, and models to focus. Future works could explore a wide range of other relevant theories and models to further investigate this framework. Furthermore, application of the proposed dialogical, progressive educational policy framework in specific context/case may help to refine it. The study contends that the proposed middle way is not a perfect space but a potential space in which a dialogical and progressive educational policy may thrive.
Treatment of insomnia in older adults. Recommendations of the Polish Sleep Research Society, Polish Society of Family Medicine and the Polish Psychiatric Association
Authors: Wichniak Adam , Bieńkowski Przemysław , Dąbrowski Rafał , Mastalerz-Migas Agnieszka , Rymaszewska Joanna
Published: May 2023

Bezsenność jest jednym z najczęstszych problemów zdrowotnych w krajach rozwiniętych. Częstość jej występowania rośnie z wiekiem, w grupie osób po 65 r.ż. objawy bezsenności mogą występować nawet u co drugiej osoby. Osoby starsze należą także do grupy pacjentów, u których najczęściej stosowane są przewlekle leki nasenne. Celem artykułu jest przedstawienie aktualnych zaleceń na temat leczenia bezsenności u osób po 65. roku życia.
Zalecenie zostały przygotowane jako stanowisko zespołu ekspertów, w skład którego weszły osoby z wielu dyscyplin klinicznych: medycyny rodzinnej, kardiologii, psychiatrii, medycyny snu i psychofarmakologii klinicznej.
Pierwszym krokiem w leczeniu zaburzeń snu jest właściwa diagnoza i jeśli to możliwe leczenie przyczynowe. Dodatkowo w bezsenności jako podstawowa forma leczenia powinna być stosowana terapia poznawczo-behawioralna bezsenności, którą w razie niewystarczającej skuteczności można uzupełnić leczeniem farmakologicznym. Podstawową grupą leków stosowaną w leczeniu bezsenności są niebenzodiazepinowe leki nasenne (zolpidem, zopiklon, eszopiklon, zaleplon). Nie spełniają one jednak w pełni potrzeb osób w wieku po 65 r.ż. przede wszystkim w odniesieniu do bezpieczeństwa leczenia. W związku z tym w leczeniu tej grupy pacjentów poza wskazaniami stosowane są także inne grupy leków, wykorzystywane w leczeniu zaburzeń psychicznych. Ze względu na wysokie bezpieczeństwo terapii wskazana w tej grupie wiekowej jest także melatonina w formie o przedłużonym działaniu.
Leczenie bezsenności u osób w wieku po 65 r.ż. jest utrudnione z uwagi na konieczność poszukiwania kompromisu pomiędzy skutecznością a bezpieczeństwem leczenia oraz uwzględniania w planie leczenia schorzeń współwystępujących i stosowanych w ich terapii leków.
Katedra krakowska i archiwum kapitulne na Wawelu (szkice historyczne)
Authors: Urban Jacek
Published: May 2023

The early 11th-century Burgundian monk and author of Historiarum libri quinque, Rodulfus Glaber, wrote: “it befell almost throughout the world, but especially in Italy and Gaul, that the fabrics of churches were rebuilt, although many of these were still seemly and needed no such care; but every nation of Christendom rivaled with the other, which should worship in the seemliest buildings. So it was as though the very world had shaken herself and cast off her old age, and were clothing herself everywhere in a white garment of churches.” This “white garment of churches” refers primarily to bishops’ cathedrals. Some were undergoing alterations, whereas others were newly built. It is to this period that the Wawel Cathedral dates back. Built around the year 1000, reconstructed in the Romanesque style in the 12th century and in the Gothic style in the 14th century, with further stylistic modifications to follow, it is exceptional and extraordinary. According to many it is a church one of its kind, a phenomenon: the coronation and burial church of Polish monarchs; the bishop’s cathedral; the shrine of St Stanislaus and St Jadwiga the Queen; the national pantheon. This extraordinary character of the Wawel Cathedral has been investigated by many authors, including Ludwik Łętowski (1859), Tadeusz Wojciechowski (1900), Michał Rożek (1980) or Bolesław Przybyszewski (2012). Each subsequent study concludes with the statement that the topic has not been exhausted and calls for further research.
Estimation of Technical Efficiency in Tea Farms at Plantation Level: A Review
Authors: Noorain Rashida Tahira , Gogoi Ankur
Published: May 2023

The systematic literature review of 111 abstracts has been conducted to comprehensively compile the empirical studies of 21 complete text papers from all over the globe in context to estimation or determination of the technical efficiency (TE) at plantation level of tea production system (TPS), by adopting two methodologies viz., stochastic frontier analysis (SFA) and data envelopment analysis (DEA) during the period 2012-2022. Investigation from these empirical studies revealed that the average TE (TEmean) of tea growers (TG)s all around the globe computed by using both the approaches is around 67.98%, which showcased that the TGs have ability to increase the green tea leaf (GTL) production by 32.02% through better utilization of available resources and technology. The influence of various factors on TE of these TGs had contradictory outcomes, which broke new ground for future research. Computation of TE will enable an investigator to benchmark the best performing TGs in a particular area, which may be referred to by the inefficient TGs to enhance their performance.
Conversion of Lignocellulosic Wastes into Biofertilizer using Bacterial Consortium
Authors: Gaikwad Asmita , Jadhav Kavita , Nayak Shubhada
Published: May 2023

Lignocellulosic biomass abundantly and ubiquitously occupies the earth. However, their complex molecular structure prevents their use as a source of organic material for fermentable sugars and nutrients to be used as foods, fertilizers and biofuels. For an efficient carbon cycle, microbial enzymes play a key role in slow biodegradation of lignocellulosic wastes in nature. Microbiological applications can enhance the rate of biodegradation to utilize agro-industrial and organic municipal solid wastes, containing up to 50% lignocellulose substrates, as an inexpensive and sustainable source of plant nutrients. With this hypothesis, the current study was carried out to prepare a consortium of lignocellulose degrading bacteria and use it to convert lignocellulosic substrates in garden, sugarcane, rice, cotton and fruit waste into biofertilizer. Overall, 7-14% reduction in cellulose and 3-6% reduction in lignin content, along with decrease in pH was observed on treatment of above wastes with microbial consortium in 42 days. In spite of the low conversion rates observed in our study, better root, shoot as well as leaf development was observed in moong seedlings grown in soil amended with biofertilizer (3:1 ratio) as compared to controls. Another interesting observation was the biofertilizers with low pH prepared from sugarcane wastes (pH 3.1) and fruit wastes (pH 3.6) supported plant growth more efficiently as compared to other biofertilizers (pH 5.0 to 5.7). Thus, in addition to feasible conversion of lignocellulosic wastes into biofertilizer, our study further suggests the use of selective wastes as raw material depending on the preference of plants for slightly acidic to neutral soil pH for growth.
What you need to know about: imaging in patients with renal failure
Authors: Khaw Mun Sze , Yap Chee Woei , Lee Peishan , Ong Shao Jin
Published: May 2023

Contrast-enhanced medical imaging is commonly requested in clinical practice. Contrast media provide better differentiation of tissue enhancement, improves the soft tissue contrast resolution, and enhances the ability to study the physiology and function of the organs and/or systems. However, contrast media may cause complications, especially in patients with renal failure. This article discusses the use of contrast media in common imaging modalities and the relationship between contrast media and renal function. Administration of iodinated contrast media in computed tomography may cause contrast-associated acute kidney injury; the risk factors and preventive strategies for this are elaborated in this article. Administration of gadolinium-based contrast media in magnetic resonance imaging may lead to nephrogenic systemic fibrosis. Therefore, precautions should be taken when planning for medical imaging for patients with pre-existing acute kidney injury or end-stage chronic kidney disease, for whom contrast media administration in computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging may be relatively contraindicated. Alternatively, ultrasound contrast agents can be safely used in patients with acute kidney injury or chronic kidney disease. Clinical teams should discuss these patients with radiologists, taking into account the risk–benefits of contrast media, to determine the optimal imaging protocol or modality to answer the clinical query.
Investigating the optical translucency of Spectralon using BSSRDF measurements
Authors: Gevaux Lou , Saha Dipanjana , Obein Gaël
Published: May 2023

Translucent materials have the property of reflecting light beyond the illumination point due to subsurface light propagation in the material. These reflectance properties can be characterized using the bidirectional scattering-surface reflectance distribution function (BSSRDF), a radiometric quantity that is a function of spatial, angular, spectral, and polarization parameters. At very small scales, we have observed that Spectralon, a commercial material widely used as a diffuse reflectance calibration standard, can be regarded as translucent. This can generate measurement errors and limit Spectralon’s reliability as a calibration artefact for instruments that measure optical quantities on very small surfaces. To characterize the translucent properties of Spectralon, we have measured its BSSRDF using an experimental setup based on a goniospectrophotometer with a spatial scanning system for detection. In the present study, we show that Spectralon cannot be considered an opaque material at small scales (below 1 mm). For instrument measuring on small areas, Spectralon can be used for calibration only when the illumination area and the observation area differ by more than 1 mm in radius.
Defocus flicker of chromatic stimuli deactivates accommodation
Authors: Rodriguez-Lopez Victor , Hernandez-Poyatos Alfonso , Dorronsoro Carlos
Published: May 2023

Tunable lenses, optical elements able to change their optical power within milliseconds, constitute an emerging technology increasingly used in ophthalmic applications. In this study, 25 subjects looked through tunable lenses at a chromatic stimulus to evaluate the perceptual response of the human visual system to periodic changes in defocus of 0.25D of amplitude and 15 Hz of temporal frequency. These defocus changes produce flicker and chromatic distortions that change with the overall level of defocus. The task in this study was to minimize the flicker by varying the average optical power, and it was performed for different myopic and hyperopic starting points. Subjects also performed a blur-minimization task in a black-and-white stimulus of the same geometry. The flicker-minimization task is more repeatable than the blur-minimization task (standard deviations ±0.17D and ±0.49D). The time per repetition of the flicker-minimization task is only 38s. Cycloplegia severely affects the blur-minimization, but not the flicker-minimization task, confirming that defocus flicker deactivates the accommodative system. This discovery can be used to develop new methods for measuring the refractive error of the eye that does not require supervision and can potentially improve existing subjective methods in terms of accuracy, precision, and measurement time.
Extending quantum key distribution through proxy re-encryption
Authors: Lemons Nathan , Gelfand Boris , Lawrence Nigel , Thresher Austin , Tripp Justin L. , Gammel William Pierre , Nadiga Aniruddha , Meier Kristina , Newell Raymond
Published: May 2023

Modern quantum key distribution (QKD) network designs are based on
sending photons from one node to another and require free-space or
dedicated fiber optic cables between nodes. The purpose of this is to
co-generate secret key material on both sides of the quantum channel.
In addition to this quantum link, there are several insecure classical
channels that allow QKD algorithms to exchange book-keeping
information and send symmetrically encrypted data. The attenuation of
photons transmitted through fiber becomes too high to practically
generate key material over fiber at distances of more than
100 km. Free-space transmission through the atmosphere or the
vacuum of space can reduce attenuation, but at the cost of system
complexity and sensitivity to other impairments, such as weather. To
extend the effective range of QKD networks, we present a method that
combines QKD algorithms with post-quantum, homomorphic key-switching
to allow multiple parties to effectively share secret key material
over longer distances through semi-trusted relay nodes. We define how
such a system should work for arbitrary network topologies and provide
proofs that our scheme is both correct and secure. We assess the
feasibility of this solution by building and evaluating two
implementations based on lattice-based cryptography: learning with
errors.
Spatially disaggregated model for self-channel interference in mixed fiber optical network segments
Authors: Virgillito Emanuele , Castoldi Andrea , D’Amico Andrea , Straullu Stefano , Bovio Andrea , Pastorelli Rosanna , Curri Vittorio
Published: May 2023

Coherent transmission technology is widely diffused in backbone optical uncompensated transmission (UT) network segments. In metro and access network segments instead, intensity-modulated direct detected channels at 10 Gbps requiring inline dispersion compensation units (DCUs) are still largely used. While the transition to coherent technology is foreseen in the dispersion managed (DM) network segment, in the meantime, it would be handy to route coherent channels through DM network segments to fully exploit deployed hardware and available spectrum and improve network flexibility. In this scenario, self-channel interference (SCI) exhibits strongly coherent accumulation due to the presence of DCUs, which is not well modeled by traditional analytical models for non-linear interference estimation used for path feasibility assessment. In this paper, we propose a semi-analytical model able to fill this gap. We show that our proposed model is able to provide a quick, conservative estimation of the SCI noise on both UT and DM systems, including optical line system configurations with mixed fiber types.
Versatile flexible SERS substrate for in situ detection of contaminants in water and fruits based on Ag NPs decorated wrinkled PDMS film
Authors: Zhang Houjia , Zhang Zhaoyi , Wang Hongjun , Huang Lili , Yang Zhenshan , Wang Yangzhi , Li Hefu
Published: May 2023

Flexible surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrate has attracted great attention due to its convenient sampling and on-site monitoring capability. However, it is still challenging to fabricate a versatile flexible SERS substrate, which can be used for in situ detection of analytes either in water or on irregular solid surfaces. Here, we report a flexible and transparent SERS substrate based on a wrinkled polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) film obtained by transferring corrugated structures on the aluminium/polystyrene bilayer film, onto which silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) are deposited by thermal evaporation. The as-fabricated SERS substrate exhibits a high enhancement factor (∼1.19×105), good signal uniformity (RSD of 6.27%), and excellent batch-to-batch reproducibility (RSD of 7.3%) for rhodamine 6 G. In addition, the Ag NPs@W-PDMS film can maintain high detection sensitivity even after mechanical deformations of bending or torsion for 100 cycles. More importantly, being flexible, transparent, and light, the Ag NPs@W-PDMS film can both float on the water surface and conformally contact with the curved surface for in situ detection. The malachite green in aqueous environment and on apple peel can be easily detected down to 10−6 M with a portable Raman spectrometer. Therefore, it is expected that such a versatile flexible SERS substrate has great potential in on-site, in situ contaminant monitoring for realistic applications.
Ultra-violet to near-infrared reflectance of epitaxial aluminum films on GaAs and Si substrates
Authors: Wu Yu-Hsun , Lin Sheng-Di
Published: May 2023

Epitaxial aluminum films in nano-scale thickness has been successfully grown on GaAs and Si substrates by using molecular beam epitaxy. The atomic force microscopy images show their smooth surface morphology while the X-ray diffractions reveal their excellent crystal quality. The normal-incident reflection spectra have been measured to investigate their optical properties in ultra-violet to near-infrared regime. Highly reflective aluminum has been demonstrated with a film thickness of only 40 nm. The spectra simulation fits the experimental results very well and the multiple reflections in the semi-transparent films play a key role for verifying the optical constants of aluminum.