bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
İngiliz Seyahatnameleri ve Osmanlı Arşiv Kaynakları Işığında Geç Dönem Osmanlı Anadolu’sunda Konar-Göçer Kadın
Authors: Çiftçi Erdal
Published: March 2024

Konar-göçer kadınlar ile ilgili antropolojik ve sosyolojik çalışmaların varlığı söz konusu olsa da Osmanlı tarihi çalışmalarında aynı derecede zengin bir literatür yoktur. Bu çalışmada tarih yazımında geri planda kalmış olan konar-göçer kadın temsiliyetleri ile ilgili bazı ender bilgiler çerçevesinde literatüre mütevazı fakat önemli bir katkı sunulmuştur. Osmanlı arşivi kaynakları, konar-göçer kadın temsiliyeti ile ilgili araştırmacılara sınırlı bir veri sunabilmesine rağmen, ender de olsa bazı arşiv belgeleri konumuzu aydınlatıcı ve yön gösterici olmuştur. Ayrıca, oryantalist ve modernist önyargılarına rağmen, doğrudan gözlemler olması açısından, önemli kaynaklardan biri olan İngiliz erkek seyyahların Anadolu coğrafyasında sosyal yaşama dair sundukları veriler ışığında da konar-göçer kadın temsiliyetinin çok yönlülüğü ile ilgili bazı veriler paylaşılmıştır. İmparatorluğun son dönemlerine ait bu seyahatnameler ve yine bu döneme ait bazı Osmanlı arşiv kayıtları çerçevesinde konar-göçer topluluklarda kadının aşiret içerisindeki idari ve sosyal statülerinin çeşitliliğine ve çok yönlülüğüne değinilmiştir. Bu verilerin kritiği ve analizi çerçevesinde genellemeden kaçınarak konar-göçer kadınlar ile ilgili yapılacak sonraki çalışmalara katkı sunulması amaçlanmaktadır.
Acknowledging the Intersectionality of Geoscientists With Disabilities to Enhance Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility
Authors: Castro Ian O. , Atchison Christopher L.
Published: March 2024

The geosciences have implemented a variety of efforts designed to strengthen diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) of underrepresented groups. While these efforts have had substantial financial investment, recruitment and retention for underrepresented individuals has yet to reflect this. To improve the resources available for underrepresented scholars, the geoscience community must expand its exploration of identity beyond a singular construct, and instead focus on how identities intersect. In this exploratory study, the framework of intersectionality will be highlighted to better understand the convergence of disability with other underrepresented identities in the geoscience disciplines. Major themes of social inclusion and belonging, power, safety, and opportunity are presented through the lived experiences of geoscientists, along with recommendations on expanding broadening participation efforts for underrepresented individuals in the geosciences.
Estimation of possible locations for green roofs and bioswales and analysis of the effect of their implementation on stormwater runoff control
Authors: Kinoshita Tomohiro , Ozaki Taira
Published: March 2024

Introduction

The objectives of this study are twofold. The first is to identify potential green infrastructure construction sites by building rooftops and sidewalks. The second is to analyze internal flooding for a wide range of drainage areas and to quantitatively evaluate the effectiveness of stormwater runoff control.

Methods

The target area has approximately 600 ha with a runoff coefficient of 0.71. Using Arc GIS Desktop 10.8.1, this study has identified green roofs and bioswales that would be highly beneficial in capturing large amounts of rainfall. In addition, Info Works ICM was used for the inundation analysis, which can simultaneously calculate the flow in sewer pipelines and above-ground inundation flow. Runoff coefficients were calculated for each land use using the urban land use subdivision mesh data with 100 m unit. This study targeted a 10-year probability rainfall (total rainfall: 86.3 mm, maximum hourly rainfall: 52.3 mm/h, duration: 3 h) with a middle concentrated rainfall waveform obtained from past experiments in the d4PDF database of ensemble climate prediction contributing to global warming.

Results

The amount of land availability for green roofs and bioswales was about 1 and 0.1% of the drainage area, respectively. The runoff coefficients for green roofs only, bioswales only, with and without introduction of both green roofs and bioswales were 70.34, 70.87, 70.28, and 70.93%, respectively. The difference in runoff coefficients was about 0.65 percentage points even when both were constructed. As a result of inundation analysis, the reduction was 2.5% for the maximum waterlogged area, 1.5% for the flooded area, and 0.7% for the average depth of waterlogging divided by the maximum waterlogged area. The construction of green roofs and bioswales in the same area or downstream of the area shows little mitigation effect when flooding occurs in an area near the downstream end of the sewer network.

Discussion

Although this study has mainly discussed the stormwater runoff control aspect, the most important feature of green infrastructure is its multifunctionality. In terms of utilizing and promoting green infrastructure, it is important to visualize its multifaceted effects and share them with many stakeholders.
Contribution of edible indigenous woody plants as a coping strategy during drought periods in the southeast lowveld of Zimbabwe: a review
Authors: Chinomona Ruth R. , Kupika Olga L. , Gandiwa Edson , Muboko Never
Published: March 2024

Climatic change related extreme events such as droughts negatively affect local communities in the semi-arid savanna ecosystems. This study mainly records and analyses local knowledge on the use of edible indigenous woody plant species by local communities during drought periods, as a coping strategy, in southeast lowveld of Zimbabwe. Secondary data on utilization of edible indigenous woody plants were gathered from literature sources focusing mainly on the southeast lowveld parts of Zimbabwe and covering the period 2000–2019. Quantitative ethnobotanical data analysis involved computing the frequency of citation (FC), relative frequency of citation (RFC) and family importance value (FIV) to determine the local significance of indigenous woody plant species. A total of 23 species from 12 families were recorded as being used during drought periods with key species including baobab (Adansonia digitata), bird plum (Tamarindus indica), corky-monkey orange (Strychnos cocculoides) and black monkey orange (Strychnos madagascariensis). Major use categories were food, medicine, and livestock feed. The study findings points to the need for embracing indigenous woody plants as a buffer against drought in semi-arid parts of the savanna. Future projects should focus on developing innovative strategies such as value addition and promoting sustainable use and restoration of non-wood forest products as part of livelihood diversification under drought situations.
Retrieval-based concept mapping makes a difference as a retrieval practice activity: a study with high school students
Authors: Lechuga María Teresa , Ortega-Tudela Juana M. , Gómez-Ariza Carlos J.
Published: March 2024

Introduction

While specific sequences of retrieval-based activities have been shown to have a powerful effect on learning, no previous study has examined this issue in children or adolescents. Here, we aimed to determine whether the benefit of concept mapping as an initial retrieval activity observed previously with college students in a lab setting may also be found in younger and less experienced students in a more naturalistic school setting.

Methods

After a short training in concept mapping, participants (N = 60) read an educational text and then engaged in a sequence of two learning activities that required them to retrieve relevant ideas from the text. One of the activities involved free recall by writing down as many ideas as possible and the other involved creating a concept map, both of them in the absence of educational texts. Critically, we manipulated the order in which the activities were performed.

Results

A mediation analysis with success during retrieval practice as the mediator revealed both a direct effect of retrieval sequence and an indirect effect. Creating a concept map first and then freely recalling by writing paragraphs significantly improved performance on a 2-week delayed learning test, as compared to performing the same activities in the inverse order, even when doing concept mapping first led to lower success rates during practice.

Discussion

These results support the idea that concept learning from instructional texts can be modulated by the sequence of retrieval activities performed and point to the educational value of retrieval-based concept mapping as a first learning activity within a series across different learners and educational settings.
Education helps to achieve shared prosperity: evidence from China
Authors: Wang Xingyu , Ruan Jing
Published: March 2024

The realisation of the common wealth of all people has become the theme of the new era, and how to promote the process of realising common wealth in a solid and effective manner has become an important issue that needs to be resolved urgently. Combined with the essential connotation of common wealth, it is believed that education plays an important role in improving the quality of nationals to promote the common wealth in a solid manner. Therefore, this paper focuses on the realisation path of education for common prosperity. In order to explore this issue, this paper has constructed the index of education development level and the coefficient of common wealth, which characterise the independent variable and the dependent variable respectively. At the same time, it empirically analyses the mechanism of education development level on common prosperity by using two-way fixed effect model. It is found that, firstly, from 2012 to 2020, the coefficient of common wealth in China shows an increasing trend, and it is higher in the eastern region than in other regions, and lowest in the western region; secondly, educational inequality hinders common wealth to a certain extent; thirdly, the average years of education of China’s current employed population is low, which may have a negative impact on the common wealth; and fourthly, improving the level of education can significantly contribute to the realisation of common wealth.
The vegetation–topography heterogeneity coupling in the Loess Plateau, China
Authors: Luo Zhihui , Liu Yu , Zhou Hongyi
Published: March 2024

As a result of adaptation to the environment, the great environmental spatial heterogeneity leads to the high spatial heterogeneity of vegetation status. This coupling may be more apparent in water-limited drylands, where topography is the main determinant of small-scale variation in water availability and energy. Metrics describing this coupling may contribute to the detection of the extension of vegetation reshaped by human intervention and other driven forces. In this study, the heterogeneity index of coupling (HIC) was developed to indicate the coupling between spatial heterogeneity of vegetation status (Hv) and the spatial heterogeneity of topography (HT) in the Loess Plateau in northern China. The 16-day composed MODIS normalized vegetation index (NDVI) with a resolution of 250 m and SRTM DEM were employed to quantify the heterogeneity of vegetation status and the topographical heterogeneity. The results show that HIC varies among geomorphic zones, land cover types, and land cover change categories. Among all land cover types, HIC of sandy areas was the largest, followed by the HIC of the forest, shrub, farmland, and grassland. Among geomorphic zones, the highest HIC value appeared in plains with dense residential areas, followed by sandy land that is frequently reshaped by wind, rocky mountainous areas, hilly and gully loess plateaus, and loess tableland. It was revealed that the alternation of vegetation by human activities and natural disturbances shaped greater HIC. Results of this study approved the effectiveness of the HIC in reflecting the coupling of the vegetation status with topography at regional scale.
An urgent call for using real human urine in decentralized sanitation research and advancing protocols for preparing synthetic urine
Authors: Simha Prithvi , Courtney Caitlin , Randall Dyllon Garth
Published: March 2024

Recycling resources excreted in human urine can help achieve a sustainable future and circular economy in the sanitation space. However, many studies researching different technologies for safely recycling urine do not use real human urine for experimentation, relying instead on recipes for making synthetic or artificial solutions that attempt to mimic the composition of real human urine. This methodological choice is the focus of this article, which points out that the real urine matrix is extremely complex, with a metabolome (>2,500 metabolites) that differs greatly from that of synthetic urine (<15 metabolites). Therefore, experimental results obtained using synthetic urine can also differ from those obtained using real urine. To exemplify this, we review published literature in terms of four aspects: i) solubility of chemicals and buffering capacity of urine, ii) dissolved organics and membrane fouling, iii) thermodynamic modelling of chemical speciation in urine, and iv) removal of pollutants from urine. We recognise that there is a place for synthetic urine in sanitation research and provide examples of studies where its use is appropriate. Lastly, based on literature from the medical sciences, we provide preliminary guidelines on protocols for preparing synthetic urine that could improve experimentation involving human urine and accelerate the water sector’s transition to circularity.
Host–symbiont plasticity in the upside-down jellyfish Cassiopea xamachana: strobilation across symbiont genera
Authors: Sharp Victoria , Kerwin Allison H. , Mammone Marta , Avila-Magana Viridiana , Turnham Kira , Ohdera Aki , LaJeunesse Todd , Medina Mónica
Published: March 2024

Introduction

In the upside-down jellyfish, Cassiopea xamachana (Cnidaria: Scyphozoa), the establishment of photosymbiosis with dinoflagellates (family Symbiodiniaceae) is necessary for the sessile polyp to undergo metamorphosis (strobilation) into a free-swimming adult. C. xamachana has the capacity to associate with a wide variety of dinoflagellate species and representatives of divergent genera. While some studies have looked at the successful induction of symbiosis, none to date have examined the lasting effect of diverse symbiont taxa on host survivorship and development, which is needed to assess the fitness costs of such symbioses.

Methods

Our study exposes C. xamachana polyps to 22 different cultured Symbiodinaceae strains representing 13 species from 5 genera. We analyzed the time to strobilation, the number of ephyra (juvenile medusa) produced, and the proportion of ephyra that died prematurely.

Results

Here we show that C. xamachana strobilation can be induced by nearly each symbiodinacean strain we tested, with the exception of free-living species (i.e., unknown to establish symbiosis with any other marine host). Additionally, ephyrae did not display morphological variation or survivorship differences with varying symbionts. However, we observed intraspecific variation in time to induce strobilation with different cultured dinoflagellate strains.

Discussion

This work expands the known symbiont species that can form stable mutualisms with C. xamachana, primarily in the genera Symbiodinium and Breviolum. Additionally, we provide evidence of differences in ability of cultured symbiodiniaceans to establish symbiosis with a host, which suggests population-level differences in dinoflagellate cultures impact their symbiosis success. By utilizing an animal like C. xamachana with flexible symbiont uptake, we are able to explore how symbiont diversity can influence the timing and success of symbiosis-driven development.
Changing natures: a perspective on youth and conservation futures
Authors: Jagadeesh Shruthi N.
Published: March 2024

Conservation has been a largely exclusionary and exploitative process that has its roots in western colonial expansion. This paper offers a perspective on the relationship between the conservation apparatus and young adults who live in and around Protected Areas and have grown up within a conservation regime. Following Feminist Political Ecology's call to better understand the situated and heterogeneous relationships to nature within communities, I bring attention to the lives of Soliga tribal youth in a Tiger Reserve in South India. I challenge mainstream perceptions that youth inevitably want to leave their forest homes, arguing that the difficult choices youth must make today, are informed by decades of life under restrictive laws that alienate communities from the forest over generations. Young people's lives and aspirations are contradictory and nuanced, and their relationships to the forest remain strong and should not be discounted. This research contributes to a significant gap in the literature, and illustrates the need to include the experiences of youth as a central tenet of unfolding dialogues on inclusive and decolonial approaches to conservation.
Type I interferon pathway activation across the antiphospholipid syndrome spectrum: associations with disease subsets and systemic antiphospholipid syndrome presentation
Authors: Cecchi Irene , Radin Massimo , Barinotti Alice , Foddai Silvia Grazietta , Menegatti Elisa , Roccatello Dario , Suárez Ana , Sciascia Savino , Rodríguez-Carrio Javier
Published: March 2024

Introduction

While the type I interferon (IFN-I) pathway is crucial in autoimmunity, its role in antiphospholipid antibody (aPL)-positive subjects, including aPL carriers and antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) patients, is poorly understood. This study aims at characterizing IFN-I pathway activation within the spectrum of aPL-positive subsets.

Methods

A total of 112 patients [29 aPL carriers, 31 primary APS (PAPS), 25 secondary APS (SAPS), 27 systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients without aPL, and 44 healthy controls (HCs)] were recruited. IFI6, IFI44, IFI44L, MX1, IFI27, OAS1, and RSAD2 gene expression was evaluated in whole blood, and a composite index (IFN score) was calculated.

Results

An overall activation of the IFN-I pathway was observed across the entire APS spectrum, with differences among genes based on the specific disease subset. The composite score revealed quantitative differences across subsets, being elevated in aPL carriers and PAPS patients compared to HCs (both p < 0.050) and increasing in SAPS (p < 0.010) and SLE patients (p < 0.001). An unsupervised cluster analysis identified three clusters, and correspondence analyses revealed differences in clusters usage across APS subsets (p < 0.001). A network analysis revealed different patterns characterizing different subsets. The associations between IFN-I pathway activation and clinical outcomes differed across APS subsets. Although no differences in gene expression were observed in systemic APS, the network analyses revealed specific gene–gene patterns, and a distinct distribution of the clusters previously identified was noted (p = 0.002).

Conclusion

IFN-I pathway activation is a common hallmark among aPL-positive individuals. Qualitative and quantitative differences across the APS spectrum can be identified, leading to the identification of distinct IFN-I signatures with different clinical values beyond traditional categorization.
High normal alanine aminotransferase is an indicator for better response to antiviral therapy in chronic hepatitis B
Authors: Cai Chao , Shang Wen-Xuan , Lin En-Hua , Jiang Yu-Chun , Chen Hong , Xu Ke , Chen Lu , Chen Rui-Cong , Cai Yi-Jing , Lin Ji , Cai Ting-Chen , Lin Xiu-Li , Zhang Lei , Yang Nai-Bin , Zhang Hui-Fang , Lu Ming-Qin
Published: March 2024

Background

Evidence shows people living with CHB even with a normal ALT (40U/L as threshold) suffer histological disease and there is still little research to evaluate the potential benefit of antiviral benefits in them.

Methods

We retrospectively examined 1352 patients who underwent liver biopsy from 2017 to 2021 and then obtained their 1-year follow-up data to analyze.

Results

ALT levels were categorized into high and low, with thresholds set at >29 for males and >15 for females through Youden’s Index. The high normal ALT group showed significant histological disease at baseline (56.43% vs 43.82%, p< 0.001), and better HBV DNA clearance from treatment using PSM (p=0.005). Similar results were obtained using 2016 AASLD high normals (male >30, female >19). Further multivariate logistic analysis showed that high normal ALT (both criterias) was an independent predictor of treatment (OR 1.993, 95% CI 1.115-3.560, p=0.020; OR 2.000, 95% CI 1.055-3.793, p=0.034) Both of the models had higher AUC compared with current scoring system, and there was no obvious difference between the two models (AUC:0.8840 vs 0.8835)

Conclusion

Male >30 or female >19 and Male >29 or female>15 are suggested to be better thresholds for normal ALT. Having a high normal ALT in CHB provides a potential benefit in antiviral therapy.
Analysis of the main indicators and risk factors of ultrasonic shear wave elastography for the diagnosis of osteoarthritis among adults
Authors: Zhang Jiong , Zheng Xiaozuo , Zhao Ying
Published: March 2024

Objective

This study was conducted to explore the main indicators of ultrasonic shear wave elastography (SWE) for the diagnosis of osteoarthritis (OA) and its influencing factors.

Methods

We collected 910 patients between January 2018 and November 2023 from the department of ultrasound, Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University. Logistic regression was used to analyze the effects of age, gender, body mass index (BMI), smoking, alcohol, hypertension and diabetes on the diagnosis of OA by SWE.

Results

The results showed that medial meniscal projection distance (MMPD) and OA had a positively correlated dose–response relationship (OR = 2.12, 95%CI (1.53, 3.95), trend p < 0.05). Also, medial meniscus elastometry (MME) had a positive dose–response correlation with OA (OR = 8.98, 95%CI (3.89, 11.52), trend p < 0.05). In addition, regarding the analysis of factors influencing the diagnosis of OA, the risk of OA was significantly higher in the older age group [OR = 1.11, 95%CI (1.01, 1.25)], and the risk of diagnosis in OA was high in the high BMI group [OR = 1.8, 95%CI (1.23, 3.01)].

Conclusion

In diagnosing OA, MMPD and MME can be used as reliable indicators, while people of advanced age and high BMI have a high possibility diagnosed with OA.
Population health in primary care
Authors: Haggstrom David A. , Gabbay Robert A. , Miller William L. , Howard Jenna , Crabtree Benjamin F.
Published: March 2024

Population health in the United States continues to lag behind other wealthy nations. Primary care has the promise of enhancing population health; however, the implementation of a population health approach within primary care deserves further consideration. Clinicians and staff from a national sample of 10 innovative primary care practices participated in a working conference to reflect upon population health approaches in primary care. A series of small- and large-group discussions were recorded, transcribed, and coded through an immersion/crystallization approach. Two prominent themes emerged: (1) Transitioning to a population health focus generally develops through stages, with early implementation focusing on risk stratification and later, more advanced stages focusing on community health; and (2) Several inherent barriers confront implementation of a population health approach, including tensions with patient-centered care, and limitations of health information technology. A broader conceptualization of population health in terms of community health could more effectively allow partnerships among primary care, large health care systems, public health organizations, patients, and other partners in the community.
A meta-analysis of cognitive and functional outcomes in severe brain trauma cases
Authors: Shuanglong Zhang , Jiangyuan Yuan , Meng Nie , Zheng Wang , Yunshui Zhang , Wei Sun , Li Qiao , Rongcai Jiang
Published: March 2024

Background

Severe traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are an important health issue worldwide, which are associated with harmful side effects. This meta-analysis investigates the cognitive and functional outcomes in severe brain trauma cases. It assesses the impact on memory, verbal and visual abilities, attention, learning, and the presence of depression. The study provides a comprehensive overview of the consequences of severe brain trauma injury on cognitive and functional domains.

Objective

The main objective of the current comprehensive meta-analysis study is to assess and analyze the impact of severe TBI on functional and cognitive outcomes, including verbal, visual, attention, learning, memory, and emotional stability.

Methods

We collected data from three online databases, including PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase. Case–control trials related to severe TBI association with cognitive and functional outcomes were included. Verbal strength, visual functions, learning abilities, attention, memory, and depression were considered primary outcomes.

Results

We have included 13 case–control studies with 1,442 subjects in this meta-analysis, which provide adequate data to determine the pooled effect size for targeted outcomes. The effect of severe TBI on the inducement of depression and impairment of memory, verbal, visual, attention, and learning abilities compared to the control group showed statistically significant outcomes (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Severe TBI is strongly associated with impaired cognitive and functional abilities, including visual and verbal disabilities, impaired memory, depression inducement, attention deficits, and learning disabilities.
Updates of the role of B-cells in ischemic stroke
Authors: Wu Silin , Tabassum Sidra , Payne Cole T. , Hu Heng , Gusdon Aaron M. , Choi Huimahn A. , Ren Xuefang S.
Published: March 2024

Ischemic stroke is a major disease causing death and disability in the elderly and is one of the major diseases that seriously threaten human health and cause a great economic burden. In the early stage of ischemic stroke, neuronal structure is destroyed, resulting in death or damage, and the release of a variety of damage-associated pattern molecules induces an increase in neuroglial activation, peripheral immune response, and secretion of inflammatory mediators, which further exacerbates the damage to the blood–brain barrier, exacerbates cerebral edema, and microcirculatory impairment, triggering secondary brain injuries. After the acute phase of stroke, various immune cells initiate a protective effect, which is released step by step and contributes to the repair of neuronal cells through phenotypic changes. In addition, ischemic stroke induces Central Nervous System (CNS) immunosuppression, and the interaction between the two influences the outcome of stroke. Therefore, modulating the immune response of the CNS to reduce the inflammatory response and immune damage during stroke is important for the protection of brain function and long-term recovery after stroke, and modulating the immune function of the CNS is expected to be a novel therapeutic strategy. However, there are fewer studies on B-cells in brain function protection, which may play a dual role in the stroke process, and the understanding of this cell is still incomplete. We review the existing studies on the mechanisms of the role of B-cells, inflammatory response, and immune response in the development of ischemic stroke and provide a reference for the development of adjuvant therapeutic drugs for ischemic stroke targeting inflammatory injury.
Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody titers by fixed cell-based assay: positive predictive value and impact of sample collection timing
Authors: Budhram Adrian , Rotstein Dalia L. , Yang Liju , Yeh E. Ann
Published: March 2024

Introduction

In January 2023, our laboratory began performing serum myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody (anti-MOG) titers by fixed cell-based assay (CBA). As a quality assurance (QA) assessment, we evaluated titer positive predictive value (PPV) as well as impact of sample collection timing on titers.

Methods

Among patients who underwent antibody titers to distinguish between low-positive (<1:100) and clear-positive (≥1:100) anti-MOG, records were reviewed to classify results as true-positive (TP) or false-positive (FP) and facilitate PPV calculation. Timing of sample collection relative to administration of immunotherapy and symptom onset was determined for TP results.

Results

Overall PPV of anti-MOG was 70/85 (82%). The PPV of low-positive anti-MOG was significantly lower than clear-positive anti-MOG (72% vs. 95%, p = 0.009). The difference in PPV between low-positive and clear-positive anti-MOG was significant among adults tested, but not children. Among patients with TP anti-MOG, the proportion who received immunotherapy prior to sample collection was significantly higher and median time from symptom onset to sample collection was significantly longer for low-positive compared to clear-positive results.

Conclusion

Overall PPV of anti-MOG testing by fixed CBA was reasonably high. The PPV of low-positive anti-MOG was significantly lower than clear-positive anti-MOG. This was driven by the significantly lower PPV of low-positive anti-MOG in adults, possibly reflecting the lower prevalence of MOG antibody-associated disease among adults tested. Timing of sample collection relative to administration of immunotherapy and symptom onset may substantially impact titers, indicating that testing should ideally be performed prior to immunotherapy and close to time of attack.
The origins and growth of the Meatless Monday movement
Authors: Semba Richard D. , Neu Peggy , Berg Pamela , Harding Jamie , McKenzie Shawn , Ramsing Rebecca
Published: March 2024

Meatless Monday is a global movement that encourages people to reduce meat in their diets for their own health and the health of the planet. We conducted a comprehensive review of primary and secondary sources and archival material documenting the origins, historical roots, and growth of Meatless Monday and simultaneous developments in public health. Sources for the paper included publications of the US Food Administration and articles and media identified using searches of ProQuest Historical Newspapers, Newspapers.com Academic, ProQuest US Newsstream, ProQuest Canadian Newstream, ProQuest International Newsstream databases, and Google.com. Meatless Monday was conceived by the advertising executive and public health advocate Sid Lerner in 2003, inspired by the meatless days observed during World War I and II. Meatless Monday grew steadily from 2003 to 2023 through advocacy by food writers, talk show hosts, and celebrity chefs, and through participation by schools, cities, restaurants, corporations, and institutions worldwide. School systems began to observe Meatless Monday, such as Baltimore City Public Schools in 2009 and New York City Public Schools in 2019. Meat-Free Monday campaign was launched by Paul McCartney and his daughters in 2009 in the United Kingdom. The Humane Society of the United States became an advocate for Meatless Monday and helped institute it in >200 US school systems. From 2003 to 2023, Meatless Monday spread to over 40 countries and was observed in public schools in countries such as Brazil, Ireland, and Belgium. Findings regarding high meat consumption and its adverse effects on health, high greenhouse gas production and environment degradation, and problems with animal welfare under conditions of industrial food animal production emerged during the same period and influenced many to advocate Meatless Monday. Meatless days of World War I and II were driven by patriotic motivations to provide food for the US troops and the Allies in Europe, whereas motivations for observing Meatless Monday were largely related to concerns regarding personal health, the environment, and animal welfare. Meatless Monday grew from relatively humble origins to a highly recognized worldwide movement with wide appeal as a way to begin reducing meat consumption for personal and planetary health.
Moving from conventional to adaptive risk stratification for oropharyngeal cancer
Authors: Sandulache Vlad C. , Kirby R. Parker , Lai Stephen Y.
Published: March 2024

Oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) poses a complex therapeutic dilemma for patients and oncologists alike, made worse by the epidemic increase in new cases associated with the oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV). In a counterintuitive manner, the very thing which gives patients hope, the high response rate of HPV-associated OPC to conventional chemo-radiation strategies, has become one of the biggest challenges for the field as a whole. It has now become clear that for ~30-40% of patients, treatment intensity could be reduced without losing therapeutic efficacy, yet substantially diminishing the acute and lifelong morbidity resulting from conventional chemotherapy and radiation. At the same time, conventional approaches to de-escalation at a population (selected or unselected) level are hampered by a simple fact: we lack patient-specific information from individual tumors that can predict responsiveness. This results in a problematic tradeoff between the deleterious impact of de-escalation on patients with aggressive, treatment-refractory disease and the beneficial reduction in treatment-related morbidity for patients with treatment-responsive disease. True precision oncology approaches require a constant, iterative interrogation of solid tumors prior to and especially during cancer treatment in order to tailor treatment intensity to tumor biology. Whereas this approach can be deployed in hematologic diseases with some success, our ability to extend it to solid cancers with regional metastasis has been extremely limited in the curative intent setting. New developments in metabolic imaging and quantitative interrogation of circulating DNA, tumor exosomes and whole circulating tumor cells, however, provide renewed opportunities to adapt and individualize even conventional chemo-radiation strategies to diseases with highly variable biology such as OPC. In this review, we discuss opportunities to deploy developing technologies in the context of institutional and cooperative group clinical trials over the coming decade.
Comparative assessment of myocardial function between late premature newborns and term neonates using the 2D speckle tracking method
Authors: Toma Daniela , Făgărășan Amalia , Cerghit-Paler Andreea , Togănel Rodica , Cucerea Manuela , Săsăran Maria Oana , Gozar Liliana
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Assessment of myocardial function through speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) can bring benefits to conventional echocardiography in premature newborns, a particular vulnerable group in terms of adaptation to extra-uterine life. Furthermore, it represents a non-invasive imagistic method which can guide therapeutic approach in the hemodynamically unstable newborn. This study aims to highlight the particularities of myocardial function in late premature newborns, by conducting a comparison with a group of healthy neonates, by using STE.

Methods

Conducted over a timespan of two years, this prospective study enrolled 64 term neonates and 21 premature newborns, with gestational ages ranging between 28 and 36 weeks, who prior to discharge underwent a cardiac ultrasound, involving two-dimensional image acquisitions of the apical four-chamber view of both ventricles. Afterwards, the images were offline analyzed, by using the autostrain function.

Results

After segmental strain analysis, no significant discrepancies between the two groups in terms of interventricular values were found. However, left ventricle and right ventricle strain measurements differed significantly (p < 0.01), for each of the analyzed segments (basal, medial or apical). Moreover, a linear increase in interventricular (IV) basal strain with corrected gestational age progression was noted (p = 0.04). Peak global longitudinal strain (pGLS) and EF were similar between the two study groups. Premature newborns presented significantly more negative mean values of right ventricular free wall longitudinal strain (RVFWSL), (−24.19 ± 4.95 vs. −18.05 ± 5.88, p < 0.01) and of right ventricle global four chamber longitudinal strain (RV4CSL), (−19.71 ± 3.62 vs. −15.46 ± 5.59, p < 0.01), when compared to term neonates.

Conclusions

The 2D STE is a reliable method for cardiac assessment of late preterm newborns. The evaluation of two-dimensional global longitudinal LV and RV strains might represent a useful tool in clinical practice. A better response of the right ventricle to the longitudinal deformation within premature neonates was noted. Thus, this study facilitates the identification of accurate reference values for this particular population segment, which will enable the evaluation of ventricular function in premature newborns with concurring disorders. Future longitudinal studies, assessing the fetal heart, could provide more insight into the development of myocardial function.
Canakinumab in the treatment of systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis: a retrospective single center study in China
Authors: Zhu Xiaona , Weng Ruohang , Huang Yanyan , Xu Yongbin , Yang Jun , He Tingyan
Published: March 2024

Objective

Systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA) is characterized by excessive production of proinflammatory cytokines. As an anti-IL-1 agent, canakinumab has been approved in the USA and Europe for the treatment of sJIA patients aged ≥2 years. However, the use of canakinumab has never been reported in China. In this study, we aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of canakinumab in Chinese patients with sJIA.

Methods

A total of 11 patients with sJIA who were treated with canakinumab were included in this study. Clinical data were collected retrospectively from medical records. Efficacy was evaluated by the systemic juvenile arthritis disease activity score (sJADAS). The follow-up was performed at canakinumab initiation, at months 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12, or at the last follow-up.

Results

Of the 11 patients enrolled, 91.0% (10/11) had previously received treatment with tocilizumab. The mean duration of canakinumab was 9 (3–18) months. 45.5% (5/11) of patients showed complete response, 45.5% (5/11) showed partial response, and 9.0% (1/11) showed no response. 18.2% (2/11) experienced disease flare during the treatment with canakinumab. 81.8% (9/11) of patients successfully reduced the dose of corticosteroids, with six discontinuing corticosteroids. 45.6% (5/11) of patients experienced infection. No serious adverse events occurred during the treatment with canakinumab.

Conclusions

Canakinumab may be effective and tolerable for Chinese sJIA patients, helping to reduce the dosage of corticosteroids. However, additional researches on large samples are required to evaluate its efficacy and safety.
Methanol extract of Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort. Rhizome ameliorates bilateral common carotid artery stenosis-induced cognitive deficit in mice by altering microglia and astrocyte activation
Authors: Lim Sehyun , Lim Chiyeon , Cho Suin
Published: March 2024

In traditional Asian medicine, Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort also known as Conioselinum anthriscoides “Chuanxiong”, is mainly used for improving blood circulation or for analgesic and anti-inflammatory purposes, but they also have a long history of use for pain disorders in the head and face, such as headache. Despite the possibility that the plant is effective for diseases such as cerebral infarction and vascular dementia (VaD), the mechanism of action is not well understood. To determine if the dried rhizomes of L. chuanxiong (Chuanxiong Rhizoma, CR) methanol extract (CRex) has activity in a VaD mice model. Through network analysis, we confirm that CR is effective in cerebrovascular diseases. In mice, we induce cognitive impairment, similar to VaD in humans, by chronically reducing the cerebral blood flow by performing bilateral common carotid artery stenosis (BCAS) and administering CRex for 6 weeks. We measure behavioral changes due to cognitive function impairment and use immunofluorescence staining to confirm if CRex can inhibit the activation of astrocytes and microglia involved in the inflammatory response in the brain. We quantify proteins involved in the mechanism, such as mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), in the hippocampus and surrounding white matter, and analyze gene expression and protein interaction networks through RNA sequencing to interpret the results of the study. CRex administration rescued cognitive impairment relating to a novel object and inhibited the activation of astrocytes and microglia. Western blotting analysis revealed that CRex regulated the changes in protein expression involved in MAPK signaling such as extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38). The administration of CRex suppressed approximately 44% of the pathological changes in gene expression caused by BCAS. CRex extract effectively inhibited cognitive impairment caused by BCAS, and the mechanism through which this occurred is inhibited activation of astrocytes and microglia.
CHF6297: a novel potent and selective p38 MAPK inhibitor with robust anti-inflammatory activity and suitable for inhaled pulmonary administration as dry powder
Authors: Martucci Cataldo , Allen Andrew Dennis , Moretto Nadia , Bagnacani Valentina , Fioni Alessandro , Patacchini Riccardo , Civelli Maurizio , Villetti Gino , Facchinetti Fabrizio
Published: March 2024

Inhibition of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPKs) is a potential therapeutic approach for the treatment of acute and chronic pulmonary inflammatory conditions. Here, we report the in vitro and in vivo characterization of the anti-inflammatory effects of CHF6297, a novel potent and selective p38α inhibitor designed for inhalation delivery as a dry powder formulation. CHF6297 has been proven to inhibit p38α enzymatic activity with sub-nanomolar potency (IC50 = 0.14 ± 0.06 nM), with >1,000-fold selectivity against p38γ and p38δ. In human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) stimulated with lipopolysaccharides (LPS), as well as in human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS2B) stimulated with TNF-α or cigarette smoke extract (CSE), CHF6297 inhibited interleukin (IL)-8 release with low nanomolar potency. CHF6297 administered to rats by using a nose-only inhalation device as a micronized dry powder formulation blended with lactose dose-dependently inhibited the LPS-induced neutrophil influx in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). CHF6297 administered intratracheally to rats dose-dependently counteracted the IL-1β (0.3 mg/kg)-induced neutrophil influx (ED50 = 0.22 mg/kg) and increase in IL-6 levels (ED50 = 0.82 mg/kg) in the BALF. In mice exposed to tobacco smoke (TS), CHF6297, administered intranasally (i.n.) for 4 days at 0.03 or 0.3 mg/kg, dose-dependently inhibited the corticosteroid-resistant TS-induced neutrophil influx in the BALF. In a murine house dust mite (HDM) model of asthma exacerbated by influenza virus A (IAV) (H3N3), CHF6297 (0.1 mg/kg, i.n.) significantly decreased airway neutrophilia compared to vehicle-treated IAV/HDM-challenged mice. When CHF6297, at a dose ineffective per se (0.03 mg/kg), was added to budesonide, it augmented the anti-inflammatory effects of the steroid. Overall, CHF6297 effectively counteracted lung inflammation in experimental models where corticosteroids exhibit limited anti-inflammatory activity, suggesting a potential for the treatment of acute exacerbations associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma, acute lung injury (ALI), and viral-induced hyperinflammation.
A family of robust chaotic S-unimodal maps based on the Gaussian function
Authors: Patidar Vinod
Published: March 2024

This research paper introduces a family of one-dimensional S-unimodal maps based on the Gaussian function, designed to exhibit robust chaos across a wide range of parameters. These maps are developed to display robust chaos by avoiding multiple fixed points that are primarily responsible for the coexisting attractors in 1D maps. The parameter space analysis reveals that chaotic behaviour is sustained across the entire parameter space, except for a very narrow region. The study employs a comprehensive computational approach, including quantitative measures such as sample entropy, Lyapunov exponent, and invariant measures. The uniformly higher values of sample entropy, uniform positive values of the Lyapunov exponent, and the existence of invariant measures in a region of parameter space confirm the presence of robust chaos in these maps. Such a promising class of robust chaotic maps may be potentially used in diverse fields such as chaos-based cryptography, pseudo-random number generation, communication systems, and more.
Advances in narrow linewidth and wide tuning range external-cavity wavelength-swept lasers
Authors: Sheng Liwen , Wang Jianjun , Huang Lin , Zhang Aiguo , Zhang Zhihui , Qiao Shan , Wei Yu , Liu Zhiming , Ju Junwei , Zhou Shuai , Liu Jiaqing , Han Jilei , Jin Hui
Published: March 2024

An external-cavity wavelength-swept laser, characterized by its exceptional temporal coherence and extensive tuning range, serves as a crucial light source for cutting-edge fields such as fiber sensing, lidar, and spectroscopy. The burgeoning growth of optical communication technology has escalated the demand for lasers with narrow linewidth and broad tuning range, thereby catalyzing the swift advancement of external-cavity wavelength-swept diode lasers and their diverse applications. This article comprehensively presents the configurations and operating principles of these lasers, and provides an in-depth review of their development status, specifically focusing on those with narrow linewidth and wide tuning range. The aim is to offer a valuable reference for researchers involved in the development and application of wavelength-swept lasers.
Effects of the epiphytic patterns on endophytes and metabolites of Dendrobium nobile Lindl
Authors: Yu Chengxin , Wang Peng , Ding Haiyan , Hu Yuan , Wang Fu , Chen Hongping , Chen Lin , Liu Youping
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Dendrobium is an epiphytic herb plant with neuroprotective, gastroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects. It is often found attached to tree trunks or rocks. With the development of the dendrobium industry, numerous epiphytic patterns exist, such as crushed stone, stump, and sawdust. The study of metabolites and endophytes of D. nobile under different epiphytic patterns, which revealed the effects of epiphytic patterns on D. nobile from the perspectives of metabolomics and microbiology, is of great significance for the healthy development of D. nobile.

Methods

In the study, the D. nobile under five epiphytic patterns grown in the same environment were selected. The metabolites were investigated by widely targeted metabolomics, and the endophytes were sequenced using high-throughput sequencing methods. Then, a correlation analysis between the different metabolites and endophytes was performed.

Results

A total of 1,032 metabolites were annotated in D. nobile. There are more flavonoids and phenolic acids accumulated on the epiphytic pattern of Danxia stone, whereas the accumulation of lipids on the other epiphytic patterns and 16 differential metabolites was screened out. The endophyte composition of D. nobile was dominated by Proteobacteria, Actinomycetes, unidentified bacteria, Firmicutes, and Cyanobacteria. For endophytic fungi, Basidiomycota and Ascomycota were the dominant phyla of D. nobile. The relative abundance of Spirosoma, Nocardioides, and Arrhenia in the Danxia stone was significantly higher than that of other epiphytic patterns. According to correlation analysis, we found a significant correlation between differential metabolites and Spirosoma, Nocardioides, and Arrheni.

Discussion

This study confirmed that Dendrobium quality was affected by its epiphytic patterns and revealed its possible causes from a microbiological point of view.