bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Common Hamsters in and Outside the City: Some Reflections on Urban Biodiversity, Species Recovery and the EU Habitats Directive
Authors: Schoukens Hendrik
Published: August 2022

The Wild or Common hamster (Cricetus cricetus) is found across a broad swathe of Eurasia, stretching from Belgium in the West to the Altai Mountains in Russia. Once it was considered a farmland pest. In spite of being a strictly protected species under the EU Habitats Directive since 1994, its populations have continued to plummet throughout the past decades in many Member States such as France, the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. This paper analyses the recent case law developments regarding this enigmatic rodent, which paradoxically has featured in no less than three rulings of the Court of Justice of the EU throughout the past decades. The two most recent rulings focus on the protected status of this species in a urban context, since one of the largest populations of common hamsters is currently situated in the Austrian capital of Vienna. There the presence of the protected species interfered with future urban development plans, which presented the Court of Justice of the EU with the opportunity to clarify certain key concepts that are entrenched in the system of strict species protection. This paper outlines the primary lessons that can be drawn from the recent jurisprudence and sketches the unlocked potential that is present in the recent judicial decisions for more effective species recovery, in general, and the future of the common hamster, in particular. The main thread throughout this article is the leeway available to better align the survival of protected species with urban development.
Criteria for Identifying Splitting of Projects (Salami-Slicing) Tactic in Light of the C-11/20 Regione Puglia Case and eia Practice in Greece
Authors: Pouikli Kleoniki , Tsakalogianni Ifigeneia
Published: August 2022

The aim of this paper is to assess the method of ‘salami-slicing’ or ‘project splitting’, which refers to the act of splitting of larger projects into smaller units before or during the environmental impact assessment procedure, as provided for in the eia Directive. To this end, emphasis is placed on the definition and key features of this concept as delineated by the Court of Justice of the European Union (cjeu). The debate is enriched by the recent cjeu Regione Puglia case as well as the analysis of the salami-slicing tactic in Greek case-law and public administrative practice. Subsequently, in light of the EU and Greek jurisprudence on this matter, the determination of certain criteria that can be used as rebuttable presumptions of identifying salami-slicing is attempted. Lastly, recognizing that salami-slicing practices go beyond (the scope of) a technical assessment, it is concluded that the emergence of standard salami-slicing criteria might be of added value both in safeguarding the legality of the entirety of the environmental permitting process and in ensuring the effective implementation of the precautionary principle.
cjeu (Case C-629/19: Sappi Austria Produktions-GmbH & Co. kg, Wasserverband ‘Region Gratkorn-Gratwein’ v Landeshauptmann von Steiermark: Suitable Recovery and Recycling Operations Surrounding Sludge in the EU)
Authors: Backes Chris , Kajić Matija
Published: August 2022

Even with extensive case law before the cjeu on the notion of ‘waste’, questions remain around classification of substances as waste and end-of-waste status of certain waste streams. This uncertainty hampers the transition to a circular economy. In the case at hand, a mixture of sludge from paper production and sludge from a municipal wastewater treatment plant was used as fuel for the paper plant. Although the majority (97%) of the mixture came from the paper production process and therefore would be a by-product (and hence not waste), and only 3% of the mixture stemming from the municipal waste water facility qualify waste, the mixture as a whole is assumed to be waste. Whether the ‘end of waste-criteria’ of Article 6(1) Waste Framework Directive can successfully be applied to the case, is up to the national court to decide. In addition, the case is interesting as an affirmation of the ‘Rheinmühlen/Elchinov-doctrine’.
A new species of brilliant green frog of the genus Tlalocohyla (Anura, Hylidae) hiding between two volcanoes of northern Costa Rica
Authors: VARELA-SOTO DONALD , ABARCA JUAN G. , BRENES-MORA ESTEBAN , ASPINALL VALERIA , LEENDERS TWAN , SHEPACK ALEX
Published: August 2022

A new species of hylid frog is described from Tapir Valley Nature Reserve, located on the Caribbean slope of Tenorio Volcano in Bijagua, Alajuela Province, Costa Rica. A molecular phylogenetic analysis supports its inclusion in the genus Tlalocohyla. Morphological, morphometric, larval, and acoustic characteristics further distinguish it from other species in the genus and support its uniqueness. The new species is closely related to T. picta and T. smithii, and is separated by at least 500 kilometers from the nearest known occurrence of a population of T. picta in southern Honduras. The new species is readily distinguished from all other Tlalocohyla by its brilliant green coloration marked with a pronounced, incomplete light dorsolateral stripe that is bordered above by a diffuse reddish-brown stripe. Its dorsum is marked with bold reddish brown spots and its ventral skin is fully transparent. This new Tlalocohyla is currently only known from the type locality, where it inhabits a lentic wetland system with an emergent herbaceous vegetation-dominated benthic zone, surrounded by tropical rainforest. A description of its bioacoustic repertoire and information on natural history, reproduction and habitat preference of this new species are provided.
Book review: Narendra Jadhav, New-age Technology and Industrial Revolution 4.0: Global Public Policy Issues in Economy, Democracy, National Security and World Peace
Authors: Sarma Atul
Published: August 2022

Narendra Jadhav, New-age Technology and Industrial Revolution 4.0: Global Public Policy Issues in Economy, Democracy, National Security and World Peace, Konark Publishers, 2019, 280 pp., ₹695. ISBN 9789322008994 (Hardcover).
Book review: Mengesha Habte, Mezekir Wedi Hagereseb [Memoir of a Countryman]
Authors: Tsegay Samson Maekele
Published: August 2022

Mengesha Habte, Mezekir Wedi Hagereseb [Memoir of a Countryman], Tecumseh, 2021, vi + 393 pp., €29.90. ISBN 978-1-63752-695-8.
Contribution of Masticatory Muscle Pattern in Craniofacial Morphology: A Systematic Review
Authors: Agrawal Ashish , Nandini Aishwarya , Das Manami
Published: August 2022

Context:

The objective of this systematic review is to analyze the pattern of masticatory muscle and its effects on craniofacial structures.

Method:

Electronic search was conducted for relevant studies in last 20 years (from January 1, 2002 to December 31, 2021) on the following databases: PubMed, Google scholar, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Wiley Library database. Hand searching of selected orthodontic journals was also undertaken. The selected studies were assessed for the risk of bias in Cochrane collaboration risk of bias tool. The “traffic plot” and “weighted plot” risk of bias distribution are designed in the RoB 2 tool. Two authors extracted the data which was then analyzed by another reviewer to obtain the final data.

Results:

Six studies fulfilled inclusion criteria. The risk of bias was high for all the studies. The sample size of the studies, methodologies used, muscles under study, parameters of muscles, and statistical analysis performed were extracted. The methodologies and results of the studies were found to be heterogenous.

Conclusions:

It is found that the vertical craniofacial dimensions can be better appreciated by masseter than by medial pterygoid. The volume of masseter is superior predictor than its cross-sectional area. The volume of the medial pterygoid affects the ramus of the mandible and the length and width of the lateral pterygoid are significantly correlated with transverse skeletal dimensions.
The Extended Social Relations Model: Understanding Dissimilation and Dissensus in the Judgment of Others
Authors: Kenny David A. , Goldring Megan R. , Jung Taeyun
Published: August 2022

The Social Relations Model (SRM), which has been an important tool for personality researchers, presumes the variabilities in the SRM components, perceiver, target, and relationship effects, are consistent across perceivers and targets. We introduce the extended SRM (eSRM) to examine individual differences in the variances of each component of the SRM. We explore the tendency for perceivers to see targets in different ways, Dissimilation, and the tendency for targets to be viewed in different ways, Dissensus. Furthermore, slopes are used to tap the extent to which perceivers agree with other perceivers, Sensitivity, and the extent to which target judgments depend on how perceivers generally see others, Prototypicality. Moreover, the correlation of a perceiver’s judgments with how the target is generally viewed measures Accuracy, and the correlation of judgments of a target with how the perceiver generally views others measures Amplification. Standard deviations assess how a perceiver uniquely views targets, Differentiation, and how a target is uniquely viewed by perceivers, Volatility. A study illustrates the utility of these elements to understand response styles, the accuracy of judgment, and the meaning of SRM effects. The eSRM is discussed in relation to Funder’s Realistic Accuracy Model and Biesanz’s Social Accuracy Model.
Face-Information Sampling in Super-Recognizers
Authors: Dunn James D. , Varela Victor P. L. , Nicholls Victoria I. , Papinutto Michael , White David , Miellet Sebastien
Published: August 2022

Perceptual processes underlying individual differences in face-recognition ability remain poorly understood. We compared visual sampling of 37 adult super-recognizers—individuals with superior face-recognition ability—with that of 68 typical adult viewers by measuring gaze position as they learned and recognized unfamiliar faces. In both phases, participants viewed faces through “spotlight” apertures that varied in size, with face information restricted in real time around their point of fixation. We found higher accuracy in super-recognizers at all aperture sizes—showing that their superiority does not rely on global sampling of face information but is also evident when they are forced to adopt piecemeal sampling. Additionally, super-recognizers made more fixations, focused less on eye region, and distributed their gaze more than typical viewers. These differences were most apparent when learning faces and were consistent with trends we observed across the broader ability spectrum, suggesting that they are reflective of factors that vary dimensionally in the broader population.
The Insubordination Scale Among Full-Time Chinese Employees: A Cross-Cultural Validation Study
Authors: Xie Songke , Meng Xue , Li Chaoping
Published: August 2022

The present study aimed to translate the insubordination scale into the Chinese version (ISBD-C) and to test its reliability and validity among 994 full-time Chinese employees. In Study 1 ( N = 551), the insubordination scale was translated, and exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted, which revealed a single factor structure of insubordination. In Study 2 ( N = 443), the scale’s convergent validity and discriminant validity were supported by confirmatory factor analyses (CFA). Further, measurement invariance was tested and indicated that the ISBD-C was equivalent across gender, age, education level and job position. Finally, the scale’s concurrent validity was demonstrated by positive correlations with general counterproductive workplace behavior and procrastination, and negative correlations with workplace well-being, work engagement, and affective commitment. These findings provide strong evidence that ISBD-C is a useful measure in the Chinese context.
Impact of mesenchymal stromal cell–derived vesicular cargo on B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia progression
Authors: Karantanou Christina , Minciacchi Valentina R. , Kumar Rahul , Zanetti Costanza , Bravo Jimena , Pereira Raquel S. , Tascher Georg , Tertel Tobias , Covarrubias-Pinto Adriana , Bankov Katrin , Pfeffermann Lisa-Marie , Bonig Halvard , Divieti-Pajevic Paola , McEwan David G. , Giebel Bernd , Münch Christian , Dikic Ivan , Krause Daniela S.
Published: August 2022

Leukemia cells reciprocally interact with their surrounding bone marrow microenvironment (BMM), rendering it hospitable to leukemia cell survival, for instance through the release of small extracellular vesicles (sEVs). In contrast, we show here that BMM deficiency of pleckstrin homology domain family M member 1 (PLEKHM1), which serves as a hub between fusion and secretion of intracellular vesicles and is important for vesicular secretion in osteoclasts, accelerates murine BCR-ABL1+ B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) via regulation of the cargo of sEVs released by BMM-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs). PLEKHM1-deficient MSCs and their sEVs carry increased amounts of syntenin and syndecan-1, resulting in a more immature B-cell phenotype and an increased number/function of leukemia-initiating cells (LICs) via focal adhesion kinase and AKT signaling in B-ALL cells. Ex vivo pretreatment of LICs with sEVs derived from PLEKHM1-deficient MSCs led to a strong trend toward acceleration of murine and human BCR-ABL1+ B-ALL. In turn, inflammatory mediators such as recombinant or B-ALL cell–derived tumor necrosis factor α or interleukin-1β condition murine and human MSCs in vitro, decreasing PLEKHM1, while increasing syntenin and syndecan-1 in MSCs, thereby perpetuating the sEV-associated circuit. Consistently, human trephine biopsies of patients with B-ALL showed a reduced percentage of PLEKHM1+ MSCs. In summary, our data reveal an important role of BMM-derived sEVs for driving specifically BCR-ABL1+ B-ALL, possibly contributing to its worse prognosis compared with BCR-ABL1− B-ALL, and suggest that secretion of inflammatory cytokines by cancer cells in general may similarly modulate the tumor microenvironment.
Preconception mental health and the relationship between antenatal depression or anxiety and gestational diabetes mellitus: a population-based cohort study
Authors: Thiele Grace A. , Ryan Deirdre M. , Oberlander Tim F. , Hanley Gillian E.
Published: August 2022

Background

Antenatal depression and anxiety are highly prevalent conditions that have been associated with increased risk for myriad adverse outcomes. Current literature exploring the connection between antenatal mental health and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is limited, presenting conflicting evidence. We sought to evaluate the association between antenatal depression/anxiety (DEP-ANX) and GDM using population-based, administrative data, accounting for aspects of preconception mental health.

Methods

In this population-based retrospective cohort study, we included all singleton births in British Columbia, Canada from April 1, 2000, to December 31, 2014. We identified instances of DEP-ANX from outpatient and inpatient records that included relevant diagnostic codes and stratified our cohort by preconception DEP-ANX persistence. Logistic regression models were run to estimate odds of GDM given antenatal DEP-ANX. Models were adjusted for the birthing person’s socio-demographics and pregnancy characteristics. Using an expanded cohort, we ran conditional logistic regression models that matched birthing people to themselves (in a subsequent pregnancy) based on discordance of exposure and outcome.

Results

Out of the 228,144 births included in this study, 43,664 (19.1%) were to birthing people with antenatal health service use for DEP-ANX. There were 4,180 (9.6%) cases of GDM among those antenatal exposure to DEP-ANX compared to 15,102 (8.2%) among those without exposure (SMD 0.049). We observed an unadjusted odds ratio (OR) of 1.19 (95% CI: 1.15 – 1.23) and fully adjusted OR of 1.15 (95% CI: 1.11 – 1.19) overall. Apparent risk for GDM given antenatal DEP-ANX was highest among the no DEP-ANX history stratum, with a fully adjusted OR of 1.24 (95% CI: 1.15 – 1.34). Associations estimated by matched sibling analysis were non-significant (fully adjusted OR 1.19 [95% CI: 0.86 – 1.63]).

Conclusions

Results from this population-based study suggest an association between antenatal DEP-ANX and GDM that varied based on mental health history. Our analysis could suggest that incident cases of DEP-ANX within pregnancy are more closely associated with GDM compared to recurring or chronic cases.
Does nail size or difference between canal and nail diameter influence likelihood of union or time to union of femoral shaft fractures treated with intramedullary nailing? A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Shih Chiu-Yu , Kor Chew-Teng , Hsieh Cheng-Pu , Chen Chiu-Liang , Lo Yu-Cheng
Published: August 2022

Background

This study aims to determine whether nail size or the difference between canal and nail diameter (CN difference) affects the union rate and time of femoral shaft fracture treated with an interlocking intramedullary nail (IMN).

Methods

This was a retrospective review of 257 patients with femoral shaft fractures treated with IMN at a tertiary trauma medical center. All the IMN inserted were the same (Stryker T2 Femoral Nail). The patients were divided into groups based on nail size (10-, 11-, 12-, or 13-mm) and CN difference (< 1, 1–2, or > 2 mm), and union rate and time to union were compared.

Results

The 10-, 11-, 12-, and 13-mm groups based on nail size had 113, 74, 54, and 16 patients, respectively. The overall union rate was 97% (257/265). No significant differences in union rate or time to union were observed among these 4 groups. The groups based on CN differences of < 1-, 1 to 2, and > 2 mm comprised 143, 79, and 35 patients, respectively. Again, no significant differences were noted in union rate or mean time to union among the groups.

Conclusions

Similar union rate and time to union were observed, regardless of nail size or CN difference. This finding indicates that most simple femoral shaft fractures can be treated with a standard, reamed 10-mm IMN. A larger nail insertion is unnecessary and presents more risks; comparatively, the use of a small nail with less reaming is simpler, requires shorter operative times, results in less blood loss, and is less expensive.
Factors that influence breast cancer screening among women of reproductive age in the Nandom Municipality, Ghana
Authors: Wuur Margaret Mary , Duodu Dillys Adomakoa , Tarkang Elvis Enowbeyang
Published: August 2022

Background

In Ghana, breast cancer is a major public health concern and the most common type of cancer among women in terms of mortality and incidence. This study determined the factors influencing breast cancer screening among women of reproductive age in Nandom Municipality, Ghana using the Health Belief Model as the conceptual model.

Methods

The study was cross-sectional in design. A pretested structured questionnaire was administered to 243 womens of reproductive age in the Nandom Municipality. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed using STATA version 16 at a 0.05 level of significance.

Results

The uptake of breast cancer screening was 51.9%. Respondents who had a tertiary level of education were less likely to be screened for breast cancer [AOR = 0.10 (95% CI = 0.02–0.54); p = 0.008]. Respondents who perceived high susceptibility to breast cancer were more likely to get screened [AOR = 1.97 (95% CI = 1.12–3.47), p = 0.019]. Respondents who perceived the high severity of breast cancer were more likely to be screened for breast cancer [AOR = 4.55 (95% CI = 1.32–15.76), p = 0.017]. Also, respondents who perceived high barriers to breast cancer screening were more likely to be screened for breast cancer [AOR = 0.15(95% CI = 1.42–4.22), p < 0.001].

Conclusion

The uptake of screening among women of reproductive age in the Nandom Municipality is low. Health promotion interventions to improve breast cancer screening should target women with a tertiary level of education and should focus on heightening the perceived threat of breast cancer and minimizing barriers to breast cancer screening.
The short-term effect of a myofascial protocol versus light touch applied to the cervical spine towards the prevention of balance disorders in the elderly: protocol of a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Pinloche Laurianne , Souvignet Solène , Germain Michèle , Monteil Karine , Hautier Christophe
Published: August 2022

Background

Falling is a major trauma that can occur with aging, leading to very significant psychological and physical health effects with financial and societal consequences. It is therefore essential to explore therapeutic treatments that can reduce this risk. Some recognized effective treatments exist, concerning in particular the re-education of the muscles of the lower limbs. However, to our knowledge, none of them focus on the cervical spine although the latter is located at an essential physiological crossroads. Manual therapy, which has already demonstrated its impact on pain and balance parameters in the elderly, could be a painless and non-invasive tool of choice in addressing this problem.

Methods

Interventional study (not related to a health product), monocentric, prospective, controlled, randomized double-blind (patient and evaluator performing the measurements). The experiment will take place over three measurement periods on D0, D7 and D21. On D0 subjects will be randomized in 2 groups: experimental and placebo group. Both groups will be assessed on: Short Physical Performance Battery test score, walking speed, lower limb strength, balance, heart rate variability and cervical spine strength and mobility. Then the experimental group will receive a myofascial release protocol applied to the cervical spine and the placebo group will receive a placebo light touch protocol. The intervention will be followed by the same measurements as before. This schedule will be reproduced on D7. On D21, only one assessment will be done.

Discussion

This study started in 2020 but could not go beyond the inclusion phase due to the COVID pandemic. It is envisaged that recruitment could resume during 2022.

Trial registration: Registered by the Comité de Protection des Personnes—Sud Méditerranée; under the title “Prévention des troubles de l’équilibre chez le senior: influence de la thérapie manuelle appliquée au rachis sur les paramètres statiques et dynamiques», n° 19.12.27.47.259 in date of February 4, 2020.

Registered by ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT05475652; under the title « The Influence of Manual Therapy Applied to the Cervical Spine in the Prevention of Balance Disorders in the Elderly (ManEq)”.
Respect for illiterate or unconscious patient’s autonomy as a requirement for the legality of medical procedures in the polish healthcare system: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Kocańda K. , Głuszek S. , Szerla M. K. , Domagała M.
Published: August 2022

According to the Polish law, each patient has the right to refuse to consent to a medical procedure, even if the refusal concerns a life-saving procedure. It may be difficult for a physician to accept this kind of decision. In each case, however, medical intervention requires patient’s consent. Its lack makes physician’s actions illegal. Such a situation becomes more complicated when the patient who is intellectually incompetent, unconscious or illiterate is unable to express a consent to a medical procedure. Then, the possibility and the need to document and prove the patient’s consent becomes crucial from the point of view of the legality of medical personnel’s conduct. In this article, two representative clinical cases are discussed in the context of the legal assessment of the physician’s conduct in the event of legal complications related to the process of consenting to medical treatment. The authors analyze ethical dilemmas and legal risks that doctors may face in the process of consenting to risky medical procedures by unconscious and illiterate patient.
Direct and indirect savings from parallel imports in Sweden
Authors: Granlund David
Published: August 2022

Background

The aim was: i) to quantify the direct and indirect savings from parallel imports in Sweden during a period when sellers were forbidden from giving discounts to pharmacies, and ii) to study if the effects of competition from parallel imports on list prices became smaller in absolute size when sellers were allowed to give discounts to pharmacies.

Methods

We analyzed the monthly prices for 3068 products during 61 months when discounts were forbidden and for 2504 products during 84 months when discounts were allowed. The price effects were estimated using dynamic models that rendered lagged numbers of competitors into valid and strong instruments for the current values.

Results

When discounts were forbidden, parallel imports had a market share of 16% and were on average 9% cheaper than locally sourced drugs, which yielded a direct saving of 231 million Swedish kronor (SEK) (24 million EUR) per year. Also, parallel imports reduced the prices of products with the same substance by, on average, 6% in the long-term, which yielded indirect savings of 421 million SEK (44 million EUR) per year. In total, parallel imports reduced the cost for on-patent pharmaceuticals by 4%. When discounts were allowed, the average gap in list price between parallel imports and locally sourced products was reduced to 0.8%, and the list prices of locally sourced products were no longer significantly affected by competition from parallel imports.

Conclusion

When discounts were allowed, the savings of parallel imports through lower list prices were replaced by savings of pharmacies through secret discounts.
Predicting the cost of COVID-19 treatment and its drivers in Indonesia: analysis of claims data of COVID-19 in 2020-2021
Authors: Nugraha Ryan R. , Pratiwi Mutia A. , Al-Faizin Ruli Endepe , Permana Ardian Budi , Setiawan Ery , Farianty Yuli , Komaryani Kalsum , Thabrany Hasbullah
Published: August 2022

Background

Recent Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic shows that health system, particularly hospital care, takes the highest toll on COVID-19. As hospital gets to manage the surge of COVID-19 cases, it is important to standardize treatment standard and package for COVID-19. Until recently, in Indonesia, COVID-19 curative package in hospital is paid using a retrospective payment system (claims system) using a per-diem rate. Quantifying standard cost using an established retrospective claims dataset is important as a basis for standard formulation for COVID-19 package treatment, should COVID-19 be accommodated into the benefit package for Universal Health Coverage (UHC) under the National Health Insurance.

Methods

We estimated a standard cost for COVID-19 treatment using provider’s perspective. The analysis was conducted retrospectively using established national COVID-19 claims dataset during January 2020 until 2021. Utilizing individual-or-patient level analysis, claims profile were broken down per-patient, yielding descriptive clinical and care-related profile. Estimate of price and charge were measured in average. Moreover, indicators were regressed to the total charged price (in logarithmic scale) so as to find the predictors of cost.

Results

Based on the analysis of 102,065 total claims data received by MOH in 2020-2021, there is an average claim payment for COVID-19 in the amount of IDR 74,52 million (USD$ 5175). Significant difference exists in hospital tariffs or price to the existing claims data, indicating profit for hospital within its role in managing COVID-19 cases. Claim amount predictors were found to be associated with change of claim amount, including high level of severity, hospital class, intensive care room occupancy and ventilator usage, as well as mortality.

Conclusion

As COVID-19 pandemic shifts towards an endemic, countries including Indonesia need to reflect on the existing payment system and move towards a more sustainable payment mechanism for COVID-19. The COVID-19 payment system needs to be integrated into the existing national health insurance allowing bundled payment to become more sustainable, which can be achieved by comprehensively formulating the bundled payment package for COVID-19.
How are ontologies implemented to represent clinical practice guidelines in clinical decision support systems: protocol for a systematic review
Authors: Sadeghi-Ghyassi Fatemeh , Damanabi Shahla , Kalankesh Leila R. , Van de Velde Stijn , Feizi-Derakhshi Mohammad-Reza , Hajebrahimi Sakineh
Published: August 2022

Background

Clinical practice guidelines are statements which are based on the best available evidence, and their goal is to improve the quality of patient care. Integrating clinical practice guidelines into computer systems can help physicians reduce medical errors and help them to have the best possible practice. Guideline-based clinical decision support systems play a significant role in supporting physicians in their decisions. Meantime, system errors are the most critical concerns in designing decision support systems that can affect their performance and efficacy. A well-developed ontology can be helpful in this matter. The proposed systematic review will specify the methods, components, language of rules, and evaluation methods of current ontology-driven guideline-based clinical decision support systems.

Methods

This review will identify literature through searching MEDLINE (via Ovid), PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, ScienceDirect, IEEEXplore, and ACM Digital Library. Gray literature, reference lists, and citing articles of the included studies will be searched. The quality of the included studies will be assessed by the mixed methods appraisal tool (MMAT-version 2018). At least two independent reviewers will perform the screening, quality assessment, and data extraction. A third reviewer will resolve any disagreements. Proper data analysis will be performed based on the type of system and ontology engineering evaluation data.

Discussion

The study will provide evidence regarding applying ontologies in guideline-based clinical decision support systems. The findings of this systematic review will be a guide for decision support system designers and developers, technologists, system providers, policymakers, and stakeholders. Ontology builders can use the information in this review to build well-structured ontologies for personalized medicine.

Systematic review registration

PROSPERO CRD42018106501
Strain-level profiling with picodroplet microfluidic cultivation reveals host-specific adaption of honeybee gut symbionts
Authors: Meng Yujie , Li Shuang , Zhang Chong , Zheng Hao
Published: August 2022

Background

Symbiotic gut microbes have a rich genomic and metabolic pool and are closely related to hosts’ health. Traditional sequencing profiling masks the genomic and phenotypic diversity among strains from the same species. Innovative droplet-based microfluidic cultivation may help to elucidate the inter-strain interactions. A limited number of bacterial phylotypes colonize the honeybee gut, while individual strains possess unique genomic potential and critical capabilities, which provides a particularly good model for strain-level analyses.

Results

Here, we construct a droplet-based microfluidic platform and generated ~ 6 × 108droplets encapsulated with individual bacterial cells from the honeybee gut and cultivate in different media. Shotgun metagenomic analysis reveals significant changes in community structure after droplet-based cultivation, with certain species showing higher strain-level diversity than in gut samples. We obtain metagenome-assembled genomes, and comparative analysis reveal a potential novel cluster fromBifidobacteriumin the honeybee. Interestingly,Lactobacillus panisapiumstrains obtained via droplet cultivation fromApis melliferacontain a unique set of genes encodingl-arabinofuranosidase, which is likely important for the survival of bacteria in competitive environments.

Conclusions

By encapsulating single bacteria cells inside microfluidic droplets, we exclude potential interspecific competition for the enrichment of rare strains by shotgun sequencing at high resolution. The comparative genomic analysis reveals underlying mechanisms for host-specific adaptations, providing intriguing insights into microbe-microbe interactions. The current approach may facilitate the hunting for elusive bacteria and paves the way for large-scale studies of more complex animal microbial communities.
Lactic acid from vaginal microbiota enhances cervicovaginal epithelial barrier integrity by promoting tight junction protein expression
Authors: Delgado-Diaz David Jose , Jesaveluk Brianna , Hayward Joshua A. , Tyssen David , Alisoltani Arghavan , Potgieter Matthys , Bell Liam , Ross Elizabeth , Iranzadeh Arash , Allali Imane , Dabee Smritee , Barnabas Shaun , Gamieldien Hoyam , Blackburn Jonathan M. , Mulder Nicola , Smith Steven B. , Edwards Vonetta L. , Burgener Adam D. , Bekker Linda-Gail , Ravel Jacques , Passmore Jo-Ann S. , Masson Lindi , Hearps Anna C. , Tachedjian Gilda
Published: August 2022

Background

Women with a cervicovaginal microbiota dominated by Lactobacillus spp. are at reduced risk of acquiring sexually transmitted infections including HIV, but the biological mechanisms involved remain poorly defined. Here, we performed metaproteomics on vaginal swab samples from young South African women (n = 113) and transcriptomics analysis of cervicovaginal epithelial cell cultures to examine the ability of lactic acid, a metabolite produced by cervicovaginal lactobacilli, to modulate genital epithelial barrier function.

Results

Compared to women with Lactobacillus-depleted microbiota, women dominated by vaginal lactobacilli exhibit higher abundance of bacterial lactate dehydrogenase, a key enzyme responsible for lactic acid production, which is independently associated with an increased abundance of epithelial barrier proteins. Physiological concentrations of lactic acid enhance epithelial cell culture barrier integrity and increase intercellular junctional molecule expression.

Conclusions

These findings reveal a novel ability of vaginal lactic acid to enhance genital epithelial barrier integrity that may help prevent invasion by sexually transmitted pathogens.
Extra benefit of microalgae in raw piggery wastewater treatment: pathogen reduction
Authors: Lee Sang-Ah , Kim Minsik , Kim Hee-Sik , Ahn Chi-Yong
Published: August 2022

Background

Monitoring microbial communities especially focused on pathogens in newly developed wastewater treatment systems is recommended for public health. Thus, we investigated the microbial community shift in a pilot-scale microalgal treatment system for piggery wastewater.

Results

Microalgae showed reasonable removal efficiencies for COD and ammonia, resulting in higher transparency of the final effluent. Metagenome and microbial diversity analyses showed that heterotrophic microalgal cultivation barely changed the bacterial community; however, the mixotrophic microalgal cultivation induced a sudden change. In addition, an evaluation of risk groups (RGs) of bacteria showed that raw piggery wastewater included abundant pathogens, and the microalgal treatment of the raw piggery wastewater decreased the RG2 pathogens by 63%. However, co-cultivation of microalgae and the most dominant RG2 pathogen, Oligella, showed no direct effects between them.

Conclusions

Thus, a microbial interaction network was constructed to elucidate algae-bacteria interrelationships, and the decrease in Oligella was indirectly connected with microalgal growth via Brevundimonas, Sphingopyxis, and Stenotrophomonas. In a validation test, 3 among 4 connecting bacterial strains exhibited inhibition zones against Oligella. Therefore, we showed that microalgal wastewater treatment causes a decrease in RG2 bacteria, which is an indirect impact of microalgae associated with bacteria.

Graphical Abstract
A review of experimental evidence of how communication affects attitudes to immigration
Authors: Dennison James
Published: August 2022

The need for strategic communication in migration policymaking is increasingly widely recognised. Whereas until recently there was relatively little academic evidence of what forms of immigration communication are effective, the past few years have seen a large amount of new experimental evidence. This article overviews 68 experimental studies, as well as other relevant studies, categorising their findings into nine common communication strategies. Appealing to common interest rather than self-interest, appealing to conformity rather than diversity, migrant descriptions, appealing to common ground, and appealing to empathy are consistently shown to be effective. Fact-checking of the effects of migration and appealing to emotions are mostly shown to be effective, as is appealing to identity where applicable. By contrast, appealing to diversity is consistently shown to be ineffective, while correcting information about migrant stocks and appeals to self-interest are mostly shown to be ineffective. Overall, this review article supports psychological findings regarding attitudinal formation that emphasise sociotropic considerations of the effects of immigration, economic or otherwise, on the collective while offering weaker support for egocentric approaches.
Effect of Resistance Exercise Orders on Health Parameters in Trained Older Women: A Randomized Crossover Trial
Authors: CUNHA PAOLO M. , NUNES JOÃO PEDRO , WERNECK ANDRÉ O. , RIBEIRO ALEX S. , da Silva Machado DANIEL GOMES , KASSIANO WITALO , COSTA BRUNA D. V. , CYRINO LETÍCIA T. , ANTUNES MELISSA , KUNEVALIKI GABRIEL , TOMELERI CRISIELI M. , FERNANDES RODRIGO R. , JUNIOR PAULO SUGIHARA , TEIXEIRA DENILSON C. , VENTURINI DANIELLE , BARBOSA DÉCIO S. , QIAN YU , HEROLD FABIAN , ZOU LIYE , MAYHEW JERRY L. , STUBBS BRENDON , CYRINO EDILSON SERPELONI
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This study aimed to compare the effects of four resistance exercise orders on muscular strength, body composition, functional fitness, cardiovascular risk factors, and mental health parameters in trained older women.

Methods

The intervention lasted 63 wk. Sixty-one physically independent women (>60 yr) after completing a 12-wk resistance training (RT) preconditioning phase were randomized into four different exercise orders groups to perform 12 wk of RT: multijoint to single-joint and upper- to lower-body, single-joint to multijoint and upper- to lower-body, multijoint to single-joint and lower- to upper-body, and single-joint to multijoint and lower- to upper-body. This was followed by a 12-wk detraining period and another 12-wk RT in which exercise orders were crossed over between MJ-SJ and SJ-MJ conditions. Body composition (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry), muscular strength (one-repetition maximum tests), functional fitness (gait speed, walking agility, 30-s chair stand, and 6-min walk tests), cardiovascular risk factors (glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, C-reactive protein, advanced oxidation protein product, total radical-trapping antioxidant parameter, and nitric oxide), depressive (Geriatric Depression Scale) and anxiety symptoms (Beck Anxiety Inventory), and cognitive performance (Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Trail Making, verbal fluency, and Stroop test) were analyzed.

Results

After the final training period, all groups presented significant improvements (P < 0.05) in almost all analyzed variables (muscular strength, body composition, functional tests, blood biomarkers, and mental health parameters), without significant difference among exercise orders.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that RT exercise orders in which MJ, SJ, upper, or lower-body exercises are performed first have similar effects on health parameters in trained older women.
Analysis of blood coagulation indexes, thromboelastogram and autoantibodies in patients with recurrent pregnancy loss
Authors: Yao Huizhen , Ji Yimei , Zhou Yanru
Published: August 2022

Objectives: Changes in coagulation indexes, thromboelastogram(TEG) and autoantibodies in patients with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) with different number of abortions were analyzed.

Methods: Medical records of 48 patients with recurrent abortion, treated in Quzhou people’s Hospital from November 2019 to October 2020, were collected as the observation group. Based on the number of abortions, patients were divided into Group-A (Two abortions, n=21), Group-B (Three abortions, n=16) and group C (Abortion ≥ four times, n=11). Records of 50 healthy pregnant women in our hospital in the same period were selected as the control group. Coagulation indexes [prothrombin time (PT), activated partial prothrombin time (APTT), fibrinogen (FIB), D-Dimer (DD)], thromboelastogram (TEG) parameters [reaction time (R), coagulation time(K), maximum thrombus amplitude (MA), coagulation angle (α)], changes in the levels of autoantibodies [anticardiolipin antibody (ACA), anti-endometrial antibody (EmAb), anti-thyroid antibody(ATA)] were compared between the groups.

Results: There were significant differences in the levels of ATPP, Pt, FIB and DD among the groups. Higher number of abortions correlated with lower the levels of ATPP and Pt, and higher levels of FIB and DD (P<0.05). Compared to the control group, R and K in Group-A,B and C decreased, while α and MA increased (P<0.05). There were significant differences in α and MA indexes. The positive rates of ACA, EmAb and ATA in Group-A were higher than those in the control group, but the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05), while the above indexes in groups B and C were significantly higher than those in the control group(P<0.05). The positive rates of ACA and ATA in group C were significantly higher than those in Group-A(P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in the positive rate of EmAb (P>0.05).

Conclusion: RPL was related to the decrease of APTT, PT, and the increase of FIB and DD levels. TEG indicated that the increase of α and MA values indicated that the risk of multiple abortion was increased. The positive rates of ACA, EmAb and ATA were closely related to multiple abortions, especially the positive rates of ACA and ATA.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.7.6284

How to cite this:Yao H, Ji Y, Zhou Y. Analysis of blood coagulation indexes, thromboelastogram and autoantibodies in patients with recurrent pregnancy loss. Pak J Med Sci. 2022;38(7):2005-2010. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.7.6284

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Inflammatory markers in patients who presented with acute coronary syndrome and history of COVID-19 infection: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Sadeq Awfa , Al Saffar Hilal , Alabdali Samara
Published: August 2022

Background: During the COVID-19 outbreak, the number of patients who have developed acute coronary syndromes (ACS) has soared rapidly, cardiovascular disease and mortality are influenced by the elevated inflammatory biomarkers. The aim of this study is to compare inflammatory markers between patients with ACS who hadn’t previously had COVID-19 and those who’d be infected within the preceding three months; as well as, evaluating the effect of statins on inflammatory biomarkers.

Methods: This is a comparative cross-sectional study of 42 patients who presented with ACS and had previously had COVID-19 and 48 patient who had never had COVID-19, who were admitted to the coronary care unit at the Iraqi Center for Heart Disease and Baghdad Teaching Hospital, Iraq. Inflammatory biomarkers (TNF-α, IL-6, and HS-CRP) levels were determined in serum samples of all patients at admission to these centers then one month later, after administration of statins daily using the Sandwich-ELISA Principle, and Immunofluorescence technique for these markers.

Result: The baseline for patients who had ACS and COVID-19 three months previously, were IL6 (85.87 ±45.80), HS-CRP (23.19 ± 14.49), and TNF-α (161.94± 240.96) were higher than patients that had ACS but not COVID-19; IL6 (50.77±22.48), HS-CRP (13.64± 12.09), and TNF-α (117.73 ±71.23),(p<0.0001), (p=0.003) and (p=0.201) for IL6, HS-CRP, and TNF-α respectively. Rosuvastatin showed a significant reduction in HS-CRP and IL6 (P<0.001), while Atorvastatin a significant reduction in HS-CRP (P<0.001) after one month of therapy. Yet there was no significant difference in the level of TNF α in these two groups at the end of this study.     Conclusions: The patients with previous COVID-19 still had higher inflammatory markers than those who didn’t. Rosuvastatin 40mg had a more reduction in IL6 than Atorvastatin 40mg after one month and both of them could reduce HS-CRP, but neither could reduce TNF-α in this short period.
Wokół roli Oddziału II Sztabu Generalnego WP w sowieckiej operacji dezinformacyjnej „Trust”. Refleksje na marginesie książki Marka Świerczka
Authors: Olstowski Przemysław
Published: August 2022

Celem artykułu jest recenzja książki Marka Świerczka Największa klęska polskie- go wywiadu. Sowiecka operacja dezinformacyjna „Trust” 1921–1927. „Trust” to kryptonim znanej operacji sowieckiego kontrwywiadu przeciwko białej emigracji rosyjskiej oraz obcym służbom wywiadowczym działającym w Rosji sowieckiej, a następnie ZSRR. Ważną rolę w tej operacji odegrał polski wywiad wojskowy (Oddział II Sztabu Generalnego WP), który nie tylko stał się obiektem trwającej przez sześć lat sowieckiej inspiracji, ale też – ze względu na swoją pozycję wśród służb wywiadowczych pracujących przeciwko ZSRR – ważnym dla GPU kana- łem inspiracji, zwłaszcza w stosunku do wywiadów państw europejskich. Książka to bez wątpienia interesująca i inspirująca. Niemniej jednak autor w odniesieniu do postawionych przez siebie hipotez nie przedstawił przekonujących dowodów na istnienie sowieckiej agentury w Oddziale II Sztabu Generalnego WP, co jest jedną z kluczowych kwestii w tej pracy.
Pregnancy-induced rhinitis: nose problems at the obstetrician's office
Authors: Standyło Arkadiusz , Obuchowska Aleksandra , Obuchowska Karolina , Gorczyca Kamila , Kimber-Trojnar Żaneta , Leszczyńska-Gorzelak Bożena
Published: August 2022

Introduction and purpose

Pregnancy-induced rhinitis (PIR) manifests as nasal congestion, with resolution of symptoms after delivery. Pregnancy-induced rhinitis is a distinct condition from allergic rhinitis, it may not respond to treatment for allergic rhinitis. The first stage in providing adequate and effective management of PIR is to have a clear and appropriate diagnosis. Therefore, each patient-specific management of PIR must take careful consideration of a variety of circumstances.

The aim of this study was to conduct a literature review on pregnancy-induced rhinitis. A literature review was carried out in the PubMed, MEDLINE, and Scopus databases using the terms ‘rhinitis and pregnancy’.

Brief description of the state of knowledge

Physiological factors underlying PIR are not well understood at the moment. There is no single explanation for the pathophysiological mechanism that would account for the changes in PIR. Nasal congestion is the primary nasal symptom in pregnancy-induced rhinitis. It can result in night-time mouth breathing and poor sleep quality. The mother's sleep may be negatively impacted by nasal congestion resulting in maternal hypertension, pre-eclampsia, and intrauterine growth retardation. Increasing awareness not only benefits pregnant patients' quality of life but also has a favourable impact on how a pregnancy turns out.

Summary

PIR has gained relevance in recent years due to its major effects on maternal quality of life as well as the identification of a relationship with OSAS in the mother and potential harmful consequences on the foetus. The mother's quality of life is significantly impacted by PIR, as shown, thus both the otorhinolaryngologist and the obstetrician must use caution in the early identification and treatment of pregnancy-induced rhinitis.