bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Die Logik des Neides Eine kantianische Analyse
Authors: Noller Jörg
Published: August 2023

The phenomenon of envy has mostly been analyzed as a special form of a subject???s emotion or feeling. However, its rational structure and moral-psychological dimension have rarely been analyzed in detail. In this paper I argue that envy is not only an unpleasant complex emotion but
rather a highly interesting attitude and strategy, which consists in finding reasons for denying another person the recognition she actually deserves. Envious people systematically confuse envy with justified moral resentment. This rationalizing denial of recognition is due to a form of rational
self-deception by the envious person. I will analyze this strategy of envy in more detail by referring to John Rawls???s conception of justice and Immanuel Kant???s concept of rationalizing. I shall conclude by arguing that envy is characterized by a paradoxical structure, which consists in
the fact that we never consciously and willingly envy, so that the speech act “I envy you” implies a performative contradiction.
Estado atual da Física Médica no Brasil
Authors: Vizeu Dirceu Martins
Published: August 2023

Breve resumo que reporta à história do surgimento da Física Médica como profissão, e as principais atribuições do físico médico em Radioterapia e em Radiologia Diagnostica.
Nomenclatura para os diagnósticos citológicos
Authors: Cunha Mercês Pontes
Published: August 2023

Revisão de literatura sobra a nomenclatura para diagnósticos citológicos, baseado em manuais de normas e procedimentos da Organização Panamericana de Saúde e Organização Mundial de Saúde.
The evolution of the judicial recovery institute: an analysis of impacts after the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Nascimento Isidro José Bezerra Maciel Fortaleza do
Published: August 2023

The main objective of this article is to present the relationship between the judicial recovery institute and the consequences generated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The development of this study was carried out from the perspective of the principles of Law No. 14,112 of December 24, 2020. The methodology employed is a bibliographic study (based on classical literature of bankruptcy, insolvency, and corporate law) and documentary (relevant legislation). The method used also involves a descriptive and exploratory research approach, with a qualitative data analysis. It was observed that the restrictions and economic impacts generated by the pandemic affected the restructuring of debts contracted by companies, thus having the potential to worsen the economic and financial crisis faced by debtors undergoing restructuring. Furthermore, the consequences of the pandemic directly impacted the possibility of non-compliance with obligations that were assumed by the debtors. Finally, upon analyzing the impacts of the legal changes that occurred in light of the recent pandemic context, it is possible to perceive that these changes have shown modest results, with no substantial increase in the number of requests for judicial recovery, even during a crisis. This leads to the conclusion that many companies ended up ceasing their activities irregularly.
РЕГУЛЮВАННЯ ДІЯЛЬНОСТІ БАНКІВ НА ВІТЧИЗНЯНОМУ РИНКУ ЦІННИХ ПАПЕРІВ
Authors: Черкасова Світлана
Published: August 2023

У статті розглянуті основні види діяльності банківських установ на вітчизняному ринку цінних паперів відповідно до вимог законодавства та форм державного регулювання. Зазначено, що у вітчизняній практиці банкам дозволено виступати на фондовому ринку у ролі емітентів, інституційних інвесторів та професійних учасників, що забезпечують функціонування інститутів інфраструктури цього ринку. Проаналізовані тенденції розвитку емісійної діяльності банків, зокрема щодо випуску корпоративних облігацій упродовж 2017-2021 рр. Зроблений висновок про недостатнє використання зазначеного джерела залучення позикового капіталу у вітчизняній банківській системі. Наголошено на зростанні інтересу банків до вкладень у цінні папери, що зумовлено зниженням попиту в економіці країни на кредитні продукти. Частка інвестицій банків у цінні папери протягом останніх пяти років стрімко зростала і на сьогодні перевищує третину сукупних банківських активів. Зазначено, що особливий інтерес банки мають до вкладень у державні цінні папери, передусім в ОВДП. Значною мірою така тенденція зумовлена достатньо високою доходністю та надійністю цих фондових інструментів та дозволом регулятора щодо формування обов’язкових банківських резервів за рахунок придбання ОВДП. Активного розвитку останніми роками набула діяльність банків в якості первинних дилерів на ринку з розміщення ОВДП, що забезпечує ефективне функціонування і розвиток цього ринку. Зроблено висновок, що форми державного регулювання діяльності банків на вітчизняному ринку цінних паперів демонструють свою ефективність та сприяють зростанню ролі цих установ у фінансовій системі країни, посилюють значення емісійної, інвестиційної та посередницької банківської діяльності у процесах залучення, переміщення інвестиційного капіталу та спрямуванні його на економічне зростання.
ОСОБЛИВОСТІ РОЗВИТКУ РИНКУ ДЕРЖАВНИХ БОРГОВИХ ЦІННИХ ПАПЕРІВ УКРАЇНИ
Authors: Богріновцева Людмила , Ключка Ольга
Published: August 2023

Стаття присвячена дослідженню ключових аспектів розвитку ринку державних боргових цінних паперів України. Встановлено, що ринок боргових цінних паперів є комплексною соціоекономічною структурою, на якій базується функціонування ринкової економіки в цілому. Його існування сприяє нагромадженню капіталу для здійснення інвестицій у виробничу сферу, перебудові економічної структури та підвищенню рівня життя населення через володіння та вільне розпорядження цінними паперами. Проаналізовано обсяг розміщення державних облігацій та питому вагу цих операцій у фінансовій системі України. Висвітлюються фактори, що спричинили ріст інтересу до державних облігацій, такі як вплив геополітичних подій та зміни в ринкових умовах. Досліджено фактори, які впливають на зміну дохідності цих цінних паперів, такі як дефіцит держбюджету, облікова ставка Національного банку та інші економічні показники. Розглянуто основні умови для ефективного функціонування ринку державних боргових цінних паперів. Зроблено висновок, що при ефективному та прозорому використанні, дані фінансові інструменти можуть позитивно вплинути на інвестиційні процеси в країні, за рахунок їх впливу на грошовий обіг та регулювання грошової маси в країні. В свою чергу, вони також виступають як засобом покриття дефіциту державного бюджету, так і методом залучення грошових ресурсів підприємствами та населенням для вирішення різних завдань. За допомогою боргових цінних паперів держава регулює розвиток економіки та формує рівень дохідності від цінних паперів, створює механізми перерозподілу капіталу між різними сегментами фінансового ринку та вирішує інші важливі соціально-економічні завдання.
A Novel Minimization Method for Sensor Deployment Via Heuristic 2-Sat Solution
Authors: Ahmed Waleed , Ali Rushdi Ali Muhammad
Published: August 2023

The tasks of guard placement or sensor deployment in an art gallery, a museum or in the corridors of public and security buildings pose the same problem, which requires placing the guards or sensors so as to cover a specified set of nodes with a minimum number of sensors or guards, thereby reducing the overall cost of the system as well assist power consumption. Generally, minimization can be done using optimization techniques such as linear programming, but in case of sensor deployment or guard placement there is a need either to place or not to place the sensor or guard, and hence only Boolean or binary values are used. Therefore, in order to optimize such a problem, we use the special case of linear integer programming known as Boolean integer linear programming (0-1 ILP). Other algorithms like Pseudo-Boolean SAT Solvers can also be used for the minimization purpose. In this paper, we introduce these minimization algorithms for the sensor deployment problem. We also contribute a greed-based heuristic, which utilizes the fact that the pertinent propositional formulas have variables of purely un-complemented literals. This heuristic has much less computational cost compared to those of 0-1 ILP and the Pseudo-Boolean SAT Solvers.
Construction Practices in Karachi Featuring Town Wise Study: Non-Compliance of Safety Measures and Consequences
Authors: Jafri Syed Faraz , Sheeraz Khawaja , Rao Zubair Iqbal , Pirzada G. B.
Published: August 2023

Based on the statistical evaluation of accidents, the construction industry on an overall basis is full of dangers and risk oriented. The natures of the activities involved become hazardous when compliance with the safety rules and regulations are not properly followed, as a result high rates of accidents occur on the construction sites. In the metropolitan city of Karachi, Pakistan, a poor safety record has been observed in the construction industry. The primary reason existing for this situation is a non-preventive construction safety practice during execution of the projects. The secondary causes are dependent on the lack of resources, skills and interest of the concerned public sector agencies in enforcing the safety protocol regulations for the construction sites. In-addition, this situation also arises due to the lack of training in construction practices, child labor and a minimum awareness about the safety rules and regulations concerned with working on the construction sites.

This necessitated a need to embark on a program of collecting data in connection with the accidents occurring on construction sites in Karachi; a six months program involving Construction Site Accidents (CSA) was accomplished. This involved different districts of Karachi region to be included in this study. In particular, CSA contributory factors relating to skilled, semi-skilled, and non-skilled labors were evaluated and marginalized. Through this study, it will be shown how by properly implementing the safety and operational measures, based on statistical conclusions, the rate of accidents can be significantly reduced.

 

Index Terms— Construction, Construction Site Accidents (CSA), Safety, Labor, Construction Industry.
Varhaiskasvatuksen opettajaopiskelijoiden ajatuksia alaansa liittyvästä uutisoinnista
Authors: Ranta Samuli , Sintonen Sara
Published: August 2023

Selvitämme tässä tutkimuksessa, miten varhaiskasvatuksen opettajaopiskelijat kokevat median uutisoinnin vaikuttavan heidän omiin käsityksiinsä sekä yleiseen mielikuvaan varhaiskasvatusalasta. Keräsimme aineiston verkkokyselylomakkeella, jolla saimme vastauksia 105 varhaiskasvatuksen opettajaopiskelijalta kuudesta yliopistosta eri puolilta Suomea. Fenomenografista lähestymistapaa hyödyntäen tutkimme opiskelijoiden kokemuksia alaan liittyvästä uutisoinnista, heidän suhtautumistaan siihen sekä median uutisoinnin vaikutusta alavalintaan ja työelämään orientoitumiseen. Tutkimuksen tulosten mukaan median uutisointi koetaan merkityksellisenä ja siitä heijastuu niin kielteisiä kuin myönteisiäkin asioita. Opettajaopiskelijat kokivat uutisoinnin merkityksen tärkeänä, sillä asiat voivat muuttua paremmiksi niiden esiin nostamisen myötä. He kuitenkin kokevat, että median uutisointi on hyvin negatiivissävytteistä. Opiskelijat esimerkiksi pohtivat negatiivisen uutisoinnin herättämää huolta lasten vanhemmissa. Uutisointi vaikuttaa osaltaan opiskelijoiden ja muiden ihmisten ajatuksiin varhaiskasvatusalasta, alalle hakeutumisesta ja sillä työskentelemisestä. Tutkimuksemme mukaan medialla on näin ollen vaikutusta opiskelijoiden käsityksiin, ja pidämme tätä toistaiseksi vielä suhteellisen tutkimatonta ilmiötä yhteiskunnallisesti merkittävänä.
ARTICULAÇÕES EM RELAÇÃO À AMPLITUDE E ADERÊNCIA EM PROL DA REFORMA DO PENSAMENTO EM EDGAR MORIN
Authors: Gomes Alysson Carlos Ribeiro , De Pinho Maria José
Published: August 2023

A humanidade concebe e é concebida pela ciência. Esse entrelace nem sempre é (re)conhecido cientificamente. Considerando a necessidade de uma reforma do pensamento que potencialize a complexidade fenomênica com vistas a problematizar a ciência, Edgar Morin cunha o pensamento complexo. Em diálogo com este contexto, este artigo, a partir de uma revisão bibliográfica, na perspectiva qualitativa, objetiva anunciar uma articulação na intenção de contribuir com o mencionado processo reformador. Assim, escola e práticas pedagógicas criativas serão anunciadas, respectivamente, consoante a dimensão de amplitude e aderência. Contudo, em concordância com a visão de Edgar Morin, destaca-se que o pensamento complexo jamais será absoluto. Entretanto, ao inserir as discussões de Morin em um campo tão amplo como a escola, onde o labor docente faz emergir práticas pedagógicas que, criativamente, cativam (aderem) os sujeitos, é possível potencializar outras maneiras de se relacionar com os conhecimentos (ciências), podendo superar aquelas previstas no/pelo paradigma simplificador.
Palavras-chave: complexidade fenomênica. pensamento complexo. reforma do pensamento.
 
ABSTRACT
Humanity conceives and is conceived by science. This interweaving is not always (re)known scientifically. Considering the need for a reform of thought that enhances phenomenal complexity with a view to problematizing science, Edgar Morin coined complex thinking. In dialogue with this context, this article, based on a bibliographic review, from a qualitative perspective, aims to announce an articulation with the intention of contributing to the aforementioned reform process. Thus, school and creative pedagogical practices will be announced, respectively, according to the dimension of breadth and adherence. However, in line with Edgar Morin's view, it is emphasized that complex thinking will never be absolute. However, by inserting Morin's discussions into a field as broad as the school, where the teaching work gives rise to pedagogical practices that creatively captivate (adhere) the subjects, it is possible to enhance other ways of relating to knowledge (science) , which may exceed those foreseen in/by the simplifying paradigm.
Keywords: phenomenal complexity. complex thinking. thought reform.
Screen Exposure and Child Development: A Contextual Analysis of Pandemic
Authors: Ali Alishba , Inam Ayesha
Published: August 2023

Covid Pandemic impacted people across the globe, especially children who spent the most crucial years in lockdown and had to readjust themselves to the real world after the pandemic. Many children were fixated to screen devices for education, entertainment, and family interaction with limited physical socialization. The research aimed to study the impact of screen duration on language acquisition, behavioral development, social competency, and emotional regulation. The sample comprised 406 children 2-6 years old with no physical and psychological diagnosis and acquired developmental milestones at the appropriate age. Purposive sampling was conducted, and data were collected from various public and private schools and daycares. Albert Language Development Questionnaire, Strengths and Difficulties, and Social Competence (parent versions) were used to assess language development, behavioral problems, social interaction, and emotional regulation. For analysis, correlation, regression, and ANOVA were conducted. Results showed social competence and behavioral difficulties as significant predictors of Language Impairment. Increased screen exposure was found to be related to language impairment, behavioral difficulties, and poor social competence. Each of the factors was found to be significantly related, confirming our hypothesis. The results are beneficial for caregivers, teachers, and psychologists in providing guidelines about the factors. That is impairing child development especially excessive use of screen devices.
TRADITIONAL USAGES OF SOME MEDICINAL PLANTS FOR PEDIATRIC DISEASES
Authors: SARI Fatma , KÜLTÜR Şükran , KOÇYİĞİT Mine
Published: August 2023

Objective: Different types of pediatric diseases negatively affect the lives of many people, physically. Here, we aimed to document some medicinal plants used as traditional folk medicine in pediatrics treatment.
Result and Discussion: 117 taxa and 53 families have been identified as traditional herbal medicines used in defined pediatric diseases. The most frequently used medicinal plant species according to the number of citations Foeniculum vulgare Mill., Juglans regia L., Dryopteris filix-mas (L.) Schott, Rosa canina L., Mentha x piperita L., Matricaria chamomilla L. All findings are expected to form the basis for new pharmaceutical products and become a handbook for healthcare professionals.
SAĞLIK HİZMETLERİ MESLEK YÜKSEKOKULU ÖĞRENCİLERİNİN BİTKİSEL ÜRÜNLER İLE İLGİLİ BİLGİ DÜZEY VE TUTUMLARININ DEĞERLENDİRİLMESİ
Authors: OSMANLIOĞLU DAĞ Ş. Rumeysa
Published: August 2023

Tanımlayıcı tipteki bu çalışmada, İnönü Üniversitesi Sağlık Hizmetleri Meslek Yüksekokulu’nda eğitim görmekte olan öğrencilerin bitkisel ürünler hakkındaki bilgi düzeylerini ve tutumlarını belirlemek amaçlandı. Katılımcılara, sosyodemografik özelliklerini ve bitkisel ürün kullanımı hakkındaki bilgi, tutum ve davranışlarını sorgulayan soruların yer aldığı online bir anket uygulandı. Veriler SPSS 27.0.1 paket programında sayı, yüzde hesaplamaları ve ki-kare testi kullanılarak değerlendirildi. Katılımcıların 201’i kadındı (%76.1). Öğrencilerin 179’unun (%67.8) tıbbi bitkiler/bitkisel ürünler ile ilgili bir eğitim almadığı görüldü. Ders/eğitim alan kişiler ile tanımlayabildikleri bitki sayısı arasında pozitif yönde anlamlı bir ilişki saptandı (p˂10-6). Katılımcılar bitkisel ürünler ile ilgili bilgiye ulaştıkları kaynakları en sık internet (%79.2), okul (%28.4) ve yaşça büyük akraba veya tanıdık (%27.7) olarak belirtti. Katılımcıların 213’ü (%80.7) herhangi bir amaca yönelik bitkisel ürün kullanmaktaydı ve kullananların çoğunluğu (%78.88) kadındı. Ayrıca bitkisel ürünler hakkında ders/eğitim alınması ile bitkisel ürün kullanımı arasında anlamlı bir ilişki saptandı (p˂10-6). Kullanılan bitkisel ürünlerin en çok aktardan (%60.56) temin edildiği gözlendi. Kullanım amaçları ise en sık soğuk algınlığı (%61.03) ve bağışıklık güçlendirme (%55.40) olarak tespit edildi. Sonuç olarak üniversite öğrencilerinde bitkisel ürün kullanımının yaygın olduğu ve tıbbi bitkiler/bitkisel ürünler hakkında eğitim verilmesi durumunda bilgi düzeylerinin ve bitkisel ürün kullanımlarının arttığı gözlenmiştir.
Case report: Thoracic endovascular aortic repair using a non-touch exclusion technique with a custom-made device for the treatment of a large patent ductus arteriosus
Authors: Jenab Yaser , Salehi Omran Hossein , Hosseini Kaveh , Tofighi Saeed , Ghaderian Homa , Ates Ismail
Published: August 2023

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a common congenital heart disease affecting roughly one in every 2,000 term births. Although most of the patients are diagnosed and treated during childhood, few cases may persist into adulthood. We presented a 27-year-old male patient with a 20.2 mm diameter PDA who was referred to our hospital with progressive fatigue and exertional dyspnea. Given the potential complications, usual techniques such as coil occlusion and duct occluders were deemed inappropriate for this patient. Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) using a non-touch exclusion technique was successfully performed for this patient. The patient was discharged with no major post-surgical complications. TEVAR could be a new, safe, and effective alternative treatment to other transcatheter procedures for complicated PDAs in some patients.
Removal of ciprofloxacin from an aqueous medium by adsorption on natural and hydrolyzed bentonites
Authors: Jara-Cobos Lourdes , Abad-Delgado David , Ponce-Montalvo Jonathan , Menendez Miguel , Peñafiel María E.
Published: August 2023

Two bentonites (sodic bentonite, BSN, and calcic bentonite, BCN) were treated with nitric acid to improve the adsorption capacities using ciprofloxacin (CIP) as an adsorbate. The results demonstrated that nitric acid treatment enhances the specific area and increases the pore volume of both bentonites. The mechanism of adsorption of CIP was investigated using a kinetic model, isotherms, and pH influence. The adsorption capacity for BSN increased from 294.1 mg.g−1 to 416.6 mg.g−1 after acid treatment, while the increase in the adsorption capacity of BCN was minor. The increase in CIP removal may be due to an increase in the specific area and the presence of acidic surface functional groups. The adsorption mechanism of CIP on all adsorbents was governed by external diffusion, internal diffusion, and adsorption to reach equilibrium. The adjustment of strong adsorbents to the BET model indicated multilayer adsorption. The best adsorbent is sodic bentonite with nitric acid treatment. The study of the pH effect showed that the mechanism of CIP adsorption is hydrogen bonds and electrostatic interaction. Therefore, the acid treatment was found promising to improve the adsorbent characteristic of clays for removing CIP from water.
Multilocus environmental adaptation and population structure in the Cerrado gecko Gymnodactylus amarali (Sauria, Phyllodactylidae) from Serra da Mesa Hydroelectric Plant, Central Brazil
Authors: Miranda Rogério Benevides , Brandão Reuber Albuquerque , O’Connell Kyle , Colli Guarino Rinaldi , Tonini João F. R. , Pyron R. Alexander
Published: August 2023

Contrasting environmental conditions across geographic space might promote divergent selection, making adaptation to local biotic and abiotic conditions necessary for populations to survive. In order to understand how populations adapt to different environmental conditions, studies of local adaptation have been largely used as an interface to address ecological and evolutionary questions. Here, we studied populations of Gymnodactylus amarali (Phyllodactylidae) isolated in rapidly created artificial islands. We combined a genotyping-by-sequence (GBS) survey and redundancy analyses (RDA) to investigate genotype–environment associations (GEA), while DAPC, Fst, and Admixture analyses were used to determine genetic structure. Our hypothesis is that G. amarali populations on the islands are going through a local adaptation process and consequently becoming genetically different from the populations on the mainland. Our results indicate that geographic and environmental differences are related to genetic variation, as we detected the presence of two or three distinct genetic lineages in Serra da Mesa, Minaçu, and Colinas do Sul. Fst analysis shows moderate isolation between Serra da Mesa and Minaçu (0.082). The RDA pointed out potential local genetic signal correlated with temperature and precipitation. We identified 230 candidate loci associated with the environment and at least two locally structured subpopulations (Serra da Mesa and Minaçu) show significant association with environmental variation.
The relevance of knowledge, perception, and factors that influence contraceptive use among married women living in Uaddara Barracks, Ghana
Authors: Lumor Daisy Afra , Obirikorang Christian , Acheampong Emmanuel , Obirikorang Yaa , Owusu Hubert , Newton Sam
Published: August 2023

Background

Contraceptive use has many advantages for personal growth and societal advancement, but there is still the problem of unmet needs for women, which highlights the gap between women's reproductive intentions and contraceptive use. This study investigated knowledge, perceptions, and factors that influence contraceptive use among married women living in a military base in Ghana.

Methods

This cross-sectional study involved 350 married women between the ages of 20 and 58 years at the Uaddara Barracks, Kumasi. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information on the background, knowledge, perceptions on contraceptive use, and contraceptive methods used by participants. Data was entered into an Excel sheet and analysed using R version 4.2.1.

Results

Most of the participants were between the age range of 36 and 40 years (25.5%). Almost all study participants (97.4%), had heard about contraceptives with 80.6% showing a high level of knowledge on contraceptives. The majority of the women (84.6%) had previously used some form of contraceptives and 53.1% presently do. More than half of the participants (69.4%) had a positive perception of contraceptive use; 80.6% responded it was their own decision to use contraceptives, and 80.3% had the support of their husbands. Husbands' support of contraception resulted in a 5 times higher usage of contraceptives among women (aOR =  5.35; p < 0.001) while women who were married to military men were 45% (aOR = 0.45; p = 0.007) less likely to use contraceptive when compared to civilian wives. Demographic characteristics like being above 40 years (aOR = 0.25; p = 0.014), being a housewife (aOR = 0.42; p = 0.043) and working in the private sector (aOR = 0.33; p = 0.015) were significantly linked with less contraceptive use.

Conclusion

The study showed that women used contraceptives at a rate that was much higher than the national norm at the Uaddara Barracks, demonstrating the beneficial influence men had on women's contraceptive use. This thereby underscores the need for interventional policies that prioritized the male as much as women, while emphasizing the benefits of contraceptive use to the family and not just as an awareness program only.
Prognostic role of different PD-L1 expression patterns and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in high-grade serous ovarian cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wang Ye-Min , Cai Wei , Xue Qing-Ming , Zhang Jin-Yao , Zhou Lv , Xiong Su-Yi , Deng Huan
Published: August 2023

Background

The prognostic value of programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) remains a controversial topic in the research field. To comprehensively assess the importance of PD-L1 and TILs in this particular subtype of ovarian cancer, we performed a meta-analysis.

Methods

We conducted a comprehensive search of PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases up to December 25, 2022. The association between PD-L1, TILs, and survival outcomes was evaluated using the combined hazard ratios (HRs) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

This meta-analysis comprised 11 trials involving a total of 1746 cases. The results revealed no significant association between PD-L1 expression in tumor cells (TCs) and overall survival (OS, HR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.52-1.09, p = 0.136) or progression-free survival (PFS, HR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.4 -1.24, p = 0.230). Nevertheless, a correlation was observed between PD-L1 expression in immune cells (ICs) and OS (HR = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.55-0.97, p = 0.031). Furthermore, the presence of CD8+ and PD-1+ TILs was found to significantly enhance OS (HR = 0.70, 95% CI = 0.55-0.87, p = 0.002; HR = 0.57, 95% CI = 0.40-0.80, p = 0.001, respectively) and PFS (HR = 0.62, 95% CI = 0.41-0.92, p = 0.019; HR = 0.52, 95% CI = 0.35-0.78, p = 0.002, respectively), whereas the presence of CD3+ and CD4+ TILs was positively associated with OS (HR = 0.50, 95% CI = 0.29-0.87, p = 0.014; HR = 0.55, 95% CI = 0.34-0.91, p = 0.020, respectively).

Conclusion

This study indicates a positive correlation between ICs-derived PD-L1 and survival, while no significant correlation was observed between TCs-derived PD-L1 and prognosis. These results highlight the importance of studying PD-L1 expression in ICs as a prognostic predictor. In addition, the presence of TILs was found to significantly improve patient survival, suggesting that TILs may be a valuable prognostic biomarker.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42022366411.
The immune suppressive properties of damage associated molecular patterns in the setting of sterile traumatic injury
Authors: Horner Emily , Lord Janet M. , Hazeldine Jon
Published: August 2023

Associated with the development of hospital-acquired infections, major traumatic injury results in an immediate and persistent state of systemic immunosuppression, yet the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Detected in the circulation in the minutes, days and weeks following injury, damage associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) are a heterogeneous collection of proteins, lipids and DNA renowned for initiating the systemic inflammatory response syndrome. Suggesting additional immunomodulatory roles in the post-trauma immune response, data are emerging implicating DAMPs as potential mediators of post-trauma immune suppression. Discussing the results of in vitro, in vivo and ex vivo studies, the purpose of this review is to summarise the emerging immune tolerising properties of cytosolic, nuclear and mitochondrial-derived DAMPs. Direct inhibition of neutrophil antimicrobial activities, the induction of endotoxin tolerance in monocytes and macrophages, and the recruitment, activation and expansion of myeloid derived suppressor cells and regulatory T cells are examples of some of the immune suppressive properties assigned to DAMPs so far. Crucially, with studies identifying the molecular mechanisms by which DAMPs promote immune suppression, therapeutic strategies that prevent and/or reverse DAMP-induced immunosuppression have been proposed. Approaches currently under consideration include the use of synthetic polymers, or the delivery of plasma proteins, to scavenge circulating DAMPs, or to treat critically-injured patients with antagonists of DAMP receptors. However, as DAMPs share signalling pathways with pathogen associated molecular patterns, and pro-inflammatory responses are essential for tissue regeneration, these approaches need to be carefully considered in order to ensure that modulating DAMP levels and/or their interaction with immune cells does not negatively impact upon anti-microbial defence and the physiological responses of tissue repair and wound healing.
Latitudinal variation in the potential activity of Atlantic Ocean bacterioplankton revealed through 16S rRNA and 16S rRNA gene metabarcoding
Authors: Allen Ro , Bird Kimberley E. , Murrell J. Colin , Cunliffe Michael
Published: August 2023

The activities of bacterioplankton sustain open ocean biogeochemical and ecological processes, however, little is known about the activity of specific bacterioplankton, especially related to their biogeography across oceanic scales. The Atlantic is the second largest of the world’s oceans and has an essential role in the global carbon cycle. Here, we show congruence in the structure of 16S rRNA and 16S rRNA gene derived bacterioplankton communities throughout the Atlantic Ocean from temperate to tropical regions. We used 16S rRNA:16S rRNA gene ratios as a phylogenetically resolved proxy for potential activity, demonstrating ocean-scale patterns of putative oligotrophy and copiotrophy in major bacterioplankton groups, with spatial niche partitioning being evident at single-nucleotide resolution within some groups, including the Flavobacteria and SAR86. This study examines the potential structure of the active microbiome of the Atlantic Ocean, providing novel insights into the ecology and life history strategies of both well-known and currently understudied bacterioplankton taxa.
Pattern recognition of hematological profiles of tumors of the digestive tract: an exploratory study
Authors: Santos-Silva Miguel A. , Sousa Nuno , Majar Marina , Machado Miguel , Reis Joana , Sousa Joao C.
Published: August 2023

Aims

In this study, we aimed to apply laboratory blood analysis to identify the hematological (based on hemoglobin concentration, erythrocytes, hematocrit, and RDW count) profiles associated with the most prevalent forms of digestive tract malignancies. Furthermore, we aimed to evaluate how these profiles contributed to distinguishing these tumors at diagnosis.

Methods

We collected data from the date of ICD-10 diagnostic coding for C15 esophagus, C16 stomach, C18 colon, and C19 rectum tumors of 184 individuals. The statistical analysis and data visualization approaches, notably the heat map and principal component analysis (PCA), allowed for creating a summary hematological profile and identifying the most associated parameters for each pathologic state. Univariate and multivariate data modeling and ROC analysis were performed in both SPSS and Python.

Results

Our data reveal unique patterns based on tumor development anatomical location, clustering the C18 colon and C19 rectum from the C15 esophagus and C16 stomach. We found a significant difference between C16 stomach carcinoma and the other tumors, which substantially correlated with raised RDW in conjunction with low hemoglobin concentration, erythrocytes, and hematocrit counts. In contrast, C18 colon carcinoma had the higher red blood cell count, allowing for the best classification metrics in the test set of the binary logistic regression (LR) model, accounting for an AUC of 0.77 with 94% sensitivity and 52% specificity.

Conclusion

This study emphasizes the significance of adding hematological patterns in diagnosing these malignancies, which could path further investigations regarding profiling and monitoring at the point of care.
Experiences of newly qualified midwives during their transition to practice: a systematic review of qualitative research
Authors: Shi Jinjin , Li Xuemei , Li Yongqi , Liu Ying , Li Junying , Zhang Rongli , Jiang Hui
Published: August 2023

Objective

To summarize and evaluate the experiences and expectations of newly qualified midwives (NQMs) during their transition from school to clinical practice. One of the main objectives was to provide references for the development of midwifery professional teaching and provide a basis for hospital administrators and instructors of midwifery to develop guidelines and strategies.

Methods

A systemic review of qualitative research using meta-aggregation was conducted. We collected studies from 12 databases between inception and February 2023. All qualitative studies published in English and Chinese that reported on the experiences of NQMs during their transition to practice were included. Two independent reviewers assessed the study quality and the credibility of study findings by using the JBI Qualitative Assessment and Review Instrument. The process of searching followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses recommendations.

Results

A total of 14 studies were included, and 84 findings were extracted. The results were grouped into 8 new categories and synthesized into 3 main themes: multi-dimensional challenges, physical and emotional responses, and demands and expectations. The included studies were identified to be of good quality and the results of the methodological quality appraisal were all B grade or higher.

Conclusion

The transition period is a critical career development for NQMs. However, they faced various stress during the period, which had a negative impact on their physical and mental health. Therefore, it’s important to deeply understand their challenges and needs. And effective management strategies should be implemented, such as in-depth cooperation between hospitals and schools, improvement of the clinical transition support system, enhancement of continuing education, and standardization of the management system. This may be beneficial to improve the quality of clinical midwifery and maintain the stability and sustainable development of the midwifery team.
Regular pulse checks for patients with non-cardioembolic stroke in rehabilitation hospitals to improve recognition and detection of atrial fibrillation (the ESCORT study): protocol for a prospective multicenter observational study
Authors: Katano Takehiro , Suda Satoshi , Ohta Tomohiro , Miyagami Mitsusuke , Kodaira Yuzo , Konaka Chimori , Nagashima Masakazu , Kimura Kazumi
Published: August 2023

Background

Cryptogenic stroke (CS) are heterogeneous in origin; however, most CS are embolic mechanism. Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) is suspected to be a major type of CS that leads to severe cerebral infarction without anticoagulant use. Therefore, the identification of AF is vital in patients with CS. However, patients are often unaware of AF because they have no symptoms, and AF may not be detected on an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter ECG on admission. After patients with stroke are treated in the acute phase, they are promptly transferred to a rehabilitation hospital for functional recovery. Once the patient is transferred to a hospital, a few attempts are made to detect AF. In addition, rehabilitation therapists are considered to have insufficient awareness of the possibility of undiagnosed AF.

Objective

This study aimed to increase the understanding of the importance of AF detection in patients with ischemic stroke among therapists in rehabilitation hospitals and to investigate whether regular pulse screening can aid in the detection of AF. If AF was detected, we determined the rate and timing of AF detection and identified the patient characteristics.

Methods

This multicenter prospective observational study aimed to detect AF in patients with non-cardiac stroke at rehabilitation hospitals. Therapists performed pulse checks before, during, and after rehabilitation. If arrhythmia or tachycardia was detected, an ECG was performed, and the physician checked for AF. If the patient complained of chest symptoms, electrocardiography (ECG) was performed to check for AF. We investigated the characteristics, laboratory data, cognitive status, complications, such as stroke recurrence, and functional outcomes of patients with AF.

Results

The study is in the enrollment phase. Recruitment began in September 2022 and will end in August 2023. Patients have provided written informed consent. The main results have been submitted for publication in your journal.

Conclusion

The findings of this study will help identify patients with AF in rehabilitation hospitals and improve awareness among therapists.
Comparing effects of beetroot juice and Mediterranean diet on liver enzymes and sonographic appearance in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a randomized control trials
Authors: Fateh Hawal Lateef , Rashid Sameeah Abdulrahman , Muhammad Sarmad S. , Al-Jaf Sabah H. , Ali Ayad M.
Published: August 2023

Background

In both developed and developing countries, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has lately risen to the top of the list of chronic liver illnesses. Although there is no permanent cure, early management, diagnosis, and treatment might lessen its effects. The purpose of conducting the current study is to compare the effects of beetroot juice and the Mediterranean diet on the lipid profile, level of liver enzymes, and liver sonography in patients with NAFLD.

Methods

In this randomized controlled trial, 180 people with a mean age of (45.19 ± 14.94) years participated. Participants ranged in age from 19 to 73. The mean weight before intervention was (82.46 ± 5.97) kg, while the mean weight after intervention was roughly (77.88 ± 6.26) kg. The trial lasted for 12 weeks. The participants were split into four groups: control, a Mediterranean diet with beet juice (BJ + MeD), Mediterranean diet alone (MeD), and beetroot juice (BJ). The Mediterranean diet included fruits, vegetables, fish, poultry, and other lean meats (without skin), sources of omega-3 fatty acids, nuts, and legumes. Beetroot juice had 250 mg of beetroot. Data analysis was done using SPSS software (version 26.0). p < 0.05 is the statistical significance level.

Results

Following the intervention, Serum Bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine transaminase (ALT), serum cholesterol (CHOL), triglyceride (TG), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels were significantly decreased in the BJ + MeD, BJ, and MeD groups (p = 0.001). Also, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) significantly increased in the BJ + MeD, BJ, and MeD groups (p = 0.001), while decreasing in the Control group (p = 0.001).

Conclusion

The research findings indicate a significant reduction in hepatic steatosis among the groups receiving beetroot juice (BJ) and beetroot juice combined with the Mediterranean diet (BJ + MeD). This suggests that beetroot juice holds potential as an effective treatment for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in adults. Furthermore, the combination of beetroot juice with the Mediterranean diet showed enhanced efficacy in addressing NAFLD.

Clinical trial registration:ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT05909631.
Particle radiotherapy for breast cancer
Authors: Ruan Hanguang , Okamoto Masahiko , Ohno Tatsuya , Li Yang , Zhou Yuan
Published: August 2023

Breast cancer is the most common malignant tumor in female patients. Along with surgery, radiotherapy is one of the most commonly prescribed treatments for breast cancer. Over the past few decades, breast cancer radiotherapy technology has significantly improved. Nevertheless, related posttherapy complications should not be overlooked. Common complications include dose-related coronary toxicity, radiation pneumonia, and the risk of second primary cancer of the contralateral breast. Particle radiotherapy with protons or carbon ions is widely attracting interest as a potential competitor to conventional photon radiotherapy because of its superior physical and biological characteristics. This article summarizes the results of clinical research on proton and carbon-ion radiotherapy for treating breast cancer
Impact of multidisciplinary team on the pattern of care for brain metastasis from breast cancer
Authors: Xu Fei , Ou Dan , Qi Weixiang , Wang Shubei , Han Yiming , Cai Gang , Cao Lu , Xu Cheng , Chen Jia-Yi
Published: August 2023

Purpose

The aim of this study was to explore how a multidisciplinary team (MDT) affects patterns of local or systematic treatment.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the data of consecutive patients in the breast cancer with brain metastases (BCBM) database at our institution from January 2011 to April 2021. The patients were divided into an MDT group and a non-MDT group.

Results

A total of 208 patients were analyzed, including 104 each in the MDT and non-MDT groups. After MDT, 56 patients (53.8%) were found to have intracranial “diagnosis upgrade”. In the matched population, patients in the MDT group recorded a higher proportion of meningeal metastases (14.4% vs. 4.8%, p = 0.02), symptomatic tumor progression (11.5% vs. 5.8%, p = 0.04), and an increased number of occurrences of brain metastases (BM) progression (p < 0.05). Attending MDT was an independent factor associated with ≥2 courses of intracranial radiotherapy (RT) [odds ratio (OR) 5.4, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.7–10.9, p < 0.001], novel RT technique use (7.0, 95% CI 3.5–14.0, p < 0.001), and prospective clinical research (OR 5.7, 95% CI 2.4–13.4, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Patients with complex conditions are often referred for MDT discussions. An MDT may improve the qualities of intracranial RT and systemic therapy, resulting in benefits of overall survival for BC patients after BM. This encourages the idea that treatment recommendations for patients with BMBC should be discussed within an MDT.
Impact of the time interval between primary or interval surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy in ovarian cancer patients
Authors: Farolfi Alberto , Petracci Elisabetta , Gurioli Giorgia , Tedaldi Gianluca , Casanova Claudia , Arcangeli Valentina , Amadori Andrea , Rosati Marta , Stefanetti Marco , Burgio Salvatore Luca , Cursano Maria Concetta , Lolli Cristian , Zampiga Valentina , Cangini Ilaria , Schepisi Giuseppe , De Giorgi Ugo
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Primary debulking surgery (PDS), interval debulking surgery (IDS), and platinum-based chemotherapy are the current standard treatments for advanced ovarian cancer (OC). The time to initiation of adjuvant chemotherapy (TTC) could influence patient outcomes.

Methods

We conducted a multicenter retrospective cohort study of advanced (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage III or IV) OC treated between 2014 and 2018 to assess progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in relation to TTC. All patients underwent a germline multigene panel for BRCA1/2 evaluation.

Results

Among the 83 patients who underwent PDS, a TTC ≥ 60 days was associated with a shorter PFS (hazard ratio (HR) 2.02, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.04–3.93, p = 0.038), although this association lost statistical significance when adjusting for residual disease (HR 1.52, 95% CI 0.75–3.06, p = 0.244, for TTC and HR 2.73, 95% CI 1.50–4.96, p = 0.001, for residual disease). Among 52 IDS patients, we found no evidence of an association between TTC and clinical outcomes. Ascites, type of chemotherapy, or germline BRCA1/2 mutational status did not influence TTC and were not associated with clinical outcomes in PDS or IDS patients.

Discussion

In conclusion, longer TTC seems to negatively affect prognosis in patients undergoing PDS, especially those with residual disease.
Targeted panel sequencing in the routine diagnosis of mature T- and NK-cell lymphomas: report of 128 cases from two German reference centers
Authors: Böck Julia , Maurus Katja , Gerhard-Hartmann Elena , Brändlein Stephanie , Kurz Katrin S. , Ott German , Anagnostopoulos Ioannis , Rosenwald Andreas , Zamò Alberto
Published: August 2023

Diagnosing any of the more than 30 types of T-cell lymphomas is considered a challenging task for many pathologists and currently requires morphological expertise as well as the integration of clinical data, immunophenotype, flow cytometry and clonality analyses. Even considering all available information, some margin of doubt might remain using the current diagnostic procedures. In recent times, the genetic landscape of most T-cell lymphomas has been elucidated, showing a number of diagnostically relevant mutations. In addition, recent data indicate that some of these genetic alterations might bear prognostic and predictive value. Extensive genetic analyses, such as whole exome or large panel sequencing are still expensive and time consuming, therefore limiting their application in routine diagnostic. We therefore devoted our effort to develop a lean approach for genetic analysis of T-cell lymphomas, focusing on maximum efficiency rather than exhaustively covering all possible targets. Here we report the results generated with our small amplicon-based panel that could be used routinely on paraffin-embedded and even decalcified samples, on a single sample basis in parallel with other NGS-panels used in our routine diagnostic lab, in a relatively short time and with limited costs. We tested 128 available samples from two German reference centers as part of our routine work up (among which 116 T-cell lymphomas), which is the largest routine diagnostic series reported to date. Our results showed that this assay had a very high rate of technical success (97%) and could detect mutations in the majority (79%) of tested T-cell lymphoma samples.
Triply degenerate nodal line and tunable contracted-drumhead surface state in a tight-binding model
Authors: Wang Yi-Ru , Liu Gui-Bin
Published: August 2023

The study of topological semimetals has been extended to more general topological nodal systems such as metamaterials and artificial periodic structures. Among various nodal structures, triply degenerate nodal line (TDNL) is rare and, hence, has received little attention. In this work, we have proposed a simple tight-binding (TB) model, which hosts a topological non-trivial TDNL. This TDNL not only has the drumhead surface states (DSSs) as usual nodal line systems but also has surface states that form a contracted-drumhead shape. The shape and area of this contracted drumhead can be tuned by the hopping parameters of the model. This provides an effective way to modulate surface states and their density of states, which can be important in future applications of topological nodal systems.