bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Editorial 50 años de Educación Médica en la UC
Authors: Puschel Klaus , Riquelme Arnoldo , Sirhan Marisol , Heusser Felipe
Published: December 2021

En este número de la Revista ARS Médica, queremos compartir la alegría de celebrar los 50 años de Educación Médica en la UC. En marzo del año 1971 comenzó a funcionar la oficina de Educación Médica UC y en agosto de ese mismo año, se publicó el primer número del Boletín del Hospital Clínico de la Universidad Católica de Chile que más tarde se transformaría en la actual Revista ARS Médica.  Ambas iniciativas representaron hitos muy importantes en la formación médica y de profesionales en salud. A lo largo de 50 años de educación médica en la UC hemos ido aprendiendo de profesionales clínicos, estudiantes, docentes y expertos de diversas partes del mundo cómo mejorar la formación de nuestros profesionales para que sirvan mejor a sus comunidades.
Role of Multimodality Imaging in the Assessment of Myocardial Infarction With Nonobstructive Coronary Arteries: Beyond Conventional Coronary Angiography
Authors: Gudenkauf Brent , Hays Allison G. , Tamis‐Holland Jacqueline , Trost Jeffrey , Ambinder Daniel I. , Wu Katherine C. , Arbab‐Zadeh Armin , Blumenthal Roger S. , Sharma Garima
Published: December 2021

Myocardial infarction with nonobstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) is a heterogeneous clinical entity, encompassing multiple different causes, and a cause of substantial morbidity and mortality. Current guidelines suggest a multimodality imaging approach in establishing the underlying cause for MINOCA, which is considered a working diagnosis. Recent studies have suggested that an initial workup consisting of cardiac magnetic resonance and invasive coronary imaging can yield the diagnosis in most patients. Cardiac magnetic resonance is particularly helpful in excluding nonischemic causes that can mimic MINOCA including myocarditis and Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, as well as for long‐term prognostication. Additionally, intracoronary imaging with intravascular ultrasound or optical coherence tomography may be warranted to evaluate plaque composition, or evaluate for plaque disruption or spontaneous coronary dissection. The role of noninvasive imaging modalities such as coronary computed tomography angiography is currently being investigated in the diagnostic approach and follow‐up of MINOCA and may be appropriate in lieu of invasive coronary angiography in select patients. In recent years, many strides have been made in the workup of MINOCA; however, significant knowledge gaps remain in the field, particularly in terms of treatment strategies. In this review, we summarize recent society guideline recommendations and consensus statements on the initial evaluation of MINOCA, review contemporary multimodality imaging approaches, and discuss treatment strategies including an ongoing clinical trial.
From Hell to High Water: The Life of Rohingya Refugee Women in Bangladesh
Authors: Mithun Mahanam Bhattacharjee
Published: December 2021

Bangladesh is currently hosting nearly a million Rohingya refugees from Myanmar and more than half of the refugee population comprises women. In Myanmar, due to the government-imposed securitization and relatively conservative culture, Rohingya women were not able to enjoy their rights and freedom and were mainly confined to their homes. Upon arriving in Bangladesh, they are facing additional challenges. This article aims to find the underlying causes that alienated women from enjoying their rights and whether the life of the Rohingya women has improved or not in Bangladesh. This article shows that, due to the lack of a women-friendly environment inside camps, gender norms and malpractices, breakdown of family ties, and increased number of gender-based violence against women, they are more vulnerable than ever. This paper argued that humanitarian organization and the government should promote gender mainstreaming towards bringing refugee women into the community decision-making process along with raising awareness among the Rohingya community.
The New Left in Turkey’s Long Sixties: The Kurdish ’68ers and the Workers’ Party of Turkey
Authors: Gündoğan Azat Zana
Published: December 2021

Global 1968 stood in opposition to the two major social movements of the previous two centuries, namely the nationalist movements and the old left. Turkey entered into this epoch as a Third World country with a record of broken promises to various social groups, including the Kurds. This article focuses on the Kurdish ’68ers who protested the systematic oppression, exploitation, and forced assimilation of the Kemalist Republic through new action repertoires and organizational capabilities. It explores their particular subjectivity and agency and analyzes their unlikely alliance with the Workers’ Party of Turkey (tİp). The article’s overarching argument is that the Turkish left’s historical burden of nation-state centrism and a Turkish national identity determined the failure of the New Left in Turkey. In contrast, the Kurdish left was able to carry on the legacy of the New Left and the ’68ers today because of the said historical subjectivity and agency.
Poetry, Rock ’n’ Roll, and Cinema in Turkey’s 1960s
Authors: Sharpe Kenan Behzat
Published: December 2021

Using developments in poetry, music, and cinema as case studies, this article examines the relationship between left-wing politics and cultural production during the long 1960s in Turkey. Intellectual and artistic pursuits flourished alongside trade unionism, student activism, peasant organizing, guerrilla movements. This article explores the convergences between militants and artists, arguing for the centrality of culture in the social movements of the period. It focuses on three revealing debates: between the modernist İkinci Yeni poets and young socialist poets, between left-wing protest rockers and supporters of folk music, and between proponents of radical art film and those of cinematic “social realism”.
Scholarship and Sports Diplomacy: the Cases of Japan and the United Kingdom
Authors: Rofe J. Simon , Postlethwaite Verity
Published: December 2021

This article explores scholarship regarding diplomatic processes and actors engaged in recent international sport events hosted by the United Kingdom and Japan. The article points to the range of actors involved, focusing on organizing committees, and assesses the effectiveness of sports diplomacy at a range of levels that go beyond a focus on the state. It uses international sport events documentation, global media archives, and public and private comments related to the United Kingdom and Japan. The article addresses three key issues: 1) Olympic-dominant discourse: the dominance and shift in process between hosting an Olympic Games and onto other events; 2) Western-dominant discourse: the differences between Japan and the UK in demonstrating distinct “East” and “West” sports diplomacy approaches; 3) State-dominant discourse: the role of knowledge exchange and elite networks that transcend the state and involve a range of different actors, such as the organizing committee.
Indian Ocean Listening Stations: Governmental Ears, Surveillance Acoustemologies, and the Maritime Silk Road
Authors: Sykes Jim
Published: December 2021

In this article, I examine the discourse surrounding “listening stations” (surveillance outposts) that the Indian government has built to counter Chinese infrastructural projects in the Indian Ocean. As surveillance technologies are placed on out-of-the-way islands and deep underwater, the ocean is discursively situated in the press and diplomatic circles as a site where the geopolitical and sonic ‘noise’ of the metropole is evaded in virtue of the seeming fidelity of the sea, thus garnering potential for the listening stations to reveal China’s true geopolitical intentions. Drawing on classic securitization theory, as well as writings in the anthropology of security and sound studies, I argue that the positioning of listening stations as sites defined by listening and protection from Chinese encroachment obfuscates how they function as geopolitical speech and an expansion of Indian power. I coin the term “surveillance acoustemology” to refer to the ways that India’s listening stations spatialize India’s projected influence and its ability to hear its Chinese rival across the Indian Ocean.
How long do Acari live? A survey of mite lifespans (TOC)
Authors: ZHANG ZHI-QIANG , FAN QING-HAI
Published: December 2021

Table of Contents
How long do Tydeidae live?
Authors: JOHANN LIANA , DA SILVA GUILHERME LIBERATO
Published: December 2021

The family Tydeidae consists of small, free-living, soft-bodied mites with a diversity of feeding habits, including phytophages, pollen feeders and even predators, but the majority are scavengers or fungivores. Approximately 330 species in 30 genera have been described from throughout the world, but only a few species (<1% of all species) have been studied for their life history. This review provides a survey of their life history with a focus on their lifespan.
The Paradigm of Finnish Reviews of "Without Dogma" by Henryk Sienkiewicz: Observations on the Issue of Intercultural Communication and the Functioning of Common Motifs of European Culture
Authors: Stępnik Krzysztof
Published: December 2021

The Paradigm of Finnish Reviews of Without Dogma by Henryk Sienkiewicz: Observations on the Issue of Intercultural Communication and the Functioning of Common Motifs of European CultureThe translation of Henryk Sienkiewicz’s novel Without Dogma into Finnish, entitled Anielka (1913), generated considerable interest in the Finnish press, evidenced by as many as twelve reviews of the work. The article analyses these reviews, describes them in terms of a paradigm and presents their functioning on the book market. Taking into account cultural distance between Poles and Finns, the reviews are approached as a testimony to intercultural communication, which was enabled thanks to community – the paradigm of European culture and its common motifs, such as the mal du siècle or l’improductivite slave, the latter highlighted by Sienkiewicz and particularly interesting for Finnish reviewers. Cultural distance turns out to be a factor that reveals new aspects of interpretation of Without Dogma and, more broadly, the specificity of Finnish thinking about Poland. Paradygmat fińskich recenzji Bez dogmatu Henryka Sienkiewicza. Obserwacje dotyczące kwestii komunikacji międzykulturowej i funkcjonowania wspólnych motywów kultury europejskiejPrzekład powieści Henryka Sienkiewicza Bez dogmatu na język fiński pod tytułem Anielka (1913) spotkał się z widocznym zainteresowaniem prasy fińskiej, czego poświadczeniem jest aż 12 recenzji tego dzieła. Przedmiotem zainteresowania autora artykułu są te właśnie recenzje, które poddał analizie i opisał w ramach paradygmatu oraz przedstawił ich funkcjonowanie na rynku księgarskim. Biorąc pod uwagę odległość kulturową Polaków i Finów, autor opracowania potraktował te recenzje jako świadectwo komunikowania międzykulturowego, umożliwionego przez wspólnotę, jaką stanowi paradygmat kultury europejskiej i jego obiegowe motywy, jak motyw choroby wieku czy wyeksponowany przez Sienkiewicza motyw l’improductivite slave, szczególnie interesujący dla recenzentów fińskich. Odległość kulturowa okazała się czynnikiem odsłaniającym nowe aspekty interpretacji Bez dogmatu i – szerzej – specyfikę fińskiego myślenia o Polsce.
Z badań nad łotewską leksyką gwarową
Authors: Jankowiak Mirosław
Published: December 2021

From the Research on Latvian Dialectal LexisReview Benita Laumane, Zvejasrīku nosaukumi latvijas piekrastē [Names of Fishing Gear on the Latvian Coast], Liepāja: Liepājas Universitāte, Kurzemes Humanitārais institūts, 2019, 507 pp.This article is a review of the work entitled Zvejasrīku nosaukumi latvijas piekrastē [Names of Fishing Gear on the Latvian Coast], written by the Latvian linguist from Liepāja – Benita Laumane. The study consists of two major parts. The first one, divided into thematic sections, presents the vocabulary related to coastal sea fishing (1: Sea fishing and fishing gear; 2: Hook gear; 3: The organisation of fishing; 4: Fish processing). The second part is devoted to the linguistic characteristics of the lexemes under discussion (phonetics, grammar, etymology, geographical extent).  Z badań nad łotewską leksyką gwarowąRecenzjaBenita Laumane, Zvejasrīku nosaukumi latvijas piekrastē [Nazwy narzędzi połowowych na wybrzeżu łotewskim], Liepāja: Liepājas Universitāte, Kurzemes Humanitārais institūts, 2019, 507 pp.Tekst stanowi recenzję książki pt. Zvejasrīku nosaukumi latvijas piekrastē [Nazwy narzędzi połowowych na wybrzeżu łotewskim], napisanej przez łotewską lingwistkę z Lipawy, Benitę Laumane. Badaczka wydzieliła w monografii dwie podstawowe części. W pierwszej, z podziałem na grupy tematyczne, opisała słownictwo związane z przybrzeżnym rybołówstwem morskim (1. Rybołówstwo morskie i sprzęt połowowy; 2. Sprzęt rybacki; 3. Organizacja życia rybackiego; 4. Przetwórstwo ryb). Część druga poświęcona została charakterystyce językowej omawianych leksemów (fonetyka, gramatyka, etymologia, zasięg geograficzny).
Języki mniejszości
Authors: Pidkujmucha Ludmyła
Published: December 2021

Minority LanguagesReview Helena Krasowska, Języki mniejszości: Status, prestiż, dwujęzyczność, wielojęzyczność [Minority Languages: Status, Prestige, Bilingualism, Mutilingualism], Warszawa: Studium Europy Wschodniej, Uniwersytet Warszawski, 2020, 226 pp.This review presents an academic textbook by Helena Krasowska. The article outlines issues discussed in the work, and presents the reviewer’s theoretical and practical observations, which are based on her own empirical research. Języki mniejszościRecenzjaHelena Krasowska, Języki mniejszości. Status, prestiż, dwujęzyczność, wielojęzyczność, Warszawa: Studium Europy Wschodniej, Uniwersytet Warszawski, 2020, 226 ss.Recenzja przedstawia podręcznik akademicki autorstwa Heleny Krasowskiej. Zostały tu omówione zarówno poszczególne zagadnienia poruszane w pracy, jak również teoretyczne i praktyczne rozważania, którymi autorka dzieli się na podstawie własnych badań empirycznych.
O nowych ręcznie zrównoleglonych i znakowanych dwujęzycznych korpusach równoległych oraz ich zastosowaniach
Authors: Roszko Roman
Published: December 2021

On New Manually Aligned and Tagged Bilingual Parallel Corpora and Their ApplicationsThis article is devoted to the manually aligned and tagged bilingual parallel CLARIN-PL-BIZ corpora of the Baltic and Slavic languages which are currently being developed. The study discusses the essential features of these corpora that make their applications go far beyond typical corpus analysis. Applications of these corpora include the design of cross-language models for the development of machine translation and artificial intelligence. The article also draws attention to the high potential of these resources as a model training base for testing natural language processing tools. O nowych ręcznie zrównoleglonych i znakowanych dwujęzycznych korpusach równoległych oraz ich zastosowaniachW artykule autor opisuje obecnie powstające ręcznie zrównoleglone i znakowane dwujęzyczne korpusy równoległe CLARIN-PL-BIZ języków bałtyckich i słowiańskich. Omawia wyróżniające cechy tych korpusów, które sprawią, że zastosowania tych korpusów znacznie wykroczą poza typowe analizy korpusowe. Wśród zastosowań tych korpusów autor wymienia definiowanie modeli międzyjęzykowych na rzecz rozwoju przekładu maszynowego i rozwoju sztucznej inteligencji. Zwraca również uwagę na wysoki potencjał tych zasobów jako wzorcowej bazy treningowej do testowania narzędzi przetwarzania języka naturalnego.
Non-Radical Changes: Editorial
Authors: Wróblewska-Trochimiuk Ewa , Ćwiek-Rogalska Karolina , Maciulewicz Marzena , Tkachenko Olha
Published: December 2021

Non-Radical Changes: EditorialEditorial Nieradykalne zmiany. WstępArtykuł wstępny
Silk Sericin Activates Mild Immune Response and Increases Antibody Production
Authors: Zhang Yuan , Shi Na , He Lun , Wang Shanshan , Li Xin , Lu Shenzhou , Zhang Qiqing , Niu Haitao
Published: January 2022

To clarify whether nanoparticles of silk sericin (SS) and silk fibroin (SF) can induce inflammation and immune responses, we analyzed splenocyte proliferation, apoptosis and cytokine release to identify the effects of SS and SF on mouse splenocytes in vitro. We implanted mice
with SS and SF through intraperitoneal, intramuscular, and subcutaneous routes to evaluate the innate and adaptive immune response to SS and SF in vivo. Cytokines in the serum and spleen were analyzed by Luminex and antibody array. Antigen-specific antibodies were evaluated by enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assay (ELISA) at week 1 and 5 after implantation. Distinct cell populations in the spleen and bone marrow were analyzed by flow cytometry. SS suppressed the proliferation of splenocytes and CD11b+CD27− NK cells, induced splenocyte apoptosis, and increased
interleukin-1 β (IL-1 β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the culture supernatant. SF suppressed splenocyte proliferation, induced splenocyte apoptosis, and increased the titer of TNF-α in culture supernatants. At both week
1 and 5 after implantation with SS, mouse serum interleukin-1 α (IL-1 α) and keratinocyte chemoattractant (KC) were decreased, SS-specific antibody was increased, the proportion of bone marrow CD4+ T cells was increased, and the proportion of splenic neutrophils
was decreased. At week 5 after subcutaneous implantation with SF, mouse serum IL-1α, and splenic IL-6, TIMP-1, IL-4, MCP-1, IFN-γ, TCA-3, TNF-α, and IL-17 were decreased. SS was able to induce a mild immune response, as evidenced by CD4+ T
cell activation, splenocyte apoptosis, and antigen-specific antibody secretion. Comparatively, SF had low immunogenicity and anti-inflammatory properties.
Genome-wide association studies for growth traits in broilers
Authors: Dou Dachang , Shen Linyong , Zhou Jiamei , Cao Zhiping , Luan Peng , Li Yumao , Xiao Fan , Guo Huaishun , Li Hui , Zhang Hui
Published: January 2022

Background

The identification of markers and genes for growth traits may not only benefit for marker assist selection /genomic selection but also provide important information for understanding the genetic foundation of growth traits in broilers.

Results

In the current study, we estimated the genetic parameters of eight growth traits in broilers and carried out the genome-wide association studies for these growth traits. A total of 113 QTNs discovered by multiple methods together, and some genes, including ACTA1, IGF2BP1, TAPT1, LDB2, PRKCA, TGFBR2, GLI3, SLC16A7, INHBA, BAMBI, APCDD1, GPR39, and GATA4, were identified as important candidate genes for rapid growth in broilers.

Conclusions

The results of this study will provide important information for understanding the genetic foundation of growth traits in broilers.
Gene expression programs during callus development in tissue culture of two Eucalyptus species
Authors: Zhang Ye , Li Junji , Li Changrong , Chen Shengkan , Tang Qinglan , Xiao Yufei , Zhong Lianxiang , Chen Yingying , Chen Bowen
Published: January 2022

Background

Eucalyptus is a highly diverse genus of the Myrtaceae family and widely planted in the world for timber and pulp production. Tissue culture induced callus has become a common tool for Eucalyptus breeding, however, our knowledge about the genes related to the callus maturation and shoot regeneration is still poor.

Results

We set up an experiment to monitor the callus induction and callus development of two Eucalyptus species - E. camaldulensis (high embryogenic potential) and E. grandis x urophylla (low embryogenic potential). Then, we performed transcriptome sequencing for primary callus, mature callus, shoot regeneration stage callus and senescence callus. We identified 707 upregulated and 694 downregulated genes during the maturation process of the two Eucalyptus species and most of them were involved in the signaling pathways like plant hormone and MAPK. Next, we identified 135 and 142 genes that might play important roles during the callus development of E. camaldulensis and E. grandis x urophylla, respectively. Further, we found 15 DEGs shared by these two Eucalyptus species during the callus development, including Eucgr.D00640 (stem-specific protein TSJT1), Eucgr.B00171 (BTB/POZ and TAZ domain-containing protein 1), Eucgr.C00948 (zinc finger CCCH domain-containing protein 20), Eucgr.K01667 (stomatal closure-related actinbinding protein 3), Eucgr.C00663 (glutaredoxin-C10) and Eucgr.C00419 (UPF0481 protein At3g47200). Interestingly, the expression patterns of these genes displayed “N” shape in the samples. Further, we found 51 genes that were dysregulated during the callus development of E. camaldulensis but without changes in E. grandis x urophylla, such as Eucgr.B02127 (GRF1-interacting factor 1), Eucgr.C00947 (transcription factor MYB36), Eucgr.B02752 (laccase-7), Eucgr.B03985 (transcription factor MYB108), Eucgr.D00536 (GDSL esterase/lipase At5g45920) and Eucgr.B02347 (scarecrow-like protein 34). These 51 genes might be associated with the high propagation ability of Eucalyptus and 22 might be induced after the dedifferentiation. Last, we performed WGCNA to identify the co-expressed genes during the callus development of Eucalyptus and qRT-PCR experiment to validate the gene expression patterns.

Conclusions

This is the first time to globally study the gene profiles during the callus development of Eucalyptus. The results will improve our understanding of gene regulation and molecular mechanisms in the callus maturation and shoot regeneration.
Near fatal stent thrombosis in an aneurysmatic RCX as first manifestation of heparin induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) without thrombocytopenia
Authors: Zoller Marc , Atmowihardjo Iskandar , Huch Jeanette , Albrecht Ines , Habedank Dirk
Published: December 2021

Background

Thrombosis resulting from heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) occurs in about 2% of patients without a significant decrease in platelet counts. We report on such a near fatal thrombotic event caused by coronary intervention.

Case presentation

A supposedly “completely healthy” 53-year-old patient was admitted to hospital with covered rupture of an aneurysm of the Aorta descendens. He was successfully operated on and underwent coronary angiography due to NSTEMI six days later. Immediately after intervention of a 90% RCX stenosis he developed ventricular flutter, was defibrillated, and re-angiography showed partial occlusion of the RCX stent. Lots of white thrombi could be retrieved by aspiration catheter and gave reason for a HIT without thrombocytopenia. The detection of platelet factor 4/heparin complex antibodies by immunoassay supported and the subsequent Heparin Induced Platelet Activation Assay proved this diagnosis.

Conclusions

The clinical event of an acute stent thrombosis should alarm the interventional team to the diagnosis of HIT even with a normal platelet count.
Thrombocytopenia predicts mortality in Chinese hemodialysis patients- an analysis of the China DOPPS
Authors: Zhao Xinju , Niu Qingyu , Gan Liangying , Hou Fan Fan , Liang Xinling , Ni Zhaohui , Chen Xiaonong , Chen Yuqing , McCullough Keith , Robinson Bruce , Zuo Li
Published: January 2022

Background

Hemodialysis (HD) patients have a higher mortality rate compared with general population. Our previous study revealed that platelet counts might be a potential risk factor. The role of platelets in HD patients has rarely been studied. The aim of this study is to examine if there is an association of thrombocytopenia (TP) with elevated risk of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular (CV) death in Chinese HD patients.

Methods

Data from a prospective cohort study, China Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (DOPPS) 5, were analyzed. Demographic data, comorbidities, platelet counts and other lab data, and death records which extracted from the medical record were analyzed. TP was defined as the platelet count below the lower normal limit (< 100*109/L). Associations between platelet counts and all-cause and CV mortality were evaluated using Cox regression models. Stepwise multivariate logistic regression was used to identify the independent associated factors, and subgroup analyses were also carried out.

Results

Of 1369 patients, 11.2% (154) had TP at enrollment. The all-cause mortality rates were 26.0% vs. 13.3% (p < 0.001) in patients with and without TP. TP was associated with higher all-cause mortality after adjusted for covariates (HR:1.73,95%CI:1.11,2.71), but was not associated with CV death after fully adjusted (HR:1.71,95%CI:0.88,3.33). Multivariate logistic regression showed that urine output < 200 ml/day, cerebrovascular disease, hepatitis (B or C), and white blood cells were independent impact factors (P < 0.05). Subgroup analysis found that the effect of TP on all-cause mortality was more prominent in patients with diabetes or hypertension, who on dialysis thrice a week, with lower ALB (< 4 g/dl) or higher hemoglobin, and patients without congestive heart failure, cerebrovascular disease, or hepatitis (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

In Chinese HD patients, TP is associated with higher risk of all-cause mortality, but not cardiovascular mortality. Platelet counts may be a useful prognostic marker for clinical outcomes among HD patients, though additional study is needed.
Socioeconomic inequalities in access and use of skilled birth attendants during childbirth in Ghana: a decomposition analysis
Authors: Kpodotsi Aseye , Baku Elizabeth Aku , Adams Jo Hunter , Alaba Olufunke
Published: December 2021

Background

Equitable access to skilled birth attendance during delivery is vital for reducing global maternal deaths to 70 deaths per 100, 000 to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. Although several initiatives have been implemented to reduce maternal mortality in Ghana, inequalities in access to skilled birth attendance during delivery still exist among women of different socioeconomic groups. This study assesses the socioeconomic inequalities in access and use of skilled birth attendants during delivery in Ghana.

Methods

Research was conducted through literature reviews and document reviews, and a secondary data analysis of the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS), a nationally representative survey. A total of 1305 women aged 15–49 years, who had a live birth the year before to the survey in the presence of a skilled birth attendant were analysed using concentration indices and curves. The indices were further decomposed to identify the major socioeconomic factors contributing most to the inequalities.

Results

The results found that access to skilled birth attendants was more among women from rich households showing a pro-rich utilization. The decomposition analysis revealed that household wealth index, educational level of both mother and husband/partner, area of residence and mother’s health insurance coverage were the major contributing factors to socioeconomic inequalities in accessing skilled birth attendants during child delivery among Ghanaian women.

Conclusion

This study confirms that a mother’s socioeconomic status is vital to reducing maternal deaths. Therefore, it is worthy to focus attention on policy interventions to reduce the observed inequalities as revealed in the study.
Socio-economic determinants of child mortality in Pakistan and the moderating role of household’s wealth index
Authors: Asif Muhammad Farhan , Pervaiz Zahid , Afridi Jawad Rahim , Safdar Rida , Abid Ghulam , Lassi Zohra S.
Published: January 2022

Background

Child mortality is an important social indicator that describes the health conditions of a country as well as determines the country’s overall socio-economic development. The Government of Pakistan has been struggling to reduce child mortality (67.2 per thousand live births in 2019). Pakistan could not achieve the target set for Millennium Development Goals to reduce child mortality and still working to meet the target set by the Sustainable Development Goals. This study has investigated the socio-economic determinants of child mortality in Pakistan by using household-level data. Socio-economic characteristics related to women (mothers) and households have been considered as possible determinants of child mortality. The moderating role of a household’s wealth index on the association between woman’s education and child mortality has also been investigated.

Methods

The comprehensive dataset of the Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey 2017–18 has been used to explore the determinants of child mortality by using multivariable logistic regression. The interaction term of women’s education and household wealth index has been used to investigate the moderating role of the household’s wealth index.

Results

The results indicate that the likelihood of child mortality decreases with an increase in women’s education, their empowerment, their husband’s education, the wealth status of their households, access to clean drinking water, access to toilet facilities, and exposure to mass media. Whereas, an increase in unmet need for family planning increases the likelihood of child mortality. The study also identified the moderating role of a household’s wealth index on the association between woman’s education and child mortality.

Conclusions

Household wealth status moderates the association between women’s education and child mortality. The absolute slope of the curve showing the association of women’s education and child mortality is higher (more negative) for richer households than poorer households. It implies that a household’s wealth status strengthens the relationship between women’s education and child mortality. With the increase in the household’s wealth status, the effect of a mother’s education on child mortality becomes more pronounced.
Diagnosis and treatment of anterior urethral strictures in China: an internet-based survey
Authors: Hou Changhao , Gu Yubo , Yuan Wei , Wang Zeyu , Lin Jiahao , Fu Qiang , Song Lujie
Published: December 2021

Background

To investigate the current diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to anterior urethral strictures of Chinese urologists and to compare with developed countries and the American Urologic Association guidelines.

Methods

Anonymous questionnaires were distributed to members of Official Wechat Account of urology from March 19, 2020 to April 10, 2020. Descriptive and multiple correspondence analysis were used to analyze the data.

Results

A total of 1276 online questionnaires were received. The response rate was 21.7% (1276/5878). The most common diagnostic methods for anterior urethral stricture were urethrography (90.7%) and urethrocystoscopy (85.4%), while urethral dilation (92.3%) and internal urethrotomy (60.1%) were the main therapeutic procedures. End-to-end urethroplasty (45.2%) was the most common open surgery, followed by skin flap urethroplasty (14.9%) and free graft urethroplasty (12.4%). 76.2% of urologists used urethroplasty only after the failure of minimally invasive surgery (reconstructive ladder treatment strategy). Furthermore, middle-aged or elderly urologists who had attended trainings, had senior practice roles, and who utilized a reconstructive ladder treatment approach were most likely to perform urethroplasties.

Conclusions

Anterior urethral stricture treatment in China is still dominated by minimally invasive surgery, with most urologists using the reconstructive ladder treatment strategy. In general, the overall diagnostic and therapeutic strategies were similar between China and developed countries, with some deviations from the American Urologic Association guidelines.
Association of problematic Internet use and oral health-related quality of life among medical and dental students
Authors: Ghareghol Halimeh , Pakkhesal Mina , Naghavialhosseini Aliakbar , Ahmadinia Amir reza , Behnampour Nasser
Published: January 2022

Background

The Internet as a communication tool is an essential component of daily life. Nowadays, problematic Internet use (PIU) has led to various psychosocial problems that can indirectly lead to oral diseases due to neglect of healthy behaviors. Also, college students are a large proportion of Internet users. The present study aimed to determine the association between problematic Internet use and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among medical and dental students.

Methods

A cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study was conducted on medical and dental students in the first and second years of education (basic sciences courses) at the Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Iran, between January and July 2020. The data collection process was carried out in the following sequence: questionnaire on demographic characteristics (age, gender, marital status, academic field, and year); Problematic Internet Use Questionnaire (PIUQ); and Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) questionnaire.

Results

Among 268 medical and dental students, 171 students (63.81%) [95% confidence interval: 58.02%- 69.60%] had problematic Internet use. The mean PIU score in the first-year was significantly higher than the second-year students. In addition, 65% of single students and 25% of married subjects were dealing with PIU. The statistical difference between mean OHIP scores among PIU students (12.5 ± 2.9), with average Internet usage (7.39 ± 6.6), was significant. The Spearman correlation coefficient between PIU and OHIP was 0.309 and significant (P-value < 0.000001). It indicates that students with higher PIU showed higher OHIP scores.

Conclusion

The present study showed that problematic Internet use was significantly associated with oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among first and second-year medical and dental students. Thus, the students with problematic Internet use experienced a poorer oral health-related quality of life than average Internet users. Furthermore, appropriate preventive and interventional strategies need to be developed to encourage rational use of the Internet to protect the users' oral health, especially among medical and dental students.
A personalized decision aid for prostate cancer shared decision making
Authors: Bagshaw Hilary P. , Martinez Alejandro , Heidari Nastaran , Scheinker David , Pollack Alan , Stoyanova Radka , Horwitz Eric , Morton Gerard , Kishan Amar U. , Buyyounouski Mark K.
Published: December 2021

Background

A shared decision-making model is preferred for engaging prostate cancer patients in treatment decisions. However, the process of assessing an individual’s preferences and values is challenging and not formalized. The purpose of this study is to develop an automated decision aid for patient-centric treatment decision-making using decision analysis, preference thresholds and value elicitations to maximize the compatibility between a patient’s treatment expectations and outcome.

Methods

A template for patient-centric medical decision-making was constructed. The inputs included prostate cancer risk group, pre-treatment health state, treatment alternatives (primarily focused on radiation in this model), side effects (erectile dysfunction, urinary incontinence, nocturia and bowel incontinence), and treatment success (5-year freedom from biochemical failure). A linear additive value function was used to combine the values for each attribute (side effects, success and the alternatives) into a value for all prospects. The patient-reported toxicity probabilities were derived from phase II and III trials. The probabilities are conditioned on the starting state for each of the side effects. Toxicity matrices for erectile dysfunction, urinary incontinence, nocturia and bowel incontinence were created for the treatment alternatives. Toxicity probability thresholds were obtained by identifying the patient’s maximum acceptable threshold for each of the side effects. Results are represented as a visual. R and Rstudio were used to perform analyses, and R Shiny for application creation.

Results

We developed a web-based decision aid. Based on preliminary use of the application, every treatment alternative could be the best choice for a decision maker with a particular set of preferences. This result implies that no treatment has determinist dominance over the remaining treatments and that a preference-based approach can help patients through their decision-making process, potentially affecting compliance with treatment, tolerance of side effects and satisfaction with the decision.

Conclusions

We present a unique patient-centric prostate cancer treatment decision aid that systematically assesses and incorporates a patient’s preferences and values to rank treatment options by likelihood of achieving the preferred outcome. This application enables the practice and study of personalized medicine. This model can be expanded to include additional inputs, such as genomics, as well as competing, concurrent or sequential therapies.
Level and contributing factors of health data quality and information use in two districts in Northwest Ethiopia: social-ecological perspective
Authors: Tilahun Binyam , Derseh Lemma , Atinafu Asmamaw , Mamuye Adane , Mariam Tesfahun H. , Mohammed Mesoud , Hiwot Teklehayimanot G. , Endehabtu Berhanu Fikadie
Published: December 2021

Background

The health management information system has been implemented at all levels of healthcare delivery to ensure quality data production and information use in Ethiopia. Including the capacity-building activities and provision of infrastructure, various efforts have been made to improve the production and use of quality health data though the result is still unsatisfactory. This study aimed to examine the quality of health data and use in Wogera and Tach-Armacheho districts and understand its barriers and facilitators.

Methods

The study utilized a mixed-method; for the quantitative approach, institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the quality of health data and use by 95 departments in the two districts. The qualitative approach involved 16 in-depth interviewees from Wogera district. A descriptive Phenomenological design was used to explore factors influencing the quality and use of health data. The quantitative data were expressed descriptively with tables, graphs, and percent whereas the qualitative data were analyzed with content analysis guided by the social-ecological model framework.

Result

The average levels of information use for Wogera and Tach-Armacheho districts were estimated at 29 and 35.9, respectively. The overall average level of accuracy of reports for six different health services in the HCs of Wogera and Tach Armacheho districts were 0.95 and 0.86, respectively.

The qualitatively identified factors that influence the production and use of quality health data include valuing data, getting staff training, being a patriotic staff, and getting supportive supervision, were identified from individual-level characteristics; similarly, coaching, supportive supervision, and peer-to-peer learning from relational/interpersonal level characteristics, and organizational culture, incentive, infrastructure establishing accountability, and staff turnover, were identified from organizational level characteristics.

Conclusion

The quality of data and routine information utilization was low and were influenced by a number of actors presented in and around the health system including individual, interpersonal, and organizational characteristics. Incentive affects data quality and information use directly or indirectly after modifying factors at all levels of the social-ecological model. Therefore, interventions should gear towards addressing multiple social-ecological factors of the health system concomitantly or intervene on incentive which has a multifaceted effect on the outcome.
Association of immunity markers with the risk of incident frailty: the Rugao longitudinal aging study
Authors: Zhang Hui , Hao Meng , Hu Zixin , Li Yi , Jiang Xiaoyan , Wang Jiucun , Jin Li , Liu Zuyun , Wang Xiaofeng , Sun Xuehui
Published: January 2022

Background

The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) are readily available circulatory immunity markers that are associated with components of frailty. However, few studies have investigated the relationship between these immunity markers and frailty, and it remains unknown whether they are predictive of incident frailty in older adults in general. Hence, we aimed to examine the association of these immunity markers with the risk of incident frailty.

Results

Overall, 1822 older adults (mean age was 78.03 ± 4.46 years) were included in the Rugao Longitudinal Aging Study. NLR, PLR and SII were calculated from blood cell counts. The frailty definition was based on the Fried phenotype. At baseline, 200 (10.98%) individuals were defined as frailty, and no significant associations of NLR, PLR and SII with frailty were found. During the 2-year follow-up, 180 (15.67%) individuals were new-onset frailty. After adjustment, an increased logNLR (odds ratio [OR] 2.92, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.20–7.18), logPLR (OR 2.54, 95% CI: 1.01–6.53) and logSII (OR 2.34, 95% CI: 1.16–4.78) were significantly associated with a higher risk of incident frailty in all individuals. Additionally, the associations of logNLR (OR 4.21, 95% CI 1.54–11.62 logPLR (OR 3.38, 95% CI: 1.17–9.91) and logSII (OR 2.56, 95% CI: 1.15–5.72) with incident frailty were remained after excluding individuals with comorbidities. In further analyzed, individuals with higher levels of NLR and SII had higher risk of incident frailty when we stratified individuals by quartiles of these immunity markers.

Conclusion

NLR and SII are easily obtained immunity markers that could be used to predict incident frailty in clinical practice.
Diagnostic mystery—a rare right ventricular cardiac hemangioma: a case report
Authors: Fan Jingya , Guo Lei , Teng Peng , Dai Xiaoyi , Zheng Qi , Wu Shengjun , Ni Yiming
Published: December 2021

Background

Cardiac hemangiomas are rare in all kinds of benign cardiac tumors. Although cardiac hemangiomas affect all ages and may occur anywhere within the heart, right ventricular hemangiomas are extremely uncommon.

Case presentation

We report a 56-year-old woman presented with chest tightness and breath shortness for 3 months. Transthoracic echocardiography and coronary computed tomography angiography showed a mass located adjacent to the apex of the right ventricle but both failed to figure out where the mass originated from, remaining a diagnostic mystery preoperatively. The mass was removed successfully and the histopathological examination confirmed it was hemangioma.

Conclusions

Cardiac magnetic resonance should be the ultimate diagnostic tool of cardiac tumors. Surgical removal, associated with a low recurrence rate and long-term survival benefits, should be the first choice of therapy for cardiac hemangiomas.
Epigenetic regulation of ferroptosis via ETS1/miR-23a-3p/ACSL4 axis mediates sorafenib resistance in human hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Lu Yuanjun , Chan Yau-Tuen , Tan Hor-Yue , Zhang Cheng , Guo Wei , Xu Yu , Sharma Rakesh , Chen Zhe-Sheng , Zheng Yi-Chao , Wang Ning , Feng Yibin
Published: January 2022

Background

Drug resistance to sorafenib greatly limited the benefits of treatment in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MicroRNAs (miRNAs) participate in the development of drug resistance. The key miRNA regulators related to the clinical outcome of sorafenib treatment and their molecular mechanisms remain to be identified.

Methods

The clinical significance of miRNA-related epigenetic changes in sorafenib-resistant HCC was evaluated by analyzing publicly available databases and in-house human HCC tissues. The biological functions of miR-23a-3p were investigated both in vitro and in vivo. Proteomics and bioinformatics analyses were conducted to identify the mechanisms that regulating miR-23a-3p. Luciferase reporter assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay were used to validate the binding relationship of miR-23a-3p and its targets.

Results

We found that miR-23a-3p was the most prominent miRNA in HCC, which was overexpressed in sorafenib non-responders and indicated poor survival and HCC relapse. Sorafenib-resistant cells exhibited increased miR-23a-3p transcription in an ETS Proto-Oncogene 1 (ETS1)-dependent manner. CRISPR-Cas9 knockout of miR-23a-3p improved sorafenib response in HCC cells as well as orthotopic HCC tumours. Proteomics analysis suggested that sorafenib-induced ferroptosis was the key pathway suppressed by miR-23a-3p with reduced cellular iron accumulation and lipid peroxidation. MiR-23a-3p directly targeted the 3′-untranslated regions (UTR) of ACSL4, the key positive regulator of ferroptosis. The miR-23a-3p inhibitor rescued ACSL4 expression and induced ferrotoptic cell death in sorafenib-treated HCC cells. The co-delivery of ACSL4 siRNA and miR-23a-3p inhibitor abolished sorafenib response.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrates that ETS1/miR-23a-3p/ACSL4 axis contributes to sorafenib resistance in HCC through regulating ferroptosis. Our findings suggest that miR-23a-3p could be a potential target to improve sorafenib responsiveness in HCC patients.
Potential and beneficial effects of Cinnamomum cassia on gastritis and safety: Literature review and analysis of standard extract
Authors: Lee Ji Hwan , Park Do Hwi , Lee Sanghyun , Seo Hye Jin , Park Shin Jung , Jung Kiwon , Kim Song-Yi , Kang Ki Sung
Published: December 2021

The prevalence of gastritis in South Korea is rapidly increasing owing to the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection and fast eating habit. The usual treatment for acute gastritis following a long intake of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or alcohol is to stop the causal factors. Metronidazole and lansoprazole are recommended for the treatment of H. pylori infection gastritis. Omeprazole a proton pump inhibitor, is used to decrease gastric acid production. However, owing to the side effects and refractoriness of the drug, a safe and efficient treatment is required. Plant-derived phytochemicals have emerged as novel agents against chronic disorders. In this study, firstly, to explore the potential of pharmacological activities, including efficacy and mechanisms of Cinnamomum cassia against gastritis, a literature review was performed based on 20 studies out of a total of 749 records obtained using a search strategy. From the literature review, the therapeutic targets of C. cassia extract and cinnamaldehyde, a compound of C. cassia, were found to be related with NFκB activity, and their signaling pathway were verified by experiments. C. cassia extract plays a role in protection of gastric ulcers induced in four ways (immersion stress-induced, ethanol-induced, hydrochloric acid-induced, or NSAIDs-induced ulcer). None of the clinical studies on C. cassia extracts or compounds met our criteria. When the standardized extract of C. cassia (ECC) was orally administered repeatedly to Beagle Dog for 4 weeks, no toxicologically harmful changes were observed. Therefore, under the test condition, the no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) of ECC was judged to be 1000 mg/kg/day for both sexes, and no toxic target organ was observed. Administration of ECC in the Sprague–Dawley rat model of acute gastric injury caused by indomethacin administration significantly increased gastric mucus volume. Administration of ECC in the acute gastric injury model caused by indomethacin administration is considered effective in improving gastric injury. However, research and efforts to develop a reliable ‘standardization of natural drugs’ by establishing the best quality evaluation system are limited. Despite the pharmacological potential of ECC, further well-designed experimental studies such as in vitro, in vivo, and clinical trials are required to validate these findings and the underlying mechanisms of ECC.
Synantropijne stanowisko Erysimum wittmannii Zaw. (Brassicaceae) w BeSkidzie Sądeckim
Authors: Czarna Aneta
Published: December 2021

A new local population of a Carpathian endemic plant species, Erysimum wittmannii, was found in Szczawnica in concrete-filled crevices between large stones on a steep slope falling to the Dunajec River, slightly downstream from the stream Grajcarek, when walking from Krościenko. This is certainly its largest, although anthropogenic, local population in the Polish Carpathians. On 14 July 2020, it included 45 fruiting individuals and two flowering ones.