bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of Competences for Digital Health Technologies in Basic Nursing Training on an Example of Tallinn Health Care College
Authors: Ristikivi Jandra , Hallik Riina , Talvik Merle , Tulva Taimi
Published: August 2022

Despite of the fact that health care employees spend over 25% of their working hours on information administration using technology, there are no official study opportunities for information security, eHealth and medical devices in Estonia. Tallinn Health Care College commenced the development of a module to teach technologies to improve learners’ digital competence.
Aim was to design a crucial subject to develop the competences for digital health technologies in basic nursing training. Following tasks were arranged: to conduct comprehensive overview of scientific literature with the aim to systematize the competences of digital technologies instructed in the field of health care; to design a conceptual framework of the subject; to monitor the functioning of the subject and students’ satisfaction with the subject’s contents to further develop the subject.
Combined qualitative and quantitative research methods were used. The comprehensive literature overview was created of teaching health technologies and eHealth to design the conceptual framework, it offered the input to structurise the volume and contents for the subject on digital technologies. The analysis of the students’ feedback was the ground for monitoring and development.
The list of competences was composed derived from the comprehensive overview of scientific literature, also of topicality of the themes; forms of assessment and feedback, and the factors influencing the whole learning process. Designed conceptual framework helped to structurise the course, and the visual image demonstrates the link between the connections. Continuous monitoring helps to evaluate the functioning of the subject and its continuous development ensures effective teaching.
Sensory Design and Design Thinking for Design Educating
Authors: Zi Mengnan
Published: August 2022

This paper aims to highlight the critical role of the interdisciplinary integration of sensory design and design thinking in education, particularly in educating designers. Through a literature review analysis, the paper explicates the importance of integrating sensory design and design thinking in design education and puts forward a didactic method to deal with specific problems encountered in design education. A case study conducted at the Sichuan Fine Arts Institute has been used as an experiment for a new didactic method. Students could choose any material and explored its sensory expressions, discovering emotional and narrative content. Then, students selected traditional handicrafts to enhance and add new sensory expressions, reinforcing and clarifying the emotional expressions. Ultimately defined the design theme and students' work were the final output.  The purpose is to summarise the results and problems of teaching activities through an analysis of course content. The didactic method emphasises the student experience and the innovative design outcome. The didactic method was tested in design education, suggests possible development trends in the application of interdisciplinary education to provide the impetus for improving existing design education models.
Contraceptives and the Youth: Examining the Social Meaning of Contraceptives among Undergraduates in Kenya
Authors: Adolwa Jacqueline , Abuya Willice , Masinde Jamin
Published: August 2022

Sexuality is a development milestone in one’s life cycle, and each generation has its own struggles with it. It becomes more complex when the biological forces that accompany it initiate the sexual maturation process. The youth are very prone to risky sexual behaviour at this stage due to their perceptions of personal invulnerability, that leaves many exposed to HIV/AIDS infection, early pregnancies and abortion incidences. The unmet need for contraceptive use in sub-Saharan Africa has left the youth exposed to the aforementioned vices, making this a matter of great public health concern. Through a qualitative approach, this article examines the social meaning that the youth bestowed on two contraceptives (condom and the E-pill) and assesses how these meanings influence their sexual behaviour. The study concludes that there is need for policy makers to understand youth perceptions towards various contraceptive methods if effective campaign on reproductive health is to be realised.
Switching to Virtual Classes Due to Covid-19: Correlation and Panel Data Analyses for Modeling Students’ Academic Performance
Authors: Cruzado Ivette
Published: August 2022

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the education institutions were required to transform their traditional teaching methods (face-to-face classes) to online courses. In Puerto Rico, news outlets expressed a national concern regarding this teaching style as there was an increase in the percentage of students who failed their academic semester. Based on a previous research, this study aimed to identify if students’ attitudes towards a course was correlated to their grades, rather than the fact that the class was taught in a virtual setting. Information about number of times the students viewed the material as well as the day they decided to work on the course were retrieved from students enrolled in a Statistics course during the Spring 2021 semester at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez. Correlation analyses, as well as panel data models, suggested that the only variable that influences students’ performance is the amount of time that has elapsed for them to work on the course. The results were then validated with a Transportation Engineering related course. Although it may be the case that students were not ready for the transition from the traditional classroom to virtual classes, there is no evidence that online education is linked to poor student performance.
Masticatory function evaluation methods: Critical analysis of selected literature
Authors: Araujo Rafael Zetehaku , Zancopé Karla , Moreira Rodrigo Silva , Neves Flavio Domingues das
Published: August 2022

Objective: To identify the ideal and/or most suitable masticatory function assessment methodology or treatment for each group of patients. Material and Methods: A survey was carried out in the MEDLINE, Science Direct, and Embase databases for articles published since 1990. The articles were initially selected by their titles and abstracts, and after application of inclusion and exclusion criteria, some were selected for full text reading. The studies were submitted to qualitative, quantitative, and bias analysis. Results: Of the 1,514 studies retrieved in the initial search, 51 were selected for complete analysis. Advantages of the test foods Optocal and Optosil included reliability and standardization capacity, while their disadvantages included high processing time and hardness. Wax was mentioned for its ease of chewing and testing speed, with the disadvantages of handling and the influence of temperature, in addition to low palatability. Chewing gum exhibited a speedy and easy way of testing, low cost, and reliability, in addition to commercial availability. Conclusion: Among the existing methodologies, those that were used in few studies or not validated require additional data, and for now, their indication is not recommended. Optocal and Optosil should be indicated for patients who do not have impaired chewing function. Chewing gum is a more suitable test food for patients with impaired chewing. Its practicality in being used in tests and evaluation of results makes it a more comprehensive indicator for different types of patients, treatments, or needs to assess masticatory function.
Adubação orgânica como fator determinante de emergência e crescimento de mudas de maracujá-amarelo
Authors: Santos Erica Heloise Freitas , Silva Jose Aliçandro Bezerra da , Guimarães Miguel Julio Machado , Meloni Diego Ariel , Castro Jadisson Lincoln Gomes , Neves Ana Vitória Freire , Vieira Nicolly Quirino Barros , Santos Anderson da Silva
Published: August 2022

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de diferentes níveis de adubação orgânica sobre a emergência e o crescimento de mudas de maracujazeiro-amarelo sob condições semiáridas. O experimento foi realizado usando delineamento em blocos inteiramente casualizados, em arranjo fatorial 3:5 consistindo de três compostos orgânicos [humus (HU), esterco caprino (EC) e torta de filtro de cana-de-açúcar (TCA)] e cinco níveis de adubação (T1 = 100% de solo; T2 = 20% do composto + 80% de solo; T3 = 40% do composto + 60% de solo; T4 = 60% do composto + 40% de solo; e T5 = 80% do composto + 20% de solo), dispostos em 3 blocos com 30 repetições por parcela. Foram avaliados parâmetros referentes à emergência e ao crescimento inicial das plantas de maracujá. A avaliação dos dados de cada tratamento mostrou que o uso de 56% de humus, 48% de TCA e 41 % de esterco caprino promoveu os melhores resultados de emergência e crescimento de mudas e de trocas gasosas. Todavia, a comparação entre os três compostos orgânicos indicou que o tratamento com 56% de humus promoveu melhor desempenho dos parâmetros crescimento e de massas fresca e seca, mostrando ser uma boa opção para a produção de mudas com adubação orgânica.
Contribuições de terapias complementares e outras estratégias para o tratamento de depressão: uma revisão integrativa
Authors: Maia Jéssica Daiane de Melo , Dolabela Maria Fâni , Maia Müller Pereira
Published: August 2022

A depressão hoje, frente as eventualidades da vida, tornou-se uma doença comum e recorrente e a fim de melhorar a qualidade de vida ou ainda combater os efeitos adversos advindos do uso de medicamentos, muitos pacientes depressivos têm optado pelo uso de terapias complementares ou alternativas. Assim, a presente pesquisa teve como objetivo principal apresentar as terapias complementares que têm sido utilizadas para o tratamento da depressão. Para isto foi realizada uma revisão integrativa com levantamento de trabalhos nas seguintes plataformas de dados PubMed, Scientific Electronic Library Online (Scielo), Banco Virtual de Saúde (BVS) e Google Acadêmico. Foram considerados para a pesquisa trabalhos publicados nos últimos 5 anos em português, inglês e espanhol. Um total de 15 artigos foram encontrados por intermédio da pesquisa e as principais terapias usadas foram o uso de probióticos, suplementos e curcumina, e a realização de auriculoterapia, musicoterapia, mindfulness, terapia comunitária, yoga, Reiki, meditação, eletroacupuntura, acupuntura, aromaterapia, biofeedback, hipnoses, homeopatia, terapia de luz, massagem terapêutica, dança, intervenção espiritual e religiosa, terapia baseada em movimentos chineses, pilates e treino aeróbico. Como conclusão, observou-se que existem trabalhos que compravam os benefícios das terapias alternativas, porém frente a grande variedade de metodologias e amostras, mais ensaios clínicos do tipo randomizado devem ser realizados a fim de reafirma-los.
Fatores associados ao peso do recém-nascido em gestações de baixo e alto risco
Authors: Camassari Jorgiane de Souza , Martins Mayhanne Cockles de Oliveira , Santos Andresa Mayara da Silva , Delgado Alexandre Magno , Maio Regiane , Burgos Maria Goretti Pessoa de Araújo
Published: August 2022

Objetivo: Associar fatores sócio demográficos, antropométrico-nutricionais de estilo de vida, clínicos e obstétricos de gestantes de baixo e alto risco, com o peso do recém-nascido. Métodos: Estudo transversal, tipo serie de casos com 103 gestantes de um hospital-escola do Recife, Pernambuco, Brasil. O peso do recém-nascido foi classificado como pequeno para a idade gestacional (10 e <90) e grande para a idade gestacional (p>90). Para análise estatística, aplicaram-se os testes do qui-quadrado de Pearson e exato de Fisher. Resultados: Houve associação significativa entre o risco gestacional e o peso do recém-nascido, com maior percentual de gestantes de baixo risco (62,1%). Entre as variáveis antropométricas, apenas o ganho ponderal da gestante, não demonstrou associação significativa com o peso do recém-nascido. As mulheres com neonatos pequenos para idade gestacional apresentaram um índice de massa corporal pré-gestacional de 21,35 kg/m2 e ao final da gestação de 26,34 kg/m2, enquanto aquelas, com neonatos grandes para idade gestacional, apresentaram um índice pré-gestacional de 31,85 kg/m2, ao final da gestação de 36,72 kg/m2 e maior proporção de sobrepeso 30%, e obesidade 60%, pelo índice pré-gestacional, além de obesidade ao final da gestação 70%. Conclusões: Ocorreu associação significativa entre o estado nutricional pre-gestacional, gestacional e o risco gestacional, com o peso ao nascer, demonstrando a importância da condição clínica e do estado nutricional materno sobre os desfechos perinatais.
PERUBAHAN FUNGSI SENI TRADISI RONTEK PACITAN
Authors: Setyomuryantono Tunggul , Trinugraha Yosafat Hermawan , Rahman Abdul
Published: August 2022

This study aims to analyze the change in the function of the Rontek traditional art in Pacitan Regency, East Java. The changing process is accompanied by the change in the function of rontek art, from being a daily tradition of the people to wake people up during Sahoor in the month of Ramadan formerly into an annual festival. This study also discusses how the process has become a commodification of culture and at the same time describes the influence of cultural commodification process on the preservation of regional arts in the “Festival Rontek Pacitan (Pacitan Rontek Festival)”. This research approach used qualitative research methods. It was conducted in the administrative area of ​​Pacitan Regency, East Java. Data was collected through in-depth interviews, observation, and documentation. The data analysis technique started with selecting the data and writing it down on a field note, then presenting the data in words in paragraphs and matrices, tables or schematics for easy understanding, and lastly drawing conclusions. Based on the results of the research, the Rontek art that appears in the form of “Festival Rontek Pacitan” presupposes the efforts to preserve the regional arts. The commodification of culture as an effort to preserve the Rontek Pacitan regional art is carried out without reducing the value contained within it.
KAJIAN TEOLOGI SOSIAL TERHADAP BENCANA ALAM BANJIR BAGI MASYARAKAT KAROMBASAN DI KOTA MANADO TAHUN 2021
Authors: Nendissa Julio Eleazer
Published: August 2022

Flood is one of most dangerous disasters to all living things on earth. Flood natural disaster having occurred Manado city, especially Karombasan village, was caused by heavy rains for days, surface water runoff, low soil infiltration capacity, and littering. Floods that hit Karombasan sub-district have killed 3 persons, and made 1 person missing, 8 houses damaged: 3 heavily damaged and 5 lightly damaged. This paper was organized aiming to know, understand, and analyze the causes of flood in the Karombasan village and what the government's social action is in dealing with the Karombasan community affected by the flood disaster. This paper spotlighted the inventory of flood victims, the causes, how to overcome them, and social actions taken by the government to overcome the floods occurring. A qualitative research method with a descriptive approach was used in this study and data collection techniques used was in-depth interviews. The results show natural factors of heavy rain, human factors such as littering, and illegal logging causing the flood natural disaster. As a result of flood, casualties, missing victims, injuries, lost valuable documents, lost and damaged properties, damaged houses and economic disruption can be found in local community.
DAMPAK PROGRAM EKOWISATA BERBASIS KEARIFAN LOKAL DALAM PENINGKATAN PENDAPATAN MASYARAKAT
Authors: Paula Gabriela , Achmadi Achmadi , Syamsuri Syamsuri
Published: August 2022

The eco-tourism program benefits much the community, where social culture and local wisdom of the people in each of regions preserve their custom, culture and sustainability differently. This study aims to determine the role of community and the role of local wisdom, the inhibiting and supporting factors, as well as the impact of the ecotourism program based on local wisdom in increasing the people's income. The research method used was a case study with a qualitative research type. The data sources for this study consisted of key informants including the Head of Dusun (Hamlet) and the Head of the Kaban Mayas Tourism Management Group, as well as regular informants including 7 (seven) local people from the Meliau hamlet. The methods of collecting data used were in-depth interviews and observation. The result of this study reveals that the role of the community is very important because local knowledge they have can help the implementation of ecotourism, where the community contributes to providing homestay, consumption, transportation and local guide or porter services and the ecotourism program is regulated by customary rules living in the community. The factor inhibiting the ecotourism program is mainly related to access to transportation, while the factor supporting is related to natural potency, cultural potency, animal diversity, and public awareness. The ecotourism program in Meliau Hamlet has a positive impact on community income, because the community has additional sources of income from managing homestay services, transportation services, and local guides. In addition, it also has an impact on improving the quality of processed non-timber forest products so that they have a fairly high selling value and also helps the marketing process. The findings of this study is expected to be taken into account in formulating local government policies in supporting the participation of local communities in ecotourism areas so as to increase their income.
ANALISIS MODEL PENGELOLAAN PARIWISATA BERBASIS MASYARAKAT
Authors: Aris La Ode , Putra Heddy Shri Ahimsa , Kutanegara Pande Made
Published: August 2022

Community-based tourism (CBT) is one of the management models adopted by the Wakatobi Regency government in managing tourism. This paper examines the management of community-based tourism in Wangi-Wangi Island, Wakatobi Regency from 2006 to 2019 Data were obtained from various literatures by conducting literature studies and from field observations and interviews with the community. Meanwhile, the data analysis technique used was a qualitative data analysis with CBT perspective. The results of this study indicate that the CBT model is carried out in two types: (1) tourism management is carried out by landowners in which local community is not directly involved in the management of object; (2) tourism management is carried out by the government, in which the local community is directly involved in managing the tourist objects. The supervision of CBT model management is carried out by the government along with the community involved in tourist objects. The local community can feel directly the benefit of CBT model, either directly or indirectly involved.
PERSPEKTIF BUDAYA MARITIM INDONESIA (Sebuah Refleksi Sejarah Antropologi Oseania)
Authors: SVD Gregor Neonbasu
Published: August 2022

This article discusses two basic points: firstly, Indonesian Maritime Trade and secondly, Oceanic Anthropological History. The first point will be studied in classical comprehension spectrum related to maritime wealth and the image of Indonesians’ competency image in the past all at once. The second point focuses on anthropological speculation concerning unity and wholeness of various lands in Oceania. Some official sources become the reference in this article, including our study that has been conducted for almost 6 years, since 2015 – today (2020) and is still continued. Specific source becoming special reference in this article is the application of historical reflection by Bernard H.M. Vlekke entitled Nusantara: A History of Indonesia (1961), a work revealing the historical evidence of Archipelagic (Indonesian) civilization in the past.
A vehicle for positive acculturation
Authors: Yim Eunice Pui-yu
Published: August 2022

Cultural diversity in Hong Kong has increased dramatically following a series of reforms in population and immigration policies after the unification of Hong Kong in 1997. Since then, cultural clashes between Hong Kong locals and mainland Chinese people have become one of the major social issues in Hong Kong. While intercultural clashes between people from different countries have been widely researched, those between people from different regions of the same country are rarely studied. Homogenizing and overlooking intergroup cultural clashes contribute to misunderstandings toward different cultures and resolving these clashes through social policies and services. Cultural research indicates that stereotyped beliefs are transmitted intergenerationally. Policy responses seek to nurture a harmonized society where perceived differences are respected and understood, rather than merely acknowledged. This study adopts narrative inquiry to examine the dynamics of acculturation, social identity, and intergroup contact among local and migrant parents and to explore avenues for promoting positive acculturation amid diversity. We observed four parents from mainland China and three local Hong Kong parents with children aged 4–13 who attended two discussion sessions about parenting. The findings revealed that promoting positive acculturation via parenting education is effective in promoting psychological adaptation at the individual level and reducing intergroup stereotypes at a cultural level. Training parenting educators in facilitating positive acculturation policies and programs for both sides are discussed.
Does Spotify Create Attachment?
Authors: Leisewitz Adrian , Musgrave George
Published: August 2022

This paper seeks to measure the extent to which algorithmically generated playlists, conceptualised herein as cultural intermediaries (Bourdieu 1984), create ‘attachment’ between consumers of music and producers of music. This was undertaken following debates in the professional music press problematising the ability of streaming platforms to create relationships between artists and listeners and, in a wider discussion, to generate sustainable income for musicians (Chartmetric 2018, Mulligan 2019 in Griffiths 2019, Music Ally 2019). We develop the idea from cultural and economic scholars that intermediation results in ‘attachment’ on behalf of consumers (Callon et.al 2002, Smith Maguire & Matthews 2012) by formulating a definition of the term informed by insights from consumer psychology and applying this framework to a 115-question survey completed by listeners to Spotify’s ‘Discover Weekly’ Playlist for a one-week period. The findings suggest that the playlist was able to generate close to no attachment for those considered poorly-involved new music consumers, and only minor to mid-levels of attachment for those participants considered heavily-involved new music consumers. We therefore propose that algorithmically curated playlists can influence low-cost audience attachment behaviours while their overall impact on the economic success of artists may be limited. This paper contributes towards academic debates concerning the role and impact of cultural intermediaries and lends early empirical support to discussions within the professional music industries and wider public policy (GOV 2020) concerning the uncertain ability of playlists to influence the artist-fan relationship. In addition, by developing a methodologically precise definition of ‘attachment’, it is hoped that the framework provided by this modest study can act as a guide for other researchers to explore the concept of intermediation and attachment with larger sample sizes on alternative playlist types and on other digital platforms.
(Re-)Assembling Cultural Studies
Authors: Cord Florian
Published: August 2022

This paper proceeds from the assumption that the Anthropocene is characterized by a profound impurity and ‘messiness’. It argues that in order to be able to better tackle the immense complexity of the contemporary world, Cultural Studies needs to be more fully posthumanized, that is, brought into an encounter with the various theoretical formations associated with the nonhuman turn (actor-network theory, new materialism, speculative realism, object-oriented ontology, etc.). Specifically, it proposes the concept of the ‘assemblage’ as an alternative onto-epistemic commitment for Cultural Studies and a very productive hinge for such an encounter. Primarily drawing on the work of the philosopher Manuel DeLanda, the article distils the most important features of this concept and then goes on to explore how it calls for a rethinking and revision of some of the central assumptions and categories of Cultural Studies once it is ‘translated’ into the discursive horizon of the discipline. In particular, the essay, availing itself of a wide range of theoretical resources, investigates how the three key concepts of culture, power, and identity undergo a reconceptualization, one that more strongly opens them up to the nonhuman.
Development of a Chemically Defined Medium for in vitro Expansion of Primary Bovine Satellite Cells
Authors: Kolkmann Anna M. , Van Essen Anon , Post Mark J. , Moutsatsou Panagiota
Published: August 2022

The use of fetal bovine serum (FBS) in animal cell culture media is widely spread since it provides a broad spectrum of molecules that are known to support cell attachment and growth. However, the harvest and collection procedures of FBS raise ethical concerns and serum is an ill-defined and expensive component. This is especially problematic when it comes to regulatory approval for food applications like cultured meat. The aim of this study is to develop a chemically defined, cost efficient serum-free and animal-free medium that supports the attachment and expansion of bovine myoblasts while maintaining their differentiation capacity. Bovine satellite cells were harvested and isolated from a fresh sample of skeletal muscle tissue and cultured in planar systems. The efficacy of the tested formulations was assessed with metabolic assays and cell counting techniques. Optical microscopy was used to observe cellular morphology and statistical analysis was applied. Based on a comprehensive literature analysis, a defined serum-free medium (SFM) composition was developed consisting of DMEM/F12 as basal medium, supplemented with L-ascorbic acid 2-phosphate, fibronectin, hydrocortisone, GlutaMAX™, albumin, ITS-X, hIL-6, α-linolenic acid, and growth factors such as FGF-2, VEGF, IGF-1, HGF, and PDGF-BB. To our knowledge, this is the first defined serum-free and animal free medium formulation specific for bovine myoblasts to date. We conclude that the SFM formulation supported exponential cell growth up to 97% of the serum—containing golden standard growth medium. All reagents used in this study are chemically defined.
Dissection of the macrophage response towards infection by the Leishmania-viral endosymbiont duo and dynamics of the type I interferon response
Authors: Bekkar Amel , Isorce Nathalie , Snäkä Tiia , Claudinot Stéphanie , Desponds Chantal , Kopelyanskiy Dmitry , Prével Florence , Reverte Marta , Xenarios Ioannis , Fasel Nicolas , Teixeira Filipa
Published: August 2022

Leishmania RNA virus 1 (LRV1) is a double-stranded RNA virus found in some strains of the human protozoan parasite Leishmania, the causative agent of leishmaniasis, a neglected tropical disease. Interestingly, the presence of LRV1 inside Leishmania constitutes an important virulence factor that worsens the leishmaniasis outcome in a type I interferon (IFN)–dependent manner and contributes to treatment failure. Understanding how macrophages respond toward Leishmania alone or in combination with LRV1 as well as the role that type I IFNs may play during infection is fundamental to oversee new therapeutic strategies. To dissect the macrophage response toward infection, RNA sequencing was performed on murine wild-type and Ifnar-deficient bone marrow–derived macrophages infected with Leishmania guyanensis (Lgy) devoid or not of LRV1. Additionally, macrophages were treated with poly I:C (mimetic virus) or with type I IFNs. By implementing a weighted gene correlation network analysis, the groups of genes (modules) with similar expression patterns, for example, functionally related, coregulated, or the members of the same functional pathway, were identified. These modules followed patterns dependent on Leishmania, LRV1, or Leishmania exacerbated by the presence of LRV1. Not only the visualization of how individual genes were embedded to form modules but also how different modules were related to each other were observed. Thus, in the context of the observed hyperinflammatory phenotype associated to the presence of LRV1, it was noted that the biomarkers tumor-necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and the interleukin 6 (IL-6) belonged to different modules and that their regulating specific Src-family kinases were segregated oppositely. In addition, this network approach revealed the strong and sustained effect of LRV1 on the macrophage response and genes that had an early, late, or sustained impact during infection, uncovering the dynamics of the IFN response. Overall, this study contributed to shed light and dissect the intricate macrophage response toward infection by the Leishmania-LRV1 duo and revealed the crosstalk between modules made of coregulated genes and provided a new resource that can be further explored to study the impact of Leishmania on the macrophage response.
Bactericidal and anti-biofilm effects of uncharged and cationic ultrasound-responsive nitric oxide microbubbles on Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms
Authors: LuTheryn Gareth , Hind Charlotte , Campbell Christopher , Crowther Aaron , Wu Qiang , Keller Sara B. , Glynne-Jones Peter , Sutton J. Mark , Webb Jeremy S. , Gray Michael , Wilks Sandra A. , Stride Eleanor , Carugo Dario
Published: August 2022

Bacterial biofilms are a major and ongoing concern for public health, featuring both inherited genetic resistance traits and a conferred innate tolerance to traditional antibiotic therapies. Consequently, there is a growing need for novel methods of drug delivery, to increase the efficacy of antimicrobial agents. This research evaluated the anti-biofilm and bactericidal effects of ultrasound responsive gas-microbubbles (MBs) of either air or nitric oxide, using anin vitro Pseudomonas aeruginosabiofilm model grown in artificial wound medium. The four lipid-based MB formulations evaluated were room-air MBs (RAMBs) and nitric oxide MBs (NOMBs) with no electrical charge, as well as cationic (+) RAMBs+and NOMBs+. Two principal treatment conditions were used: i) ultrasound stimulated MBs only, and ii) ultrasound stimulated MBs with a sub-inhibitory concentration (4 µg/mL) of the antibiotic gentamicin. The total treatment time was divided into a 60 second passive MB interaction period prior to 40 second ultrasound exposure; each MB formulation was tested in triplicate. Ultrasound stimulated RAMBs and NOMBs without antibiotic achieved reductions in biofilm biomass of 93.3% and 94.0%, respectively. Their bactericidal efficacy however was limited, with a reduction in culturable cells of 26.9% and 65.3%, respectively. NOMBs with sub-inhibitory antibiotic produced the most significant reduction in biofilm biomass, corresponding to a 99.9% (SD ± 5.21%); and a 99.9% (SD ± 0.07%) (3-log) reduction in culturable bacterial cells. Cationic MBs were initially manufactured to promote binding of MBs to negatively charged biofilms, but these formulations also demonstrated intrinsic bactericidal properties. In the absence of antibiotic, the bactericidal efficacy of RAMB+and NOMB+was greater that of uncharged counterparts, reducing culturable cells by 84.7% and 86.1% respectively; increasing to 99.8% when combined with antibiotic. This study thus demonstrates the anti-biofilm and bactericidal utility of ultrasound stimulated MBs, and specifically is the first to demonstrate the efficacy of a NOMB for the dispersal and potentiation of antibiotics against bacterial biofilmsin vitro.Importantly the biofilm system and complex growth-medium were selected to recapitulate key morphological features ofin vivobiofilms. The results us offer new insight for the development of new clinical treatments, for example, in chronic wounds.
Observation of the depassivation effect of attrition on magnesium silicates' direct aqueous carbonation products
Authors: Dufourny Adrien , Julcour Carine , Esvan Jérôme , Cassayre Laurent , Laniesse Priscillia , Bourgeois Florent
Published: August 2022

The main obstacle to the aqueous carbonation of non-serpentinised magnesium silicates is the formation of surface passivation layers, which severely limits the reaction rate and thus the overall efficiency of the process. A technological solution to overcome this problem is to perform the carbonation process inside a stirred bead mill, which aims to continuously remove the surface by-product layers by attrition. In this work, the aqueous carbonation of ferronickel slag, a mineralogically complex mining waste composed of a Mg/Si rich amorphous phase and a crystalline ferrous forsterite, was studied at 150°C and under 10 bar of CO2 with different operating configurations: carbonation alone (C mode), attrition followed by carbonation (A-C mode) and concomitant attrition and carbonation (AC mode). By careful observation of the mineralogy and the surface of the secondary phases formed using complementary analytical techniques, the article allows a better understanding of the passivation phenomenon inherent to the carbonation of magnesium silicates, and confirms the effectiveness of continuous surface mechanical depassivation for reaching high carbonation rates with this type of material. Comparative analysis of the products obtained with the three operating modes shows that a true synergy takes place between attrition and carbonation due to the combined effect of continuous exfoliation and mechanical activation of particle surface, which goes far beyond the simple increase in surface area due to particle size reduction. While mechanical depassivation is here substantiated by several evidence, the additional mechanochemical activation effect cannot be delineated from experiment; however its beneficial contribution to carbonation is inferred from its observation in A-C mode. The work finds that the synergy between attrition and carbonation also yields very characteristic products. They consist in micrometric agglomerates formed by bound spherical particles a few tens of nanometers in size. These particles themselves contain an entanglement of nanometric grains of carbonates and amorphous silica dispersed inside a magnesium-depleted alumino-siliceous matrix. These results confirm that concomitant attrition and carbonation offers one of the most promising pathways for developing direct aqueous carbonation processes with non-thermally activatable magnesium silicates.
Laugh is in the air: An exploratory analysis of laughter during speed dating
Authors: Rathcke Tamara , Fuchs Susanne
Published: August 2022

Laughter is a ubiquitous vocal behavior and plays an important role in social bonding, though little is known if it can also communicate romantic attraction. The present study addresses this question by investigating spontaneous laughter produced during a 5-min conversation in a heterosexual speed-dating experiment. Building on the posits of Accommodation Theory, romantic attraction was hypothesized to coincide with a larger number of shared laughs as a form of convergence in vocal behavior that reduces the perceived distance between the daters. Moreover, high-attraction dates were expected to converge toward the same laughter type. The results of the experiment demonstrate that (a) laughs are particularly frequent in the first minute of the conversation, (b) daters who are mutually attracted show a significantly larger degree of temporal overlap in laughs, (c) specific laughter types (classified as a nasal “laugh-snort”) prevail in high-attraction dates, though shared laughs are not consistently of the same type. Based on this exploratory analysis (limited to cisgender, heterosexual couples), we conclude that laughter is a frequent phenomenon in speed dating and gives some indication of a mutual romantic attraction.
Angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor therapy and recurrence of atrial fibrillation after radiofrequency catheter ablation: A propensity-matched cohort study
Authors: Dong Youzheng , Xiao Shucai , He Jinwu , Shi Kaixin , Chen Si , Liu Deping , Huang Bin , Zhai Zhenyu , Li Juxiang
Published: August 2022

Background

Compared with conventional medicines, angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI) could further improve the prognosis for multiple cardiovascular diseases, such as heart failure, hypertension, and myocardial infarction. However, the relationship between ARNI therapy and the recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) after radiofrequency catheter ablation is currently unknown.

Methods

This study is a retrospective cohort study. Patients with consecutive persistent or paroxysmal AF undergoing first-time radiofrequency ablation were enrolled from February 2018 to October 2021. We compared the risk of AF recurrence in patients with catheter ablation who received ARNI with the risk of AF recurrence in those who received the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI). The propensity-score matched analysis was conducted to examine the effectiveness of ARNI. We used a Cox regression model to evaluate AF recurrence events.

Results

Among 679 eligible patients, 155 patients with ARNI treatment and 155 patients with ACEI treatment were included in the analyses. At a median follow-up of 228 (196–322) days, ARNI as compared with ACEI was associated with a lower risk of AF recurrence [adjusted hazard ratio (HR), 0.39; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.24–0.63; p < 0.001]. In addition, no interaction was found in the subgroup analysis.

Conclusion

Angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor treatment was associated with a decreased risk of AF recurrence after first-time radiofrequency catheter ablation.
Association between hypertriglyceridemic-waist phenotype and cardiovascular disease: A cohort study and meta-analysis
Authors: Zheng Xiaowei , Ren Xiao , Jiang Minglan , Han Longyang
Published: August 2022

Background

The association between hypertriglyceridemic-waist (HTGW) phenotype and cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains inconsistent and debatable. We aimed to prospectively investigate the relationship between HTGW phenotype and CVD.

Methods and results

We included 8,216 participants from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. Participants were categorized into four subgroups: NTNW: normal triglyceride levels and normal waist circumference; HTNW: high triglyceride levels and normal waist circumference; NTGW: normal triglyceride levels with enlarged waist circumference; HTGW: high triglyceride levels and enlarged waist circumference. A Cox proportional hazards model was applied to determine the association between HTGW phenotype and CVD. A meta-analysis was conducted to incorporate the results of the current study and the previous-related studies on the association of HTGW phenotype and CVD. In the present cohort study, compared to the NTNW phenotype, those with NTGW (Hazard ratios (HRs) 1.34, 95% confidence intervals (CIs) 1.16–1.55) and HTGW (HRs 1.37, 95% CIs 1.16–1.62) phenotype were significantly associated with CVD risk. The meta-analysis further confirmed the significant association between HTGW phenotype and CVD [the pooled relative risk for HTGW vs. NTNW was 1.39 (1.29–1.49)].

Conclusion

The HTGW phenotype was associated with the increased risk of CVD, independently of established risk factors. A simple assessment of HTGW phenotypes might help to identify individuals with a high risk of developing CVD.
Association between CES1 rs2244613 and the pharmacokinetics and safety of dabigatran: Meta-analysis and quantitative trait loci analysis
Authors: Li Haobo , Zhang Zhu , Weng Haoyi , Qiu Yuting , Zubiaur Pablo , Zhang Yu , Fan Guohui , Yang Peiran , Vuorinen Anna-Leena , Zuo Xianbo , Zhai Zhenguo , Wang Chen
Published: August 2022

Objective

To date, the influence of the carboxylesterase 1 (CES1) rs2244613 genotype on the pharmacokinetics (PKs) and safety of dabigatran remains controversial. Hence, a systematic review was performed to study the association between CES1 rs2244613 genotype and the PKs and safety of dabigatran and CES1 relative expression.

Methods

In addition to the three English databases (Web of Science, PubMed, and Embase), two Chinese databases (CNKI and Wanfang) were thoroughly revised. The mean differences (MD) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) were applied to evaluate the differences in PKs between the CES1 rs2244613 genotype. Odds ratio (OR) was used to study the risk for bleeding events between the CES1 rs2244613 genotypes. Subsequent expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) analyses were performed to evaluate genotype-specific expressions in human tissues.

Results

Ten studies (n = 2,777) were included. CES1 rs2244613 G allele carriers exhibited significantly lower dabigatran trough concentrations compared to T allele carriers (MD: −8.00 ng/mL; 95% CI: −15.08 to −0.92; p = 0.03). The risk for bleeding events was significantly lower in carriers of the G allele compared to T allele carriers (OR: 0.65; 95% CI: 0.44–0.96; p = 0.03). Subsequent eQTL analysis showed significant genome-wide expressions in two human tissues, whole blood (p = 5.1 × 10–10) and liver (p = 6.2 × 10–43).

Conclusion

Our meta-analysis indicated a definite relation between the CES1 rs2244613 genotype and tolerability variations or pharmacokinetic fluctuations. The carriers of T allele showed higher dabigatran concentrations; therefore, they would benefit from a dose reduction.

Systematic review registration

[https://inplasy.com/inplasy-2022-6-0027/], identifier [NPLASY202260027].
Clinical presentation and cardiac imaging findings in patient cases of perimyocarditis and pericarditis with a temporal association to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination
Authors: Pedersen Anders Lehmann Dahl , Wood Gregory , Frederiksen Christian Alcaraz , Løgstrup Brian Bridal , Jensen Morten Kvistholm , Østergaard Lars , Kim Won Yong , Poulsen Steen Hvitfeldt
Published: August 2022

Aims

We aimed to investigate and present cases of perimyocarditis and pericarditis verified by cardiovascular resonance (CMR) imaging in patients with a strong temporal association to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. We sought to describe the clinical presentation including coronary artery angiography, CMR, transthoracic echocardiography, blood samples, electrocardiography, and symptoms.

Methods

We included 10 patients admitted with chest pain shortly after vaccination for SARS-CoV-2, who were diagnosed with pericarditis or perimyocarditis by CMR. We reviewed the CMR, echocardiography, electrocardiography, blood samples, coronary artery angiography, vital signs and medical history. The updated Lake Louise Criteria were used to determine the diagnosis by CMR.

Results

Eight patients had perimyocarditis and two patients had pericarditis. The mean age was 22 ± 5 years (range 16 to 31 years), 90% were male. The median time from vaccination to hospital admission was 4 days (range 2 to 28 days). Admissions were seen after vaccination with three different SARS-CoV-2 vaccine manufacturers. Nine Patients had ST-elevation on the initial electrocardiography. Peak troponins varied from 357 to 23,547 ng/l, with a median of 4,304 ng/l. Two patients had an LVEF <50% on echocardiography and four patients had left ventricular global longitudinal strain values <18%. CMR revealed preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), although one patient had decreased LVEF on CMR. The T1 and T2 mapping values were increased in all patients. Of the 8 patients with perimyocarditis, all patients had signs of myocardial injury in the lateral segments of the left ventricle.

Conclusions

This case series of 10 patients supports the emerging evidence of an association between vaccination for SARS-CoV-2 and perimyocarditis and pericarditis, especially in young males. The temporal association was seen after vaccines from three different manufacturers. Imaging data from echocardiography and CMR displayed normal to mildly impaired cardiac function, usually with a mild disease course.
Nomogram and risk calculator for severe hypoxemia after heart valve surgery
Authors: Ding Xiangchao , Cheng Dan , Sun Bing , Sun Manda , Wu Chuangyan , Chen Jiuling , Li Xiaoli , Lei Yuan , Su Yunshu
Published: August 2022

Background

Hypoxemia is a very common issue in patients undergoing heart valve surgery (HVS), related to poor clinical outcomes. However, studies on severe hypoxemia (SH) after HVS have not been reported. The aims of this study were to identify predictors for SH in patients undergoing HVS and to develop and validate a risk prediction model.

Methods

Patients undergoing HVS between 2016 and 2019 in a cardiovascular center were enrolled and were assigned to training and validation sets by a 7:3 ratio. Based on whether patients developed SH, they were divided into two groups. By univariate and multivariate analysis, predictors for SH were identified. Based on the predictors and logistic rule, a nomogram and a risk calculator were generated. The model was evaluated using calibration, discrimination and clinical utility.

Results

The incidence rates of SH, moderate hypoxemia and mild hypoxemia were respectively 2.4, 23.9, and 58.2%. By multivariate analysis, seven independent risk factors for SH after HVS were identified, including body mass index, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, renal insufficiency, white blood cell count, serum globulin, cardiopulmonary bypass time, and surgical types. The logistic model demonstrated satisfactory discrimination, calibration and clinical utility in both the training and validation sets. A nomogram and a risk calculator based on the logistic model were generated for easy application. Risk stratification was performed and three risk intervals were defined according to the nomogram and clinical practice. In addition, compared to patients without SH, patients with SH had significantly poorer clinical outcomes.

Conclusions

Postoperative hypoxemia was prevalent after HVS, related to poor clinical outcomes. A logistic model including seven independent predictors for SH after HVS were established and validated, which demonstrated satisfactory discrimination, calibration and clinical utility. The results of this study may provide help to individualized risk assessment, early prevention and perioperative management.