bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Different senses of one’s place: Exploring social adjustment to home-based care services among family caregivers from minority ethnic backgrounds who have relatives living with dementia
Authors: Gulestø Ragnhild , Lillekroken Daniela , Halvorsrud Liv , Bjørge Heidi
Published: January 2023

Western dementia care policies emphasise that family caregivers from minority ethnic backgrounds must become more engaged in healthcare services. However, research exploring experiences of receiving services such as home-based care, and thus adjustment to the service, among family caregivers from minority ethnic backgrounds who have relatives with dementia is still scarce. Therefore, inspired by Pierre Bourdieu’s theoretical concepts of field, habitus and capital, we explored how family caregivers from different minority ethnic backgrounds justified decisions about whether to receive home-based care and their social adjustment to the service. Using empirical data from semi-structured interviews with nine family caregivers from different minority ethnic backgrounds, we demonstrated that different mindsets and available social resources gave rise to various actions. Although some family caregivers were optimistic about receiving home-based care, our findings point to tensions between the ideals of care practices and the organisational structures surrounding home-based care as a service. Among those who had experiences with home-based care, we found that organisational limitations, particularly in terms of efficiency demands and time constraints, influenced their behaviours and thus their social adjustments to the service. For some, these limitations eventually resulted in cancellation of the service. However, not all had the same opportunities to make these decisions, indicating that, although family caregivers from minority ethnic backgrounds receive home-based care, this does not necessarily entail a deficiency-free service. Furthermore, we argue that public discourses on this subject can be challenged by encouraging one to look beyond ethnic and cultural labels towards other factors, such as organisational structures, that might largely influence the use of home-based care among these family caregivers.
Can service users speak? Dissenting voices and subaltern speech in social work
Authors: Aaslund Håvard
Published: January 2023

Service user involvement and participatory research are central concepts in social work practice and research. Inspired by Spivak’s essay “Can the Subaltern Speak,” this article draws on the poststructural and postcolonial theory to unpack the assumptions about essentialism, representation, and division of labor underlying the concepts of involvement, participation, and voice. The article combines Spivak’s theory about the subaltern and Rancière’s theory about politics as dissensus to shed light on how the space for authentic service user voice risks being minimized, corrupted, and co-opted. I discuss the challenges arising from this for understanding service user involvement and participatory knowledge production and suggest possible steps toward handling these challenges.
Mating Performance and Singlehood Across 14 Nations
Authors: Apostolou Menelaos , Sullman Mark , Birkás Béla , Błachnio Agata , Bushina Ekaterina , Calvo Fran , Costello William , Dujlovic Tanja , Hill Tetiana , Lajunen Timo Juhani , Lisun Yanina , Manrique-Millones Denisse , Manrique-Pino Oscar , Meskó Norbert , Nechtelberger Martin , Ohtsubo Yohsuke , Ollhoff Christian Kenji , Przepiórka Aneta , Putz Ádám , Tagliabue Mariaelena , Tekeş Burcu , Thomas Andrew , Valentova Jaroslava Varella , Varella Marco Antonio Correa , Wang Yan , Wright Paula , Font-Mayolas Sílvia
Published: January 2023

Adult individuals frequently face difficulties in attracting and keeping mates, which is an important driver of singlehood. In the current research, we investigated the mating performance (i.e., how well people do in attracting and retaining intimate partners) and singlehood status in 14 different countries, namely Austria, Brazil, China, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Peru, Poland, Russia, Spain, Turkey, the UK, and Ukraine ( N = 7,181). We found that poor mating performance was in high occurrence, with about one in four participants scoring low in this dimension, and more than 57% facing difficulties in starting and/or keeping a relationship. Men and women did not differ in their mating performance scores, but there was a small yet significant effect of age, with older participants indicating higher mating performance. Moreover, nearly 13% of the participants indicated that they were involuntarily single, which accounted for about one-third of the singles in the sample. In addition, more than 15% of the participants indicated that they were voluntarily single, and 10% were between-relationships single. We also found that poor mating performance was associated with an increased likelihood of voluntary, involuntary, and between-relationships singlehood. All types of singlehood were in higher occurrence in younger participants. Although there was some cross-cultural variation, the results were generally consistent across samples.
Acoustic optimization design of porous materials on sandwich panel under flow-induced vibration
Authors: Li Ye , Xiao Xinbiao , Zhang Yumei , Tang Zhao , Pan Aipeng
Published: January 2023

In this study, porous sound-absorbing materials used as a lining in double-panel structure applications (such as high-speed train body structures) to limit flow-induced vibration interior noise were studied, and acoustic optimization design was performed. First, in the wavenumber domain, the cross-spectrum Corcos model was used to characterize the dynamic hydrodynamic pressure of turbulence. Biot’s theory is used to model the porous materials. The transmission loss (TL) of the sandwich panel were also determined based on the model superposition method. Three types of sandwich panel structures were considered: air–air (A–A), bonded-bonded (B–B), and bonded-air (B–A). The TL of the three structure types under hydrodynamic pressure was used to evaluate the suppression of flow-induced vibration interior noise in porous materials. The effects of flow velocity, thickness and density of the porous material, and three types of polyimide foam on the TL characteristics of the sandwich panel were investigated. The results show that the flow velocity has a significant influence on the TL of the sandwich panel. The TL of the sandwich panel decreases by 3–4 dB when the flow velocity increases by 100 km/h The B–A configuration has satisfactory sound insulation performance at most frequencies. With an increase in material thickness, the TL of the sandwich panel structure first increases and then decreases, and the material density mainly affects the TL of the structure at intermediate and high frequencies. Based on the objectives of maximizing the average transmission loss (TLavg) and minimizing the structural weight, the acoustic optimization design of the B–A structure was performed, and the balance between the two objective functions was achieved by a nondominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA-Ⅱ). The TLavg s of the sandwich panel structure increased by 5.2 dB when the total mass of the structure was decreased by 0.2 kg.
Embedding Ecopreneurial Behaviour: Proposed Social Marketing Interventions From Value-In-Behaviour Perceptions of Plastic Waste Ecopreneurs
Authors: Muposhi Asphat , Mugwati Miriam , Mawere Rukudzo
Published: January 2023

Background

Plastic waste is a growing social and environmental problem in developing economies due to poor waste management infrastructure and improper disposal behaviours. This study explores how ecopreneurship can be embedded as a long-term strategy for managing plastic waste in Zimbabwe.

Focus of the Article

This study focuses on Zimbabwe, a developing country that is grappling with plastic waste. Value-in-behaviour perceptions of plastic waste ecopreneurs were explored.

Research Questions

This study attempts to answer the following questions: (1) What are the specific set of values that motivate ecopreneurs to start ecopreneurial ventures in Zimbabwe? (2) What are the challenges confronting ecopreneurs in Zimbabwe? (3) What is the potential role of social marketing as a strategy intervention to embed ecopreneurial behaviour in Zimbabwe?

Importance to the Social Marketing Field

This study extends the value-in-behaviour theory to deepen the current understanding of the relationship between ecopreneurship and social marketing in the context of a developing economy.

Methods

A qualitative research method was employed. Twenty-one in-depth interviews were conducted with ecopreneurs in Zimbabwe involved in plastic waste collection, recycling and eco-innovations. Interview data was analysed using thematic analysis.

Findings

Economic value, social value and ecological value emerged as the major value perceptions that motivate ecopreneurs. Funding, limited availability of plastic waste management infrastructure, low market value affixed to eco-innovations, derogatory connotations associated with waste collection and lack of community based support in sorting plastic waste were identified as the major stumbling blocks.

Recommendations for Research or Practice

Social marketing interventions for embedding ecopreneurial behaviour in Zimbabwe are proposed. Ecopreneurship may be promoted by disseminating educational messages that emphasize on economic, social and ecological benefits. Challenges confronting ecopreneurs such as lack of funding and plastic waste management infrastructure need to be addressed.

Limitations

This study focused only on ecopreneurs in plastic waste management. Thus, the findings cannot be generalised to ecopreneurs involved in other forms of ecopreneurship. Secondly, the study was conducted in a developing economy where waste collection infrastructure is limited.
Researching with Qualitative Methodologies in the Time of Coronavirus: Clues and Challenges
Authors: Cornejo Marcela , Bustamante Javiera , Del Río Marais , De Toro Ximena , Latorre María Soledad
Published: January 2023

In late 2020 and the first semester of 2021, in Santiago de Chile, five women researchers who work with qualitative methodologies, based on their reflections on how the context of the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted on their doctoral research or their role as thesis advisors, conducted a reflective exploration of the conditions and challenges for qualitative research amid a global crisis. In this context, they convene once per week to explore how other researchers conduct and document their research processes, based on a purposive and thorough bibliographic exploration of qualitative studies on the pandemic and remote methods published in qualitative research journals. During these meetings, they reflect on and analyze the impacts and challenges of research in today’s world, identifying possibilities and challenges in the methodological and ethical domains. Thus, they organize the present paper around two axes: one on the effects of the pandemic on academic and research practices, in general terms, and another on the specific methodological challenges facing qualitative research during the pandemic. These challenges are largely caused by difficulties in accessing and recruiting participants; the conditions of participation, influenced by vulnerabilities or barriers that constitute factors of inequality; the data production strategies and methodologies used in virtual contexts; ethical considerations; and the effects of the pandemic context on quality and rigor criteria. The article concludes with reflections and questions on the meanings, underlying logic, and practices of qualitative research, which are interrogated and re-signified in light of the COVID-19 pandemic while also illuminating research in post-pandemic settings.
Synthesis of multi-mode electric-mechanical variable transmission based on 4-DOF planetary gear mechanisms
Authors: Yu Rui , Li Yuliang
Published: January 2023

Synthesis of multi-mode electric-mechanical variable transmission (EVT) mainly involves two contents: the topology of planetary gear mechanism (PGM) and the determination of their characteristic parameters. This article deals with the computationally intensive problems caused by numerous potential schemes and proposes an automatic and systematic design process for multi-mode EVTs based on 3-row PGM. First, all the non-isomorphic 4-degree-of-freedom (4-DOF) topologies are enumerated by combining the modified digraph model with the determinants of their adjacency matrices. Second, the rules with guiding significance for configuring shift elements and motor/generators (M/Gs) are summarized to eliminate all infeasible configurations. And all the mechanical points (MPs) that come from the kinematic equations play an important role in the selection of new schemes. Third, the method of Monte Carlo simulation handles the problem of solving many different forms of multivariate nonlinear functions to sort the rational mode sequences. Finally, the characteristic parameters of each planetary gear set are optimized by NSGA-II. The feasibility of the method is verified by synthesizing six novelty 3-mode EVTs and it is also applicable to similar problems.
Voriconazole-induced arthritis, enthesitis and periostitis
Authors: Masnammany Adrian Mark , Lau Wendy , Wong Peter Kee Kee , Manolios Nicholas
Published: January 2023

Voriconazole is a fluoride-containing anti-fungal. Prolonged exposure can result in fluoride deposition within the bone extracellular matrix, resulting in periostitis and arthritis. We report a patient who developed widespread bony pain and polyarthralgia while on voriconazole therapy for COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis. No associated autoimmune rheumatic disease or alternative cause was noted. Blood investigations showed elevated total serum alkaline phosphatase, bone-specific ALP and fluoride levels, with normal serum voriconazole levels. A whole body nuclear bone scan showed multifocal periostitis. A diagnosis of voriconazole-induced periostitis and arthritis was made. Complete resolution of clinical symptoms with normalisation of the serum ALP occurred within four weeks of voriconazole cessation. While voriconazole-induced periostitis/arthritis is a recognised phenomenon in solid organ and haematopoietic stem cell transplant patients on long-term voriconazole, this case highlights the importance of having a high index of suspicion in other settings including CAPA. Clinical presentation can be mistaken for bony metastatic disease or other inflammatory arthritis.
The effects of high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation on pain modulation and stress-induced hyperalgesia
Authors: Toufexis Constantino , Macgregor Molly , Lewis Aidan , Flood Andrew
Published: January 2023

Background

The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) has been implicated in the modulation of pain-related signals. Given this involvement, manipulation of the DLPFC through transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) may influence internal pain modulation and decrease pain sensitivity. Acute stress is also thought to affect pain, with increased pain sensitivity observed following the presentation of an acute stressor.

Methods

A total of 40 healthy adults (50% male), ranging in age from 19 to 28 years ( M = 22.13, SD = 1.92), were randomly allocated to one of two stimulation conditions (active and sham). High-definition tDCS (HD-tDCS) was applied for 10 min at 2 mA, with the anode placed over the left DLPFC. Stress was induced after HD-tDCS administration using a modified version of the Trier Social Stress Test. Pain modulation and sensitivity were assessed through the conditioned pain modulation paradigm and pressure pain threshold measurements, respectively.

Results

Compared to sham stimulation, active stimulation produced a significant increase in pain modulation capacity. No significant change in pain sensitivity and stress-induced hyperalgesia was observed following active tDCS.

Conclusion

This research shows novel evidence that anodal HD-tDCS over the DLPFC significantly enhances pain modulation. However, HD-tDCS had no effect on pain sensitivity or stress-induced hyperalgesia. The observed effect on pain modulation after a single dose of HD-tDCS over the DLPFC is a novel finding that informs further research into the utility of HD-tDCS in the treatment of chronic pain by presenting the DLPFC as an alternative target site for tDCS-induced analgesia.
Digital identity as platform-mediated surveillance
Authors: Masiero Silvia
Published: January 2023

Digital identity systems are usually viewed as datafiers of existing populations. Yet a platform view finds limited space in the digital identity discourse, with the result that the platform features of digital identity systems are not seen in relation to their surveillance outcomes. In this commentary I illuminate how the core platform properties of digital identity systems afford the undue surveillance of vulnerable groups, leading users into the binary condition of either registering and being profiled, or giving up essential benefits from providers of development programmes. By doing so I contest the “dark side” narrative often applied to digital identity, arguing that, rather than just a side, it is the very inner matter of digital identity platforms that enables surveillance outcomes.
Endocrine and multiple sclerosis outcomes in patients with autoimmune thyroid events in the alemtuzumab CARE-MS studies
Authors: Dayan Colin M. , Lecumberri Beatriz , Muller Ilaria , Ganesananthan Sashiananthan , Hunter Samuel F. , Selmaj Krzysztof W. , Hartung Hans-Peter , Havrdova Eva K. , LaGanke Christopher C. , Ziemssen Tjalf , Van Wijmeersch Bart , Meuth Sven G. , Margolin David H. , Poole Elizabeth M. , Baker Darren P. , Senior Peter A.
Published: January 2023

Background

Alemtuzumab is an effective therapy for relapsing multiple sclerosis. Autoimmune thyroid events are a common adverse event.

Objective

Describe endocrine and multiple sclerosis outcomes over 6 years for alemtuzumab-treated relapsing multiple sclerosis patients in the phase 3 CARE-MS I, II, and extension studies who experienced adverse thyroid events.

Methods

Endocrine and multiple sclerosis outcomes were evaluated over 6 years. Thyroid event cases, excluding those pre-existing or occurring after Year 6, were adjudicated retrospectively by expert endocrinologists independently of the sponsor and investigators.

Results

Thyroid events were reported for 378/811 (46.6%) alemtuzumab-treated patients. Following adjudication, endocrinologists reached consensus on 286 cases (75.7%). Of these, 39.5% were adjudicated to Graves’ disease, 2.5% Hashimoto's disease switching to hyperthyroidism, 15.4% Hashimoto's disease, 4.9% Graves’ disease switching to hypothyroidism, 10.1% transient thyroiditis, and 27.6% with uncertain diagnosis; inclusion of anti-thyroid antibody status reduced the number of uncertain diagnoses. Multiple sclerosis outcomes of those with and without thyroid events were similar.

Conclusion

Adjudicated thyroid events occurring over 6 years for alemtuzumab-treated relapsing multiple sclerosis patients were primarily autoimmune. Thyroid events were considered manageable and did not affect disease course. Thyroid autoimmunity is a common but manageable adverse event in alemtuzumab-treated relapsing multiple sclerosis patients. ClinicalTrials.gov Registration Numbers: CARE-MS I (NCT00530348); CARE-MS II (NCT00548405); CARE-MS Extension (NCT00930553)
Comparative Study of ASEAN Research Productivity
Authors: Sukoco Badri Munir , Putra Rizky Ananda , Muqaffi Humam Nur , Lutfian Muhammad Vinka , Wicaksono Hendro
Published: January 2023

Research productivity has become one of the main indicators used by higher education institutions (HEIs) as well as the country to support their innovation capability. This study purposely describes the research productivity among ASEAN countries, which is considered to be the world’s current economic hotspot. By using SciVal database to examine the literature over the last 10 years, we describe productivity, citation impact, and economic impact metrics. The findings indicate that Singapore is superior in terms of publication quality (citation) and patents while Malaysia is leading in terms of the number of scientific research. Interestingly, Indonesia’s scientific publication growth has the highest percentage. Furthermore, Engineering & Technology and Life Sciences & Medicine are the two major contributors to ASEAN research productivity. These subjects could be the major locomotives for ASEAN countries to use to sustain their competitiveness if the leaders can transform it into successful commercialization.
New Higher Education Policy and Strategic Plan: Commensurate India’s Higher Education in Global Perspective
Authors: Sharma Khushboo , Arya Vikas , Mathur Himendu Prakash
Published: January 2023

A national education policy (NEP) is a comprehensive framework to guide education development in any country. In light of this, the present contribution is structured on an analysis of recent changes in the education policy of an emerging economy. The study is an original contribution to the qualitative study literature, applying the system model of inquiry and Twitter mining methodology using NVIVO 12 software. The sketch of the article begins by analysing the limitations and gaps of the extant education policy in an emerging country, and its implications through the SAP-LAP framework, and then analysing the reaction of various stakeholders on Twitter. The sentiment index (SI) scored +3.59, denoting a broad approval of the policy amongst the people. Further, the gap analysis develops the pathway to learning issues that guide the recommendations. The article concludes by offering a capacity development framework for better implementation and monitoring of new education policies for lower-middle income countries.
State, scarcity, and survival: A minor history of people and place in the Lower Bari Doab, Punjab
Authors: Aijaz Abdul
Published: January 2023

The progressive materialization of the modern state and capitalist agrarian production in the interfluvial uplands of Punjab was enabled by colonial ideologies of control over nature as progress. The colonial project of the transformation of the people and place in Punjab was built upon the imperial aesthetics of waste that imagined the local landscape as hideous and pastoral communities as “semi-barbarous.” These imaginaries justified the colonial project of technological control over nature through installation of hydraulic infrastructure and the political control of native communities as investments in cultivation and culture. These statist narratives of progress are built upon an elision of the voices of subaltern communities and their interactions with the modern state. Based on my ethnographic and archival works on pastoral Baloch tribes of the Lower Bari Doab region of Punjab, I argue that a different history emerges if traced from the perspective of the communities located on the margins of this hydrosocial assemblage. This is a minor history that does not privilege state as the protagonist of progress rather traces the stories of survival in the face of eco-scarcity. As the current environmental crisis accentuates the inherent instabilities of the hydrosocial assemblage in the canal colonies, it also reveals limitation of the narratives of control over nature as progress. In a world threatened by the anthropogenic climate crisis, the possibilities of a better future might emerge in curating the stories of survival against the histories of control.
The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on college students with marginalized identities
Authors: Nosek Sarah
Published: January 2023

This study sought to examine whether college students with marginalized identities have been disparately impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic with regard to perceived stress, social isolation, and pandemic-related concern, and whether this relationship was moderated by self-reported experiences of prejudice and/or discrimination. Nine hundred eighty three college students from 38 of the United States completed an online survey. Results showed that college students who were born after 1997 (i.e., Generation Z), sexual and gender minorities (SGM), and/or black, indigenous and/or people of color (BIPoC) reported more experiences of prejudice and discrimination than their peers as well as higher levels of perceived stress, social isolation, and pandemic-related concern. Furthermore, BIPoC students who also experienced prejudice and/or discrimination reported higher levels of pandemic-related concern than White students. Implications of these findings are discussed, including the need to support college students with marginalized identities as they cope with the short-term and long-term psychosocial impact of the pandemic.
Impact of GVHD prophylaxis on CMV reactivation and disease after HLA-matched peripheral blood stem cell transplantation
Authors: Ueda Oshima Masumi , Xie Hu , Zamora Danniel , Flowers Mary E. , Hill Geoffrey R. , Mielcarek Marco B. , Sandmaier Brenda M. , Gooley Ted A. , Boeckh Michael J.
Published: January 2023

The kinetics of early and late cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation after hematopoietic cell transplantation using various methods of graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD) prophylaxis are poorly defined. We retrospectively compared CMV reactivation and disease among 780 seropositive patients given HLA-matched peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) grafts and calcineurin inhibitor plus posttransplantation cyclophosphamide (PTCy; n = 44), mycophenolate mofetil (MMF; n = 414), or methotrexate (MTX; n = 322). Transplantation occurred between 2007 and 2018; CMV monitoring/management followed uniform standard practice. Hazards of CMV reactivation at various thresholds were compared. Spline curves were fit over average daily viral load and areas under the curve (AUC) within 1 year were calculated. PTCy and MMF were associated with an increased risk of early (day ≤100) CMV reactivation ≥250 IU/mL after multivariate adjustment. The viral load AUC at 1 year was highest with MMF (mean difference = 0.125 units vs MTX group) and similar between PTCy and MTX (mean difference = 0.016 units vs MTX group). CMV disease risk was similar across groups. There was no interaction between GVHD prophylaxis and CMV reactivation on chronic GVHD risk. Despite PTCy-associated increased risk of early CMV reactivation, the CMV disease risk by 1 year was low in HLA-matched PBSC transplant recipients. In contrast, MMF was associated with higher overall CMV viral burden in the 1 year posttransplant. Although different mechanisms of immunosuppressive agents may affect CMV reactivation risk, effective prevention of GVHD may reduce corticosteroid exposure and mitigate infection risk over time.
SN38-loaded nanomedicine mediates chemo-radiotherapy against CD44-expressing cancer growth
Authors: Yang Shu-Jyuan , Pai Jui-An , Yao Cheng-Jung , Huang Chung-Huan , Chen Jenny Ling‑Yu , Wang Chung-Hao , Chen Ke-Cheng , Shieh Ming-Jium
Published: January 2023

Background

Chemo-radiotherapy is the combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy on tumor treatment to obtain the local radiosensitization and local cytotoxicity of the tumor and to control the microscopic metastatic disease.

Methods

In this study, 7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin (SN38) molecules could be successfully loaded into human serum albumin (HSA)–hyaluronic acid (HA) nanoparticles (SH/HA NPs) by the hydrophobic side groups of amino acid in HSA.

Results

HSA could be used to increase the biocompatibility and residence time of the nanoparticles in the blood, whereas HA could improve the benefits and overall treatment effect on CD44-expressing colorectal cancer (CRC), and reduce drug side effects. In addition to its role as a chemotherapeutic agent, SN38 could be used as a radiosensitizer, able to arrest the cell cycle, and allowing cells to stay in the G2/M stage, to improve the sensitivity of tumor cells to radiation. In vivo results demonstrated that SH/HA NPs could accumulate in the tumor and produce significant tumor suppression, with no adverse effects observed when combined with γ-ray irradiation. This SH/HA NPs-medicated chemo-radiotherapy could induce an anti-tumor immune response to inhibit the growth of distal tumors, and produce an abscopal effect.

Conclusions

Therefore, this SN38-loaded and HA-incorporated nanoparticle combined with radiotherapy may be a promising therapeutic artifice for CRC in the future.
Evaluation of automatic discrimination between benign and malignant prostate tissue in the era of high precision digital pathology
Authors: Zhdanovich Yauheniya , Ackermann Jörg , Wild Peter J. , Köllermann Jens , Bankov Katrin , Döring Claudia , Flinner Nadine , Reis Henning , Wenzel Mike , Höh Benedikt , Mandel Philipp , Vogl Thomas J. , Harter Patrick , Filipski Katharina , Koch Ina , Bernatz Simon
Published: January 2023

Background

Prostate cancer is a major health concern in aging men. Paralleling an aging society, prostate cancer prevalence increases emphasizing the need for efficient diagnostic algorithms.

Methods

Retrospectively, 106 prostate tissue samples from 48 patients (mean age, $$66\pm 6.6$$

66
±
6.6

years) were included in the study. Patients suffered from prostate cancer (n = 38) or benign prostatic hyperplasia (n = 10) and were treated with radical prostatectomy or Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate, respectively. We constructed tissue microarrays (TMAs) comprising representative malignant (n = 38) and benign (n = 68) tissue cores. TMAs were processed to histological slides, stained, digitized and assessed for the applicability of machine learning strategies and open–source tools in diagnosis of prostate cancer. We applied the software QuPath to extract features for shape, stain intensity, and texture of TMA cores for three stainings, H&E, ERG, and PIN-4. Three machine learning algorithms, neural network (NN), support vector machines (SVM), and random forest (RF), were trained and cross-validated with 100 Monte Carlo random splits into 70% training set and 30% test set. We determined AUC values for single color channels, with and without optimization of hyperparameters by exhaustive grid search. We applied recursive feature elimination to feature sets of multiple color transforms.

Results

Mean AUC was above 0.80. PIN-4 stainings yielded higher AUC than H&E and ERG. For PIN-4 with the color transform saturation, NN, RF, and SVM revealed AUC of $$0.93\pm 0.04$$

0.93
±
0.04

, $$0.91\pm 0.06$$

0.91
±
0.06

, and $$0.92\pm 0.05$$

0.92
±
0.05

, respectively. Optimization of hyperparameters improved the AUC only slightly by 0.01. For H&E, feature selection resulted in no increase of AUC but to an increase of 0.02–0.06 for ERG and PIN-4.

Conclusions

Automated pipelines may be able to discriminate with high accuracy between malignant and benign tissue. We found PIN-4 staining best suited for classification. Further bioinformatic analysis of larger data sets would be crucial to evaluate the reliability of automated classification methods for clinical practice and to evaluate potential discrimination of aggressiveness of cancer to pave the way to automatic precision medicine.
Uncovering novel MHC alleles from RNA-Seq data: expanding the spectrum of MHC class I alleles in sheep
Authors: Buitkamp Johannes
Published: January 2023

Background

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I glycoproteins present selected peptides or antigens to CD8 + T cells that control the cytotoxic immune response. The MHC class I genes are among the most polymorphic loci in the vertebrate genome, with more than twenty thousand alleles known in humans. In sheep, only a very small number of alleles have been described to date, making the development of genotyping systems or functional studies difficult. A cost-effective way to identify new alleles could be to use already available RNA-Seq data from sheep. Current strategies for aligning RNA-Seq reads against annotated genome sequences or transcriptomes fail to detect the majority of class I alleles. Here, I combine the alignment of RNA-Seq reads against a specific reference database with de novo assembly to identify alleles. The method allows the comprehensive discovery of novel MHC class I alleles from RNA-Seq data (DinoMfRS).

Results

Using DinoMfRS, virtually all expressed MHC class I alleles could be determined. From 18 animals 75 MHC class I alleles were identified, of which 69 were novel. In addition, it was shown that DinoMfRS can be used to improve the annotation of MHC genes in the sheep genome sequence.

Conclusions

DinoMfRS allows for the first time the annotation of unknown, more divergent MHC alleles from RNA-Seq data. Successful application to RNA-Seq data from 16 animals has approximately doubled the number of known alleles in sheep. By using existing data, alleles can now be determined very inexpensively for populations that have not been well studied. In addition, MHC expression studies or evolutionary studies, for example, can be greatly improved in this way, and the method should be applicable to a broader spectrum of other multigene families or highly polymorphic genes.
European Cohorts of patients and schools to Advance Response to Epidemics (EuCARE): a cluster randomised interventional and observational study protocol to investigate the relationship between schools and SARS-CoV-2 infection
Authors: Raimondi Sara , Gandini Sara , Rubio Quintanares Gibran Horemheb , Abecasis Ana , Lopalco Pier Luigi , D’Ecclesiis Oriana , Chiocca Susanna , Tomezzoli Elisa , Cutica Ilaria , Mazzoni Davide , Amparo Nuno , Pingarilho Marta , Carmagnola Daniela , Dellavia Claudia , Zuccotti Gianvincenzo , Ronchini Chiara , Bellerba Federica , Dewald Felix , Kaiser Rolf , Incardona Francesca ,   The Eucare WP4
Published: January 2023

Background

Contradictory results were reported on the role of school closure/reopening on the overall SARS-CoV-2 transmission rate, as well as on which kind and level of mitigation measures implemented in schools may be effective in limiting its diffusion. Some recent studies were reassuring, showing that opening did not increase the community spread, although teachers and families are worried about the high class density. On the other hand, distance learning was associated with a negative impact on learning, sociability and psychological health, especially in vulnerable children. As it becomes clear that the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic will last for a long time, there is a high need for studies and solutions to support safe schools opening based on scientific evidence of harms and benefits. The Lolli-Methode (LM) is a strategy for epidemiological surveillance and early intervention aiming at SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks’ reduction in schools, relying on polymerase chain reaction analysis of saliva samples.

Methods

In this cluster randomised trial protocol, we aim to determine whether the LM is useful to support schools opening and to reduce clusters and attack rates in schools, compared with the standard of care (SoC) surveillance by public health departments. This multicenter study will enrol 440 classes (around 8800 students, teachers and other personnel) from two countries, cluster randomised to LM or SoC. The samples from the pools will be collected and tested using PCR-based techniques. Test results will be combined with questionnaires filled in by children, parents, schoolteachers, and principals, concerning ongoing mitigation measures, their perceived psychological impact and other health and socio-economic information. An ancillary observational study will be carried out to study the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in schools, frequencies and size of clusters and attack rates, to compare the effectiveness of the different preventive measures adopted and to evaluate psychological issues in students and teachers in relation to the pandemic’s containment measures.

Discussion

By the end of this study, we will have defined and characterised the applicability of the LM for SARS-CoV-2 surveillance, as well as the impact of pandemic preventive measures on children and teachers.

Trial registration International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number: NCT05396040, 27.05.2022.
Identification of a prognostic six-immune-gene signature and a nomogram model for uveal melanoma
Authors: Yang Binghua , Fan Yuxia , Liang Renlong , Wu Yi , Gu Aiping
Published: January 2023

Background

To identify an immune-related prognostic signature and find potential therapeutic targets for uveal melanoma.

Methods

The RNA-sequencing data obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets. The prognostic six-immune-gene signature was constructed through least absolute shrinkage and selection operator and multi-variate Cox regression analyses. Functional enrichment analysis and single sample GSEA were carried out. In addition, a nomogram model established by integrating clinical variables and this signature risk score was also constructed and evaluated.

Results

We obtained 130 prognostic immune genes, and six of them were selected to construct a prognostic signature in the TCGA uveal melanoma dataset. Patients were classified into high-risk and low-risk groups according to a median risk score of this signature. High-risk group patients had poorer overall survival in comparison to the patients in the low-risk group (p < 0.001). These findings were further validated in two external GEO datasets. A nomogram model proved to be a good classifier for uveal melanoma by combining this signature. Both functional enrichment analysis and single sample GSEA analysis verified that this signature was truly correlated with immune system. In addition, in vitro cell experiments results demonstrated the consistent trend of our computational findings.

Conclusion

Our newly identified six-immune-gene signature and a nomogram model could be used as meaningful prognostic biomarkers, which might provide uveal melanoma patients with individualized clinical prognosis prediction and potential novel treatment targets.
Risky sexual behavior and self-rated mental health among young adults in Skåne, Sweden – a cross-sectional study
Authors: Karle Anna , Agardh Anette , Larsson Markus , Arunda Malachi Ochieng
Published: January 2023

Background

Risky sexual behavior is a public health challenge that significantly affects young people’s health and well-being in Sweden and throughout the world. Moreover, poor mental health, anxiety and depression among adolescents and young adults have increased in recent years. However, although hypothesized, the associations between general mental health and risky sexual behavior among young adults are less established. Thus, this study aimed to examine the association between self-rated mental health and risky sexual behavior among young adults in southern Sweden.

Methods

Population-based, cross-sectional survey data from 2968 participants aged 18–30 years old residing in southern Sweden was used (response rate 42%). The survey included questions on sexual behavior, alcohol habits, sociodemographic background, and mental health. Logistic regression was used to examine the associations between mental health, depression, anxiety, and risky sexual behavior, stratified by sex (gender). Indicators for risky sexual behavior included not using a condom, non-condom use with casual partner, and multiple (≥2) sexual partners during the last year.

Results

Generally, male participants rated their depression and anxiety levels considerably lower than their female counterparts. Poor mental health, high depression, and high anxiety scores (levels) were significantly associated with having multiple sexual partners among among female participants; adjusted odds ratios (aOR) was 1.3 (95% CI 1.01 to 1.71). However, findings among males were not statistically significant. Furthermore, overall results indicated that higher depression and anxiety scores were associated with 1.4 and 1.6 higher odds, respectively, of not using condom with a casual partner in the most recent sexual encounter. Similarly, higher anxiety scores were associated with non-condom use in the latest sexual encounter, aOR 1.4 (1.1–1.7), but no significant gender-specific associations were found.

Conclusion

The associations found between poor mental health factors and multiple sex partners among females warrant consideration in future public health interventions. Further research to increase the understanding of the causal mechanisms that link mental health factors and risky sexual behavior, especially multiple sex partners, among young adult females is needed to support evidence-based interventions.
Perceived COVID-19 susceptibility and preventive behaviors: moderating effects of social support in Italy and South Korea
Authors: An Soontae , Schulz Peter J. , Kang Hannah
Published: January 2023

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic hit Italy much harder than South Korea. As a way of explaining the different impact in the two countries, this study examines the moderating role of social support on the relationship between perceived susceptibility and preventive behaviors in the two countries.

Methods

Surveys were conducted in South Korea (n = 1396) and Italy (n = 487) of participants aged 50 to 89 years.

Results

South Koreans felt higher levels of perceived social support than their Italian counterparts. As would be expected, greater perceived susceptibility was associated with increased preventive behavior. Furthermore, a significant three-way interaction effect was found for perceived susceptibility, social support, and country. For Italians, a person who feels him/herself highly susceptible will increase preventive behaviors, if there is a lot of social support. On the other hand, for South Koreans, those with a low level of susceptibility perform more preventive measures than people with a high level of susceptibility if there is a lot of social support.

Conclusions

This study provides insights into how cognitive factors, such as susceptibility and severity, as well as social and environmental factors can be taken into account, and the public be told the real risk and given behavioral guidelines when a pandemic is approaching. Given the critical role of social support as a coping mechanism in crisis situations, societies should mull over ways to increase emotional and instrumental support.
Effect of EDDY and manual dynamic activation techniques on postoperative pain in non-surgical retreatment: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: İnce-Yusufoğlu Selen , Keskin Neslihan Büşra , Uslu Gülşah , Helvacioglu-Yigit Dilek
Published: January 2023

Background

During non-surgical retreatment process, the products such as dentin debris, root canal fillings, irrigation solutions, microorganisms and remaining pulp tissues can extrude to the apical area and can cause the postoperative pain and flare-up. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluatethe effect of EDDY and manual dynamic activation (MDA) techniques on postoperative pain (PP) associated with retreatment.

Methods

Ninety patients scheduled for retreatment were treated at a single visit. Non-vital mandibular premolar teeth diagnosed with asymptomatic apical periodontitis were included in this study. The patients were divided into two groups (n = 45) on the basis of the need for additional irrigation activation procedures (EDDY and MDA). The patients’ post-treatment pain levels were asked to rate the intensity of their pain on a 10-point numerical rating scale (NRS) at the 12th, 24th, 48th, and 72nd h and 7 days.The data were analyzed using the chi-square and Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used for within-group comparisons and Mann Whitney U test was used to compare the groups by time period.

Results

The difference in postoperative pain intensity between two groups was statistically significant at 12, 24, 48, and 72 h (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference at 7 days. Moreover, no statistically significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of gender and analgesic medication intake (p > 0.05). Pain intensity after the treatment was lesser in the MDA groupthanin the EDDY group at 12, 24, 48, and 72 h.

Conclusion

This study could lead us to conclude that the two activation systems can be used during endodontic retreatment with no difference at PP 7 days later. However, a comparison of the groups indicated that the EDDY resulted in significantly more PP at 12, 24, 48, and 72 h.

Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04726670.
Association between history of childbirth and chronic, functionally significant back pain in later life
Authors: Zhang Michelle , Cooley Corinne , Ziadni Maisa S. , Mackey Ian , Flood Pamela
Published: January 2023

Background

Back pain is more prevalent among women than men. The association with sex could be related to pregnancy and childbirth, unique female conditions. This association has not been thoroughly evaluated.

Methods

Using a retrospective cohort design, we evaluated the relationship between history of childbirth on the prevalence and severity of functionally consequential back pain in 1069 women from a tertiary care pain management clinic. Interactions among preexisting, acute peripartum, and subsequent back pain were evaluated as secondary outcomes among the parous women using logistic and linear regression as appropriate.

Results

The women who had given birth had a higher risk for functionally significant back pain compared to women who had not given birth (85% vs 77%, p < 0.001, Risk Ratio 1.11 [1.04-1.17]). The association was preserved after correction for age, weight, and race. Back pain was also more slightly severe (Numerical Rating Score for Pain 7[5-8] vs 6[5-7] out of 10, p = 0.002). Women who recalled severe, acute postpartum back pain had a higher prevalence of current debilitating back pain (89% vs 75%, Risk Ratio 1.19 (1.08-1.31), p = 0.001). Twenty-eight percent of acute postpartum back pain never resolved and 40% reported incomplete resolution.

Conclusions

A history of pregnancy and childbirth is a risk factor for chronic functionally significant back pain in women. Severe acute postpartum back pain is a risk factor for future disability suggesting that the peripartum period may provide an important opportunity for intervention. Early recognition and management may mitigate future disability.

Trial registration

The study was registered with clinicaltrials.gov as “Association Between Chronic Headache and Back Pain with Childbirth” (NCT04091321) on 16/09/2019 before it was initiated.