bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Addressing the needs of Ethiopia’s street homeless women of reproductive age in the health and social protection policy: a qualitative study
Authors: Yohannes Kalkidan , Målqvist Mats , Bradby Hannah , Berhane Yemane , Herzig van Wees Sibylle
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Globally, homelessness is a growing concern, and homeless women of reproductive age are particularly vulnerable to adverse physical, mental, and reproductive health conditions, including violence. Although Ethiopia has many homeless individuals, the topic has received little attention in the policy arena. Therefore, we aimed to understand the reason for the lack of attention, with particular emphasis on women of reproductive age.

Methods

This is a qualitative study; 34 participants from governmental and non-governmental organisations responsible for addressing homeless individuals’ needs participated in in-depth interviews. A deductive analysis of the interview materials was applied using Shiffman and Smith’s political prioritisation framework.

Results

Several factors contributed to the underrepresentation of homeless women’s health and well-being needs in the policy context. Although many governmental and non-governmental organisations contributed to the homeless-focused programme, there was little collaboration and no unifying leadership. Moreover, there was insufficient advocacy and mobilisation to pressure national leaders. Concerning ideas, there was no consensus regarding the definition of and solution to homeless women’s health and social protection issues. Regarding political contexts and issue characteristics, a lack of a well-established structure, a paucity of information on the number of homeless women and the severity of their health situations relative to other problems, and the lack of clear indicators prevented this issue from gaining political priority.

Conclusions

To prioritise the health and well-being of homeless women, the government should form a unifying collaboration and a governance structure that addresses the unmet needs of these women. It is imperative to divide responsibilities and explicitly include homeless people and services targeted for them in the national health and social protection implementation documents. Further, generating consensus on framing the problems and solutions and establishing indicators for assessing the situation is vital.
Health and economic outcomes of a universal early intervention for parents and children from birth to age five: evaluation of the Salut Programme using a natural experiment
Authors: Sampaio Filipa , Häggström Jenny , Ssegonja Richard , Eurenius Eva , Ivarsson Anneli , Pulkki-Brännström Anni-Maria , Feldman Inna
Published: May 2023

Background

The aim of this study was to investigate the health and economic outcomes of a universal early intervention for parents and children, the Salut Programme, from birth to when the child completed five years of age.

Methods

This study adopted a retrospective observational design using routinely collected linked register data with respect to both exposures and outcomes from Västerbotten county, in northern Sweden. Making use of a natural experiment, areas that received care-as-usual (non-Salut area) were compared to areas where the Programme was implemented after 2006 (Salut area) in terms of: (i) health outcomes, healthcare resource use and costs around pregnancy, delivery and birth, and (ii) healthcare resource use and related costs, as well as costs of care of sick child. We estimated total cumulative costs related to inpatient and specialised outpatient care for mothers and children, and financial benefits paid to mothers to stay home from work to care for a sick child. Two analyses were conducted: a matched difference-in difference analysis using the total sample and an analysis including a longitudinal subsample.

Results

The longitudinal analysis on mothers who gave birth in both pre- and post-measure periods showed that mothers exposed to the Programme had on average 6% (95% CI 3–9%) more full-term pregnancies and 2% (95% CI 0.03-3%) more babies with a birth weight ≥ 2500 g, compared to mothers who had care-as-usual. Savings were incurred in terms of outpatient care costs for children of mothers in the Salut area ($826). The difference-in-difference analysis using the total sample did not result in any significant differences in health outcomes or cumulative resource use over time.

Conclusions

The Salut Programme achieved health gains, as a health promotion early intervention for children and parents, in terms of more full-term pregnancies and more babies with a birth weight ≥ 2500 g, at reasonable cost, and may lead to lower usage of outpatient care. Other indicators point towards positive effects, but the small sample size may have led to underestimation of true differences.
Inadequate receipt of ANC components and associated factors among pregnant women in Northwest Ethiopia, 2020–2021: a community-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Gelagay Abebaw Addis , Belachew Tadele Biresaw , Asmamaw Desale Bihonegn , Bitew Desalegn Anmut , Fentie Elsa Awoke , Worku Abebaw Gebeyehu , Bashah Debrework Tesgera , Tebeje Nigusie Birhan , Gebrie Mignote Hailu , Yeshita Hedija Yenus , Cherkose Endeshaw Adimasu , Ayana Birhanu Abera , Lakew Ayenew Molla , Negash Wubshet Debebe
Published: May 2023

Background

Women's health and pregnancy outcomes are directly depends on the extent of ANC components received during their ANC visits. There are limited information about the components of ANC and associated factors. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the magnitude of inadequate recipient of ANC components and associated factors in northwest Ethiopia.

Methods

This is a community based cross sectional survey conducted in Dabat Demographic and health survey from December 10/2020 to January 10/2021 among women who gave birth within two years before the survey. This study applied a census method to identify and select eligible pregnant women. A structured and pretested questionnaire was used to collect the data. The data was entered into Epi-data version 3.1 and exported to STATA version 14 for analysis purpose. Adjusted Odds Ratio at 95% confidence interval was used to show the association between dependent and independent variables. Statistical significance was declared at a P value less than 0.05.

Results

A total of 871 pregnant women were identified from the survey and included in this study. Overall, 96.67% (95% CI: 95.24, 97.67) had not get adequate (all components) ANC. The components of ANC services were increased from 3.35 to 32.34%, 2.52 to 46.33% 1.96 to 55.8%, 2.31 to 46.53%, 3.54 to 55.75%, 2.46 to 44.62%, 1.18 to 45.96%, and 2.45 to 54.6% for tetanus toxoid Vaccine, HIV/AIDS testing and counseling, danger sign, place of delivery, deworming, iron folic acid, family planning, and breast feeding counseling, from first ANC visit to fourth ANC visit, respectively. Rural residence (AOR = 4.89, 95% CI: 1.21, 19.86), and less than four number of ANC visit (AOR = 5.15, 95% CI: 2.06, 12.86) were significantly associated with inadequate uptake of ANC components.

Conclusion

Only three in hundred pregnant women were received adequate ANC components in the study area. Rural residence and less than four number of ANC visit were factors significantly associated with inadequate ANC uptake. Therefore, the district health department managers and program implementers need to train the health care providers about the components of ANC. As well, increasing community and facility awareness of WHO recommendations on ANC visits focusing on rural women is needed.
Echinomycin as a promising therapeutic agent against KSHV-related malignancies
Authors: Chen Jungang , Lin Zhen , Song Jiao , Plaisance-Bonstaff Karlie , James Jennifer , Mu Shengyu , Post Steven R. , Dai Lu , Qin Zhiqiang
Published: May 2023

Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is the etiologic agent of several human cancers, including Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS) and primary effusion lymphoma (PEL), which preferentially arise in immunocompromised patients while lack of effective therapeutic options. Oncoproteins Myc and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF1α) have been found closely related to KSHV infection, replication and oncogenesis. However, the strategies of dual targeting these two oncoproteins have never been developed and tested for treatments of KSHV-related malignancies. In the current study, we report that treatment of echinomycin dramatically regresses cell growth both in vitro-cultured KSHV + tumor cells and in vivo KS or PEL xenograft mice models, through simultaneously inhibiting Myc and HIF1α expression. Echinomycin treatment also induces viral lytic gene expression whereas not increasing infectious virions production from KSHV + tumor cells. Our comparative transcriptomic analysis has identified a bunch of new Echinomycin-regulated, Myc- and HIF1α-related genes contributed to KSHV pathogenesis, including KDM4B and Tau, which are required for the survival of KSHV + tumor cells with functional validation. These data together reveal that dual targeting Myc and HIF1α such as using Echinomycin may represent a new and promising option for treatments of these virus-associated malignancies.
Boosting the epoxidation of squalene to produce triterpenoids in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Du Meng-Meng , Zhang Ge-Ge , Zhu Zhan-Tao , Zhao Yun-Qiu , Gao Bei , Tao Xin-Yi , Wang Feng-Qing , Wei Dong-Zhi
Published: May 2023

Background

Polycyclic triterpenoids (PTs) are common in plants, and have attracted considerable interest due to their remarkable biological activities. Currently, engineering the ergosterol synthesis pathway inSaccharomyces cerevisiaeis a safe and cost-competitive way to produce triterpenoids. However, the strict regulation of ERG1 involved in the epoxidation of squalene limits the triterpenoid production.

Results

In this study, we found that the decrease in ERG7 protein level could dramatically boost the epoxidation of squalene by improving the protein stability of ERG1. We next explored the potential factors that affected the degradation process of ERG1 and confirmed that ERG7 was involved in the degradation process of ERG1. Subsequently, expression of four different triterpene cyclases utilizing either 2,3-oxidosqualene or 2,3:22,23-dioxidosqualene as the substrate in ERG7-degraded strains showed that the degradation of ERG7 to prompt the epoxidation of squalene could significantly increase triterpenoid production. To better display the potential of the strategy, we increased the supply of 2,3-oxidosqualene, optimized flux distribution between ergosterol synthesis pathway and β-amyrin synthesis pathway, and modified the GAL-regulation system to separate the growth stage from the production stage. The best-performing strain ultimately produced 4216.6 ± 68.4 mg/L of β-amyrin in a two-stage fed-fermentation (a 47-fold improvement over the initial strain).

Conclusions

This study showed that deregulation of the native restriction in ergosterol pathway was an effective strategy to increase triterpenoid production in yeast, which provided a new insight into triterpenoids biosynthesis.
Urticaria after breakthrough Omicron BA.5.1 severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection in a triple-vaccinated (Pfizer) patient: a case report
Authors: Ciuoderis Karl , Perez Laura , Alvarez Catalina , Usuga Jaime , Carvajal Leidi , Cardona Andrés , Maya Maria A. , Cloherty Gavin , Hernandez-Ortiz Juan P. , Osorio Jorge E.
Published: May 2023

Background

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 continues to threaten public health. The virus is causing breakthrough infections in vaccinated individuals. Also, scarce information is available about cutaneous manifestations after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection.

Case presentation and findings

A case of a triple-vaccinated (Pfizer) 37-year-old Hispanic American (Colombian) male who developed urticaria after Omicron BA.5.1 severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 breakthrough infection is described. Virus isolation and whole genome sequencing along with immune and molecular assays were performed. Dermatological manifestations (skin rash and urticaria) after Omicron BA.5.1 infection were observed. Sequence analysis of the Omicron BA.5.1 isolate also revealed several important mutations. Hemogram analysis revealed leukocytosis and neutrophilia. Serology testing revealed anti-spike immunoglobulin G serum titers but negative detection of immunoglobulin M at 10 days after symptom onset. Anti-nucleocapsid, anti-spike 1 immunoglobulin G, anti-spike trimer, and anti-receptor-binding-domain immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin E sera were detected at different titers 10 days after symptom onset. Several serum levels of chemokines/cytokines (Interferon-α, interferon-γ, interleukin-12/interleukin-23p40, interleukin-18, interferon gamma-induced protein-10, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, monokine induced by gamma, macrophage inflammatory protein-1α, chemokine (C-C motif) ligand-5 , tumor necrosis factor-β1, Tumor necrosis factor-α) were detected, but interleukin-2, interleukin-4, interleukin-6, interleukin-8, and interleukin-17A were below the limit of detection.

Interpretation and conclusions

To our knowledge, this is the first study describing skin effects of a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 Omicron BA.5 variant breakthrough infection in a triple-vaccinated patient in Colombia. Several important mutations were found in the spike glycoprotein of the virus isolated; these mutations are associated with immune evasion and changes in antigenic properties of the virus. Physicians overseeing coronavirus disease 2019 cases should be aware of the potential skin effects of the infection. Pathogenesis of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection and its association with proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines may enhance the development of urticaria and other skin manifestations in immunized individuals. However, further studies are needed to better understand the complexity of coronavirus disease in such situations.
TMT-based quantitative proteomic analysis of spheroid cells of endometrial cancer possessing cancer stem cell properties
Authors: Cao Mingzhu , Liu Zhi , You Danming , Pan Yingying , Zhang Qingyan
Published: May 2023

Background

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) play an important role in endometrial cancer progression and it is potential to isolate CSCs from spheroid cells. Further understanding of spheroid cells at protein level would help find novel CSC markers.

Methods

Spheroid cells from endometrial cancer cell lines, Ishikawa and HEC1A, exhibited increased colony forming, subsphere forming, chemo-drug resistance, migration, invasion ability and tumorigenicity, verifying their cancer stem-like cell properties. The up-regulated CD90, CD117, CD133 and W5C5 expression also indicated stemness of spheroid cells. TMT-based quantitative proteomic analysis was performed to explore the potential alterations between parent cells and cancer stem-like spheroid cells. HK2-siRNA was transfected to Ishikawa and HEC1A cells to explore the roles and molecular mechanism of HK2 in endometrial cancer.

Results

We identified and quantified a total of 5735 proteins and 167 overlapped differentially expressed proteins of two cell types, 43 proteins were up-regulated and 124 were down-regulated in spheroid cells comparing with parent cells. KEGG pathway revealed a significant role of HIF-1 pathway in spheroid cells. qRT-PCR and western blot results of GPRC5A, PFKFB3 and HK2 of HIF-1 pathway confirmed their elevated expressions in spheroid cells which were consistent with proteomic results. HK2 promoted cancer stemness in endometrial cancer.

Conclusion

These findings indicate that spheroid cells from endometrial cancer cell lines possess cancer stem-like cell properties and enrich CSCs. HIF-1 pathway is activated in endometrial cancer stem-like spheroid cells.
Moderating effects of uric acid and sex on cognition and psychiatric symptoms in asymmetric Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Constantin Ioana Medeleine , Voruz Philippe , Péron Julie Anne
Published: May 2023

Background

Non-motor symptoms are an important early feature of Parkinson’s disease (PD), encompassing a variety of cognitive and psychiatric symptoms that seem to manifest differently depending on motor symptom asymmetry. Different factors, such as uric acid (UA) and sex, seem to influence cognitive and psychiatric expression in PD, however their interplay remains to be better understood.

Methods

Participants taking part in the Parkinson’s Progression Marker Initiative were studied based on the side of motor symptom asymmetry and sex. Three-way interaction modeling was used to examine the moderating effects of sex and UA on cognitive functions and psychiatric symptoms.

Results

Significant three-way interactions were highlighted at 1-year follow-up between motor symptom asymmetry, UA and sex for immediate and long-term memory in female patients exhibiting predominantly left-sided motor symptoms, and for processing speed and sleepiness in female patients exhibiting predominantly right-sided motor symptoms. No significant interactions were observed for male patients. Moreover, female patients exhibiting predominantly right-sided motor symptoms demonstrated lower serum UA concentrations and had overall better outcomes, while male patients with predominantly right-sided motor symptoms demonstrated particularly poor outcomes.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that in the earliest stages of the disease, UA and sex moderate cognitive functions and psychiatric symptoms differently depending on motor asymmetry, holding important clinical implications for symptom management in patients.
School-based Psychosocial interventions on mental health among Chinese rural children with traumatic experiences: a protocol using cluster randomized controlled trial
Authors: Guo Jing , Liu Xiaohan , Huang Ning , Yang Fan , Bai Yashuang , Zhang Bo , Lodder Paul
Published: May 2023

Background

The first aim of this study is to test the effectiveness of school-based psychosocial interventions for improving mental health in rural Chinese children with traumatic experiences. The second aim is to examine which individual, family and school related factors could explain the effectiveness of school-based psychosocial interventions. Third, we will investigate whether individual, family, and school related conditions play a moderator role on the effectiveness of school-based psychosocial interventions.

Methods

This study will conduct a cluster randomized controlled trial (RCT) in a large sample of Chinese rural children. Four rural counties in Shandong (Central China), Henan (Central China), Inner Mongolia (Northern China), and Xinjiang (Western China) will be selected as study settings from which schools will be sampled. Each sampled school will be randomly allocated either the intervention groups or a control group. Randomization will be performed by the research member who is not involved in the intervention stage. In each school students in grade 5 or higher will be recruited to ensure that approximately 50 children aged 10 to 18 years will be included. In each county, one high school, one middle school, and one primary school will be randomly chosen as the intervention group, and the other three similar schools will be chosen as control (waiting list) groups. A standardized and uniform research protocol will be applied in all intervention schools. All school social workers and psychological teachers would receive one week of in-person training following procedures. School-based psychosocial interventions included 14 group sessions for 14 consecutive weeks.

Discussion

This study would develop school-based mental health promotion policy recommendations to improve Chinese rural children’s mental health. This study can provide solid evidence for the promotion of school-based intervention in general.

Trial registration

ChiCTR2300069405, Registered on 15 March 2023.
Performance and safety effectiveness evaluation of mini-roundabouts in Michigan
Authors: Qawasmeh Baraah , Kwigizile Valerian , Oh Jun-Seok
Published: May 2023

This study evaluates the performance and safety effectiveness of mini-roundabouts. Crash, operational, and geometric data for 14 mini-roundabouts located in the state of Michigan were collected for both before and after installation time periods between 2007 and 2016. Three years of complete before and after installation crash data were analyzed utilizing the Before-and-After study with Comparison Group methodology. A total 28 untreated sites with similar characteristics to the 14 mini-roundabouts sites were used to account for changes in crashes unrelated to the treatment (mini-roundabout installation), evaluate the impacts of the treatment on the intersection, and develop the crash modification factors (CMFs). The results for overall safety effectiveness indicate a decrease in total crashes at signalized intersections when converted into mini-roundabouts, and an increase in total crashes at two-way stop-controlled (TWSC) and all-way stop-controlled (AWSC) intersections when converted into mini-roundabouts. The recommended CMFs for converting a TWSC, AWSC, and signalized intersection into a mini-roundabout are 1.039, 1.051, and 0.755 for total crashes, respectively.
Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4/6 Inhibitors Beyond Progression in Metastatic Breast Cancer: A Retrospective Real-World Biomarker Analysis
Authors: Gerratana Lorenzo , Davis Andrew A. , Velimirovic Marko , Reduzzi Carolina , Clifton Katherine , Bucheit Leslie , Hensing Whitney L. , Shah Ami N. , Pivetta Tania , Dai Charles S. , D'Amico Paolo , Wehbe Firas , Medford Arielle , Wander Seth A. , Gradishar William J. , Behdad Amir , Ma Cynthia X. , Puglisi Fabio , Bardia Aditya , Cristofanilli Massimo
Published: May 2023

PURPOSE

As the continuation beyond progression (BP) of cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitors (CDK4/6i) is becoming increasingly attractive for the treatment of patients with hormone receptor (HR)–positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)–negative metastatic breast cancer (MBC), the definition of resistance factors is crucial. The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of CDK 4/6i BP and to explore potential genomic stratification factors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed a multi-institutional cohort of patients with HR-positive HER2-negative MBC characterized for circulating tumor DNA through next-generation sequencing before treatment start. Differences across subgroups were analyzed by chi-square test, and survival was tested by univariable and multivariable Cox regression. Further correction was applied by propensity score matching.

RESULTS

Among the 214 patients previously exposed to CDK4/6i, 172 were treated with non–CDK4/6i-based treatment (non-CDK) and 42 with CDK4/6i BP. Multivariable analysis showed a significant impact of CDK4/6i BP, TP53 single-nucleotide variants, liver involvement, and treatment line on both progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Propensity score matching confirmed the prognostic role of CDK4/6i BP both for PFS and OS. The favorable impact of CDK4/6i BP was consistent across all subgroups, and a differential benefit was suggested for ESR1-mutated patients. ESR1 and RB1 mutations were more represented in the CDK4/6i BP subgroup with respect to CDK4/6i upfront.

CONCLUSION

The study highlighted a significant prognostic impact of the CDK4/6i BP strategy with a potential added benefit in patients with ESR1 mutations suggesting the need for an extensive biomarker characterization.
Fibroblast Growth Factor 23, Glucose Homeostasis, and Incident Diabetes: Findings of 2 Cohort Studies
Authors: van der Vaart Amarens , Eelderink Coby , van Beek André P , Bakker Stephan J L , van Dijk Peter R , de Borst Martin H
Published: May 2023

Context

The phosphate-regulating hormone fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) has been linked to deregulations in glucose metabolism, but its role is insufficiently understood.

Objective

This study investigates potential crosstalk between FGF23 and glucose homeostasis.

Methods

First, we investigated the effect of glucose loading on plasma C-terminal FGF23 levels and its temporal relationship with changes in plasma phosphate in 45 overweight (body mass index [BMI] 25-30) individuals using time-lag analyses. Second, we studied cross-sectional associations of plasma C-terminal FGF23 levels with glucose homeostasis using multivariable linear regression in a population-based cohort. We also investigated associations of FGF23 with incident diabetes and obesity (BMI > 30) in individuals without diabetes or obesity at baseline, respectively, using multivariable Cox regression analyses. Finally, we explored whether the association between FGF23 and diabetes depends on BMI.

Results

After glucose loading, changes in FGF23 preceded changes in plasma phosphate (Ptime-lag = .04). In the population-based cohort (N = 5482; mean age 52 years, 52% women, median FGF23 69 RU/mL), FGF23 was associated with plasma glucose (β = .13 [.03-.23]; P = .01), insulin (β = .10 [.03-.17]; P < .001), and proinsulin (β = .06 [0.02-0.10]; P = .01) at baseline. On longitudinal analyses, a higher baseline FGF23 was independently associated with development of diabetes (199 events [4%]; fully adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.66 [95% CI, 1.06-2.60]; P = .03) and development of obesity (241 events [6%]; fully adjusted HR 1.84 [95% CI, 1.34-2.50]; P < .001). The association between FGF23 and incident diabetes lost significance after additional adjustment for BMI.

Conclusion

Glucose loading has phosphate-independent effects on FGF23 and, vice versa, FGF23 is associated with glucose, insulin and proinsulin levels, and obesity. These findings suggest crosstalk between FGF23 and glucose homeostasis, which may promote susceptibility to incident diabetes.
What Would the Idea Say?
Authors: Richard Véronique , Glăveanu Vlad , Aubertin Patrice
Published: May 2023

Creativity is not linear, but writing about it often is. Creativity is messy; writing about it is not. Creativity lives in the in-between; writing about it points to the space within. Creativity involves movement—it is, in fact, a form of movement—while writing—and reading—about it makes us stand still. Creativity is represented by ideas on the move, messy, nonlinear, embodied, and in-between. And so, if ideas could describe this movement, what would they say?
Voltage-gated sodium channel activity mediates sea urchin larval skeletal patterning through spatial regulation of Wnt5 expression
Authors: Thomas Christopher F. , Hawkins Dakota Y. , Skidanova Viktoriya , Marrujo Simone R. , Gibson Janay , Ye Ziqing , Bradham Cynthia A.
Published: May 2023

Defining pattern formation mechanisms during embryonic development is important for understanding the etiology of birth defects and to inform tissue engineering approaches. In this study, we used tricaine, a voltage-gated sodium channel (VGSC) inhibitor, to show that VGSC activity is required for normal skeletal patterning in Lytechinus variegatus sea urchin larvae. We demonstrate that tricaine-mediated patterning defects are rescued by an anesthetic-insensitive version of the VGSC LvScn5a. Expression of this channel is enriched in the ventrolateral ectoderm, where it spatially overlaps with posterolaterally expressed Wnt5. We show that VGSC activity is required to spatially restrict Wnt5 expression to this ectodermal region that is adjacent and instructive to clusters of primary mesenchymal cells that initiate secretion of the larval skeleton as triradiates. Tricaine-mediated Wnt5 spatial expansion correlates with the formation of ectopic PMC clusters and triradiates. These defects are rescued by Wnt5 knockdown, indicating that the spatial expansion of Wnt5 is responsible for the patterning defects induced by VGSC inhibition. These results demonstrate a previously unreported connection between bioelectrical status and the spatial control of patterning cue expression during embryonic pattern formation.
Intestinal barrier dysfunction: an evolutionarily conserved hallmark of aging
Authors: Salazar Anna M. , Aparicio Ricardo , Clark Rebecca I. , Rera Michael , Walker David W.
Published: May 2023

A major challenge in the biology of aging is to understand how specific age-onset pathologies relate to the overall health of the organism. The integrity of the intestinal epithelium is essential for the wellbeing of the organism throughout life. In recent years, intestinal barrier dysfunction has emerged as an evolutionarily conserved feature of aged organisms, as reported in worms, flies, fish, rodents and primates. Moreover, age-onset intestinal barrier dysfunction has been linked to microbial alterations, elevated immune responses, metabolic alterations, systemic health decline and mortality. Here, we provide an overview of these findings. We discuss early work in the Drosophila model that sets the stage for examining the relationship between intestinal barrier integrity and systemic aging, then delve into research in other organisms. An emerging concept, supported by studies in both Drosophila and mice, is that directly targeting intestinal barrier integrity is sufficient to promote longevity. A better understanding of the causes and consequences of age-onset intestinal barrier dysfunction has significant relevance to the development of interventions to promote healthy aging.
Sports Medicine Curricular Recommendations for Undergraduate Medical Education
Authors: Ferderber Megan , Wilson Kristina , Buchanan Benjamin K. , Street Callender Shelley V. , Deck Jason W. , Kerr Hamish , Lemmen Brooke , Stafford Cleo D. , Wang David A. , Waterbrook Anna L.
Published: May 2023

Sports medicine is a unique field encompassing many specialties and aspects of medicine. While musculoskeletal medicine is a significant aspect of sports medicine, the breadth of sports medicine extends beyond the musculoskeletal system and includes the spectrum of care for the patient who is or desires to be physically active. This article provides recommendations for sports medicine education in undergraduate medical education. The framework highlighting these recommendations uses domains of competence. Entrustable professional activities, measures that are endorsed by the Association of American Medical Colleges, were matched to domains of competence to provide objective markers of achievement. In addition to recommended sports medicine educational content, there should be consideration of both methods of assessment and implementation catered to each individual institution’s needs and resources. These recommendations may serve as a guide for medical educators and institutions pursing optimization of sports medicine education.
An Introductory Guide to Event Study Models
Authors: Miller Douglas L.
Published: May 2023

The event study model is a powerful econometric tool used for the purpose of estimating dynamic treatment effects. One of its most appealing features is that it provides a built-in graphical summary of results, which can reveal rich patterns of behavior. Another value of the picture is the estimated pre-event pseudo-“effects,” which provide a type of placebo test. In this essay I aim to provide a framework for a shared understanding of these models. There are several (sometimes subtle) decisions and choices faced by users of these models, and I offer guidance for these decisions.
Quantitative Urban Models: From Theory to Data
Authors: Redding Stephen J.
Published: May 2023

Economic activity is highly unevenly distributed within cities, as reflected in the concentration of economic functions in specific locations, such as finance in the Square Mile in London. The extent to which this concentration reflects natural advantages versus agglomeration forces is central to a range of public policy issues, including the impact of local taxation and transport infrastructure improvements. This paper reviews recent quantitative urban models, which incorporate both differences in natural advantages and agglomeration forces, and can be taken directly to observed data on cities. We show that these models can be used to estimate the strength of agglomeration forces and evaluate the impact of transportation infrastructure improvements on welfare and the spatial distribution of economic activity.
Bridging the gap – how to walk the talk on supporting early career researchers
Authors: Pizzolato Daniel , Reyes Elizondo Andrea , Aubert Bonn Noémi , Taraj Borana , Roje Rea , Konach Teodora
Published: May 2023

Early career researchers (ECRs) play a crucial role in European and nationally funded research projects. They are at the forefront of planning, conducting, analysing, and reporting research. As part of the SOPs4RI project funded by the European Commission, we, as ECRs and members of this project’s consortium, were given the opportunity to reflect on our role, obstacles, and possible opportunities that we experienced. Although several steps have been already taken to support early career researchers, more concrete actions have to be pursued.

In our opinion, the EC should take the lead and serve as a global frontrunner (taken as exemplary also by national funding agencies) in implementing initiatives to support early career researchers during their research trajectory. We opine that the European Commission should explicitly (i) require the creation of a support system in which early career researchers will be able to build new skills and capacity, (ii) encourage and facilitate more involvement of early career researchers in decision-making roles of EC-funded projects, and (iii) provide resources to support career continuity between fixed-term contracts. The suggested actions can help early career researchers build competencies and expertise to establish stability and continuity within the research environment or to embrace and excel in careers outside academia.
Moderate Conservatism as the ideological basis of Modern Russia
Authors: Shichanin A. , Grivkov O.
Published: May 2023

The purpose of this article is a comparative analysis of ideological concepts related to Russian national identity and substantiation of the hypothesis that moderate conservatism is really optimal in modern conditions not only for Russia, but also for other civilizations, for effective state policy and public administration, for the protection of Russia's national interests. The article used such methods as historical, comparative and hermeneutic. The article attempts to reveal the specific properties and methodological approaches of Russian moderate conservatism as a worldview concept of modern Russia. It is shown that this worldview concept has long-standing historical roots, both in Russia and abroad. It is pointed out that the current state of Russian society is a challenge in developing the concept of moderate conservatism. The article examines how the concept of moderate conservatism is connected with the tasks of reviving spiritual and moral values in the mass Russian consciousness, with the implementation of constitutional norms, with the economic values of Russian society, as well as with the formation of the worldview DNA of Russia and the image of the future of Russia. It is concluded that further development of the concept of moderate conservatism is necessary for the formation of harmony between economic efficiency, modernization, development, creative competition and social justice, mutual assistance, solidarity of Russian society, and also for the formation of the image of the future and the Russian civilizational attractiveness.
More than Conservatism: Historical and Political Foundations of Russian Statehood
Authors: Polosin A.
Published: May 2023

The paper is dedicated to the problem of updating existing ideas about the historical and political foundations of Russian statehood. The main goal of the paper is to update the existing academic discourse, aimed at complex and systematic reflection of Russian political thought, and the presentation of an unorthodox reading of the intellectual and philosophical foundation of Russian politics. Regardless contemporary focus on conservative political philosophy is the most common for such studies, the author believes it is necessary to go beyond this position and turn to a more systematic and comprehensive understanding of the key positions of the Russian worldview. For this, it is necessary to turn to the underestimated, sometimes even ignored concepts of communitarianism, solidarism and Russian cosmism, which should be revealed within the framework of a civilizational approach. The main conclusion of the work is that, considered as a developing system, these concepts embody the value constants of community, sobornost’ (catholicity), harmony and solidarity that are significant for Russian civilization, and also emphasize the global rootedness of the Russian worldview with simultaneous original understanding and interpreting the ideological guidelines of the leading trends in social political thought. The author believes it is extremely important to take into account these circumstances dealing with current public opinion and the process of reforming the scientific and educational sector that has begun in Russia. It also emphasizes the need to optimize methodological work during the study of political thought - through the awareness of the indoctrination of contemporary social sciences and their conceptual apparatus, clear understanding the natural dynamics of civilizational development and the impossibility of dogmatically reducing multiform and multinational cultures to a simplified formal doctrine.
Value and worldview foundations of the perception of the modern Russian state by young people in the context of global instability
Authors: Shmeleva O. , Shablov V.
Published: May 2023

The article is devoted to the study of the worldview of modern youth as a key element of perception, setting the framework for perceiving reality, through the prism of which there is a perception and understanding of what is happening and acting as the ideological and semantic core of the image of the state. The authors consider the worldview in the system (triad) of the concepts of «worldview - image – perception», which make up the conceptual scheme of the article and are combined by a single perceptual mechanism. The authors focus on the dynamic nature of the phenomenon under study, the factors of its formation and modification in conditions of global instability, proxy wars, modern challenges and threats. The purpose of this article was to study the system of ideas, meanings and values, evaluative judgments of youth regarding the modern Russian state, the mechanism and factors of their formation in a spatial-temporal dimension. The conclusions of the article are based on the materials of three research sections (2019, 2021 and 2022), revealing the structural and meaningful features of the worldview of youth, the dynamics and trends of its development at the current stage. Through a cross-sectional analysis of survey data and an associative test, a generalized image of the modern Russian state, its value-worldview core, characteristics of social representations, as well as the general estimated background of perception were revealed. The political worldview of modern youth is characterized by a general positive orientation, pragmatism, sobriety and adequacy of assessments of the situation, risks and challenges, a vision of urgent problems, a rational and critical perception of the modern state and at the same time a mismatch of its elements, leading to a violation of the integrity of the worldview.
Ecotones: Getting Inspired by Nature in the Way We Gather, Learn and Innovate
Authors: Hofmann Vera
Published: May 2023

We are part of nature, not separate from it. Allowing ourselves and others to not only understand this cognitively but feel it, so we can act accordingly, has become ever more vital. Ecotones are a wonderful concept that can help us create this awareness and facilitate decision-making. In this article we explore how.
Experiencing More Life Alignment Through Nature-Based Interventions
Authors: van Helden Din
Published: May 2023

What might it look like if we embrace nature interventions more in our organisational development work? This glimpse is an example of a leadership journey out in nature. It is meant to be an invitation to OD colleagues to work more in and with nature in our stewardship towards more life alignment.
He Licked My Mittens! Living and Working with Appreciative Inquiry
Authors: Hancy William
Published: May 2023

A story of how using several Appreciative Inquiry principles can enhance relationships among and between people and one of Mother Nature’s finest creatures: horses.
Similares pero distintos. Una mirada comparativa de las reformas médicas y sanitarias en Santafé y Quito: desde los Borbones a la Gran Colombia, 1760-1830
Authors: Quevedo V. Emilio , Rodas Chaves Germán , Cortés García Claudia Margarita , Núñez Gómez María Camila , Santos Zambrano Fanny , Negrete Martínez Martha , Sánchez Martínez María Catalina , Labrador Morales María Sofía , Yaya Quesada Carlos Julián
Published: May 2023

Este libro da cuenta de los procesos de construcción y profesionalización de la medicina y de la salud pública en la Real Audiencia de Quito y en el Virreinato del Nuevo Reino de Granada, y de la forma como estas se han relacionado en un proceso de doble vía con la sociedad y con el Estado, desde 1760 hasta 1830. Parte de un análisis histórico-comparativo y transcolonial sobre las reformas sanitarias borbónicas y la manera en la que los actores locales las negociaron. Se concentra, por un lado, en la caracterización de la Ilustración y la agenda reformista borbónica española, así como en las relaciones establecidas, por medio de ella, con los territorios coloniales. Por otro, se concentra en el análisis de los inicios de la transición hacia la nueva medicina francesa durante el periodo de independencia y la creación y muerte de la Gran Colombia. El libro, a pesar de estudiar el pasado, aporta elementos que podrían transportarse al presente para comprender la situación de conflicto derivada tanto del deterioro económico y social como sanitario, para obligarnos a pensar seriamente en la necesidad de construir políticas generales y sanitarias de carácter continental y global que nos permitan enfrentar este tipo de crisis.
Current Opinion on Long-Lasting Therapy in CI-DME
Authors: Nowińska Anna
Published: May 2023

Diabetes has been recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a noncommunicable, chronic disease and a 21st century epidemic. Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the three leading causes of blindness among the working-age population aged 20 to 74 years.

Diabetic macular edema (DME) is the most common cause of vision loss in diabetic patients, and the impact of DME on quality of life is very significant. Currently, first-line treatment recommendations for center-involved DME (CI-DME) include intravitreal anti-VEGF injections on a monthly or bimonthly regimen. It is essential to understand the burden that treatment regimens have on patients, as well as on healthcare systems. The most significant improvement to the regimen would be to have fewer injections and monitoring visits while maintaining satisfactory vision outcomes. A lower number of intravitreal injections could optimize disease outcomes by improving patient compliance.

This article discusses novel agents targeting alternative pathways and mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of DME, as well as high-dose drugs and novel approaches to treatment regimens aimed at extending treatment intervals, decreasing treatment burden, and increasing treatment efficacy. This knowledge will enhance the selection of treatments, thereby improving patient compliance with therapy and optimizing healthcare system resources.
Adapted AZNN methods for time-varying and static matrix problems
Authors: Uhlig Frank
Published: May 2023

We present adapted Zhang neural networks (AZNN) in which the parameter settings for the exponential decay constant $\eta$ and the length of the start-up phase of basic ZNN are adapted to the problem at hand. Specifically, we study experiments with AZNN for time-varying square matrix factorizations as a product of time-varying symmetric matrices and for the time-varying matrix square roots problem. Differing from generally used small $\eta$ values and minimal start-up length phases in ZNN, we adapt the basic ZNN method to work with large or even gigantic $\eta$ settings and arbitrary length start-ups using Euler's low accuracy finite difference formula. These adaptations improve the speed of AZNN's convergence and lower its solution error bounds for our chosen problems significantly to near machine constant or even lower levels. Parameter-varying AZNN also allows us to find full rank symmetrizers of static matrices reliably, for example, for the Kahan and Frank matrices and for matrices with highly ill-conditioned eigenvalues and complicated Jordan structures of dimensions from $n = 2$ on up. This helps in cases where full rank static matrix symmetrizers have never been successfully computed before.
Research on ACPS Architecture of Precision Prataculture: A Case of Water Precision Regulation for Alfalfa
Authors: Ge Yongqi , Liu Rui , Cao Lingzhi , Lu Lifeng , Zhang Yahong
Published: May 2023

Highlights

A precision regulation architecture of prataculture based on agriculture cyber-physical system (PRACPS) was proposed.

The PRACPS-ALFA model was designed and implemented through the actual physical environment and Ptolemy tool.

The PRACPS-ALFA has good applicability in the Ningxia irrigation area of the Yellow River.

The architecture can achieve precise water regulation of forage under a complex physical environment.

Abstract. Because the architecture of prataculture precision irrigation cannot dynamically track forage growth and change in future physical environments, a precision regulation architecture of prataculture based on an agriculture cyber-physical system (PRACPS) is proposed. We use the most widely planted alfalfa as an example and design an alfalfa application architecture based on the PRACPS (PRACPS-ALFA). An alfalfa growth model based on water factor was built into the PRACPS-ALFA. We discuss the construction methods of the physical space, the cyber space, and the cyber-physical interaction interfaces. The PRACPS-ALFA is designed and implemented through the actual physical environment and the Ptolemy tool. Four evaluation indices are designed to evaluate the applicability and accuracy of the architecture. Finally, through field experiments in the Ningxia irrigation area of the Yellow River, the model is validated and analyzed by the simulated and observed values of each evaluation indicator. The results show that the PRACPS-ALFA has good applicability in the Ningxia irrigation area of the Yellow River and can achieve precise water regulation of forage in a complex physical environment. Keywords: ACPS, Alfalfa, Applicability, Prataculture, Precision regulation, Ptolemy.