bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pathophysiology of mesangial expansion in diabetic nephropathy: mesangial structure, glomerular biomechanics, and biochemical signaling and regulation
Authors: Thomas Haryana Y. , Ford Versypt Ashlee N.
Published: August 2022

Diabetic nephropathy, a kidney complication arising from diabetes, is the leading cause of death in diabetic patients. Unabated, the growing epidemic of diabetes is increasing instances of diabetic nephropathy. Although the main causes of diabetic nephropathy have been determined, the mechanisms of their combined effects on cellular and tissue function are not fully established. One of many damages of diabetic nephropathy is the development of fibrosis within the kidneys, termed mesangial expansion. Mesangial expansion is an important structural lesion that is characterized by the aberrant proliferation of mesangial cells and excess production of matrix proteins. Mesangial expansion is involved in the progression of kidney failure in diabetic nephropathy, yet its causes and mechanism of impact on kidney function are not well defined. Here, we review the literature on the causes of mesangial expansion and its impacts on cell and tissue function. We highlight the gaps that still remain and the potential areas where bioengineering studies can bring insight to mesangial expansion in diabetic nephropathy.
Development of a novel intervention to improve sleep and pain in patients undergoing total knee replacement
Authors: Whale K. , Gooberman-Hill R.
Published: August 2022

Background

Up to 20% of patients experience long-term pain and dissatisfaction after total knee replacement, with a negative impact on their quality of life. New approaches are needed to reduce the proportion of people to go on to experience chronic post-surgical pain. Sleep and pain are bidirectionally linked with poor sleep linked to greater pain. Interventions to improve sleep among people undergoing knee replacement offer a promising avenue. Health beliefs and barriers to engagement were explored using behaviour change theory. This study followed stages 1–4 of the Medical Research Council’s guidance for complex intervention development to develop a novel intervention aimed at improving sleep in pre-operative knee replacement patients.

Methods

Pre-operative focus groups and post-operative telephone interviews were conducted with knee replacement patients. Before surgery, focus groups explored sleep experiences and views about existing sleep interventions (cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia, exercise, relaxation, mindfulness, sleep hygiene) and barriers to engagement. After surgery, telephone interviews explored any changes in sleep and views about intervention appropriateness. Data were audio-recorded, transcribed, anonymised, and analysed using framework analysis.

Results

Overall, 23 patients took part, 17 patients attended pre-operative focus groups, seven took part in a post-operative telephone interview, and one took part in a focus group and interview. Key sleep issues identified were problems getting to sleep, frequent waking during the night, and problems getting back to sleep after night waking. The main reason for these issues was knee pain and discomfort and a busy mind. Participants felt that the sleep interventions were generally acceptable with no general preference for one intervention over the others. Views of delivery mode varied in relation to digital move and group or one-to-one approaches.

Conclusion

Existing sleep interventions were found to be acceptable to knee replacement patients. Key barriers to engagement related to participants’ health beliefs. Addressing beliefs about the relationship between sleep and pain and enhancing understanding of the bidirectional/cyclical relationship could benefit engagement and motivation. Individuals may also require support to break the fear and avoidance cycle of pain and coping. A future intervention should ensure that patients’ preferences for sleep interventions and delivery mode can be accommodated in a real-world context.
GeneXpert or chest-X-ray or tuberculin skin testing for household contact assessment (GXT): protocol for a cluster-randomized trial
Authors: Trajman Anete , Adjobimey Menonli , Bastos Mayara Lisboa , Valiquette Chantal , Oxlade Olivia , Fregonese Federica , Affolabi Dissou , Cordeiro-Santos Marcelo , Stein Renato T. , Benedetti Andrea , Menzies Dick
Published: August 2022

Background

The World Health Organization recommends tuberculosis (TB) preventive treatment (TPT) for all people living with HIV (PLH) and household contacts (HHC) of index TB patients. Tests for TB infection (TBI) or to rule out TB disease (TBD) are preferred, but if not available, this should not be a barrier if access to these tests is limited for high-risk people, such as PLH and HHC under 5 years old. There is equipoise on the need for these tests in different risk populations, especially HHC aged over 5.

Methods

This superiority cluster-randomized multicenter trial with three arms of equal size compares, in Benin and Brazil, three strategies for HHC investigation aged 0–50: (i) tuberculin skin testing (TST) or interferon gamma release assay (IGRA) for TBI and if positive, chest X-Ray (CXR) to rule out TBD in persons with positive TST or IGRA; (ii) same as (i) but GeneXpert (GX) replaces CXR; and (iii) no TBI testing. CXR for all; if CXR is normal, TPT is recommended. All strategies start with symptom screening. Clusters are defined as HHC members of the same index patients with newly diagnosed pulmonary TBD. The main outcome is the proportion of HHC that are TPT eligible who start TPT within 3 months of the index TB patient starting TBD treatment. Societal costs, incidence of severe adverse events, and prevalence of TBD are among secondary outcomes. Stratified analyses by age (under versus over 5) and by index patient microbiological status will be conducted.

All participants provide signed informed consent. The study was approved by the Research Ethic Board of the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, the Brazilian National Ethical Board CONEP, and the “Comité Local d’Éthique Pour la Recherche Biomédicale (CLERB) de l’Université de Parakou,” Benin. Findings will be submitted for publication in major medical journals and presented in conferences, to WHO and National and municipal TB programs of the involved countries.

Discussion

This randomized trial is meant to provide high-quality evidence to inform WHO recommendations on investigation of household contacts, as currently these are based on very low-quality evidence.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04528823.
A causal model for creating public value (in institutional voids)—the case of Lesvos
Authors: Cederquist Andrea
Published: August 2022

The Greek island of Lesvos is a holiday destination that became the main entry point for forced migrants to Europe during 2015 and 2016. These circumstances of disruptive societal change are used as the basis for developing a causal and dynamic model that creates public value in institutional voids.

The clash between a holiday location and a humanitarian-ecological disaster and the fact that volunteers were the frontline response at the border of the EU in a politically complex situation made this, at the time, a very special case. The attention of celebrities and the media, Lesvos’ geographical proximity to Turkey, the historical conflicts between the two neighbouring countries, the lack of interaction between local people and the involvement of international NGOs spurred conflicts between various actors, causing social fragmentation on the island.

The model identifies the core aspects of strengthening social capital and building trust to counter such societal fragmentation. Following Archer’s morphogenetic approach as a meta-concept, and the identification of causalities for understanding the social dynamics on Lesvos as a starting point, an extended version of Moore’s public value concept was used to build the empirical basis for the development of the model.

The model presented can be used to distinguish between three very separate pathways of creating public value. I call this public value (PV) outcome creation. These pathways are described separately by using causal loop diagrams (CLDs). When aligned, they suggest a causal understanding of how adaptive leadership and collaborative governance can be a core element and a generative mechanism of social change that creates public value.

Although the paper draws on a case study that is relevant to migration studies, it is not a migration study, but rather an attempt to use and improve “social-theory reflection” by applying a systems thinking approach as we embark on addressing public value creation, social problems and social-systems transformation (in institutional voids).
Association of immune cell recruitment and BPD development
Authors: Heydarian Motaharehsadat , Schulz Christian , Stoeger Tobias , Hilgendorff Anne
Published: August 2022

In the neonatal lung, exposure to both prenatal and early postnatal risk factors converge into the development of injury and ultimately chronic disease, also known as bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). The focus of many studies has been the characteristic inflammatory responses provoked by these exposures. Here, we review the relationship between immaturity and prenatal conditions, as well as postnatal exposure to mechanical ventilation and oxygen toxicity, with the imbalance of pro- and anti-inflammatory regulatory networks. In these conditions, cytokine release, protease activity, and sustained presence of innate immune cells in the lung result in pathologic processes contributing to lung injury. We highlight the recruitment and function of myeloid innate immune cells, in particular, neutrophils and monocyte/macrophages in the BPD lung in human patients and animal models. We also discuss dissimilarities between the infant and adult immune system as a basis for the development of novel therapeutic strategies.
Diet-induced obesity impairs spermatogenesis: the critical role of NLRP3 in Sertoli cells
Authors: Mu Yang , Yin Tai-lang , Zhang Yan , Yang Jing , Wu Yan-ting
Published: August 2022

Background

Accumulating evidence indicates a key role of Sertoli cell (SC) malfunction in spermatogenesis impairment induced by obesity. Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor with a pyrin domain 3 (NLRP3) is expressed in SCs, but the role of NLRP3 in the pathological process of obesity-induced male infertility remains unclear.

Methods

NLRP3-deficient mice were fed a high-fat diet for 24 weeks to establish obesity-related spermatogenesis impairment. In another set of experiments, a lentiviral vector containing a microRNA (miR)-451 inhibitor was injected into AMP-activated protein kinase α (AMPKα)-deficient mouse seminiferous tubules. Human testis samples were obtained by testicular puncture from men with obstructive azoospermia whose samples exhibited histologically normal spermatogenesis. Isolated human SCs were treated with palmitic acid (PA) to mimic obesity model in vitro.

Results

Increased NLRP3 expression was observed in the testes of obese rodents. NLRP3 was also upregulated in PA-treated human SCs. NLRP3 deficiency attenuated obesity-related male infertility. SC-derived NLRP3 promoted interleukin-1β (IL-1β) secretion to impair testosterone synthesis and sperm performance and increased matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) expression to degrade occludin via activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB). Increased miR-451 caused by obesity, decreased AMPKα expression and sequentially increased NADPH oxidase activity were responsible for the activation of NLRP3. miR-451 inhibition protected against obesity-related male infertility, and these protective effects were abolished by AMPKα deficiency in mice.

Conclusions

NLRP3 promoted obesity-related spermatogenesis impairment. Increased miR-451 expression, impaired AMPKα pathway and the subsequent ROS production were responsible for NLRP3 activation. Our study provides new insight into the mechanisms underlying obesity-associated male infertility.
Effectiveness of family psychoeducation for major depressive disorder: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Katsuki Fujika , Watanabe Norio , Yamada Atsurou , Hasegawa Takaaki
Published: August 2022

Background

Although its effect has not been verified, family therapy – such as family psychoeducation (FPE) – is a widely used intervention for treating major depressive disorder (MDD). To our knowledge, no systematic review and meta-analysis exists that examines the effect of FPE on MDD.

Aims

To assess evidence on the effectiveness of FPE on depressive symptoms in people with MDD.

Method

We searched several databases – including PubMed, MEDLINE and Web of Science, among others – to identify eligible studies on the topic published up to March 2022. Our criteria included studies on participants with a primary MDD diagnosis and their family members and excluded studies on people with bipolar disorders and other mental illnesses. In the included studies, family members in the control groups did not receive FPE. Participants in both the intervention and control groups received standard treatment. Two researchers independently selected relevant publications, extracted data and evaluated methodological quality using the Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool and GRADE evaluation. The protocol was registered with PROSPERO (no. CRD42020185884).

Results

The meta-analysis included five studies with 301 patients with MDD and their family members. The effect of FPE on patients’ symptom severity, compared with the control condition, at 16 weeks was available for five comparisons of four randomised control trials (RCTs); a final follow-up was available for six comparisons of five RCTs. The meta-analysis showed a statistically significant improvement in patients’ symptoms, compared with control, at 16 weeks (s.m.d. = −0.52, 95% CI −1.03 to −0.01) and at a final follow-up (s.m.d. = −0.53, 95% CI −0.98 to −0.08). The meta-analysis on the effect of FPE on family functioning showed a non-significant improvement both at 16 weeks and at final follow-up.

Conclusions

FPE had a small but statistically significant effect on depressive symptoms in people with MDD, in both the short and long term. However, according to the GRADE framework, all outcomes are graded very low on certainty; therefore, more high-quality research is needed.
Development and Characterization of Celecoxib Solid Self-nanoemulsifying Drug Delivery Systems (S-SNEDDS) Prepared Using Novel Cellulose-Based Microparticles as Adsorptive Carriers
Authors: Schmied Fabian-Pascal , Bernhardt Alexander , Baudron Victor , Beine Birte , Klein Sandra
Published: August 2022

Self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems (SNEDDS) represent an interesting platform for improving the oral bioavailability of poorly soluble lipophilic drugs. While Liquid-SNEDDS (L-SNEDDS) effectively solubilize the drug in vivo, they have several drawbacks, including poor storage stability. Solid-SNEDDS (S-SNEDDS) combine the advantages of L-SNEDDS with those of solid dosage forms, particularly stability. The aim of the present study was to convert celecoxib L-SNEDDS into S-SNEDDS without altering their release behavior. Various commercially available adsorptive carrier materials were investigated, as well as novel cellulose-based microparticles prepared by spray drying from an aqueous dispersion containing Diacel® 10 and methyl cellulose or gum arabic as a binder prior to their use. Particle size and morphology of the carrier materials were screened by scanning electron microscopy and their effects on the loading capacity for L-SNEDDS were investigated, and comparative in vitro dissolution studies of celecoxib L-SNEDDS and the different S-SNEDDS were performed immediately after preparation and after 3 months of storage. Among the adsorptive carrier materials, the novel cellulose-based microparticles were found to be the most suitable for the preparation of celecoxib S-SNEDDS from L-SNEDDS, enabling the preparation of a solid, stable formulation while preserving the in vitro release performance of the L-SNEDDS formulation.
Modification method of NUT-Kerr-Newman-de Sitter black hole entropy by Lorentz symmetry breaking and beyond the semi-classical approximation
Authors: Li Ran , Yu Zi-Han , Yang Shu-Zheng
Published: August 2022

According to Lorentz symmetry breaking and black hole quantum tunneling radiation theory, aether-like field is correctly introduced into the general stationary black hole space-time, and the modified boson dynamic equation is obtained. On this basis, the Hawking temperature and black hole entropy of NUT-Kerr-Newman-de Sitter black hole with general stationary characteristics are modified, and the method used in this paper and the significance of the conclusions are deeply discussed.
Universal excitonic superexchange in spin-orbit-coupled Mott insulators
Authors: Li Chao-Kai , Chen Gang
Published: August 2022

We point out the universal presence of the excitonic superexchange in spin-orbit-coupled Mott insulators. It is observed that the restriction to the lowest spin-orbit-entangled “J” states may sometimes be insufficient to characterize the microscopic physics, and the virtual excitonic processes via the upper “J” states provide an important correction to the superexchange. We illustrate this excitonic superexchange from a two-dimensional 5d iridate Sr2IrO4 and explain its physical consequences such as the orbital-like coupling to the external magnetic flux and the nonlinear magnetic susceptibility. The universal presence of the excitonic superexchange in other spin-orbit-coupled Mott insulators such as 3d Co-based Kitaev magnets and even f electron rare-earth magnets is further discussed.
Diabetic Ketoacidosis in Pregnancy: Clinical Risk Factors, Presentation, and Outcomes
Authors: Dhanasekaran Maheswaran , Mohan Sneha , Erickson Dana , Shah Pankaj , Szymanski Linda , Adrian Vella , Egan Aoife M
Published: August 2022

Context

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in pregnancy is an obstetric emergency with risk of maternofetal death.

Objective

This work aimed to evaluate DKA events in pregnant women admitted to our inpatient obstetric service, and to examine associated clinical risk factors, presentation, and pregnancy outcomes.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA, and included women aged 17 to 45 years who were treated for DKA during pregnancy between January 1, 2004 and December 31, 2021. Main outcome measures included maternal and fetal death along with a broad spectrum of maternal and fetal pregnancy outcomes.

Results

A total of 71 DKA events were identified in 58 pregnancies among 51 women, 48 (82.8%) of whom had type 1 diabetes. There were no maternal deaths, but fetal demise occurred in 10 (17.2%) pregnancies (6 miscarriages and 4 stillbirths). Maternal social stressors were frequently present (n = 30, 51.0%), and glycemic control was suboptimal (median first trimester glycated hemoglobin A1c = 9.0%). Preeclampsia was diagnosed in 17 (29.3%) pregnancies. Infants born to women with DKA were large for gestational age (n = 16, 33.3%), suffered from neonatal hypoglycemia (n = 29, 60.4%) and required intensive care unit admission (n = 25, 52.1%).

Conclusion

DKA is associated with a high rate of maternofetal morbidity and fetal loss. Prenatal education strategies for women with diabetes mellitus should include a strong focus on DKA prevention, and clinicians and patients should have a high index of suspicion for DKA in all pregnant women who present with symptoms that could be attributed to this condition.
Experimentally Induced Hyperglycemia in Prepubertal Phase Impairs Oocyte Quality and Functionality in Adult Mice
Authors: Predheepan Dhakshanya , Daddangadi Akshatha , Uppangala Shubhashree , Laxminarayana Sindhura Lakshmi Koulmane , Raval Keyur , Kalthur Guruprasad , Kovačič Borut , Adiga Satish Kumar
Published: August 2022

Reproductive abnormalities in women with a history of childhood diabetes are believed to be partially attributed to hyperglycemia. Prolonged hyperglycemia can negatively affect ovarian function and fertility during reproductive life. To address this in an experimental setting, the present study used streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemic prepubertal mouse model. The impact of prolonged hyperglycemic exposure during prepubertal life on ovarian function, oocyte quality, and functional competence was assessed in adult mice. The ovarian reserve was not significantly altered; however, the in vitro maturation potential (P < 0.001), mitochondrial integrity (P < 0.01), and meiotic spindle assembly (P < 0.05-0.001) in oocytes were significantly affected in hyperglycemic animals in comparison to control groups. The results from the study suggest that prepubertal hyperglycemia can have adverse effects on the oocyte functional competence and spindle integrity during the reproductive phase of life. Because these changes can have a significant impact on the genetic integrity and developmental potential of the embryos and fetus, the observation warrants further research both in experimental and clinical settings.
Can Microbes Be Active Participants in Research? Developing a Methodology for Collaborating with Plastic-Eating Microbes
Authors: Bradshaw Aaron
Published: August 2022

The emergence of Ideonella sakaiensis, a microorganism with the capacity to metabolize the widely used plastic polyethylene terephthalate (PET), raises important questions about how human and nonhuman agency are related in responding to pressing environmental issues. The article explores how the agency and expertise of I. sakaiensis is a constitutive but often overlooked collaborator in scientific research into plastic biodegradation, and it attempts to develop a methodology for enrolling microorganisms as active research participants from the outset. Knowledge coproduced with microbial others, and specifically those microbes with the capacity to detoxify anthropogenic pollutants, may inform and enact inclusive and prescient responses to ongoing environmental degradation. Accordingly, drawing from theoretical orientations in more-than-human participatory research and animals’ geographies, the article asks how microorganisms might express their own directives, preferences, and constraints on the research process, and how, in turn, we might listen and be directed by them. Although the ontological and ethical commitments of the environmental humanities are well suited for welcoming microbes as partners in deliberative processes, the challenges of communicating with them across vast scalar and bodily differences suggests a need to engage with techniques traditionally considered the disciplinary property of the natural sciences. Some of these concepts are contextualized with respect to a research project currently being undertaken at the River Lea in East London and the attempt to enroll I. sakaiensis as a collaborator in responding to plastic pollution in the river.
The Limits of Care
Authors: Di Giminiani Piergiorgio
Published: August 2022

Drawing on the experiences of caring in agriculture and forestry among Mapuche landholders of Chile, this article advances a definition of care as an act of relating intervening mutual articulations of vitality. Caring for nonhumans entails a reflexive awareness of the ontological and ethical limits of human care, limits made visible by the nonhumans’ potentials to respond to our actions and affect us. Reflections on the limits of care foster an attentiveness to the conditions responsible for nonhumans’ ability of enchantment, a term that in Bennett’s proposal concerns an awareness on the singularness and surprising character of life. First, this article characterizes care as a human intentional action targeting dependent nonhumans, such as crops. Second, it illustrates the recalcitrance of some nonhumans to human care, as in the case of forests in Indigenous southern Chile. Third, it shows how care emerges from ethical aspirations and concerns, such as those at the core of Mapuche engagements with cultural reclamation and conservation.
The Indoor People’s Enchanted Ecologies
Authors: Rubow Cecilie
Published: August 2022

Contrary to the taken-for-granted dictum in nature politics and in public media that “loving nature prompts care,” this article considers less intuitive relations between love and ethics. Through the analysis of different enactments of natures in Denmark and a reading of Jane Bennett’s Enchantment of Modern Life, the article captures how sensibilities and moralities swing from anethical moments to affective forms of responsibility. By comparing walks at a recreational beach with activists’ campaigns at a peri-urban commons and a climate activist march in the capital center, Cecilie Rubow proposes, inspired by Bennett, to think of a variation of chords of wonder and ethics. Dissonantly, the chords of the enchanted ecologies range from magical moments in remote nature to love and respect for co-living plants and animals, and to the perplexing and motivational awareness of one’s entwinement with the whole planet. This reconceptualization of enchantment speaks to the depth of the ecological crises.
Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunting for Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension: A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, and Implications for a Modern Management Protocol
Authors: Salih Mira , Enriquez-Marulanda Alejandro , Khorasanizadeh MirHojjat , Moore Justin , Prabhu Vikram C. , Ogilvy Christopher S.
Published: August 2022

BACKGROUND:

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunting is widely used in refractory idiopathic intracranial hypotension (IIH). Although multiple reviews have assessed its efficacy compared with other surgical treatments, there is no detailed analysis that evaluates the clinical outcomes after CSF shunting.

OBJECTIVE:

To conduct a meta-analysis of the clinical impact of CSF shunting for refractory IIH and use this in conjunction with existing information on other treatment modalities to develop a modern management protocol.

METHODS:

PubMed and Embase were systematically searched for studies describing CSF shunting for medically refractory IIH. Relevant information including study characteristics, patient demographics, clinical outcomes, periprocedural complications, and long-term outcomes were subjected to meta-analysis.

RESULTS:

Fifteen studies published between 1988 and 2019 met our inclusion and exclusion criteria, providing 372 patients for analysis. The mean age was 31.2 years (range 0.5-71) with 83.6% being female. The average follow-up was 33.9 months (range 0-278 months). The overall rate of improvement in headache, papilledema, and visual impairment was 91% (95% CI 84%-97%), 96% (95% CI 85%-100%), and 85% (95% CI 72%-95%), respectively. Of 372 patients, 155 had 436 revisions; the overall revision rate was 42% (95% CI 26%-59%). There was no significant correlation between average follow-up duration and revision rates in studies (P = .627). Periprocedural low-pressure headaches were noted in 74 patients (20%; 95% CI 11%-32%).

CONCLUSION:

CSF shunting for IIH is associated with significant improvement in clinical symptoms. Shunting rarely causes periprocedural complications except overdrainage-related low-pressure headache. However, CSF shunting has a relatively high revision rate.
Nanomembranes of Poly(dimethysiloxane) Reinforced with Carbon Nanotubes and Their Potential for CO2 Capture
Authors: Ariyoshi Miho , Fujikawa Shigenori , Kunitake Toyoki
Published: August 2022

Toward CO2 capture from air, highly-permeable nanomembranes of poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) were mechanically reinforced by thin layers of carbon nanotube (CNT), giving CO2 permeability and gas selectivity of 42,500 GPU and 10 (CO2/N2), respectively in the case of the 27-nm-thick, composite membrane.
Selective Gas Adsorption on Molecular Solids of a Hydrogen-bonding [3.3.3]Propellane
Authors: Kato Kenichi , Hiroi Tatsuki , Seto Nobuyoshi , Ohtani Shunsuke , Ogoshi Tomoki
Published: August 2022

On a rigid three-dimensional π-framework, trinaphtho[3.3.3]propellane, hydrogen-bonding urea moieties were installed by successive functionalization with amino and carbonyl groups. The obtained perimidin-2-one-appended molecule gave void-containing solids without losing intrinsic free volume, being different from precursor molecules. The solids exhibited good adsorption selectivity for ethane, n-butane, and carbon dioxide over methane, because of the cavity surrounded by naphthalene rings and hydrogen-bonding perimidin-2-one units.
Making European performance and impact assessment frameworks for research infrastructures glocal
Authors: Melo Ana M.P. , Oliveira Sofia , Oliveira Jorge S. , Martin Corinne S. , Leite Ricardo B.
Published: August 2022

Sustainability of research infrastructures (RIs) is a big challenge for funders, stakeholders and operators, and the development and adoption of adequate management tools is a major concern, namely tools for monitoring and evaluating their performance and impact. BioData.pt is the Portuguese Infrastructure of Biological data and the Portuguese node of the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures "Landmark" ELIXIR. The foundations of this national research infrastructure were laid under the “Building BioData.pt” project, for four years. During this period, performance and impact indicators were collected and analysed under the light of international guidelines for assessing the performance and impact of European research infrastructures produced by the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the EU-funded RI-PATHS project. The exercise shared herein showed that these frameworks can be adopted by national RIs, with the necessary adaptations, namely to reflect the national landscape and specificity of activities, and can be powerful tools in supporting the management of RIs.

“Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted, counts”. (Attributed to William Bruce Cameron)
Analysis of contact tracing surveillance for COVID-19 among healthcare workers in secondary referral hospital, Indonesia
Authors: Asmarawati Tri Pudy , Sukartini Tintin , Ekasari Ardhena , Sofia Devi Rahma , Kamariyah Nurul , Novendrianto Dwiki , Yuliasari Putri , Rusca P Kuswantoro , Acob Joel Rey , Windradi Choirina , Mahdi Bagus Aulia , Martani Okla Sekar , Agustin Esthiningrum Dewi
Published: August 2022

Background: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are more vulnerable to COVID-19 infection. Tracing and screening cases among healthcare workers are essential to overcome the spread of COVID-19. We held surveillance at the second-referral hospital in Surabaya, Indonesia, to inspect the associating factors of infected HCWs.

Methods: From 776 HCWs, we conducted a structured retrospective review of all COVID-19-confirmed HCWs and ones having contact with COVID-19 patients between February-July 2021. We associated general characteristics (i.e age, gender, working sites, etc) of the sample with the positive cases, analyzed the vaccination status, then did bivariate and multivariate regression logistic analyses to determine related factors putting HCWs at risk for COVID-19 infection.  

Results: Bivariate analysis significantly revealed that 72.86% patients had a close contact (OR = 2.61; p<0.05), with medical staffs as the most frequent source (85.71%; OR = 2.19; p=0.033), for > 15 minutes contact duration (90%; OR = 1.1; p<0.05). Healthcare workers wearing proper PPE (N-95 and face shields) were significantly less exposed to COVID-19 (OR = 0.47; p<0.05; and OR = 0.46; p<0.05). Even fully-vaccinated samples were still prone to infection. (OR=1.25; p= 0.042). Common symptoms consisted of fever, rhinorrhea, sore throat, and vomiting (p=0.025l p=0.002; p<0.05; p=0.002). Multivariate regression logistic analysis disclosed that the use of N95 masks, contact duration >15 minutes, and the vaccine were the most influential factors (aOR = 1.72. 95% CI (1.029-2.88); aOR = 3.92. 95% CI (1.75-8.78); aOR = 0.39. 95% CI (0.13-0.82 ))

Conclusions: Close contact, lack of compliance in wearing N95 masks, and unvaccinated status are risk factors for COVID-19 exposure to HCWs; thus, to achieve maximum prevention of intra-hospital transmission, the use of N-95 masks, contact avoidance, and vaccination, along with immediate tracing and strict health-protocols are all compulsory.
An adapted behavioural activation intervention (DiaDeM) for people with diabetes and depression in South Asia: A feasibility study protocol
Authors: Aslam Faiza , Afaq Saima , Siddiqui Faraz , Zavala Gerardo A. , Ahmed Naveed , Walker Simon M. , Maria Jennings Hannah , Fottrell Edward , Ul Haq Zia , Siddiqi Najma , Hewitt Catherine ,   DiaDeM Global Health Research Group
Published: August 2022

Background: The burden of depression is a rapidly growing problem worldwide. Its prevalence is particularly high among individuals with chronic physical conditions such as Type 2 Diabetes (T2DM), precipitating poorer health outcomes. There is a lack of evidence around treatments that can work among such groups, particularly in Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). This study aims to test the feasibility and acceptability of a culturally adapted Behavioural Activation (BA) intervention (DiaDeM) for people with T2DM and depression in two LMICs in South Asia.

Methods: A multicentre, randomised-controlled feasibility trial will be conducted from March 2022 to February 2023. We will recruit 128 adults from health facilities in Bangladesh and Pakistan with a diagnosis of T2DM and depression. Using a 1:1 allocation ratio, consenting individuals will be randomised to either optimised usual care or the DiaDeM intervention. The latter will involve six face-to-face or remotely delivered BA sessions conducted by non-mental health facilitators over six to twelve weeks. Participants will be followed up at three and six months post-randomisation. Feasibility outcomes include the feasibility and acceptability of recruitment and retention, the feasibility of intervention delivery and the feasibility of data collection at baseline and follow-up (including economic data). An embedded mixed-methods process evaluation will also be carried out to inform the main trial.

Conclusions: BA is a low resource intervention for depression treatment that can be optimised for delivery in LMIC settings such as South Asia. The planned feasibility trial will directly inform a larger trial to assess the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of such an intervention in people with T2DM and depression. It will also contribute to the wider evidence base around BA in patients with chronic physical illnesses, with particular relevance to South Asian, as well as wider LMIC regions and populations.

Trial registration: ISRCTN 75501608
DeepCLEM: automated registration for correlative light and electron microscopy using deep learning
Authors: Seifert Rick , Markert Sebastian M. , Britz Sebastian , Perschin Veronika , Erbacher Christoph , Stigloher Christian , Kollmannsberger Philip
Published: August 2022

In correlative light and electron microscopy (CLEM), the fluorescent images must be registered to the EM images with high precision. Due to the different contrast of EM and fluorescence images, automated correlation-based alignment is not directly possible, and registration is often done by hand using a fluorescent stain, or semi-automatically with fiducial markers. We introduce “DeepCLEM”, a fully automated CLEM registration workflow. A convolutional neural network predicts the fluorescent signal from the EM images, which is then automatically registered to the experimentally measured chromatin signal from the sample using correlation-based alignment. The complete workflow is available as a Fiji plugin and could in principle be adapted for other imaging modalities as well as for 3D stacks.
The Wessex Fit-4-Cancer Surgery Trial (WesFit): a protocol for a factorial-design, pragmatic randomised-controlled trial investigating the effects of a multi-modal prehabilitation programme in patients undergoing elective major intra–cavity cancer surgery
Authors: West Malcolm , Bates Andrew , Grimmett Chloe , Allen Cait , Green Richard , Hawkins Lesley , Moyses Helen , Leggett Samantha , Z H Levett Denny , Rickard Sally , Varkonyi-Sepp Judit , Williams Fran , Wootton Stephen , Hayes Matthew , P W Grocott Micheal , Jack Sandy
Published: August 2022

Background: Surgical resection remains the primary curative treatment for intra-cavity cancer. Low physical fitness and psychological factors such as depression are predictive of post–operative morbidity, mortality and length of hospital stay. Prolonged post-operative morbidity is associated with persistently elevated risk of premature death. We aim to investigate whether a structured, responsive exercise training programme, a psychological support programme or combined exercise and psychological support, delivered between treatment decision and major intra-cavity surgery for cancer, can reduce length of hospital stay, compared with standard care.

Methods: WesFit is a pragmatic, 2x2 factorial-design, multi-centre, randomised-controlled trial, with planned recruitment of N=1560. Participants will be randomised to one of four groups. Group 1 (control) will receive usual pre-operative care, Group 2 (exercise) patients will undergo 2/3 aerobic, high-intensity interval training sessions per week supervised by personal trainers. Group 3 (psychological support) patients are offered 1 session per week at a local cancer support centre. Group 4 will receive both exercise and psychological support. All patients undergo baseline and pre-operative cardiopulmonary exercise testing, complete self-report questionnaires and will be followed up at 30 days, 12 weeks and 12 months post-operatively. Primary outcome is post-operative length-of-stay. Secondary outcomes include disability-adjusted survival at 1-year postoperatively, post-operative morbidity, and health-related quality of life. Exploratory investigations include objectively measured changes in physical fitness assessed by cardiopulmonary exercise test, disease-free and overall mortality at 1-year postoperatively, longer-term physical activity behaviour change, pre-operative radiological tumour regression, pathological tumour regression, pre and post-operative body composition analysis, health economics analysis and nutritional characterisation and its relationship to post-operative outcome.

Conclusions: The WesFit trial will be a randomised controlled study investigating whether a high-intensity exercise training programme +/- psychological intervention results in improvements in clinical and patient reported outcomes in patients undergoing major inter-cavity resection of cancer.

ClinicalTrials.gov registration: NCT03509428 (26/04/2018)
TO THE PROBLEM OF CONVEYING THE CONCEPT OF "MYSTICISM" IN THE TRANSLATION OF MYSTERIOUS LITERARY WORKS
Authors: Zlobin A.
Published: August 2022

The article presents an attempt to comprehend cognitively the concept of "mysticism". The cognitive analysis is used to identify conceptual features and aspects of mysticism relevant for the translation of mysterious literary works. The need to translate not verbal forms, but the concepts they represent is confirmed by the translation of the story by M.L. Kashnitz "Gespenster".
And Yet They Exist: Communication and Culture as Values of the Modern World
Authors: Goncharova Lyubov
Published: August 2022

The editor-in-chief’s column provides an overview of the issue, trends and directions of modern communication research are noted. The

journal presents the works of Russian scientists devoted to the problems of speech communication, cross-cultural, political communication science, education and culture.
POSTER BUSTING AS A RELEVANT PHENOMENON OF PROTEST COMMUNICATION IN GERMANY
Authors: Rebrina L.
Published: August 2022

The article presents the results of studying of poster vandalism practices as an actual format of protest communication in Germany in the recent decade. This format has not become an independent object of study In Russian linguistics. A review of works on this issue by European linguists is presented. In view of the social significance of the phenomenon of protest and the need to characterize its new genre varieties, against the backdrop of a shortage of works devoted to poster vandalism as a new creative form of dialogue between authorities and citizens, and the growing interest of linguists in visual texts, this study is relevant and topical. The study is aimed at determining the current trends in the poster war in today's Germany, clarifying the classification of types of poster vandalism according to the semiotic resources used, the type of modification of the initial poster, the degree of dialogue of the initial, reactive posters and the surrounding space. This determines the scientific novelty of the study. The material of the study was a sample from the German-speaking segment of the Internet, publications about the activities of creative protest groups, a satirical political party in Germany. Semiotic and contextual analysis, methods of systematization and classification are used. The results show that the new trends are associated primarily with the desire of the subjects of the poster war to legalize it. Two groups of poster war practices are singled out and characterized: the practice of various material distortion of the initial poster itself and the practice of recontextualization, resemiotization of the initial poster without material distortion of its components. The frequency and dialogic nature of the studied communicative practices, the role of the surrounding space in creating the context of reinterpretation are characterized.
INCP procedures in a patient with lung cancer
Authors: Gdowska Kinga , Mess Eleonora
Published: August 2022

Lung cancer is the most common malignant tumour in Poland and the first cause of death

among oncological diseases. This article presents the main factors causing lung cancer, the course

of the disease and health consequences. The most important nursing problems have been identified,

taking into account the individual nursing plan. Nursing actions were proposed to adapt the patient

to the new situation, to improve his physical and psychological condition and to educate the patient

and his family.
Slotting Fees and Price Discrimination in Retail Channels
Authors: Kolay Sreya , Shaffer Greg
Published: August 2022

This paper studies how slotting fees can be used by a manufacturer to discriminate indirectly between retailers when overt discrimination is infeasible.
Repeated Games with Incomplete Information over Predictable Systems
Authors: Lehrer Ehud , Shaiderman Dimitry
Published: August 2022

Consider a stationary process taking values in a finite state space. Each state is associated with a finite one-shot zero-sum game. We investigate the infinitely repeated zero-sum game with incomplete information on one side in which the state of the game evolves according to the stationary process. Two players, named the observer and the adversary, play the following game. At the beginning of any stage, only the observer is informed of the state ξn and is therefore the only one who knows the identity of the forthcoming one-shot game. Then, both players take actions, which become publicly known. The paper shows the existence of a uniform value in a new class of stationary processes: ergodic Kronecker systems. Techniques from ergodic theory, probability theory, and game theory are employed to describe the optimal strategies of the two players.

Funding: This work was supported by the Israel Science Foundation [Grant 591/21] and Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft [Grant KA 5609/1-1].
The Factor of Association of Diabetes Knowledge in Diabetes Mellitus type 2 patients
Authors: Sangruangake Monthida , Srisuwan Ponpimon , Ruangsuksud Piches , Solikhah Solikhah , Sungworawongpana Thiti
Published: August 2022

Background: T2DM is a chronic illness associated with numerous comorbidities and leads to chronic complications, resulting in high morbidity and mortality, rising health care costs. However, patients with this disease, through self-care, can significantly mitigate the risk, or delay the onset of these T2DM complications Objective: To investigate factors along with Diabetes Knowledge  Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out among T2DM patients living in both rural and urban areas from the Central and Northeastern regions of Thailand were recruited from outpatient diabetes clinics of both community and university hospitals in both the Khon Kaen and Bangkok provinces of Thailand. Patients were sampled using a stratified sampling design where strata were based on locality (Province) - hospital size combinations. Firstly, we had translated all questionnaires from English to the local language then again back translated simultaneously. Then, the third step was to perform psychometric testing of the DK instrument Lastly, binary logistics mixed effect regression was used to investigate the clustering effect of the participant’s characteristic on this study. Results: After adjust for covariates derivate that age, KK and smaller hospitals, higher education, monthly income, underweight and overweight, DM treatment, and smoking nor alcohol where all found to be associated with various DK Conclusion: In future DK measurement is likely to provide valuable insights in to the epidemiology of diabetes self-management and may also be used to evaluate interventions to reduce poor self-care in T2DM patients, in turn, politically reducing the incidence of, and mortality from, type 2 diabetes mellitus complications.
Classical and Bayesian Inference for the Inverse Lomax Distribution Under Adaptive Progressive Type-II Censored Data with COVID-19 Application
Authors: Hora Rashi , Kabdwal Naresh Chandra , Srivastava Pulkit
Published: August 2022

In this paper, we consider the classical and the Bayesian inferences for unknown parameters of inverse Lomax distribution and their corresponding survival characteristics under the adaptive progressive type-II censoring scheme. In the classical setup, first we obtain the maximum likelihood estimates for the unknown shape parameter of the distribution and its corresponding survival characteristics. Further, we consider symmetric and asymmetric loss functions for the estimation of shape parameter and its corresponding survival characteristics under the Bayesian paradigm. The performances of various derived estimators were recorded using Markov chain Monte Carlo simulation technique for different sample sizes. Finally, a COVID-19 mortality data set is provided to illustrate the computation of various estimators.
Autotheory and the maternal: my impossible mother–daughter separation
Authors: Galioto Erica D.
Published: August 2022

This special edition of the Journal of Psychosocial Studies is based on 2019 Association for the Psychoanalysis of Culture and Society (APCS) conference presentations on the theme of displacement. Having listened to the presentations, I offer this paper as my own response to similar issues of mother–daughter displacement. Inspired by the panel’s analysis of the maternal in interpersonal relations and professional affinities, I begin by exploring my intersectional adult identities of daughter, mother and teacher to expose my ambivalence towards my career in literature and psychoanalysis. I continue by applying psychoanalytic theory to the pedagogical transference in my classroom space and uncover my own misguided attempt at maternal separation. Drawing correlations with Maggie Nelson’s (2015) The Argonauts, I conclude by contemplating autotheory as a space of self-writing that is particularly suitable for explorations of the maternal in both form and content. Autotheory, I argue, as exemplified in the panel and my response, extends the impossibility of mother–daughter separation into a meaningful shared plurality.