bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Najstarsze kościoły ziemi zatorskiej na tle wykazu parafi i dekanatu zatorskiego z lat 1325 -1327
Authors: Rajman Jerzy
Published: October 2024

THE OLDEST CHURCHES IN THE LAND OF ZATOR AGAINST THE LIST OF PARISHES OF THE DECANATE OF ZATOR FROM 1325 -1327
The author considers the relationship between the decanate of Zator which appears in 1325, and the land of Zator, known mainly from sources from the 15th century. The decanate of Zator, as an administrative unit of the Diocese of Cracow, covered the areas of the later lan of Zator and the areas located on the Skawina river and north of the Wisla. The list from the years 1325 -1327 contains mentions of 23 oldest churches in the land of Zator. The author analyzes the source records concerning all the churches in the land of Zator listed in this list. The oldest churches were probably erected before 1178, that is, when the area in question was still part of the province of Cracow. These were probably churches in Zator, Mucharz and Woźniki. Their founders were the 12th century princes of Cracow. The second wave of the creation of churches is associated with the activities of the dukes of Opole and Oświęcim. They founded churches in Polanka Wielka, Spytkowice, Piotrowice, Przeciszów, Gierałtowice, Jaroszowice, Barwałd Dolny, Głębowice and Wadowice (13th century – fi rst quarter of the 14th century). The churches in Graboszyce, Wieprz, Witanowice, Nidek, Radocza, Zygodowice, Inwałd and Palczowice can hypothetically be included in knightly foundations. Among them were 3 multi -village parishes (Mucharz, Zator and Krzęcin), however, single -village parishes predominated in numbers. Among these churches, the invocations of St. Mary of the Virgin predominate. George, All Saints, St. Peter and Paul, St. John the Baptist, St. Martin, St. Mary Magdalene, St. Nicholas, St. Michael the Archangel, St. Andrew, St. Simon and Jude, St. Clement and St. Jacob.
Bracia Herzogowie
Authors: Wywiał Przemysław
Published: October 2024

THE HERZOG BROTHERS. INDEPENDENCE SOLDIERS FROM SPYTKOWICE
The purpose of this article is to present the story of the four Herzog brothers, whose fates were linked to the tragic history of Poland in the 20th century. Their family roots, fi ghting in the ranks of the Legions during World War I and during the wars of independence and borders are presented. The fate of three of them during the Second Republic and the defensive war of 1939 was characterized. Also presented is the activity of Jozef Herzog after 1945 and his commitment to saving the memory of the Deeds of Independence. The text is based on archival materials, accounts and memories, as well as the available study.
Seres que habitan Twitter (X): una revisión histórica de usuarios y líderes en el hashtag electoral #ColombiaDecide
Authors: Briceño Romero Ysabel Cristina , Calderón-Benavides Liliana
Published: October 2024

Esta investigación se propuso revisar la evolución de la dinámica de interacción y circulación de contenidos derivados del hashtag electoral #ColombiaDecide en Twitter (ahora X), cuya iniciativa original fue impulsada por el espacio informativo Noticias Caracol. Desde un enfoque cuantitativo se analizó el corpus de más de 60 000 mensajes derivados del hashtag #ColombiaDecide en el año 2022 y se aplicó una metodología de análisis de contenido comparada con lo ocurrido en el año 2015, según una investigación que habría revisado en sus inicios a usuarios líderes, partiendo del rt como unidad de análisis. Desde una mirada cualitativa también se revisaron los mensajes de la etiqueta que en el año 2022 alcanzaron más viralidad. Los resultados permiten reconocer que la estrategia informativa del hashtag #ColombiaDecide ha sufrido una transformación en las voces que la ocupan, aunque los medios de comunicación siguen manteniendo una participación activa en el período analizado. Los cambios demuestran que actores y activistas políticos han logrado entrenarse para incidir en X y han ido desapareciendo usuarios líderes calificados como ‘ciudadanos’. En el contexto electoral 2022 se destaca que la tendencia ideológica de izquierda logra en Colombia un espacio de activismo en la plataforma X con una viralidad generada desde la emocionalidad, centrada discursivamente en el cambio.
Patient-centred stoma care support: colostomy patients
Authors: Marinova Petya , Marinova Rali
Published: October 2024

Colostomy patients have distinct needs that require specialised pathways for optimal care. Recognising that these needs vary, based on the type and configuration of the stoma, is crucial. Specialist nurses play a vital role in providing long-term support and expertise. While many stoma nursing services in the UK offer patient pathways, these often lack specificity for different stoma types. Tailoring pathways to colostomy patients can prevent complications, reduce hospital readmissions and enhance quality of life. Community nurses and other healthcare professionals are essential in supporting colostomy patients through individualised care. Their involvement ensures that patients receive appropriate preparation for life with a stoma and are adequately educated about their specific needs. This multidisciplinary approach fosters a comprehensive care environment, addressing both the physical and emotional aspects of living with a colostomy. By focusing on personalised care and life-long support, healthcare professionals can significantly improve patient outcomes and overall well-being.
Health and care lasting power of attorney: key features
Authors: Griffith Richard
Published: October 2024

In the first of a series of articles on decision-makers under the Mental Capacity Act 2005,Richard Griffith, Senior Lecturer in Health Law at Swansea University, considers lasting power of attorney and its impact
Partnership with Families of Students with Disabilities during the Coronavirus Pandemic: A Lesson Learned for the Future
Authors: Alshahrani Basmah F.
Published: October 2024

The global COVID-19 pandemic has changed human lives in myriad ways and one of its impacts has been the significant transition to distance learning that has occurred at all levels of education around the world. In this emerging system, teachers and parents have proved ill-equipped for the sudden changes involved, and a number of critical difficulties and issues pertaining to increased parental involvement have been exposed. Parents have been called upon to engage more effectively with the education of their children and to support them in various types and levels of distance learning. Parents have always formed a critical link between children and schools; however, alongside teachers, they have recently been required to assume new and unfamiliar roles and responsibilities, working together within an online educational environment. This study investigates the extent to which the transition to distance learning has affected the partnership between schools and families of students with disabilities. A qualitative research approach has been adopted, using semi-structured interviews with special education teachers. The findings are predominantly positive, with teachers believing that distance learning creates opportunities for developing stronger connections between schools and families, enabling more personalised communication, greater capacity and confidence within families, as well as opportunities for enhancing connections with the wider community.
Trump, the Prophetic Culture of Certitude, and the American Pentecostal-Charismatic Movement
Authors: Williams Joseph
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACT: While Donald Trump’s victory in the 2016 presidential election gave unprecedented visibility to “apostolic and prophetic” figures who accurately predicted the results, the “prophetic culture of certitude” that it reinforced was already well-established in the broader Pentecostal-Charismatic movement. Decades prior, leaders attuned to American therapeutic culture began experimenting with novel forms of “inner healing” predicated on hearing directly from God. Others couched divine revelations in gripping narrative forms. Additional voices utilized new technologies to inundate online audiences with prophetic insights. Once it became clear that predictions of Trump’s reelection in 2020 were wrong, the widespread entrenchment of the prophetic culture of certitude ensured that the faithful had numerous options available for addressing unfulfilled prophecies, including spiritualized explanations, predictions of Trump’s still-to-be-realized return to power, and admissions of fallibility. The differing explanations caused very real fissures among apostolic and prophetic ministries even as they underscored the prophetic culture of certitude’s staying power.
Examining Mass Prophetic Failure: The Trump Prophets and the 2020 Presidential Election
Authors: Wright Stuart A.
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACT: In the years and months leading up to the 2020 U.S. presidential election, more than fifty pro-Trump “prophets” linked to the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) movement openly predicted that Donald Trump would win a second term. Though these prophets based their claims on divine direction, the former president lost by more than seven million votes. The sheer size of this mass prophetic failure merits further study and analysis. Indeed, prophetic failure on the scale of the NAR pro-Trump prophets is unparalleled in the social science research literature on failed prophecy and begs new questions and opens up new avenues of inquiry. This article identifies factors and conditions that account for mass prophetic failure, assesses converging explanations for the wayward oracles, and tracks post-election denials and reactions by NAR prophets that led to the January 6 insurrection.
These Present Darknesses: Contemporary Demonology and the Conjuration of “Judeo-Christianity”
Authors: O’Donnell S. Jonathon
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACT: Among the central features of the spiritual warfare strategies of the New Apostolic Reformation were their focuses on territoriality and on the multiplicity of the demonic. Analyzing a cross-section of reactionary religious texts, the article wrestles with the legacy of NAR demonologies in American evangelicalism. By utilizing the multiplicity of the demonic as a lens for processing changes in politics and to link ideological and geopolitical territories, post-NAR demonology facilitates a spiritualized narrative of threat facing a monolithic and exclusionary vision of “Judeo-Christian civilization” or “the west.” Deviations from or challenges to this monolithic vision (e.g., by LGBT equality, Islam, and alleged government overreach) are seen as demonic—to be excised and exorcised to maintain or restore national identity and futurity.
Development and evaluation of a free-form-based optical antenna with enhanced channel performance
Authors: Peng Xing , Shen Xiao , Liao Rongjie
Published: October 2024

Optical receiving antennas play a pivotal role in enhancing the communication quality of visible light communication (VLC) systems. In this study, we propose an innovative optical receiving antenna based on free-form surfaces. Initially, the layout scheme for the LED array is meticulously optimized to ensure uniform indoor illumination. Subsequently, a three-piece integrated optical receiving antenna is designed using XY polynomial free-form surfaces with the primary objectives of amplifying the optical gain, augmenting the received power, and elevating the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). To further validate the efficacy of the proposed optical receiving antenna, an indoor VLC channel model is established, and its performance is rigorously analyzed. Experimental outcomes reveal that the mean square error of indoor illumination stands at 113.3 lx, the optical gain of the free-form optical receiving antenna reaches an impressive 11.29, the semiregular field of view spans 35.2°, the average received power amounts to 6.1251 dBm, the average SNR attains 84.7054 dB, and the radius of the optical spot is a mere 1.5 mm. Consequently, the optimized free-form optical receiving antenna can guarantee high-speed and stable communication within indoor VLC systems, thereby furnishing crucial technical support for the advancement of VLC communication technology.
Pattern formations and their active manipulation in a Rydberg noisy-dressed Bose–Einstein condensate
Authors: Shi Zeyun , Khazali Mohammadsadegh , Qin Lu , Zhou Yuan , Zhong Yu
Published: October 2024

We investigate the formation and manipulation of spatial patterns and their structural phase transitions by examining the effects of laser linewidth on the dynamics of Rydberg noise-dressed Bose–Einstein condensates (RnD BECs). We discover that the homogeneous matter wave can transition into various types of self-organized patterns, which are manipulated by tuning the laser linewidth, control field intensity, and atomic density. Remarkably, the system exhibits stable nonlocal matter-wave solitons, vortices, and soliton molecules under specific laser linewidths.
Evolution of sex differences in cooperation can be explained by trade-offs with dispersal
Authors: Capilla-Lasheras Pablo , Bircher Nina , Brown Antony M. , Harrison Xavier , Reed Thomas , York Jennifer E. , Cram Dominic L. , Rutz Christian , Walker Lindsay , Naguib Marc , Young Andrew J.
Published: October 2024

Explaining the evolution of sex differences in cooperation remains a major challenge. Comparative studies highlight that offspring of the more philopatric sex tend to be more cooperative within their family groups than those of the more dispersive sex but we do not understand why. The leading “Philopatry hypothesis” proposes that the more philopatric sex cooperates more because their higher likelihood of natal breeding increases the direct fitness benefits of natal cooperation. However, the “Dispersal trade-off hypothesis” proposes that the more dispersive sex cooperates less because preparations for dispersal, such as extra-territorial prospecting, trade-off against natal cooperation. Here, we test both hypotheses in cooperatively breeding white-browed sparrow weavers (Plocepasser mahali), using a novel high-resolution automated radio-tracking method. First, we show that males are the more dispersive sex (a rare reversal of the typical avian sex difference in dispersal) and that, consistent with the predictions of both hypotheses, females contribute substantially more than males to cooperative care while within the natal group. However, the Philopatry hypothesis cannot readily explain this female-biased cooperation, as females are not more likely than males to breed within their natal group. Instead, our radio-tracking findings support the Dispersal trade-off hypothesis: males conduct pre-dispersal extra-territorial prospecting forays at higher rates than females and prospecting appears to trade-off against natal cooperation. Our findings thus highlight that the evolution of sex differences in cooperation could be widely attributable to trade-offs between cooperation and dispersal; a potentially general explanation that does not demand that cooperation yields direct fitness benefits.
A scoping review of substance use brief interventions in Africa
Authors: Jaguga Florence , Kiburi Sarah Kanana , Temet Eunice , Aalsma Matthew C. , Ott Mary A. , Maina Rachel W. , Wachira Juddy , Mostert Cyprian , Kosgei Gilliane , Tenge Angeline , Atwoli Lukoye
Published: October 2024

Background

The burden of substance use in Africa is substantial. Brief interventions (BIs) are a recommended public health strategy for the prevention and early intervention for substance use problems. The objective of this scoping review was to map the literature on substance use BIs in Africa, identify gaps, and provide directions for future research.

Methods

The scoping review was guided by the Arksey O’Malley Framework and the PRISMA-Scoping review (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines. A search of five bibliographic databases (PubMed, PsychINFO, Web of Science, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Professionals (CINAHL) and Cochrane Library) was conducted from inception until 1st November 2023. BIs were defined as those targeting substance use and delivered over 1–4 sessions, or interventions delivered over more than four sessions if the authors referred to them as ‘brief’. Results of the review have been summarized descriptively and organized by three broad outcomes: BI effect and feasibility; feasibility and effectiveness of training providers to deliver BIs; Other outcomes i.e. cost-effectiveness, BI adaptation and development, and knowledge attitude and practice of BIs by providers.

Results

Of the 80 studies that were eligible for inclusion, 68 investigated the effect and feasibility of BIs, six studies investigated the feasibility and effectiveness of training providers to deliver BIs, and six explored other outcomes. Most of the available studies had been conducted in Eastern and Southern Africa. BIs were largely based on motivational interviewing and psychoeducational principles. Overall, the BIs were reported as feasible to implement from the perspective of policy makers, providers, and the intervention recipients. Findings on the effect of BIs on substance use were mixed. Key evidence gaps emerged. There was paucity of BI research focusing on substances other than alcohol, and there was limited literature on feasibility and efficacy of BIs among youth and adolescents.

Conclusion

The results of this scoping review provide important directions for future substance use BI research in Africa.
Mixed experiences with online learning among neurodiverse youth: Evidence from video recordings of a longitudinal study
Authors: Campos-Castillo Celeste , Atkinson Elise
Published: October 2024

Among those for whom there were heightened concerns regarding the pivot to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic were neurodiverse youth. Despite the preponderance of research into online learning during the pandemic, relatively few studies have directly observed the experiences of neurodiverse youth. We present findings from a longitudinal study in which we qualitatively analyzed using an idiographic approach the nearly 2,000 minutes of video recordings of 9 neurodiverse youth learning digital art design via the Zoom platform. The themes we developed from the patterns observed suggest how online learning may both enable and inhibit neurodiverse students’ syncing their communication with ongoing conversations with others, achieving intersubjectivity (shared understanding) with others, coping with frustration, and personal disclosures for building rapport with others. Notably, we observed evidence suggestive of benefits and detriments of online learning for each neurodiverse youth. We discuss implications for the design and implementation of online learning opportunities for neurodiverse youth.
Mutational analysis of cytoplasmic domain of integrin subunit alpha-1 and its association with periapical wound healing after surgical endodontic treatment
Authors: Ghazal Tuba , Ahmed Muhammad Adeel , Qazi Fazal-ur-Rehman , Haider Muhammad Mohsin , Naeem Sana , Jouhar Rizwan , Umer Muhammad Farooq , Faheemuddin Muhammad , Jasthi Veeriah Chowdary , Mughal Nouman
Published: October 2024

Background

Numerous studies reported that the healing after surgical endodontic retreatment is influenced by multiple factors which include the genetic profile of the patient, epigenetics, and immune responses. The genes which are primarily responsible for the healing potential in different individuals are those which are involved in the regulation of the cytoskeleton and cellular adhesion which subsequently affects bone deposition and healing. Integrins are cell-surface molecules, possess a key role in the cytoskeleton and cellular adhesion. Integrin Subunit Alpha 1 (ITGA1) is one among the integrin family and helps in regulating the Epidermal Growth Factor receptor (EGFR) pathway, consequently affects proliferation and healing. The objectives of the study were to identify mutations in the cytoplasmic domain of Integrin Subunit Alpha 1 (ITGA1), to assess the expression of activated EGFR, EGFRPhospho and TC-PTP in the periapical wound and to correlate these mutations and expression patterns with periapical wound healing.

Methods and findings

Thirty-seven patients between ages 18–60 years reported chronic apical periodontitis of single-rooted anterior teeth with periapical radiolucency, equal or greater than 4 mm or periapical lesion in an open apex of single-rooted teeth due to trauma were included in the study from 01st June 2018 till 31st October 2019. Patients with persistent radiolucency after primary root canal treatment and endodontic retreatment were kept on follow-up for 3–4 months surgical endodontic treatment was performed in cases with persistent periapical lesions of 4mm or more in diameter. Periapical lesion sample was collected and used for (1) histo-pathological analysis after Hematoxylin & Eosin staining, (2) total DNA extraction for ITGA1 cytoplasmic domain mutational analysis and immunohistochemistry for EGFR and TCPTP. A positive correlation was observed between the expression levels of EGFRPhospho and the healing of periapical lesions. Moreover, a negative weak correlation was observed between the expression levels of EGFR and TCPTP and the healing of periapical lesions. Out of nine sequences of cytoplasmic domain of ITGA1 which were analyzed, none of them was detected with SNP.

Conclusion

Higher expression levels of EGFRPhospho and lower expression levels of EGFR and TCPTP were associated with patients with good healing potential in periapical area. However, immunohistochemistry scores were statistically insignificant to draw any conclusion.
Perinatal interventions to prevent Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs): A scoping review
Authors: Kinsey Jane , La Charite Jaime , Russ Shirley , Schickedanz Adam
Published: October 2024

Background

Preventing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) is a public health priority, and the perinatal period is a sensitive life stage when preventive interventions could be particularly effective. Protecting and buffering pregnant persons and infants from exposure to adversity can optimize children’s development and health trajectories, reduce future morbidity and mortality, and even break intergenerational cycles of adversity, but no study has synthesized experimental evidence on effectiveness of interventions to address ACEs in the perinatal period.

Objectives

To (1) identify perinatal ACE prevention interventions, tested in high quality randomized control trials, with a dyadic perspective examining outcomes for mother and child; (2) describe their (a) place on the public health prevention continuum and (b) incorporation of life course characteristics that aim to optimize life health trajectories; and (3) determine which interventions show evidence of effectiveness.

Methods

We undertook a scoping review, using a modified PRISMA-Sc approach, of articles published in English between January 2000 and November 2023 identified through Psych info and PubMed using search terms for a broad range of adversities, with additional capture of articles from relevant reference lists. Interventions were included if they targeted an identified ACEs exposure or risk; were tested in randomized controlled trials (RCTs); reported outcome measures for both mother and child and were initiated during pregnancy. Interventions were further analyzed using the public health prevention continuum and Life Course Intervention Research (LCIR) characteristics frameworks. A two-tailed t test was used to ascertain the association between LCIR characteristics, and the outcomes achieved.

Results

Of 2148 articles identified, 57 were in scope for detailed analysis, yielding 53 unique interventions. Overall, 42 (74%) reported some positive impact; 37 (65%) for mothers; 37 (65%) for the child, and 32 (56%) for both. Interventions with the strongest evidence based on study quality and reported outcomes were co-parenting programs designed to improve the quality and function of the co-parenting relationship, home visiting interventions, and integrative health interventions incorporating baby massage and/or yoga. Half of effective interventions were secondary prevention focused. The mean number of life course characteristics was significantly higher in the studies that reported a positive impact on the mother and/or child (p = 0.003).

Conclusions

Few studies specifically addressed ACEs as a defined set of adversities, yet a range of perinatal interventions showed positive impacts on individual ACE risks or exposures. Intentional incorporation of life course characteristics and bundling of evidence-based components into comprehensive perinatal interventions hold promise for future ACEs prevention.
NIDS-FGPA: A federated learning network intrusion detection algorithm based on secure aggregation of gradient similarity models
Authors: Wang JiaMing , Yang Kai , Li MinJing
Published: October 2024

With the rapid development of Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), network security issues have become increasingly severe, making intrusion detection one of the key technologies for ensuring IIoT security. However, existing intrusion detection systems face challenges such as incomplete data features, missing labels, parameter leakage, and high communication overhead. To address these challenges, this paper proposes a federated learning-based intrusion detection algorithm (NIDS-FGPA) that utilizes gradient similarity model aggregation. This algorithm leverages a federated learning architecture and combines it with Paillier homomorphic encryption technology to ensure the security of the training process. Additionally, the paper introduces the Gradient Similarity Model Aggregation (GSA) algorithm, which dynamically selects and weights updates from different models to reduce communication overhead. Finally, the paper designs a deep learning model based on two-dimensional convolutional neural networks and bidirectional gated recurrent units (2DCNN-BIGRU) to handle incomplete data features and missing labels in network traffic data. Experimental validation on the Edge-IIoTset and CIC IoT 2023 datasets achieves accuracies of 94.5% and 99.2%, respectively. The results demonstrate that the NIDS-FGPA model possesses the ability to identify and capture complex network attacks, significantly enhancing the overall security of the network.
Histology of the internal reproductive organs of the female Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx)
Authors: Rodriguez-Sosa Jose R. , Plochocki Jeffrey , Ruiz Saul , Valdez Dominik , Townsend K. E. Beth
Published: October 2024

The Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx) is an antelope that is considered a “vulnerable” species. Lack of knowledge on the structure of its reproductive organs hinders the development of strategies to improve its reproduction. There is only one report on the gross anatomy of the female reproductive organs. With the aim of describing their microanatomy, the ovaries, uterine tubes, uterus, and vagina were collected at necropsy of an adult female oryx. Samples from each organ were analyzed with H&E staining and light microscopy. The squamous to cuboidal germinal epithelium covers the dense tunica albuginea of the ovaries, which encloses the cortex. This merges smoothly with the medulla. The cortex embeds follicles at several stages of development. A rich bed of blood vessels is present in the medulla, especially at the hilum. The uterine tubes are comprised of a serosa, muscularis, and mucosa. The muscularis is constituted of circular smooth muscle covered by a thin layer of longitudinal fibers. The mucosa has longitudinal folds lined by a pseudostratified epithelium with ciliated cells. The uterine horns are constituted of a serosa, muscularis, and mucosa. The muscularis contains an inner circular layer of smooth muscle and an outer longitudinal one. Simple coiled glands are present at the base of the mucosa. From this, highly cellular projections (caruncles) are present, lined by a by a simple columnar epithelium. The cervix contains four dense rings, and its mucosa is lined by longitudinal folds of a simple columnar epithelium, with ciliated cells. Numerous glands are located in the lamina propria and contain simple cuboidal to columnar epithelium. The vaginal wall was made of a serosa, muscularis, and mucosa. The mucosa is made of stratified squamous epithelium non-keratinized. In summary, the histology of the internal reproductive organs of the oryx is like the one of other ruminants.
Selection of primary health care quality indicators in Europe: A Delphi study protocol
Authors: Lobo Mariana , Pinto Andreia , Conceição Glória , Escadas Sara , de Medeiros Adriane Mesquita , Dias Bruna , Sousa Pinto Marta , Pinto Emília , Ramalho André , Pereira António , Gonçalves Pinho Manuel , Castro Pedro , Pinheiro Vera , Santos Paulo , Santos João Vasco , Freitas Alberto
Published: October 2024

Objective

To describe a protocol to achieve consensus on valid and important indicators to assess primary health care (PHC) quality regarding all clinical contexts of PHC in European health systems.

Study design

Qualitative study using the Delphi technique to gain consensus among European panels of experts comprising a heterogeneous professional background.

Methods

Potential candidate indicators were extracted and translated according to a set of informative elements (i.e., name, description, formula, unit of analysis, and sources). This list was then independently reviewed, and duplicates were removed totaling 1726 indicators. To guarantee a good response rate, indicators were distributed across 57 Delphi panels organized by clinical context. Each panel is a Delphi process, assessing between 23 to 33 indicators. Experts’ opinions on the validity and importance of the extracted indicators will be obtained through two rounds of online questionnaires, using a 9-point Likert scale and free-text boxes. To prevent biased responses, participation will be anonymous to other participants and to the team administrating panels. Consensus will be considered if at least 70% of ratings (≥7 assuming 10 participants) lie within the 7–9 range and less than 15% of ratings (<2 assuming 10 participants) are in the 1–3 range. Analysis of results will be streamlined and generalizable across panels using scripts.

Conclusions

This protocol will contribute to improve the quality of PHC in Europe by achieving a consensual and concise list of PHC quality indicators retrieved from the scientific literature that fit current clinical guidelines and populations’ needs in countries from the European region according to the World Health Organization.
Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells toxicity and allergy effects: In vivo assessment
Authors: Cheng Wu Dong , Bin Luo , Lin Zuo Xia , Yu Ding , Xiang Ding Ke , Lo Samantha , Ravichandran Manickam , Kong Tham Seng
Published: October 2024

Objective

Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs) hold significant promise across various clinical applications. Therefore, regulatory requirements necessitate a thorough investigation of the hUCMSCs safety before clinical trials and potential allergic reactions after transplantation.

Methods

Abnormal toxicity test employed mice and guinea pigs dosed daily at 0.5×106 cells and 5×106 cells, respectively for 7 days. Acute toxicity test employed low, medium, and high doses of hUCMSCs injected into mice once, followed by observations for 23 days. In systemic allergy test, guinea pigs received low and high dose of hUCMSCs, with sensitization and excitation stages at day 14 and 21, respectively.

Results

The abnormal toxicity test of hUCMSC injections revealed no abnormal reactions over a seven-day observation period, indicating the safety of this administration route. In acute toxicity studies, the high-dose hUCMSCs group resulted in fatalities due to pulmonary embolism. Conversely, the low-dose group exhibited no toxic reactions or deaths. The maximum tolerated dose was determined to be >2×107 cells/kg. Systemic active allergy test showed that high doses of hUCMSC intravenous injections did not induce allergic reactions.

Conclusion

This research affirms hUCMSC injections meet safety standards for clinical cell therapy, emphasizing their safe and promising clinical utility.
Demonstration of physicochemical and functional similarity between Stimufend (pegfilgrastim-fpgk) and Neulasta (pegfilgrastim): A comparative analytical assessment
Authors: Sykes Alison , Ingram Louise , Kronthaler Ulrich , Chevalet Laurent
Published: October 2024

Background

Pegfilgrastim is a long-acting recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor biologic that is indicated to reduce the incidence of infections, manifested by febrile neutropenia, in patients receiving myelosuppressive anti-cancer drugs and to increase survival in patients acutely exposed to myelosuppressive doses of radiation. Due to the high cost of biologic therapy and the scarcity of biosimilar alternatives, there is an unmet medical need for targeted biologics.

Objective

This comparative analytical investigation aimed to confirm the similarity of biosimilar Stimufend® (pegfilgrastim-fpgk) to reference product Neulasta® (pegfilgrastim).

Methods

The analysis was designed using state-of-the-art orthogonal techniques and side-by-side testing to compare the physicochemical and biological properties of these two products. The measured quality attributes included the primary structure and higher order structure of the molecule, purity/impurity profiles, product variants, process-related impurities, composition, content, and biological activity. The statistical analysis was based on risk ranking of the critical quality attributes (very low, low, moderate, high, very high), and scientific considerations in combination with the characteristics of the assay (sensitivity, selectivity, and variability). In addition, non-quantitative parameters were compared using a descriptive assessment of the product profile. Analytical similarity was concluded by quality attributes falling within the defined range of the originator product.

Results

The results of this study confirm that Stimufend® is biosimilar to Neulasta® for all measured quality attributes. There are no clinically significant differences between Stimufend® and Neulasta®, which was confirmed by the marketing approval for Stimufend® by the Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency.

Conclusion

The findings of this study provide robust evidence supporting the structural and functional biosimilarity between Stimufend® and Neulasta®.
Multicentric study on the reproducibility and robustness of PET-based radiomics features with a realistic activity painting phantom
Authors: Kallos-Balogh Piroska , Vas Norman Felix , Toth Zoltan , Szakall Szabolcs , Szabo Peter , Garai Ildiko , Kepes Zita , Forgacs Attila , Szatmáriné Egeresi Lilla , Magnus Dahlbom , Balkay Laszlo
Published: October 2024

Previously, we developed an "activity painting" tool for PET image simulation; however, it could simulate heterogeneous patterns only in the air. We aimed to improve this phantom technique to simulate arbitrary lesions in a radioactive background to perform relevant multi-center radiomic analysis. We conducted measurements moving a 22Na point source in a 20-liter background volume filled with 5 kBq/mL activity with an adequately controlled robotic system to prevent the surge of the water. Three different lesion patterns were "activity-painted" in five PET/CT cameras, resulting in 8 different reconstructions. We calculated 46 radiomic indeces (RI) for each lesion and imaging setting, applying absolute and relative discretization. Reproducibility and reliability were determined by the inter-setting coefficient of variation (CV) and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Hypothesis tests were used to compare RI between lesions. By simulating precisely the same lesions, we confirmed that the reconstructed voxel size and the spatial resolution of different PET cameras were critical for higher order RI. Considering conventional RIs, the SUVpeak and SUVmean proved the most reliable (CV<10%). CVs above 25% are more common for higher order RIs, but we also found that low CVs do not necessarily imply robust parameters but often rather insensitive RIs. Based on the hypothesis test, most RIs could clearly distinguish between the various lesions using absolute resampling. ICC analysis also revealed that most RIs were more reproducible with absolute discretization. The activity painting method in a real radioactive environment proved suitable for precisely detecting the radiomic differences derived from the different camera settings and texture characteristics. We also found that inter-setting CV is not an appropriate metric for analyzing RI parameters’ reliability and robustness. Although multicentric cohorts are increasingly common in radiomics analysis, realistic texture phantoms can provide indispensable information on the sensitivity of an RI and how an individual RI parameter measures the texture.
Informing climate-health adaptation options through mapping the needs and potential for integrated climate-driven early warning forecasting systems in South Asia—A scoping review
Authors: Asaaga Festus A. , Tomude Emmanuel S. , Rickards Nathan J. , Hassall Richard , Sarkar Sunita , Purse Bethan V.
Published: October 2024

Background

Climate change is widely recognised to threaten human health, wellbeing and livelihoods, including through its effects on the emergence, spread and burdens of climate–and water-sensitive infectious diseases. However, the scale and mechanisms of the impacts are uncertain and it is unclear whether existing forecasting capacities will foster successful local-level adaptation planning, particularly in climate vulnerable regions in developing countries. The purpose of this scoping review was to characterise and map priority climate- and water-sensitive diseases, map existing forecasting and surveillance systems in climate and health sectors and scope out the needs and potential to develop integrated climate-driven early warning forecasting systems for long-term adaptation planning and interventions in the south Asia region.

Methods

We searched Web of Science Core Collection, Scopus and PubMed using title, abstract and keywords only for papers focussing on climate-and water-sensitive diseases and explicit mention of either forecasting or surveillance systems in south Asia. We conducted further internet search of relevant national climate adaptation plans and health policies affecting disease management. We identified 187 studies reporting on climate-sensitive diseases and information systems in the south Asia context published between 1992 and 2024.

Results

We found very few robust, evidenced-based forecasting systems for climate- and water- sensitive infectious diseases, which suggests limited operationalisation of decision-support tools that could inform actions to reduce disease burdens in the region. Many of the information systems platforms identified focussed on climate-sensitive vector-borne disease systems, with limited tools for water-sensitive diseases. This reveals an opportunity to develop tools for these neglected disease groups. Of the 34 operational platforms identified across the focal countries, only 13 (representing 38.2%) are freely available online and all were developed and implemented by the human health sector. Tools are needed for other south Asian countries (Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bhutan) where the risks of infectious diseases are predicted to increase substantially due to climate change, drought and shifts in human demography and use of ecosystems.

Conclusion

Altogether, the findings highlight clear opportunities to invest in the co-development and implementation of contextually relevant climate-driven early warning tools and research priorities for disease control and adaptation planning.
A multi-site cross-sectional study on the burden of SARS-CoV-2 in healthcare workers in Madagascar
Authors: Abrokwa Seth Kofi , Ravaoarisoa Lantonirina , Briesemeister Veronica , Andrianasolo Radonirina Lazasoa , Andrianarivelo Andry Maharo , Müller Sophie Alice , Randriamanantany Zely Arivelo , Bernasconi Andrea , Weiss Sabrina
Published: October 2024

The prevalence of infections and risk factors that go along with them give insights into the burden of disease and effectiveness of infection prevention and control strategies. In this study we investigated the burden of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and associated epidemiological factors in three regions of Madagascar among healthcare workers. Between May and June 2021, we conducted a multi-site cross-sectional study among healthcare workers in eight University Hospital Centers, during the local second wave and before the coronavirus disease 2019 vaccination campaign in three regional capitals of Madagascar. We collected demographic information and relevant SARS-CoV-2 exposure history and tested for both immunoglobulin G antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and active SARS-CoV-2 infection using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. A total of 1006 healthcare workers enrolled in the study out of which 53.8% tested positive for either acute infection or SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Approximately 50% of the participants reported receiving inadequate training on SARS-CoV-2 and associated infection prevention and control measures, inadequate supply of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and discomfort when using available PPE. Prevalence of acute infection was 3.4% without statistically significant variation in the different regions or health facilities as well as the different profession groups and units of work. Average seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies was 52.0%, varying between 47.8% and 53.3% across the different regions. No significant difference was observed for region, gender, profession, and different risk groups. Predictive multivariable model showed significant association between seropositivity and healthcare facility and age (p<0.05). Our results revealed high infection rate of SARS-CoV-2 in HCWs in all three selected regions of Madagascar. The high disease burden identified in the study population might characterize the extent of high undocumented infection rates in HCWs in other regions of Madagascar.
Towards a task to assess boredom-like states in pigs–Stimulus validation as a basis
Authors: Hintze Sara , Heigl Heidi , Winckler Christoph
Published: October 2024

Animal boredom is a potentially prevalent, but underresearched animal welfare concern. To study the characteristics of boredom and its welfare consequences, we need to be sure that animals are actually bored and do not suffer from other negatively valenced states like apathy and depression. Animals’ responses towards stimuli of different valence (positive, ambiguous, negative) have been suggested to help differentiating between these states. Apathetic animals are hypothesised to show a decreased interest in stimuli of all valences, whereas depressed animals are thought to be less interested in positive stimuli only, due to anhedonia, a key symptom of depression. In contrast, bored animals are hypothesised to show an increased interest in all types of stimuli, including negative ones. To ensure that the applied stimuli are indeed judged as positive, ambiguous or negative by the animals, we aimed to validate the valence of a range of stimuli in domesticated pigs, a species commonly kept under barren and monotonous conditions likely to induce boredom, as a basis for developing a task to distinguish between different negative states. Applying a within-subject design, 39 pigs (20 weaned piglets, 19 gilts) were individually exposed to twelve stimuli pre-classified as positive, ambiguous or negative in an approach-avoidance paradigm. The effects of stimulus, age (piglet, gilt) and their interaction on various approach and avoidance measures were analysed. Stimulus had a statistically significant effect on all measures and the observed pattern was according to pre-classification for many stimuli, but not all, resulting in a re-classification of the valence of five stimuli. The significant interaction between stimulus and age for some outcome measures indicates that age differences should be considered. Our study paves the ground for the selection of stimuli as well as outcome measures of future tasks aiming to differentiate between boredom, depression and apathy in pigs.
COVID-19 and self-reported health of the Norwegian adult general population: A longitudinal study 3 months before and 9 months into the pandemic
Authors: Garratt Andrew M. , Stavem Knut
Published: October 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic had a global impact on daily lives, and this study aimed to assess the effects on broader aspects of health in the general population of Norway. This population-based cohort study assessed changes in health of the Norwegian general population from 3 months before to 9 months during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sampling was based on the results of Norwegian surveys designed for collecting general population norms for health measurement instruments. In December 2019, 12,790 randomly selected adults aged ≥18 years received a postal questionnaire. The 3,200 respondents received a similar follow-up postal questionnaire including the EQ-5D-5L, PROMIS-29 instruments, and questions about respondents having or having had COVID-19. Score changes were compared to estimates for the minimal important change (MIC) and age-related change. Association of instrument change scores with baseline characteristics, health problems, and having had COVID-19 was determined using multivariable linear regression. Of 3101 respondents with unchanged addresses, 2423 (78.1%) responded to the second survey. For all respondents, EQ VAS and PROMIS-29 scores for 6 of 8 domains were slightly poorer (p<0.01) than before COVID-19, and the mean change was below the MIC. In multivariable analyses, the greatest number of poorer outcomes were associated with being female, 18–29 years, or ≥80 years of age (p<0.01); > MIC for ≥ 80 years of age and EQ-5D index, PROMIS-29 physical function and social participation. Respondents who had COVID-19 had poorer outcomes for PROMIS-29 social participation (> MIC). Those reporting COVID-19 in their partner/family and not themselves, had poorer outcomes for PROMIS-29 anxiety and social participation. About 9 months into the COVID-19 pandemic, EQ-5D-5L and PROMIS-29 domain scores showed slightly poorer health in the Norwegian adult general population compared to 1 year earlier in the same respondents. The overall changes were less than expected for age-related change. Relatively poor outcomes defined as important, included general health and social participation for the elderly, and the latter for those having had COVID-19. In conclusion, this study found no evidence for a decline in important aspects of adult general population health in Norway that might be attributed to the pandemic at approximately 9 months.