bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficacy and safety of HIMABERB® Berberine on glycemic control in patients with prediabetes: double-blind, placebo-controlled, and randomized pilot trial
Authors: Panigrahi Antarmayee , Mohanty Susant
Published: September 2023

Background

Prediabetes and diabetes involve alterations in glucose homeostasis, including increased fasting blood glucose and impaired glucose tolerance. Berberine has been identified as a potential regulator of glucose homeostasis with implications on the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Given a paucity of data on berberine in prediabetes, evaluation of its effect in individuals with prediabetes may prove clinically valuable.

Objective

The present pilot study aimed to investigate the effect of daily oral berberine on markers of glycemic control and insulin resistance among individuals with prediabetes.

Methods

A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial was conducted for 12 weeks among 34 individuals with prediabetes as defined by the American Diabetes Association (fasting plasma glucose (FPG) between 5.6 and 6.9 mmol/L, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) between 5.7% and 6.4%, or 2-hour 75-gram oral glucose tolerance test (2 h-OGTT) between 7.8 and 11.1 mmol/L). HIMABERB® 500 mg was given three times daily to the treatment group, and placebo was administered three times daily to the control group. Glycemic control markers and physical parameters were evaluated for both groups on days 0, 28, 56, and 84. The glycemic control markers assessed included FPG, fasting insulin (FI), 2 h-OGTT, HbA1c, and homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). The observed outcomes were analyzed using independent t-test statistics to determine the significance of differences over time after treatment initiation and between treatment and control groups.

Results

Significant decreases in all markers of glycemic control were observed in the treatment group at intermediate time points and the endpoint of the study compared to baseline levels and to the control group. For the treatment group, FPG decreased from 6.75 ± 0.23 mmol/L to 5.33 ± 0.28 mmol/L, FI from 9.81 ± 0.36 to 7.88 ± 0.52 mmol/L, 2 h-OGTT from 10.44 ± 0.52 to 8.12 ± 0.40 mmol/L, HbA1c from 6.40% ± 0.20–5.43% ± 0.21%, and HOMA-IR from 3.61 ± 0.31 to 2.41 ± 0.14. The decreases in glycemic control markers compared to the control group were clinically and statistically significant (p<10− 5). No severe adverse effects, kidney or liver toxicity were detected.

Conclusion

After 12 weeks, berberine (HIMABERB®) intervention in individuals with prediabetes significantly reduced glycemic control markers, with mean FPG and 2 h-OTGG being reduced to below prediabetic thresholds, supporting the investigation of the use of HIMABERB® for delaying progression to diabetes mellitus.

Trial registration

http://ctri.nic.in(CTRI/2021/12/038751) (20/12/2021).
What are the chances? Clinician scientist` career pathways in Germany
Authors: Hendriks Barbara , Reinhart Martin
Published: September 2023

Background

Germany faces a lack of clinician scientists. This problem is widely acknowledged, not just in Germany, as clinician scientists are crucial for medical translation and innovation: trained in medical practice and research they are capable of translating scientific problems into clinical application and vice versa, clinical problems into research. The implementation of nationwide clinician scientist programs (CSPs) in Germany is supposed to solve the lack of trained clinician scientists and, as consequence, to improve the translational relationship between biomedical research and clinical practice. Against the backdrop of an increasing number of CSPs, our study provides early insights into their effectiveness with a focus on what it means to become a clinician scientist and to establish a subsequent career path as a clinician scientist in Germany.

Methods

During a research project that was conducted from 2020 to 2023 and funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, we studied thirteen CSPs. We developed a qualitative questionnaire and interviewed 36 clinician scientists in training, their program supervisors, as well as policy stakeholders. The goal of the interviews was to identify the key obstacles in establishing a career path for clinician scientists in Germany.

Results

We found three types of challenges for establishing and ensuring long term career paths for clinician scientists: First, local working conditions need to allow for clinician scientists to create and perform tasks that combine research, teaching, patient care and translation synergistically. Protection from the urgency of patient care and from metrics-based performance measures both in the clinic and in research seem key here. Second, a stable career path requires new target positions besides clinic management and senior residency. Third, there is a need for cultural change within university medicine that recognizes and rewards new translation-focused practices.

Conclusion

We find that CSPs improve working conditions for the duration of the program and provide protected time for doing research. After the programs, however, the career paths remain unstable, mainly due to a lack of target positions for clinician scientists. CSPs support the initial development of the clinician scientist’ role, but not in a sustainable way, because the separation of research and patient care is stabilized on an institutional and systemic level. The tasks clinician scientists perform in research remain separate from patient care and teaching, thus, limiting their translational potential. In order to remain a clinician scientist within this differentiated system of university medicine, clinician scientists have to do a significant amount of extra work.
Implications of internationalisation of medical education
Authors: Wijnen-Meijer Marjo
Published: September 2023

Internationalisation of medical education encompasses the integration of global dimensions and intercultural experiences into medical practices. This process is planned to prepare globally conscious, culturally competent medical workforce that can efficiently address international health challenges. This article describes the impact of internationalisation of medical education on students, teachers and patients.
Factors protecting Swiss nurses’ health during the COVID-19 pandemic: a longitudinal study
Authors: Jubin Jonathan , Delmas Philippe , Gilles Ingrid , Oulevey Bachmann Annie , Ortoleva Bucher Claudia
Published: September 2023

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic reached Europe in early 2020 and impacted nurses over a prolonged period, notably causing heavy work overloads. Exposure to sources of stress in such situations is inevitable, which can put nurses’ health at risk. The present study took a salutogenic approach to investigating nurses’ health and the principal factors protecting it found in the literature (i.e., resilience, post-traumatic growth, social support, and certain organizational factors), as well as how those elements evolved from February 2021 to September 2022.

Methods

All nurses working at eight French-speaking Swiss hospitals who accepted to disseminate the study to their employees were invited to complete an online questionnaire at four time points (February 2021, September 2021, March 2022, and September 2022: T0, T1, T2, and T3, respectively) and respond to items measuring their health, factors protecting their health, and their perceived stress levels. Data were analyzed using random-intercept linear regression models.

Results

A cumulated total of 1013 responses were collected over all measurement points (625 responses at T0; 153 at T1; 146 at T2; 89 at T3). Results revealed that nurses’ health had not changed significantly between measurements. However, their perceived stress levels, feelings of being supported by their management hierarchies, and belief that they had the means to deliver a high quality of work all diminished. At every measurement point, nurses’ health was negatively associated with perceived stress and positively associated with resilience, perceived social support, and the belief that they were provided with the means to deliver a high quality of work.

Conclusion

Despite the difficult conditions caused by the pandemic, the factors recognized as protective of nurses’ health played their role. The lack of improvements in nurses’ health in periods when the pandemic’s effects lessened suggests that the pressure they were experiencing did not drop during these moments. This phenomenon may have been due to the need to clear backlogs in scheduled surgery and the work overloads caused by prolonged staff absences and nurses quitting the profession. Monitoring changes in nurses’ health is thus crucial, as is establishing measures that promote factors protective of their health. Organizational factors influencing nurses’ working conditions are also key and should not be neglected.
Protocol: identifying policy, system, and environment change interventions to enhance availability of blood for transfusion in Kenya, a mixed-methods study
Authors: Munoz-Valencia Alejandro , Aridi Jackline O. , Barnes Linda S. , Rudd Kristina E. , Bidanda Bopaya , Epuu Tonny , Kamu Robert , Kivuli Tecla , Macleod Jana , Makanga Cindy M. , Makin Jennifer , Mate Muthoni , Muiru Carolyne Njoki , Murithi Gatwiri , Musa Abdirahaman , Nyagol Hellen , Ochieng Kevin , Rajgopal Jayant , Raykar Nakul P. , Tian Yiqi , Yazer Mark H. , Zeng Bo , Olayo Bernard , Kumar Pratap , Puyana Juan Carlos
Published: September 2023

Background

Safe blood is essential for the care of patients with life-threatening anemia and hemorrhage. Low blood donation rates, inefficient testing procedures, and other supply chain disruptions in blood administration affect patients in low-resource settings across Sub-Saharan countries, including Kenya. Most efforts to improve access to transfusion have been unidimensional, usually focusing on only point along the blood system continuum, and have excluded community stakeholders from early stages of intervention development. Context-appropriate interventions to improve the availability of safe blood at the point of use in low-resource settings are of paramount importance. Thus, this protocol proposes a multifaceted approach to characterize the Kenyan blood supply chain through quantitative and qualitative analyses as well as an industrial engineering approach.

Methods

This study will use a mixed-methods approach in addition to engineering process mapping, modeling and simulation of blood availability in Kenya. It will be guided by a multidimensional three-by-three-by-three matrix: three socioeconomic settings, three components of the blood system continuum, and three levels of urgency of blood transfusion. Qualitative data collection includes one-on-one interviews and focus group discussions with stakeholders across the continuum to characterize ground-level deficits and potential policy, systems, and environment (PSE) interventions. Prospectively-collected quantitative data will be used to estimate blood collection and transfusion of blood. We will create a process map of the blood system continuum to model the response to PSE changes proposed by stakeholders. Lastly, we will identify those PSE changes that may have the greatest impact on blood transfusion availability, accounting for differences across socioeconomic settings and levels of urgency.

Discussion

Identifying and prioritizing community-driven interventions to improve blood supply in low-resource settings are of utmost importance. Varied constraints in blood collection, processing, delivery, and use make each socioeconomic setting unique. Using a multifaceted approach to understand the Kenyan blood supply and model the response to stakeholder-proposed PSE changes may lead to identification of contextually appropriate intervention targets to meet the transfusion needs of the population.
A case report of spontaneous pectoral hematoma in a male with background antiplatelet therapy after severe COVID-19 infection
Authors: Tang Hao , Yan Yan
Published: September 2023

Background

Spontaneous muscle hematoma is a rare complication in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. We present a case of spontaneous pectoral hematoma occurring after COVID-19 infection and anticoagulation therapy.

Case presentation

A 69-year-old male presented to the hospital with a two-week history of shortness of breath and a one-week history of high fever. Despite testing positive for COVID-19, the patient’s symptoms did not improve with two doses of ritonavir-boosted nirmatrelvir (Paxlovid). A chest CT scan revealed pulmonary infection and SpO2 tested between 80% and 85% at rest in local hospital. The patient transferred to our intensive care unit, then received multiple treatments, including high flow nasal oxygen (HFNO), antibiotics, methylprednisolone, IL-6 receptor antagonist monoclonal antibody (tocilizumab), and an increased D-Dimer level leaded to intermediate dose of anticoagulation therapy. However, on the 10th day of hospitalization, the patient developed a hematoma in the left pectoralis major muscle. This was accompanied by hemorrhagic shock, necessitating the administration of norepinephrine, fluid resuscitation, and a blood transfusion. Arterial embolization was performed to manage the bleeding, resulting in stabilization of the patient’s condition. Following discharge, the patient experienced an uneventful recovery over a period of six months.

Conclusions

Severe COVID-19 patients undergoing routine therapeutic anticoagulation may experience fatal bleeding complications. The ideal dosage of anticoagulants for these patients remains uncertain, especially in the patient with a background of anticoagulation or dual antiplatelet therapy. We present a case of spontaneous muscle hematoma accompanied by hemorrhagic shock. The notable reduction in hemoglobin levels indicated significant bleeding, which was confirmed through contrast angiography and cured by arterial embolization. This case underscores the importance of additional research to determine the appropriate utilization of therapeutic anticoagulation in severe COVID-19 patients already undergoing antithrombotic therapy.
First report of bovine viral diarrhea virus subgenotypes 1d and 1e in southern Chile
Authors: Hugues Florence , Cabezas Ignacio , Garigliany Mutien , Rivas Felipe , Casanova Tomás , González Eddy E. , Sánchez Oliberto , Castillo Raúl , Parra Natalie C. , Inostroza-Michael Oscar , Moreno Lucila , Hernández Cristián E. , Toledo Jorge R.
Published: September 2023

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) affects cattle worldwide causing severe productive and economic loss. In this study, we investigated the subgenotypes of BVDV circulating in cattle samples from the Aysén region, an active cattle breeding area located in southern Chile. Partial amplification of the 5' untranslated region (UTR) was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and twelve samples were analyzed by Sanger sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. Eight samples were identified as belonging to Pestivirus bovis subgenotype 1e, three to 1-b, and one to 1-d. The phylogenetic analyses performed revealed a marked distance between these now-identified strains and those previously reported in the country. These findings support the need to continually expand the analysis of the variability of the viral phylogeny for the currently circulating BVDV strains and to update the vaccines recommended for this livestock area and surrounding areas.
Anatomical landmarks for ankle block
Authors: Nimana K. V. H. , Senevirathne A. M. D. S. R. U. , Pirannavan R. , Fernando M. P. S. , Liyanage U. A. , Salvin K. A. , Malalasekera A. P. , Mathangasinghe Y. , Anthony D. J.
Published: September 2023

We aimed to describe anatomical landmarks to accurately locate the five nerves that are infiltrated to accomplish anaesthesia of the foot in an ankle block. Twenty-four formaldehyde-fixed cadaveric ankles were studied. Photographs of cross sections of the frozen legs, cut at a horizontal plane across the most prominent points of the medial and lateral malleoli, were analysed. The curvilinear distance from the most prominent point of the closest malleolus to each of the five cutaneous nerves and their depth from the skin surface were measured. Sural, tibial, deep peroneal, saphenous and medial dorsal cutaneous nerves were located 5.2 ± 1.3, 9.2 ± 2.4, 7.4 ± 1.9, 2.8 ± 1.1, 2.1 ± 0.6 mm deep to the skin surface. The curvilinear distances from the medial malleolus to the tibial, deep peroneal and saphenous nerves were 32.5 ± 8.9, 62.8 ± 11.1 and 24.4 ± 7.9 mm, respectively. The curvilinear distances from the lateral malleolus to the sural and medial dorsal cutaneous branches of superficial peroneal nerves were 27.9 ± 6.3 and 52.7 ± 7.3 mm, respectively. The deep peroneal nerve was found between the tendons of the extensor hallucis longus and the extensor digitorum longus in the majority of specimens, while the medial dorsal cutaneous nerve was almost exclusively found on the extensor digitorum longus tendon. The sural and tibial nerves were located around halfway between the most prominent point of the relevant malleolus and the posterior border of the Achilles tendon. In conclusion, this study describes easily identifiable, palpable bony and soft tissue landmarks that could be used to locate the nerves around the ankle.
ILC1-derived IFN-γ regulates macrophage activation in colon cancer
Authors: Zhang Yandong , Ma Shu , Li Tie , Tian Yu , Zhou Huangao , Wang Hongsheng , Huang Lan
Published: September 2023

Background

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are an important subset of innate immune cells in the tumor microenvironment, and they are pivotal regulators of tumor-promoting inflammation and tumor progression. Evidence has proven that TAM numbers are substantially increased in cancers, and most of these TAMs are polarized toward the alternatively activated M2 phenotype; Thus, these TAMs strongly promote the progression of cancer diseases. Type 1 innate lymphocytes (ILC1s) are present in high numbers in intestinal tissues and are characterized by the expression of the transcription factor T-bet and the secretion of interferon (IFN)-γ, which can promote macrophages to polarize toward the classically activated antitumor M1 phenotype. However, the relationship between these two cell subsets in colon cancer remains unclear.

Methods

Flow cytometry was used to determine the percentages of M1-like macrophages, M2-like macrophages and ILC1s in colon cancer tissues and paracancerous healthy colon tissues in the AOM/DSS-induced mouse model of colon cancer. Furthermore, ILC1s were isolated and bone marrow-derived macrophages were generated to analyze the crosstalk that occurred between these cells when cocultured in vitro. Moreover, ILC1s were adoptively transferred or inhibited in vivo to explore the effects of ILC1s on tumor-infiltrating macrophages and tumor growth.

Results

We found that the percentages of M1-like macrophages and ILC1s were decreased in colon cancer tissues, and these populations were positively correlated. ILC1s promoted the polarization of macrophages toward the classically activated M1-like phenotype in vitro, and this effect could be blocked by an anti-IFN-γ antibody. The in vivo results showed that the administration of the Group 1 innate lymphocyte-blocking anti-NK1.1 antibody decreased the number of M1-like macrophages in the tumor tissues of MC38 tumor-bearing mice and promoted tumor growth, and adoptive transfer of ILC1s inhibited tumors and increased the percentage of M1-like macrophages in MC38 tumor-bearing mice.

Conclusions

Our studies preliminarily prove for the first time that ILC1s promote the activation of M1-like macrophages by secreting IFN-γ and inhibit the progression of colon cancer, which may provide insight into immunotherapeutic approaches for colon cancer.
Functional characterization of fungal lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases for cellulose surface oxidation
Authors: Mathieu Yann , Raji Olanrewaju , Bellemare Annie , Di Falco Marcos , Nguyen Thi Truc Minh , Viborg Alexander Holm , Tsang Adrian , Master Emma , Brumer Harry
Published: September 2023

Background

Microbial lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) cleave diverse biomass polysaccharides, including cellulose and hemicelluloses, by initial oxidation at C1 or C4 of glycan chains. Within the Carbohydrate-Active Enzymes (CAZy) classification, Auxiliary Activity Family 9 (AA9) comprises the first and largest group of fungal LPMOs, which are often also found in tandem with non-catalytic carbohydrate-binding modules (CBMs). LPMOs originally attracted attention for their ability to potentiate complete biomass deconstruction to monosaccharides. More recently, LPMOs have been applied for selective surface modification of insoluble cellulose and chitin.

Results

To further explore the catalytic diversity of AA9 LPMOs, over 17,000 sequences were extracted from public databases, filtered, and used to construct a sequence similarity network (SSN) comprising 33 phylogenetically supported clusters. From these, 32 targets were produced successfully in the industrial filamentous fungus Aspergillus niger, 25 of which produced detectable LPMO activity. Detailed biochemical characterization of the eight most highly produced targets revealed individual C1, C4, and mixed C1/C4 regiospecificities of cellulose surface oxidation, different redox co-substrate preferences, and CBM targeting effects. Specifically, the presence of a CBM correlated with increased formation of soluble oxidized products and a more localized pattern of surface oxidation, as indicated by carbonyl-specific fluorescent labeling. On the other hand, LPMOs without native CBMs were associated with minimal release of soluble products and comparatively dispersed oxidation pattern.

Conclusions

This work provides insight into the structural and functional diversity of LPMOs, and highlights the need for further detailed characterization of individual enzymes to identify those best suited for cellulose saccharification versus surface functionalization toward biomaterials applications.
The identification and genetic characteristics of Quang Binh virus from field-captured Culex tritaeniorhynchus (Diptera: Culicidae) from Guizhou Province, China
Authors: Tang Xiaomin , Li Rongting , Qi Yanfei , Li Weiyi , Liu Zhihao , Wu Jiahong
Published: September 2023

Background

Mosquitoes carry a variety of viruses that can cause disease in humans, animals and livestock. Surveys for viruses carried by wild mosquitoes can significantly contribute to surveillance efforts and early detection systems. In addition to mosquito-borne viruses, mosquitoes harbor many insect-specific viruses (ISVs). Quang Binh virus (QBV) is one such example, categorized as an ISV within the Flavivirus genus (family Flaviviridae). QBV has been specifically documented in Vietnam and China, with reports limited to several mosquito species.

Methods

The homogenate obtained from female mosquitoes was cultured on C6/36 (Aedes albopictus) and BHK-21 (baby hamster kidney) cell lines. Positive cultures were identified by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT‒PCR) with taxon- or species-specific primers. Next-generation sequencing was employed to sequence the complete genomes of the identified positive samples. Subsequently, phylogenetic, gene homology, molecular evolutionary and genetic variation analyses were conducted.

Result

In 2021, a total of 32,177 adult female mosquitoes were collected from 15 counties in Guizhou Province, China. The predominant mosquito species identified were Culex tritaeniorhynchus, Armigeres subalbatus and Anopheles sinensis. Among the collected mosquitoes, three positive cultures were obtained from Cx. tritaeniorhynchus pools, revealing the presence of Quang Binh virus (QBV) RNA sequences. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the three Guizhou isolates, along with the prototype isolate from Vietnam, formed distinct branches. These branches were primarily closely related to other QBV isolates reported in China. Comparative analysis revealed a high degree of nucleotide and amino acid homology between the Guizhou isolates and both Vietnamese and other indigenous Chinese isolates. Additionally, nonsynonymous single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) were observed in these strains compared to the QBV prototype strain.

Conclusion

This study represents the first report of QBV presences in Cx. tritaeniorhynchus mosquitoes in Guizhou Province, China. Phylogenetic tree analysis showed that the three Guizhou isolates were most closely related to the QBV genes found in China. In addition, the study of the genetic characteristics and variation of this virus provided a deeper understanding of QBV and enriched the baseline data of these insect-specific flaviviruses (ISFVs).

Graphical Abstract
Prognostic value of secretory autophagosomes in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome
Authors: Dong Xue-cheng , Xu Xin-yi , Huang Yue-ru , Zhu Xing-xing , Yang Yi , Huang Wei , Liu Ling
Published: September 2023

Background

Growing evidence supports that extracellular vesicles (EVs) in blood plasma and other body fluids may function as biomarkers for disease. We previously found that secretory autophagosomes (SAPs), a kind of EV, could exacerbate lung injury in mice. However, the clinical value of SAPs in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), the most severe form of lung injury, remains unknown. Our study investigated the prognostic value of secretory autophagosomes in ARDS.

Methods

ARDS patients (n = 46) and controls (n = 8) were included in a prospective monocentric study. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) samples were collected from ARDS patients on the first day (Day 1) or the third day (Day 3) of enrollment and were collected from controls on Day 1. Gradient centrifugation was performed to isolate EVs. The size and concentration of EVs were characterized by nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA). SAPs in EVs were characterized by flow cytometry, transmission electron microscopy, and western blot analysis, and the proportion of SAPs in EVs (PSV) was measured by flow cytometry. The association of SAPs with 28-day mortality was assessed.

Results

On Days 1 and 3, the proportion of SAPs (SAPs%) in BALF was higher in patients with ARDS than in controls. On Day 3, the SAPs% was significantly higher in nonsurvivors than in survivors. In particular, a high SAPs% was associated with poor overall survival in ARDS patients. Furthermore, the combination of SAPs% and SOFA obtained a higher predictive value of ARDS outcome than PSV or SOFA alone.

Conclusion

SAPs% in BALF is elevated in patients with ARDS and is associated with the risk of death in ARDS, suggesting that SAPs% may be a novel prognostic biomarker in ARDS.
Motivational interviewing to promote healthy behaviors for obesity prevention in young adults (MOTIVATE): a pilot randomized controlled trial protocol
Authors: Anderson Laura N. , Alvarez Elizabeth , Incze Taylor , Tarride Jean-Eric , Kwan Matthew , Mbuagbaw Lawrence
Published: September 2023

Background

Obesity is a chronic disease and is an established risk factor for other chronic diseases and mortality. Young adulthood is a period when people may be highly amenable to healthy behavior change, develop lifelong healthy behaviors, and when primary prevention of obesity may be feasible. Interventions in early adulthood have the potential for primary or primordial prevention (i.e., preventing risk factors before disease onset). The primary objective of this study is to determine the feasibility of a 6-month behavioral and educational intervention to promote healthy behaviors for obesity prevention among young adults.

Methods

This is the study protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial. Young adults (age 18–29) attending McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada, will be recruited and randomized to either the intervention or control. The intervention will include individual motivational interviewing sessions (online or in-person) with a trained interviewer plus educational materials (based on Canada’s food guide and physical activity recommendations). The control group will receive educational materials only. The primary feasibility outcomes that will be evaluated as part of this pilot study include enrollment, retention (≥ 80%), data completion (≥ 80% of weights measured, and surveys completed), and participant satisfaction. Secondary clinical outcomes will include body mass index (BMI) change from baseline to 6 months, physical activity, nutrition risk, health-related quality of life mental health, and economic outcomes. Outcomes will be measured remotely using activity trackers, and online questionnaires at baseline and every 2 months. Risk stratification will be applied at baseline to identify participants at high risk of obesity (e.g., due to family or personal history). Exit questionnaires will collect data on how participants felt about the study and cost analysis will be conducted.

Discussion

Our pilot randomized controlled trial will evaluate the feasibility of an obesity prevention intervention in early adulthood and will inform future larger studies for obesity prevention. The results of this study have the potential to directly contribute to the primary prevention of several types of cancer by testing an intervention that could be scalable to public health, post-secondary education, or primary care settings.

Trial registration

https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05264740. Registered on March 3, 2022.
Phenolics profile, anti-nephrolithiasis, and antioxidant activities of Monodora myristica seed: impact of endogenous proteins and lipids
Authors: Irondi Emmanuel Anyachukwu , Aroyehun Tolulope Muktar , Anyiam Arinze Favour , Lal Milan Kumar
Published: September 2023

The bioactive compounds in a food matrix can exist either in their free form or bound to other endogenous compounds, which may affect their bioactivities. This study investigated the impact of endogenous proteins and lipids on the phenolics profile, anti-nephrolithiasis, and antioxidant activities of Monodora myristica (African nutmeg) seed. Endogenous proteins and lipids in M. myristica seed flour were removed by deproteinization and defatting, to obtain the deproteinized, defatted, and deproteinized-defatted flours. The native flour served as a control. Phenolics compounds in the flours were quantified using HPLC-DAD, while nephrolithiasis-associated enzymes (xanthine oxidase and urease) inhibitory and antioxidant activities were determined using a spectrophotometer. Nine phenolic compounds (gallic, chlorogenic, caffeic, p-coumaric, ellagic acids, catechin, rutin, quercetin and luteolin) were detected in the native flour, with quercetin as the most abundant. The concentrations of the phenolic compounds, nephrolithiasis-associated enzymes inhibitory, and antioxidant activities of the flour decreased significantly due to deproteinization and defatting. Overall, the native flour had the highest concentrations of phenolics and the most potent enzymes inhibitory and antioxidant activities, followed by the defatted, deproteinized, and deproteinized-defatted flours. Hence, endogenous proteins and lipids may enhance the phenolics profile, anti-nephrolithiasis and antioxidant activities of M. myristica seed. This could have application in the development of functional food products and nutraceuticals targeting nephrolithiasis.

Graphical Abstract
Damage identification of Chi River bridge based on vehicle excitation and WPEVCR
Authors: Liang Zhuoxi , Xiong Zhihua , Cong Tuotuo , Peng Jingxuan , Yan Gengwang
Published: September 2023

In order to identify damage of Chi River bridge’s superstructure, a damage identification indicator is implemented in the field test, which involves the wavelet packet energy analysis with the feature of dynamic response signals caused by vehicle excitation. On the basis of the field test, a series of numeric models with varied service conditions were developed. The wavelet packet analysis method was utilized to decompose the bridge’s acceleration signals at both healthy and damaged status, and the values of Wavelet Packet Energy Variance Change Rate (WPEVCR) were obtained. Then, according to the acceleration signal data measured from the field test, the damage assessment of the condition of Chi River bridge was performed by means of the obtained WPEVCR. The results demonstrate the capability of WPEVCR in localizing and quantifying the bridge damage status. Moreover, another damage indicator based on the Hilbert-Huang Transform (HHT) has been also employed to verify the assessment of WPEVCR, and both damage identification approaches indicate that the Chi River bridge is in a healthy service condition.
Μελέτη των υγροσκοπικών ιδιοτήτων του ατμοσφαιρικού αερολύματος και η επίδραση από τη διακύμανση του οργανικού και στοιχειακού άνθρακα στο αερόλυμα της Αττικής και του ευρύτερου περιβάλλοντος της ανατολικής Μεσογείου
Authors: Σπιτιέρη Χριστίνα
Published: September 2023

Οι υγροσκοπικές ιδιότητες του ατμοσφαιρικού αερολύματος, καθώς και επίδραση της χωροχρονικής διακύμανσης του οργανικού και στοιχειακού άνθρακα, διερευνήθηκαν από μετρήσεις που πραγματοποιήθηκαν στο σταθμό του <Δημόκριτου>, ο οποίος είναι αντιπροσωπευτικός του περι-αστικού περιβάλλοντος της Αττικής, δεχόμενος επιρροές από τον περιβάλλοντα αστικό ιστό, χρονοσειράς ενός έτους. Χρησιμοποιώντας την τεχνική του Αναλυτή Διαφορικής Ηλεκτρικής Κινητικότητας προσδιορίστηκαν οι συντελεστές μεγέθυνσης τεσσάρων μεγεθών ξηρών σωματιδίων, σε σχετική υγρασία 90%. Οι ετήσιες μέσες τιμές των συντελεστών μεγέθυνσης για τα σωματίδια διαμέτρων, D0 =30 nm, 50 nm, 80 nm και 250 nm, βρέθηκαν να είναι ίσοι με 1,28, 1,11, 1,13 και 1,22, αντίστοιχα. Τα υγροσκοπικά φάσματα του συντελεστή μεγέθυνσης χωρίστηκαν σε δύο διακριτά υγροσκοπικά εύρη, ένα μη και/ή ελαφρώς υγροσκοπικό (GF˂1,12) και ένα μετρίως υγροσκοπικό (GF˃1,12), τα οποία είναι αντιπροσωπευτικά ενός περι-αστικού περιβάλλοντος που επηρεάζεται από τοπικές/αστικές εκπομπές και του αερολύματος υποβάθρου. Η τυπική απόκλιση, σ, των συντελεστών μεγέθυνσης χρησιμοποιήθηκε ως μέτρο προσδιορισμού της κατάστασης ανάμειξης του αερολύματος. Επιπροσθέτως, πραγματοποιήθηκε ανάλυση συστάδων στις ωριαίες κατανομές μεγέθους των σωματιδίωνΕν συνεχεία, χρησιμοποιώντας τα δεδομένα του Αναλυτή Διαφορικής Ηλεκτρικής Κινητικότητας και τις αριθμητικές κατανομές μεγέθους των σωματιδίων, πραγματοποιήθηκε ο υπολογισμός των συγκεντρώσεων του αριθμού των σωματιδίων, τα οποία δύνανται να δράσουν ως πυρήνες συμπύκνωσης νεφών, σε πέντε διαφορετικούς υπερκορεσμούς, χρησιμοποιώντας 4 διαφορετικές προσεγγίσεις. Λαμβάνοντας υπόψιν την επίδραση του οργανικού κλάσματος και των μετεωρολογικών παραμέτρων, διερευνήθηκε η συμβολή του οργανικού και στοιχειακού άνθρακα και του δευτερογενούς οργανικού αερολύματος στον αριθμό των σωματιδίων που δύνανται να δράσουν ως πυρήνες συμπύκνωσης νεφών.
Seroepidemiology of Hepatitis E virus among the voluntary blood donors in the coastal region of Karnataka, India
Authors: S Sangthang , Shastry Shamee , N Sudheesh , Chawla Kiran , Madiyal Mridula , Kandasamy Dhivya
Published: September 2023

Background: Hepatitis E is a fecal orally transmitted disease and an emerging transfusion transmissible infection with potential transfusion safety implications. Hepatitis E Virus screening among blood donors is not routinely done despite the fact that it is endemic in India. As there are very few reports and evidence, the justification for mandating HEV screening among blood donors is still only marginally convincing. Therefore, the present study was carried out to determine the incidence and prevalence of HEV infection among blood donors in Coastal Karnataka, India.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital in Udupi district of Karnataka, India. A total of 1939 blood donors were randomly selected between June 2020 to June 2022 to participate in the study, where anti-HEV IgM antibody screening was performed using HEV IgM ELISA test kit (DiaPro, Italy). Further, a randomly selected 588 and 1620 pooled donor samples were screened for anti-HEV IgG antibodies and HEV RNA, respectively.

Results: The overall prevalence of HEV IgM antibodies among study population is found to be 1.39%, with a statistically significant difference between males and females (n=20, 1.18% vs. n=7, 3.07 %; p=0.027). The prevalence of HEV IgG antibodies was 11.39%. Exposure to agriculture, animal husbandry, and poor hand hygiene were significant risk factors for HEV IgG reactivity.

Conclusions: Given the high prevalence of HEV viral markers in the study population, routine screening of blood donors for risk factors and implementation of serologic testing in endemic areas may be considered.
A review of new challenges and solutions to the timely and effective implementation of clinical research responses to high priority diseases of epidemic and pandemic potential: A scoping review protocol
Authors: Kadri-Alabi Zaharat , Schilling Stefan , Jeena Lisha , Rigby Ishmeala , Harriss Eli , Carson Gail , Norton Alice , Sigfrid Louise
Published: September 2023

Background: Conducting and implementing clinical research response during pandemic and epidemic diseases outbreaks are often fraught with challenges due to their unprecedented nature. In previous research, challenges to the implementation of clinical research responses during pandemic and epidemic outbreaks were identified and solutions suggested. While the emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic has, on one hand, highlighted new and unresolved challenges, several novel solutions such as the Randomised Evaluation of Covid-19 Therapy (RECOVERY) trial were also implemented and reported in the literature. This scoping review, therefore, aims to synthesise and update solutions to the barriers affecting the implementation of clinical research responses during new, emerging or re-emerging diseases of pandemic and epidemic potential, to further inform strategies that would enhance pandemic and epidemic preparedness and response.

Methods: This scoping review will be conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis- Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). Search will be conducted in six scientific databases: Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Global Health, OVID PsycINFO, Ovid Embase, Scopus Epistemonikos, and complemented by a grey literature search in Google Scholar. Terms related to clinical trial, high consequence infectious diseases and the PEARLES domains will be used in the search. Two reviewers will independently screen retrieved articles in Rayyan software. Descriptive data of studies will be extracted into a pre-developed Microsoft Excel template while qualitative data related to the PEARLES solutions or barriers will be coded in NVivo. Results will be synthesised thematically and presented in a narrative style.

Conclusions: This scoping review will synthesise new and updated solutions to the PEARLES challenges encountered during the implementation of clinical research responses to high consequence epidemics and pandemics. Furthermore, it will examine how challenges and proposed solutions identified prior to the emergence of Covid-19 have been addressed and tested in real time.
Humanising research on (non-)migration decision-making: a situated framework
Authors: Fresnoza-Flot Asuncion
Published: September 2023

Recent global challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, economic crises, and wars have not impeded transnational migration to continuously unfold. The question of why some people migrate while others choose to stay remains one of the important preoccupations in migration studies. It underlines the need to further conceptualise transnational migration to identify the drivers behind individuals’ aspiration or intention to (re)migrate or stay where they are. Drawing from several migration theories and perspectives in various disciplines, this paper proposes the situated framework of “humanising research on (non-)migration decision-making”, that is, highlighting its human aspects. This scholarly enterprise is critically important as mainstream migration theories put more emphasis on individuals’ rationality, thereby overlooking other human aspects of migration and stasis. Viewing individuals as persons, this framework offers three ways to humanise the analysis: thick contextualisation, life dimensions-focused analysis, and time-situated inquiry. It also calls for the engendering of the analysis and decolonising the methodologies adopted in the study of (non-)migration decision-making.
Multidisciplinary approach to sarcopenia: a narrative review
Authors: Park Wook Tae , Shon Oog-Jin , Kim Gi Beom
Published: September 2023

Sarcopenia is a condition in which muscle mass and strength are decreased and muscle function is impaired. It is an indicator of frailty and loss of independence in older adults. It is also associated with increased physical disability, which increases the risk of falls. As a multifactorial disease, sarcopenia is caused by a combination of factors including aging, hormonal changes, nutritional deficiencies, and physical inactivity. Understanding the underlying pathophysiology of sarcopenia and identifying its different causes is critical to developing effective prevention and treatment strategies. This review summarizes the pathophysiology, consequences, diagnostic methods, and multidisciplinary approaches to sarcopenia.
Performance Accuracy of Wrist-Worn Oximetry and Its Automated Output Parameters for Screening Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Children
Authors: Ohn Mon , Maddison Kathleen J , Nguyen Julie , Evans Daisy , Bear Natasha , Khan R. Nazim , Eastwood Peter R , Ungern-Sternberg Britta S. von , Wilson Andrew C , Walsh Jennifer H
Published: September 2023

Objectives: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) increases the risk of perioperative adverse events in children. While polysomnography (PSG) remains the reference standard for OSA diagnosis, oximetry is a valuable screening tool. The traditional practice is the manual analysis of desaturation clusters derived from a tabletop device using the McGill oximetry score. However, automated analysis of wearable oximetry data can be an alternative. This study investigated the accuracy of wrist-worn oximetry with automated analysis as a preoperative OSA screening tool. Methods: Healthy children scheduled for adenotonsillectomy underwent concurrent overnight PSG and wrist-worn oximetry. PSG determined the obstructive apnea-hypopnea index (OAHI). Oximetry data were auto-analyzed to determine 3% oxygen desaturation index (ODI3) and visually scored as per McGill criteria. The logistic regression model assessed the predictive performance of ODI3 for detecting the presence and severity of OSA after adjusting for covariates. Results: Seventy-six children (34 females), aged (mean±standard deviation) 5.7±1.6 years were classified, based on PSG-derived OAHI, as no OSA (n=31), mild (n=31), and moderate-severe OSA (n=14). Oximetric ODI3 was identified as the sole predictor of moderate-severe OSA (OAHI≥5 events/h) (odds ratio 1.38, 95% confidence interval 1.15, 1.65, p=0.001). The best diagnostic performance was at ODI3=5 events/h (78.6% sensitivity, 75.8% specificity [receiver operating characteristic-area under the curve {ROC-AUC}=0.857]). ODI3 was also more sensitive than the McGill oximetry score in diagnosing moderate-severe OSA (78.6% by ODI3 vs. 33.0% by McGill). The performance was suboptimal for any level of OSA (OAHI≥1 event/h) (75.6% sensitivity, 61.3% specificity [ROC-AUC=0.709]). Conclusions: Wrist-worn oximetry-derived automated ODI3 can reliably identify moderate-severe OSA in children undergoing adenotonsillectomy, making it a potentially useful preoperative OSA screening tool.
Protegiendo la memoria digital : estrategias y plataformas de la Unesco
Authors: Larhfiri Zine El Abidine , Vállez Letrado Mari
Published: September 2023

Objectius: Aquest treball recull les diferents eines que ha creat la Unesco per promoure, divulgar i preservar el fons documental digital de l’organització. S'hi ofereix una descripció dels repositoris existents fins avui, que pot orientar els usuaris per conèixer i interpretar el valuós fons que té aquesta organització.
 Metodologia: Es fa una recopilació de les diferents plataformes existents que han aparegut al llarg dels anys que fa que existeix l'organització.
 Resultats: Es presenten les diferents iniciatives, programes i plataformes que hi ha a la Unesco. Això permet evidenciar la gran quantitat de fonts d'informació que la Unesco posa a disposició de la comunitat internacional, alhora que queda palesa la complexitat d’accedir-hi pel gran ventall d'opcions disponibles. La Unesco té com un dels objectius protegir el 'bé públic digital' com a element important per implantar l'Agenda 2030 i els seus objectius de desenvolupament sostenible.
Who Built the Zones?
Authors: Burgin Angus
Published: September 2023

Abstract: In Crack-Up Capitalism Quinn Slobodian turns his attention to the past half-century, explaining how market advocates pioneered a different approach to restricting the state: the special economic zone.
To Hell With Poverty
Authors: Cooper Bertrand
Published: September 2023

Abstract: Desmond opens his book with a simple question: “why is there so much poverty in America?” His central argument is that those of us who are not poor are the beneficiaries and authors of that poverty.
The Geopolitics of Industrial Policy
Authors: Feygin Yakov , Gabor Daniela , Hung Ho-fung , Riofrancos Thea , Slobodian Quinn
Published: September 2023

Abstract: Is a new Cold War the price of admission for the return of industrial policy? Can we develop a new political economy without placing national security on the throne once occupied by market competitiveness?
Apocalypse Chow
Authors: Gupta Arun
Published: September 2023

Abstract: Why might the same dish—a sandwich, a slice of pizza, a plate of dumplings—cost three or four times more in one restaurant than in another restaurant a block or two away, and the cheaper version tastes much better?
A Software Tutorial for Matching in Clustered Observational Studies
Authors: Keele Luke , Lenard Matthew , Miratrix Luke , Page Lindsay
Published: September 2023

Abstract: Many interventions occur in settings where treatments are applied to groups. For example, a math intervention may be implemented for all students in some schools and withheld from students in other schools. When such treatments are non-randomly allocated, researchers can use statistical adjustment to make treated and control groups similar in terms of observed characteristics. Recent work in statistics has developed a form of matching, known as multilevel matching, that is designed for contexts where treatments are clustered. In this article, we provide a tutorial on how to analyze clustered treatment using multilevel matching. We use a real data application to explain the full set of steps for the analysis of a clustered observational study.
Spectral imaging based on micro-narrow multi-strip filter arrays
Authors: Guo Quan , Wu Dengshan , Yu Weixing
Published: September 2023

Spectral imaging technology based on on-chip spectroscopy can serve numerous aerospace, industrial, and consumer electronics applications. With each application requiring a different set and number of spectral bands, the absence of scalable and high-cost custom spectroscopy solutions has prevented the widespread adoption of multispectral imaging (MSI). Although lithography and hard-mask steps continue to mature, it is still an expensive, cumbersome, and inflexible solution. In this paper, we demonstrate a compact, highly customizable imaging spectrometer scheme (licensed patent), which maintains high efficiencies (~85%), narrow bandwidth (~30 nm), and high average optical density (~OD2) across the visible to near-infrared spectrum. Spectral imaging experiments are conducted, and accurate reconstruction of sparse spectral image data is demonstrated. These results prove the scheme can achieve the expected target imaging and spectral measurement accuracy.