bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Shapes Healthy Monocytes into An Immunosuppressive Phenotype
Authors:   University of Salerno, Department of Pharmacy (DIFARMA), 84084 Fisciano, Salerno, Italy, Terlizzi Michela
Published: April 2024

Background/Aims: The physiological phenotype of individuals can influence and shape real-life phenomena in that it can contribute to the development of specific characteristics that can affect the immune response to specific stimuli. In this study we aimed to understand whether the sphingosine/sphingosine-1-phoshate (S1P) axis can modulate the immunotype of circulating cells. Methods: To pursue this goal, we performed bioinformatic analyses of public datasets. Results: The transcriptomic profile of healthy subjects of GSE192829 dataset identified two clusters with different transcriptional repertoire. Cluster 1 expressed higher levels of enzymes for S1P formation than cluster 0 which was characterized by enzymes that lead to ceramide formation, which represent the opposite metabolic direction. Inference analysis showed that cluster 1 was higher populated by monocytes, CD4+ T and B cells than cluster 0. Of particular interest was the phenotype of the monocytes in cluster 1 which showed an immunosuppressive nature compared to those in cluster 0. The role of S1P signature in healthy PBMCs was confirmed with other dataset analyses, supporting that circulating monocytes positive to the ceramidase, unlike the negative ones, had an immunosuppressive phenotype characterized by hub immunosuppressive markers (i.e. TYROBP, FCER1G, SYK, SIRPA, CSF1R, AIF1, FCGR2A, CLEC7A, LYN, PLCG2, LILRs, HCK, GAB2). This hub genes well discriminated the immunotype of healthy subjects. Conclusion: In conclusion this study highlights that S1P-associated hub markers can be useful to discriminate subjects with pronounced immunosuppression.
İlkokul Çağında Çoklu Dil Eğitimine Yönelik Veli Görüşlerinin İncelenmesi
Authors: Aydın Yıldız Tugba , Çınar Yağcı Şule
Published: April 2024

Günümüzün küreselleşen dünyasında kültürel çeşitliliği deneyimlemek ve gelecek planları kolay bir şekilde gerçekleştirebilmek için birden fazla yabancı dil öğrenmenin önemi büyüktür. Erken yaşta birden fazla yabancı dilin farkına varmak ve bunları deneyimlemek yabancı dil öğrenme sürecine kolaylık sağlayacağı bilinmektedir. Erken yaşta çoklu yabancı dil farkındalığı geliştirmede ebeveynlerin rolü oldukça önemlidir. Bu çalışmanın amacı çoklu dil eğitimi kursuna devam eden öğrencilerin velilerinin kurs ve çoklu dil eğitimi ile ilgili görüşlerini derinlemesine incelemektir. Çoklu dil eğitimi, bir konunun aynı gün içinde İngilizce, Almanca ve Fransızca dillerinde art arda işlenmesini kapsamaktadır. 12 saatten oluşan bu kursun amacı; çocuklara yabancı dillerin kendine ait özeliklerini ve belli kelime gruplarını öğreterek, onların yabancı dillere karşı farkındalık kazanmalarını sağlamaktır. Çalışmaya 9 veli katılmış ve araştırmacılar tarafından hazırlanan yarı yapılandırılmış görüşme formu ile veriler elde edilmiştir. Çalışmada nitel araştırma desenlerinden durum çalışması deseni kullanılmış ve elde edilen verilerin analizinde betimsel analiz yöntemine başvurulmuştur. Veliler, eş zamanlı çoklu dil öğrenme yaşının “7,8 yaş”, “5,6 yaş” ve “Doğumdan itibaren” şeklinde olması gerektiğini, çoklu dil eğitiminin ilkokulda verilmesinin çocuk için “bilişsel gelişim”, “psikolojik gelişim” ve “sosyo-kültürel gelişim” açısından faydalı olduğunu, çoklu dil eğitiminin ilkokul çağında verilmesinde zararı olmadığını, ilkokul çağında verilen çoklu dil eğitiminin çocuğun en çok bilişsel gelişim, psikolojik gelişim ve sosyal gelişimlerine katkı sağlayacağını ve çoklu dil eğitiminin çocuğun geleceği açısından ayırt edici nitelik olduğunu belirtmişlerdir. Veliler aynı zamanda erken yaşta çocuklarının çoklu dile maruz kalmasının önemli olduğunu düşünmekte ve çoklu dil eğitimi verilen okula çocuklarını göndermek istemektedirler.
Do Reading Texts in Science Textbooks Contribute to Values Education?
Authors: Coştu Fatma
Published: April 2024

Values education refers to a form of character education that comprehensively imparts various human values to students. It holds great significance to instill in students the values embraced by society through textbooks at the middle school level. Hence, this study aims to assess the extent to which reading texts (or reading passages) in science textbooks, aligned with the Turkish Science Curriculum implemented in 2018, address the ten root values adopted by the Ministry of National Education. The research employs the document analysis method, a qualitative research approach. Four science textbooks taught at the 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grade levels were analyzed within the study. The data were subjected to content analysis, and the findings reveal that the reading texts in the four science textbooks partially incorporate the ten root values. The results of this study demonstrated that despite being abstract course, science textbooks emphasize the majority of the ten root values, albeit not all of them extensively. This finding is a significant indication that the type and content of the course do not hinder to boost values education. At the end of the study, a few suggestions were made to ensure that the ten root values are acquired by students.
Investigating the Correlation Between Social Studies Teachers' Student Recognition Competencies and Effective Communication Skills
Authors: Bayram Hüseyin , Polat Suat
Published: April 2024

Social studies teachers, who aim to provide primary and secondary school students with knowledge, skills and values for daily life, should have effective communication skills and student recognition competencies. In this context, it is important to examine the level of the skills and competencies of social studies teachers and whether they are correlational. Based on this importance, in this research, social studies teachers’ student recognition competence and effective communication skill levels were examined. It was also examined whether there is a correlation between the aforementioned competence and skill levels. Correlational research model was used in the research. The sample group, which was formed by maximum diversity sampling, included 242 social studies teachers working in different regions of Turkey. The data were collected with the student recognition competence scale of teachers and effective communication skills scale. Spearman correlation coefficient, descriptive analysis, Mann Whitney U and Kruskal Wallis tests were used to analyze the data. It was determined that social studies teachers had high levels of student recognition competence and effective communication skills. It was also determined that there was a significant correlation between teachers' student recognition competences and effective communication skills levels. Various suggestions were developed based on the results.
Examining Parents’ Views and Behaviors About Preschool Children’s Technology Use
Authors: Özel Özge , Yay Seden
Published: April 2024

The purpose of this study is to examine the views and behaviors of parents of preschool children about their use of technology. This study was designed as a qualitative design. Participants were selected from convenience sampling, one of the purposeful sampling types. The participants comprised 29 parents of children studying in kindergartens and preschools in the Central District of Burdur Province in 2022-2023. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using the descriptive analysis method. The findings were explained under the themes of the duration of children's use of technology, time restrictions, children's reactions to these restrictions, various methods applied by parents against these reactions, and the measures they took to restrict technology. Findings showed children are intertwined with technology, technology should be used within the controls, children react to time restrictions, parents have some methods of agreement against these reactions, they resort to techniques such as deprivation of technology in case of failure to reach an agreement, their children should comply with the predetermined time, they followed the content in general, and benefit from some programs or were present with their children while creating content.
Türkçe Öğretmenlerinin Dijital Okuryazarlık Düzeylerinin Belirlenmesi
Authors: Sarıkaya Bünyamin
Published: April 2024

Bu araştırmanın amacı, Türkçe öğretmenlerinin dijital okuryazarlık düzeylerini belirlemektir. Bu bağlamda Türkçe öğretmenlerinin dijital okuryazarlık düzeyleri cinsiyet, yaş, öğrenim durumları ve günlük internet kullanım sürelerine göre incelenmiştir. Araştırmanın çalışma grubunu Muş il merkezi, ilçeleri ve köylerinde görev yapan 202 Türkçe öğretmeni oluşturmaktadır. Araştırmada betimsel tarama modeli kullanılmıştır. Verilerin toplanmasında Ng (2012) tarafından geliştirilen Hamutoğlu vd. (2017) tarafından Türkçeye uyarlaması yapılan “Dijital Okuryazarlık Ölçeği” kullanılmıştır. Verilerin analizinde bir istatistik programından yararlanılmıştır. Verilerin analizinde non-parametrik testlerden Mann Whitney U Testi ve Kruskal Wallis H Testi kullanılmıştır. Araştırma sonucunda Türkçe öğretmenlerinin dijital okuryazarlık düzeylerinin “yüksek” olduğu belirlenmiştir. Bunun yanı sıra Türkçe öğretmenlerinin dijital okuryazarlık düzeylerinin cinsiyet, yaş ve öğrenim durumlarına göre anlamlı olarak farklılaşmadığı ancak günlük internet kullanım süresine göre anlamlı olarak farklılık gösterdiği tespit edilmiştir.
Strategi Penanggulangan Disintegrasi Bangsa: Resolusi Konflik Aceh dan Maluku
Authors: Adinda Syifa’us Syauqiyah  , Dina Neely Hariyani  , Agus Danugroho
Published: April 2024

This paper attempts to examine the problems of national disintegration that have occurred in Indonesia. Terror acts carried out by GAM and RMS were carried out by the Armed Criminal Group (KKB) through the burning of public buildings and a number of killings. Likewise, efforts to divide the country are also made through publicity through virtual entertainment. If these actions are not resolved immediately, there will be a threat of the disintegration of Papua from Indonesia. This research aims to identify various forms of propaganda for Aceh Merdeka and the Republic of South Maluku. This research uses the descriptive-qualitative method. The results of this study show the use of glittering generalizations and bandwagon techniques in spreading sweet promises and beliefs about referendums and independence. Publicity will be belittled if misleading publicity is not carried out by providing true and accurate information to the public. Therefore, it is very important to provide training and instill a sense of belonging with Indonesia as a way to combat misleading publicity and inappropriateness by KKB GAM and RMS towards the Indonesian people, especially the people of Aceh and Maluku.
Creativity and Project Based Learning
Authors: Arpah Maryana , Kusumawardani Ratih , Fatimah Atin
Published: April 2024

In this study, researchers will examine the creativity of children aged 5-6 years through Project Based Learning. This research uses descriptive qualitative research methods with research techniques of observation, interviews, documentation and field notes. The aim of this research is to find out whether Project Based Learning can increase the creativity of children aged 5-6 years. The creativity of children aged 5-6 years has been very well developed, seen from almost all aspects observed by researchers, which often appears and can be seen in every child, this is of course the result of Project Based Learning. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that Project Based Learning is able to increase the creativity of children aged 5-6 years at PAUD Al-Kautsar Cilegon City.
Rossiniana n° 1 de Mauro Giuliani: interpretação de “Assisa à piè d’un salice” a partir de fontes primárias
Authors: Costa Helvis , Scarduelli Fabio
Published: April 2024

Discutimos neste artigo a interpretação ao violão da ária “Assisa à piè d’un salice” do 3º ato da ópera Otello, composta por Gioachino Rossini em 1816. Também conhecida por “Canção do Salgueiro”, esta ária, cantada pela personagem Desdêmona, foi transcrita pelo violonista e compositor Mauro Giuliani por volta de 1820, e integra o op. 119 do pot-pourri “Le Rossiniane – prima parte”. Buscamos informar sua performance a partir da comparação entre suas fontes primárias, trazendo ainda informações sobre seu contexto emocional e dramático, convenções e práticas vocais e instrumentais da época, e informações históricas e estilísticas sobre os compositores e a ópera Otello. Como resultado, identificamos ritmos, notas, sinais, dinâmicas, indicações expressivas e práticas estilísticas que permitem aproximar a performance da adaptação de Giuliani ao original de Rossini.
Enhancing osteogenesis and angiogenesis functions for Ti-24Nb-4Zr-8Sn scaffolds with methacrylated gelatin and deferoxamine
Authors: Xu Qian , Bai Yun , Li Shujun , Hou Wentao , Hao Yulin , Yang Rui , Li Xiaowu , Zhang Xing
Published: April 2024

Repair of large bone defects remains challenge for orthopedic clinical treatment. Porous titanium alloys have been widely fabricated by the additive manufacturing, which possess the elastic modulus close to that of human cortical bone, good osteoconductivity and osteointegration. However, insufficient bone regeneration and vascularization inside the porous titanium scaffolds severely limit their capability for repair of large-size bone defects. Therefore, it is crucially important to improve the osteogenic function and vascularization of the titanium scaffolds. Herein, methacrylated gelatin (GelMA) were incorporated with the porous Ti-24Nb-4Zr-8Sn (Ti2448) scaffolds prepared by the electron beam melting (EBM) method (Ti2448-GelMA). Besides, the deferoxamine (DFO) as an angiogenic agent was doped into the Ti2448-GelMA scaffold (Ti2448-GelMA/DFO), in order to promote vascularization. The results indicate that GelMA can fully infiltrate into the pores of Ti2448 scaffolds with porous cross-linked network (average pore size: 120.2 ± 25.1 μm). Ti2448-GelMA scaffolds facilitated the differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells by promoting the ALP expression and mineralization, with the amount of calcium contents ∼2.5 times at day 14, compared with the Ti2448 scaffolds. Impressively, the number of vascular meshes for the Ti2448-GelMA/DFO group (∼7.2/mm2) was significantly higher than the control group (∼5.3/mm2) after cultivation for 9 h, demonstrating the excellent angiogenesis ability. The Ti2448-GelMA/DFO scaffolds also exhibited sustained release of DFO, with a cumulative release of 82.3% after 28 days. Therefore, Ti2448-GelMA/DFO scaffolds likely provide a new strategy to improve the osteogenesis and angiogenesis for repair of large bone defects.
Effects on the compressive strength of cement-stabilized rammed earth blocks with varied content of buffelgrass-based fibers in wet-dry conditions
Authors: Pederson Federico , Florendo Reuel , Khawaja Saleh Ali , Dimond Kirk , Kim Hee-Jeong
Published: April 2024

Stabilized rammed earth blocks have been an alternative building material around the world due to their cost efficiency, low embodied energy, and environmental footprints. However, the lower compressive strength and resistance to wearing limits their use in comparison to higher-cost alternatives. The integration of fibers in rammed earth blocks has been a promising technique for enhancing their properties. In this research, the viability of buffelgrass as a reinforcing fiber in stabilized earth blocks was determined. The buffelgrass was incorporated into the mix up to 5% by weight for samples with the increment of 1% for each mix and the durability was determined under wet and dry conditions. In addition, the influence of the buffelgrass on the compressive strength was observed and the optimum content was determined. The morphological characteristics were observed using SEM imaging of the rammed earth and fiber interaction at a fracture surface. The results showed the inclusion of buffelgrass helps the wear resistance of the earth blocks when exposed to wet-dry conditions as well as slightly improving the compressive strength of the material after dry and wet curing.
A magnetometer-based method for in-situ syncing of wearable inertial measurement units
Authors: Gilbert Thomas J. , Lin Zexiao , Day Sally , Hamilton Antonia F. de C. , Ward Jamie A.
Published: April 2024

This paper presents a novel method to synchronize multiple wireless inertial measurement unit sensors (IMU) using their onboard magnetometers. The basic method uses an external electromagnetic pulse to create a known event measured by the magnetometer of multiple IMUs and in turn uses this to synchronize the devices. An initial evaluation using four commercial IMUs reveals a maximum error of 40 ms per hour as limited by a 25 Hz sample rate. Building on this we introduce a novel method to improve synchronization beyond the limitations imposed by the sample rate and evaluate this in a further study using 8 IMUs. We show that a sequence of electromagnetic pulses, in total lasting <3-s, can reduce the maximum synchronization error to 8 ms (for 25 Hz sample rate, and accounting for the transient response time of the magnetic field generator). An advantage of this method is that it can be applied to several devices, either simultaneously or individually, without the need to remove them from the context in which they are being used. This makes the approach particularly suited to synchronizing multi-person on-body sensors while they are being worn.
High serum copper as a risk factor of all-cause and cause-specific mortality among US adults, NHANES 2011–2014
Authors: Zeng Xianghui , Zhou Lanqian , Zeng Qingfeng , Zhu Hengqing , Luo Jianping
Published: April 2024

Background

Several studies have shown that serum copper levels are related to coronary heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. However, the association of serum copper levels with all-cause, cause-specific [including cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer] mortality remains unclear.

Objectives

This study aimed to prospectively examine the association of copper exposure with all-cause, CVD, and cancer mortality among US adults.

Methods

The data for this analysis was obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) between 2011 and 2014. Mortality from all-causes, CVD, and cancer mortality was linked to US National Death Index mortality data. Cox regression models were used to estimate the association between serum copper levels and all-cause, CVD, and cancer mortality.

Results

A total of 2,863 adults were included in the main study. During the mean follow-up time of 81.2 months, 236 deaths were documented, including 68 deaths from cardiovascular disease and 57 deaths from cancer. The weighted mean overall serum copper levels was 117.2 ug/L. After adjusting for all of the covariates, compared with participants with low (1st tertile, <103 μg/L)/medium (2st tertile, 103–124 μg/L) serum copper levels, participants with high serum copper levels (3rd tertile, ≥124 μg/L) had a 1.75-fold (95% CI, 1.05–2.92)/1.78-fold (1.19,2.69) increase in all-cause mortality, a 2.35-fold (95% CI, 1.04–5.31)/3.84-fold (2.09,7.05) increase in CVD mortality and a 0.97-fold (95% CI, 0.28–3.29)/0.86-fold (0.34,2.13) increase in cancer mortality. In addition, there was a linear dose-response association between serum copper concentration with all-cause and CVD mortality (P for nonlinear > 0.05).

Conclusions

This prospective study found that serum copper concentrations were linearly associated with all-cause and CVD mortality in US adults. High serum copper levels is a risk factor for all-cause and CVD mortality.
A multiphase study protocol of identifying, and predicting cancer-related symptom clusters: applying a mixed-method design and machine learning algorithms
Authors: Miladinia Mojtaba , Zarea Kourosh , Gheibizadeh Mahin , Jahangiri Mina , Karimpourian Hossein , Rokhafroz Darioush
Published: April 2024

Objectives

In recent years, there has been increasing attention on the cluster approach to symptom management. Two significant challenges in the symptom cluster (SC) approach are identifying and predicting these clusters. This multiphase protocol aims to identify SCs in patients with advanced cancer as the primary objective, with the secondary objective of developing machine learning algorithms to predict SCs identified in the first phase.

Methods

The 2-MIXIP study consists of two main phases. The first phase involves identifying SCs, and the second phase focuses on developing predictive algorithms for the identified SCs. The identification of SCs involves a parallel mixed-method design (quantitative and qualitative). Quantitative and qualitative methods are conducted simultaneously and given equal importance. The data are collected and analyzed independently before being integrated. The quantitative part is conducted using a descriptive-analytical method. The qualitative analysis is conducted using a content analysis approach. Then, the identified SCs from both parts are integrated to determine the final clusters and use them in the second phase. In the second phase, we employ a tree-based machine learning method to create predictive algorithms for SCs using key demographic and clinical patient characteristics.

Conclusion

The findings of the 2-MIXIP study can help manage cancer patients' symptoms more effectively and enhance clinical decision-making by using SCs prediction. Furthermore, the results of this study can provide guidance for clinical trials aimed at managing symptoms.
Major elements geochemistry of chlorite in different ore deposits and its genesis and exploration significance: a case study from Naruo porphyry Cu deposit in Duolong ore district, Tibet
Authors: Li Faqiao , Tang Juxing , Song Yang , Li She , Tang Pan , Li Haifeng , Yang Huanhuan , Wang Qin , Wang Yongqiang , Danzeng Zongzhui , Li Yanbo , Li Jianli , Li Hongwei , Dong Yujie
Published: April 2024

Chlorite is present extensively in many types of deposits. The mechanism underlying the chemical variations in chlorite remains unclear. The Naruo porphyry deposit is a giant copper porphyry deposit in the Duolong ore district of Tibet. Chlorite, which is abundant in this deposit, has yet to be studied systematically; hence, we used principal component analysis (PCA) to assess the correlation between chlorite elements and various types of mineral deposits. We then conducted a preliminary investigation into its mineralogy and geochemistry to better understand its formation process and identify potential prospecting indicators. The PCA method proved effective in discerning two distinctive element signatures within the chlorite and categorising them into four deposit types: orogenic Au deposits, granite-type U deposits, and skarn-type Sn deposits that exhibit high FeO and low MgO distinguishing them from porphyry copper deposits. The chlorite in the Naruo deposit is classified as either early metasomatic (M-type), consisting mainly of clinochlore, or late hydrothermal (H-type), primarily consisting of clinochlore and chamosite. This classification suggests that H-type chlorite formed in a reductive environment conducive to Cu precipitation at medium temperatures (255°C–342°C). Al-Si and Fe-Mg substitutions were found to be the primary processes involved in its generation. Additionally, from the mineralisation centre outwards, there was an observed decrease in Si content as well as the Fe/(Fe+Mg) ratio in H-type chlorite, along with decreases in temperature, sulphur, and oxygen fugacity of all chlorites; conversely, increases were observed for Al content along with Mg and Mn elements in H-type chlorite. Chlorite is useful for exploring porphyry copper systems as an indicator mineral.
Diagnosis, treatment, and management of rickets: a position statement from the Bone and Mineral Metabolism Group of the Italian Society of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology
Authors: Baroncelli Giampiero I. , Comberiati Pasquale , Aversa Tommaso , Baronio Federico , Cassio Alessandra , Chiarito Mariangela , Cosci o di Coscio Mirna , De Sanctis Luisa , Di Iorgi Natascia , Faienza Maria Felicia , Fintini Danilo , Franceschi Roberto , Kalapurackal Mila , Longhi Silvia , Mariani Michela , Pitea Marco , Secco Andrea , Tessaris Daniele , Vierucci Francesco , Wasniewska Malgorzata , Weber Giovanna , Mora Stefano
Published: April 2024

Rickets results from impaired mineralization of growing bone due to alterations in calcium and phosphate homeostasis. Clinical signs of rickets are related to the age of the patient, the duration of the disease, and the underlying disorder. The most common signs of rickets are swelling of the wrists, knees or ankles, bowing of the legs (knock-knees, outward bowing, or both) and inability to walk. However, clinical features alone cannot differentiate between the various forms of rickets. Rickets includes a heterogeneous group of acquired and inherited diseases. Nutritional rickets is due to a deficiency of vitamin D, dietary calcium or phosphate. Mutations in genes responsible for vitamin D metabolism or function, the production or breakdown of fibroblast growth factor 23, renal phosphate regulation, or bone mineralization can lead to the hereditary form of rickets. This position paper reviews the relevant literature and presents the expertise of the Bone and Mineral Metabolism Group of the Italian Society of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology (SIEDP). The aim of this document is to provide practical guidance to specialists and healthcare professionals on the main criteria for diagnosis, treatment, and management of patients with rickets. The various forms of rickets are discussed, and detailed references for the discussion of each form are provided. Algorithms to guide the diagnostic approach and recommendations to manage patients with rare forms of hereditary rickets are proposed.
Advances in genomics and genome editing for improving strawberry (Fragaria ×ananassa)
Authors: Vondracek Kaitlyn , Altpeter Fredy , Liu Tie , Lee Seonghee
Published: April 2024

The cultivated strawberry, Fragaria ×ananassa, is a recently domesticated fruit species of economic interest worldwide. As such, there is significant interest in continuous varietal improvement. Genomics-assisted improvement, including the use of DNA markers and genomic selection have facilitated significant improvements of numerous key traits during strawberry breeding. CRISPR/Cas-mediated genome editing allows targeted mutations and precision nucleotide substitutions in the target genome, revolutionizing functional genomics and crop improvement. Genome editing is beginning to gain traction in the more challenging polyploid crops, including allo-octoploid strawberry. The release of high-quality reference genomes and comprehensive subgenome-specific genotyping and gene expression profiling data in octoploid strawberry will lead to a surge in trait discovery and modification by using CRISPR/Cas. Genome editing has already been successfully applied for modification of several strawberry genes, including anthocyanin content, fruit firmness and tolerance to post-harvest disease. However, reports on many other important breeding characteristics associated with fruit quality and production are still lacking, indicating a need for streamlined genome editing approaches and tools in Fragaria ×ananassa. In this review, we present an overview of the latest advancements in knowledge and breeding efforts involving CRISPR/Cas genome editing for the enhancement of strawberry varieties. Furthermore, we explore potential applications of this technology for improving other Rosaceous plant species.
“If I fall down, he will pick me up”: refugee hosts and everyday care in protracted displacement
Authors: Jordan Zoe
Published: April 2024

Around the world, refugees share shelters and homes with other refugees. Such household-level hosting relationships play a central role in the lives of displaced individuals and families, offering support to meet basic needs, safety, and a sense of belonging. Yet, the role of displaced people as refugee hosts is often overlooked, an omission that fails to account for the active role of displaced populations in supporting one another and the dynamic social connections between refugees. Thus far, hosting relationships have often been understood through hospitality. Instead, in this paper I develop an understanding of refugee-refugee hosting as constituted through care. Drawing on qualitative research conducted with Sudanese refugee men in Amman, Jordan, I demonstrate the value of this framework in explaining the emergence and experiences of their hosting relationships. I highlight the importance of everyday interdependencies for life in displacement, alongside the challenges and ambivalences of providing and receiving care in such contexts, and show how configurations of care shift and alter throughout protracted displacement. In doing so, I center informal and everyday acts of care among refugees in relation to external humanitarian care, arguing for a re-conceptualisation of the relationship between ‘hosts’ and ‘humanitarians’, and propose avenues for those working with displaced populations to engage with the vital support that refugee-refugee hosting provides.
Placenta: an old organ with new functions
Authors: Khorami-Sarvestani Sara , Vanaki Negar , Shojaeian Sorour , Zarnani Kayhan , Stensballe Allan , Jeddi-Tehrani Mahmood , Zarnani Amir-Hassan
Published: April 2024

The transition from oviparity to viviparity and the establishment of feto-maternal communications introduced the placenta as the major anatomical site to provide nutrients, gases, and hormones to the developing fetus. The placenta has endocrine functions, orchestrates maternal adaptations to pregnancy at different periods of pregnancy, and acts as a selective barrier to minimize exposure of developing fetus to xenobiotics, pathogens, and parasites. Despite the fact that this ancient organ is central for establishment of a normal pregnancy in eutherians, the placenta remains one of the least studied organs. The first step of pregnancy, embryo implantation, is finely regulated by the trophoectoderm, the precursor of all trophoblast cells. There is a bidirectional communication between placenta and endometrium leading to decidualization, a critical step for maintenance of pregnancy. There are three-direction interactions between the placenta, maternal immune cells, and the endometrium for adaptation of endometrial immune system to the allogeneic fetus. While 65% of all systemically expressed human proteins have been found in the placenta tissues, it expresses numerous placenta-specific proteins, whose expression are dramatically changed in gestational diseases and could serve as biomarkers for early detection of gestational diseases. Surprisingly, placentation and carcinogenesis exhibit numerous shared features in metabolism and cell behavior, proteins and molecular signatures, signaling pathways, and tissue microenvironment, which proposes the concept of “cancer as ectopic trophoblastic cells”. By extensive researches in this novel field, a handful of cancer biomarkers has been discovered. This review paper, which has been inspired in part by our extensive experiences during the past couple of years, highlights new aspects of placental functions with emphasis on its immunomodulatory role in establishment of a successful pregnancy and on a potential link between placentation and carcinogenesis.
Intravenous immunoglobulins for the treatment of prolonged COVID-19 in immunocompromised patients: a brief report
Authors: Billi Bénédicte , Cholley Paul , Grobost Vincent , Clément Mélissa , Rieu Virginie , Le Guenno Guillaume , Lobbes Hervé
Published: April 2024

Primary humoral deficiency and secondary B-cell depletion may lead to prolonged Sars-Cov-2 infection due to a decreased viral clearance. Prolonged infection is mainly driven by the lack of anti-Sars-Cov-2 immunoglobulin (IVIg) especially in patients with no vaccine response. Anti-spike immunoglobulin can be provided by infusion of convalescent patients’ plasma: recent studies highlighted that commercial immunoglobulin show high titers of neutralizing IgG. We conducted a single center retrospective cohort. We included 9 patients (6 males, median age 74 years old): one patient with X-linked agammaglobulinemia and 8 patients treated with rituximab (2 granulomatosis with polyangiitis, 1 neuromyelitis optica, 4 low grade B-cell lymphoma and 1 EBV post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder). Mean serum globulin was 4 ± 1.6 g/L. 7/8 had received at least 3 doses of mRNA anti-Sars-Cov-2 vaccine (median 4) with no response (anti-Spike IgG 0 for 6 patients). In this specific population requiring oxygen therapy but no intensive care support, the administration of IVIg was well tolerated and provided a swift improvement of clinical status, a significant decrease of inflammation associated to the an improvement of radiological patterns. Our results suggest that immunoglobulin could be used as a salvage therapy as an alternative to convalescent plasma but highly stringent patient selection is required due to the worldwide shortage of IVIg.
Radiomics analysis of pancreas based on dual-energy computed tomography for the detection of type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Jiang Wei , Pan Xianpan , Luo Qunzhi , Huang Shiqi , Liang Yuhong , Zhong Xixi , Zhang Xianjie , Deng Wei , Lv Yaping , Chen Lei
Published: April 2024

Objective

To utilize radiomics analysis on dual-energy CT images of the pancreas to establish a quantitative imaging biomarker for type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Materials and methods

In this retrospective study, 78 participants (45 with type 2 diabetes mellitus, 33 without) underwent a dual energy CT exam. Pancreas regions were segmented automatically using a deep learning algorithm. From these regions, radiomics features were extracted. Additionally, 24 clinical features were collected for each patient. Both radiomics and clinical features were then selected using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) technique and then build classifies with random forest (RF), support vector machines (SVM) and Logistic. Three models were built: one using radiomics features, one using clinical features, and a combined model.

Results

Seven radiomic features were selected from the segmented pancreas regions, while eight clinical features were chosen from a pool of 24 using the LASSO method. These features were used to build a combined model, and its performance was evaluated using five-fold cross-validation. The best classifier type is Logistic and the reported area under the curve (AUC) values on the test dataset were 0.887 (0.73–1), 0.881 (0.715–1), and 0.922 (0.804–1) for the respective models.

Conclusion

Radiomics analysis of the pancreas on dual-energy CT images offers potential as a quantitative imaging biomarker in the detection of type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Narrative review of relationship between chronic cough and laryngopharyngeal reflux
Authors: Hránková Viktória , Balner Tomáš , Gubová Patrícia , Staníková Lucia , Zeleník Karol , Komínek Pavel
Published: April 2024

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as a possible cause of chronic cough is known for decades. However, more than 75% of patients with extraoesophageal symptoms do not suffer from typical symptoms of GERD like pyrosis and regurgitations and have negative upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. For such a condition term laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) was introduced and is used for more than two decades. Since the comprehensive information on relationship between chronic cough and LPR is missing the aim of this paper is to summarize current knowledge based on review of published information during last 13 years. Laryngopharyngeal reflux is found in 20% of patients with chronic cough. The main and recognized diagnostic method for LPR is 24-h multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH (MII-pH) monitoring, revealing reflux episodes irritating the upper and lower respiratory tract mucosa. The treatment of LPR should be initiated with dietary and lifestyle measures, followed by proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy and other measures. Despite progress, more research is needed for accurate diagnosis and targeted therapies. Key areas for exploration include biomarkers for diagnosis, the impact of non-acid reflux on symptom development, and the efficacy of new drugs. Further studies with a focused population, excluding other causes like asthma, and using new diagnostic criteria for LPR are essential. It’s crucial to consider LPR as a potential cause of unexplained chronic cough and to approach diagnosis and treatment with a multidisciplinary perspective.
Fracture fixation in polytraumatized patients—From an interdisciplinary early total/appropriate care to the safe definitive surgery concept
Authors: Kalbas Yannik , Heining Sandro-Michael , Kaiser Anne , Klingebiel Felix Karl-Ludwig , Pfeifer Roman , Wanner Guido A. , Pape Hans-Christoph
Published: April 2024

The strategies for the timing of fracture fixation in polytrauma patients have changed with improvements in resuscitation and patient assessment. Specifically, the criteria for damage control have been formulated, and more precise parameters have been found to determine those patients who can safely undergo primary definitive fixation of major fractures. Our current recommendations are supported by objective and data-based criteria and development groups. Those were validated and compared to existing scores. This review article introduces the concept of “safe definitive surgery” and provides an update on the parameters used to clear patients for timely fixation of major fractures.
Puerperal mastitis caused by limited community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) clones
Authors: Lin Yu-Cheng , Lee Yu-Lin , Chen Yi-Hsin , Tsao Shih-Ming , Wang Wei-Yao
Published: April 2024

Objective

To outline the epidemiology of puerperal mastitis caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and evaluate the effect of an infection control bundle on its incidence.

Methods

A surge in MRSA puerperal mastitis was noted in a community hospital in September 2009. MRSA samples from mastitis cases and the environment underwent typing using multilocus sequence typing (MLST), staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec), gene encoding surface protein A (spa), accessory gene regulator (agr), and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). The phenotypic characteristics, including superantigen toxin profiles, gene encoding Panton-Valentine leucocidin (pvl), and minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) against vancomycin, were ascertained. Subsequently, an infection control bundle emphasizing contact precautions was introduced, and mastitis incidence rates pre- and post-intervention were compared.

Results

The majority of cases occurred within 6 weeks post-delivery in first-time mothers. Of the 42 S. aureus isolates (27 from mastitis and 15 from colonized staff and environmental sources), 25 (92.6%) clinical and 3 (20%) colonized MRSA were identified as ST59-SCCmecVT-spa t437-agr group I with a vancomycin MIC of 1 mg/L, pvl-positive, and predominantly with a consistent toxin profile (seb-selk-selr). PFGE revealed 13 patterns; pulsotype B exhibited clonal relatedness between two clinical and three colonized MRSA samples. Post-intervention, the incidence of both mastitis and MRSA mastitis notably decreased from 13.01 to 1.78 and from 3.70 to 0.99 episodes per 100 deliveries, respectively.

Conclusion

Distinct community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA) clones were detected among puerperal mastitis patients and colonized staff. The outbreak was effectively controlled following the implementation of a targeted infection control bundle.
The association between the fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio and delirium after deep brain stimulation surgery in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Lu Wenbin , Wang Hui , Lin Shengwei , Chang Xinning , Wang Jiali , Wu Xi , Yu Xiya
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Postoperative delirium (POD) remains one of the most prevalent neuropsychiatric complications after deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery. The fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio (FAR) has been shown to significantly correlate with the prognosis of many diseases related to inflammation. However, the association between FAR and POD remains unclear. We aimed to explore the association between POD and FAR in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) undergoing DBS surgery.

Methods

Patients with PD who underwent DBS surgery in our hospital were included in this retrospective study. FAR was calculated from the blood sample collected on admission. The association between baseline FAR and delirium after surgery was assessed by binary logistic regression analysis, interaction analysis, and stratified analyses.

Results

Of 226 patients, 37 (16.4%) suffered from delirium after surgery. The average age of the participants was 63.3 ± 7.2 years, and 51.3% were male patients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that patients in the highest FAR tertile had a higher risk of POD compared with patients in the lowest FAR tertile (OR = 3.93, 95% CI: 1.24 ~ 12.67). Subgroup analysis demonstrated that FAR and the preoperative Mini-Mental State Examination score (p = 0.013) had an association with delirium after surgery.

Conclusion

Our data suggest that a higher preoperative FAR was significantly associated with delirium after DBS surgery. FAR on admission is a useful candidate biomarker to identify patients with PD who are at a high risk of delirium following DBS surgery.
Age-related differences in the characteristics of persistent postural-perceptual dizziness
Authors: Fukushima Akina , Kabaya Kayoko , Minakata Toshiya , Katsumi Sachiyo , Esaki Shinichi , Iwasaki Shinichi
Published: April 2024

Objective

To investigate differences in the clinical characteristics of patients with persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD) according to age.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 143 patients diagnosed with PPPD. Patients were classified into three groups by age: young group (19 to 44 years, n = 60), middle-age group (45 to 64 years, n = 56), old group (65 to 85 years, n = 27). Demographic data, scores of the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), the Niigata PPPD Questionnaire (NPQ), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), precipitating conditions, and the results of vestibular function tests including caloric testing, video head impulse test (vHIT), cervical and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (cVEMPs and oVEMPs), and posturography, were compared among the three groups.

Results

While there were no significant differences in the scores of the DHI or NPQ, the total score and anxiety score in HADS in the young group were significantly higher than in the old group (p < 0.05, each). On the other hand, for precipitating conditions, the rate of peripheral vestibular diseases was significantly greater in the old group (77.8%) compared to the young group (41.7%, p < 0.01). There was no significant difference in the results of caloric testing, vHIT, cVEMPs, or oVEMPs among the three groups. For posturography, the velocity of the center of pressure with eyes-open as well as with eyes-closed was significantly greater in the old group compared to the young group and the middle-age group (p < 0.005, respectively).

Conclusion

The clinical characteristics of PPPD were different according to age. Young patients tended to have stronger anxiety than old patients whereas the old patients had a higher proportion of peripheral vestibular diseases among the precipitating conditions compared to young patients.
Transitioning from global to local computational strategies during brain-machine interface learning
Authors: Bridges Nathaniel R. , Stickle Matthew , Moxon Karen A.
Published: April 2024

When learning to use a brain-machine interface (BMI), the brain modulates neuronal activity patterns, exploring and exploiting the state space defined by their neural manifold. Neurons directly involved in BMI control (i.e., direct neurons) can display marked changes in their firing patterns during BMI learning. However, the extent of firing pattern changes in neurons not directly involved in BMI control (i.e., indirect neurons) remains unclear. To clarify this issue, we localized direct and indirect neurons to separate hemispheres in a task designed to bilaterally engage these hemispheres while animals learned to control the position of a platform with their neural signals. Animals that learned to control the platform and improve their performance in the task shifted from a global strategy, where both direct and indirect neurons modified their firing patterns, to a local strategy, where only direct neurons modified their firing rate, as animals became expert in the task. Animals that did not learn the BMI task did not shift from utilizing a global to a local strategy. These results provide important insights into what differentiates successful and unsuccessful BMI learning and the computational mechanisms adopted by the neurons.
Approach to the diagnosis and management of dysbiosis
Authors: Alagiakrishnan Kannayiram , Morgadinho Joao , Halverson Tyler
Published: April 2024

All microorganisms like bacteria, viruses and fungi that reside within a host environment are considered a microbiome. The number of bacteria almost equal that of human cells, however, the genome of these bacteria may be almost 100 times larger than the human genome. Every aspect of the physiology and health can be influenced by the microbiome living in various parts of our body. Any imbalance in the microbiome composition or function is seen as dysbiosis. Different types of dysbiosis are seen and the corresponding symptoms depend on the site of microbial imbalance. The contribution of the intestinal and extra-intestinal microbiota to influence systemic activities is through interplay between different axes. Whole body dysbiosis is a complex process involving gut microbiome and non-gut related microbiome. It is still at the stage of infancy and has not yet been fully understood. Dysbiosis can be influenced by genetic factors, lifestyle habits, diet including ultra-processed foods and food additives, as well as medications. Dysbiosis has been associated with many systemic diseases and cannot be diagnosed through standard blood tests or investigations. Microbiota derived metabolites can be analyzed and can be useful in the management of dysbiosis. Whole body dysbiosis can be addressed by altering lifestyle factors, proper diet and microbial modulation. The effect of these interventions in humans depends on the beneficial microbiome alteration mostly based on animal studies with evolving evidence from human studies. There is tremendous potential for the human microbiome in the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of diseases, as well as, for the monitoring of health and disease in humans. Whole body system-based approach to the diagnosis of dysbiosis is better than a pure taxonomic approach. Whole body dysbiosis could be a new therapeutic target in the management of various health conditions.