bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An evaluation of autonomic and gastrointestinal symptoms, and gastric emptying, in patients with systemic sclerosis
Authors: Hughes Michael , Harrison Elizabeth , Herrick Ariane L , Lal Simon , McLaughlin John T
Published: October 2024

Objective:

Assessment of gastrointestinal and autonomic symptoms in patients with systemic sclerosis, and possible associations with gastric emptying rate.

Methods:

Participant and patient disease-related characteristics were collected. Gastrointestinal and autonomic symptoms were assessed by the UCLA-SCTC GIT 2.0 and COMPASS-31 questionnaires, respectively. Potentially confounding gastrointestinal medications were discontinued where possible. Gastric emptying was assessed using a non-radioactive 13C sodium acetate isotope, end-expiratory breath samples collected at baseline and then serial timepoints up to 120 min.

Results:

In total, 49 participants were studied: 17 with systemic sclerosis with variable gastrointestinal involvement, and healthy matched (n = 17) and non-matched controls (n = 15), the last to control for the impact of age rather than disease on gastric emptying and autonomic function. The total mean (range) UCLA GIT 2.0 questionnaire for patients with systemic sclerosis was 0.63 (0.0–1.5) and for both healthy matched and non-matched controls was 0.04 (0.0–0.2), and was higher in patients with systemic sclerosis across all domains. The total mean (range) COMPASS-31 score for patients with systemic sclerosis patients was 32.2 (0.0–54.9) and for healthy matched- and non-matched controls: 7.45 (0.0–24.9) and 4.25 (0.0–2.1), respectively, again higher for patients with systemic sclerosis across all domains. No association was observed between patients’ UCLA GIT 2.0 total score (s = −0.039, p = 0.38), total COMPASS 31 score (s = −0.108, p = 0.68), or COMPASS-31 GI domain (s = −0.051, p = 0.85) and gastric emptying rates.

Conclusion:

Gastrointestinal and autonomic symptoms are overrepresented in patients with systemic sclerosis but did not associate with gastric emptying rates.
Reassembling the banal; Pausing before inventing anew
Authors: Giraud Eva Haifa
Published: October 2024

In Fashionable Nonsense (1998), Sokal and Bricmont describe Latour's work as ‘either true but banal, or else surprising but manifestly false’ (92). Using this characterisation of Latour as ‘banal’ as a springboard, this short commentary responds to Blok and Jensen's proposal to reinvent actor-network theory (ANT) by interrogating the stakes and risks of their account of his critics as ‘uninteresting’. Rather than dismissing critique of Latour as uninteresting, this response underscores the value of engaging with strands of Science and Technology Studies (STS) that have a long history of offering rich, provocative, and nuanced critical engagements with Latourian thought and ANT: particularly feminist STS. Drawing upon scholarship in feminist STS that has affinities with ANT, but which also centralises power, inequality, situated knowledges, and exclusion, the commentary ultimately argues that before reinventing Latour or ANT anew it is vital to draw on critical reinventions that already exist.
SPOT: spatial proteomics through on-site tissue-protein-labeling
Authors: Xu Yuanwei , Lih T. Mamie , De Marzo Angelo M. , Li Qing Kay , Zhang Hui
Published: October 2024

Background

Spatial proteomics seeks to understand the spatial organization of proteins in tissues or at different subcellular localization in their native environment. However, capturing the spatial organization of proteins is challenging. Here, we present an innovative approach termed Spatial Proteomics through On-site Tissue-protein-labeling (SPOT), which combines the direct labeling of tissue proteins in situ on a slide and quantitative mass spectrometry for the profiling of spatially-resolved proteomics.

Materials and Methods

Efficacy of direct TMT labeling was investigated using seven types of sagittal mouse brain slides, including frozen tissues without staining, formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues without staining, deparaffinized FFPE tissues, deparaffinized and decrosslinked FFPE tissues, and tissues with hematoxylin & eosin (H&E) staining, hematoxylin (H) staining, eosin (E) staining. The ability of SPOT to profile proteomes at a spatial resolution was further evaluated on a horizontal mouse brain slide with direct TMT labeling at eight different mouse brain regions. Finally, SPOT was applied to human prostate cancer tissues as well as a tissue microarray (TMA), where TMT tags were meticulously applied to confined regions based on the pathological annotations. After on-site direct tissue-protein-labeling, tissues were scraped off the slides and subject to standard TMT-based quantitative proteomics analysis.

Results

Tissue proteins on different types of mouse brain slides could be directly labeled with TMT tags. Moreover, the versatility of our direct-labeling approach extended to discerning specific mouse brain regions based on quantitative outcomes. The SPOT was further applied on both frozen tissues on slides and FFPE tissues on TMAs from prostate cancer tissues, where a distinct proteomic profile was observed among the regions with different Gleason scores.

Conclusions

SPOT is a robust and versatile technique that allows comprehensive profiling of spatially-resolved proteomics across diverse types of tissue slides to advance our understanding of intricate molecular landscapes.
Dengue virus surveillance in Nepal yields the first on-site whole genome sequences of isolates from the 2022 outbreak
Authors: Napit Rajindra , Elong Ngono Annie , Mihindukulasuriya Kathie A. , Pradhan Aunji , Khadka Binod , Shrestha Smita , Droit Lindsay , Paredes Anne , Karki Lata , Khatiwada Rabindra , Tamang Mamata , Chalise Bimal Sharma , Rawal Manisha , Jha Bimalesh Kumar , Wang David , Handley Scott A. , Shresta Sujan , Manandhar Krishna Das
Published: October 2024

Background

The 4 serotypes of dengue virus (DENV1-4) can each cause potentially deadly dengue disease, and are spreading globally from tropical and subtropical areas to more temperate ones. Nepal provides a microcosm of this global phenomenon, having met each of these grim benchmarks. To better understand DENV transmission dynamics and spread into new areas, we chose to study dengue in Nepal and, in so doing, to build the onsite infrastructure needed to manage future, larger studies.

Methods and results

During the 2022 dengue season, we enrolled 384 patients presenting at a hospital in Kathmandu with dengue-like symptoms; 79% of the study participants had active or recent DENV infection (NS1 antigen and IgM). To identify circulating serotypes, we screened serum from 50 of the NS1+ participants by RT-PCR and identified DENV1, 2, and 3 – with DENV1 and 3 codominant. We also performed whole-genome sequencing of DENV, for the first time in Nepal, using our new on-site capacity. Sequencing analysis demonstrated the DENV1 and 3 genomes clustered with sequences reported from India in 2019, and the DENV2 genome clustered with a sequence reported from China in 2018.

Conclusion

These findings highlight DENV’s geographic expansion from neighboring countries, identify China and India as the likely origin of the 2022 DENV cases in Nepal, and demonstrate the feasibility of building onsite capacity for more rapid genomic surveillance of circulating DENV. These ongoing efforts promise to protect populations in Nepal and beyond by informing the development and deployment of DENV drugs and vaccines in real time.
Exploring the longitudinal expression dynamics of midguts in adult female Amblyomma americanum ticks
Authors: Lu Stephen , de Sousa-Paula Lucas C. , Ribeiro Jose M. C. , Tirloni Lucas
Published: October 2024

Background

Female ticks remain attached to their host for multiple days to complete a blood meal. This prolonged feeding period is accompanied by a significant increase in the tick’s size and body weight, paralleled by noteworthy changes to the tick midgut. While the midgut is recognized for its established role in blood storage and processing, its importance extends to playing a crucial role in the acquisition, survival, and proliferation of pathogens. Despite this, our overall understanding of tick midgut biology is limited.

Results

Our transcriptome analysis identified 15,599 putative DNA coding sequences (CDS), which were classified into 26 functional groups. Dimensional and differential expression analyses revealed four primary transcriptional profiles corresponding to unfed, slow-feeding, transitory (from slow- to rapid-feeding), and rapid-feeding stages. Additionally, comparing the current dataset with previously deposited transcriptome from other tick species allowed the identification of commonly expressed transcripts across different feeding stages.

Conclusion

Our findings provide a detailed temporal resolution of numerous metabolic pathways in the midgut of A. americanum adult females throughout the feeding process, highlighting the dynamic transcriptional regulation of the tick’s midgut as feeding progresses. Furthermore, we identified conserved transcripts across three different tick species that exhibit similar expression patterns. This knowledge not only enhances our understanding of the physiological processes within the tick midgut but also opens up potential avenues for developing control methods that target multiple tick species.
The provision of bereavement care by general practitioners: data from a sentinel network
Authors: Renckens Sophie C. , Pasman H. Roeline , Veldhuijzen Nienke J. , Onwuteaka-Philipsen Bregje D.
Published: October 2024

Background

Limited information exists regarding the prevalence of bereavement care provision by general practitioners (GPs) and in what cases they provide this. Insights into the current practice of bereavement care provision by GPs can highlight areas for improvement of the bereavement care practice. Therefore, we examined in how many cases GPs contacted relatives regarding bereavement care, and which case-specific characteristics are associated.

Methods

This study had a retrospective cross-sectional design and used data from a clustered sample of 52 GP-practices in the Netherlands. Patient cases were included if they were one year or older and died between January 1st, 2018 and December 31st, 2022. The main outcome was whether the GP had had contact with relatives regarding bereavement care or planned to do so. Descriptive statistics were used, as well as logistic regression analyses with generalized estimating equations.

Results

Following 86.4% of deaths, GPs either had contact with or planned to have contact with relatives of their deceased patients regarding bereavement care. This likelihood was higher in non-sudden deaths compared to sudden deaths (odds ratio [OR] 1.60). In cases of non-sudden death, GPs were more likely to provide bereavement care if an informal caregiver was involved (OR 3.81), or if the GP was part of a palliative care at home group (PaTz) (OR 2.78).

Conclusions

In the majority of cases GPs reach out to the relatives of their deceased patients to offer bereavement care. Given their familiarity with the deceased person, particularly instances of non-sudden death, the GP seems to be well-positioned to provide bereavement care, especially support that focuses on reviewing the period leading up to the death.
Release of sputum neutrophil granules is associated with pulmonary function and disease severity in childhood asthma
Authors: Kim Min Jung , Kim Soo Yeon , Kim Jong Deok , Park Mireu , Kim Yoon Hee , Kim Kyung Won , Sohn Myung Hyun
Published: October 2024

Background

Myeloperoxidase (MPO) and human neutrophil lipocalin or neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (HNL/NGAL) are stored in neutrophil granulocytes and secreted upon activation of the cells. They have been proposed to reflect the degree of inflammation in the airways. However, their role as potential markers of disease severity in childhood asthma remains unknown. This study investigated the relationship between the expression of MPO and HNL/NGAL and childhood asthma.

Methods

A total of 83 pediatric patients with asthma and 59 controls were enrolled. Using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, the human MPO and HNL/NGAL levels were measured in sputum supernatants. Assessments including spirometry, methacholine challenge test, and atopy test were conducted.

Results

No difference in sputum neutrophil counts was observed between pediatric patients with asthma and controls. However, sputum MPO and HNL/NGAL levels were significantly higher in patients with asthma than in controls (p = 0.021 and p < 0.001, respectively), especially in patients with moderate-to-severe persistent asthma. In patients with asthma, sputum MPO and HNL/NGAL levels showed a positive correlation with sputum neutrophil counts (MPO, r = 0.433, p < 0.001; HNL/NGAL, r = 0.584, p < 0.001) and with each other (r = 0.628, p < 0.001). Moreover, sputum HNL/NGAL level demonstrated better ability to accurately reflect current pulmonary function, airway inflammation, and limitations than MPO level in this study.

Conclusions

Sputum MPO and HNL/NGAL levels, which reflect neutrophil activation in airways, were increased in pediatric patients with asthma. Moreover, sputum MPO and HNL/NGAL may serve as appropriate assessment indicators of asthma severity in pediatric patients.
Prevalence of Dunning-Kruger effect in first semester medical students: a correlational study of self-assessment and actual academic performance
Authors: Knof Harald , Berndt Markus , Shiozawa Thomas
Published: October 2024

Introduction

The ability to self-assess is a crucial skill in identifying one’s own strengths and weaknesses and in coordinating self-directed learning. The Dunning-Kruger effect occurs when limited knowledge causes individuals to overestimate their competence and underestimate others’, leading to poor self-assessment and unrecognized incompetence. To serve as a foundation for developing strategies to improve self-assessment, the self-assessment abilities of first-semester students were assessed.

Methods

In the final weeks of the summer 2021, winter 2021/22, and summer 2022 semesters, the academic performance (oral anatomy exam) of first semester students was assessed (0–15 points). Before the exam results were announced, students were asked to self-assess their performance.

Results

Exam scores (M = 10.64, SD = 2.95) and self-assessed scores (M = 10.38, SD = 2.54) were comparable. The absolute difference between them, as a measure of self-assessment ability ranged from − 9 to + 9 points (M = -0.26, SD = 2.59). Among participants (N = 426), 18.5% assessed themselves accurately, 35.5% overestimated, and 46.0% underestimated their performance. The correlation between actual score and self-assessment was ρ = -0.590 (p < 0.001), reflecting the Dunning-Kruger effect. When separated by gender, correlation for females was ρ = -0.591 (p < 0.001), and for males ρ = -0.580 (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Realistic self-assessment is a challenge for first-semester students. The data indicate that females tend to overestimate their performance while males underestimate theirs. A pronounced Dunning-Kruger effect is evident in both genders, with significant negative correlations between self-assessment and actual performance. There are several reasons for the occurrence of the Dunning-Kruger effect. Considering that the COVID-19 pandemic influenced learning environments, collaborative learning was significantly restricted. The lack of opportunities for comparison could potentially lead to unrealistic self-assessment.
Validity of the Johns Hopkins Adjusted Clinical Groups system on the utilisation of healthcare services in Norway: a retrospective cross-sectional study
Authors: Hosar Rannei , Berntsen Gro Rosvold , Steinsbekk Aslak
Published: October 2024

Background

The Adjusted Clinical Groups (ACG) System is a validated electronic risk stratification system. However, there is a lack of studies on the association between different ACG risk scores and the utilisation of different healthcare services using different sources of input data. The aim of this study was therefore to assess the validity of the association between five different ACG risk scores and the utilisation of a range of different healthcare services using input data from either general practitioners (GPs) or hospitals.

Methods

Registry-based study of all adult inhabitants in four Norwegian municipalities that received somatic healthcare in one year (N = 168 285). The ACG risk scores resource utilisation band, unscaled ACG concurrent risk, unscaled concurrent risk, frailty flag and chronic condition count were calculated using age, sex and diagnosis codes from GPs and a hospital, respectively. Healthcare utilisation covered GP, municipal and hospital services. Areas under the receiver operating curve (AUC) were calculated and compared to the AUC of a model using only age and sex.

Results

Utilisation of all healthcare services increased with increasing scores in the “resource utilisation band” (RUB) and all other investigated ACG risk scores. The risk scores overall distinguished well between levels of utilisation of GP visits (AUC up to 0.84), hospitalisation (AUC up to 0.8) and specialist outpatient visits (AUC up to 0.72), but not out-of-hours GP visits (AUC up to 0.62). The score “unscaled ACG concurrent risk” overall performed best. Risk scores based on data from either GPs or hospitals performed better for the classification of healthcare services in their respective domains. The model based on age and sex performed better for distinguishing between levels of utilisation of municipal services (AUC 0.83–0.90 compared to 0.46–0.79).

Conclusions

Risk scores from the ACG system is valid for classifying GP visits, hospitalisation and specialist outpatient visits. It does not outperform simpler models in the classification of utilisation of municipal services such as nursing homes and home services and outpatient emergency care in primary healthcare. The ACG system can be applied in Norway using administrative data from either GPs or hospitals.
A scoping review on barriers and facilitators to harm reduction care among youth in British Columbia, Canada
Authors: Beck Kassey , Pallot Katija , Amri Michelle
Published: October 2024

Background

Progressive harm reduction policies have been implemented in British Columbia, Canada. However, youth who use drugs face barriers to receiving harm reduction care, resulting in increasing opioid-related hospitalizations and drug toxicity deaths. This scoping review collates peer-reviewed evidence to understand the barriers and facilitators faced by youth who use drugs when accessing harm reduction programming in British Columbia, Canada.

Methods

This scoping review entailed conducting a systematic search of relevant databases to identify relevant articles. Articles were included if they: (i) contained youth falling between the ages of 12 and 26 years old; (ii) explored accessibility, barriers, and/or facilitators to harm reduction care or related topics; (iii) were empirical research articles using primary data (i.e., reviews, grey literature, theoretical or conceptual papers, books, etc. were excluded); and (iv) were available in the English language, given the geographic focus on British Columbia.

Results

A total of 398 sources were identified and ultimately, data from 13 sources were charted and extracted. When investigating barriers to harm reduction care among youth, four themes emerged: self-stigma, service navigation, service delivery, and negative provider interactions. Furthermore, in exploring factors that facilitate harm reduction care for youth, four themes surfaced: ability to meet basic needs, positive provider interactions, social networks, and risk mitigation guidance.

Conclusions

The expansion of harm reduction services in 2016 did not fully address accessibility challenges faced by youth who use drugs. Barriers continue to hinder harm reduction engagement, while supportive networks, positive provider interactions, and the ability to meet basic needs facilitated sustained access. Tailored policy interventions rooted in equity are crucial to improving access to harm reduction services for youth who use drugs.
Plant conservation in the age of genome editing: opportunities and challenges
Authors: Yin Kangquan , Chung Mi Yoon , Lan Bo , Du Fang K. , Chung Myong Gi
Published: October 2024

Numerous plant taxa are threatened by habitat destruction or overexploitation. To overcome these threats, new methods are urgently needed for rescuing threatened and endangered plant species. Here, we review the genetic consequences of threats to species populations. We highlight potential advantages of genome editing for mitigating negative effects caused by new pathogens and pests or climate change where other approaches have failed. We propose solutions to protect threatened plants using genome editing technology unless absolutely necessary. We further discuss the challenges associated with genome editing in plant conservation to mitigate the decline of plant diversity.
Prevalence of autistic traits and their relationships with other psychopathological domains in young adults seeking psychiatric attention: a cluster analysis
Authors: Demartini Benedetta , Ingrosso Gianmarco , Serio Francesca , Nisticò Veronica , Broglia Giovanni , Bertani Angelo , Faggioli Raffaella , Gambini Orsola , Massimetti Gabriele , Dell’Osso Liliana , Carpita Barbara
Published: October 2024

Background

Nearly two-thirds of individuals with a mental disorder start experiencing symptoms during adolescence or early adulthood, and the onset of a mental disorder during this critical life stage strongly predicts adverse socioeconomic and health outcomes. Subthreshold manifestations of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), also called autistic traits (ATs), are known to be associated with a higher vulnerability to the development of other psychiatric disorders. This study aimed to assess the presence of ATs in a population of young adults seeking specialist assistance and to evaluate the study population across various psychopathological domains in order to determine their links with ATs.

Methods

We recruited a sample of 263 adolescents and young adults referring to a specialized outpatient clinic, and we administered them several self-report questionnaires for the evaluation of various psychopathological domains. We conducted a cluster analysis based on the prevalence of ATs, empathy, and sensory sensitivity scores.

Results

The cluster analysis identified three distinct groups in the sample: an AT cluster (22.43%), an intermediate cluster (45.25%), and a no-AT cluster (32.32%). Moreover, subjects with higher ATs exhibited greater symptomatology across multiple domains, including mood, anxiety, eating disorder severity, psychotic symptoms, and personality traits such as detachment and vulnerable narcissism.

Conclusions

This study highlights the importance of identifying ATs in young individuals struggling with mental health concerns. Additionally, our findings underscore the necessity of adopting a dimensional approach to psychopathology to better understand the complex interplay of symptoms and facilitate tailored interventions.
Medical Tourism for Cancer Treatment: Trends, Trajectories, and Perspectives From African Countries
Authors: Rubagumya Fidel , Carson Laura , Afolayan Daniel , Rugengamanzi Eulade , Nnko Godwin Abdiel , Abdihamid Omar , Vanderpuye Verna , Hammad Nazik
Published: October 2024

PURPOSE

Cancer continues to be a significant public health concern. Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) struggles with a lack of proper infrastructure and adequate cancer care workforce. This has led to some countries relying on referrals of cancer care to countries with higher income levels. In some instances, patients refer themselves. Some countries have made it their goal to attract patients from other countries, a term that has been referred to as medical tourism. In this article, we explore the current status of oncology-related medical tourism in SSA.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study. The study participants included oncologists, surgeons, and any other physicians who take care of patients with cancer. A predesigned questionnaire was distributed through African Organization for Research and Training in Cancer member mailing list and through study team personal contacts and social media.

RESULTS

A total of 52 participants from 17 African countries with a 1.6:2 male to female ratio responded to the survey. Most (55.8%) of the respondents were from Eastern African countries. The majority (92%) of study participants reported that they knew patients who referred themselves abroad, whereas 75% referred patients abroad, and the most common (94%) referral destination was India. The most common (93%) reason for referral was perception of a higher quality of care in foreign health institutions.

CONCLUSION

The findings suggest the need to improve local health care systems including building trust of the system among general population. The study highlights potential financial toxicity, and it adds to the current emphasis on return of investment on homegrown workforce and cancer treatment infrastructure.
Safety, Growth, and Development After Dapagliflozin or Saxagliptin in Children With Type 2 Diabetes (T2NOW Follow-Up)
Authors: Shehadeh Naim , Galassetti Pietro , Iqbal Nayyar , Karlsson Cecilia , Monyak John , Ostridge Jennifer , Bolin Marie , Barrett Timothy
Published: October 2024

Context

The T2NOW trial of dapagliflozin or saxagliptin vs placebo in pediatric patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) demonstrated promising efficacy data for dapagliflozin and did not raise any safety concerns over 52 weeks.

Objective

This work aimed to assess long-term effects of prior dapagliflozin/saxagliptin administration on safety, growth, and development.

Methods

A multicenter, randomized, double-blind phase 3 trial (T2NOW) was conducted among 210 children with T2D aged 10 to 17 years, followed for up to 1 year after treatment. Participants were previously treated with once-daily dapagliflozin (5, 10 mg), saxagliptin (2.5, 5 mg), or placebo as an add-on to diet, exercise, metformin, and/or insulin for 52 weeks, plus a 52-week nontreatment follow-up period. Main outcome measures included change in height, weight, body mass index (BMI), Tanner staging, growth and maturation markers, bone biomarkers, and adverse events (AEs) from baseline to week 104.

Results

As expected in a pediatric population, mean height and weight slightly increased from baseline to week 104. BMI remained generally stable; changes were similar across treatment groups. Sexual maturation progressed normally to week 104, with similar shifts between Tanner stages and changes in growth and maturation markers and bone biomarkers across groups. The proportion of patients reporting 1 or more AEs during the nontreatment follow-up period was similar across groups previously treated with dapagliflozin (18.5%) or saxagliptin (15.9%) compared to placebo (21.1%). No deaths occurred.

Conclusion

Prior treatment with dapagliflozin or saxagliptin for 52 weeks did not raise any safety concerns relating to height, weight, BMI, Tanner staging, growth and maturation markers, bone biomarkers, or AEs for up to 52 weeks following treatment discontinuation in pediatric patients with T2D.
Targeted Deletion of Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 Rescues Metabolic Dysregulation of Diet-induced Obesity in Female Mice
Authors: Park Min Young , Tu Chia-Ling , Perie Luce , Verma Narendra , Serdan Tamires Duarte Afonso , Shamsi Farnaz , Shapses Sue , Heffron Sean , Gamallo-Lana Begona , Mar Adam C , Alemán José O , Mueller Elisabetta , Chang Wenhan , Sitara Despina
Published: October 2024

Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) is a bone-secreted protein widely recognized as a critical regulator of skeletal and mineral metabolism. However, little is known about the nonskeletal production of FGF23 and its role in tissues other than bone. Growing evidence indicates that circulating FGF23 levels rise with a high-fat diet (HFD) and they are positively correlated with body mass index (BMI) in humans. In the present study, we show for the first time that increased circulating FGF23 levels in obese humans correlate with increased expression of adipose Fgf23 and both positively correlate with BMI. To understand the role of adipose-derived Fgf23, we generated adipocyte-specific Fgf23 knockout mice (AdipoqFgf23Δfl/Δfl) using the adiponectin-Cre driver, which targets mature white, beige, and brown adipocytes. Our data show that targeted ablation of Fgf23 in adipocytes prevents HFD-fed female mice from gaining body weight and fat mass while preserving lean mass but has no effect on male mice, indicating the presence of sexual dimorphism. These effects are observed in the absence of changes in food and energy intake. Adipose Fgf23 inactivation also prevents dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia, and hepatic steatosis in female mice. Moreover, these changes are associated with decreased respiratory exchange ratio and increased brown fat Ucp1 expression in knockout mice compared to HFD-fed control mice (Fgf23fl/fl). In conclusion, this is the first study highlighting that targeted inactivation of Fgf23 is a promising therapeutic strategy for weight loss and lean mass preservation in humans.
Temperature and water availability induce chronic stress responses in zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata)
Authors: Colominas-Ciuró Roger , Kowalczewska Anna , Jefimow Małgorzata , Wojciechowski Michał S.
Published: October 2024

Animals initiate physiological mechanisms to re-establish homeostasis following environmental stress. To understand how bird physiology responds to abiotic stress, we quantified changes in haematological markers of chronic stress response and body condition of male zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) acclimated for 18 weeks to hot and cool temperatures (daytime temperature: 40°C and 23°C) with water available ad libitum or restricted during half of the active phase. Ambient temperature induced greater chronic stress than restricted water availability. While cool compared with hot temperatures induced higher numbers of heterophils and heterophil to lymphocyte (H:L) ratios and reduced total leucocyte count, water restriction decreased the number of lymphocytes compared with water ad libitum. Body condition correlated with haematological parameters showing that birds with better condition had greater capacity to face environmental stress. Therefore, prolonged exposure to cool periods may result in chronic stress in zebra finches, especially if body condition is weakened.
Odonata Community in a transition area between Atlantic Forest and Cerrado, Southern Minas Gerais, Brazil
Authors: Amaral Lara Guerra Rebello , Ferreira Eike Daniel Fôlha , Oliveira Tomás Matheus Dias de , Vilela Diogo Silva , Jacques Gabriel de Castro , Souza Marcos Magalhães de
Published: October 2024

The Atlantic Forest and Cerrado biomes are global biodiversity hotspots. Despite this, they are constantly losing their natural habitats, making it urgent to conduct fauna inventories for the conservation of taxa such as dragonflies (Odonata). These insects provide fundamental environmental services to both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems and are poorly sampled in some regions of Minas Gerais state. In this regard, the present study aimed to inventory the Odonata community in the surroundings of Luminárias, a municipality located in southern Minas Gerais state, Brazil. This area consists of a transition between Cerrado and Atlantic Forest, with biotic and abiotic attributes suggesting the creation of a Conservation Unit (CU) to provide data on the distribution of this taxon for future conservation actions. The study was conducted between 2023 and 2024, in 10 locations, totaling 690 hours of sampling effort. Fifty-seven species were recorded, distributed among seven families, with four species at some risk of extinction or with insufficient data, according to the IUCN or ICMBio. Considering the significant richness of Odonata fauna obtained in this study, which includes threatened species, it is urgent to establish management actions for the protection of these populations, including the creation of a CU.
Człowiek – mądrość a głupota. Tom 2. Aspekt teologiczny
Authors: Krzemiński Krzysztof , Beszterda Rafał , Olszewska Karolina
Published: October 2024

We present to our readers the last volume devoted to anthropology from an interdisciplinary perspective. The series opened with the three-volume publication "Man – a religious being". Then, we looked at man from the perspective of "body and soul" and "purity and dirt". The latest publication is an attempt to read man in the context of "wisdom and stupidity". The editors’ intention was to show the interdisciplinarity of anthropological perspectives. The first volume included reflections of a humanistic and ethnological character. The texts in this volume present a theological perspective. Firstly, we need to ask a question: what is wisdom and what is stupidity? Analysis of the frequency of appearances of the term wisdom as well as reading encyclopedia and dictionary entries lead to the conclusion that not much attention is paid to it nowadays. It is surprising that today the issue of wisdom is rarely discussed. In-depth reflections on the essence of wisdom are rather typical of ancient philosophy and the biblical and theological environment. […] From the Introduction
Pogoda i klimat regionów południowobałtyckich od końca XIV do początków XVI w. w źródłach narracyjnych
Authors: Oliński Piotr
Published: October 2024

The book concerns weather phenomena from the 15th century, which were described in narrative sources originating from various regions located on the southern coast of the Baltic Sea. In the content of preserved chronicles, yearbooks, private notes and accounts, one can find excerpts, sometimes even quite extensive ones, describing harsh winters, hot summers, floods, storms and strong winds. Several hundred pieces of information of this type have been preserved for the studied area. This made it possible to describe, sometimes even quite precisely, the weather conditions prevailing in certain seasons of the year, to learn about the problems that affected people as a result of unfavourable atmospheric phenomena, and even to attempt to reconstruct climate changes in the Baltic region at the end of the Middle Ages.
Conquering Post-Dural Puncture Headache: A Systematic Review of Effective Treatments
Authors: Kopczyński Cezary , Kopczyńska Urszula , Malinowski Piotr , Sikorski Piotr , Gurdak Kinga , Dydyk Martyna , Dyrek Martyna , Błaszczak Ewa , Wójcik Jakub , Partyka Aleksandra
Published: October 2024

Post-dural puncture headache (PDPH) is a common complication following spinal procedures, particularly lumbar punctures and epidural anesthesia. This systematic review aims to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of various management strategies for PDPH. A comprehensive search was conducted across major databases for relevant articles published up to January 2024. The inclusion criteria comprised studies assessing interventions for post-dural puncture headache (PDPH) management in adult populations. Data extraction and quality evaluation were conducted independently by two reviewers. Analysis involved 34 studies meeting the inclusion criteria. The results indicate that conservative approaches, including bed rest, hydration, caffeine, and analgesics, continue to serve as the fundamental components of PDPH management. Additionally, epidural blood patch (EBP) emerged as the most effective intervention for refractory cases. However, further research is needed to optimize treatment protocols and explore emerging therapies.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Sexual Functioning - is there a connection?
Authors: Skwara Julia , Węgrzyn Konstancja , Wasilewski Marcin , Nowicki Maciej , Laskowski Gustaw , Góra Agnieszka , Barański Dawid , Salińska Anna , Węgrzyn Piotr , Dąbrowska Natalia
Published: October 2024

Understanding how ADHD affects sexual functioning is key to providing comprehensive care. This review looks into the current research on sexual health in people with ADHD, focusing on how common sexual dysfunction is, how ADHD symptoms might impact sexual behavior, and what role medications play. By summarizing the existing studies, this review aims to highlight what we don’t know yet and suggest future research to improve treatment and patient outcomes. The review covers literature related to sexual functioning in ADHD, particularly looking at connections to hypersexuality, paraphilias, and various sexual behaviors. A thorough search of electronic databases, including PubMed, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar, was conducted using relevant keywords such as 'ADHD,' 'hypersexuality,' 'paraphilias,' 'sexuality,' 'sexual behavior,' and 'sexual violence.' The study duration was 6 months. Common features of ADHD, such as impulsivity, poor impulse control, and difficulties with self-regulation, may contribute to risky sexual behaviors, compulsive sexual behavior, or the development of paraphilic interests. It's important for doctors dealing with ADHD in children to discuss sexual health as the patient nears adolescence and offer guidance on safe sex. Treatment should combine medication with therapy. Since impulsivity seems to play a big role in risky sexual behavior, making contraceptives readily available could be important for sexual health. Longitudinal studies are necessary to better understand the temporal relationships and progression of sexual behaviors and ADHD symptoms over time. Given the potential impact of ADHD on sexual behavior and functioning, healthcare providers should consider screening for ADHD in patients presenting with issues related to hypersexuality, paraphilias, or other sexual concerns.
Extubation Decisions with Predictive Information for Mechanically Ventilated Patients in the ICU
Authors: Cheng Guang , Xie Jingui , Zheng Zhichao , Luo Haidong , Ooi Oon Cheong
Published: October 2024

Weaning patients from mechanical ventilators is a crucial decision in intensive care units (ICUs), significantly affecting patient outcomes and the throughput of ICUs. This study aims to improve the current extubation protocols by incorporating predictive information on patient health conditions. We develop a discrete-time, finite-horizon Markov decision process with predictions of future state to support extubation decisions. We characterize the structure of the optimal policy and provide important insights into how predictive information can lead to different decision protocols. We demonstrate that adding predictive information is always beneficial, even if physicians place excessive trust in the predictions, as long as the predictive model is moderately accurate. Using a comprehensive data set from an ICU in a tertiary hospital in Singapore, we evaluate the effectiveness of various policies and demonstrate that incorporating predictive information can reduce ICU length of stay by up to 3.4% and, simultaneously, decrease the extubation failure rate by up to 20.3%, compared with the optimal policy that does not utilize prediction. These benefits are more significant for patients with poor initial conditions upon ICU admission. Both our analytical and numerical findings suggest that predictive information is particularly valuable in identifying patients who could benefit from continued intubation, thereby allowing for personalized and delayed extubation for these patients.

This paper was accepted by Carri Chan, healthcare management.

Funding: This work was supported by the Academic Research Fund (AcRF) Tier 2, Ministry of Education, Singapore [Grant MOE2019-T2-1-185] and the National Natural Science Foundation of China [Grants 71921001 and 72091210].

Supplemental Material: The online appendix and data files are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2021.01427 .
CINEMA NA ESCOLA: Possibilidades de fazer deslizes na maquinaria de ver
Authors: Goulart Aline Jekimim , De Almeida Aline Amsberg
Published: October 2024

O presente artigo pretende discorrer sobre experimentações de cinema realizadas em escola,  que potencializaram e podem potencializar a relação imagem e espaço, a partir de intervenções que trazem à tona e fazem novos sensíveis possíveis para alunos de Ensino Fundamental II da rede municipal de Campinas (SP). Partindo do pressuposto de que cinema e escola fazem parte de uma educação visual/estética e que o cinema na escola, como experimentação, altera as sensibilidades da escola, ativa um mafuá e abre vãos para que a criação se dê de maneira mais autônoma, propõe-se investigar e experimentar o cinema como potência pedagógica, permitindo aos alunos fazer deslizes na maquinaria de ver a/da escola e ter outros possíveis olhares com/na escola, a partir do cinema como possibilidade de agenciamentos de desterritorialização e reterritorialização da visão dos atores do espaço escolar. Em 2018, foram realizadas oficinas, intituladas “não-escola”, na EMEF Padre Melico Cândido Barbosa com alunos de 8º ano. Tanto as oficinas como suas análises deram origem ao projeto de mestrado que está em andamento e que pretende ampliar as experimentações que encontrem novos sensíveis, que intervenham no que é sensível e aquilo que pode ser sensível e tratem o cinema como possibilidade de desterritorialização do olhar na escola. A partir de um fazer cartográfico, que acompanha processos serão levados em conta a lei 13.006/14, as oficinas (já realizadas e por vir) e os estudos teóricos que contribuam para que o cinema na escola seja um território de articulação social e aprendizagem.
TÁTICAS DAS JUVENTUDES
Authors: Andrade Nivea Maria da Silva , Guerreiro João
Published: October 2024

O presente artigo apresenta, inicialmente, uma discussão sobre as práticas de defesa dos Direitos Humanos que vêm sendo realizadas pela juventude periférica através de uma pesquisa em andamento junto ao Instituto Enraizados, que congrega jovens do movimento Hip Hop que atuam em um bairro do município de Nova Iguaçu/RJ, situado na região denominada Baixada Fluminense/RJ. A metodologia da pesquisa utiliza como dispositivo inicial roda de conversas sobre os conhecimentos e processos de significações das produções imagéticas realizadas pelos próprios jovens a partir de palavras-temas desencadeadoras eleitas por ela(e)s. O artigo apresenta, a partir dessa pesquisa, algumas indicações sobre as táticas empregadas por esses jovens nas suas ações cotidianas visando dar concretude ou dar outros significados à visão hegemônica de que na periferia de um centro urbano como o município do Rio de Janeiro não existe direitos humanos, produção cultural ou mesmo potencias de produção.
POESIA ONDE NÃO TEM – Relatos docentes acerca de oficinas de fotografia realizadas com jovens
Authors: Lobo Thamy , Machado Marcelo Ferreira
Published: October 2024

O presente ensaio busca retratar como as imagens/fotografias estão inseridas de modo relevante no cotidiano de diversas pessoas. E que essas pessoas não são apenas consumidoras, elas também produzem, criam e resistem através de um artefato secular: a fotografia. Diversos estudantes de comunidades cariocas foram convidados a participar de um projeto onde precisariam fotografar seus espaços cotidianos numa perspectiva poética e criadora de realidades, onde se tornassem poesias. No primeiro momento, as dificuldades de enxergar beleza foram um limitante no projeto. Viviam em meio ao caos, desordem, violência... difícil perceber potencialidades quando se está sempre à margem. O projeto “Poesia onde não tem” foi uma possibilidade de criações coletivas e individuais que valorizasse os ‘espaçostempos’ vivenciados por esses alunos, mesmo com tantos percalços. Trazer as imagens, tão usadas por esses estudantes, para as salas de aula, proporcionaram conversas acerca do capitalismo, das selfies, do que é belo ou não, das realidades criadas, das vidas que as pessoas levam nas redes sociais e muitas outras coisas. E ainda resultou numa exposição de fotografias incríveis, criadas pelos próprios alunos.
O “MAU ALUNO” É O FUTURO “TRAFICANTE”? APONTAMENTOS ANTROPOLÓGICOS SOBRE UMA “PROFECIA” NAS ESCOLAS PÚBLICAS FLUMINENSES
Authors: Veríssimo Marcos
Published: October 2024

Os objetivos deste trabalho são descrever e propor algumas interpretações sobre processos escolares de formação de identidade e sua relação com lógicas presentes na assim compreendida “cultura brasileira” e seus dilemas acerca do público x privado; direitos x obrigações, etc. A abordagem é etnográfica, com base em minha experiência de mais de uma década como professor da “Rede Estadual de Ensino” do Rio de Janeiro.
O METILFENIDATO, A ESCOLA E A CULTURA FARMACOLÓGICA CONTEMPORÂNEA
Authors: Torcato Carlos Eduardo
Published: October 2024

O Ministério da Saúde publicou em 2015 uma recomendação para que Estados e Municípios publicassem protocolos para prevenir a prescrição excessiva de metilfenidato às crianças e aos adolescentes. O uso excessivo de remédios tem sido denunciado pela literatura científica como resultado do processo de medicalização da sociedade. Esse artigo objetiva questionar a imanência do poder médico, comum nesta literatura, a partir da ênfase nas relações sociais. O uso de remédios ao longo da história mostra que nem sempre os médicos foram agentes promotores do uso de fármacos, pois a definição do que é um problema de saúde e as formas de resolvê-lo variam ao longo do tempo. O uso estendido de metilfenidato como ferramenta de adequação social é fruto da mercantilização e de uma perspectiva heteronômica de compreender as formas de gestão do ânimo.
ESTRATÉGIAS PEDAGÓGICAS DE ABORDAGEM ÀS DROGAS: POR ONDE ANDA A HISTÓRIA DA EDUCAÇÃO?
Authors: Da Silva Maria de Lourdes
Published: October 2024

O presente trabalho analisa dois slogans criados para campanhas de combate às drogas: “Drogas, tô fora!” e “Diga não às drogas” e duas respostas paródicas dadas a eles à luz dos conceitos de dialogismo e responsabilidade de Mikhail Bakhtin e Hannah Arendt, respectivamente. A discussão é proposta nos marcos da história da educação, problematizando sobre a escassez de pesquisas neste campo e a importância de tais investimentos para a educação.
MÚSICAS INFANTIS E REPRESENTAÇÕES SOCIAIS: Um Descompasso Social
Authors: Silva Juliana Pereira , Urt Sonia da Cunha
Published: October 2024

Reflexão sobre o processo de construção social dos fenômenos contidos em algumas músicas infantis, as quais propagam ideias que determinam lugares e papéis na sociedade. Apoia-se na Teoria das Representações Sociais articulada com a Teoria Histórico-Cultural, pautada no princípio dos fenômenos humanos como produção do processo histórico da formação social para fazer uma abordagem empírica, com alguns professores que trabalham com música na Educação Infantil. Conclui-se, há não consciência do professor da importância da representação social contida na música mediante o processo de desenvolvimento da criança. Os dados obtidos nas entrevistas revelaram a necessidade de investimento na formação continuada do professor, para desenvolver competências mais complexas e de maior responsabilidade.
EDITORIAL
Authors: Oliveira Inês Barbosa de , Paiva Jane , Gonçalves Rafael Marques
Published: October 2024

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