bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The association between healthy and unhealthy dietary indices with prostate cancer risk: a case-control study
Authors: Mahmoodi Marzieh , Gabal Baneen Chasib , Mohammadi Farzaneh , Ibrahim Fatma Magdi , Jalilpiran Yahya , Nouri Mehran , Faghih Shiva
Published: June 2024

Introduction

According to our knowledge, the relationship between dietary patterns such as pro-healthy, pro-vegetarian, and non-healthy dietary patterns and prostate cancer risk has not been clearly investigated in Iranian men. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the relationship between adherence to a pro-healthy (PHDI), pro-vegetarian (PDP), and non-healthy dietary indices (NHDI) and the risk of prostate cancer.

Method

In this matched case-control study, 125 participants (62 cases and 63 hospital-based controls) were enrolled from April to September 2015. Participants’ dietary intakes were evaluated using a valid and reliable 160-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Dietary indices calculated based on previous studies. The relationship between dietary indices (PHDI, NHDI and PDP) and prostate cancer risk was assessed using binary regression models.

Results

According to adjusted model, significant negative correlations were found between PHDI and PDP with prostate cancer (PHDI: OR = 0.31; 95% CI; 0.11–0.85; P = 0.023 – PDP: OR = 0.34; 95% CI; 0.15–0.75; P = 0.008). Also, a positive association was seen between NHDI and prostate cancer (OR = 3.01; 95% CI; 1.20–7.57; P = 0.019).

Conclusion

We found that adherence to healthy dietary indices which includes high amounts of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains reduces the risk of prostate cancer. While adherence to a dietary pattern high in red and processed meat, refined grains, and sweetened beverages increases the risk of prostate cancer.
Obesity and risk of hypertension in preadolescent urban school children: insights from Pakistan
Authors: Akhtar Samina , Khan Shahid , Aziz Namra , Imran Muhammed , Samad Zainab , Iqbal Romaina , Almas Aysha
Published: June 2024

Background

Childhood obesity and hypertension are growing concerns globally, especially in developing countries. This study investigated the association between overall and central obesity at baseline, and prehypertension or hypertension at follow-up among preadolescent school children in urban Karachi, Pakistan.

Methods

This is a sub study with cohort design embedded within a feasibility trial on School Health Education Program in Pakistan (SHEPP) in preadolescents aged 6–11 years, attending two private schools conducted from 2017 to 2019. Hypertension or prehypertension at follow-up were the outcomes and obesity or central obesity at baseline were the exposure variables. Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 95th percentile for age, sex, and height. Obesity was defined as body mass index for-age and sex ≥ 95th percentile, whereas central obesity was determined by waist circumference measurements ≥ 85th percentile of age, sex, and height specific cut-offs. Logistic regression analysis was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to identify risk factors for hypertension and prehypertension.

Results

Analysis was conducted for 908 participants, evenly distributed with 454 boys and 454 girls. Hypertension was observed in 19.8% of the preadolescents, with rates of 18.5% in boys and 21.0% in girls. Prehypertension was found in 16.8% of preadolescents, with 18% among boys and 16% among girls. Additionally, 12.8% of preadolescents were classified as obese and 29.8% had central obesity. Obesity at baseline was associated with hypertension at followup (OR 8.7, 95% CI 3.5, 20.4) in the final model after adjusting for age, gender, physical activity, sedentary behavior, fruits, vegetable intake and hypertension at baseline. Central obesity at baseline also yielded high odds, with prehypertension (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.4, 2.8) and hypertension (OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.9, 3.9) at follow up in the final model.

Conclusion

This study highlights a concerning prevalence of hypertension and prehypertension among preadolescent school-going children. Obesity and central obesity at baseline emerged as significant predictive factors for hypertension or prehypertension at followup within this cohort. The findings emphasize the urgency of implementing comprehensive school health education programs aimed at early detection and effective management of hypertension during childhood and adolescence in school settings.
Coagulopathy in Penetrating Ballistic Cranial Trauma: A 7-Year Experience
Authors: Alhourani Ahmad , Stephenson Tyler L. , Bridwell Elizabeth M. , Danehower Sarah E. , Walek Konrad W. , Smith Jason W. , Sieg Emily
Published: June 2024

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Penetrating ballistic cranial trauma (PBCT) carries significant mortality when compared with blunt trauma. The development of coagulopathy in PBCT is a strong predictor of mortality. The goal of the study was to describe the incidence and risk factors of coagulopathy in PBCT and to report the value of tranexamic acid administration in PBCT.

METHODS:

We retrospectively analyzed 270 patients who presented with PBCT to a single, Level 1 trauma center between 2016 and 2023.

RESULTS:

A total of 47% (127/270) of patients with PBCT developed coagulopathy at presentation. Fifty-seven patients received tranexamic acid at presentation, which did not affect the development of coagulopathy. Coagulopathic patients were more likely to have more serious injury patterns (bihemispheric [adjusted odds ratio, aOR: 2.6 CI: 1.4-4.9, P = .004] or transventricular trajectories [aOR: 4.9 CI: 1.9-19.6, P = .03]). In addition, they presented with a larger base deficit (aOR: 0.9 CI: 1.002-1.2 per mEq/L, P = .006) which negatively correlated with the international normalized ratio (ρ: −0.46, P < .0001, Spearman correlation). Using thromboelastography helped to identify an additional 20% of patients who presented with normal coagulation on conventional testing.

CONCLUSION:

Coagulopathy is prevalent in approximately 50% of patients with PBCT and is persistent despite treatment in a substantial subset of patients. The addition of thromboelastography with its increased coagulopathy sensitivity can potentially guide treatment more efficiently than traditional coagulopathy laboratory tests and fibrinogen alone. Patients with a significant base deficit on arterial blood gas are at higher risk for coagulopathy.
Structured RhoGEF recruitment drives myosin II organization on large exocytic vesicles
Authors: Kamalesh Kumari , Segal Dagan , Avinoam Ori , Schejter Eyal D. , Shilo Ben-Zion
Published: June 2024

The Rho family of GTPases plays a crucial role in cellular mechanics by regulating actomyosin contractility through the parallel induction of actin and myosin assembly and function. Using exocytosis of large vesicles in the Drosophila larval salivary gland as a model, we followed the spatiotemporal regulation of Rho1, which in turn creates distinct organization patterns of actin and myosin. After vesicle fusion, low levels of activated Rho1 reach the vesicle membrane and drive actin nucleation in an uneven, spread-out pattern. Subsequently, the Rho1 activator RhoGEF2 distributes as an irregular meshwork on the vesicle membrane, activating Rho1 in a corresponding punctate pattern and driving local myosin II recruitment, resulting in vesicle constriction. Vesicle membrane buckling and subsequent crumpling occur at local sites of high myosin II concentrations. These findings indicate that distinct thresholds for activated Rho1 create a biphasic mode of actomyosin assembly, inducing anisotropic membrane crumpling during exocrine secretion.
Effect of inhalation drug therapy on inflammatory factors and quality of life on stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Dai Guang-ming , Wang Hong
Published: June 2024

Objective: To investigate the clinical efficacy of inhaled triple therapy in the treatment of stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Methods: This is a clinical comparative study. A total of 80 patients with COPD admitted to the First People’s Hospital of Suining City from June 2020 to June 2023 were included and randomly divided into the study (conventional COPD treatment + inhaled triple therapy) and control (conventional COPD treatment) groups. The clinical efficacy of inhaled triple therapy and adverse reactions of the two groups to the treatment were observed. Clinical efficacy was assessed through changes in pulmonary function indexes, and comparisons of T lymphocyte subsets and serum inflammatory markers were conducted. In addition, St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) was employed for the quality-of-life assessment.
Results: The study group showed a significantly higher total efficacy than the control group (P < 0.05), with no significant difference in terms of adverse reactions between them (P > 0.05). After treatment, the study group showed better improvement in pulmonary function indexes, such as forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), FEV1 as a percentage of the expected value, forced vital capacity (FVC) and FEV1/FVC, compared with the control group (all P < 0.05). In addition, the study group presented higher levels of T lymphocyte subsets CD3+, CD4+ and CD4+/CD8+ than the control group(all P < 0.05). After treatment, the levels of inflammatory markers tumour necrosis factor-α, leukotriene B4 LTB4 and interleukin-6 in the study group decreased more than those in the control group (all P < 0.05). Moreover, the study group attained a lower SGRQ score than the control group (all P < 0.05).
Conclusion: Triple inhalants further improve the clinical efficacy of the treatment of COPD.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.7.7106
How to cite this: Dai G, Wang H. Effect of inhalation drug therapy on inflammatory factors and quality of life on stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Pak J Med Sci. 2024;40(7):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.7.7106
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Disidencias: ¿rebeldes obstinados, exguerrilleros narcotraficantes o guerrillas ambiguas?
Authors: Aguilera Peña Mario
Published: June 2024

El presente capítulo se ocupa de analizar las disidencias armadas y que muestran un perfil político, lo hacemos tanto desde una perspectiva histórica, tomando a grandes rasgos la evolución del conflicto colombiano, como a partir de los tres factores propuestos anteriormente.
Peningkatan Kompetensi Teknologi Informasi bagi Guru Sekolah Penggerak PKG Bunga Harapan Ngoro-Jombang untuk mendukung Pengembangan Pendidikan Daerah secara Berkelanjutan
Authors: Rahmawati Shade , Mukhtasor Mukhtasor , Pratikto Agoes , Ikhwani Hasan , Wardhana Wisnu , Zikra Muhammad , Pratikno Herman , Handayanu Handayanu , Frestiqauli Santi
Published: June 2024

Guru Penggerak sebagai salah satu komponen utama dalam Program Sekolah Penggerak dalam hal ini agar dapat memaksimalkan perannya, haruslah ditunjang dengan kompetensi yang dibutuhkan. Dalam kegiatan pengabdian masyarakat ini, objek difokuskan pada Guru untuk jenjang Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini (PAUD). Kondisi nyata menunjukkan bahwa Guru PAUD memiliki variasi yang beragam secara kualifikasi maupun kompetensi. Di sisi lain, Program Sekolah Penggerak menuntut adanya SDM yang kompeten untuk mengimplementasikan pembelajaran paradigma baru berbasis berbagai digital platform dengan tujuan untuk mengurangi kompleksitas, meningkatkan efisiensi, menambah inspirasi, dan pendekatan yang customized. Berkaca pada kebutuhan dan kondisi yang ada, maka diperlukan pelatihan dan pendampingan bagi Guru PAUD utamanya dalam Kompetensi Teknologi Infomasi dan Komunikasi (TIK). Pada laporan ini disampaikan pelaksanaan kegiatan pengabdian masyarakat yang berjudul “Peningkatan Kompetensi Teknologi Informasi bagi Guru Sekolah Penggerak untuk mendukung Pengembangan Pendidikan Daerah secara Berkelanjutan”, dengan lokasi kajian Desa Jombok, Kecamatan Ngoro, Kabupaten Jombang, Jawa Timur. Kegiatan utama dan penyiapan luaran dilaksanakan pada rentang waktu bulan Mei hingga September 2023.
Gerakan 1000 Sertifikat Halal untuk Mendukung Kewajiban Sertifikat Halal 2024
Authors: Rakhmawati Nur Aini , Gunawan Setiyo , Indraswari Rarasmaya , Ulfin Ita , Rahadiantino Lienggar , Qadariyah Lailatul , Muklason Ahmad , Mashuri Mashuri , Fabroyir Hadziq , Putri Malfa Liya , Eskalalita Eskalalita
Published: June 2024

Di tengah pertumbuhan ekonomi yang pesat, pelaku Usaha Mikro, Kecil, dan Menengah (UMKM) memainkan peran kunci dalam kontribusi terhadap perekonomian negara. UMKM Indonesia menyumbang terhadap pertumbuhan ekonomi lokal dan nasional secara signifikan. Produk makanan dan minuman yang dikonsumsi oleh umat Muslim harus memenuhi standar halal, sesuai dengan ajaran agama Islam. Hal ini memunculkan pentingnya sertifikasi halal untuk UMKM di Indonesia. Kegiatan penyuluhan sertifikasi halal berperan dalam mendukung pertumbuhan ekonomi dan kesejahteraan masyarakat, sambil memastikan kepatuhan terhadap prinsip kehalalan dalam produksi dan konsumsi produk. Gerakan 1000 Sertifikasi Halal ITS dilakukan melalui kegiatan Pelatihan Pendamping Proses Produk Halal; Pelatihan Kader Penggerak Halal UMKM; dan Pendaftaran Sertifikasi Halal UMKM. Merek UMKM yang paling banyak didapatkan sertifikasi adalah dapur, bakery, cookies, cake dan lain-lain. Produk UMKM yang banyak dilakukan sertifikasi halal ITS, seperti kue, keripik, kacang, roti, donat, jus, dan lain-lain. Tujuan dilakukannya kegiatan ini adalah untuk meningkatkan pemahaman UMKM mengenai Kaidah Halal. Data nama pendamping paling banyak mampu mendampingi UMKM untuk mendapat sertifikasi halal adalah sebanyak 83 UMKM dengan 6 UMKM tiap bulannya, lalu 75 UMKM dengan 5 UMKM perbulannya, dan terbanyak ketiga dengan total 54 UMKM dengan 11 UMKM per bulannya.
Rethink Energy: Hydrogen vs SAF – China and Japan show the way
Authors: Avramuta Bogdan
Published: June 2024

The aviation sector is torn between using hydrogen and SAF as its best route to decarbonisation. The contrasting experiences of China and Japan’s airlines help to clarify the pros and cons of each option.
Í upphafi skyldi endinn skoða: Stefna stjórnvalda og þróun á sviði nýsköpunar á Íslandi 2003–2022
Authors: Ottósson Hannes , Sæmundsson Rögnvaldur Jóhann
Published: June 2024

Samhliða aukinni meðvitund um mikilvægi nýsköpunar hafa stjórnvöld víða um heim í auknum mæli haft áhuga að efla nýsköpun og sett sér sérstaka stefnu af því tilefni. Tilgangur þessarar rannsóknar er að auka skilning á því hvernig stefna stjórnvalda hefur áhrif á þróun nýsköpunar og þar með að aðstoða stjórnvöld við að læra af fyrri reynslu og sníða stefnu sína að aðstæðum. Fræðilegar undirstöður rannsóknarinnar byggja á kenningum um nýsköpun og nýsköpunarstefnu stjórnvalda. Í rannsókninni er nýsköpunarstefna stjórnvalda og þróun nýsköpunar á Íslandi greind á 20 ára tímabili, frá árinu 2003 til ársins 2022. Beitt er textagreiningu, lýsandi tölfræði og myndrænni framsetningu til að meta stefnu stjórnvalda, þróun nýsköpunar, og samræmi milli stefnu og þróunar. Niðurstöður rannsóknarinnar eru að stjórnvöld stefndu að því að skapa þekkingarþjóðfélag þar sem kerfisbundið væri unnið að því að styðja rannsóknir og þróun og þannig byggja nýja stoð undir íslenskt atvinnulíf. Umfang og árangur nýskapandi atvinnugreina, hafði aukist talsvert á tímabilinu, þó að sú aukning hafi ekki verið umfram atvinnulífið í heild. Samræmi reyndist vera á milli stefnu stjórnvalda og þróunar nýsköpunar á tímabilinu þó svo niðurstöðurnar vekja upp spurningar hvort að ný og styrk stoð hafi myndast. Frekari rannsóknir á samspili nýsköpunarstefnu og þróun nýsköpunar á Íslandi eru áhugaverðar til að byggja upp almenna þekkingu á þessu sviði og til að auka skilning á þeim aðstæðum sem eru til staðar á Íslandi og læra hvernig einstakar aðgerðir íslenskra stjórnvalda hafa áhrif á umfang og árangur nýsköpunar.
To establish the unestablishable: non-governmental social work with asylum-seeking minors in a neoliberal Sweden
Authors: Moberg Stephenson Maria , Herz Marcus
Published: June 2024

This article aims to explore the impact of neoliberal logic and ideas of establishment in Sweden on non-governmental social work with asylum-seeking young people. The focus is on the perceptions of the social workers within a non-governmental organisation (NGO) working with the establishment of unaccompanied young people. Data were collected through interviews and participant observations and analysed using theories of neoliberalism, belonging and neoliberal racism. The results show that when the migration laws were toughened in Sweden, the social workers and the NGO had to adapt. The NGO repackaged their target group only to include young people with residency, excluding others. The social workers resisted these changes and went beyond their formal duties to support all young people regardless of asylum status. However, the social work provided was still within the establishment framework of the programme. They kept working towards establishing people already deemed within a neoliberal and colonial logic as unestablishable.
Artificial intelligence and machine learning in optics: tutorial
Authors: Yadav Ksenia , Bidnyk Serge , Balakrishnan Ashok
Published: June 2024

Across the spectrum of scientific inquiry and practical applications, the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) has comprehensively revolutionized problem-solving methodologies. This tutorial explores key aspects of AI/ML and their remarkable role in augmenting the capabilities of optics and photonics technologies. Beginning with fundamental definitions and paradigms, the tutorial progresses to classical machine learning algorithms, with examples employing support vector machines and random forests. Extensive discussion of deep learning encompasses the backpropagation algorithm and artificial neural networks, with examples demonstrating the applications of dense and convolutional neural networks. Data augmentation and transfer learning are examined next as effective strategies for handling scenarios with limited datasets. Finally, the necessity of alleviating the burden of data collection and labeling is discussed, motivating the investigation of unsupervised and semi-supervised learning strategies as well as the utilization of reinforcement learning. By providing a structured exploration of AI/ML techniques, this tutorial equips researchers with the essential tools to begin leveraging AI’s transformative potential within the expansive realm of optics and photonics.
3D scattering-enabled vectorial holographic projection with a binary amplitude hologram
Authors: Chen Xiaolong , Zhong Mincheng , Gong Lei , Yu Panpan
Published: June 2024

Empowered by wavefront shaping (WFS) techniques, scattering materials (SMs) hold significant potential in high-capacity, high-fidelity, and crosstalk-free 3D holographic projections. Here, we present an optimal accumulation algorithm (OAA) to generate binary amplitude holograms that enable simultaneous control of 3D intensity and polarization distributions through SMs. In particular, OAA is efficient for creating binary holograms since only addition and comparison operations are required. Using such a binary hologram, we demonstrate complete polarization control on four planes simultaneously, and an average degree of polarization over 95% is achieved. Moreover, a 3D holographic projection of polarization-multiplexed images on multiple planes is also presented with an average Pearson correlation coefficient over 0.80. By exploiting the rapid switching ability of a digital micromirror device, we further demonstrate dynamic 3D vectorial holographic projections with reconfigurable binary amplitude holograms. Our proposed approach offers a competitive way to generate holograms for 3D scattering-enabled vectorial holographic projections.
Uncorrelated photon pair generation from an integrated silicon nitride resonator measured by time-resolved coincidence detection
Authors: Borghi Massimo , Pagano Paula L. , Liscidini Marco , Bajoni Daniele , Galli Matteo
Published: June 2024

We measure the joint temporal intensity of signal and idler photon
pairs generated by spontaneous four-wave mixing in a silicon nitride
microresonator by time-resolved coincidence detection. This technique
can be applied to any high-Q optical cavity whose
photon lifetime exceeds the duration of the pump pulse. We tailor the
temporal correlation of photon pairs by using a resonant
interferometric coupler, a device that allows us to independently tune
the quality factors of the pump and signal and idler resonances.
Temporal post-selection is used to accurately measure the temporal
emission of the device, demonstrating a purity of 98.67(1)%.
Chip-scale integrated holographic devices based on top-emitting vertical cavity surface emitting lasers
Authors: Pan Guanzhong , Xun Meng , Sun Yun , Dong Yibo , Wu Dexin
Published: June 2024

Holography technology is considered the ultimate three-dimensional (3D) visualization technology in the future. However, conventional methods for achieving holography generally utilize discrete optical components and off-chip laser sources, resulting in a large size and high complexity, which are undesirable for practical applications. In this Letter, chip-scale integrated holographic devices are realized by integrating top-emitting vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) with micro holograms printed by 3D femtosecond laser nanoprinting technology. The VCSELs are designed to operate in a single fundamental mode with a Gaussian emission profile. Then the Gaussian beams are phase-modulated by the integrated micro holograms designed by the Gerchberg–Saxton (GS) algorithm and the target holographic images can be displayed behind the holograms. Such integrated holographic devices are of micron size and can be easily scaled into arrays with arbitrary channels on-demand, which are important for achieving miniaturized and portable holographic imaging systems.
High-speed in vivo calcium recording using structured illumination with self-supervised denoising
Authors: Speed Forest , Saladrigas Catherine , Teel Alec , Vieau Sean , Bright Victor , Gopinath Juliet , Welle Cristin , Restrepo Diego , Gibson Emily
Published: June 2024

High-speed widefield fluorescence imaging of neural activity in vivo is fundamentally limited by fluctuations in recorded signal due to background contamination and stochastic noise. In this study, we show background and shot noise reduced imaging of the ultrafast genetically encoded Ca2+ indicator GCaMP8f in CA1 pyramidal neurons using periodic structured illumination (SI) with computational image reconstruction. We implement a novel HiLo reconstruction, termed pseudo-HiLo (pHiLo), for high frame rate recording and compare this new technique to interleaved optical sectioning structured illumination microscopy (OS-SIM) and pseudo-widefield (pWF) reconstruction. We quantify the performance of each reconstruction by evaluating contrast, transient peak-to-noise ratio (PNR) and pair-wise correlation coefficients between ΔF/F time courses extracted from individual in-focus cells. We additionally incorporate a self-supervised deep learning method for real-time noise suppression (DeepCAD-RT) into our data preprocessing pipeline. At 500 Hz frame rates, we demonstrate an 84% increase in PNR using the denoised pHiLo reconstruction compared to pWF. Utilizing DeepCAD-RT, we show significant PNR improvements using both structured illumination (SI) reconstruction methods with OS-SIM showing a 59% increase in PNR after denoising. Both pHiLo and OS-SIM reconstructions result in a ~65% decrease in mean correlation coefficient of the ΔF/F time courses between ROIs in comparison with pWF, indicating the potential to remove background fluorescent transients from out of focus cells.
GEM-based computational modeling for exploring metabolic interactions in a microbial community
Authors: Mirzaei Soraya , Tefagh Mojtaba
Published: June 2024

Microbial communities play fundamental roles in every complex ecosystem, such as soil, sea and the human body. The stability and diversity of the microbial community depend precisely on the composition of the microbiota. Any change in the composition of these communities affects microbial functions. An important goal of studying the interactions between species is to understand the behavior of microbes and their responses to perturbations. These interactions among species are mediated by the exchange of metabolites within microbial communities. We developed a computational model for the microbial community that has a separate compartment for exchanging metabolites. This model can predict possible metabolites that cause competition, commensalism, and mutual interactions between species within a microbial community. Our constraint-based community metabolic modeling approach provides insights to elucidate the pattern of metabolic interactions for each common metabolite between two microbes. To validate our approach, we used a toy model and a syntrophic co-culture of Desulfovibrio vulgaris and Methanococcus maripaludis, as well as another in co-culture between Geobacter sulfurreducens and Rhodoferax ferrireducens. For a more general evaluation, we applied our algorithm to the honeybee gut microbiome, composed of seven species, and the epiphyte strain Pantoea eucalypti 299R. The epiphyte strain Pe299R has been previously studied and cultured with six different phyllosphere bacteria. Our algorithm successfully predicts metabolites, which imply mutualistic, competitive, or commensal interactions. In contrast to OptCom, MRO, and MICOM algorithms, our COMMA algorithm shows that the potential for competitive interactions between an epiphytic species and Pe299R is not significant. These results are consistent with the experimental measurements of population density and reproductive success of the Pe299R strain.
How do family members influence smokeless tobacco consumption during pregnancy in India? Perspectives of pregnant women
Authors: Sharma Radha , Ganjiwale Jaishree , Kanaan Mona , Flemming Kate , Siddiqi Kamran
Published: June 2024

Smokeless tobacco (ST) use in South Asia is culturally ingrained and socially accepted. A better understanding of these sociocultural influences could inform behavioural approaches to prevent ST use. We sought to understand how family members influence pregnant women’s behaviour, attitudes, and perceptions towards ST use. Moreover, we captured the influence of community health workers in this context. A qualitative study using a framework analysis was conducted in selected Indian populations. Eight in-depth interviews among pregnant and postpartum women were conducted in Gujarati, the local language, investigating ST use during pregnancy and the influence of family and peers. All transcripts were transcribed verbatim and translated into English and analyzed in NVivo. The social norms and expectations around ST during pregnancy appeared to have shifted away from promoting towards discouraging its use in the past few years. Women described how their spouses and other family members encouraged them to stop using ST during pregnancy, with some women must hide their ST use from their family members. They also received advice on the harms of ST use from community health workers (Accredited Social Health Activist–ASHA workers). Influenced by the advice received from such workers, several women tried to reduce their ST use during pregnancy. Our findings suggest that the acceptability of ST use in pregnancy may be in decline among families in India. Hence, efforts to promote ST prevention during pregnancy are likely to be “pushing against an open door”. Furthermore, community health workers appeared to play an influential role in supporting women to abstain from ST use during pregnancy.
Experiences of core outcome set developers on including stakeholders from low- and middle-income countries: An online survey
Authors: Karumbi Jamlick , Gorst Sarah , Gathara David , Young Bridget , Williamson Paula
Published: June 2024

Core outcome set (COS) development and use enhances comparability of research findings. It may also enhance the translation of research into practice and reduce research waste. However, there is limited involvement of stakeholders from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in COS development and use. In this study, we explored the experiences of researchers in COS development projects who included stakeholders from LMICs. Online survey conducted in English of 70 COS developers from HICs who had included LMIC stakeholders in the process of developing a COS, published before the end of 2019. Respondents were identified from the COMET database and sent a link to the survey via a personalised email. Quantitative data were analysed using simple descriptive statistics. Qualitative data analysis was based on qualitative content analysis. There were 37 respondents yielding a 53% overall response rate. Analysis was limited to the responses related to 29 COS developed in the years 2015 to 2019, to reduce the potential for recall bias for earlier COS. Most respondents 20/29 (69%) were researchers. Determining ‘what to measure’ was reported as the most common stage of inclusion of LMIC stakeholders. Respondents cited (24/29, 83%) their ongoing collaborations with LMIC stakeholders such as clinicians or researchers as their main rationale for including LMICs stakeholders and reported that translation of the Delphi into languages other than English may be useful to enhance wider stakeholder participation. Involvement of LMIC stakeholders only in the later stages of COS development, lack of adequate resources to support their involvement, and lack of networks and contacts were thought to limit fuller participation of stakeholders from LMICs. To improve the involvement of LMIC stakeholders in COS development and use, COS developers need to raise awareness on the utility of COS. The need for and feasibility of translation into multiple languages warrants further discussion.
Systematic review and meta-analysis on the effect of depression on ART adherence among women living with HIV
Authors: Zeleke Tadele Amare , Alemu Kassahun , Ayele Tadesse Awoke , Denu Zewditu Abdissa , Mwanri Lillian , Azale Telake
Published: June 2024

Background

Depression is a very common psychiatric disorder in worldwide. Globally, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is highly prevalent among women, and are disproportionately affected by depression. Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) adherence which could highly be affected by depression is yet to be explored effectively. Depression affects overall poor HIV clinical outcomes, socioeconomic and social interactions. However, it is not well understood specifically how depression affects ART adherence in women living with HIV (WLWHIV). Investigating the effects of depression on ART adherence is critical in order to develop nuanced new evidence to address non-adherence in WLWHIV.

Objective

To conduct a meta-analysis on the correlation between depression and adherence to antiretroviral therapy among women living with HIV in the globe.

Method

Using population, exposed and outcome approach, we searched Scopus, PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Psych info, Web of science and google scholar for cohort and cross-sectional studies globally. The search strategy was structured comprising terms associated with antiretroviral therapy and adherence, women living with HIV and depression. We evaluated the paper quality, using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scales (NOS). The fixed effect model was used to analysis the effect of depression on ART adherence.

Result

A total of 8 articles comprise 6474 participants were included in this study. There were controversial findings related to the effect of depression to ART adherence. Among three cross-sectional study, one article demonstrating, depression was associated with ART adherence. Of the five cohort studies, four cohort studies reported association. The overall pooled estimated effect of depression on ART adherence was 1.02 [RR = 1.015 with 95% CI (1.004, 1.026)] with a p-value of 0.005.

Conclusion and recommendation

Depression was the risk factor for ART adherence among women living with HIV. It is therefore, necessary for clinician to note this and perform screening for ART adherence.

Trial registration

The review protocol was developed with prospero registration: CRD42023415935.
Revisiting the NPcis mouse model: A new tool to model plexiform neurofibroma
Authors: Plante Camille , Mohamad Teddy , Hewa Bostanthirige Dhanushka , Renaud Michel , Sidhu Harsimran , ElChoueiry Michel , Vatasescu Jean-Paul Sabo , Poirier Mikael , Geha Sameh , Brosseau Jean-Philippe
Published: June 2024

Neurofibromatosis Type I (NF1) is a rare genetic disorder. NF1 patients frequently develop a benign tumor in peripheral nerve plexuses called plexiform neurofibroma. In the past two decades, tissue-specific Nf1 knockout mouse models were developed using commercially available tissue-specific Cre recombinase and the Nf1 flox mice to mimic neurofibroma development. However, these models develop para-spinal neurofibroma, recapitulating a rare type of neurofibroma found in NF1 patients. The NPcis mouse model developed a malignant version of neurofibroma called malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) within 3 to 6 months but intriguingly without apparent benign precursor lesion. Here, we revisited the NPcis model and discovered that about 20% display clinical signs similar to Nf1 tissue-specific knockout mice models. However, a systematic histological analysis could not explain the clinical signs we observed although we noticed lesions reminiscent of a neurofibroma in a peripheral nerve, a cutaneous neurofibroma, and para-spinal neurofibroma on rare occasions in NPcis mice. We also observed that 10% of the mice developed a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) spontaneously, coinciding with their earring tag identification. Strikingly, half of the sciatic nerves from NPcis mice developed plexiform neurofibroma within 1–6 months when intentionally injured. Thus, we provided a procedure to turn the widely used NPcis sarcoma model into a model recapitulating plexiform neurofibroma.
An intelligent algorithm for energy efficiency optimization in software-defined wireless sensor networks for 5G communications
Authors: Gökhan Nalbant Kemal , Alsuhibany Suliman A. , Hassan Alshehri Asma , Hatira Maha , Choi Bong Jun
Published: June 2024

Wireless communications have lately experienced substantial exploitation because they provide a lot of flexibility for data delivery. It provides connection and mobility by using air as a medium. Wireless sensor networks (WSN) are now the most popular wireless technologies. They need a communication infrastructure that is both energy and computationally efficient, which is made feasible by developing the best communication protocol algorithms. The internet of things (IoT) paradigm is anticipated to be heavily reliant on a networking architecture that is currently in development and dubbed software-defined WSN. Energy-efficient routing design is a key objective for WSNs. Cluster routing is one of the most commonly used routing techniques for extending network life. This research proposes a novel approach for increasing the energy effectiveness and longevity of software-defined WSNs. The major goal is to reduce the energy consumption of the cluster routing protocol using the firefly algorithm and high-efficiency entropy. According to the findings of the simulation, the suggested method outperforms existing algorithms in terms of system performance under various operating conditions. The number of alive nodes determined by the proposed algorithm is about 42.06% higher than Distributed Energy-Efficient Clustering with firefly algorithm (DEEC-FA) and 13.95% higher than Improved Firefly Clustering IFCEER and 12.05% higher than another referenced algorithm.
A brief induction of loving kindness meditation to reduce anti-fat bias
Authors: Lee Kristen M. , Ghanei Bita , Tomiyama A. Janet
Published: June 2024

Weight stigma is highly prevalent. However, existing weight stigma interventions are only modestly effective at reducing anti-fat attitudes. The current research proposes a novel approach using a loving kindness meditation (LKM). Experiment 1 tests whether random assignment to the LKM intervention reduces explicit and implicit anti-fat bias and increases empathy based on the LKM recipient with higher weight (close other vs. stranger). Experiment 2 tests whether LKM outperforms an empathy intervention or control to increase empathy or reduce stigmatizing behavior. Results revealed that the LKM increased empathic care but did not reduce anti-fat bias compared to control; the LKM intervention, but not the empathy intervention, reported greater empathy compared to control in unadjusted analyses; and participants in the LKM and empathy interventions (vs. control) were more likely to engage in stigmatizing behavior. These findings suggest that the LKM may not be effective at reducing weight stigma despite increasing empathy.
Relationship between the level of physical activity and body mass index to blood pressure among overweight and obese young adults in the Northern Emirates city: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Choudhary Naina , Gopal Kumaraguruparan , Naqvi Waqar , Kandakurti Praveen Kumar , Hazari Animesh
Published: June 2024

Background

Obesity affects both adults and children all over the world and it is a major causative factor for diabetes, cardiovascular disease, different types of cancer, and even death. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the level of PA and BMI to the risk of developing high BP among overweight and obese young adults.

Methodology

A cross-sectional study was carried out in the Thumbay Medi-city Northern Emirates, Ajman, UAE. Participants enrolled in the study under the convenient sampling method and inclusion criteria: young overweight and obese individuals, male and female, aged between 18 to 30 years. Approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Board (CoHS, GMU (IRB-COHS-STD-110-JUNE-2023). The blood pressure and body mass index were clinically measured using standard tools whereas the GPAQ questionnaire was used to determine the level of physical activity of all participants.

Results

Out of 206 participants, 139 were overweight and 67 were obese. Further, 89 were found to have high normal BP, 93 normal BP, and 24 were found to have optimal blood pressure. The mean GPA scores were 322.8±62.28 in overweight individuals and 301.17±49.05 in obese individuals. Furthermore, among overweight and obese participants there is a weak correlation between PA & BMI (r = 0.06, p = 0.88) and (r = 0.15, p = 0.44) and the BP and BMI (r = 0.18, p = 1.02) and (r = 0.16, p = 0.90) were found.

Conclusion

Although PA, BMI, and BP are assumed to be related variables leading to various non-communicable diseases the present study showed a weak correlation between the level of PA and BMI to the risk of developing BP among overweight and obese young adults in the Northern Emirates.
An evolutionary game-theoretic analysis of the "multi-agent co-governance" system of unfair competition on internet platforms
Authors: Xu Zhen , Zheng Shudan
Published: June 2024

The increasingly prominent issue of unfair competition on Internet platforms (IPUC) severely restricts the healthy and sustainable development of the platform economy. Based on the IPUC "multi-agent co-governance" scenario, this paper introduces stochastic disturbances and continuous strategy set to improve the classical binary deterministic evolutionary game system. The results show that after considering stochastic disturbances, the positive state corresponding to the equilibrium point (1,1) is no longer stable, and the required parameter conditions are more stringent. The IPUC "multi-agent co-governance" system under stochastic disturbances exhibits specific vulnerability. In the continuous strategy set evolutionary game system, government departments and Internet platforms can flexibly make optimal decisions based on maximizing expected returns, and strategy selection has better elasticity. Regardless of the evolutionary game scenario, maintaining the participation level of NGOs and the public above a certain threshold while increasing the penalty intensity is conducive to the evolution of the game system toward the positive state. The analysis process and conclusions provide insights and guidance for the governments to design the IPUC regulatory system and frameworks.
Nameability effects and short-term memory limitations on order perception and enumeration of brief sounds
Authors: Psarompa Anna-Maria , Fotiadis Fotios , Vatakis Argiro
Published: June 2024

Research has shown that perceiving the order of successive auditory stimuli could be affected by their nameability. The present research re-examined this hypothesis, using tasks requiring participants to report the order of successively presented (with no interstimulus gaps) environmental (i.e., easily named stimuli) and abstract (i.e., hard-to-name stimuli) sounds of short duration (i.e., 200 ms). Using the same sequences, we also examined the accuracy of the sounds perceived by administering enumeration tasks. Data analyses showed that accuracy in the ordering tasks was equally low for both environmental and abstract sounds, whereas accuracy in the enumeration tasks was higher for the former as compared to the latter sounds. Importantly, overall accuracy in the enumeration tasks did not reach ceiling levels, suggesting some limitations in the perception of successively presented stimuli. Overall, naming fluency seemed to affect sound enumeration, but no effects were obtained for order perception. Furthermore, an effect of each sound’s location in a sequence on ordering accuracy was noted. Our results question earlier notions suggesting that order perception is mediated by stimuli’s nameability and leave open the possibility that memory capacity limits may play a role.
Survey on barriers to psychiatrists’ use of clozapine for young people in Scotland and suggestions for reducing these
Authors: Walker Graham , Lang Jason , Smith Helen
Published: June 2024

Introduction

The Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland published a report into the death of a young person, with recommendations for the Royal College of Psychiatry in Scotland Child and Adolescent Faculty; to explore if there were barriers to the use of Clozapine in young people in Scotland.

Methods

A mixed-methods study was performed using a cross-sectional survey of clinicians working in child and adolescent psychiatry across Scotland, to determine attitudes towards clozapine use and the perceived barriers and facilitators to clozapine treatment.

Results

Results suggest that there may be a lack of clearly defined pathways within and between services, as well as a lack of resources provided for the necessary monitoring of a young person started on clozapine. Multiple respondents felt unskilled in clozapine initiation and had not accessed formal training. The most frequently mentioned themes for improving facilitation of clozapine prescription were that of increased resources and training.

Discussion

National policymakers including the Mental Welfare Commission, NHS Education for Scotland, and NHS Scotland should consider these findings to address the potential underutilisation of clozapine for people aged under 18 in services across Scotland. A review of current service provision should take place, with consideration of whether the facilitators to clozapine prescription which our study has highlighted could be implemented more effectively. This may help reduce identified barriers and increase clozapine prescription to those who would benefit from it, potentially improving outcomes for young people with treatment-resistant psychosis.
The role of socio-economic disparities in the relative success and persistence of SARS-CoV-2 variants in New York City in early 2021
Authors: Vasylyeva Tetyana I. , Havens Jennifer L. , Wang Jade C. , Luoma Elizabeth , Hassler Gabriel W. , Amin Helly , Di Lonardo Steve , Taki Faten , Omoregie Enoma , Hughes Scott , Wertheim Joel O.
Published: June 2024

Socio-economic disparities were associated with disproportionate viral incidence between neighborhoods of New York City (NYC) during the first wave of SARS-CoV-2. We investigated how these disparities affected the co-circulation of SARS-CoV-2 variants during the second wave in NYC. We tested for correlation between the prevalence, in late 2020/early 2021, of Alpha, Iota, Iota with E484K mutation (Iota-E484K), and B.1-like genomes and pre-existing immunity (seropositivity) in NYC neighborhoods. In the context of varying seroprevalence we described socio-economic profiles of neighborhoods and performed migration and lineage persistence analyses using a Bayesian phylogeographical framework. Seropositivity was greater in areas with high poverty and a larger proportion of Black and Hispanic or Latino residents. Seropositivity was positively correlated with the proportion of Iota-E484K and Iota genomes, and negatively correlated with the proportion of Alpha and B.1-like genomes. The proportion of persisting Alpha lineages declined over time in locations with high seroprevalence, whereas the proportion of persisting Iota-E484K lineages remained the same in high seroprevalence areas. During the second wave, the geographic variation of standing immunity, due to disproportionate disease burden during the first wave of SARS-CoV-2 in NYC, allowed for the immune evasive Iota-E484K variant, but not the more transmissible Alpha variant, to circulate in locations with high pre-existing immunity.
Estrategias discursivas en el relato de la publicidad institucional española durante la pandemia por covid-19
Authors: Catalá Pérez Manuela
Published: June 2024

La publicidad institucional se ha definido como “la que se hace desde las instituciones y administraciones públicas de manera global” (Cortés, 2008:227) con una finalidad educativa. En los últimos años, este tipo de publicidad ha utilizado formatos publicitarios comerciales como el “storytelling” con el fin de ofrecer a los destinatarios la posibilidad de sentirse parte de un proyecto colectivo y muestra de ello es el relato de la publicidad institucional en España durante la “era covid-19” en las diferentes etapas de la pandemia, objeto de estudio del presente trabajo, atendiendo a sus estrategias discursivas. Se ha seleccionado una muestra de anuncios de las campañas lanzadas por el Gobierno de España, entre el 15 de marzo del 2020 y diciembre de 2022. Se ha partido del modelo semiótico de Eco (1977) para una descripción holística del texto publicitario y del Análisis del discurso para la determinación del comportamiento de los marcadores discursivos. Estos elementos aparecieron fundamentalmente en las compañas del 2020, donde se establecían las bases de la comunicación institucional y del macrorrelato de la pandemia para guiar el proceso interpretativo hacia un único mensaje, claro, contundente y esperanzador, alejado de las especulaciones y del miedo inicial causado por la saturación informativa hasta conducir a los destinatarios a un relato de la convivencia normalizada bajo la responsabilidad individual y colectiva.