bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Rosmarinic Acid on Wound Healing of Nasal Mucosa in the Rats
Authors: Erdal Arzu , Özdemir Doğukan , Özdemir Şule , Bakırtaş Mustafa , Ağrı İbrahim
Published: November 2023

Background

The nose can be damaged by environmental pollutants and foreign bodies, as well as a result of trauma, infection or surgical interventions. Proper healing of the damaged nasal mucosa is important for health.

Objective

There is no study in the literature investigating the effects of rosmarinic acid on mucosal healing. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of rosmarinic acid on nasal mucosal healing.

Methods

21 male, adult Spraque Dawley albino rats were divided into three groups as the control group, the local treatment group in which rosmarinic acid was applied locally to the nasal mucosa, and the systemic treatment group in which rosmarinic acid was injected intraperitoneally. The wound area was obtained by creating a trauma area by inserting a 10 mm interdental brush through the right nasal nostril into the right nasal cavities of all animals. For the following 15 days, the treatment agent was applied as indicated once a day and on the 15th day the animals were decapitated and tissue samples taken from the nasal mucosa were prepared for histopathological examination. The preparations were examined in terms of cellular hyperplasia, goblet cell hypertrophy and degeneration, leukocyte infiltration, cilia loss and degeneration, edema and vascular dilatation, and they have been classified into four categories as mild (+), moderate (++), severe (+++) and very severe (++++).

Results

There was a significant difference between the groups in terms of all parameters evaluated, and there is a decrease in the intensity of the parameters with transition from the control group to the local group and from there to the systemic group.

Conclusion

Systemic rosmarinic acid administration showed an enhancing effect on the healing of experimentally induced nasal mucosal injury due to its possible anti-inflammatory effect.
Micro-223 Promotes Diabetic Osteoarthritis Progression by Regulating Cartilage Degeneration and Subchondral Bone Remodeling
Authors: Li Yao , Fu Ting , Zhao Yi , Yuan Long-Jie , Wang Bai-Bai , Guan Jian , Wang Hua-Jun , Li Ling , Gao Yan-Ping
Published: November 2023

Objective

Our study was performed to investigate whether micro-223 promotes diabetic Osteoarthritis (OA) progression by regulating cartilage degeneration and subchondral bone remodeling.

Methods

The expression of miR-223 in human normal cartilage, OA cartilage, and subchondral bone tissue with or without DM was detected by real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). miR-223 mimic or inhibitor was transfected into chondrocytes. Cell viability and apoptosis were assessed by 3-(4,5)-dimethylthiahiazo(-2)-3,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and Terminal Deoxynucleotidyl Transferase(TdT)-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay, respectively.

Results

miR-223 was significantly higher in human diabetic OA cartilage and subchondral bone compared with normal OA and healthy control. Overexpression of miR-223 accelerated cartilage degeneration and subchondral bone sclerosis in diabetic OA mice, whereas miR-223 inhibition had the opposite effect. In vitro upregulation of miR-223 decreased proliferation and enhanced apoptosis of chondrocytes. Meanwhile, downregulation of miR-223 promoted glycosaminoglycan (GAG) production in chondrocytes.

Conclusion

miR-223 promotes diabetic OA progression by regulating cartilage degeneration and subchondral bone remodeling both in vitro and in vivo.
Zoledronic acid sequential to teriparatide may promote greater inhibition of bone resorption than zoledronic acid alone
Authors: Giveon Sharon , Zacay Galia , Vered Iris , Foldes A. Joseph , Tripto-Shkolnik Liana
Published: November 2023

Background:

Teriparatide (TPTD) should be followed by an antiresorptive to maximize bone mineral density gain and anti-fracture protection. Infrequent zoledronic acid (ZOL) administration has demonstrated effectiveness. The duration of ZOL effect following TPTD is unknown.

Objective:

To evaluate the effect of ZOL on bone resorption marker in a post-TPTD versus ZOL-alone scenario in osteoporotic patients.

Design:

Retrospective cohort study.

Methods:

Patients treated with TPTD followed by ZOL (TPTD–ZOL) or with a single ZOL infusion were identified in the database of a tertiary referral center. Clinical and laboratory data, including C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX) following ZOL treatment, were compared.

Results:

Twenty-six patients (93% women) treated with TPTD–ZOL and 41 with ZOL were comparable in age (median 70.1 versus 69.6 years, p = 0.6) and sex. Timing of CTX measurement post-ZOL was the same, median 1.0 year. CTX was lower following TPTD–ZOL (median 142.1 versus 184.2 pg/mL, p = 0.005). In a multivariable regression model (controlled for baseline characteristics), pretreatment with TPTD strongly predicted CTX <150 pg/mL, 1 year following ZOL (odds ratio = 7.5, 95% CI 1.3–58.1, p = 0.03). In a subgroup with sequential CTX measurements following one ZOL, significantly lower levels persisted in the TPTD–ZOL group for a median of 4.4 years follow-up.

Conclusion:

ZOL-administered sequential to TPTD yielded deeper and more prolonged bone resorption suppression than ZOL alone. Prospective data are needed to confirm whether in a sequential treatment scenario, subsequent ZOL dosing interval should be less frequent.
Understanding Australian multiculturalism in public relations practice through a social justice lens
Authors: Sengmany Som
Published: November 2023

While the Australian PR discipline and industry has acknowledged the demographic realities of multiculturalism, it has yet to critically interrogate multiculturalism as an ideological concept, contested discourse and politicised practice. This paper addresses this gap by investigating how public relations (PR) practitioners and culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) stakeholders in the Victorian government and multicultural sectors understand multiculturalism. It situates PR practice, and PR practitioners, within broader theoretical perspectives on Australian multiculturalism. In doing so, this paper contributes to knowledge in two ways: firstly, by identifying the significant deficits in existing Australian PR scholarship on multiculturalism; and secondly, by building bridges to new approaches and engaging with contemporary research and theories of multiculturalism. To this end, this paper opens up and extends the PR discipline’s ability to better engage with, and contribute to, ongoing contemporary debates on Australian multiculturalism.
Meaningful disinformation: Narrative rituals and affective folktales
Authors: Bastos Marco , Tuters Marc
Published: November 2023

In this article, we review the epistemological boundaries of disinformation studies and argue that they are informed by network and transmission models where the unit of analysis (i.e., disinformation) is assumed to follow contagion growth patterns typical of population models. This framework reduces disinformation to a behavioral problem that downplays the participatory and ritualistic dimension of disinformation, which we argue cannot be reduced, and therefore cannot be corrected, by targeting individual behavior. We review seminal contributions to information and communication studies to foreground disinformation as de facto alternative social contracts that organize the overflow of information in meaningful narratives. We conclude by arguing that disinformation studies would benefit from tracing the resonance of narratives informed by lived experiences to achieve a higher-level principle that can negotiate conflicting realities.
The Role of Juju Rituals in Human Trafficking of Nigerians: A Tool of Enslavement, But Also Escape
Authors: Adeyinka Sarah , Lietaert Ine , Derluyn Ilse
Published: November 2023

In 2018, the Oba (King) of Benin city in Edo state (Nigeria), a spiritual and traditional leader with significant authority, made a public, spiritual declaration on Nigerian human traffickers (especially those originating from Edo state) and proclaimed that victims of trafficking who were bound by oaths taken during the juju rituals were free. The Nigerian trafficking network relies mainly on juju as a control mechanism to keep the victims bound and subservient to them. Based on repeated in-depth interviews with young Nigerian women and teenager teenage victims of human trafficking for sexual exploitation, this article discusses how juju is used by the trafficking networks to keep their victims exploited, enslaved and indebted. Concurrently, the participants’ narratives also illustrate the important impact of the declaration of the Oba for some women and teenagers in their process to leave the trafficking networks.
What Matters for Corporate Cash Holdings Board Governance, Financial Constraints, or Interactions?
Authors: Hussain Abid , Gavurova Beata , Ahmed Masood , Khan Muhammad Asif , Popp József
Published: November 2023

Corporate cash holdings have received increased attention from researchers and practitioners as cash management is a crucial task for executives. Holding too much cash can result in low returns and mismanagement by managers. Conversely, holding low cash reserves can lead to missed investment opportunities. The present study examines the relationship between board governance, financial constraints, and corporate cash holdings. The robust fixed-effects method is used in this study to analyze 860 A-listed firms in China from 2005 to 2020. An index is designed to measure board effectiveness, while financial constraints are measured using Z-score, the Kaplan and Zingales index, and the SA index. The major findings document that the financially less constrained firms hold more cash when there is an effective board governance. Furthermore, financially less constrained firms have more robust board governance to minimize the agency concerns of managers and shareholders. This research provides an inference for stockholders’ activism connected to the cash holdings of the financially constrained and less constrained companies. The findings offer useful policy implications for stakeholders to reform contemporary cash holding policies. Specifically, understanding the role of an effective governance system for financially less constrained firms would help minimize the potential agency conflict.

JEL Classification: G34, O16, G32, F34
A Comparison of Three Types of Computer-Based Procedures: An Experiment Using the Rancor Microworld Simulator
Authors: Hall Anna , Boring Ronald L. , Ulrich Thomas A. , Lew Roger , Velazquez Michelle , Xing Jinding , Whiting Tim , Makrakis Georgios Michail
Published: November 2023

The nuclear power industry has historically used paper-based procedures, but a shift towards computer-based procedures (CBPs) has the potential to reduce human errors, alleviate mental workload, and improve work performance. Twenty-seven participants were randomly assigned to one of three CBP types using the Rancor Microworld Simulator, and each performed two different types of operational scenarios (startup and loss of feedwater). The three CBP types varied in levels of digitalization. It was hypothesized that there would be less favorable impressions of the most basic procedures, and that these would demonstrate lower usability than types with greater digitalization. Overall, our predictions were partially supported with some interesting caveats, specifically with some performance benefits for CBPs that provided indicators but not embedded controls. We discuss our findings in terms of optimal levels of digitalization/automation within nuclear operations and suggest pathways for future directions.
An Exploratory Study to Evaluate the Technological Barriers and Facilitators for Pediatric Behavioral Healthcare in Emergency Departments
Authors: Bhosekar Mitali , Mena Shilpalakshmi , Mihandoust Sahar , Joseph Anjali , Madathil Kapil Chalil
Published: November 2023

The objective of this study was to identify the technological barriers and facilitators of safe and effective pediatric mental and behavioral health care in emergency departments. The study, which involved a total of 4 participants, employed observational studies and semi-structured interviews to gather data from medical professionals across two hospitals. The data collected from the interviews were analyzed for themes relating to the use of technology, including factors that enable or impede safe and effective care for pediatric mental and behavioral health patients. Barriers included challenges related to software usability, inadequate training on newer software features, and concerns regarding the quality of service delivered by third-party vendors. Facilitators comprised the accessibility of clinician's notes, effective tools and technologies for clinician and patient safety, and efficient communication tools.
New Methods to Quantify Functional Strength for Young Children: Laboratory and Task Design Considerations
Authors: Jones Monica L. H. , Ebert Sheila M. , Miller Carl S. , Reed Matthew P.
Published: November 2023

Strength data for children are needed to improve the safety of products. Currently, minimal information on strength is available for children under age 6 years. This paper describes the development of methods to measure functional, task-relevant strength for children ages 24 to 71 months. Strength measurement methods used for adults and older children must be adapted substantially to obtain meaningful data from this younger cohort. This paper discusses the challenges associated with gathering volitional, maximal force-generation capability for this age cohort with attention to applicability, repeatability, and reproducibility.
Impact of Public Debt on Economic Growth: A Quantile Regression Approach
Authors: San Chen Kong , Chin Lee
Published: November 2023

This study aimed at investigating the nexus between government debt and its determinants in the context of sustainable economic growth for 97 countries over the period from 2004 to 2018 by employing a panel data quantile regression and comparing it across a fixed-effects model and a generalized method of moments (GMM) model. The different touches of debt on economic growth were analysed. The quantile regression estimates revealed that government debt has various impacts on economic growth, relying on the degree of economic performance. Government debt negatively affects economic growth across all the quantiles. More interestingly, the quantile regression estimates indicated that in countries with a very low level of real GDP per capita growth, government debt has a stronger pernicious effect on economic growth compared to upper-middle and high-income countries. Hence, our results provided insightful information for policy makers in designing appropriate fiscal policies particularly for low- and lower- middle-income countries to mitigate the negative effect on economic growth, and it should be maintained at a low and reasonable level to promote sustainable economic growth.

JEL Classification: E61, E62, E63, H63, O4, O40
Mineralized Collagen Fiber-based Dental Implant: Novel Perspectives
Authors: Senthil Rethinam , Anitha Roy , Lakshmi Thangavelu
Published: November 2023

Aim:

One of the problems that dental bone defects commonly face is less biocompatibility. Therefore, it is important to find effective natural dental materials to increase the rate of cell viability. In the present work, a blend of mineralized collagen fiber (MCF)/silica nanoparticles (Si-NPs) is used to develop a dental implant (DI), for their possible application in dental bone repair.

Materials and Methods:

This research study was to develop a technique for the fabrication of DI using natural materials. Accordingly, the present work provides DI, essentially by PVA (6g): MCF (1.5g): Si-NPs (0.8g): CaCO3 (1.0g) slurry into DI with other conventional implants. The DI was characterized by its mechanical, physicochemical, and biocompatibility study. The mechanical analysis was statistically different in all three time periods ( p < .05). Surface characterization of DI was carried out before and after immersion in the SBF.

Results:

The DI was excellent mechanical properties like compressive strength (24.22 ± 0.32 MPa) and elongation at break (16.51% ± 0.71%). The morphology of the DI showed a good pore size observed. Bioactivity test was observed on the Calcium/Phosphate of the DI. The biocompatibility of the study MTT (3-(4,5-dimethyl) thiazol-2-yl-2,5-dimethyl tetrazolium bromide) assay using the MG63 (human osteoblast cell line) has proven to more viable cell on the DI.

Conclusion:

The study has devised a process for using fish waste in the preparation of DI. The DI with the required strength, biocompatibility, and bone mineralization properties may be tried as a DI in large animals after obtaining the necessary approval.
Clinical Outcomes After Open and Endoscopic Repair of Proximal Hamstring Tendon Tears at a Minimum Follow-up of 5 Years
Authors: Fenn Thomas W. , Timmermann Anne P. , Brusalis Christopher M. , Kaplan Daniel J. , Ebersole John W. , Nho Shane J.
Published: November 2023

Background:

Current evidence supports favorable short-term clinical outcomes with few complications after surgical management of proximal hamstring injuries; however, the durability of clinical benefits beyond approximately 2 years after surgery is unknown.

Purpose:

To evaluate patient-reported clinical outcomes and complication rates associated with open and endoscopic repair of proximal hamstring tears at minimum 5-year follow-up.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

A single-surgeon registry of patients was queried between October 1, 2014, and December 31, 2017, to identify patients who underwent open or endoscopic repair of a proximal hamstring tear. Patients who reported minimum 5-year follow-up data were included. Multiple patient-reported outcome measures, including the Hip Outcome Score Activities of Daily Living (HOS-ADL) and Sports-Specific (HOS-SS) subscales, 12-Item International Hip Outcome Tool (iHOT-12), and Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Physical Function (PF) and Pain domains, along with surgical complications, were analyzed.

Results:

Among 35 eligible patients (65.7% female; mean age, 52.3 ± 8.4 years), 24 had full-thickness tears and 11 had partial-thickness tears. There were 23 open repairs and 12 endoscopic repairs. Mean duration from symptom onset to surgical intervention was 37.9 weeks (range, 1.3-306.9 weeks). At a mean follow-up of 69.0 months (range, 60.0-95.0 months), mean postoperative outcome scores were as follows: HOS-ADL, 86.8 ± 12.7; HOS-SS, 83.1 ± 19.5; iHOT-12, 86.3 ± 14.9; PROMIS-PF, 50.0 ± 11.8; and PROMIS–Pain, 50.2 ± 7.9. Regarding complications, 28.6% of patients had a complication including persistent peri-incisional numbness (11.4%), wound infection (11.4%), postoperative neuropathy (8.6%), and revision surgery (2.9%).

Conclusion:

Both open and endoscopic surgical techniques for repair of proximal hamstring injuries produced favorable patient-reported clinical outcomes at a minimum 5-year follow-up.
Proximity or opportunity? Spatial and market determinants of private individuals’ buy-to-let investments
Authors: Peris Antoine , Casanova Enault Laure
Published: November 2023

This paper contributes to the debate on the liquidity of real estate investment in the context of financialisation. Using microdata built from tax registers, we analyse the geography of rental housing purchases by private individuals from three French cities. We develop a modelling approach in order to better understand the respective roles of space and market characteristics in determining buy-to-let investment flows. Considering the distribution of the data and our objective of integrating both intra- and intercity housing investments in a single model, we use an adaptive zoning approach. This approach allows high spatial resolution where interactions are strong to be kept and the aggregation of more distant, less populated areas. We demonstrate that geographical proximity is highly determinant in explaining flows of buy-to-let investments from private individuals. We also uncover striking facts related to the geography of rental investments, such as the convergence of investments from rich suburbs toward the centre of agglomerations and preferential flows from the Paris region to southern and coastal cities. Finally, we find that investors tend to buy in upmarket areas and in places that are more expensive than their market of residence. Our results indicate that geographical proximity and safety of investments are key factors in housing wealth accumulation by private individuals.
Book review: Jatin Bala, A Life Uprooted: A Bengali Dalit Refugee Remembers
Authors: Gupta Jayati
Published: November 2023

Jatin Bala, A Life Uprooted: A Bengali Dalit Refugee Remembers. Translated by Mandakini Bhattacherya and Jaydeep Sarangi. New Delhi: Sahitya Akademi, 2022.
Impact of Diabetes Self-Management Education on A1C Levels Among Black/African Americans: A Systematic Review
Authors: Okeyo Hilda M. , Biddle Martha , Williams Lovoria B.
Published: November 2023

Purpose:

The purpose of this systematic review was to examine the impact of diabetes self-management education (DSME) programs on A1C levels of Black/African American adults with type 2 diabetes.

Methods:

Authors followed PRISMA guidelines and searched PubMed and CINAHL databases to identify articles published from 2000 to date. The primary outcome was A1C and participation in a DSME program among Black/African Americans with diabetes.

Results:

Nine high-quality randomized control trials (RCTs) were included in this review. Sample sizes ranged between 48 and 211. Studies reported Black/African American samples ranging from 23% to 57% (n = 4), 4 reported 100%, and 1 reported 96%. Most (56%) reported a statistically significant decline in A1C levels postprogram, whereas 44% noted insignificant changes. All the studies compared the DSME intervention effect to a control group or another type of diabetes self-management program.

Conclusion:

The results suggest that DSME programs can be effective at lowering A1C levels in Black/African American adults; however, more research with larger sample sizes of Black/African Americans is warranted. The availability of meta-analyses and more RCTs could also further strengthen the external validity of this review. Additionally, future studies focused on A1C outcomes within DSME programs not combined with other self-management interventions among Black/African Americans can advance science regarding the impact of DSME programs among this disparate population.
Sediment thickness map of United States Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain Strata, and their influence on earthquake ground motions
Authors: Boyd Oliver S , Churchwell David , Moschetti Morgan P , Thompson Eric M , Chapman Martin C , Ilhan Okan , Pratt Thomas L , Ahdi Sean K , Rezaeian Sanaz
Published: November 2023

With the recent successful accounting of basin depth ground-motion adjustments in seismic hazard analyses for select areas of the western United States, we move toward implementing similar adjustments in the Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plains by constructing a sediment thickness model and evaluating multiple relevant site amplification models for central and eastern United States seismic hazard analyses. We digitize and combine existing sediment thickness data sets into a composite surface that delineates the base of Cretaceous sediments under the Atlantic Coastal Plain and the base of Mesozoic sediments under the Gulf Coastal Plain. Amplification models dependent on sediment thickness, site natural period, and source-to-site path length are compared with data sets of observed ground motions to evaluate the ability of the new models to improve ground motion estimates. We find that the amplification models can account for observed trends in sediment-thickness and period-dependent residuals, but some tuning is required. For example, the model of Chapman and Guo requires a reference VS30, the time-averaged shear-wave velocity within 30 m of the Earth’s surface, for non-Coastal Plain sites, which we estimate to be between about 1 and 2 km/s. Along with our sediment thickness model, we estimate a velocity profile for application to the Harmon et al. site-natural-period-based model in order to best match the Chapman and Guo period dependence for a broad range of sediment thicknesses. The Next Generation of Attenuation models for the eastern United States Gulf Coast path-based adjustment models can also account for seismic attenuation in the Coastal Plain sediments and reduce the standard deviation of total residuals. If enacted in the U.S. Geological Survey National Seismic Hazard Model, these amplification models will reduce predicted short-period (<1 s) and increase predicted long-period (>1 s) ground motions in the Coastal Plains appreciably.
COVID-19 vaccination acceptance, safety and side-effects in European patients with severe asthma
Authors: Bossios Apostolos , Bacon Alison M. , Eger Katrien , Paróczai Dóra , Schleich Florence , Hanon Shane , Sergejeva Svetlana , Zervas Eleftherios , Katsoulis Konstantinos , Aggelopoulou Christina , Kostikas Konstantinos , Gaki Eleni , Rovina Nikoletta , Csoma Zsuzsanna , Grisle Ineta , Bieksiené Kristina , Palacionyte Jolita , ten Brinke Anneke , Hashimoto Simone , Mihălţan Florin , Nenasheva Natalia , Zvezdin Biljana , Čekerevac Ivan , Hromiš Sanja , Ćupurdija Vojislav , Lazic Zorica , Chaudhuri Rekha , Smith Steven James , Rupani Hitasha , Haitchi Hans Michael , Kurukulaaratchy Ramesh , Fulton Olivia , Frankemölle Betty , Howarth Peter , Porsbjerg Celeste , Bel Elisabeth H. , Djukanovic Ratko , Hyland Michael E.
Published: November 2023

Background

Vaccination is vital for achieving population immunity to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, but vaccination hesitancy presents a threat to achieving widespread immunity. Vaccine acceptance in chronic potentially immunosuppressed patients is largely unclear, especially in patients with asthma. The aim of this study was to investigate the vaccination experience in people with severe asthma.

Methods

Questionnaires about vaccination beliefs (including the Vaccination Attitudes Examination (VAX) scale, a measure of vaccination hesitancy-related beliefs), vaccination side-effects, asthma control and overall safety perceptions following coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination were sent to patients with severe asthma in 12 European countries between May and June 2021.

Results

660 participants returned completed questionnaires (87.4% response rate). Of these, 88% stated that they had been, or intended to be, vaccinated, 9.5% were undecided/hesitant and 3% had refused vaccination. Patients who hesitated or refused vaccination had more negative beliefs towards vaccination. Most patients reported mild (48.2%) or no side-effects (43.8%). Patients reporting severe side-effects (5.7%) had more negative beliefs. Most patients (88.8%) reported no change in asthma symptoms after vaccination, while 2.4% reported an improvement, 5.3% a slight deterioration and 1.2% a considerable deterioration. Almost all vaccinated (98%) patients would recommend vaccination to other severe asthma patients.

Conclusions

Uptake of vaccination in patients with severe asthma in Europe was high, with a small minority refusing vaccination. Beliefs predicted vaccination behaviour and side-effects. Vaccination had little impact on asthma control. Our findings in people with severe asthma support the broad message that COVID-19 vaccination is safe and well tolerated.
Assembly and analysis of the complete mitochondrial genome of Forsythia suspensa (Thunb.) Vahl
Authors: Song Yun , Du Xiaorong , Li Aoxuan , Fan Amei , He Longjiao , Sun Zhe , Niu Yanbing , Qiao Yonggang
Published: November 2023

Background

Forsythia suspensa (Thunb.) Vahl is a valuable ornamental and medicinal plant. Although the nuclear and chloroplast genomes of F. suspensa have been published, its complete mitochondrial genome sequence has yet to be reported. In this study, the genomic DNA of F. suspensa yellowish leaf material was extracted, sequenced by using a mixture of Illumina Novaseq6000 short reads and Oxford Nanopore PromethION long reads, and the sequencing data were assembled and annotated.

Result

The F. suspensa mitochondrial genome was obtained in the length of 535,692 bp with a circular structure, and the GC content was 44.90%. The genome contains 60 genes, including 36 protein-coding genes, 21 tRNA genes, and three rRNA genes. We further analyzed RNA editing of the protein-coding genes, relative synonymous codon usage, and sequence repeats based on the genomic data. There were 25 homologous sequences between F. suspensa mitochondria and chloroplast genome, which involved the transfer of 8 mitochondrial genes, and 9473 homologous sequences between mitochondrial and nuclear genomes. Analysis of the nucleic acid substitution rate, nucleic acid diversity, and collinearity of protein-coding genes of the F. suspensa mitochondrial genome revealed that the majority of genes may have undergone purifying selection, exhibiting a slower rate of evolution and a relatively conserved structure. Analysis of the phylogenetic relationships among different species revealed that F. suspensa was most closely related to Olea europaea subsp. Europaea.

Conclusion

In this study, we sequenced, assembled, and annotated a high-quality F. suspensa mitochondrial genome. The results of this study will enrich the mitochondrial genome data of Forsythia, lay a foundation for the phylogenetic development of Forsythia, and promote the evolutionary analysis of Oleaceae species.
Impact of frailty on the outcomes of patients undergoing degenerative spine surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Baek Wonhee , Park Sun-Young , Kim Yoonjoo
Published: November 2023

Background

Degenerative spinal diseases are common in older adults with concurrent frailty. Preoperative frailty is a strong predictor of adverse clinical outcomes after surgery. This study aimed to investigate the association between health-related outcomes and frailty in patients undergoing spine surgery for degenerative spine diseases.

Methods

A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed by electronically searching Ovid-MEDLINE, Ovid-Embase, Cochrane Library, and CINAHL for eligible studies until July 16, 2022. We reviewed all studies, excluding spinal tumours, non-surgical procedures, and experimental studies that examined the association between preoperative frailty and related outcomes after spine surgery. A total of 1,075 articles were identified in the initial search and were reviewed by two reviewers, independently. Data were subjected to qualitative and quantitative syntheses by meta-analytic methods.

Results

Thirty-eight articles on 474,651 patients who underwent degenerative spine surgeries were included and 17 papers were quantitatively synthesized. The health-related outcomes were divided into clinical outcomes and patient-reported outcomes; clinical outcomes were further divided into postoperative complications and supportive management procedures. Compared to the non-frail group, the frail group was significantly associated with a greater risk of high mortality, major complications, acute renal failure, myocardial infarction, non-home discharge, reintubation, and longer length of hospital stay. Regarding patient-reported outcomes, changes in scores between the preoperative and postoperative Oswestry Disability Index scores were not associated with preoperative frailty.

Conclusions

In degenerative spinal diseases, frailty is a strong predictor of adverse clinical outcomes after spine surgery. The relationship between preoperative frailty and patient-reported outcomes is still inconclusive. Further research is needed to consolidate the evidence from patient-reported outcomes.
Concurrent and predictive validity of the Alberta Infant Motor Scale and the Peabody Developmental Motor Scales-2 administered to infants born preterm in Norway
Authors: Ustad Tordis , Brandal Merethe , Campbell Suzann K. , Girolami Gay L. , Sinding-Larsen Charlotte , Øberg Gunn Kristin
Published: November 2023

Background

The correlation between the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) and the Peabody Developmental Motor Scales-2 (PDMS-2) has not previously been assessed in Norwegian infants. Our purpose was to investigate the concurrent validity of the AIMS and the PDMS-2 in a group of high-risk infants, and to investigate the predictive validity of the two tests for atypical motor function at 24 months post term age (PTA).

Methods

This is a retrospective study of the AIMS and the PDMS-2 administered to infants born preterm with gestational age ≤ 32 weeks (n = 139) who had participated in a randomized controlled trial of early parent-administered physiotherapy. The infants’ motor development had been assessed using the AIMS and the PDMS-2 at 6- and 12-months. The primary outcome was PDMS-2 at 24-months PTA. To explore the correlation between the two tests we used Spearman’s rho. Bland Altman plots were used to detect if there were systematic differences between the measurements. Receiver-operating characteristics curves were used to calculate area under the curve as an estimate of diagnostic accuracy of the AIMS and the PDMS- with respect to motor outcome at 24 months.

Results

The correlation between the AIMS and the PDMS-2 (total motor and locomotion subscale), at 6 months, was r = 0.44 and r = 0.76, and at 12 months r = 0.56 and r = 0.80 respectively. The predictive validity for atypical motor function at 24 months, assessed using the area under the curve at 6- and at 12- months, was for the AIMS 0.87 and 0.86, respectively, and for the PDMS-2 locomotion subscale 0.82 and 0.76 respectively.

Conclusion

The correlation between the AIMS and the PDMS-2 locomotion subscale, at 6- and 12- months PTA, was good to excellent in a group of infants born preterm in Norway. And the AIMS and the locomotion subscale of the PDMS-2 were equally good predictors for atypical motor outcomes at 24 months PTA. These findings indicate that the AIMS and the locomotion subscale of the PDM-2, could be used interchangeable when assessing motor development in infants at 6- or 12 months of age.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01089296.
Mental health and job stress of nurses in surgical system: what should we care
Authors: Wei Ling , Guo Zhenshan , Zhang Xue , Niu Yanbin , Wang Xiumei , Ma Lifang , Luo Min , Lu Bin
Published: November 2023

Background

Job stress has significant influence on the mental health of health care providers. The mental health and job stress of operating room nurses remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the mental health and job stress of nurses in surgical system in China, to provide evidences for clinical nurse management and care.

Methods

The nurses in the surgical system of our hospital were investigated by questionnaire in December 2022. The general information questionnaire, symptom check list 90 (SCL-90) and nurses’ job stressor scale (NJSS) were used for data collection. Pearson correlation and logistic analysis were conducted to evaluate the related influencing factors.

Results

A total of 171 nurses in surgical system were investigated. The mental health level of nurses in operating room was low. The job pressure of the nurses in the operating room was in the middle level. The nursing profession and work, workload and distribution, working environment and resources, patient care, management and interpersonal relationship were all positively correlated with SCL-90 score of nurses in operating room. Logistic regression analysis indicated that age, year of work experience, professional ranks and titles both are the influencing factors of SCL-90 score and of nurses in operating room.

Conclusions

The mental health of nurses in surgical system is affected by work pressure, ages, working years and professional titles. These factors should be considered in the psychological intervention of nurses in operating room in order to improve the health of clinical nurses.
Disparity in hospital beds’ allocation at the county level in China: an analysis based on a Health Resource Density Index (HRDI) model
Authors: Wang Zuobao , Dong Lin , Xing XinYi , Liu Zhe , Zhou Yuxiang
Published: November 2023

Background

As approximately 3/4 of the population lives in county-level divisions in China, the allocation of health resources at the county level will affect the realization of health equity. This study aims to evaluate the disparity in hospital beds at the county level in China, analyze its causes, and discuss measures to optimize the allocation.

Methods

Data were drawn from the Chinese County/City Statistical Yearbook (2001–2020). The health resource density index (HRDI) was applied to mediate between the influence of demographic and geographical factors on the allocation of hospital beds. The trends of HRDI allocation were evaluated through the growth incidence curve and the probability density function. The regional disparity in the HRDI was examined through the Lorenz curve, and Dagum Gini coefficient. The contribution of the Gini coefficient and its change were assessed by using the Dagum Gini decomposition method.

Results

From 2000 to 2019, the number of hospital beds per thousand people at the county level in China increased dramatically by 1.49 times. From the aspect of the HRDI, there were large regional disparities at the national level, with a Gini coefficient of 0.367 in 2019 and in the three subregions. In 2019, the Gini coefficient of the HRDI exhibited regional variations, with the highest value observed in the western region, followed by the central region and the eastern region. Decomposition reveals that the contribution of interregional disparity changed from the dominant factor to the least important factor, accounting for 29.79% of the overall disparity and the contribution of trans-variation intensity increased from 29.19% to 39.75%, whereas the intraregional disparity remained stable at approximately 31% and became the second most important factor.

Conclusion

The regional disparity in hospital beds allocation at the county level in China was large and has not improved substantially. Trans-variation intensity was the main reason for the overall disparity and changes, and the intraregional disparity was more important than the interregional disparity for the overall disparity.
Parathyroid hormone stimulates bone regeneration in an atrophic non-union model in aged mice
Authors: Menger Maximilian M. , Tobias Anne L. , Bauer David , Bleimehl Michelle , Scheuer Claudia , Menger Michael D. , Histing Tina , Laschke Matthias W.
Published: November 2023

Background

Non-union formation still represents a major burden in trauma and orthopedic surgery. Moreover, aged patients are at an increased risk for bone healing failure. Parathyroid hormone (PTH) has been shown to accelerate fracture healing in young adult animals. However, there is no information whether PTH also stimulates bone regeneration in atrophic non-unions in the aged. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to analyze the effect of PTH on bone regeneration in an atrophic non-union model in aged CD-1 mice.

Methods

After creation of a 1.8 mm segmental defect, mice femora were stabilized by pin-clip fixation. The animals were treated daily with either 200 μg/kg body weight PTH 1–34 (n = 17) or saline (control; n = 17) subcutaneously. Bone regeneration was analyzed by means of X-ray, biomechanics, micro-computed tomography (µCT) imaging as well as histological, immunohistochemical and Western blot analyses.

Results

In PTH-treated animals bone formation was markedly improved when compared to controls. This was associated with an increased bending stiffness as well as a higher number of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive osteoclasts and CD31-positive microvessels within the callus tissue. Furthermore, PTH-treated aged animals showed a decreased inflammatory response, characterized by a lower number of MPO-positive granulocytes and CD68-positive macrophages within the bone defects when compared to controls. Additional Western blot analyses demonstrated a significantly higher expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) in PTH-treated mice.

Conclusion

Taken together, these findings indicate that PTH is an effective pharmacological compound for the treatment of non-union formation in aged animals.
Naïve Huntington’s disease microglia mount a normal response to inflammatory stimuli but display a partially impaired development of innate immune tolerance that can be counteracted by ganglioside GM1
Authors: Steinberg Noam , Galleguillos Danny , Zaidi Asifa , Horkey Melanie , Sipione Simonetta
Published: November 2023

Chronic activation and dysfunction of microglia have been implicated in the pathogenesis and progression of many neurodegenerative disorders, including Huntington’s disease (HD). HD is a genetic condition caused by a mutation that affects the folding and function of huntingtin (HTT). Signs of microglia activation have been observed in HD patients even before the onset of symptoms. It is unclear, however, whether pro-inflammatory microglia activation in HD results from cell-autonomous expression of mutant HTT, is the response of microglia to a diseased brain environment, or both. In this study, we used primary microglia isolated from HD knock-in (Q140) and wild-type (Q7) mice to investigate their response to inflammatory conditions in vitro in the absence of confounding effects arising from brain pathology. We show that naïve Q140 microglia do not undergo spontaneous pro-inflammatory activation and respond to inflammatory triggers, including stimulation of TLR4 and TLR2 and exposure to necrotic cells, with similar kinetics of pro-inflammatory gene expression as wild-type microglia. Upon termination of the inflammatory insult, the transcription of pro-inflammatory cytokines is tapered off in Q140 and wild-type microglia with similar kinetics. However, the ability of Q140 microglia to develop tolerance in response to repeated inflammatory stimulations is partially impaired in vitro and in vivo, potentially contributing to the establishment of chronic neuroinflammation in HD. We further show that ganglioside GM1, a glycosphingolipid with anti-inflammatory effects on wild-type microglia, not only decreases the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide in activated Q140 microglia, but also dramatically dampen microglia response to re-stimulation with LPS in an experimental model of tolerance. These effects are independent from the expression of interleukin 1 receptor associated kinase 3 (Irak-3), a strong modulator of LPS signaling involved in the development of innate immune tolerance and previously shown to be upregulated by immune cell treatment with gangliosides. Altogether, our data suggest that external triggers are required for HD microglia activation, but a cell-autonomous dysfunction that affects the ability of HD microglia to acquire tolerance might contribute to the establishment of neuroinflammation in HD. Administration of GM1 might be beneficial to attenuate chronic microglia activation and neuroinflammation.
Immersive virtual reality gameplay detects visuospatial atypicality, including unilateral spatial neglect, following brain injury: a pilot study
Authors: Painter David R. , Norwood Michael F. , Marsh Chelsea H. , Hine Trevor , Harvie Daniel , Libera Marilia , Bernhardt Julie , Gan Leslie , Zeeman Heidi
Published: November 2023

Background

In neurorehabilitation, problems with visuospatial attention, including unilateral spatial neglect, are prevalent and routinely assessed by pen-and-paper tests, which are limited in accuracy and sensitivity. Immersive virtual reality (VR), which motivates a much wider (more intuitive) spatial behaviour, promises new futures for identifying visuospatial atypicality in multiple measures, which reflects cognitive and motor diversity across individuals with brain injuries.

Methods

In this pilot study, we had 9 clinician controls (mean age 43 years; 4 males) and 13 neurorehabilitation inpatients (mean age 59 years; 9 males) recruited a mean of 41 days post-injury play a VR visual search game. Primary injuries included 7 stroke, 4 traumatic brain injury, 2 other acquired brain injury. Three patients were identified as having left sided neglect prior to taking part in the VR. Response accuracy, reaction time, and headset and controller raycast orientation quantified gameplay. Normative modelling identified the typical gameplay bounds, and visuospatial atypicality was defined as gameplay beyond these bounds.

Results

The study found VR to be feasible, with only minor instances of motion sickness, positive user experiences, and satisfactory system usability. Crucially, the analytical method, which emphasized identifying 'visuospatial atypicality,' proved effective. Visuospatial atypicality was more commonly observed in patients compared to controls and was prevalent in both groups of patients—those with and without neglect.

Conclusion

Our research indicates that normative modelling of VR gameplay is a promising tool for identifying visuospatial atypicality after acute brain injury. This approach holds potential for a detailed examination of neglect.
Ethnobotanical study on medicinal plant knowledge among three ethnic groups in peri-urban areas of south-central Ethiopia
Authors: Tamene Sintayehu , Negash Mesele , Makonda Fortunatus Bulabo , Chiwona-Karltun Linley , Kibret Kefyalew Sahle
Published: November 2023

Background

Documenting traditional knowledge on plant use among ethnic groups has enabled researchers to obtain a better understanding of how indigenous flora is seen and used in daily life. Their therapeutic applications will also encourage future conservation and phytochemical research, potentially leading to the development of novel drugs. However, past ethnobotanical studies conducted in Ethiopia mainly focused on rural areas, and limited coverage to document the ethnobotanical knowledge at the rural‒urban interface. Therefore, this study was conducted to document and analyze traditional ethnobotanical knowledge on medicinal plants among three selected ethnic groups in peri-urban areas of south-central Ethiopia. In addition, we attempted to investigate the range of cultural similarity and disparity between the studied ethnic groups in relation to traditional medicinal plants and diseases treated.

Methods

Data were collected using semistructured questionnaires and in-depth interviews of 189 key informants, floristic species inventories, and field observations. Several cultural importance indices and Rahman’s similarity indices were applied to analyze the relevance of medicinal plants and cultural similarity among the ethnic groups.

Results

A total of 189 therapeutic plants representing 159 genera and 69 families were identified and documented across the three studied ethnic groups. Of these, the Sidama, Gedeo, and Oromo ethnic groups reported 28, 34, and 38%, respectively. Most medicinal plants were represented by herbs (36%), followed by shrubs (31%), trees (27%), and herbaceous climbers (7%). Rahman's similarity index (RSI) revealed considerable ethnobotanical knowledge variation among ethnic groups. Oromo and Sidama showed the highest disparity (63.8%), followed by Gedeo and Oromo (63.2%). Of the total collected therapeutic plants, 78 most important medicinal plants were selected for the cultural importance analysis, which revealed that Croton macrostachyus Hochst. ex Delile scored the highest point in the Gedeo and Oromo ethnic groups and Zingiber officinale Roscoe in the Sidama ethnic group. Whereas Cinnamomum verum J.Presl, Psidium guajava L., and Melia azedarach L. are the least.

Conclusion

The present study revealed the presence of cultural differences in medicinal plant knowledge practices and therapeutic plant use among the studied ethnic groups in rural–urban interface areas of south-central Ethiopia. The diverse healing potential of plants would support future pharmacological investigations, emphasizing the need for adequate documentation of indigenous knowledge and versatile flora to prevent their further loss.