bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative analysis of the burnout syndrome index between contract and freelance physiotherapists: An observational study
Authors: Grande-Alonso Mónica , Castillo-Alcañiz Beatriz , Paraíso-Iglesias Pablo , Cuenca-Martínez Ferran , La Touche Roy , Vidal-Quevedo Celia
Published: April 2023

BACKGROUND: Burnout syndrome has been extensively studied in different health science professions. It has been less studied in physiotherapy than in professions such as medicine. Moreover, it is not known how the working condition influences this syndrome. OBJECTIVE: The main objective of this study was to compare the burnout index between contract and freelance physiotherapists in the private sector in the Community of Madrid, Spain. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed with 174 participants divided into 2 groups; one group was composed of contract physiotherapists (n = 87) and the other group was composed of freelance physiotherapists (n = 87). A Mann–Whitney U test was performed for comparison between the groups. Spearman’s correlation coefficient was used to analyze the correlations between the burnout syndrome index and the secondary variables. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences when comparing the groups, with a large effect size for the burnout index with a higher rate among contract physiotherapists (78 [71–84.75]) than in freelance physiotherapists (61.5 [55–72.75]).There were also significant differences in the type of patients treated, number of patients treated per day, time spent per patient, and the annual salary range between the contract and freelance physiotherapists. CONCLUSION: Contract physiotherapists who participated in this study had a significantly higher burnout syndrome index than freelance physiotherapists. Other socio-occupational variables were also found to be related to the burnout syndrome index in freelance physiotherapists and contract physiotherapists. The results of this study could be of interest for new occupational health strategies to reduce the burnout index in contract physiotherapists.
A trial-dependent N-player game
Authors: Hussain Abid
Published: April 2023

The trials in the classical N-player gamblers' problem are repeated independently until one or more players get bankrupt. In this modern era, everyone wants to earn something in a limited amount of time as well as doesn't lose all his/her amount. In this research, we present a game that is stopped when the number of trials first reaches the minimum of the initial budget set by the players. We executed this game for N players and determined the probability distribution of the fortune for both symmetric and asymmetric games. The exact expressions for the expected fortune and variance of the distribution are derived.
An Analysis of Teacher Satisfaction in the Seventh-day Adventist Church Schools in Zimbabwe
Authors:   ,   Andrews University, Masuku Silas
Published: April 2023

Problem. Various studies have been conducted internationally on teacher satisfaction in private and public schools. Similar studies have also been done in Seventh-day Adventist church schools around the world. The importance of teacher satisfaction is crucial for the stability of education institutions in shaping students for success in their communities. The purpose of this study was to analyze perceptions of the level of satisfaction on factors deemed important to teachers in Seventh-day Adventist church schools in Zimbabwe. This research study also considered the pattern of teacher turnover in the schools. Methodology. A stratified random sample of 442 teachers from 32 schools was selected from 1,318 teachers in the 96 schools. A survey, Adventist Teacher Satisfaction Questionnaire, adapted from previous instruments was utilized to solicit teachers’ level of satisfaction with organizational and personal factors that they deemed important. Descriptive statistics and analysis of variance were used to analyze data from teachers’ responses. The Adventist Teacher Turnover Questionnaire was used to collect data on teacher turnover from school heads. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the pattern of turnover during the 5-year period 1997-2001. Research Findings. Teachers in the Seventh-day Adventist church schools in Zimbabwe were dissatisfied with most (34 of 52) of the organizational factors that they considered important. However, they were satisfied with most (22 of 24) of the personal factors that they considered important. In terms of demographics, there were no differences in the level of satisfaction with organizational factors between most of the demographic groups of teachers. However, teachers in rural schools were significantly more dissatisfied with organizational factors than those in urban schools. There were no differences in the level of satisfaction with personal factors between most of the demographic groups of teachers. But, teachers in urban schools were significantly more satisfied with personal factors than those in rural schools. Regarding teacher turnover, the average rate was low and steady during the years 1997-2001. However, there was an increase in teacher turnover in 2001. Conclusion. This study will help the church schools’ administration in Zimbabwe to focus on organizational factors where there was general dissatisfaction among teachers. Dissatisfaction was expressed more by rural than by urban school teachers. Initial attention therefore would best be directed at improving conditions in rural schools. The low average teacher turnover in the years considered would be no reason to be complacent, particularly noting that there was an increase in 2001 in view of the general dissatisfaction among teachers.
Differences in Career Outcome Expectations of College Students by Race/Ethnicity and Gender
Authors: Doyle Jacqueline , Postlewaite Elyse , Sadler Philip M. , Sonnert Gerhard
Published: April 2023

This study examined how U.S. college students’ career outcome expectations—what they hope to get out of their careers—vary by intended career path, racial/ethnic groups, gender, and other individual difference factors. The data were drawn from the Persistence Research in Science and Engineering (PRiSE) survey, a national study of U.S. college students enrolled in college English courses (n = 7505). An exploratory factor analysis revealed four foci of career outcome expectations, which we labeled as follows: extrinsic (rewards are external, such as money or status), work-life balance (work does not consume all of a person’s time/energy), pioneering (work is intellectually stimulating and cutting edge), and people-related (work involves working with and helping others). While controlling for career interest, our findings indicate that students’ gender and race/ethnicity influence their career outcome expectations in a wide variety of ways. Due to the differences in career outcome expectations associated with student backgrounds and demographics beyond career interest, recruiters and program directors looking to attract more diverse populations may benefit from matching the career outcomes they present and offer with those populations’ outcome expectations.
Atos concertados jurisdicionais: análise a partir da teoria procedimental de Jürgen Habermas
Authors: Azevedo Edgar Meira Pires de , D'Assunção Maria Esther Alencar Advíncula , Góes Ricardo Tinoco de
Published: April 2023

Tendo em vista a previsão expressa contida no art. 69, IV, do Código de Processo Civil – CPC, que possibilita a prática de atos concertados entres órgãos jurisdicionais, pesquisa-se sobre a importância e limites de referidos atos, a fim de verificar se os mesmos encontram assento constitucional e se configuram um instrumento cooperativo na forma da teoria de Jürgen Habermas. Para tanto, é necessário conceituar os atos concertados, bem como realizar a distinção entre cooperação processual e cooperação judicial, à luz das desjudicialização dos conflitos; examinar as principais bases teóricas do modelo democrático-procedimental de Jürgen Habermas, especificamente a posição adotada pelo autor em relação aos princípios da separação dos poderes. Para tanto, realiza-se uma pesquisa de finalidade básica estratégica, objetivo descritivo e exploratório em relação à natureza dos atos concertados e à teoria habermasiana, sob o método dedutivo, com abordagem qualitativa e realizada pelos procedimentos bibliográficos e documentais. Diante disso, verifica-se que os atos concertados previstos no art. 69, IV, do CPC, avultam como importante ferramenta para realização da cooperação judicial, configurando o cooperativismo dialógico defendido por Habermas; contudo, tais atos devem ser encarados de maneira excepcional, devendo sempre ser balizados pelos direitos fundamentais encartados na Constituição Federal, especialmente no que diz respeito ao Princípio da Separação dos Poderes.
LEGAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL-PEDAGOGICAL COMPONENTS OF THE SAFE ACTIVITIES OF THE PERSONNEL OF PENAL BODIES AND INSTITUTIONS
Authors:   Territorially Separated Branch “Kamianske Branch of the Academy of the State Penitentiary Service”,  Kamianske, Ukraine, Pomohaibo O.V.
Published: April 2023

The scientific article highlights the legal and psychological-pedagogical components of the safe activity of the personnel of penal bodies and institutions. The main features of the legal regulation of the safe activity of the personnel of penal bodies and institutions have been studied. The author revealed the concept of “protection” and its meaning within the framework of the activities of the employees of penal bodies and institutions. The importance of psychological support and maintenance of emotional stability of employees of penal bodies and institutions in view of their interaction with a certain category of persons is highlighted. Within the framework of the scientific article, the pedagogical element of safe activity is also highlighted. It indicates the need to improve the pedagogical skill of the personnel of penal bodies and institutions. The safe activity of the personnel of penal bodies and institutions is a priority direction of their work, therefore, within the framework of theoretical studies, the coverage of certain elements of safe activity has gained wide popularity. Despite paying sufficient attention to law-making activity regarding streamlining the activities of penal bodies and institutions, there are still problematic issues that need to be resolved by defining priority strategic directions and improving the current legislation. The personnel of penal bodies and institutions interact with a certain category of persons in the framework of their activities, therefore it is important to provide effective psychological support and develop the necessary pedagogical skills. At the moment, it is necessary to state that in terms of organization, penal bodies and institutions have reached a certain level of legal and psychological-pedagogical provision of safe activities of their personnel. At the same time, the issue of improving these components and turning to new methods and international standards in the field of execution of punishments remains relevant. Key words: penal bodies and institutions, personnel of penal bodies and institutions, legal component of safe activity, psychological-pedagogical component of safe activity.
Experiences and impacts of stuttering on Vietnamese adults who stutter: A qualitative study
Authors: Nguyen Nhi Tran Thi Y , Unicomb Rachael , Hoffman Laura , Nguyen Nguyen Do , Hewat Sally
Published: April 2023

Findings of experiences and impacts of stuttering on adult people who stutter (PWS) from previous qualitative studies may not be true for PWS in Vietnam, because of cultural, social, and environmental differences. Until now, there has been no study of stuttering in adult Vietnamese PWS, therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the experiences and impacts of stuttering in adult Vietnamese PWS across their lifespan and on different areas of their lives.

This is a qualitative descriptive study. Participants were recruited via the social networking site of the Vietnamese stuttering community (ECHO Vietnam). Each person was screened for developmental stuttering by an experienced and independent speech language therapist. Semi-structured interview was used for data collection. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data.

Fear of stuttering, being teased by friends, unfavorable family reactions made PWS less confident, self-isolated, thereby having negative impacts on studying, working, and social relations. Beside negative experiences, a few showed empathy and support from teachers, relatives, and friends. PWS had low access to stuttering treatment because of lacking of official information on stuttering treatment. Self-help groups have played an active role in the treatment and emotional support for PWS.

This study provided preliminary information about the experiences and impacts of stuttering in Vietnamese adult PWS. Further studies are needed to obtain deeper and more comprehensive information. It is necessary, through mass media, especially the internet, to provide information about treatment facilities, or organizations that PWS can join to get counseling about treatment.
How to Improve Speaking Skills for Undergraduates at Dong Nai Technology University
Authors: Thu Tran Thi Minh
Published: April 2023

The ability to communicate in both written and spoken form is the main goal of learning English. Teachers need to provide students with opportunities to communicate in English so that they can become fluent speakers. Nonetheless, the majority of non-major students at Dong Nai Technology University are struggling with conversations due to brief and unnecessary pauses. While speaking ability among students must be developed, it has been seen that listening and speaking skills are not given enough attention in the practice of English teaching and learning. The current study seeks to increase non-major sophomores’ oral English fluency. The teaching methodology employed in the study was task-based language teaching (TBLT) which encourages students to participate more in communicative activities and ensures that they will be able to grasp the target language. The researcher used different types of study devices to get the data, including tests, observations as well as questionnaires, to determine how task-based language instruction enhanced students’ speaking abilities and what opinions students had towards the teaching method. By analysing data from test scores, observation notes, and questionnaires, it was concluded that there is a necessity for TBLT for the development of speaking fluency.
Türkiye’de Reel Döviz Kuru, Enflasyon ve Faiz Oranlarının Dış Ticaret Üzerindeki Etkisi: Simetrik ve Asimetrik Yöntemlerle Analiz
Authors: USLU Hüseyin
Published: April 2023

Bu çalışmanın temel amacı; Türkiye’de reel döviz kuru, enflasyon ve faiz oranlarının dış ticaret üzerindeki etkilerini 1970-2021 dönemi yıllık verilerini kullanarak teorik ve uygulamalı olarak simetrik ve asimetrik zaman serileri analiz yöntemleriyle incelemektir. Araştırmada zaman serileri analiz yöntemi kullanılmış olup, serilerin durağanlıkları; yapısal kırılmaya izin veren Zivot ve Andrews (1992) ve Lee ve Strazicich (2003, 2004) testleriyle incelenmiştir. Seriler arasındaki eşbütünleşme ilişkileri; Hatemi-J (2008) simetrik, Granger ve Yoon (2002) ve Hatemi-J ve Irandoust (2012) asimetrik eşbütünleşme yöntemleriyle sınanmıştır. Seriler arasındaki nedensellik ilişkileri; Hacker ve Hatemi-J (2006) simetrik nedensellik, Hatemi-J (2012) asimetrik nedensellik testleriyle araştırılmıştır. Eşbütünleşme analizlerinde; Hatemi-J (2008) yapısal kırılmalı eşbütünleşme testinde sadece ticaret dengesi modelinde yer alan serilerin eşbütünleşme ilişkisine sahip oldukları sonucuna ulaşılmıştır. Granger ve Yoon (2002) asimetrik eşbütünleşme testi, hiçbir modelde saklı eşbütünleşme bulamazken, Hatemi-J ve Irandoust (2012) asimetrik eşbütünleşme testi; ihracat modelinde yer alan serilerin negatif bileşenleri arasında eşbütünleşme bulamamış ama ihracat modelindeki serilerin pozitif bileşenleri arasında, ithalat modeli ve ticaret dengesi modelindeki serilerin her iki bileşeni arasında da saklı eşbütünleşme ilişkilerinin var olduğunu göstermiştir. Yapılan analizler sonucunda; Hacker ve Hatemi-J (2006) simetrik nedensellik testinde, ihracattan enflasyon ve dünyadaki kişi başına düşen ortalama reel milli gelire ve faizden ithalata tek yönlü nedensellik ilişkileri bulunmuştur. Hatemi-J (2012) asimetrik nedensellik testindeyse; ihracattan faize, ithalattan enflasyon ve dünyadaki kişi başına düşen ortalama reel milli gelire doğru asimetrik nedensellik ilişkileri olduğu ortaya çıkarılmıştır. Yapılan simetrik ve asimetrik analizler; Türkiye’nin dış ticaret açığı sorununun, sadece nominal kurun yükseltilmesiyle çözülemeyecek kadar kompleks ilişkiler barındırdığını ortaya koymuştur.
Industry Enclaves of Systems Science
Authors: Drogobytskiy Ivan N.
Published: April 2023

An attempt was made to explore the subject areas of human activity, into which the ideas of the systemic nature of being have penetrated, the system theory has found further development, and the methods of system analysis are used in solving practical problems. In the end, there were 10 such areas – ​philosophy, biology and medicine, cybernetics, military science, systems engineering, economics and management, information technology, ecology, synergetics, culture and sociology – ​each of which was analyzed in the context of the triad: influence on the development of general systems theory – ​availability of specialized system theories – ​application and development of the system analysis methodology. The ideas of well-known scientists, scientific schools and manufacturing companies were analyzed that made a significant contribution to the development of a systematic approach in the subject area under consideration.
Gue, Saya, Aku, Kita: Person Deictic Comparison between Male and Female Indonesian Food Vloggers
Authors: Indarti Dwi
Published: April 2023

YouTubers, content creators, or vloggers link in some way to influence their viewers. Therefore, the use of creative languages and a good linguistic approach is crucial to convey the content of the videos. Deictic expression is a common and a universal feature in regular conversation as well as in written productions. Deixis features a word or a phrase that points out people as person deixis, time as temporal deixis, or place as spatial deixis. This study analyzes and compares the use of person deictic expressions from six videos taken from three Indonesian male food vloggers and three Indonesian female food vloggers who have the most subscribers. The findings show that there is a difference between Indonesian male and female food vloggers. While Indonesian male food vloggers are mostly use informal person deictic expression gue (English: I, informal style), Indonesian female food vloggers use formal-polite person deictic expression aku, saya (English: I, formal style). They also use kita (English: inclusive-we) to minimize the distance between them and the viewers, indicating that they are having the same experiences. The findings could help the readers and the YouTube viewers to understand the function of person deictic expression that is to place the food vloggers at the center of the situation
Teachers' Perception of The Implementation of Pilot Teacher Training on EMI
Authors: Hariyanti Yuni
Published: April 2023

As teachers are an essential element in education, there is always a need to improve their skills from time to time. The training that teachers get varies, depending on the need of the teachers themselves or the institution they work for. In Al-Hasra Foundation, there is a need for internationalizing the institution so the teachers were equipped with training on EMI (English as a Medium of Instruction). This training was the first training conducted to meet the internalization need of the institution. Therefore, this study was aimed at knowing the perception the teachers have towards the first implementation of the training. The result of this research is beneficial for both the teachers and the institution because the teachers' perception will affect the success of the training itself for both sides. Fifteen non-English teachers of Al Hasra foundation joined the teacher training. The data of this research were taken from the questionnaires and the classroom observation. The results of the questionnaires were analyzed to get the percentage while the classroom observation was analyzed to enrich the findings. The result showed that teachers of Al-Hasra Foundation performed a positive perception towards the pilot teacher training on EMI by demonstrating that the training has improved their knowledge of the use of English in a classroom context, and it has increased their motivation and self-confidence in conducting the teaching activity in English.
The Experiences and Perceptions of Teachers of the Deaf Children in a South African Sign Language Class
Authors: Grace Madisha
Published: April 2023

Since Deaf children lack the foundation of a primary language, they find it difficult to learn a second language. As a result, it is suggested that South African Sign Language[1]  be taught as a first language and that the environment's dominant vocal language, such as English, be learnt  as a second language, primarily through writing. This essay summarises the results of a master's degree study that looked at teachers' experiences teaching Deaf students in South Africa's Gauteng region English as a First Additional Language (EFAL) using a qualitative research design. The purpose of this study was to investigate teaching methods appropriate for Deaf youngsters. Four data collection tools were used: focus group interviews, individual interviews, observations, field notes and documentation. Interviews with four female Foundation teachers took place in semi-structured focus groups and a one-on-one session. Four female Foundation Phase teachers who utilised EFAL as a language of learning and instructed Deaf students to use Sign Language as a form of communication participated in semi-structured focus groups. One of the four teachers is Deaf. The responses of the participants were recorded and analysed. Two key themes emerged from the interview data: (1) team teaching and its advantages, and (2) the use of customised test questions. The results showed that team teaching, which pairs two competent instructors—one Deaf and the other Hearing—to give learners full access to classroom communication and learning, can improve the lack of teachers' training in teaching Deaf students. The modified assessment was found to enhance these kids' academic performance and EFAL learning.
Helping Them To Be Good Teachers: How Community Service Equips Pre-Service Teachers to Teach English
Authors: Yoedo Yuli Christiana , Puspitasari Dani
Published: April 2023

Investigating pre-service teachers’ beliefs gives tremendous advantages for their future career development. This study was conducted in the context of elementary education. It focused on investigating the pre-service teachers’ beliefs about teaching English and how the teacher’s reflections changed their initial beliefs. We examined nineteen sophomore students who participated in community service to teach English at a public elementary school. A qualitative design was applied and reflections were carried out. Data were gathered through in-depth interviews and direct classroom observations. The result generates that many preservice teachers hold their prior beliefs about teaching from their student experience. Teaching reflections facilitate these pre-service teachers to realize their gaps in teaching skills. The finding suggests that teacher training faculty need to add more practical courses to nurture teaching skills. The findings may be useful for a larger population where English was taught as a foreign language for pre-service teachers and elementary school students. This study concludes that real teaching experience develops pre-service teachers’ professionalism. It impresses upon them that teaching needs comprehensive knowledge and skills.
Assessing Creative Problem Solving in Primary School Students
Authors:   , van Hooijdonk Mare
Published: April 2023

Creative problem solving (CPS) abilities are vital in today’s rapidly changing society. Teachers play a crucial role in promoting CPS from as early as primary education. This PhD project focused on CPS in primary school students. A CPS assessment procedure was developed and four studies were conducted to gain insight into the nature of CPS in this age group, as well as to formulate implications for the assessment of CPS.

The studies examined the impact of exploring knowledge and defining problems on CPS outcomes, the feasibility of solution-finding, and how students select the most creative ideas. They also explored the generalization of CPS scores across tasks and the impact of raters and tasks on these CPS scores. In addition, the studies investigated the nature of CPS in primary school students by focusing on the CPS process and product. Lastly, it was examined whether elementary school teachers could assess students’ CPS abilities in absolute and relative ways.

The findings showed that exploring knowledge and defining problems could assist primary school students in generating more and more original ideas. Furthermore, students were able to identify their most creative ideas. The studies also indicated that primary school students possess CPS abilities, but a comprehensive understanding of a student’s CPS abilities requires multiple tasks and raters. Relative assessments of CPS may yield reliable scores, whereas absolute assessments are more difficult to generalize across tasks. Teachers were quite able to assess CPS, in a relative way.

The studies' results have not only provided relevant implications for education but also have opened up novel areas of investigation
ZODPOVEDNOSŤ ZA UJMU VYVOLANÚ PROCESNÝM ZABEZPEČENÍM PO REKODIFIKÁCII CIVILNÉHO PROCESNÉHO PRÁVA
Authors:   Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, Serfőző Martin
Published: April 2023

Predpoklady zodpovednosti za ujmu vyvolanú predbežným opatrením a neodkladným opatrením sú porovnateľné. V prípade neodkladného opatrenia je však predpokladom zodpovednosti dovolený druh neodkladného opatrenia. Aktuálne ním nie je neodkladné opatrenie vo veciach domáceho násilia, ani neodkladné opatrenie vydané podľa Civilného mimosporového poriadku. Absolútnu imunitu v týchto prípadoch navrhujeme upraviť. Právna teória a aplikačná prax preferuje pri zodpovednosti za ujmu vyvolanú neodkladným opatrením objektívny zodpovednostný princíp. S tým sa nestotožňujeme a zastávame názor, že zodpovednosť sa má vyvodzovať v závislosti od charakteru právneho vzťahu, v ktorom vznikla potreba nariadenia neodkladného opatrenia. Preto navrhujeme úpravu príslušných právnych noriem. Neodkladným opatrením možno, podľa nášho názoru, reparovať nie len majetkovú, ale aj nemajetkovú ujmu.
Honey bee maternal effects improve worker performance and reproductive ability in offspring
Authors: Yu Longtao , He Xujiang , Shi Xinxin , Yan Weiyu , Wu Xiaobo
Published: April 2023

Maternal effects are an evolutionary strategy used to improve offspring quality. In an example of maternal effects in honey bees (Apis mellifera), mother queens produce larger eggs in queen cells than in worker cells in order to breed better daughter queens. In our current study, morphological indexes, reproductive tissues, and the egg-laying ability of newly reared queens reared with eggs laid in queen cells (QE), eggs laid in worker cells (WE), and 2-day-old larvae in worker cells (2L) were evaluated. In addition, morphological indexes of offspring queens and working performance of offspring workers were examined. The thorax weight, number of ovarioles, egg length, and number of laid eggs and capped broods of QE were significantly higher than those of WE and 2L, indicating that the reproductive capacity of QE group was better than that of other groups. Furthermore, offspring queens from QE had larger thorax weights and sizes than those from the other two groups. Offspring worker bees from QE also had larger body sizes and greater pollen-collecting and royal jelly-producing abilities than those of other two groups. These results demonstrate that honey bees display profound maternal effects on queen quality that can be transmitted across generations. These findings provide a basis for improving queen quality, with implications in apicultural and agricultural production.
Microbial characterization of the nasal cavity in patients with allergic rhinitis and non-allergic rhinitis
Authors: Che Yanlu , Wang Nan , Ma Qianzi , Liu Junjie , Xu Zhaonan , Li Qiuying , Wang Jingting , Sun Yanan
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Although recent studies have shown that the human microbiome is involved in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases, the impact of microbiota on allergic rhinitis (AR) and non-allergic rhinitis (nAR) has not been elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in the composition of the nasal flora in patients with AR and nAR and their role in the pathogenesis.

Method

From February to September 2022, 35 AR patients and 35 nAR patients admitted to Harbin Medical University’s Second Affiliated Hospital, as well as 20 healthy subjects who underwent physical examination during the same period, were subjected to 16SrDNA and metagenomic sequencing of nasal flora.

Results

The microbiota composition of the three groups of study subjects differs significantly. The relative abundance of Vibrio vulnificus and Acinetobacter baumanni in the nasal cavity of AR patients was significantly higher when compared to nAR patients, while the relative abundance of Lactobacillus murinus, Lactobacillus iners, Proteobacteria, Pseudomonadales, and Escherichia coli was lower. In addition, Lactobacillus murinus and Lacttobacillus kunkeei were also negatively correlated with IgE, while Lacttobacillus kunkeei was positively correlated with age. The relative distribution of Faecalibacterium was higher in moderate than in severe AR patients. According to KEGG functional enrichment annotation, ICMT(protein-S-isoprenylcysteine O-methyltransferase,ICMT) is an AR microbiota-specific enzyme that plays a role, while glycan biosynthesis and metabolism are more active in AR microbiota. For AR, the model containing Parabacteroides goldstemii, Sutterella-SP-6FBBBBH3, Pseudoalteromonas luteoviolacea, Lachnospiraceae bacterium-615, and Bacteroides coprocola had the highest the area under the curve (AUC), which was 0.9733(95%CI:0.926-1.000) in the constructed random forest prediction model. The largest AUC for nAR is 0.984(95%CI:0.949−1.000) for the model containing Pseudomonas-SP-LTJR-52, Lachnospiraceae bacterium-615, Prevotella corporis, Anaerococcus vaginalis, and Roseburia inulinivorans.

Conclusion

In conclusion, patients with AR and nAR had significantly different microbiota profiles compared to healthy controls. The results suggest that the nasal microbiota may play a key role in the pathogenesis and symptoms of AR and nAR, providing us with new ideas for the treatment of AR and nAR.
Case Report: A balloon-based technique to remove a pearl-like embolus out of the coronary artery
Authors: Wu Kaimin , Chen Xiang , Ding Licheng , Wang Bin
Published: April 2023

Coronary embolism is considered a rare non-atherosclerotic etiology of acute myocardial infarction, whereas atrial fibrillation is the main etiology of coronary embolism. We report a rare case of a patient with coronary embolism with a specific pearl-like embolus attributed to atrial fibrillation. For this patient, we used a balloon-based technique to successfully remove the embolus from the coronary artery.
The “cardiac neglect”: a gentle reminder to radiologists interpreting contrast-enhanced abdominal MDCT
Authors: Talakić Emina , Schöllnast Helmut , Kaufmann-Bühler Ann-Katrin , Hohenberg Florian , Mijović Ksenija , Nagy Eszter , Fuchsjäger Michael , Tschauner Sebastian
Published: April 2023

Myocardial infarction (MI) may be visible on contrast-enhanced multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) scans of the abdomen. In the previous literature, potentially missed MI in abdominal MDCTs was not perceived as an issue in radiology. This retrospective single-center study assessed the frequency of detectable myocardial hypoperfusion in contrast-enhanced abdominal MDCTs. We identified 107 patients between 2006 and 2022 who had abdominal MDCTs on the same day or the day before a catheter-proven or clinically evident diagnosis of MI. After reviewing the digital patient records and applying the exclusion criteria, we included 38 patients, with 19 showing areas of myocardial hypoperfusion. All MDCT studies were non ECG-gated. The delay between the MDCT examination and MI diagnosis was shorter in studies with myocardial hypoperfusion (7.4±6.5 hours and 13.8±12.5 hours) but not statistically significant p=0.054. Only 2 of 19 (11%) of these pathologies had been noted in the written radiology reports. The most common cardinal symptom was epigastric pain (50%), followed by polytrauma (21%). STEMI was significantly more common in cases of myocardial hypoperfusion p=0.009. Overall, 16 of 38 (42%) patients died because of acute MI. Based on extrapolations using local MDCT rates, we estimate several thousand radiologically missed MI cases worldwide per year.
Frailty in hypertensive population and its association with all-cause mortality: data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Authors: Li Li , Wang Yuge , Yang Chunlei , Huang Chenhui , Duan Lanzhi , Zhou Jianghua , Lu Yanyu , Zhao Guojun
Published: April 2023

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between frailty and all-cause mortality in hypertensive population.

Methods

We used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999–2002 and mortality data from the National Death Index. Frailty was assessed using the revised version of the Fried frailty criteria (weakness, exhaustion, low physical activity, shrinking, and slowness). This study aimed to evaluate the association between frailty and all-cause mortality. Cox proportional hazard models were used to evaluate the association between frailty category and all-cause mortality, adjusted for age, sex, race, education, poverty–income ratio, smoking, alcohol, diabetes, arthritis, congestive heart failure, coronary heart disease, stroke, overweight, cancer or malignancy, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic kidney disease, and taking medicine for hypertension.

Results

We gathered data of 2,117 participants with hypertension; 17.81%, 28.77%, and 53.42% were classified as frail, pre-frail, and robust, respectively. We found that frail [hazard ratio (HR) = 2.76, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.33–3.27] and pre-frail (HR = 1.38, 95% CI = 1.19–1.59] were significantly associated with all-cause mortality after controlling for variables. We found that frail (HR = 3.02, 95% CI = 2.50–3.65) and pre-frail (HR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.15–1.58) were associated with all-cause mortality in the age group ≥65 years. For the frailty components, weakness (HR = 1.77, 95% CI = 1.55–2.03), exhaustion (HR = 2.25, 95% CI = 1.92–2.65), low physical activity (HR = 2.25, 95% CI = 1.95–2.61), shrinking (HR = 1.48, 95% CI = 1.13–1.92), and slowness (HR = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.22–1.69) were associated with all-cause mortality.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that frailty and pre-frailty were associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality in patients with hypertension. More attention should be paid to frailty in hypertensive patients, and interventions to reduce the burden of frailty may improve outcomes in these patients.
Manual cell selection in single cell transcriptomics using scSELpy supports the analysis of immune cell subsets
Authors: Dedden Mark , Wiendl Maximilian , Müller Tanja M. , Neurath Markus F. , Zundler Sebastian
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Single cell RNA sequencing plays an increasing and indispensable role in immunological research such as in the field of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Professional pipelines are complex, but tools for the manual selection and further downstream analysis of single cell populations are missing so far.

Methods

We developed a tool called scSELpy, which can easily be integrated into Scanpy-based pipelines, allowing the manual selection of cells on single cell transcriptomic datasets by drawing polygons on various data representations. The tool further supports the downstream analysis of the selected cells and the plotting of results.

Results

Taking advantage of two previously published single cell RNA sequencing datasets we show that this tool is useful for the positive and negative selection of T cell subsets implicated in IBD beyond standard clustering. We further demonstrate the feasibility for subphenotyping T cell subsets and use scSELpy to corroborate earlier conclusions drawn from the dataset. Moreover, we also show its usefulness in the context of T cell receptor sequencing.

Discussion

Collectively, scSELpy is a promising additive tool fulfilling a so far unmet need in the field of single cell transcriptomic analysis that might support future immunological research.
T cell immunotherapy for cervical cancer: challenges and opportunities
Authors: Yu Lingfeng , Lanqing Gong , Huang Ziyu , Xin Xiaoyan , Minglin Liang , Fa-hui Lv , Zou Hongmei , Min Jie
Published: April 2023

Cancer cellular immunotherapy has made inspiring therapeutic effects in clinical practices, which brings new hope for the cure of cervical cancer. CD8+T cells are the effective cytotoxic effector cells against cancer in antitumor immunity, and T cells-based immunotherapy plays a crucial role in cellular immunotherapy. Tumor infiltrated Lymphocytes (TIL), the natural T cells, is approved for cervical cancer immunotherapy, and Engineered T cells therapy also has impressive progress. T cells with natural or engineered tumor antigen binding sites (CAR-T, TCR-T) are expanded in vitro, and re-infused back into the patients to eradicate tumor cells. This review summarizes the preclinical research and clinical applications of T cell-based immunotherapy for cervical cancer, and the challenges for cervical cancer immunotherapy.
HMGB1 cleavage by complement C1s and its potent anti-inflammatory product
Authors: Lorvellec Marie , Chouquet Anne , Koch Jonas , Bally Isabelle , Signor Luca , Vigne Jeanne , Dalonneau Fabien , Thielens Nicole M. , Rabilloud Thierry , Dalzon Bastien , Rossi Véronique , Gaboriaud Christine
Published: April 2023

Complement C1s association with the pathogenesis of several diseases cannot be simply explained only by considering its main role in activating the classical complement pathway. This suggests that non-canonical functions are to be deciphered for this protease. Here the focus is on C1s cleavage of HMGB1 as an auxiliary target. HMGB1 is a chromatin non-histone nuclear protein, which exerts in fact multiple functions depending on its location and its post-translational modifications. In the extracellular compartment, HMGB1 can amplify immune and inflammatory responses to danger associated molecular patterns, in health and disease. Among possible regulatory mechanisms, proteolytic processing could be highly relevant for HMGB1 functional modulation. The unique properties of HMGB1 cleavage by C1s are analyzed in details. For example, C1s cannot cleave the HMGB1 A-box fragment, which has been described in the literature as an inhibitor/antagonist of HMGB1. By mass spectrometry, C1s cleavage was experimentally identified to occur after lysine on position 65, 128 and 172 in HMGB1. Compared to previously identified C1s cleavage sites, the ones identified here are uncommon, and their analysis suggests that local conformational changes are required before cleavage at certain positions. This is in line with the observation that HMGB1 cleavage by C1s is far slower when compared to human neutrophil elastase. Recombinant expression of cleavage fragments and site-directed mutagenesis were used to confirm these results and to explore how the output of C1s cleavage on HMGB1 is finely modulated by the molecular environment. Furthermore, knowing the antagonist effect of the isolated recombinant A-box subdomain in several pathophysiological contexts, we wondered if C1s cleavage could generate natural antagonist fragments. As a functional readout, IL-6 secretion following moderate LPS activation of RAW264.7 macrophage was investigated, using LPS alone or in complex with HMGB1 or some recombinant fragments. This study revealed that a N-terminal fragment released by C1s cleavage bears stronger antagonist properties as compared to the A-box, which was not expected. We discuss how this fragment could provide a potent brake for the inflammatory process, opening the way to dampen inflammation.
Worldwide epidemiologic factors in pemphigus vulgaris and bullous pemphigoid
Authors: Rosi-Schumacher Mattie , Baker John , Waris James , Seiffert-Sinha Kristina , Sinha Animesh A.
Published: April 2023

Autoimmune blistering diseases such as bullous pemphigoid (BP) and pemphigus vulgaris (PV) are complex, multifactorial, and polygenic diseases, whose exact pathogenesis is difficult to pinpoint. Research aimed at elucidating the associated epidemiologic risk factors of these two diseases has been hampered by their rare disease status. Further, a lack of centralization and standardization of available data makes the practical application of this information challenging. In order to collate and clarify the available literature we comprehensively reviewed 61 PV articles from 37 different countries and 35 BP articles from 16 different countries addressing a range of disease relevant clinical parameters including age of onset, sex, incidence, prevalence, and HLA allele association. The reported incidence of PV ranged from 0.098 to 5 patients per 100,000 people, while BP ranged from 0.21 to 7.63 patients per 100,000. Prevalence of PV ranged from 0.38 to 30 per 100,000 people and BP ranged from 1.46 to 47.99 per 100,000. The mean age of onset in patients ranged from 36.5 to 71 years for PV and 64 to 82.6 years for BP. Female-to-male ratios ranged from 0.46 to 4.4 in PV and 1.01 to 5.1 in BP. Our analysis provides support for the reported linkage disequilibrium of HLA DRB1*0402 (an allele previously shown to be associated with PV) and DQB1*0302 alleles in Europe, North America, and South America. Our data also highlight that HLA DQB1*0503 (also known to be associated with PV) appears in linkage disequilibrium with DRB1*1404 and DRB1*1401, mainly in Europe, the Middle East, and Asian countries. The HLA DRB1*0804 allele was only associated with PV in patients of Brazilian and Egyptian descent. Only two HLA alleles were reported as associated with BP more than twice in our review, DQB1*0301 and DQA1*0505. Collectively, our findings provide detailed insights into the variation of disease parameters relevant to PV and BP that can be expected to inform future work aimed at unraveling the complex pathogenesis of these conditions across the globe.
SCUBA noise alters community structure and cooperation at Pederson’s cleaner shrimp cleaning stations
Authors: McCloskey Kieran P. , Radford Andrew N. , Rose Amelia , Casiraghi Giorgio , Lubbock Natalie , Weschke Emma , Titus Benjamin M. , Exton Dan A. , Simpson Stephen D.
Published: April 2023

Recreational SCUBA diving is widespread and increasing on coral reefs worldwide. Standard open-circuit SCUBA equipment is inherently noisy and, by seeking out areas of high biodiversity, divers inadvertently expose reef communities to an intrusive source of anthropogenic noise. Currently, little is known about SCUBA noise as an acoustic stressor, and there is a general lack of empirical evidence on community-level impacts of anthropogenic noise on coral reefs. Here, we conducted a playback experiment on Caribbean reefs to investigate impacts of SCUBA noise on fish communities and interspecific cooperation at ecologically important cleaning stations of the Pederson’s cleaner shrimp Ancylomenes pedersoni. When exposed to SCUBA-noise playback, the total occurrence of fishes at the cleaning stations decreased by 7%, and the community and cleaning clientele compositions were significantly altered, with 27% and 25% of monitored species being affected, respectively. Compared with ambient-sound playback, SCUBA-noise playback resulted in clients having to wait 29% longer for cleaning initiation and receiving 43% less cleaning; however, cheating, signalling, posing and time spent cleaning were not affected by SCUBA-noise playback. Our study is the first to demonstrate experimentally that SCUBA noise can have at least some negative impacts on reef organisms, confirming it as an ecologically relevant pollutant. Moreover, by establishing acoustic disturbance as a likely mechanism for known impacts of diver presence on reef animals, we also identify a potential avenue for mitigation in these valuable ecosystems.
The role of feedback in supporting trainees who underperform in clinical environments
Authors: Ajjawi Rola , Bearman Margaret , Molloy Elizabeth , Noble Christy
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Underperformance in clinical environments can be costly and emotional for all stakeholders. Feedback is an important pedagogical strategy for working with underperformance – both formal and informal strategies can make a difference. Feedback is a typical feature of remediation programs, and yet there is little consensus on how feedback should unfold in the context of underperformance.

Methods

This narrative review synthesises literature at the intersections of feedback and underperformance in clinical environments where service, learning and safety need to be considered. We do so with a critical eye towards generating insights for working with underperformance in the clinical environment.

Synthesis and discussion

There are compounding and multi-level factors that contribute to underperformance and subsequent failure. This complexity overwrites simplistic notions of ‘earned’ failure through individual traits and deficit. Working with such complexity requires feedback that goes beyond educator input or ‘telling’. When we shift beyond feedback as input to process, we recognise that these processes are fundamentally relational, where trust and safety are necessary for trainees to share their weaknesses and doubts. Emotions are always present and they signal action. Feedback literacy might help us consider how to engage trainees with feedback so that they take an active (autonomous) role in developing their evaluative judgements. Finally, feedback cultures can be influential and take effort to shift if at all. A key mechanism running through all these considerations of feedback is enabling internal motivation, and creating conditions for trainees to feel relatedness, competence and autonomy. Broadening our perceptions of feedback, beyond telling, might help create environments for learning to flourish.