bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of a new Everolimus-coated balloon catheter in an in-vivo porcine peripheral venous model
Authors: Spiliopoulos Stavros , Reppas Lazaros , Giannikas Nikolaos , Kitrou Panagiotis , Theofanis Michail , Karpetas Michail , Moulas Anargyros N. , Paraskevopoulos Ioannis , Moula Amalia I. , Ioannis Kechagias , Karnabatidis Dimitrios
Published: February 2025

Background

The venous uptake following the application of Everolimus-coated balloons is under reported. We evaluated the feasibility, safety, and Everolimus (EVR) deliverability of a novel non-commercially available Everolimus-Coated Balloon (ECB) catheter in a swine healthy peripheral vein model.

Methods

In total 12 ECBs (5.0 μg/mm2) were inflated in 12 venous segments. The primary feasibility endpoint was the successful application of the ECB at the target venous sites. The primary efficacy endpoint was the successful drug uptake by the target venous tissue at 24 h and 7 days, assessed by High Performance Liquid Chromatography combined with tandem mass spectrometry. The primary safety endpoint was freedom from major adverse events.

Results

Everolimus was detected in 10 out of 12 (83.33%) tissue samples (all six tissue samples at 24 h post-intervention and in four out of six samples at 7 days). The mean weight of the examined tissue was 0.20604 ± 0.29822 g (range: 0.37475–0.02229 g). The average EVR tissue content detected at 24 h (135.67 ± 204.95 μg/g) was numerically superior, but non-statistically significant to the that detected 7 days post-procedure (96.85 ± 110.89 μg/g). The average quantity of EVR on the balloon after retrieval was 33.9% of the initial drug dose. No adverse events were recorded, and no abnormalities were noted during autopsy.

Conclusions

The newly developed ECB successfully delivered Everolimus within the healthy venous wall. No adverse events were noted at a short-term follow-up.

Relevance statement

These safety and feasibility results justify further experimental and clinical research to demonstrate the safety efficacy the specific balloon catheter.
All under Heaven; or, The Evolving World Ethos of a New Greater China
Authors: Chun Allen
Published: February 2025

In 2022 and 2023, Duke University Press published three major works as part of its Sinotheory series. Ban Wang's book explored the political ethos of tianxia underlying the advent of the new rise of China. Pheng Cheah and Caroline S. Hau's volume of essays presented critical views of the latter in East Asia from the context of literary postcolonial theory, while Carlos Rojas and Lisa Rofel's volume surveyed the interdisciplinary landscape of China's globalist political economy, perhaps in light of recent history. Despite the mutual thematic overlap, each work interprets “China in the world” from inherently different perspectives. While they may resonate with wider discussions of nation-state, postcoloniality, and globalization elsewhere, this review essay argues that each work has its own problems of internal compatibility, especially when cast in its specific relevance or applicability to China. Instead of a sinotheory, the review essay argues that geopolitics can integrate cultural sociology as critical ethos.
The Last Korean Animation: Wonderful Days and the Aesthetics of Global Monopoly Capitalism
Authors: Gottesman Zachary Samuel
Published: February 2025

Wonderful Days (2003) was supposed to be the global breakthrough of Korean animation. After decades of government neglect and labor-intensive outsourcing work, the film aspired to show the world Korea's new technical prowess in animation, combining 2-D, 3-D, and miniatures in a new “Multi-Type Layer Animation.” Funded by the Korean government and Samsung's post–Asian financial crisis venture capital fund, the film also promised a new government-corporate Korean economic model in which creative labor and free-flowing finance capital would replace heavy industries and state planning. Instead, the film was a box office disaster commercially and critically, resulting in it becoming the last thematically complex, high-budget, feature-length Korean animation. What do these results tell us about the limits of its aspirations? This essay argues that the film's failure represents South Korean animation's defeat by American and Japanese monopoly capitalism. It then analyzes contradictions in the film's aesthetics and narrative to show the incompatibility of these countries’ postindustrial, ecoutopian ideology with persistent Korean manufacturing dependency and proletarian politics. The essay finally interrogates the consequences of Korean labor for thinking about transnational animation production beyond categories of success and failure determined by the nation-state and capitalism's global hierarchy of labor.
Bad Medicine
Authors: Whitt Sarah A.
Published: February 2025

In Bad Medicine, Sarah A. Whitt exposes how Native American boarding schools and other settler institutions like asylums, factories, and hospitals during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries worked together as a part of an interconnected system of settler domination. In so doing, Whitt centers the experiences of Indigenous youth and adults alike at the Carlisle Indian School, Canton Asylum for Insane Indians, Ford Motor Company Factory, House of the Good Shepherd, and other Progressive Era facilities. She demonstrates that in the administration of these institutions, which involved moving Indigenous people from one location to another, everyday white Americans became deputized as agents of the settler order. Bringing together Native American history, settler colonial studies, and the history of medicine, Whitt breaks new ground by showing how the confinement of Indigenous people across interlocking institutional sites helped concretize networks of white racial power—a regime that Native nations and communities continue to negotiate and actively resist today.
An Lgr5-independent developmental lineage is involved in mouse intestinal regeneration.
Authors: Marefati Maryam , Fernandez-Vallone Valeria , Leprovots Morgane , Vasile Gabriella , Libert Frédérick , Lefort Anne , Dinsart Gilles , Weber Achim , Jetzer Jasna , Garcia Marie-Isabelle , Vassart Gilbert
Published: February 2025

Collagenase/dispase treatment of intestinal tissue from adult mice generates cells growing in matrigel as stably replatable cystic spheroids in addition to differentiated organoids. Contrary to classical EDTA-derived organoids, these spheroids display poor intestinal differentiation and are independent of Rspondin/Noggin/EGF for growth. Their transcriptome resembles strikingly that of fetal intestinal spheroids, with downregulation of crypt base columnar cell (CBC) markers (Lgr5, Ascl2, Smoc2, Olfm4). In addition, they display upregulation of inflammatory and mesenchymal genetic programs, together with robust expression of YAP target genes. Lineage tracing, cell-sorting and single cell RNA sequencing experiments demonstrate that adult spheroid-generating cells belong to a hitherto undescribed developmental lineage, independent of Lgr5+ve CBCs, and are involved in regeneration of the epithelium following CBC ablation.
Investigation of wine fermentation of three-leaf cayratia (Cayratia trifolia L.) using Saccharomyces cerevisiae 2.1
Authors: Kieu Tien Doan Thi , Quoc Binh Le Doan , Ngoc Mi Huynh Thi , Thanh Nguyen Ngoc , Dang Long Bui Hoang , Phuong Dung Ngo Thi , Toan Ha Thanh , Phong Huynh Xuan
Published: February 2025

Background Cayratia trifolia has been extensively studied for its bioactive components and medicinal properties. This study was carried out to evaluate the fermentation ability of Saccharomyces cerevisiae 2.1 yeast to determine suitable fermentation conditions. Methods The suitable initial sugar content, temperature, and incubation time were investigated in the fermentation in the 100-milliliter flask scale. Besides, a trial fermentation at the 1-liter scale was conducted to assess yeast performance. Results All treatments showed that the total sugar content decreased after 9 days of fermentation compared to the initial level. Temperature during fermentation has a direct effect on yeast activity. Temperature increases the growth of yeast and the speed of enzyme activity. The fermentation time changes depending on temperature, initial soluble solid contents, and yeast strains, leading to changes in the ethanol content after the end of fermentation. The results showed that the S. cerevisiae 2.1 was able to ferment at room temperature with an initial pH of 4.5, 24 °Brix, and a yeast density of 107 cells/mL. The appropriate fermentation conditions determined for S. cerevisiae 2.1 were 24 °Brix and incubation at room temperature (28-33°C) with a fermentation time of 11 days. In 1-L scale fermentation, three-leaf cayratia wine had 9.46% (v/v) and the fermentation efficiency was 90.34%. The wine produced had a unique color, flavor, and aroma that met the sensory evaluation of the Vietnamese national standard TCVN-3217:79. Concusion The results showed that the S. cerevisiae 2.1 was able to produce wine from Cayratia trifolia extract in suitable conditions with high ethanol content and organoleptic values. The results of this study supplied needed information for further studies on analysis of bioactive compounds produced by the fermentation.
Percepción corporal y trastorno del comportamiento alimentario en universitarios españoles
Authors: Hoyos Domingo Andrea , Álvarez Rodríguez Andrea , Pérez de Villar Carmona Guadalupe , Carracedo Añón Julia María , Marrodán Serrano Mª Dolores
Published: February 2025

Introducción: El vínculo entre la alimentación y la percepción corporal está influenciado por factores biológicos, psicológicos y socioculturales, pudiendo desembocar en hábitos peligrosos para la salud. Esto se potencia por la presión social, especialmente dirigida a las mujeres, para mantener un cuerpo delgado. Además, la etapa de la universidad es una etapa crítica que puede propiciar un mayor riesgo para el desarrollo de los trastornos del comportamiento alimentario (TCA)
Objetivos: Evaluar la asociación entre condición nutricional, percepción de la imagen corporal y satisfacción con la misma, con el riesgo de desarrollar un TCA en una muestra de jóvenes universitarios de ambos sexos.
Material y métodos: Se ha realizado una encuesta a 468 estudiantes universitarios a través de Google Forms compuesta por un test de siluetas y un cuestionario para diagnosticar riesgo de TCA (EAT-26).
Resultados: Un 61,5 % de los hombres y un 66,8 % de las mujeres se encuentra en la categoría nutricional de normopeso. Un 11,4 % de las mujeres y un 5,6 % de los hombres presentan un alto riesgo de TCA.
Discusión: El estudio muestra diferencias en la percepción y satisfacción corporal entre sexos, así como en la probabilidad de desarrollar un TCA, estando estos resultados alienados con la mayor parte de las investigaciones y revisiones precedentes.
Conclusiones: El riesgo de TCA es más frecuente en las mujeres con sobrepeso y obesidad y en los varones con insuficiencia ponderal.  La percepción de la figura no se asocia de manera significativa con el riesgo de TCA, mientras que la satisfacción resulta determinante, ya que la proporción de individuos con bajo y alto riesgo de TCA es superior entre los que desearían ser más delgados, respecto a los que quisieran ser más corpulentos.
Amino acid and fatty acid profile of instant kanji rumbi porridge as supplementary feeding for undernutrition children.
Authors: MARLIYATI Sri Anna , Suryana  , KHOMSAN Ali , DWIRIANI Cesilia Meti , KUSHARGINA Rosyanne , YUNIANTO Andi Eka
Published: February 2025

Background: Specific undernutrition interventions focused on children aged 6-24 months include exclusive breastfeeding and providing complementary food rich in animal protein and available locally for toddlers. Instant kanji rumbi porridge is a local food from Aceh.
Methods: The development of instant kanji rumbi porridge used an experimental design. Protein (Kjeldahl), amino acids (Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography/UPLC), and fatty acids (Gas Chromatography/GC-FID) were analyzed. Amino acid and fatty acid profile data were tabulated and analyzed descriptively.
Results: Kanji rumbi porridge had a protein content of 20.22 g/100 grams and met the established complementary food standards. It contained essential, non-essential, and conditionally essential amino acids with an Amino Acid Score of 61% and valine as the limiting amino acid. The product also has complete fatty acid content, especially omega 3, 6, and 9.
Conclusion: Instant Kanji Rumbi porridge can be a supplementary feeding for undernutrition children with protein, essential amino acids, and essential fatty acids.
First record of ocelot Leopardus pardalis in a pine-oak forest of the Sierra Madre Occidental, Durango, México
Authors: Duarte Muñoz Michelle Alejandra , Cruz García Francisco , Cruz Cobos Francisco
Published: February 2025

El ocelote, Leopardus pardalis, es una de las 6 especies de felinos que se distribuyen en México.  Actualmente se encuentra en peligro de extinción conforme a la NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010.  Por lo que el objetivo del presente trabajo fue reportar la presencia del ocelote en la región del ejido Chavarría Nuevo, Durango, México.  Se realizó un muestreo aleatorio mediante cámaras trampa en el ejido Chavarría Nuevo, Pueblo Nuevo, Durango en bosque de pino-encino.  Se colocaron 8 cámaras y se obtuvo el esfuerzo de muestreo con el número de cámaras por el número de días muestreados (1,200 días trampa).  Se obtuvieron fotografías independientes con el registro de varias especies de fauna; sin embargo, el ocelote se observó solo en 4 fotografías, conforme las horas en que fueron tomadas las fotografías, además del tamaño y conformación del cuerpo se identificó como un mismo individuo; sin embargo, no fue posible apreciar el sexo.  En trabajos de monitoreo de mamíferos, este sería el primer registro de ocelote para la región, un área de gran importancia en el aprovechamiento forestal a nivel nacional.  La presencia de esta especie sugiere un buen estado de salud del bosque, ya que en estas áreas la presencia del felino estaría asociada principalmente a su alimentación con presas como conejos, tejones y aves.
Factors influencing the reality shock of new dental hygienists
Authors: Min Hee-Hong , Lee Hye-Jin
Published: February 2025

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the effects of positive psychological capital, social support, and workplace learning on reality shock among new dental hygienists. Methods: A total of 180 new dental hygienists were enrolled in this study and completed self-report questionnaires with questions on participant characteristics, positive psychological capital, social support, workplace learning and reality shock. Data were analyzed using the t-test, ANOVA, stepwise multiple regression, and Pearson’s correlation coefficients using PASW Statistics 26.0. Results: The mean scores for positive psychological capital, social support, workplace learning, and reality shock were 3.45, 3.70, 3.21, and 3.07, respectively. All three factors were observed to affect reality shock among new dental hygienists (positive psychological capital: β=-0.298, p<0.001; social support: β=-0.379, p<0.001; workplace learning: β=-0.150, p<0.05). Their total contribution to explaining reality shockwas was 45.1%. Conclusions: These results suggest that positive psychological capital, social support, and workplace learning should be considered when developing interventions to alleviate the reality shock experienced by new dental hygienists.
A FUNÇÃO DO ESTILO EM DELEUZE E GUATTARI
Authors: Marques de Carvalho Márcio
Published: February 2025

Este artigo tem por objetivo apresentar a hipótese de que a experimentação de estilo na obra conjunta de Deleuze e Guattari, notadamente em Mil Platôs e em trechos de O Anti Édipo, visa impulsionar o pensamento a dinâmicas inusuais. Pela sinergia entre conceitos, afectos e perceptos, os autores integram  os códigos da razão a fluxos sensíveis. Apresentam assim uma abordagem mais integral do pensamento, não limitada à recognição e desvencilhada da imagem dogmática do pensamento. Desde um paradigma ético estético Deleuze e Guattari extrapolam enquadramentos ideológicos que restringem o pensamento ao racionalismo. Apresentam cadeias heteróclitas por sintaxes incomuns para torcer a língua e tornar sensível a dinâmica dos devires. Em um fluxo rizomático, através de entinemas, buscam abordar o indiscernível. Instaurando um modo de leitura pela intensidade, conduzem o pensamento a se aventurar por domínios alheios à razão. Mais do que usar recursos de linguagens, trata-se propriamente de promover o experimentalismo no próprio pensamento.
O ELEMENTO MÍSTICO NO PENSAMENTO DE HEIDEGGER
Authors: Caputo John David , Costa Santos Luciano
Published: February 2025

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Fashioning Spectacular Bodies: The Affordances of Dress in the 1804 Pantomime of Cinderella; or, The Little Glass Slipper
Authors: Schacker Jennifer
Published: February 2025

Abstract: Sartorial goods figure prominently in the culture-text known as “Cinderella,” with signifying potential that is complex and polyvalent. Drawing on Caroline Levine’s use of “affordances” to “describe the potential uses or actions latent in materials and designs,” I focus on examples from Perrault’s French tale (1697) and the first British pantomime of the story (1804) to reassess the subtle agency of clothing. I look at costumed bodies that were situated at the interface of fashion, politics, performance, and fairy tale.
Estimating per-infection cost and burden for dengue and Zika as a function of antibody-dependent enhancement
Authors: Kribs Christopher M.
Published: February 2025

The complex immune interactions produced by the tetravalent dengue vaccine Dengvaxia have foregrounded the important role of antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) in dengue infection. Some evidence exists that ADE may extend beyond the four dengue serotypes to Zika, a closely related flavivirus transmitted by the same mosquito species as dengue, and may also account for the increased severity of some cases. Estimates of the public health impact of dengue vaccination may then need to include its effects on the transmission of Zika in addition to dengue. This study gathers primary references to build estimates of per-case economic cost and disease burden for dengue and Zika infection with and without ADE in the ten countries where clinical trials were held for Dengvaxia, under the hypothesis that severe outcomes are associated with ADE of disease. From these estimates, per-infection weighted averages are developed (without assumptions on transmission dynamics or case totals) which will facilitate population-level estimates of the potential impact of dengue vaccination on a dual outbreak using mathematical modeling. Results estimate that ADE amplifies the per-case toll of dengue by a factor of 2–16 but increases that of a Zika case by more than two orders of magnitude due to the greater risk of severe consequences. As expected, dengue vaccination affects per-infection dengue toll much more when high prior dengue seropositivity involves a different serotype than the one(s) circulating, but that same high dengue seropositivity makes vaccination exacerbate Zika toll less.
Enhancing nutritional value and quality of cookies through pumpkin peel and seed powder fortification
Authors: Asaduzzaman Md. , Akter Mst. Sorifa , Rahman Mahbubur
Published: February 2025

Background

Recently, the pumpkin by-products such as peels and seeds become more and more interesting for confectionary sector, because of the nutritional and bioactive composition. The study was conducted to develop cookies and noodles using different pumpkin by-products (such as peels and seeds) powders in different concentrations and to evaluate the changes in quality characteristics. The powders were prepared from pumpkin seeds and peels.

Methodology

In this study, various concentrations of pumpkin peel powder (5%, 10%, and 20%) and seeds powder (5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%) were mixed with commercially available wheat flour to produce cookies and noodles. Furthermore, the nutritional, antioxidant, functional and sensory properties of the developed cookies and noodles were evaluated.

Result

Pumpkin peels and seeds powder and their respective products enrich significantly in protein, fiber, beta-carotene, antioxidants such as total phenolic content (TPC), 2,2- diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH scavenging activity), Ferric reducing ability (FRAP Ferric reducing power assay), ash content and hunter color values. However, pumpkin seed powder had higher protein content (33.25%) than other powders but pumpkin peel powder (16.83%±1.74) had better fiber content than seeds powder. The highest amount of fiber content was found in 10% pumpkin peel cookies. The analysis of the composition of pumpkin peels and seeds powder has been done in order to further promote their functionality in bakery products based, especially, on wheat flour.

Conclusion

The best quality and overall acceptable product were obtained when samples were 10% pumpkin peel powder, 15% pumpkin seed powder, and, 10% pumpkin peel powder noodles.
Effects of building resilience skills among undergraduate medical students in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic setting in the United Arab Emirates: A convergent mixed methods study
Authors: Otaki Farah , Ho Samuel B. , Nair Bhavana , AlGurg Reem , Stanley Adrian , Khamis Amar Hassan , Paulus Agnes , Alsuwaidi Laila
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Although curricula teaching skills related to resilience are widely adopted, little is known about needs and attitudes regarding resilience training of undergraduate-medical-trainees in Middle-East-and-North-Africa-region. The purpose of this study is to investigate the value of an innovative curriculum developed through design-based-research to build resilience-skills among undergraduate-medical-trainees in the United-Arab-Emirates.

Methods

Convergent-mixed-methods-study-design was utilized. Quantitative data collection was through controlled random group allocation conducted in one cohort of undergraduate medical students(n = 47). Students were randomly allocated into the respective resilience-skills-building-course(study-group) versus an unrelated curriculum(control-group). All students were tested at baseline(test-1), at end of 8-week course(test-2), and again 8 weeks after end of course(test-3). Then students crossed over to the opposite course and again tested at end of 8 weeks(test-4). Testing at four timepoints consisted of questionnaires related to burnout-Maslach-Burnout-Inventory; anxiety-General-Anxiety-Disorder-7; and resilience- Connor-Davidson-Resilience-Scale. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively and inferentially. Qualitative data, constituting of students’ perception of their experience with the course, was captured using virtual-focus-group-sessions. Qualitative analysis was inductive. Generated primary inferences were merged using joint-display-analysis.

Results

Significant proportion of the students, at baseline, seemed to be at risk for burnout and anxiety, and would benefit from developing their resilience. There appeared to be no statistical differences in measures of burnout, anxiety, and resilience related to course delivery. Overall risk for anxiety among students increased following the COVID-19 lockdown. Qualitative analysis generated the ‘Resilience-Skills’-Building-around-Undergraduate-Medical-Education-Transitions’ conceptual model of five themes: Transitions, Adaptation, Added Value of course, Sustainability of effects of course, and Opportunities for improving course. Merging of findings led to a thorough understanding of how the resilience-skills’-building-course affected students’ adaptability.

Conclusion

This study indicates that a resilience-skills’-building-course may not instantly affect medical trainees’ ratings of burnout, anxiety, and resilience. However, students likely engage with such an innovative course and its content to acquire and deploy skills to adapt to changes.
Overtopping risk of high-hazard embankment dam under climate change condition
Authors: Hafilah Wan Ariffin Wan Noorul , Sidek Lariyah Mohd , Basri Hidayah , Idros Noorhayati , Adrian M. Torres , Abd Ghani Noor Hisham , Khambali Hazri Mohd , Allias Omar Siti Mariam , Azhar Khebir Muhammad Izzat , Ahmed Ali Najah
Published: February 2025

Climate change poses an escalating threat to the safety of high-hazard embankment dams, increases flood discharge impacting dam overtopping risk by altering the hydrological load of the original dam designed capacity. This paper’s primary aims are to evaluate climate change’s influence on extreme rainfall events and their impact on dam safety and to assess the overtopping risk of Batu Dam under various climate scenarios. This study focusses on assessing the overtopping risk of Batu Dam in Malaysia, utilizing regional climate model projections from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project 5 (CMIP5) spanning 2020 to 2100. Three Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs)—RCP4.5, RCP6.0, and RCP8.5 as the scenario and divide into 3 period of study: early century (2020–2046), mid (2047–2073) and late-century (2074–2100) evaluated with hydrological analysis to access the dam safety. Using the Linear Scaling Method (LSM), we corrected the bias projection rainfall data from three Regional Climate Models (RCMs) for the RCPs. Future Probable Maximum Precipitation (PMP) was estimated using statistical analysis techniques developed by the National Hydraulic Research Institute of Malaysia (NAHRIM). Additionally, Rainfall Intensity-Duration-Frequency (IDF) curves were updated based on climate scenarios outlined in the Hydrological Procedure 2021 and the associated Climate Change Factors. The HEC-HMS hydrological model was employed to simulate PMF and IDF for ARIs ranging from 1 to 100,000 years, providing a comprehensive analysis of risks under future climatic conditions. Across all future climate scenarios, inflow events were projected to exceed the dam design inflow, with RCP8.5 indicating the highest inflow values, particularly later in the century, highlighting probability of overtopping risks. Late-century projections show inflow for ARI 50 under RCP8.5 exceeding PMF by 20%, while mid-century RCP6.0 results indicate a 15% higher inflow for ARI 50000. Early-century RCP4.5 shows a 10% increase for ARI 100000 compared to PMF. The study advocates adaptive dam safety management and flood protection measures. This research provides crucial insights for embankment dam owners, stressing the urgent need to address Batu Dam’s vulnerability to extreme flooding amidst climate change and emphasizing proactive measures to fortify critical infrastructure and protect downstream communities.
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on women in the workplace in the Middle East and North Africa: A scoping review protocol
Authors: Ghezzawi Malak , Fahme Sasha , Al Sabbagh Reem , Naalbandian Salpy , DeJong Jocelyn ,   WOMENA Study Group
Published: February 2025

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the livelihoods of working men and women worldwide. The pandemic exacerbated already existing inequities, especially in sectors where women predominate, such as the healthcare, education, and hospitality sectors. Women in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, a world outlier for low female labor force participation despite high female education levels, may have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. Understanding the impact of COVID-19 on women’s livelihoods and health is critical to support and retain women in the labor force during external health shocks. However, until now there has been relatively little research on this topic in MENA. Therefore, this scoping review aims to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the health and wellbeing of women workers in low-and-middle-income countries in the MENA region.

Methods

The outcome of interest is COVID-19 related occupational health (COVID-19 infection related to workplace exposures and pandemic-related occupational stressors) and the impact on mental and physical health among women workers in LMIC in MENA. Academic databases, including APA PsycINFO, Arab World Research Source: Al-Masdar, Global Health, MEDLINE, Scopus and Web of Science Core Collection will be searched. The study selection process will involve two independent reviewers and data extraction will involve summarizing key information from the included studies using a predefined charting table. The evidence will be analyzed descriptively, providing a comprehensive overview of the identified themes and patterns.

Discussion

It is anticipated that this review will facilitate a deeper understanding of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on working women in the MENA region. The findings may inform data-driven policies and targeted interventions that not only attract and retain women in the workforce but also enhance their health and well-being.
Pharmacological interventions for addressing pediatric and adolescent obesity: A systematic review and network meta-analysis
Authors: Yang Shuo , Xin Shuangqing , Ju Ronghui , Zang Peizhuo
Published: February 2025

Background

Obesity significantly impacts the health outcomes of children and adolescents, necessitating a comprehensive study to evaluate the effects of various anti-obesity medications (AOMs) on weight-related and metabolic outcomes.

Methods

PubMed, EMBASE, and CENTRAL were searched for studies published up to January 3, 2024. We performed a network meta-analysis on randomized clinical trials that compared various treatments for pediatric and adolescent obesity, such as phentermine/topiramate, semaglutide, exenatide, liraglutide, topiramate, metformin, fluoxetine, metformin/fluoxetine, sibutramine, and orlistat. The study evaluated body mass index (BMI), BMI percentage change, weight, BMI-SDS, waist circumference, metabolic, anthropometric, and safety outcomes.

Results

The study gathered 2733 studies, including 30 articles that involved 3822 participants. The results of our research showed that PHEN/TPM was better at lowering BMI than exenatide, liraglutide, metformin, fluoxetine, Met/Flu, topiramate, orlistat, and sibutramine, with mean differences (MD) ranging from −10.29 to −1.28. Additionally, semaglutide demonstrated superior efficacy over other AOMs (MD ranged from −8.28 to −1.24). Various levels of certainty, ranging from very low to moderate, supported the findings. Furthermore, semaglutide demonstrated superior efficacy over exenatide (MD-12.43, 95% CI −23.95 to −0.30) regarding percentage change in BMI. Semaglutide also showed enhanced weight reduction effectiveness compared to seven other AOMs except for PHEN/TPM (MD ranging from −15.56 to −12.65). Similarly, PHEN/TPM displayed greater weight reduction effectiveness than seven other AOMs, except for semaglutide (MD ranged from −12.17 to −9.27). Moreover, semaglutide proved more effective in decreasing waist circumference when compared with other AOMs apart from PHEN/TPM (MD ranged from −11.61 to −6.07). Similarly, we found that PHEN/TPM, excluding semaglutide and sibutramine, was more effective in reducing waist circumference (MD ranged from −8.64 to −5.51).

Conclusions

The study found that semaglutide outperformed other AOMs in reducing BMI and additional weight-related outcomes in children and adolescents with obesity, while PHEN/TPM showed comparable efficacy.
Identification of potential biomarkers for lung cancer using integrated bioinformatics and machine learning approaches
Authors: Rabby Md Symun , Islam Md Merajul , Kumar Sujit , Maniruzzaman Md , Hasan Md Al Mehedi , Tomioka Yoichi , Shin Jungpil
Published: February 2025

Lung cancer is one of the most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Early detection of lung cancer can help reduce the death rate; therefore, the identification of potential biomarkers is crucial. Thus, this study aimed to identify potential biomarkers for lung cancer by integrating bioinformatics analysis and machine learning (ML)-based approaches. Data were normalized using the robust multiarray average method and batch effect were corrected using the ComBat method. Differentially expressed genes were identified by the LIMMA approach and carcinoma-associated genes were selected using Enrichr, based on the DisGeNET database. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis was performed using STRING, and the PPI network was visualized using Cytoscape. The core hub genes were identified by overlapping genes obtained from degree, betweenness, closeness, and MNC. Moreover, the MCODE plugin for Cytoscape was used to perform module analysis, and optimal modules were selected based on MCODE scores along with their associated genes. Subsequently, Boruta-based ML approach was utilized to identify the important genes. Consequently, the core genes were identified by the overlapping genes obtained from PPI networks, module analysis, and ML-based approach. The prognostic and discriminative power analysis of the core genes was assessed through survival and ROC analysis. We extracted five datasets from USA cohort and three datasets from Taiwan cohort and performed same experimental protocols to determine potential biomarkers. Four genes (LPL, CLDN18, EDNRB, MME) were identified from USA cohort, while three genes (DNRB, MME, ROBO4) were from Taiwan cohort. Finally, two biomarkers (EDNRB and MME) were identified by intersecting genes, obtained from USA and Taiwan cohorts. The proposed biomarkers can significantly improve patient outcomes by enabling earlier detection, precise diagnosis, and tailored treatment, ultimately contributing to better survival rates and quality of life for patients.
Tailoring the surface pore morphology of bioceramic scaffolds through colloidal processing for bone tissue engineering
Authors: Chan Shareen S. L. , Heath Daniel E. , Franks George V.
Published: February 2025

In this study, porous bioceramic scaffolds are developed with two materials, β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) and hydroxyapatite (HA), with order of 10 micron-scale surface pores and approximately 40–60% volume porosity fabricated by soft templating of oil. Suitable oil and surfactant concentrations are determined for the creation of particle-stabilized emulsions with nearly spherical pores, as well as the capillary suspensions with elongated pores. The bioceramic scaffolds surfaces are then assessed for their ability to support osteoblast adhesion and growth, for applications as scaffolds for bone regeneration. The porous scaffolds’ surfaces are compared to denser surfaces of the same material, where only submicron porosity arise from partial sintering, to interrogate the impact of surface topography on cell behavior. On the denser surfaces where no large pores are templated, β-TCP supports a larger number of osteoblasts compared to HA. Templated surface porosity significantly impacts the morphology and growth of the osteoblasts. Amongst the pore morphologies, the capillary suspension demonstrates enhanced biological function, whereas the emulsion performs the poorest. The β-TCP capillary suspension scaffold surface appears to provide the most favorable conditions for the osteoblasts.
Topological data analysis in air traffic management: The shape of big flight data sets
Authors: Cuerno Manuel , Guijarro Luis , Valdés Rosa María Arnaldo , Comendador Fernando Gómez
Published: February 2025

Analyzing flight trajectory data sets poses challenges due to the intricate interconnections among various factors and the high dimensionality of the data. Topological Data Analysis (TDA) is a way of analyzing big data sets focusing on the topological features this data sets have as point clouds in some metric space. Techniques as the ones that TDA provides are suitable for dealing with high dimensionality and intricate interconnections. This paper introduces TDA and its tools and methods as a way to derive meaningful insights from ATM data. Our focus is on employing TDA to extract valuable information related to airports. Specifically, by utilizing persistence landscapes (a potent TDA tool) we generate footprints for each airport. These footprints, obtained by averaging over a specific time period, are based on the deviation of trajectories and delays. We apply this method to the set of Spanish’ airports in the Summer Season of 2018. Remarkably, our results align with the established Spanish airport classification and raise intriguing questions for further exploration. This analysis serves as a proof of concept, showcasing the potential application of TDA in the ATM field. While previous works have outlined the general applicability of TDA in aviation, this paper marks the first comprehensive application of TDA to a substantial volume of ATM data. Finally, we present conclusions and guidelines to address future challenges in the ATM domain.
Exploratory algorithms to devise multi-epitope subunit vaccine by examining HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein: An immunoinformatics and viroinformatics approach
Authors: Mishra Saurav Kumar , Senathilake Kanishka Sithira , Kumar Neeraj , Patel Chirag N. , Uddin Mohammad Borhan , Alqahtani Taha , Alqahtani Ali , Alharbi Hanan M. , Georrge John J.
Published: February 2025

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), a widespread pandemic and severe health issue, is triggered by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV); there is no specific vaccine to cure this infection, and the situation is worsening. Therefore, this research sought to develop a vaccine with multiple epitopes against this infection targeting envelope glycoprotein (vital in host-cell interaction) through the immunoinformatics and viroinformatics approach. We identified one B-cell, eight MHC-I, and four MHC-II epitopes on its immunogen-assisted screening. In addition, these putative epitopes were conjoined concurrently using a specific linker (EAAAK, KK, GPGPG), including an adjuvant and a His-Tag at the N and C terminal, respectively, to augment its immune reaction. The final constructed entity consists of 284 amino acids; immunological evaluation demonstrated that the developed vaccine possesses antigenic features with a value of 0.6222, is non-allergenic, and has prospective physiochemical characteristics. The secondary and tertiary structures were anticipated, and their quality has been evaluated. Further, docking analysis between vaccines with TLR3 shows a strong molecular interaction with a -20.0 kcal/mol binding energy, and the stability was analysed through the MD simulation (100ns). Moreover, the designed vaccine expression and immune response were analysed, and a high vaccine expression level was found (pET28a (+)) and robust immune response followed by codon adaptation index value 0.94, 58.36% GC content, and the generation of IgM +  IgG, cytokines and interleukin. Based on overall investigation, the developed vaccine stimulates a robust immune response. Nevertheless, laboratory analysis is needed to confirm the protective potency of the vaccine.
Can digital literacy promote farmers’ cultivated land quality protection behaviors?
Authors: Hu Shuang , Wang Huogen
Published: February 2025

Cultivated land is the most valuable agricultural resource and the most important factor of production. The protection of cultivated land quality is not only the foundation of national food security but also a strategic issue related to the sustainable development of the economy and society as a whole. This paper uses survey data from Jiangxi Province’s “Double Hundred and Thousand” in 2023 and empirically analyzes the impact of digital literacy on farmers’ cultivated land quality protection behaviors and its mechanism by using the O-probit model and the mediating effect model. The results show that digital literacy can effectively promote farmers’ cultivated land quality protection behaviors. Furthermore, digital literacy can indirectly promote farmers’ cultivated land quality protection behaviors through cultivated land protection cognition and digital use ability. Heterogeneity analysis indicates that farmers are more inclined to participate in cultivated quality protection behaviors In the context of better soil fertility conditions and higher digital literacy. Therefore, it is necessary to continuously improve the digital literacy of farmers, improve their awareness of cultivated land protection, and continuously strengthen their digital use ability.
A tale of be(com)ing a Sport Nutritionist: Reflexive insights from a researcher-practitioner entering the field
Authors: Bentley Meghan R.N. , Patterson Laurie B. , Backhouse Susan H.
Published: February 2025

Qualitative research can facilitate an understanding of the richness and complexity of human experience, shedding light on multifaceted relationships that exist within sporting environments. Within the field of sport nutrition, such immersive methods are not commonplace. Yet could offer a significant contribution to our understanding and help practitioners navigate their values and identity within the challenging world of high-performance sport. The first author, a neophyte sport nutrition researcher-practitioner, reflects upon her experience over a four-year period of integrating into a high-performance organisation and embarking upon a research programme and career as a sport nutritionist. Drawing on field notes, reflexive journal entries, and regular research team discussions, three moments of discovery are shared: 1) Navigating the transition into high-performance sport, 2) Understanding the performance pressures and emotional burden experienced by athletes, and 3) Negotiating collaboration in the nutritionist-athlete relationship. Through this confessional tale, we recognise the development of a sport nutritionist’s values and identity is unlikely to be smooth or linear. Instead, it may be a bumpy voyage of self-inquiry and discovery, shaped by diverse cultural experiences. To help future sport nutrition researcher-practitioners entering the field, we offer three meaningful development activities including 1) engaging in reflexive practice with critical friends to explore the dilemmas and uncertainties that may impact personal and professional development, 2) fostering intellectual candour when engaging in reflexive practice to facilitate self-discovery and growth, and 3) prioritise reading the growing literature on sport and organisational culture to inform and influence the delivery of sport nutrition practice.
Validation and adaptation of the Arabic version of health-related quality of life with six domains (HRQ-6D): A factor and Rasch analyses study
Authors: Al-Qerem Walid , Jarab Anan , Al Bawab Abdel Qader , Eberhardt Judith , Alasmari Fawaz , Hammad Alaa , Al-Sa’di Lujain , Obidat Raghd , Abu Hour Sarah , Al-Hayali Taha
Published: February 2025

Background

Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) provides a complete picture of patients’ overall health status and should be evaluated in all patients encountered. To accurately assess patients’ HRQOL a comprehensive validated tool is necessary. Therefore, the present study aimed to validate the Arabic version of the Health-Related Quality of Life with Six Domains (Ar-HRQ-6D) scale.

Methods

This cross-sectional study utilized an online questionnaire targeting adult Jordanians and implemented several validation steps to ensure the adequacy of the Ar-HRQ-6D. These steps included the application of the forward-backward translation technique, assessment of the content and face validity of the questionnaire, evaluation of internal consistency, validation of the construct through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and Rasch analysis, and assessment of the questionnaire’s predictive capabilities.

Results

A total of 808 participants (63% female) completed the Ar-HRQ-6D. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) supported the suitability of the original three-factor model for the present study data, yielding acceptable model fit indices (χ²/df = 4.1, SRMR = 0.03, RMSEA = 0.06, CFI = 0.99, GFI = 0.96, CIF = 0.98, and TLI = 0.97) and factor loadings ranging from 0.63 to 0.86. Cronbach’s alpha for the three factors ranged from 0.81 to 0.90, confirming the high reliability of the questionnaire. Rasch analysis further validated the person and item separation reliability for the three factors. Additionally, all items of the Ar-HRQ-6D fell within the acceptable infit and outfit ranges. All thresholds were appropriately ordered, ranging from -5.27 to 2.86. Significant differences were observed in the median Ar-HRQ-6D scores across the various health status categories (p < 0.001), with the healthy category showing significantly higher median scores than the other categories. These findings confirm the predictive validity of the Ar-HRQ-6D.

Conclusion

The study confirmed the reliability, validity, and predictive accuracy of the Arabic version of the Ar-HRQ-6D. This tool is suitable for assessing patients’ HRQOL across various medical settings.
Association between prenatal exposure to maternal metal and trace elements and Streptococcus infection: A prospective birth cohort in the Japan Environment and Children’s Study
Authors: Iwata Hiroyoshi , Ikeda Atsuko , Itoh Mariko , Ketema Rahel Mesfin , Tamura Naomi , Yamaguchi Takeshi , Yamazaki Keiko , Yamamoto Rieko , Tojo Maki , Ait Bamai Yu , Saijo Yasuaki , Ito Yoshiya , Kishi Reiko ,   the Japan Environment and Children’s Study (JECS) Group
Published: February 2025

Background

Streptococcus infection is a common and potentially severe bacterial infection which remains a global public health challenge, underscoring the necessity of investigating potential risk factors.

Aims

The present study aims to assess the association between metal and trace element exposure and Streptococcus infection using a prospective nationwide birth cohort, the Japan Environment and Children’s Study (JECS).

Methods

The JECS obtained data from over 100,000 pregnancies through 15 Regional Centres across Japan. We assessed toxic metal and trace element levels among pregnant mothers and Streptococcus infection among their children, born between 2011 and 2014, at age three to four. Analysis was performed using univariable and multivariable logistic regressions, as well as Quantile g-computation. We also conducted quartile regressions to assess the effects of higher serum selenium levels and potential interactions between selenium and mercury.

Results

Among 74,434 infants and their mothers, univariable and multivariable regression analyses found that selenium and mercury each had an inverse association with Streptococcus infection incidence. Quantile g-computation analysis yielded results consistent with the primary regression analyses. Quartile regression suggested that serum selenium levels above the third quartile were inversely associated with later Streptococcus infection incidence, but no interaction between selenium and mercury was found.

Conclusions

These findings imply that maternal selenium exposure may have protective effects on Streptococcus infection among children. Further studies should explore the role of pediatric selenium in immune responses to infectious diseases, especially Streptococcus infection.