bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Use of social media by the farmers in Gazipur district of Bangladesh
Authors: Hasan S , Afrad MSI , Hoque MZ , Saha S
Published: January 2024

Bangladesh has embraced digitalization to the point where social media has become an essential tool for communication among all sectors of people, including agriculture. The current study was, therefore, attempted to ascertain the extent of use of various social media platforms by the farmers. The study was conducted in two Upazilas viz. Sreepur and Gazipur Sadar Upazila of Gazipur district. A total of 100 farmers were selected as a sample of the study following a proportionate random sampling technique. Four-fifths (80.0%) of them had poor to moderate knowledge of social media use. Among the digital social media, Knowledge on smartphones ranked first. The use of different social media by the majority (84.0%) of respondents was impressive, where 33.0 percent had low use and 51.0 percent moderate. Watching the Hridoye Mati O Manshu program on Facebook / YouTube ranked 1st position for using agricultural purposes. In the case of non-agricultural purposes, the use of Messenger / Imo / WhatsApp to communicate with relatives/friends ranked in 1st position. Moreover, around half of the respondents (51.0%) preferred Facebook among other social media due to its multidimensional usage. The majority of the respondents showed as moderate users (4-9 years) of different social media using experiences. The vital preference of using social media is to communicate with others, followed by 'entertainment' and 'ease of handling'. Level of education, farm size, and annual income showed a positive significant relationship with the extent of use of different social media by the farmers, while age and farming experience indicated a negative significant relationship. 'Network problems', 'load shedding', 'high cost', 'poor Wi- Fi' service, and 'addiction to overuse of social media' were some of the major problems identified by the respondents in using social media.
Ann. Bangladesh Agric. (2023) 27 (1): 105-120
Assessment of spawning and nursery habitats of hilsa in the Tetulia and Meghna river estuaries
Authors: Shaha DC , Hasan J , Ahmed S , Faysal MMH , Kar A , Haque F , Salam MA , Reza MS , Seba RN
Published: January 2024

The Meghna River estuary (MRE) and Tetulia River estuary (TRE) are tropical estuaries on the middle coast of Bangladesh. Hilsa shad (Tenualosa ilisha), is one of the most important anadromous fish (ascending rivers from the sea for breeding), migrates into the Meghna and Tetulia River estuarine systems from the Bay of Bengal. This study assessed the spawning and nursery habitats of hilsa in the Tetulia and Meghna River estuaries by examining the environmental parameters of both estuarine ecosystems. Water samples were collected from nineteen selected sampling sites along and across the estuaries from January to December 2021 covering both the dry and wet seasons. Salinity, dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN), and dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP) concentration varied significantly (p < 0.05) between the MRE and TRE during the dry season. In contrast, no significant variation (p > 0.05) was observed in the salinity, DIN and DIP between the MRE and TRE during the wet season. In addition, no significant variation (p > 0.05) was observed in chlorophyll-a concentration between the MRE and TRE during the dry and wet seasons. The salinity tolerance range is an important driver for the spawning (salinity <0.1 psu) and nursery (salinity <0~2 psu) habitat of hilsa. This study explored that the TRE is suitable for spawning and nursery habitat (salinity <0.09 psu) for hilsa all year round because the TRE acts as a freshwater ecosystem (salinity <0.1 psu) annually. Therefore, the government should focus on protecting and conserving juvenile hilsa (jatka) and brood hilsa in the TRE year round.
Ann. Bangladesh Agric. (2023) 27 (1): 57-69
Fast Food Consumption Patterns and Childhood Overweight/Obesity in Dhaka City, Bangladesh
Authors: Atiya Naushin , Hasin Chowdhury Tasneem , Huq AK Obidul , Ahmed Eyad , Mamun Sumaiya , Zaher Mohammad Abduz
Published: January 2024

A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 106 school going overweight and obese children (fifty boys and fifty-six girls) selected from four schools of Dhaka city. The aim of this study was to assess the overweight or obesity pattern among the children and their fast-food eating behavior. Samples were selected by simple random sampling during the time frame of September, 2017 to April, 2018. Data Analysis was conducted by using IBM SPSS16.0. The average weight of the school children was 41.54 ± 9.65 kg, average height was 132.2 ± 10.82 cm and average Mid Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) was 24.83 ± 2.8 cm. It was found that about 28.3% children were overweight, 55.7% children were obese and rest of the children were severely obese. The study revealed that about21.7% children had consumed fast food every day in a week, about 40.6% children had fast-food 2-3 days weekly and28.3% children had fast food 4-5 days in a week. Among the fast food items, Cake/Noodles/Pastry were consumed by76.4% respondents, Chocolate/ Ice-cream by 67.9% respondents, Chips was consumed by 67.0% of the respondents and Burger/Pizza/Sandwich were consumed by 62.3% of the respondents. About 23.6% children preferred having nuggets, 17.9% children sweets, 12.3% children chicken ball and 7.5% children biriyani. It was also shown that about36.8% children had fast-food as tiffin and at evening as snacks. It was observed that fast food eating pattern is highly prevalent among the overweight and obese school going children and this food habit need to be changed in order to prevent diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis, high cholesterol level at adulthood.
Bangladesh J. Nutr. Vol. 33, December 2020, P: 21-27
Livelihood and Food Security Status of Squatter and Street-side Dwellers of Dhaka City
Authors: Rana Ziaul H , Ahamed Israr , Alam Mohammad K , Ali Masum , Amin Md Ruhul
Published: January 2024

The objective of this study was to identify the livelihoods and food security conditions of the people migrating from rural to urban squatters and street sides of Dhaka City. The study was cross-sectional. Socio-demographic, economic, food security and livelihoods data were collected. Food security was assessed by Food Access Survey Tool (FAST) and Coping Strategy Index (CSI) method. A total of 340 households from squatter (n=209) and street-side dwellers (n=131) were selected using the convenience sampling method. A Student t-test and a Chi-square test were used to detect group differences between the squatter and street-side dwellers. Almost all households were food insecure in both settlements while about half of the street households and one-fourth of the squatter households were severely food insecure. About half of the families borrowed food from neighbours/relatives or substituted wheat or another grain for rice. In squatter households, monthly income was slightly higher than the street households, but they both spend around 58%-62% of their income on food. About 73% of the street parents and 50% of the squatter parents were illiterate. The majority of squatter households had tin walls constructed on soil (51.7%) or a semi-concrete floor (45.9%) while street households were living in portable shanties/Jhupri (50.4%) or non-government organization (NGO) centres (20.6%), with limited access to power and cooking facilities. In both settings, most households used iodized salt and open-packaged oil for cooking. However, over 60% of the households in both settlements had at least one smoker while 19% of the street households had at least one drug-addicted person. Study findings indicate that both squatters and street-side dwellers are suffering from a severe form of food insecurity and maintaining a low standard of living. Immediate attention is required to improve food insecurity either through financial assistance, skill training, or small-scale business opportunities.
Bangladesh J. Nutr. Vol. 33, December 2020, P: 53-64
Health and Nutritional Implications of COVID-19: A Mini Review
Authors: Tasnim Tasmia , Karim Kazi Muhammad Rezaul
Published: January 2024

The COVID-19 outbreak is a worldwide hazard and a pandemic. It affects primarily the respiratory system of the infected persons. The severity of infection depends on various factors such as individual health, age, lifestyle, gender, dietary habits, environment, and medications. COVID-19’s catastrophic results are exacerbated by a high BMI and chronic conditions. The study’s goal was to look at the effects of antioxidant foods on immune function and their possible involvement in the treatment of COVID-19 infection. The human immune cell is always active, and the activity of the immune system is improved when there is an infection requiring energy sources and substrates taken from the food. A range of vitamins and trace minerals has been found to have crucial functions in enhancing immune function and decreasing the chance of infection. The gut microbiota strives to empower and regulate the immune system. Dietary methods for achieving a healthy microbiome can also improve the immune system. According to worldwide standards, the best way to maintain the immune system is to consume a healthy balanced diet rich in plant and animal foods, as well as appropriate prebiotic and probiotic prophylactic supplements.
Bangladesh J. Nutr. Vol. 34, December 2020, P: 77-86
Demographic and Regional Differences in Household Dietary Diversity in Bangladesh: Evidence from the 2010 Household Income and Expenditure Survey
Authors: Akheruzzaman Md , Ali Masum , Karim Kazi Muhammad Rezaul , Amin Md Ruhul
Published: January 2024

The dietary diversity score is now being widely accepted as a tool to see the dietary intake pattern qualitatively. This tool can be used for a rapid proxy measure of household food access of the population. As the Household Income and Expenditure Survey of Bangladesh (HIES) are done routinely in many developing countries, this can be a good source of dietary data for the field of nutrition research. The study endeavoured to measure household dietary diversity scores (HDDs, 0-12) from a nationally representative population and frequency of food group consumption for the Bangladeshi population at different spatial levels from the HIES, 2010 dataset. The study found HDDs (Mean±SD) of 6.16±1.91 for Bangladeshi households. Households from Small Municipality Area(SMA) showed the highest HDDs of 6.95±2.34 followed by municipality (6.61±2.04) and rural areas (5.87±1.72).Chittagong and Sylhet division’s households’ diet is more diversified (7.09±2.12 and 6.95±1.83, respectively),whereas the lowest HDDs are found in Rajshahi (5.71±1.68). Mean differences of HDDs significantly vary by the education level of the mother, family size, number of earners, and religious status of the household. Overall, the percentages of households with no intake of meat and poultry, fruits, and milk and milk products were43.1%, 28.2%, and 48.6%, respectively, in the survey period of 14 days. HDDs varies significantly by region and household characteristics. Animal-sourced foods (meat and poultry, milk and milk products, and eggs) and fruits should be made more accessible through policies and programs at the household level across divisions where consumption is low.
Bangladesh J. Nutr. Vol. 34, December 2020, P: 87-98
Fish and Fishery Products: Participation in the Demand for Nutrition from Animal Source to the People of Bangladesh
Authors: Hossain Md Ismail , Shikha Fatema Hoque
Published: January 2024

Among different food items, fish/fishery product is the healthier one. For maintaining sound health and extending life span, along with fruits, vegetables, meat, fish/fishery products may contribute a lot. As a source of animal protein, healthy fat, vitamins, and minerals, fish is a very good option. The country has 0.29 million ha of inland closed (culture) water fisheries bodies along with littoral shrimp farms (National Fisheries Policy, 1998). It is also blessed with a territorial sea of more than 118,813 square km of area including 200 nautical miles (NM) of Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) with all kinds of living and non-living resources under the continental shelf up to 354 nautical miles from the Chittagong coast (MoFA,2014). Fish and other aquatic organisms from these water bodies are being caught for internal consumption as well as for export purposes. Mostly, this catch is sold as wet fish; some products are also prepared traditionally like dried, salted, and fermented. Smoked, canned, fish mince-based value-added products are not prepared yet on a commercial basis. For better utilization of the county’s catch and to contribute to the nutritional demand of the people it is necessary to take proper steps. Several academic and scientific institutes of the country are being engaged in developing fishery products and observing their storage possibilities. Here, findings of some researches performed on fish and fishery products in the Department of Fisheries Technology, Faculty of Fisheries, Bangladesh Agricultural University are discussed.
Bangladesh J. Nutr. Vol. 34, December 2020, P: 99-108
Análisis situacional del sector productivo de Pan de Arroz en el departamento del Meta, Colombia
Authors:   Corporación Universitaria Minuto de Dios, Gómez-Aristizábal María Rosario , Niño-Torres Ángela María ,   Corporación Universitaria Minuto de Dios
Published: January 2024

Colombia cuenta con una mezcla gastronómica representativa en cada región, entre estas, el pan de arroz, producto típico declarado patrimonio cultural inmaterial del departamento del Meta. En la presente investigación se busca realizar un análisis organizacional a empresas productoras de pan de arroz, enfocado en los municipios de Villavicencio, Restrepo y San Martín, para aportar al fortalecimiento empresarial del sector. En el marco de la metodología investigación acción participativa (IAP), se realiza un diagnóstico organizacional para conocer la situación actual del sector y luego proponer estrategias con la participación de actores implicados. Como resultado, se destaca la caracterización del sector empresarial en cuanto a factores internos y externos, identificando elementos diferenciadores en las dinámicas empresariales en los tres municipios, así como estrategias para responder a las problemáticas identificadas, como son la competencia desleal, escasez de materia prima, baja promoción del producto y debilidad en las condiciones laborales de los colaboradores.
Percepción de actores sociales para la comercialización de jugo de caña en envase biodegradable
Authors:   Universidad de la Amazonia, Aroca-Cacais Yisset Galidia , García-Capdevilla Diana Alí , Gutiérrez-Obregón Stefany Alexandra
Published: January 2024

Este artículo tiene como objetivo identificar la percepción de los vendedores y la aceptación de posibles consumidores para la comercialización de jugo de caña en envase biodegradable. Enmarca una caracterización del sector, pero se acentúa en un análisis cualitativo al mercado; en este se involucraron los actores relacionados con la venta y compra del guarapo (vendedor y consumidor), de quienes se identificó postura y grado de aceptación frente al producto propuesto. Los resultados fueron logrados a partir de la información obtenida luego de aplicar la técnica establecida en el diseño metodológico (entrevista tipo Likert a vendedores informales de guarapo (6), caracterizados en el año 2021 por la Secretaría de Emprendimiento y Turismo de Florencia, Caquetá. En este sentido se concluye la percepción de los vendedores de jugo de caña, orientada al emprendimiento y la importancia que dan a los empaques biodegradables por su contribución con el ambiente.
Marco referencial de gestión organizacional en empresas colombianas del sector servicios de salud
Authors:   Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, Torres-Barreto Lina María
Published: January 2024

La investigación contempló el desarrollo de un marco referencial, de gestión organizacional, que permitiera ser aplicado a cualquier tipo de MiPymes del sector servicios de salud y que derivan en la mejora de los procesos organizacionales y operativos de las empresas. Esta se apoyó en la Cámara de Comercio de Bucaramanga (CCB), el Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial (INTI) y la Universidad de Santander (UDES). El estudio abordado en este proyecto es de tipo descriptivo, su diseño es cualitativo. La investigación inició a fin de identificar tecnologías de gestión. En la segunda fase, se diseñó un marco referencial apoyado en tecnologías de gestión. Como tercera fase, se validó la efectividad del marco referencial propuesto, a través de su aplicación en dos empresas del sector de servicios de salud y, finalmente, se socializaron los alcances y limitaciones del marco referencial propuesto, a partir de la evaluación del ejercicio realizado en las dos empresas.
Voto juvenil, aplicaciones en dispositivos móviles y candidaturas independientes en las elecciones presidenciales 2018
Authors:   Universidad Pedagógica Nacional, Acosta-Márquez Tania , Martínez-Velasco José Francisco ,   Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Escamilla-Cadena Alberto ,   Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana
Published: January 2024

El proceso electoral de 2018 se distinguió por la integración de candidatos independientes a la presidencia de la república, así como la implementación por parte del Instituto Nacional Electoral (INE) de una aplicación móvil para registrar firmas de apoyo a dichos candidatos. El objetivo de este estudio fue conocer la información que disponían los jóvenes acerca del apoyo a los candidatos independientes que participaron en el proceso electoral 2018. Para ello se realizó una investigación cuantitativa, contando con una muestra no probabilística y de conveniencia de 264 alumnos de licenciatura. En este estudio se logró identificar el evidente desconocimiento sobre las candidaturas independientes y la App del INE. Para ello, se realizaron algunas pruebas de contraste como el análisis de regresión múltiple lineal y de regresión logística multinomial.
Metodología investigación-creación en la construcción digital de una autoetnografía
Authors:   I.E Luis Carlos Galán, Martínez-León Luis Albeiro
Published: January 2024

El objetivo de la investigación fue contribuir con la mitigación de la violencia escolar a través de la construcción digital de una autoetnografía soportada en ambientes de concertación y convivencia escolar con estudiantes de octavo grado de la Institución Educativa Luis Carlos Galán Sarmiento del municipio de Villavicencio. El enfoque de investigación fue cualitativo, y su diseño metodológico fue desarrollado en tres fases: 1) identificación de problemáticas (diagnóstico), 2) cortes experienciales (diseño del instrumento de intervención), y 3) implementación y validación de las estrategias pedagógicas. La muestra la constituyeron 29 estudiantes a los que se les aplicó el test “Vive sin violencia, vive la convivencia”, valorado mediante una rúbrica en escala tipo Likert. Finalmente, se evaluó el impacto del recurso educativo digital a través de una construcción digital de su propia autoetnografía. Los resultados evidenciaron la existencia de problemas de comportamiento frente a la violencia y acoso escolar.
Lappalaisten ruokatalous
Authors: Itkonen T. I.
Published: January 2024

Suomalais-Ugrilaisen Seuran Toimituksia LI
BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSIS: THE USE OF STREPTOZOTOCIN (STZ) IN DIABETIC ANIMAL MODEL
Authors: Baharuddin Baharuddin , Ikawaty Risma
Published: January 2024

Bibliometric analysis is a relatively new tool in healthcare and therefore does not yet make full use of its potential. This statistical tool analyses scientific publications which further describe trends in academic literature and research in various fields. This study focused on the development of diabetes research using animal models induced by streptozotocin (STZ), a diabetogenic molecule that triggers DNA damage in pancreatic beta cells and causes extreme oxidative stress. 1090 related articles published between 2017-2022 were obtained from the Scopus-Elsevier database using specific keywords “streptozotocin or STZ, animal models, diabetes, intraperitoneal”. Statistical analysis showed 1.67% Annual Growth Rate of publication with 10.66 citation rate per document. Co-occurrence analysis also successfully visualized the main topics related to the mechanism of action of streptozotocin such as oxidative stress, inflammation, rats, diabetic nephropathy, diabetic cardiomyopathy, hyperglycemia, antioxidants, and insulin. An important finding in this study indicated the diabetes research development was not in line with the main problem using animal models that remain unsolved, especially in diabetes research related to pancreatic beta cell proliferation. The result also provided valuable insights of research trends that involved diabetic animal models. The latest research datas are significantly important since it can be used for future research development. Further, more comprehensive information could be achieved by using other databases such as Web of Science (WOS) and Dimension in bibliometric analysis.
Southern Ocean humpback whale trophic ecology. I. Combining multiple stable isotope methods elucidates diet, trophic position and foraging areas
Authors: Bury SJ , Peters KJ , Sabadel AJM , St John Glew K , Trueman C , Wunder MB , Cobain MRD , Schmitt N , Donnelly D , Magozzi S , Owen K , Brown JCS , Escobar-Flores P , Constantine R , O’Driscoll RL , Double M , Gales N , Childerhouse S , Pinkerton MH
Published: January 2024

Southern Ocean humpback whalesMegaptera novaeangliaeare capital breeders, breeding in the warm tropics/subtropics in the winter and migrating to nutrient-rich Antarctic feeding grounds in the summer. The classic feeding model is for the species to fast while migrating and breeding, surviving on blubber energy stores. Whilst northern hemisphere humpback whales are generalists, southern hemisphere counterparts are perceived as krill specialists, but for many populations, uncertainties remain regarding their diet and preferred feeding locations. This study used bulk and compound-specific stable isotope analyses and isoscape-based feeding location assignments to assess the diet, trophic ecology and likely feeding areas of humpback whales sampled in the Ross Sea region and around the Balleny Islands. Sampled whales had a mixed diet of plankton, krill and fish, similar to the diet of northern hemisphere humpback whales. Proportions of fish consumed varied but were often high (2-60%), thus challenging the widely held paradigm of Southern Ocean humpback whales being exclusive krill feeders. These whales had lower15N values and trophic position estimates than their northern hemisphere counterparts, likely due to lower Southern Ocean baseline15N surface water values and a lower percentage consumption of fish, respectively. Most whales fed in the Ross Sea shelf/slope and Balleny Islands high-productivity regions, but some isotopically distinct whales (mostly males) fed at higher trophic levels either around the Balleny Islands and frontal upwelling areas to the north, or en route to Antarctica in temperate waters off southern Australia and New Zealand. These results support other observations of humpback whales feeding during migration, highlighting the species’ dietary plasticity, which may increase their foraging and breeding success and provide them with greater resilience to anthropogenically mediated ecological change. This study highlights the importance of combiningin situfield data with regional-scale isoscapes to reliably assess trophic structure and animal feeding locations, and to better inform ecosystem conservation and management of marine protected areas.
Atlantic populations of a declining oceanic seabird have complex migrations and weak migratory connectivity to staging areas
Authors: O’Hanlon NJ , van Bemmelen RSA , Snell KRS , Conway GJ , Thaxter CB , Aiton H , Aiton D , Balmer DE , Hanssen SA , Calladine JR , Hammer S , Harris SJ , Moe B , Schekkerman H , Tulp I , Humphreys EM
Published: January 2024

Anthropogenic change is impacting ecosystems globally, causing declines in biodiversity. Long-distance migrants are particularly susceptible, as they depend on conditions over large geographical scales and are likely to experience a greater range of pressures. One long-distance migrant that has experienced substantial declines across the North-East Atlantic is the Arctic skua Stercorarius parasiticus. However, little is known about their migratory routes or strategies. We tracked 131 Arctic skuas from Scotland, the Faroe Islands, Norway and Svalbard between 2009 and 2019 using geolocators. To investigate migration strategies, we applied a hidden Markov model, using saltwater immersion data to infer stopovers and transit flights. Skuas used several discrete staging areas during migration, with an area of high marine productivity in the mid-North Atlantic being of high importance. Individuals from the different breeding populations overlapped extensively in staging areas, resulting in weak spatial connectivity between breeding and staging areas during southbound (rM = 0.25, 95% CI = 0.09-0.42; 0 = weak connectivity, 1 = strong connectivity) and northbound (rM = 0.16, 95% CI = -0.02 to 0.33) migration. Variation in migration strategies was driven by individuals from Svalbard, which belong to a population that is declining less than the other populations tracked. The relative location of wintering areas also influenced migration strategies. Individuals migrating further spent a smaller proportion of their migration at stopovers than those wintering closer. Identifying the non-breeding distribution, migration strategies and weak migratory connectivity of Arctic skuas provides a vital step towards linking conditions during migration to population dynamics and prioritising future research and conservation actions.
Spatial differentiation of daily commuting to work in Slovakia by modes of transport
Authors: Gábor Štefan , Pregi Loránt
Published: January 2024

Commuting to work is one of the most important forms of spatial mobility of the population. The mode of transport is one of its key characteristics. However, its spa-tial variability has so far been little explored, which is also due to the lack of reliable sta-tistical data. The census in Slovakia in 2021 addressed this issue, offering an opportunity to examine the use of individual modes of transport at various spatial levels, and in relation to the characteristics of commuters. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to evaluate the spatial differentiation of intra-municipal and inter-municipal daily commuting to work according to the main mode of transport used, and in relation to the age of the commuters. The basic spatial framework of the study is the system of functional urban regions in Slovakia. By applying statistical methods and cartographic visualization, the results demonstrating the spatial variability in the mode of transport were achieved. Regularities were also iden-tified in relation to various age categories of commuters. In addition, the study indicated a significant influence of the social-economic conditions and orography of specific territo-ries on the preference for commuting mode. The results have the potential to contribute to more effective spatial planning or investments in various forms of transport infrastruc-ture. At the same time, it is an initial study that encourages the examination of spatial pat-terns and forms of daily commuting in relation to other characteristics of commuters or geographical characteristics of the affected areas. The knowledge from this study is par-tially transferable to countries where similar statistical data are not available. URL: https://www.gcass.science.upjs.sk/
Pneumothorax and Timing to Safe Air Travel
Authors: Kashtan Harris W. , Schulte Spencer N. , Connelly Keelan S.
Published: January 2024

INTRODUCTION: Current guidelines regarding the time to flight after an acquired pneumothorax have been generally accepted and in place for years. The majority of these typically advise holding off on air travel until the complete resolution of a pneumothorax. Over the past decade, however, there has been an increase in the amount of literature focusing on this subject and challenging this well-held dogma. A review of these studies has shown that recent evidence contradicts the historical guidelines that many practitioners follow about the safety and timing of flying after pneumothoraces. Based on these studies, air travel with a known pneumothorax is likely safe and can be undertaken much sooner than current guidelines advise.

Kashtan HW, Schulte SN, Connelly KS. Pneumothorax and timing to safe air travel. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2024; 95(2):113–117.
External Comparator Cohort studies - clarification of terminology
Authors: Rippin Gerd , Largent Joan , Hoogendoorn Wilhelmina Elisabeth , Sanz Héctor , Bosco Jaclyn , Mack Christina
Published: January 2024

Though there is only one term for the gold standard of Randomized Controlled Trials the terminology used for controlled research involving external data is diverse. Common terms include External Comparator/Control Arm study, Externally Controlled Trial, Synthetic Control study and Historical Control study. The term Externally Controlled Trial was recently selected by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is in line with the use case of a pivotal trial. It entails pre-specification of the external dataset and its analysis in the trial protocol, which produces the highest amount of transparency, which is an important aspect for maximum credibility. If this pre-specification did not occur, we advocate the term External Comparator Cohort study (or short External Comparator study), which is derived by scrutinizing the paired terms study/trial, control/comparator and arm/cohort. Furthermore, we propose an overall framework of nomenclature, which is generally applicable for research projects involving external data. Only a precise and consistent use of terminology will most effectively safeguard from unintended implications, inaccurate perceptions, and misguided mindsets.
Infrared spectroscopy of volcanoes: from laboratory to orbital scale
Authors: Williams Daniel B. , Ramsey Michael S.
Published: January 2024

Understanding the composition, texture, and morphology of volcanic rocks that have erupted at the surface better constrains the eruption style and is vital to infer subsurface processes, the development of magma upon ascent, and the potential for future eruptions. The reflectance and emission spectroscopy of these rocks, collected from the near-infrared (NIR) through the thermal infrared (TIR) portion of the electromagnetic (EM) spectrum, provides the data necessary to retrieve composition, micron-scale surface roughness, and particle size. Remote imaging systems enable the analyses of active volcanoes in remote regions, where sample collection for laboratory analysis poses a significant challenge. Laboratory hyperspectral data of samples acquired at volcanic deposits are easily resampled to the spectral resolution of any infrared sensor and provide a means of estimating the composition of volcanoes and their products worldwide, as well as those on other planetary bodies such as the Moon and Mars. In this review paper, we provide an overview of the current use of infrared reflectance and emission spectroscopy as an analysis tool in volcanology, including ground-based imaging systems that acquire unprecedented detail and serve as testbeds for new orbital concepts. We also discuss the potential impact that future satellite missions will have on volcano science as spectral, spatial, and temporal resolutions improve.
An innovative approach to remodelling bioscience undergraduate final year projects to develop key transferable skills sought by graduate employers
Authors: Rana Karan Singh , Bashir Amreen , Pallett Ross
Published: January 2024

Undergraduate Biomedical Science dissertations are the culmination of a student’s academic journey and allow students to refine technical proficiencies, experimental design and data analysis. However, traditional dissertation projects may not fully meet the requirements of diverse student populations and employer’s needs. This research project aims to assess the effectiveness of modifying the assessment format for final-year projects, incorporating elements such as lay summaries, project proposals, scientific research papers, and oral poster defences. The objective was to cultivate higher-order critical thinking skills and enhance written and verbal communication competencies, in addition to developing a suite of transferable skills which are highly sought by employers. Quantitative data were primarily generated via end-of-module feedback reports and the module satisfaction survey. Students rated their confidence in a suite of transferable skills pre and post-completion of the project module using a four-point Likert scale. Staff perceptions (n = 30) and module board reports were also evaluated. For all data, a paired t-test for related groups was conducted. Thematic analysis was used to analyse qualitative data using the Braun and Clark Framework. The end-of-module feedback was overwhelmingly positive with all students agreeing that they were satisfied with the module. Students reported a statistically significant increase in confidence within 11 transferable skills which are considered core within the industry, for example, critical thinking, problem-solving and time management. Furthermore, the mean module mark increased following the module redesign from 66.3% ± 0.2% in 2019 to 70.9% ± 0.6% in 2020 (p ≤ 0.05). Staff provided free text comments, reporting an overall improvement in the module, a reduction in workload and a better teaching experience. Students exhibited appreciation of the new module structure, assessment suit and creative liberty within the projects. The redesigned project module enhanced the teaching experience for staff, whilst students appreciated the diverse range of projects and assessments that featured shorter word limits and a creative flair. Universities must reinvent undergraduate dissertations to equip students with essential employability skills.
Evaluation and identification of powdery mildew-resistant genes in 137 wheat relatives
Authors: Wang Jiaojiao , Xu Hongxing , Qie Yanmin , Han Ran , Sun Xiaohui , Zhao Ya , Xiao Bei , Qian Zejun , Huang Xiaomei , Liu Ruishan , Zhang Jiadong , Liu Cheng , Jin Yuli , Ma Pengtao
Published: January 2024

Powdery mildew is one of the most severe diseases affecting wheat yield and quality and is caused by Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici (Bgt). Host resistance is the preferred strategy to prevent this disease. However, the narrow genetic basis of common wheat has increased the demand for diversified germplasm resources against powdery mildew. Wheat relatives, especially the secondary gene pool of common wheat, are important gene donors in the genetic improvement of common wheat because of its abundant genetic variation and close kinship with wheat. In this study, a series of 137 wheat relatives, including 53 Triticum monococcum L. (2n = 2x = 14, AA), 6 T. urartu Thumanjan ex Gandilyan (2n = 2x = 14, AA), 9 T. timopheevii Zhuk. (2n = 4x = 28, AAGG), 66 T. aestivum subsp. spelta (2n = 6x = 42, AABBDD), and 3 Aegilops speltoides (2n = 2x = 14, SS) were systematically evaluated for their powdery mildew resistance and composition of Pm genes. Out of 137 (60.58%) accessions, 83 were resistant to Bgt isolate E09 at the seedling stage, and 116 of 137 (84.67%) wheat relatives were resistant to the mixture of Bgt isolates at the adult stage. This indicates that these accessions show a high level of resistance to powdery mildew. Some 31 markers for 23 known Pm genes were used to test these 137 accessions, and, in the results, only Pm2, Pm4, Pm6, Pm58, and Pm68 were detected. Among them, three Pm4 alleles (Pm4a, Pm4b, and Pm4f) were identified in 4 T. subsp. spelta accessions. q-RT PCR further confirmed that Pm4 alleles played a role in disease resistance in these four accessions. The phylogenetic tree showed that the kinship of Pm4 was close to Pm24 and Sr62. This study not only provides reference information and valuable germplasm resources for breeding new wheat varieties with disease resistance but also lays a foundation for enriching the genetic basis of wheat resistance to powdery mildew.
Intensified anti-TNF treatment downregulates the phenotype in ulcerative colitis: a 13-year prospective follow-up study
Authors: Florholmen Jon , Goll Rasmus , Johnsen Kay-Martin
Published: January 2024

Background

Moderate to severe ulcerative colitis (UC) is generally treated with a step-up algorithm from 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) to biological agents. There is no general recommendation if or when to de-escalate or discontinue biological therapy. In this study, we performed biological therapy with anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) treatment to endoscopic remission followed by discontinuation of therapy. This is a 13- year follow-up study performed for this treatment algorithm.

Aim

This study aimed to assess whether the treatment algorithm outlined above influences the UC phenotype toward a milder form and identify potential biomarkers for altering the disease phenotype.

Methods

Patients with moderate to severe UC were enrolled from 2004 to 2015 and followed up until 2023 to evaluate disease outcomes. Patients were categorized into subgroups based on the highest treatment level required to attain remission: non-biological therapy, biological therapy, or colectomy. Mucosal TNF mRNA expression levels were measured using real-time PCR.

Results

Out of the 116 patients from the original cohort, 71 individuals who had previously undergone anti-TNF treatment to endoscopic remission and subsequently discontinued anti-TNF therapy were included in the present study. Disease outcomes were registered until 2023. By the end of the observation period, 62% of participants were in remission without biological treatment. Among the 71 patients, 39% never experienced a relapse, 23% relapsed but successfully attained remission with untargeted treatment, 18% relapsed and subsequently received a new sequence of biological therapy, and 20% had colectomy. Normalized mucosal TNF mRNA expression was identified as a significant predictor for clinical outcomes.

Conclusion

Most UC patients transitioned to a milder disease phenotype without requiring biological therapy. Treating to normalize mucosal TNF expression emerges as a potential biomarker, predicting the downregulation of disease severity.
Therapeutic targets and potential delivery systems of melatonin in osteoarthritis
Authors: Xiong Zhilin , Peng Guoxuan , Deng Jin , Liu Miao , Ning Xu , Zhuang Yong , Yang Hua , Sun Hong
Published: January 2024

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a highly prevalent age-related musculoskeletal disorder that typically results in chronic pain and disability. OA is a multifactorial disease, with increased oxidative stress, dysregulated inflammatory response, and impaired matrix metabolism contributing to its onset and progression. The neurohormone melatonin, primarily synthesized by the pineal gland, has emerged as a promising therapeutic agent for OA due to its potential to alleviate inflammation, oxidative stress, and chondrocyte death with minimal adverse effects. The present review provides a comprehensive summary of the current understanding regarding melatonin as a promising pharmaceutical agent for the treatment of OA, along with an exploration of various delivery systems that can be utilized for melatonin administration. These findings may provide novel therapeutic strategies and targets for inhibiting the advancement of OA.
Composite vertical structures and spatiotemporal characteristics of abnormal eddies in the Japan/East Sea: a synergistic investigation using satellite altimetry and Argo profiles
Authors: Ma Yaowei , Li Qinghong , Wang Hua , Yu Xiangjun , Li Song
Published: January 2024

Mesoscale eddies are omnipresent and play an important role in regulating Earth’s climate and ocean circulation in the global ocean. Here using the combination of satellite altimetry products and Argo float profile data, two types of abnormal eddies are investigated: WCEs(warm cyclonic eddies) and CAEs(cold anticyclonic eddies) with different cores than conventional eddies in the Japan/East Sea. By applying a classification method based on the calculation of the heat content anomalies in the upper ocean, it was found that 10% of the eddies that captured the Argo float profiles exhibited obvious abnormal features. Subsequently, their spatiotemporal distributions and characteristics were analyzed statistically. Three-dimensional structures of abnormal eddies were obtained via the composite analysis method, showing that the warm/cold and light/dense core of the composite WCE/CAE is confined to the upper 100 m of the ocean with a maximum temperature anomaly of approximately +1.0(-1.1)°C. The composite WCE had a double-core salinity structure with a salty core above 50 m and an inferior fresh core. Meanwhile composite CAE had a fresh single-core with a maximum magnitude of -0.05 psu. Abnormal eddies are pervasive in the Japan/East sea, a revaluation of the role of these eddies in ocean circulation and climate systems, such as heat and salt transport, air and sea interaction, and variability in mixed layer depth, is of great importance.
The band gap and nonlinear optical susceptibility of SrSn1-xVxO3 films
Authors: Huang Ziheng , Ma Qiushuang , Wang Depeng , Zhao Rongjing , Niu Ruifeng , Wang Weitian
Published: January 2024

Perovskite-type oxide SrSn1-xVxO3 thin films with different concentrations x = 0.1–0.9 were fabricated by using pulsed-laser deposition, and the effects of V doping on the structure, optical band gap and the third-order optical nonlinearity were systematically investigated. With the increase of x value, the lattice parameters of SrSn1-xVxO3 decrease from 3.997 to 3.862 Å gradually, while the optical band gaps firstly increase and then decrease with boundary at x = 0.3. The third-order nonlinear optical responses were studied via the z-scan technique. The closed-aperture measurements show a negative nonlinear refractive index n2, and the open-aperture measurements demonstrate a saturable absorption β. Both the n2 and β responses vary with the increase of V doping level. The metal-oxygen chemical bond along with the localized V5+Sn2+V5+ complex contribute to the enhancement of optical nonlinearity, and the highest value of third-order susceptibility χ(3) is observed in SrSn0.5V0.5O3 film.
A computer-aided system improves the performance of endoscopists in detecting colorectal polyps: a multi-center, randomized controlled trial
Authors: Zhang Heng , Wu Qi , Sun Jing , Wang Jing , Zhou Lei , Cai Wei , Zou Duowu
Published: January 2024

Background

Up to 45.9% of polyps are missed during colonoscopy, which is the major cause of post-colonoscopy colorectal cancer (CRC). Computer-aided detection (CADe) techniques based on deep learning might improve endoscopists’ performance in detecting polyps. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the CADe system in assisting endoscopists in a real-world clinical setting.

Methods

The CADe system was trained to detect colorectal polyps, recognize the ileocecal region, and monitor the speed of withdrawal during colonoscopy in real-time. Between 17 January 2021 and 16 July 2021. We recruited consecutive patients aged 18–75 years from three centers in China. We randomized patients in 1:1 groups to either colonoscopy with the CADe system or unassisted (control). The primary outcomes were the sensitivity and specificity of the endoscopists. We used subgroup analysis to examine the polyp detection rate (PDR) and the miss detection rate of endoscopists.

Results

A total of 1293 patients were included. The sensitivity of the endoscopists in the experimental group was significantly higher than that of the control group (84.97 vs. 72.07%, p < 0.001), and the specificity of the endoscopists in these two groups was comparable (100.00 vs. 100.00%). In a subgroup analysis, the CADe system improved the PDR of the 6–9 mm polyps (18.04 vs. 13.85%, p < 0.05) and reduced the miss detection rate, especially at 10:00–12:00 am (12.5 vs. 39.81%, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The CADe system can potentially improve the sensitivity of endoscopists in detecting polyps, reduce the missed detection of polyps in colonoscopy, and reduce the risk of CRC.

Registration

This clinical trial was registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (Trial Registration Number: ChiCTR2100041988).

Clinical trial registration

website www.chictr.org.cn, identifier ChiCTR2100041988.
Review of quantitative and functional lung imaging evidence of vaping-related lung injury
Authors: Hofmann Joseph J. , Poulos Victoria C. , Zhou Jiahai , Sharma Maksym , Parraga Grace , McIntosh Marrissa J.
Published: January 2024

Introduction

The pulmonary effects of e-cigarette use (or vaping) became a healthcare concern in 2019, following the rapid increase of e-cigarette-related or vaping-associated lung injury (EVALI) in young people, which resulted in the critical care admission of thousands of teenagers and young adults. Pulmonary functional imaging is well-positioned to provide information about the acute and chronic effects of vaping. We generated a systematic review to retrieve relevant imaging studies that describe the acute and chronic imaging findings that underly vaping-related lung structure-function abnormalities.

Methods

A systematic review was undertaken on June 13th, 2023 using PubMed to search for published manuscripts using the following criteria: [(“Vaping” OR “e-cigarette” OR “EVALI”) AND (“MRI” OR “CT” OR “Imaging”)]. We included only studies involving human participants, vaping/e-cigarette use, and MRI, CT and/or PET.

Results

The search identified 445 manuscripts, of which 110 (668 unique participants) specifically mentioned MRI, PET or CT imaging in cases or retrospective case series of patients who vaped. This included 105 manuscripts specific to CT (626 participants), three manuscripts which mainly used MRI (23 participants), and two manuscripts which described PET findings (20 participants). Most studies were conducted in North America (n = 90), with the remaining studies conducted in Europe (n = 15), Asia (n = 4) and South America (n = 1). The vast majority of publications described case studies (n = 93) and a few described larger retrospective or prospective studies (n = 17). In e-cigarette users and patients with EVALI, key CT findings included ground-glass opacities, consolidations and subpleural sparing, MRI revealed abnormal ventilation, perfusion and ventilation/perfusion matching, while PET showed evidence of pulmonary inflammation.

Discussion and conclusion

Pulmonary structural and functional imaging abnormalities were common in patients with EVALI and in e-cigarette users with or without respiratory symptoms, which suggests that functional MRI may be helpful in the investigation of the pulmonary health effects associated with e-cigarette use.