bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fungal Infections, Treatment and Antifungal Resistance: The Sub-Saharan African Context
Authors: Boakye-Yiadom Emily , Odoom Alex , Osman Abdul-Halim , Ntim Onyansaniba K. , Kotey Fleischer C. N. , Ocansey Bright K. , Donkor Eric S.
Published: November 2024

Fungal pathogens cause a wide range of infections in humans, from superficial to disfiguring, allergic syndromes, and life-threatening invasive infections, affecting over a billion individuals globally. With an estimated 1.5 million deaths annually attributable to them, fungal pathogens are a major cause of mortality in humans, especially people with underlying immunosuppression. The continuous increase in the population of individuals at risk of fungal infections in sub-Saharan Africa, such as HIV patients, tuberculosis patients, intensive care patients, patients with haematological malignancies, transplant (haematopoietic stem cell and organ) recipients and the growing global threat of multidrug-resistant fungal strains, raise the need for an appreciation of the region’s perspective on antifungal usage and resistance. In addition, the unavailability of recently introduced novel antifungal drugs in sub-Saharan Africa further calls for regular evaluation of resistance to antifungal agents in these settings. This is critical for ensuring appropriate and optimal use of the limited available arsenal to minimise antifungal resistance. This review, therefore, elaborates on the multifaceted nature of fungal resistance to the available antifungal drugs on the market and further provides insights into the prevalence of fungal infections and the use of antifungal agents in sub-Saharan Africa.
Polio: Background and perspective on how international travel can be made safe against polio
Authors: Dharmapalan Dhanya , John Thekkekara Jacob , Steinglass Robert , Hirschhorn Norbert
Published: November 2024

International spread of polio continues to be a Public Health Emergency of International Concern since its declaration by the World Health Organization in 2014 and its reiteration in 2024. In 2023 and 2024, two countries remained endemic for wild poliovirus (WPV) but 20 countries reported polio outbreaks due to vaccine-derived polioviruses (VDPVs) in 2023 and 10 countries in 2024 (up to mid-June). Guidelines from various agencies recommend polio vaccination before travelling to or from polio-affected countries, or attending mass gatherings anywhere in the world, particularly if the crowd is international. Immunity protects against polio paralysis but not against poliovirus re-infection, irrespective of which vaccine was involved – live attenuated oral polio vaccine (OPV) or inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV). Infection with WPV or circulating VDPV in the vast majority of non-immune individuals (first infection) is asymptomatic, while they are efficient virus transmitters. Re-infections in immune individuals are always asymptomatic, but they are also infectious and may act as source for further transmission, although less efficiently than the former. Thus, travellers can become transmission vectors, illustrated by many episodes of importations of WPV or VDPVs into polio-free countries in recent years. The route of poliovirus transmission remains controversial, with many believing it to be faecal-oral, but epidemiological analysis is consistent with respiratory route and not faecal-oral. Transmission occurs person-to-person during social contact. Travellers must ensure they are adequately immunised to avoid polio, and becoming vectors of virus importation. The vaccine efficacy (VE) of OPV is highly variable – high in temperate climate countries, particularly rich countries, but low or very low in tropical low-income countries. On the other hand, VE of IPV is excellent everywhere irrespective of geography.
Digital health implementation in Australia: A scientometric review of the research
Authors: Krahe Michelle A. , Larkins Sarah L. , Adams Nico
Published: November 2024

Objective

Australia is committed to establishing a digitally enabled healthcare system that fosters innovation, strengthens data capabilities, and establishes a foundation for future digital health reform. This study provides a comprehensive overview of digital health implementation research in Australia, employing scientometric analysis and data visualization. We assess the existing knowledge base, identify key research areas and frontier trends, and explore their implications for healthcare delivery in rural and remote settings.

Methods

A systematic search of the Web of Science Core Collection database was conducted for relevant documents up to December 31, 2023. Analysis of annual growth patterns, journals, institutional and authorship contributions, reference co-citation patterns, and keyword co-occurrence was conducted using scientometrics to create outputs in the form of graphs and tables. Evolutionary analyses were undertaken to delineate the current knowledge base, predominant research themes, and frontier trends in the field.

Results

A total of 196 documents related to digital health implementation in Australia were identified, demonstrating sustained growth since 2019. The evolution of the field is characterized by four distinct phases, with a pronounced focus on telehealth, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. ‘Remote health’ emerged as a significant area of contemporary interest.

Conclusions

This scientometric study contributes to our understanding of digital health implementation research in Australia. Despite a considerable body of research, there remains a relative paucity of studies focused on implementation in underserved rural and remote areas which arguably stand to benefit the most from digital health advancements. Continued research in this field is crucial to ensure equitable access to the benefits offered by digital health innovations.
Youth Vote in 2024 Lok Sabha Elections
Authors: Kumar Sanjay , Kumar Devesh
Published: November 2024

In the 2019 and 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) enjoyed a significant appeal among the youth. However, in 2024, the stakes completely changed and the party ended up losing significant seats. This article explores political participation of youth in 2024 Lok Sabha elections and focuses on the central question: Is the youth still attracted to the BJP? Using data from National Election Study (NES), the article discusses how the youth have voted and the reasons behind their voting choice. The findings reveal that despite extensive efforts of political parties in carving out a youth constituency, none were truly successful.
Indian Muslims: (Self-)Perceptions and Voting Trends in 2024
Authors: Jaffrelot Christophe , Ahmed Hilal
Published: November 2024

There are two dominant explanations of contemporary Muslim voting behaviour. A section of public commentators reiterates an old argument that Muslims always participate in politics to defeat the BJP. This argument is not entirely incorrect. The BJP did not deviate from its Modi-centric Hindutva-driven campaign. The party relied heavily on an apparent anti-Muslim rhetoric to reach out to its core voters. The failure of the BJP to secure an absolute majority in Lok Sabha, in this sense, is also seen as an obvious outcome of this strategy. It is claimed that the BJP’s attempt to polarize voters on religious grounds encouraged Muslims to vote for non-BJP candidates throughout the country.

The second explanation is more speculative. The INDIA alliance has so far tried to avoid any discussion on the overwhelming Muslim support they have received this time. The non-BJP parties, except a few, do not want to publicly acknowledge the fact that their success was almost impossible without active Muslim support. This kind of political reluctance is justified as a strategic silence. There is an assumption that the pro-Muslim gestures of these parties will make the Hindu voters unhappy.

Findings of National Election Studies (NES) 2024 take us beyond these popular descriptions of Muslim voting. This survey introduces us to the complexities of contemporary Muslim politics and its electoral manifestations. This article tries to establish a link between Muslim self-perceptions as a religious minority in India and their political behaviour. We ask three basic questions: First, did Muslim communities vote more actively this time than Hindu communities? Second, did they vote as a homogeneous community or as a vote bank? And finally, did they vote basically to defeat BJP?
Nonoperative Management of Sublime Tubercle Fractures in Adolescent Throwing Athletes: Improved Results With Cast Immobilization
Authors: Fogleman Sarah A. , Edmonds Eric W. , Fronek Jan , Leek Bryan T. , Bryan Tracey P. , Pennock Andrew T.
Published: November 2024

Background:

Avulsion fractures of the sublime tubercle of the ulna are a cause of medial elbow pain and instability in overhead athletes.

Purpose:

To compare outcomes after sublime tubercle avulsion fracture managed as a fracture (with cast immobilization) versus a soft tissue injury (without immobilization and with early range of motion [ROM]) to determine how to achieve the best outcomes for these injuries in adolescent throwing athletes.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

A multicenter retrospective review using an institutional database query of radiology reports to identify sublime tubercle fractures between July 2005 and December 2020 was performed. Inclusion criteria were baseball players aged ≤19 years, fracture identified on ≥1 imaging study (radiograph, computed tomography, or magnetic resonance imaging), and ≥24 months of follow-up (unless failure of management occurred earlier). Fractures were classified as simple or complex injuries and then grouped according to management strategy: cast or early ROM. Data collected included patient characteristics, clinical presentation (injury mechanism and acuity), initial treatment, and outcomes (complications, final ROM, patient-reported symptoms, radiographic union, and return to activities or sport).

Results:

A total of 13 baseball players (6 in the cast cohort and 7 in the early ROM cohort) with a mean age of 16.5 years (range, 15-19 years) met the inclusion criteria, with a mean follow-up of 4.1 years (range, 2.0-6.7 years) in the cast cohort and 3.8 years (range, 2.1-7.4 years) in the early ROM cohort. All injuries were classified as simple fractures. Five patients (83%) in the cast cohort achieved radiographic union, return to sports, and symmetric ROM, compared with only 2 patients (29%) in the early ROM cohort who achieved the same without having to undergo ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction ( P = .026).

Conclusion:

The present study demonstrated that, whereas management of sublime tubercle avulsion fractures in adolescents via early ROM had a high failure rate, a mean of 4 weeks of immobilization led to a high rate of return to sports with successful union of the avulsed fragment. Unlike purely ligamentous injuries, bony avulsions may not necessarily require surgical intervention for adolescent patients to return to baseball.
Admissions, Organization, Culture, and Policy: Understanding the Postsecondary Structures that Shape Women’s Entry into Computing Bachelor’s Programs
Authors: Smith Katie N.
Published: November 2024

Despite the growing popularity of computing bachelor’s programs, women remain vastly underrepresented in these fields. Using Social Cognitive Career Theory and intersectionality as guiding theories, this qualitative study explores how postsecondary institutions shape women’s experiences choosing and entering computing bachelor’s programs. Twenty-eight of 40 participants entered their institutions with plans to study computing, while 12 developed a new (or renewed) interest in computing as postsecondary students. Findings outline four postsecondary structures that shaped women’s entry into computing majors, including university-level admissions and participant perceptions of financial and cultural accessibility; academic college-level organization and admissions processes; institutional computing cultures, namely introductory course experiences and social environments; and major declaration policies. Findings also show how these structures differentially shaped participant experiences based on intersecting social identities. Overall, findings illustrate the precarious relationship between computing interest development, major intent, and major enrollment for undergraduate women in computing.
Beyond Lip Service: Decolonizing Children's Literature for Promoting Racial Pride, Equity, Achievement, and Liberation (REAL)
Authors: Ford Donna Y.
Published: November 2024

Children in P-12 schools are growing up in racially tumultuous times, despite the promises of desegregation since Brown vs. Board of Education. Multicultural education, included under the umbrella of equity, diversity, and inclusion, is under attack and illegal in an increasing number of school districts. Advanced placement in Black history and psychology courses and the use of diverse literature written for children and young adults have been banned by many school districts nationally. Educators are being threatened, sanctioned, reprimanded, and fired. Despite this, some teachers stand steadfast in their commitment to pedagogies that use authentic, high-quality literature about and by minoritized scholars. In this publication, I discuss the importance of gifted and talented education (GATE) students being taught Black history and culture that centers diverse literature that recognizes, respects, and celebrates similarities and differences within and across cultures including ethnicity, nationality, age, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, physical, cognitive and emotional ability, geographic location, language, and religion. Many GATE students are avid readers and like other students, they benefit from an education that includes diverse literature. Further, I use Racial Pride, Equity, Achievement, and Liberation (REAL) to underscore the monumental need for multicultural literature due to its multitude of benefits to Black and other minoritized students. In other words, children's literature can and must be decolonized, which is supported by Bishop’s metaphor of “mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors.”
Flattening Hierarchies and Encouraging Reflection: Systems Maps as a Local Literacy Practice
Authors: Goode Gretchen S. , MacGillivray Laurie , Curwen Margaret S. , Ardell Amy Lassiter , Bailey-Tarbett Leslee K.
Published: November 2024

In this study, we explore systems thinking maps as a local literacy practice in a systems thinking professional development institute for PreK-8 teachers. Existing literature underscores the necessity of equipping teachers with a robust understanding of systems thinking; this study addresses a call in the research to find ways to do so. Rooted in the principles of systems thinking, professional development, and literacy practices, we analyze how the literacy practice of systems thinking mapping contributed to participant pedagogical reflection and systems thinking theory development. We employed a case study approach, allowing an in-depth investigation of the mapping literacy events within the professional development setting. We collected data throughout the four days of the professional development; the data set included observations and recordings of mapping sessions, reflections on mapping from 29 participants, and photographs of the systems maps created. Our results highlight the potential of systems thinking maps to foster collective understandings of systems thinking, deepen understandings via the co-construction of dynamic texts, and imagine pedagogical possibilities. The literacy practice not only strengthens participants’ grasp of systems but also creates a shared space for collaborative learning, flattening hierarchies and engaging teachers as co-learners. The implications extend to disrupting traditional professional structures, emphasizing the centrality of the learner while fostering hope, optimism, and agency. This study contributes valuable insights into literacy practices that promote collaborative learning among teachers, encouraging a shift toward more inclusive and transformative professional development.
Book review: Adam Michael Auerbach & Tariq Thachil, Migrants and Machine Politics: How India’s Urban Poor Seek Representation and Responsiveness
Authors: Varma Sankar
Published: November 2024

Adam Michael Auerbach & Tariq Thachil, Migrants and Machine Politics: How India’s Urban Poor Seek Representation and Responsiveness. Princeton University Press, 2023, 228 pp., $35, ISBN: 9780691236100.
Worry about online fraud and older adults: Avoidant and protective responses
Authors: Kemp Steven , Sitges Maciá Esther , Erades-Pérez Nieves
Published: November 2024

Given that cyber-enabled fraud makes up the vast majority of digital crime suffered by older adults, the impact of victimisation on this demographic group is of academic and practical relevance. This article examines the relationship between cyber fraud victimisation, worry about cyber fraud, and online avoidant behaviours and protective responses in older adults. The data come from the 2019 Special Eurobarometer 499, and the sample is made up of 6,257 Internet users aged 60 years and above. In addition to suffering cyber-enabled fraud, we also analyse various factors, such as the respondent's sex and knowledge of risks, which have been found to be associated with fear or worry about crime in other contexts. Our findings show that the respondent's sex and having experienced prior victimisation of oneself or family and friends is related to greater worry about online fraud. Moreover, we find that fraud victimisation of friends and family, knowledge of risks, and perceived self-efficacy are associated with dysfunctional avoidant behaviours and the adoption of functional security measures. We discuss the results in relation to gendered fear of crime socialisation and in terms of interventions with older adults that aim to respond to victimisation and to combat the digital divide.
Number training in simultaneous interpreting: A corpus-assisted longitudinal study
Authors: Julaiti Kaifusai , Cheung Nina Delia YY , Cheung Andrew KF , Huang Jessy Yujie
Published: November 2024

Numbers are regarded as a common problem trigger in simultaneous interpreting (SI). Their low predictability and high information density can generate additional cognitive loads for interpreters, especially for trainees. The data of this study were collected from the English into Mandarin Chinese SI performances by trainees over a semester-long period of training to explore if there was a correlation between training and the accuracy with which numbers are rendered in SI. Specifically, this study adopts a longitudinal approach to investigate the impact of a 13-week formal training course on trainees’ ability to render numbers, and to determine the accuracy of different number types in renditions using six accuracy indicators. Two research questions were answered: (a) The 13-week formal training course did not significantly improve trainees’ accuracy in rendering numbers; (b) among number types, part of name, ranges, and small and whole numbers led to the poorest performance, which were attributed to source-text factors and lack of visual reference points. These results suggest that SI training could combine numbers with additional challenges, such as accents or fast speech delivery, and focus more on ranges and small numbers. Future studies could further control the influential variables identified in this research to validate their impact on the rendition of numbers.
Exploring the strategies for upgrading public facilities in urban villages: A case study of Wuhan, China
Authors: Wang Zilin , Liang Yinxu , Li Zhigang
Published: November 2024

Public facilities are essential components of urban villages in large cities in China, playing a key role in the quality of life for residents. However, our understanding of these public facilities is limited. There is an urgent need to upgrade them in the context of a new wave of urban redevelopment in China. To address this gap, we first identify Wuhan’s urban villages by correlating the proportion of construction land with the percentage of migrants. Next, we employ kernel density estimation and fishnet analysis methods to examine the characteristics of public facilities in urban villages. We then develop a new research framework, characterized by “upgrade sequence – upgrade mode”, for strategically arranging the upgrading of these facilities. Our findings indicate that: (1) the upgrade of public facilities in Wuhan’s urban villages should focus on the suburban districts; (2) it is essential to balance supply and demand when addressing issues related to public facilities, avoiding indiscriminate large-scale demolition and reconstruction, as in-situ upgrades may become the new trend; and (3) different upgrade approaches should be adopted based on the specific features of each urban village. Overall, this study fills a gap in the systematic examination of public facilities in urban villages and proposes a new strategy for in-situ upgrades. We contribute to a nuanced understanding of the dynamics of urban villages in China and the broader context of planetary urban redevelopment.
Identification of genomic biomarkers of disease progression and survival in primary CNS lymphoma
Authors: Geng Huimin , Mo Shirley , Chen Lingjing , Ballapuram Aishwarya , Tsang Mazie , Lu Ming , Rauschecker Andreas M. , Wen Kwun Wah , Devine Walter Patrick , Solomon David A. , Rubenstein James L.
Published: November 2024

The determination of the genetic subtypes of primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) and their relationship to differential chemoimmunotherapeutic response has not been established. There is a particular need for genomic biomarkers that identify patients with newly diagnosed PCNSL at high risk of early progression and death. We applied targeted next-generation sequencing for detection of recurrent single-nucleotide variants, copy number alterations, and zygosity abnormalities in diagnostic specimens from 78 patients with PCNSL treated with a standard methotrexate-based regimen, to identify prognostically significant molecular subgroups. All patients received induction immunochemotherapy, and 44 proceeded to dose-intensive consolidation. Genomic aberrations at 4 loci were associated with 91% of lymphoma progression events and all 15 deaths: (1) chromosome 6p copy-neutral loss of heterozygosity (CN-LOH) or focal homozygous deletion (HD) at 6p21.3, and mutations of tumor suppressor genes (2) BTG1, (3) ETV6, and (4) TP53. Cox regression multivariate analysis demonstrated a high risk of progression in patients with aberrations at these loci. Genomic aberrations at these loci were also associated with significantly shorter survival. Lower expression of HLA-DR was associated with 6p CN-LOH/6p21.3 HD and inferior prognosis. These genomic aberrations identify a high-risk molecular subgroup that may inform risk stratification in PCNSL. Further elucidation of the mechanisms of therapeutic resistance associated with the high-risk genetic phenotype is requisite to facilitate precision medicine and progress in therapy.
Retreatment of multiple myeloma with previously refractory drugs
Authors: Goel Utkarsh , Charalampous Charalampos , Kapoor Prashant , Binder Moritz , Buadi Francis K. , Dingli David , Dispenzieri Angela , Fonder Amie , Gertz Morie A. , Gonsalves Wilson I. , Hayman Suzanne R. , Hobbs Miriam A. , Hwa Yi L. , Kourelis Taxiarchis , Lacy Martha Q. , Leung Nelson , Lin Yi , Warsame Rahma M. , Kyle Robert A. , Rajkumar S. Vincent , Kumar Shaji K.
Published: November 2024

As patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) continue to live longer, they might get exposed to most available drugs and drug classes during the disease course. For such late line RRMM or among patients without access to novel therapies, retreatment with a drug that the disease had previously been refractory to might be one option. In this retrospective study, we describe 315 patients with RRMM at our institution who were retreated with a drug that the disease had been previously refractory to. We found an overall response rate of 56.2% and a median progression-free survival (PFS) of 11 months with retreatment. Patients with a longer time on initial therapy with the index drug (>28.4 months) had a superior PFS with retreatment (median PFS, 16.9 vs 8.1 months; P < .001). Similarly, patients with a longer time gap between the initial line of therapy with index drug and retreatment with index drug (>46.1 months) had better PFS with retreatment (28.2 vs 8.9 months; P = .016). In conclusion, retreatment with a previously refractory drug is a viable therapeutic option for RRMM, with the most significant benefit derived in disease demonstrating sensitivity to initial drug exposure and among those with a longer gap between initial drug exposure and retreatment.
Association between second-hand smoke exposure and lung cancer risk in never-smokers: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Possenti Irene , Romelli Marco , Carreras Giulia , Biffi Annalisa , Bagnardi Vincenzo , Specchia Claudia , Gallus Silvano , Lugo Alessandra
Published: November 2024

Background

Lung cancer ranks as the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. There is evidence that second-hand smoke (SHS) exposure is a risk factor for the development of lung cancer in never-smokers. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to provide the most accurate quantification of the association between SHS exposure and lung cancer risk in never-smokers.

Materials and methods

Through the use of an innovative method to identify original publications, we conducted a systematic review of the literature, with corresponding meta-analysis, of all epidemiological studies evaluating the association between SHS exposure and lung cancer risk among never-smokers, published up to May 2023. Pooled relative risks were obtained using random-effects models. Dose–response relationships were derived using log-linear functions or cubic splines.

Results

Out of 126 identified eligible studies, 97 original articles were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled relative risk for lung cancer for overall exposure to SHS was 1.24 (95% CI 1.16–1.32, number of articles, n=82). Setting-specific relative risks were 1.20 (95% CI 1.12–1.28, n=67) for SHS exposure at home, 1.38 (95% CI 1.28–1.62, n=30) at a workplace, 1.37 (95% CI 1.22–1.53, n=28) at home or a workplace and 1.27 (95% CI 1.11–1.44, n=24) in nonspecified settings. The risk of lung cancer significantly increased with the duration, intensity and pack-years of SHS exposure.

Conclusions

This meta-analysis shows that exposure to SHS increases by more than 20% the risk of lung cancer among never-smokers, providing definitive evidence of the association between SHS exposure and lung cancer risk.
Advance care planning in patients with respiratory failure
Authors: Ribeiro Carla , Pamplona Paula , Simonds Anita K.
Published: November 2024

Advance care planning (ACP) is a complex and iterative communication process between patients, surrogates and clinicians that defines goals of care that may include, but is not limited to, documentation of advance directives. The aim of ACP is to promote patient-centred care tailored to the patient's clinical situation through informed preparation for the future and improved communication between patient, clinicians and surrogates, if the latter need to make decisions on patient's behalf.

The aim of this article is to review research related to ACP in acute and chronic respiratory failure, regarding the process, communication, shared decision-making, implementation and outcomes.

Research has produced controversial results on ACP interventions due to the heterogeneity of measures and outcomes, but positive outcomes have been described regarding the quality of patient–physician communication, preference for comfort care, decisional conflict and patient–caregiver congruence of preferences and improved documentation of ACP or advance directives.

The main barriers to ACP in chronic respiratory failure are the uncertainty of prognosis (particularly in the organ failure trajectory), the choice of the best timing for initiation and the lack of training of healthcare workers. In acute respiratory failure, the ACP process can be very short, should include the patient whenever possible, and is based on a discussion of treatments appropriate to the patient's functional status prior to the event (e.g.assessment of frailty) and clear communication of the likely consequences of possible options.

All healthcare worker dealing with patients with serious illnesses should have training in communication skills to promote engagement in ACP discussions.
Particulate matter-induced epigenetic modifications and lung complications
Authors: Afthab Muhammed , Hambo Shadi , Kim Hyunji , Alhamad Ali , Harb Hani
Published: November 2024

Air pollution is one of the leading causes of early deaths worldwide, with particulate matter (PM) as an emerging factor contributing to this trend. PM is classified based on its physical size, which ranges from PM10(diameter ≤10 μm) to PM2.5(≤2.5 μm) and PM0.5(≤0.5 μm). Smaller-sized PM can move freely through the air and readily infiltrate deep into the lungs, intensifying existing health issues and exacerbating complications. Lung complications are the most common issues arising from PM exposure due to the primary site of deposition in the respiratory system. Conditions such as asthma, COPD, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, lung cancer and various lung infections are all susceptible to worsening due to PM exposure. PM can epigenetically modify specific target sites, further complicating its impact on these conditions. Understanding these epigenetic mechanisms holds promise for addressing these complications in cases of PM exposure. This involves studying the effect of PM on different gene expressions and regulation through epigenetic modifications, including DNA methylation, histone modifications and microRNAs. Targeting and manipulating these epigenetic modifications and their mechanisms could be promising strategies for future treatments of lung complications. This review mainly focuses on different epigenetic modifications due to PM2.5exposure in the various lung complications mentioned above.
FTO suppresses cardiac fibrosis after myocardial infarction via m6A-mediated epigenetic modification of EPRS
Authors: Wang Jian , Li Yanyan , Deng Lijie , Zha Yafang , Zhang Song
Published: November 2024

Background

Cardiac fibrosis is common in myocardial infarction (MI), leading to progressive cardiac dysfunction. Studies suggested that the abnormal N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification induced by fat mass and obesity protein (FTO) is vital in MI. However, the effects of FTO on post-infarction cardiac fibrosis have not been detected.

Methods

Western blot and quantitative real-time PCR were performed to detect the expression of FTO in the fibrotic tissue of rats. The functions of FTO on collagen biosynthesis were analyzed in vitro and in vivo. The underlying targets of FTO were selected through RNA-seq with m6A-seq. The following dual luciferase reporter assay and RNA stability assay were conducted to investigate the mechanisms of FTO-mediated m6A regulation.

Results

The expression of FTO was decreased in the fibrotic tissue of post-infarction rats. The HIF-1 signal pathway was enriched after MI. HIF-1α could bind to the promoter of FTO and inhibit its expression. Functionally, FTO inhibited collagen synthesis after MI in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, EPRS was selected as the underlying target of FTO-induced m6A regulation. IGF2BP3 recognized and bound to the m6A sites of EPRS mRNA, which improved its stability. EPRS was required for cardiac fibrosis induced by FTO silencing.

Conclusions

FTO, identified as a cardioprotective factor, suppressed collagen synthesis in post-infarction cardiac fibrosis via m6A modification, which provided a new therapeutic strategy for cardiac fibrosis.
DNA barcoding, micromorphology and metabolic traits of selected Ficus L. (Moraceae) species from Egypt
Authors: El-Demerdash Marwa M. , El-Sayed Ashraf S. A. , Teleb Samir S. , Sadek Ahmed M. , Elsehely Heba. H.
Published: November 2024

The genus Ficus of the family Moraceae, is one of the largest genera of angiosperms, with diverse pharmaceutical applications and biological activities. The traditional approaches based on the morphological traits have been frequently implemented for taxonomical identification of the different taxa of Ficus, however, encompassing these features are quite laborious, due to the dependence of these phenotypic traits on the environmental conditions. So, authenticating the taxonomical identity of the Ficus taxa with molecular barcoding and metabolic profiling, as relatively stable traits, could be a relevant approach for confirming the traditional phenotypic traits of this genus. Nine species of the genus Ficus namely F. amplissima Sm., F. benjamina L. F. binnendijkii, F. drupacea var. pubescens, F. elastica Roxb., F. microcarpa L., F. religiosa L., F. tinctoria subsp. gibbosa and F. virens var. sublancelata in Egypt, were selected for this study. From the anatomical features, three species of subsection Urostigma, F. religiosa, F. virens var. sublanceolata have cystoliths on the abaxial layer, whereas in F. amplissima it was on the adaxial layer. The UPGMA dendrogram of the studied Ficus taxa has been generated from the 21 anatomical characters, categorized the studied taxa into two clusters (I and II) of average distance ~ 3.5, each cluster has been further divided into subclusters I and II. The sub-cluster I includes F. religiosa, F. virens var. sublanceolata and F. tinctoria subsp. gibbosa were grouped together to subsection Urostigma, while the sub-cluster II of the cluster I includes F. benjamina and F. amplissima. From the DNA barcoding analysis, three clusters I, II and III were emerged, the cluster I includes F. benjamina, F. binnendjikee, and F. amplissima. The cluster II, F. virens var. sublanceolata and F. religiosa that belong to subsection Urostigma, while, the cluster III includes F. elastica and F. drupacea var. pubescens, F. microcarpa that belongs to subsection Conosycea. From the metabolic profiling of Ficus species, the major compounds; H-cycloprop-azulen-7-ol, 3,7,11,15-Tetramethyl-2-hexadecen-1-ol, 2-(9-octadecenyloxy), pentadecanoic acid, phytol, sitosterol and 9,12-octadecadienoic acid were the common among the taxa, with an obvious fluctuation, that could be a chemotaxonomic markers for these species of Ficus. Based on the metabolic profiling, two distinct clusters I and II were evolved, the cluster I involve F. elastica, F. benjamina, F. drupacea var. pubescens, F. amplissima, while, the cluster II had F. tinctoria subsp. gibbosa and F. religiosa. The fluctuation on the metabolites of the tested Ficus species could be a metabolic fingerprint for each species. So, the delamination of the tested plants based on their anatomical traits was typically matched to the separation based on the ITS sequence analysis.
Accounting for bias due to outcome data missing not at random: comparison and illustration of two approaches to probabilistic bias analysis: a simulation study
Authors: Kawabata Emily , Major-Smith Daniel , Clayton Gemma L. , Shapland Chin Yang , Morris Tim P. , Carter Alice R. , Fernández-Sanlés Alba , Borges Maria Carolina , Tilling Kate , Griffith Gareth J. , Millard Louise A. C. , Smith George Davey , Lawlor Deborah A. , Hughes Rachael A.
Published: November 2024

Background

Bias from data missing not at random (MNAR) is a persistent concern in health-related research. A bias analysis quantitatively assesses how conclusions change under different assumptions about missingness using bias parameters that govern the magnitude and direction of the bias. Probabilistic bias analysis specifies a prior distribution for these parameters, explicitly incorporating available information and uncertainty about their true values. A Bayesian bias analysis combines the prior distribution with the data’s likelihood function whilst a Monte Carlo bias analysis samples the bias parameters directly from the prior distribution. No study has compared a Monte Carlo bias analysis to a Bayesian bias analysis in the context of MNAR missingness.

Methods

We illustrate an accessible probabilistic bias analysis using the Monte Carlo bias analysis approach and a well-known imputation method. We designed a simulation study based on a motivating example from the UK Biobank study, where a large proportion of the outcome was missing and missingness was suspected to be MNAR. We compared the performance of our Monte Carlo bias analysis to a principled Bayesian bias analysis, complete case analysis (CCA) and multiple imputation (MI) assuming missing at random.

Results

As expected, given the simulation study design, CCA and MI estimates were substantially biased, with 95% confidence interval coverages of 7–48%. Including auxiliary variables (i.e., variables not included in the substantive analysis that are predictive of missingness and the missing data) in MI’s imputation model amplified the bias due to assuming missing at random. With reasonably accurate and precise information about the bias parameter, the Monte Carlo bias analysis performed as well as the Bayesian bias analysis. However, when very limited information was provided about the bias parameter, only the Bayesian bias analysis was able to eliminate most of the bias due to MNAR whilst the Monte Carlo bias analysis performed no better than the CCA and MI.

Conclusion

The Monte Carlo bias analysis we describe is easy to implement in standard software and, in the setting we explored, is a viable alternative to a Bayesian bias analysis. We caution careful consideration of choice of auxiliary variables when applying imputation where data may be MNAR.
A comparison of time-varying propensity score vs sequential stratification approaches to longitudinal matching with a time-varying treatment
Authors: Richey Morgan , Maciejewski Matthew L. , Zepel Lindsay , Arterburn David , Kawatkar Aniket , Sloan Caroline E. , Smith Valerie A.
Published: November 2024

Background

Methods for matching in longitudinal cohort studies, such as sequential stratification and time-varying propensity scores, facilitate causal inferences in the context of time-dependent treatments that are not randomized where patient eligibility or treatment status changes over time. The tradeoffs in available approaches have not been compared previously, so we compare two methods using simulations based on a retrospective cohort of patients eligible for weight loss surgery, some of whom received it.

Methods

This study compares matching completeness, bias, coverage, and precision among three approaches to longitudinal matching: (1) time-varying propensity scores (tvPS), (2) sequential stratification that matches exactly on all covariates used in tvPS (SS-Full) and (3) sequential stratification that exact matches on a subset of covariates (SS-Selected). These comparisons are made in the context of a deep sampling frame (50:1) and a shallow sampling frame (5:1) of eligible comparators. A simulation study was employed to estimate the relative performance of these approaches.

Results

In 1,000 simulations each, tvPS retained more than 99.9% of treated patients in both the deep and shallow sampling frames, while a smaller proportion of treated patients were retained for SS-Full (91.6%) and SS-Selected (98.2%) in the deep sampling frame. In the shallow sampling frame, sequential stratification retained many fewer treated patients (73.9% SS-Full, 92.0% SS-Selected) than tvPS yet coverage, precision and bias were comparable for tvPS, SS-Full and SS-Selected in the deep and shallow sampling frames.

Conclusion

Time-varying propensity scores have comparable performance to sequential stratification in terms of coverage, bias, and precision, with superior match completeness. While performance was generally comparable across methods, greater match completeness makes tvPS an attractive option for longitudinal matching studies where external validity is highly valued.
Park proximity and all-day and time-specific physical activity and sedentary behaviour in older adults
Authors: Lin Chien-Yu , Lai Ting-Fu , Fang Chin-Yi , Hsueh Ming-Chun , Liao Yung
Published: November 2024

Background

Proximity to parks has been suggested as a factor influencing physical activity in older adults. However, it remains unclear the optimal distance between residences and parks for promoting physical activity and reducing sedentary time and whether these associations vary by the time of day. We examined whether the proximity to neighbourhood parks at varying distances is associated with all-day and time-specific physical activity and sedentary behaviour in older adults.

Methods

Data were collected from 214 older adults receiving hospital services in Taipei, Taiwan. The number of parks within 400m, 800m, and 1,600m of participants’ residences. Physical activity and sedentary behaviour, stratified by time of day (morning, afternoon, and evening), were measured using accelerometers. Adjusted linear regression models were used to estimate associations of park proximity with activity and sedentary outcomes.

Results

Parks located within 400m and 800m of participants’ residences were more markedly associated with longer time in physical activity and less sedentary time compared to parks located 1,600m away. A greater number of parks within 400m and 800m was positively associated with walking steps and light-intensity physical activity while both distances were negatively associated with sedentary time. The associations between park proximity and behavioural outcomes were mainly attributable to that during the afternoon and evening.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that favourable access to parks within 800m of older adults’ residences is associated with more physical activity and less sedentary time, particularly during the afternoon and evening. Future longitudinal studies are required to corroborate these associations.
Anti-Black racism in Canadian health care: a qualitative study of diverse perceptions of racism and racial discrimination among Black adults in Montreal, Quebec
Authors: Williams Khandideh K. A. , Baidoobonso Shamara , Lofters Aisha , Haggerty Jeannie , Leblanc Isabelle , Adams Alayne M.
Published: November 2024

Background

Racism has been shown to impact the health of Black persons through its influence on health care, including its expression through implicit biases in provider training, attitudes, and behaviours. Less is known about the experiences of racism in contexts outside of the USA, and how race and racism interact with other social locations and systems of discrimination to shape Black patients’ experiences of racism in health care encounters. To help address this gap, this study examined diverse Black individuals’ perceived experiences of, and attitudes towards, anti-Black racism and racial discrimination in Canadian health care, specifically in Montreal, Quebec.

Methods

This descriptive qualitative study adopted a social constructionist approach. Employing purposive maximal variation and snowball sampling strategies, eligible study participants were: self-identified Black persons aged 18 years and older who lived in Montreal during the COVID-19 pandemic, who could speak English or French, and who were registered with the Quebec medical insurance program. In-depth interviews were conducted, and a Framework Analysis approach guided the systematic exploration and interpretation of data using an intersectionality lens.

Results

We interviewed 32 participants, the majority of whom were women (59%), university educated (69%), and modestly comfortable financially (41%), but diverse in terms of age (22 to 79 years), country of origin, and self-defined ethnicity. We identified five major themes demonstrating substantial variations in perceived racism in health care that are influenced by unique social locations such as gender identity, age, and immigration history: (1) no perceptions of racism in health care, (2) ambiguous perceptions of racism in health care, (3) perceptions of overt interpersonal racism in health care, (4) perceptions of covert interpersonal racism in health care (including the downplaying of health concerns, stereotyping, and racial microaggressions), and (5) perceptions of systemic racism in health care.

Conclusions

Perceptions of anti-Black racism and racial discrimination in Canadian health care are complex and may include intra-racial group differences. This study begins to address the dearth of empirical research documenting experiences of anti-Black racism in health care in Quebec, highlighting a continued need for serious consideration of the ways in which racism may manifest in the province, as well as a need for anti-racist advocacy. Advancing racial health equity requires greater sensitivity from providers and decision makers to variations in Black patients’ health care experiences, towards ensuring that they have access to high quality and equitable health care services.
Interventions employed to address vaccine hesitancy among Black populations outside of African and Caribbean countries: a scoping review
Authors: Majekodunmi Precious , Tulli-Shah Mia , Kemei Janet , Kayode Ibukun , Maduforo Aloysius Nwabugo , Salami Bukola
Published: November 2024

Background

Black people are disproportionately affected by structural and social determinants of health, resulting in greater risks of exposure to and deaths from COVID-19. Structural and social determinants of health feed vaccine hesitancy and worsen health disparities.

Objective

This scoping review explored interventions that have been employed to address vaccine hesitancy among Black population outside of African and Caribbean countries. This review provides several strategies for addressing this deep-rooted public health problem.

Methods

The scoping review followed the five-step framework outlined by Arksey and O’Malley. It complies with reporting guidelines from the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). Research studies that examined interventions utilized to promote vaccine confidence within Black populations living outside of African and Caribbean countries were reviewed.

Findings

A total of 20 articles met the inclusion criteria for this study: 17 were quantitative studies and three were mixed-method studies. This scoping review highlighted six themes: educational advancement, messaging, multi-component approaches, outreach efforts, enhancing healthcare access, and healthcare provider leadership.

Conclusion

The review identified effective interventions for addressing vaccine hesitancy among Black populations outside Africa and the Caribbean, emphasizing education, multidimensional approaches, and healthcare provider recommendations. It calls for more qualitative research and interventions in countries like Canada and the UK to enhance vaccine confidence and reduce mistrust.