bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mental Health Issues Associated With Classic Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia Due to 21-Hydroxylase Deficiency
Authors: Sandberg David E , Gardner Melissa , Lapham Zoe K
Published: January 2025

Context

The goal of this review is to move beyond summarizing what is known about psychosexual development in females with classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency—commonly studied as a natural experiment to understand prenatal androgen effects in 46,XX individuals. Instead, it will explore the various aspects of the condition that significantly impact the daily lives of both male and female patients and their families, with a particular focus on the implications for psychosocial, educational, and vocational adaptation.

Evidence Acquisition

This work represents a selective, yet balanced review of papers highlighting potential threats to positive psychological adaptation in both male and female individuals with CAH.

Evidence Synthesis

This review outlines the effects of both cross-cutting risks (such as challenges related to parenting and healthcare management) and CAH-specific risks (including growth and appearance changes, psychiatric and neurocognitive issues, reduced reproductive function and interest in parenting, and masculinization in girls and women) on psychosocial adaptation. Opportunities for optimizing psychological outcomes of those with CAH are presented.

Conclusion

Routine psychosocial screening of patient and family risk and resilience factors is recommended to identify areas of concern applicable to individual patients and families. Such screening should include assessment of both cross-cutting and condition-specific factors. This, in turn, provides a pathway forward for providing quality team-based patient-centered care.
Clinical Manifestations and Challenges in Adolescent and Adult Females With Classic Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia Due to 21-Hydroxylase Deficiency
Authors: Engberg Hedvig , Nordenström Anna , Hirschberg Angelica Lindén
Published: January 2025

Classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency (CAH) is a rare genetic condition that results in cortisol deficiency and excess production of adrenal androgens. While the introduction of newborn screening for CAH has reduced morbidity and mortality, management of CAH remains challenging. Lifelong treatment with glucocorticoids is required to replace the endogenous cortisol deficiency and reduce excess adrenal androgens. Undertreatment or overtreatment with glucocorticoids can lead to multiple disease- and treatment-related comorbidities, including impaired growth and compromised final height, menstrual irregularities and reduced fertility in females, and long-term cardiometabolic complications. In addition to avoiding adrenal crisis and sudden death, treatment goals in adolescent females with CAH are to obtain normal growth and bone maturation and normal timing of puberty. Management of adolescents is particularly challenging due to changes in growth and sex hormone levels that can lead to inadequate suppression of adrenal androgens and increasing independence that can affect treatment adherence. During the transition to adult care, treatment goals focus on preventing symptoms of hyperandrogenism, preserving menstrual regularity and fertility, and providing education and support for issues related to sexuality, atypical genitalia, and/or complications from previous surgical treatment. In addition, patients must be monitored continuously to prevent long-term complications such as decreased bone mineral density, obesity, diabetes, and hypertension. In this review, we discuss the challenges faced by adolescent and adult females with CAH and provide guidance to health-care professionals to help patients to navigate these challenges.
Barriers to the Management of Classic Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia Due to 21-Hydroxylase Deficiency
Authors: Eitel Kelsey B , Fechner Patricia Y
Published: January 2025

Classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency is a rare genetic condition that requires lifelong management from birth. Individuals with CAH and their families often face structural barriers to obtaining comprehensive care and treatment, including limited access to appropriate newborn screening, comprehensive care centers, and medications. Social and cultural barriers to care may include stigmatization, discrimination, and adverse medical experiences. At the individual and family level, comprehensive care may be affected by education, finances, health-care coverage, geographic location, and lack of social supports. These barriers are often further magnified for individuals living in underresourced countries. Inadequate access to comprehensive care and medications increases the risk of life-threatening adrenal crisis and disease-related comorbidities. This review article examines the current structural, sociocultural, and individual barriers that individuals with CAH and their families may face when managing their condition throughout their lifetime.
A quick response data collection and management system for digital twin production line based on cloud-fog-edge computing collaboration
Authors: Li Zhiyuan , Mei Xuesong , Zhang Dawei , Sun Zheng , Xu Jun
Published: January 2025

Background A production line is the basic unit of smart factories and smart manufacturing. However, owing to the development of the industrial Internet of Things, sensors, and other technologies, more data are being collected, leading to a data explosion, and the heterogeneous nature of multiple sources makes it difficult to manage data in a unified manner. Methods A production line data collection, storage, and management system based on cloud-fog-edge computing collaboration and a digital twin was designed. Multi-source heterogeneous data were collected and transmitted based on the OPC UA, and an information model of the production line was established. Modules for data mapping, publishing, and receiving were developed to achieve unified data collection and transmission. The data storage and management platform was constructed by front-end and back-end separation technologies. Results The developed data collection and management system was verified for functionality and performance on a digital twin production line. Functional tests show that the system has the functions of data acquisition and transmission, device addition and viewing, device data querying and downloading, data and model visualization, and user rights setting. The average time for edge data collection and transmission is 183.6ms. The average response time of the cloud for fog requests is less than 1s. This shows that the system can satisfy the real-time requirements of a digital twin production line. Conclusions The proposed system is real-time and stable, providing support for big data and virtual-reality interaction in digital twins.
Impact of chlorine dioxide and chlorhexidine mouthwashes on friction and surface roughness of orthodontic stainless steel wires: an in-vitro comparative study
Authors: Apte Shivani , S Divya , Urala Arun S
Published: January 2025

Objectives Good oral hygiene measures are important for successful orthodontic treatment. They involve various types of mouthwashes which have been reported to cause alteration of mechanical properties of archwires. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a new kind of chlorine-dioxide-containing mouthwash on the mechanical properties and surface morphology of stainless steel orthodontic archwires against the already prevalent chlorhexidine mouthwash in the market. Method Group A – Chlorhexidine mouthwash 0.2% (study), Group B – Chlorine Dioxide mouthwash (study), and Group C – Artificial Saliva (control). 42 specimens of 5 cm long 19x25 inch SS archwires were immersed in each group equally. Post immersion, the frictional force was analyzed in the universal testing machine for each group using custom-made acrylic jigs for 10 specimens. The remaining 4 specimens from each group were sent for surface morphology evaluation using an atomic force microscope. Results Friction resistance evaluation for the archwires revealed a mean friction of 0.011 ± 0.0056 in Group A, 0.015 ± 0.0052 in Group B, and 0.010 ± 0.0067 in Group C. Results suggested that the static friction of Group C (control group) was found to be the least when compared with the experimental groups, although not producing statistically significant values. Surface roughness of archwires compared at a 10μm range revealed a mean roughness of 19.38 ± 0.82 in Group A, 25.39 ± 7.01 in Group B, and 16.65 ± 3.07 in Group C which shows there wasn’t any statistically significant difference in the mean roughness midst the three sets. Conclusion Chlorine dioxide and Chlorhexidine mouthwashes caused an increase in the frictional resistance of the archwires when compared to the control group. When measured at a range of 10μm the mean surface roughness did not differ across the control and the experimental groups.
Editorial
Authors: Dudek Dominika , Sobański Jerzy A. , Klasa Katarzyna
Published: January 2025

Bez streszczenia
Ketogenic diet in psychiatry: application in treating depression among athletes
Authors: Kumięga Paulina , Kudas Zuzanna , Perchel Nikola , Litwin Aleksandra , Krzywicka Karolina , Nowocin Paweł , Wasiński Piotr , Dąbrowska Natalia , Koszyk Martyna , Kulczyński Dawid
Published: January 2025

Depression is a prevalent mental health challenge, particularly in athletes, where the interplay of high-performance demands, physical stress, and injury exacerbates psychological vulnerabilities. Emerging evidence suggests that the ketogenic diet (KD), a high-fat, moderate-protein, and low-carbohydrate dietary intervention, holds therapeutic potential for managing depression. KD induces ketosis, a metabolic state that enhances brain energy metabolism, reduces neuroinflammation, and stabilizes neurotransmitter function, all of which are implicated in the pathophysiology of depression.
This review synthesizes findings from recent clinical trials, meta-analyses, and case studies focusing on KD's neurological and psychological effects. The results indicate significant improvements in depressive symptoms, mood stabilization, and mental resilience among individuals adhering to KD. Moreover, KD’s modulation of the gut-brain axis introduces an additional pathway for improving mental health by fostering a diverse gut microbiome and reducing systemic inflammation.
For athletes, KD offers dual benefits: alleviating depressive symptoms while supporting cognitive function and recovery. However, adherence to the diet and potential side effects such as fatigue and gastrointestinal discomfort pose challenges. Current research is limited by a lack of large-scale, randomized controlled trials specifically targeting athletic populations.
In conclusion, KD demonstrates promise as an adjunctive therapy for depression in athletes. Its multifaceted effects on brain health and performance metrics underscore its potential role in sports psychiatry. Further research is necessary to optimize KD protocols and establish evidence-based guidelines for its clinical application in athletic populations.
Tirzepatide in Sport: A Comprehensive Review of its Metabolic Impacts and Potential Applications for Athletes
Authors: Biesiada Wiktor , Kopczyńska Ewelina , Kulej Piotr , Woźniak Justyna , Kmieć Justyna Weronika , Chernysh Anna-Mariia , Dusińska Aleksandra , Waszczyński Jakub , Fuczyło Kamila , Stankevič Karolina
Published: January 2025

IntroductionTirzepatide, a dual agonist of glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptors, has emerged as a transformative metabolic therapy with exceptional efficacy in weight management and glycemic control. Its relevance in sports science is growing, with potential benefits in weight optimization, energy balance, and recovery. By influencing glucose homeostasis, fat oxidation, and systemic inflammation, tirzepatide may enhance athletic performance. This review examines its pharmacological effects, impact on body composition, and implications for endurance, strength, and recovery in athletes, while addressing ethical and regulatory considerations, including anti-doping concerns.
Purpose of the Work: To analyze tirzepatide’s pharmacological actions, clinical effects, and potential applications in optimizing sports performance, recovery, and body composition.
Materials and Methods: A comprehensive review of scientific literature was conducted across databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and Google Scholar. Search terms encompassed tirzepatide, GLP-1/GIP dual agonist, metabolic therapy, sports performance, body composition, endurance, and athlete recovery. Relevant studies were synthesized to compile findings.
Results: Tirzepatide provides significant metabolic benefits, such as enhanced fat oxidation, improved glucose regulation, and reduced systemic inflammation. Its effects on body composition include substantial fat mass reduction, particularly visceral adiposity, while preserving lean muscle mass. These attributes suggest its potential to enhance endurance via glycogen-sparing mechanisms and improve recovery after exercise. However, concerns about misuse in competitive sports underline the need for regulatory oversight. Further research is necessary to evaluate tirzepatide’s long-term effects on athletic performance and address associated ethical challenges.
Pathophysiological mechanisms, multidimensional diagnostics and modern therapies of pruritus in pancreatic cancer: review and perspectives
Authors: Włodyka Jagienka Agata , Zelik Urszula , Przygoda Maria , Domino Wiktoria , Trestka Gabriela , Adamczyk Sabina , Stępień Kamila , Śnieżna Joanna , Florczak Wojciech , Dzwonnik Karol , Dziewic Jakub
Published: January 2025

Introduction and purpose: Pruritus is a subjective, unpleasant sensation that leads to scratching and significantly impacts the quality of life of patients. In pancreatic cancer, its etiology is multifactorial. It can result from various mechanisms, with a particular emphasis on cholestasis, which represents the most important and frequent cause of this symptom, as well as paraneoplastic processes, neuropathic mechanisms, or side effects of therapy. The aim of this study is to analyze the mechanisms responsible for pruritus in pancreatic cancer, discuss diagnostic challenges, and review the available therapeutic methods and challenges, including bile duct decompression, the use of autotaxin inhibitors, opioid receptor antagonists, and SSRI drugs. The article is based on an analysis of the available scientific literature and cited sources.
Description of the state knowledge: Topics discussed include pathomechanisms of pruritus in pancreatic cancer include cholestatic, opioid-induced, paraneoplastic, neuropathic and pruritus caused by antineoplastic therapies. Another key topic is the diagnostic process for pruritus in pancreatic cancer patients, which involves laboratory and imaging studies, clinical dermatological assessment, and differential diagnosis. Lastly, a comprehensive therapeutic approach is addressed, consisting of causal treatment, pharmacological interventions, and supportive care.
Innovative Diagnostic Approaches and Treatment Strategies for Endometriosis: Current Trends and Future Direction - Review
Authors: Domino Wiktoria , Śnieżna Joanna , Florczak Wojciech , Dzwonnik Karol , Zelik Urszula , Włodyka Jagienka , Trestka Gabriela , Przygoda Maria , Dziewic Jakub , Stępień Kamila , Adamczyk Sabina
Published: January 2025

Endometriosis is a chronic gynecological condition affecting many women of reproductive age, often leading to infertility, pain, and other health issues. Diagnosing this disease is challenging due to its often nonspecific symptoms, and its diagnosis requires advanced imaging techniques and, in some cases, laparoscopy. This paper discusses current diagnostic methods used in endometriosis, such as ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and molecular tests. Treatment of endometriosis presents a significant medical challenge due to its chronic nature and the difficulty of managing it. The primary goals of treatment include pain relief, improving the patient's quality of life, preventing disease recurrence, preserving fertility, and reducing the need for surgery. Depending on individual needs, various treatment methods are available, including pharmacological and surgical approaches. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used to alleviate symptoms, while hormonal therapies, such as combined oral contraceptives, GnRH agonists, and progestogens, aim to inhibit ovulation and estrogen production to reduce inflammation and slow disease progression. Surgery, typically laparoscopic, is indicated for severe symptoms or advanced disease. Innovative treatment methods show potential in managing endometriosis, but further studies are needed to confirm their safety and efficacy.
Consequences of Repetitive Head-Impact Exposure in Sports - literature review
Authors: Gajek-Flanczewska Wiktoria , Flanczewski Sebastian , Wirkijowska Małgorzata , Wójtowicz Katarzyna , Wirkijowski Jakub , Walczak Agata , Woźniak Paulina , Wietrzykowska Ewa , Sobolewska Dominika , Michalczyk-Fraszka Katarzyna , Śliwińska Martyna , Podraza Anna
Published: January 2025

Repetitive head impacts (RHIs), common in contact sports, have raised concerns about their long-term effects on brain health, potentially leading to conditions like concussions, Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), and other neurodegenerative diseases. CTE, a progressive tauopathy, is associated with cognitive and psychological symptoms, including memory loss and depression. While RHIs have been linked to brain changes such as white matter thinning, the mechanisms behind these changes remain unclear. This article reviews the biophysical mechanisms of concussions, the risks of CTE and chronic neurocognitive impairment (CNI), and the challenges in diagnosing and managing these conditions. It also explores gender differences in concussion incidence and recovery. The review emphasizes the need for better diagnostic tools, injury prevention strategies, and patient-centered decision-making to protect athletes.
The optimal treatment of invasive ductal and lobular carcinoma occurring at the same time needs to be established
Authors: Peshin Supriya , Iftekher Rafi , Iqbal Rabia , Singh Shagun , Nagaishwarya Moka
Published: January 2025

Bilateral breast cancer with distinct histological subtypes poses a significant clinical challenge, requiring an individualised approach to management. This case discusses a 61-year-old postmenopausal woman with concurrent invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) in the right breast and invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) in the left breast. IDC, the most common breast cancer subtype, is known for its aggressive behaviour, nodal involvement and metastatic potential, while ILC, representing a smaller percentage of breast cancers, often exhibits an indolent course with diffuse growth patterns. Both tumours in this patient were hormone receptor-positive (ER/PR-positive) and HER2-negative, warranting targeted endocrine therapies. The complexity of this case was further heightened by a significant family history of breast and colon cancers, and comorbid conditions including borderline diabetes, hypertension and coronary artery disease (CAD), which required careful therapeutic consideration to balance efficacy and tolerability. Pathological evaluation confirmed stage II, grade 2 IDC in the right breast with one positive sentinel lymph node and stage I, grade 1 ILC in the left breast with no nodal involvement. Given her extensive family history, the patient opted for bilateral mastectomy with sentinel lymph node biopsy. Multidisciplinary tumour board discussions emphasised the integration of genetic testing, including BRCA1/2 evaluation, and Oncotype DX genomic profiling to assess recurrence risk and guide adjuvant chemotherapy decisions. Recommendations included adjuvant radiation therapy for the right breast, endocrine therapy for both tumours and the incorporation of CDK 4/6 inhibitors based on recent evidence from the NATALEE trial, which demonstrated improved outcomes in high-risk, hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancers. The case highlights the need for further research into the optimal treatment strategies for synchronous breast cancers, a potential knowledge gap in current oncology practice. A literature review revealed limited reports addressing similar cases, underscoring the lack of consensus guidelines. Our approach integrates the best available evidence with multidisciplinary expertise to inform a personalised treatment plan. The learning points emphasise the need for establishing evidence-based strategies for managing synchronous bilateral breast cancers.
The mediation effect of goal orientation on the effect of mindfulness on job satisfaction of early childhood teachers
Authors: Ko Hyolim
Published: January 2025

This study aims to examine the mediating effect of goal orientation in the effect of mindfulness of daycare teachers on job satisfaction. The subject of the study was 187 teachers working at daycare centers, and a questionnaire was conducted to measure mindfulness, goal orientation, and job satisfaction. On the collected data, descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and SPSS Process Macro Model 4 were conducted to verify the significance of the mediating effect and mediating effect. As a result of the study, first, mindfulness. Goal orientation and job satisfaction were found to have a statistically significant positive correlation. Second, mindfulness had a statistically significant positive effect on goal orientation and job satisfaction, and goal orientation was found to have a statistically significant positive effect on job satisfaction. Third, goal orientation did not show a statistically significant mediating effect on mindfulness and job satisfaction. In order to compensate for the limitation that this study was conducted on daycare teachers, follow-up studies need to be conducted in various occupational groups in subsequent studies.
EMBEDDED MICRO HEATER DESIGN FOR VERTICAL CAVITY SURFACE EMITTING LASER DRIVER BOARD
Authors: Shenvi Vinit , Sharma Ashutosh
Published: January 2025

The miniaturization of heaters is imperative for reducing power consumption, enhancing the thermal response, and offering a wide range of operations. Owing to the extensive potential of microheaters, it is
essential to enhance their performance parameters, which consequently necessitates the development of innovative, efficient, and novel microheater designs. As detailed in this paper, we have attained a uniform temperature distribution of 1 mK across our vertical cavity surface-emitting laser, which depends on the convective heat transfer coefficient and the principle of Joule heating. It has shown to adapt quickly to dynamic environmental conditions. We have enhanced temperature uniformity, reduced strip size, improvised on effective heater pattern and efficiency of the microheater.
A Structural Model of Truncated Gaussia princeps Luciferase Elucidating the Crucial Catalytic Function of No.76 Arginine towards Coelenterazine Oxidation
Authors: Wu Nan , Xu Zhi-Chao , Du Kai-Dong , Huang Shen , Kobayashi Naohiro , Kuroda Yutaka , Bai Yan-Hong
Published: January 2025

Gaussia Luciferase (GLuc) is a renowned reporter protein that can catalyze the oxidation of coelenterazine (CTZ) and emit a bright light signal. GLuc comprises two consecutive repeats that form the enzyme body and a central putative catalytic cavity. However, deleting the C-terminal repeat only limited reduces the activity (over 30% residual luminescence intensity detectable), despite being a key part of the cavity. How does the remaining GLuc (tGLuc) catalyze CTZ? To address this question, we built a structural model of tGLuc by removing the C-terminal repeat from the resolved structure of intact GLuc, and verified that the cavity-forming component in GLuc remains stable and provides an open-mouth cavity in tGLuc during 500 ns MD simulations in water. Docking simulation and a followed umbrella sampling analysis further revealed that the cavity on tGLuc has a high affinity for CTZ, with a binding energy of up to -114 kJ/mol. Moreover, R76, a validated activity-critical amino acid residue, resides in the cavity and forms a stable hydrogen bond with CTZ. Then, we constructed a cluster model to examine the CTZ oxidation pathway in the cavity using Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations. The result showed that the pathway consists of four elementary reactions, with the highest Gibbs energy barrier being 65.4 kJ/mol. Both intramolecular electron transfer and the convergence of S1/S0 potential energy surfaces occurred in the last elementary reaction, which was regarded as the reported Chemically-Initiated-Electron-Exchange-Luminescence (CIEEL) reaction. Geometry and wavefunction analysis on the pathway indicated that R76 plays a vital role in CTZ oxidation, which first anchors the environmental oxygen molecule and induces it to form a singlet biradical state, facilitating its attack on CTZ. Subsequently, R76 and the adjacent Q88, positioned near R76 through the tGLuc refolding process, stabilize the transition states and facilitate the emergence of radical electrons on CTZ at the onset of the CIEEL reaction, which contributes to the subsequent intramolecular electron transfer and the production of excited amide product. This study provides a comprehensive explanation of tGLuc’s catalytic mechanism. However, it is important to note that these findings are specific to tGLuc and may not extend to other CTZ-based luciferases, particularly those lacking arginine in their catalytic cavities, which likely operate via distinct mechanisms.
Exploring barriers to parent-adolescent sexual-risk communication among adolescents in Port Harcourt Nigeria: Adolescents’ and parents’ perspective
Authors: Okpalaku Chidinma Joycelyn , Ogubuike Chigozirim
Published: January 2025

Adolescent risky sexual behaviour is a public health problem with its deleterious outcomes. Parents are the most influential source of sexuality education to adolescent, yet adolescents’ lack sexuality educations. The study explored barriers in parent-adolescent sexual-risk communication from both perspectives in Port-Harcourt LGA, Rivers State. A cross-sectional study design using explanatory sequential mixed methods approach was implemented. Three hundred and twenty nine in-school adolescents participated in the quantitative study and recruited using multi-stage sampling technique while 9 parents of adolescents and 16 adolescents participated in the qualitative study. A self-administered questionnaire was used to elicit information from the adolescents while an FGD and IDI guide was used to elicit information from in-school adolescents and parents respectively. The quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistics and chi-square while the qualitative data was subjected to thematic analysis. The mean age of the adolescents was 16.0 ± 1.1 years and 55% were males. 21% of the parents had never discussed sex with their adolescents. The barriers identified from the adolescents’ perspective were parental factors (parents being too busy, judgmental, low knowledge), individual factors (discomfort to initiate communication, lack of trust), religious and cultural factors. The barriers from the parents’ perspective were shame to initiate communication, fear of outcome, feeling children are too young and lack of accurate information. The barriers to parent-adolescent communication featured interplay of parental, individual, cultural and religious factors. Parents should be trained to initiate timely and accurate sexuality education to the adolescent to curb adolescent risky sexual exploitations.
Perceptions of diabetic retinopathy patients on the management of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in South Tarawa, Kiribati: A qualitative study
Authors: Angirerei-Farran Teuota , Mohammadnezhad Masoud , Alnababatah Kal , Salusalu Mosese
Published: January 2025

Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) is one of the most common causes of legal blindness in developing countries, particularly between the ages of 20 to 65 years. Kiribati is currently facing the burden of DR where more than 5% of diabetes patients had experienced negative impacts of DR. This study aimed to explore the perceptions of DR patients on DR management in South Tarawa, Kiribati. This qualitative study was carried out at the Eye clinic in Tarawa Central Hospital from the 29th of August to 23rd of September, 2022. Patients diagnosed with DR of both sexes aged ≥ 18 years were purposively selected to participate in this study. 27 DR patients were recruited and interviewed using a semi-structured open-ended questionnaire. Manual thematic analysis was applied to observe the similarities and differences in answers obtained from interview transcripts. A total of 27 DR patients were enrolled in this study. The majority of patients were between the age of 50–59 (37%) and were males (62%). The findings highlighted a lack of knowledge and awareness of DR management among patients with diabetes in Kiribati. Poor health education, in-availability and lack of access to eye care services, patient belief, and healthcare system issues were identified as the most crucial contributing barriers. These data characterized the need for more communication campaigns including specific messaging on DR and its management to increase diabetes patients’ awareness of the importance of DR treatments.
Can household energy efficiency dampen crude oil price volatility in the United States?
Authors: Usman Ojonugwa , Ozkan Oktay , Nwani Chinazaekpere , Bekun Festus Victor , Alola Andrew Adewale
Published: January 2025

Even though the effect of oil price shocks on macroeconomics has been extensively investigated, the literature on how efficiency in household energy use affect crude oil price volatility is yet explored. This study unveils whether household energy efficiency lower crude oil price volatility asymmetrically in the United States using the historical and forecast dataset that spans from 1970:Q1-2040:Q1. Applying the multivariate case of Quantile-on-Quantile Regression, the empirical results show that household energy efficiency dampens crude oil price volatility with a stronger connection in quantiles before the median quantiles of crude oil price volatility. However, the effect of household energy efficiency decreases with an increase across quantiles of the crude oil price volatility. The results further show that energy-related CO2 emissions and retail electricity price intensify crude oil price volatility with varying effects across quantiles. These findings are similar to the sensitivity analysis and robustness checks. Overall, the policy implication of our findings is that government and policymakers need to demonstrate unequivocal commitments to improving not only energy-efficient practices at household level but also to mitigate energy-related environmental disasters.
Inhibition of the anti-apoptotic protein BCL2 in EML4-ALK cell models as a second proposed therapeutic target for non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Zapata Dongo Richard Junior , Fontana Diletta , Mologni Luca , Faya Castillo Juan Enrique , Infante Varillas Stefany Fiorella
Published: January 2025

The anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) oncoprotein plays a crucial role in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by activating signaling pathways involved in cell proliferation and survival through constitutive phosphorylation. While first-line crizotinib can regulate phosphorylation, mutations in the ALK gene can lead to resistance against ALK inhibitors (ALKi) such as ceritinib and alectinib. On the other hand, overexpression of BCL2, a protein involved in cell death regulation, has been observed in NSCLC and is considered a potential therapeutic target. In this study, we propose to inhibit BCL2 as a secondary therapeutic target in EML4-ALK cell models to overcome resistance caused by ALK mutations. Four Ba/F3 EML4-ALK cell models (WT, C1156Y, L1196M, and G1202R) generated by site-directed mutagenesis exhibited varying levels of BCL2 expression. Both the WT and G1202R models showed overexpression of BCL2, while C1156Y and L1196M models approached baseline levels. We treated these cells with ABT-199, a selective BCL2 inhibitor, and found that models with high BCL2 expression exhibited resistance, while those with lower expression showed sensitivity to BCL2 inhibition. In addition, our analysis using bioinformatics indicated that ABT-199 not only targets BCL2 but also binds to the active site of all ALK mutants, it was contrasted by in vitro ALK kinase activity inhibition by ABT-199 (5.5 μM). This interaction was further supported by a significant decrease of ALK phosphorylation in single and combination treatment with 300nM ABT-199. Finally, when ABT-199 was combined with ALKi, we observed a wide range of synergistic effects in the WT and G1202R cell models, while the C1156Y and L1196M models showed limited synergy. In conclusion, our findings indicate that BCL2 targeting with ABT-199, in combination with ALKi, can significantly reduce tumor cell survival in Ba/F3 EML4-ALK cell models.
Antimicrobial proteins from oyster hemolymph improve the efficacy of conventional antibiotics
Authors: Summer Kate , Guo Qi , Liu Lei , Barkla Bronwyn , Giles Sarah , Benkendorff Kirsten
Published: January 2025

Discovering new antibiotics and increasing the efficacy of existing antibiotics are priorities to address antimicrobial resistance. Antimicrobial proteins and peptides (AMPPs) are considered among the most promising antibiotic alternatives and complementary therapies. Here, we build upon previous work investigating the antibacterial activity of a semi-purified hemolymph protein extract (HPE) of the Australian oyster Saccostrea glomerata. HPE showed antimicrobial-biofilm inhibitory activity toward laboratory and clinical strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Streptococcus pyogenes at 4.4 and 24.1 μg/mL total protein, respectively. In combination assays, the effectiveness of conventional antibiotics (ampicillin, gentamicin, trimethoprim and ciprofloxacin) was improved between 2 to 32-fold in the presence of HPE (1–12 μg/mL) against a range of clinically important bacteria including Streptococcus spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Moraxella catarrhalis, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus. Effective HPE concentrations are comparable to AMPPs currently approved for use or in clinical trials pipelines. Proteomics analysis of HPE identified a number of proteins including abundant known AMPPs. It was non-toxic to A549 human lung cells up to 205 μg/mL, demonstrating safety well above effective concentrations. Activity was retained with storage at -80°C and ambient laboratory temperature (~24°C), but declined after treatment at either 37°C or 60°C (1 h). This study is in agreement with growing evidence that AMPPs show specificity and a high capacity for synergism with antibiotics. The discovery of HPE provides great opportunities for both pharmaceutical and aquaculture industry development.
Neonicotinoid exposure causes behavioral impairment and delayed mortality of the federally threatened American burying beetle, Nicrophorus americanus
Authors: Cavallaro Michael C. , Hladik Michelle L. , McMurry R. Shane , Hittson Samantha , Boyles Leon K. , Hoback W. Wyatt
Published: January 2025

Among the most immediate drivers of American burying beetle (Nicrophorus americanus Olivier) declines, nontarget toxicity to pesticides is poorly understood. Acute, episodic exposure to neonicotinoid insecticides at environmentally relevant concentrations is linked to negative impacts on beneficial terrestrial insect taxa. Beyond mortality, behavioral indicators of toxicity are often better suited to assess sublethal effects of residual concentrations in the environment. First, Nicrophorus spp. congeners were used to generate and identify a low-dose exposure rate (lethal dose 10%; LD10) from an acute, 24-hour exposure and the concentration-series was confirmed by LC–MS/MS. Next, we evaluated the effects of single and repeated low-dose (LD10 = 58.9 ng/beetle) imidacloprid exposure on N. americanus behavior (10 minutes post-dose) and mortality (10 days post-dose). Behavior parameters were analyzed using EthoVision-XT. Control N. americanus were significantly less mobile, demonstrating death-feigning, an anti-predator behavior. Single LD10 dosed N. americanus were hyperactive, traveling over 4 times farther (total distance; p = 0.03) and faster (mean velocity; p = 0.02) than controls. Single and repeated LD10 dosed N. americanus extended their wings without taking flight and flipped on their backs. All control N. americanus survived 10 days post-dose; single LD10 and repeated LD10 exhibited 30% and 50% mortality, respectively. A single LD10 exposure event was sufficient to significantly elicit greater movement and high predation risk behaviors, whereas repeated LD10 exposure did not worsen behavioral impairment but increased mortality over time. Collectively, generalized linear mixed effects models indicated that distance traveled, velocity, and extended wings were significant predictors of mortality. Recently reclassified, the federally threatened N. americanus may be at greater risk to insecticide exposure than previously thought and vulnerable to episodic, low-dose neonicotinoid exposure.
Interferon (IFN)-gamma (γ) inducible protein 10 (IP-10) in the diagnosis of latent and active tuberculosis in Bacille Calmette Guerin (BCG)-vaccinated pediatric population
Authors: Druszczynska Magdalena , Seweryn Michał , Wawrocki Sebastian , Pankowska Anna , Kulbachko Anastasiia , Jurczak Magdalena , Kowalewska-Pietrzak Magdalena
Published: January 2025

Background

Accurate diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) in children continues to be challenging, primarily due to the low bacterial load characteristic of the disease and the obstacles in collecting sputum samples. Furthermore, detecting cases of latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) infection (LTBI) that have a high risk of progressing to active TB disease remains a significant diagnostic hurdle.

Objective

The study explored the utility of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) inducible protein 10 (IP-10) for diagnosing latent and active M.tb infections among children vaccinated with the Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine. The research specifically assessed IP-10 levels in serum, urine, and QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus (QFT) cultures stimulated with M.tb antigens to determine if IP-10 could be a useful diagnostic marker for pediatric tuberculosis, either alongside or as an alternative to IFN-γ.

Results

Both urine and QFT cultures stimulated with M.tb antigens showed significantly higher IP-10 levels in individuals with active TB or latent TB infection (LTBI) when compared to those uninfected by M.tb but with nonmycobacterial pneumonia (NMP) and healthy controls (HC). Similarly, IFN-γ levels in M.tb-stimulated QFT cultures were significantly higher in the TB and LTBI groups compared to the NMP and HC groups. Notably, the study found a significant difference in IFN-γ levels between the TB and LTBI groups in the QFT cultures, a distinction not observed for IP-10 concentrations. Serum levels of IP-10 and IFN-γ did not significantly vary across the study cohorts.

Conclusions

IP-10 might be a viable alternative biomarker to IFN-γ for identifying M.tb infection in BCG-vaccinated children, although it cannot distinguish between latent and active TB cases. This highlights the potential of IP-10 in improving TB diagnosis among children, addressing the challenges posed by the paucibacillary nature of pediatric TB, but also underscores the need for further research to refine diagnostic approaches for distinguishing between latent and active TB infections.
Antenatal depression among pregnant women in Ethiopia: An umbrella review
Authors: Abebe Mesfin , Asgedom Yordanos Sisay , Gebrekidan Amanuel Yosef , Tebeje Tsion Mulat
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Antenatal depression, ranging from mild to severe, is influenced by hormonal changes during pregnancy and childbearing years, making it a significant public health issue. Antenatal depression, with its far-reaching effects on mothers, infants, and children, continues to be a significant public health issue in developing countries such as Ethiopia. Research on antenatal depression in Ethiopia has produced varied results. Although previous systematic reviews and meta-analyses studies have addressed this topic, a comprehensive summary of existing reviews has not been available. Therefore, this umbrella review aims to consolidate the findings on antenatal depression and associated factors among pregnant women in Ethiopia.

Methods

This review included five systematic reviews and meta-analyses from various databases, including PubMed, PsycINFO, Research4life, CINHALE and Science Direct. Only reviews published between January 1, 2010, and July 30, 2024, were considered. The search, conducted from August 5 to 15, 2024, used CoCoPop questions and included only English-language reviews. Study quality was assessed with the AMSTAR tool, and data extraction and analysis were performed using Microsoft Excel 2016 and STATA 14.0. The I2 and Cochran’s Q tests were used to assess heterogeneity. Pooled effect sizes were calculated based on the pooled prevalence of antenatal depression and odds ratios for associated factors, with a 95% confidence interval indicating statistical significance.

Results

This umbrella review encompassed 50 primary studies from five systematic reviews and meta-analyses, involving a total of 25,233 pregnant women. The pooled prevalence of antenatal depression in Ethiopia was found to be 24.60% (95% CI: 22.46–26.73). Significant associations were identified between antenatal depression and several factors: unplanned pregnancy (POR = 2.29; 95% CI: 1.75, 2.82), poor social support (POR = 2.10; 95% CI: 1.37, 2.84), history of abortion (POR = 2.49; 95% CI: 1.64, 3.34), history of depression (POR = 3.57; 95% CI: 2.43, 4.71), and history of obstetric complications (POR = 2.94; 95% CI: 1.61, 4.28).

Conclusions

The significant prevalence of antenatal depression (24.60%) among pregnant women in Ethiopia is closely linked to factors such as unplanned pregnancy, poor social support, history of abortion, previous depression, and obstetric complications. To tackle this issue, it is recommended to enhance social support networks, increase access to family planning services to minimize unplanned pregnancies, conduct regular mental health screenings, and incorporate mental health services into antenatal care.
Close to the border—Resilience in healthcare in a European border region: Findings of a needs analysis
Authors: Loeffler Leonie A. K. , Lambert Sophie Isabelle , Bouché Lea , Klasen Martin , Sopka Saša , Vogt Lina ,   COMPAS Consortium
Published: January 2025

Objectives

Promoting resilience, the ability to withstand and overcome challenging situations, is crucial for maintaining the performance of healthcare systems. Unique challenges faced by healthcare facilities in border regions render them particularly vulnerable during crises, emphasizing the need to promote resilience in these areas. The current study evaluated the state and needs of resilience in healthcare professionals in a representative European border region.

Methods

All hospitals and emergency medical care services in the Euregio Meuse-Rhine (Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands) were approached to participate via an online-survey. Behavioral data on psychological distress (Patient Health Questionnaire-4), work-related stressors, individual resilience (Brief Resilience Scale, Resilience at Work scale), and organizational resilience (Benchmark Resilience Tool-short) were collected.

Results

2233 participants initiated the survey with 500 responses included in the analysis. 46% of the participants indicated clinically significant psychological distress. Most challenging stressors were staff availability, available time, and workload. On average, individual resilience was in the normal range, yet 15.6% showed below average resilience. At the organizational level, healthcare institutions can particularly enhance resilience in the domains of Internal resources, Situation Awareness, and Unity of purpose. Compared to their neighbor countries, German healthcare professionals indicated higher levels of depressive symptoms, were more burdened by work-related stressors, and reported lower levels of organizational resilience.

Conclusion

Findings highlight that healthcare institutions not only need to promote the resilience of the individual employee particularly in border regions, healthcare institutions, must also act to be better prepared for potential threats and crises while considering each country’s unique needs.
A pálya iránti motiváció a szakmaipedagógus-jelöltek körében
Authors: Bacsa-Bán Anetta
Published: January 2025

A szakképzés pedagógushiánya az elmúlt időszak intézkedései
ellenére még mindig aggasztó, a tanárutánpótlás, a képzésbe
belépők száma lehet ennek kulcsa. Érdemes ezért megvizsgálni a
képzésbe lépők motívumait, hiszen a pályaszocializáció és a
pályamotiváció egyértelműen fokozza a pályán maradás képességét.
Tanulmányunkban azt kívántuk bemutatni, hogy hol tart a
szakmaipedagógusi – szakoktatói és mérnöktanári – képzésben részt
vevő hallgatók szakmai szocializációja, milyen jellemzőkkel lehet
leírni azt, és hogyan segítheti elő szocializációjukat egy képző
intézmény, hogy pedagógusi pályájukon sikeresek legyenek. A
vizsgálat során mérnöktanár és szakoktató hallgatókat kérdeztünk
meg online kérdőív segítségével pedagógus pályaválasztási
szempontjaikról, pálya melletti elköteleződésükről és leendő
pályájukról. A kérdőívet kitöltők adatait az IBM SPSS Statistics
programmal értékeltük ki. Az elemzés során megállapítottuk, hogy a
pedagógusjelöltek vonzódnak szakmájukhoz. Leggyakrabban ez a
gyermekekkel végzett munka belső élvezetében mutatkozik meg,
valamint a szakma iránti szenvedélyben: vonzza őket a munka
érdekessége és az a meggyőződés, hogy alkalmasak a tanításra, azaz
a tanítás megfelel a személyes képességeiknek. A hallgatókat
jellemzően a szakma altruista természete is motiválja, ideértve
azt a vágyat, hogy másokon segítsenek, és a gyerekek életére
gyakorolt befolyásukon keresztül hozzájáruljanak a társadalmi
hasznossághoz Az eredmények nyomán megállapíthattuk, hogy az
oktatási intézményeknek is kiemelt jelentősége és szerepe van a
szakmai szocializáció folyamatában.
A kanadai (ontariói) és a magyar iskolapszichológia-modell
összehasonlításának tanulsága
Authors: Borbáth Katalin
Published: January 2025

Jelen írás esszenciáját – a teljesség igénye nélkül – a
kanadai (ontariói) és a magyar oktatási és iskolapszichológiai
rendszer lényegesnek ítélt hasonlóságai, anomáliái, valamint a
hasonlóságon belüli különbözőségei adják. Ezek kiemelése lényeges
pontokra enged rávilágítani. A következőkben az ontariói
iskolapszichológiai rendszer és multidiszciplináris team munkáját
vetjük össze a magyar iskolapszichológiai protokoll által előírt
és a gyakorlatban is működő együttműködési elemekkel. A
hiányosságok kapcsán szót ejtünk a jelen nehézségekkel küzdő
szakmapolitikai állapotáról is. A magyar szakmapolitikai modell
megújításához támpontként szolgálhat a nemzetközi fősodorhoz
tartozó ontariói modell néhány kiemelt és hazai viszonyok között
is jól használható eleme.