bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development and validation of a carotid atherosclerosis risk prediction model based on a Chinese population
Authors: Huang Guoqing , Jin Qiankai , Tian Xiaoqing , Mao Yushan
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This study aimed to identify independent risk factors for carotid atherosclerosis (CAS) and construct and validate a CAS risk prediction model based on the Chinese population.

Methods

This retrospective study included 4,570 Chinese adults who underwent health checkups (including carotid ultrasound) at the Zhenhai Lianhua Hospital, Ningbo, China, in 2020. All the participants were randomly assigned to the training and validation sets at a ratio of 7:3. Independent risk factors associated with CAS were identified using multivariate logistic regression analysis. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator combined with 10-fold cross-validation were screened for characteristic variables, and nomograms were plotted to demonstrate the risk prediction model. C-index and receiver operating characteristic curves, calibration plots, and decision curve analysis (DCA) were used to evaluate the risk model’s discrimination, calibration, and clinical applicability.

Results

Age, body mass index, diastolic blood pressure, white blood cell count, mean platelet volume, alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, and gamma-glutamyl transferase were identified as independent risk factors for CAS. In the training, internal validation, and external validation sets, the risk model showed good discriminatory power with C-indices of 0.961 (0.953–0.969), 0.953 (0.939–0.967), and 0.930 (0.920–0.940), respectively, and excellent calibration. The results of DCA showed that the prediction model could be beneficial when the risk threshold probabilities were 1–100% in all sets. Finally, a network computer (dynamic nomogram) was developed to facilitate the physicians’ clinical operations. The website ishttps://nbuhgq.shinyapps.io/DynNomapp/.

Conclusion

The development of risk models contributes to the early identification and prevention of CAS, which is important for preventing and reducing adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events.
Structured data vs. unstructured data in machine learning prediction models for suicidal behaviors: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Hopkins Danielle , Rickwood Debra J. , Hallford David J. , Watsford Clare
Published: August 2022

Suicide remains a leading cause of preventable death worldwide, despite advances in research and decreases in mental health stigma through government health campaigns. Machine learning (ML), a type of artificial intelligence (AI), is the use of algorithms to simulate and imitate human cognition. Given the lack of improvement in clinician-based suicide prediction over time, advancements in technology have allowed for novel approaches to predicting suicide risk. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesize current research regarding data sources in ML prediction of suicide risk, incorporating and comparing outcomes between structured data (human interpretable such as psychometric instruments) and unstructured data (only machine interpretable such as electronic health records). Online databases and gray literature were searched for studies relating to ML and suicide risk prediction. There were 31 eligible studies. The outcome for all studies combined was AUC = 0.860, structured data showed AUC = 0.873, and unstructured data was calculated at AUC = 0.866. There was substantial heterogeneity between the studies, the sources of which were unable to be defined. The studies showed good accuracy levels in the prediction of suicide risk behavior overall. Structured data and unstructured data also showed similar outcome accuracy according to meta-analysis, despite different volumes and types of input data.
Effects of inflammation in dental pulp cell differentiation and reparative response
Authors: Lorencetti-Silva Francine , Sales Larissa Sthefani , Lamarque Giuliana de Campos Chaves , Caixeta Giovana Amorim , Arnez Maya Fernanda Manfrin , Faccioli Lúcia Helena , Paula-Silva Francisco Wanderley Garcia
Published: August 2022

The responsiveness of the dentin–pulp complex is possible due to the stimulation of dental pulp cells, which begin to synthesize and secrete dentin matrix. The inflammatory process generated by harmful stimuli should be understood as a natural event of the immune response, resulting in the recruitment of hematopoietic cells, which cross the endothelial barrier and reach the site affected by the injury in order to eliminate the damage and provide an appropriate environment for the restoration of homeostasis. The repair process occurs in the presence of adequate blood supply, absence of infection, and with the participation of pro-inflammatory cytokines, growth factors, extracellular matrix components, and other biologically active molecules. Prostaglandins and leukotrienes are bioactive molecules derived from the metabolism of arachidonic acid, as a result of a variable range of cellular stimuli. The aim of this review is to describe the process of formation and biomineralization of the dentin–pulp complex and how pro-inflammatory events can modify this response, with emphasis on the lipid mediators prostaglandins and leukotrienes derived from arachidonic acid metabolism.
Clinical and immunological characteristics of Aspergillus fumigatus-sensitized asthma and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis
Authors: Chen Hao , Zhang Xinyu , Zhu Li , An Nairui , Jiang Qing , Yang Yaqi , Ma Dongxia , Yang Lin , Zhu Rongfei
Published: August 2022

Background

Aspergillus fumigatus (A.f) is a common airborne allergen that contributes to allergic asthma. In some patients, A.f can colonize in the airway and lead to allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA). However, our understanding of the pathogenesis of A.f-sensitized asthma and ABPA remains inadequate.

Objective

We aimed to investigate the clinical and immunological characteristics of A.f-sensitized asthma and ABPA.

Methods

A total of 64 ABPA and 57 A.f-sensitized asthma patients were enrolled in the study, and 33 non-A.f-sensitized asthma patients served as the control group. The clinical and immunological parameters included lung function, fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), induced sputum and blood cell analysis, specific IgE/IgG/IgA of A.f and its components, cytokines (IL-33, IL-25, and TSLP) and CD4+T cell subsets.

Results

The eosinophils in blood, induced sputum, and FeNO were significantly higher in ABPA patients compared to that in A.f-sensitized patients. The combination of FeNO and eosinophils (EO) parameters presented good diagnostic efficiency in differentiating A.f (+) asthma from ABPA, with a sensitivity of 80% and a specificity of 100%. Specific IgE, IgG, and IgA against A.f also increased in ABPA patients. However, serum IL-25, IL-33, and TSLP showed no significant differences between the two groups. Cell analysis showed an increase in IFN-γ+Th1 cells in the ABPA patients. FlowSOM analysis further confirmed that the frequency of CD3+CD4+PD-1+CD127+IFN-γ+T cells was higher in ABPA patients.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest the distinct humoral and cell immunological responses in A.f-sensitized asthma and ABPA patients. ABPA patients have more severe eosinophilic inflammation and enhanced Th1 responses compared with A.f-sensitized asthma patients.
Parents' reasons to vaccinate their children aged 5–11 years against COVID-19 in Italy
Authors: Napoli Annalisa , Miraglia del Giudice Grazia , Corea Francesco , Folcarelli Lucio , Angelillo Italo Francesco
Published: August 2022

Objectives

The aims of this cross-sectional study were to investigate why parents decide to vaccinate, as well as the determinants, their children aged 5–11 years against COVID-19 in Italy.

Methods

The survey was conducted from January through May 2022. All parents/guardians who came in randomly selected days to immunization centers for the administration of the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to their child were asked to complete a questionnaire about socio-demographic characteristics, attitudes toward COVID-19 infection and vaccination, reason(s) regarding their decision to vaccinate their child, and source(s) of information.

Results

A total of 358 questionnaires were collected. Parent's perception that COVID-19 is a severe illness for the child, assessed using a 10-point Likert scale, was 7.5. The overall mean scores of the risk perception for their child of having the COVID-19 before and after the vaccination were 8.1 and 6.3. A significantly higher parents' level of risk perception for their child of having the COVID-19 after the vaccination has been observed among those not having a university degree, those with the child having at least one chronic medical condition, and those who perceived that COVID-19 is a severe illness for the child. The mean value of respondent trust in the information provided by the pediatricians on a 10-point scale Likert type was 7.6. Female, not having a university degree, higher perception that COVID-19 is a severe disease, not having received information about the vaccination from pediatricians, and needing information had a significantly higher concern of side effects after the vaccination. The most common reasons for vaccinating their children included wanting to protect the child against COVID-19, to attend the school with less risk, to prevent the transmission to family members, and to practice sport and other activities with less risks. Participants with a university degree were more likely to have vaccinated their child for attending the school and practicing sport and other activities with less risks.

Conclusions

More publicity should be promoted among parents of children aged 5–11 years which would increase the coverage rates and thus lower the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and reduce the occurrence of COVID-19.
Effect of Moxibustion Treatment on Degree Centrality in Patients With Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Resting-State Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study
Authors: Xu Ke , Wei Yichen , Liu Chengxiang , Zhao Lihua , Geng Bowen , Mai Wei , Zhang Shuming , Liang Lingyan , Zeng Xiao , Deng Demao , Liu Peng
Published: August 2022

Background

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a common neurological disorder. Moxibustion has been shown to be effective in treating MCI, but its therapeutic mechanisms still remain unclear. This study mainly aimed to investigate the modulation effect of moxibustion treatment for patients with MCI by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

Methods

A total of 47 patients with MCI and 30 healthy controls (HCs) participated in resting-state fMRI imaging (rs-fMRI) scans. Patients with MCI were randomly divided into true moxibustion group (TRUE, n = 30) and sham moxibustion group (SHAM, n = 17). The degree centrality (DC) approach was applied to distinguish altered brain functions. Correlation analysis was then performed to examine the relationships between the neuroimaging findings and clinical symptoms.

Results

Compared with HCs, patients with MCI mainly showed decreased DC in the left middle frontal cortex (MFC) and bilateral middle cingulate cortex (MCC). After moxibustion treatment, the SHAM group had no significant DC findings, while TRUE group mainly showed significant increased DC in the bilateral MFC and MCC, as well as decreased DC in the left middle occipital cortex (MOC). Repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed significant interactions between the two groups of patients with MCI. In addition, the higher Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score was significantly positively correlated with increased DC in the right MFC and left MCC after moxibustion treatment.

Conclusion

Our findings demonstrate that the potential value of moxibustion treatment on MCI, which adds new insights into the popular view that moxibustion treatment may slow cognitive decline in patients with MCI.
The characteristics of arterial spin labeling cerebral blood flow in patients with subjective cognitive decline: The Chinese imaging, biomarkers, and lifestyle study
Authors: Li Wenyi , Jiang Jiwei , Zou Xinying , Zhang Yuan , Sun Mengfan , Jia Ziyan , Li Wei , Xu Jun
Published: August 2022

Objective

We aimed to characterize the potential risk factors and cerebral perfusion of patients with subjective cognitive decline (SCD).

Methods

This prospective study enrolled consecutive patients from the Chinese Imaging, Biomarkers, and Lifestyle (CIBL) Cohort of Alzheimer’s disease between February 2021 and March 2022. Patients who met the SCD diagnostic criteria were categorized into the SCD group, while those without cognitive complaints or any concerns were assigned to the healthy control (HC) group. The demographic and clinical characteristics and cerebral blood flow (CBF) from pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling (pCASL) in standard cognitive regions were compared between these two groups. A multivariate analysis was performed to identify independent factors associated with SCD.

Results

The frequency of family history of dementia in the SCD group was higher compared with the HC group (p = 0.016). The CBF of left hippocampus (p = 0.023), left parahippocampal gyrus (p = 0.004), left precuneus (p = 0.029), left middle temporal gyrus (p = 0.022), right parahippocampal gyrus (p = 0.018), and right precuneus (p = 0.024) in the SCD group were significantly increased than those in the HC group. The multivariate logistic regression analyses demonstrated that the family history of dementia [OR = 4.284 (1.096–16.747), p = 0.036] and the CBF of left parahippocampal gyrus [OR = 1.361 (1.006–1.840), p = 0.045] were independently associated with SCD.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that the family history of dementia and the higher CBF within the left parahippocampal gyrus were independent risk factors associated with patients with SCD, which could help in the early identification of the SCD and in intervening during this optimal period.
NF-κB in neurodegenerative diseases: Recent evidence from human genetics
Authors: Kaltschmidt Barbara , Helweg Laureen P. , Greiner Johannes F. W. , Kaltschmidt Christian
Published: August 2022

The transcription factor NF-κB is commonly known to drive inflammation and cancer progression, but is also a crucial regulator of a broad range of cellular processes within the mammalian nervous system. In the present review, we provide an overview on the role of NF-κB in the nervous system particularly including its constitutive activity within cortical and hippocampal regions, neuroprotection as well as learning and memory. Our discussion further emphasizes the increasing role of human genetics in neurodegenerative disorders, namely, germline mutations leading to defects in NF-κB-signaling. In particular, we propose that loss of function mutations upstream of NF-κB such as ADAM17, SHARPIN, HOIL, or OTULIN affect NF-κB-activity in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients, in turn driving anatomical defects such as shrinkage of entorhinal cortex and the limbic system in early AD. Similarly, E3 type ubiquitin ligase PARKIN is positively involved in NF-κB signaling. PARKIN loss of function mutations are most frequently observed in Parkinson’s disease patients. In contrast to AD, relying on germline mutations of week alleles and a disease development over decades, somatic mutations affecting NF-κB activation are commonly observed in cells derived from glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most common malignant primary brain tumor. Here, our present review particularly sheds light on the mutual exclusion of either the deletion of NFKBIA or amplification of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in GBM, both resulting in constitutive NF-κB-activity driving tumorigenesis. We also discuss emerging roles of long non-coding RNAs such as HOTAIR in suppressing phosphorylation of IκBα in the context of GBM. In summary, the recent progress in the genetic analysis of patients, particularly those suffering from AD, harbors the potential to open up new vistas for research and therapy based on TNFα/NF-κB pathway and neuroprotection.
Long-term follow-up of early stage HER2-positive breast cancer patients treated with trastuzumab: A population-based real world multicenter cohort study
Authors: Ellegård Sander , Engvall Kristina , Asowed Mustafa , Hallbeck Anna-Lotta , Elander Nils , Stål Olle
Published: August 2022

Introduction

Since its introduction in standard of care, trastuzumab has revolutionized the treatment of patients with early and late stages of HER2-positive breast cancer. While the initial clinical trials were convincing and lead to major changes in practice, more knowledge on the long-term outcome and tolerability is needed. The present study was designed to assess the survival, prognostic factors and relapse patterns after the implementation of trastuzumab in a real-world cohort.

Methods

All cases of HER2-positive breast cancer diagnosed between 2006 and 2014 in the Southeast Healthcare Region of Sweden were retrospectively identified. Medical records were thoroughly reviewed with regard to clinicopathological parameters, treatments, relapse pattern and adverse events.

Results

643 patients were identified and 599 were eligible for analysis. Breast cancer specific survival, distant recurrence free survival and local recurrence free survival were 93.4%, 89.7% and 98.0% for trastuzumab treated patients and 87.4%, 81.6% and 87.4% in patients not treated with trastuzumab, respectively. ER status, nodal status and trastuzumab treatment were all independent prognostic factors in multivariable analysis. No new safety concerns were discovered.

Conclusion

The real-world outcome of trastuzumab-treated patients with early HER2-positive breast cancer is similar to what has been previously reported in long-term follow up of prospective clinical trials. ER status, nodal status and trastuzumab treatment are independent prognostic factors for breast cancer specific mortality rate, distant recurrence rate and locoregional recurrence rate in HER2-positive patients in the trastuzumab era.
Artificial intelligence in the radiomic analysis of glioblastomas: A review, taxonomy, and perspective
Authors: Zhu Ming , Li Sijia , Kuang Yu , Hill Virginia B. , Heimberger Amy B. , Zhai Lijie , Zhai Shengjie
Published: August 2022

Radiological imaging techniques, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET), are the standard-of-care non-invasive diagnostic approaches widely applied in neuro-oncology. Unfortunately, accurate interpretation of radiological imaging data is constantly challenged by the indistinguishable radiological image features shared by different pathological changes associated with tumor progression and/or various therapeutic interventions. In recent years, machine learning (ML)-based artificial intelligence (AI) technology has been widely applied in medical image processing and bioinformatics due to its advantages in implicit image feature extraction and integrative data analysis. Despite its recent rapid development, ML technology still faces many hurdles for its broader applications in neuro-oncological radiomic analysis, such as lack of large accessible standardized real patient radiomic brain tumor data of all kinds and reliable predictions on tumor response upon various treatments. Therefore, understanding ML-based AI technologies is critically important to help us address the skyrocketing demands of neuro-oncology clinical deployments. Here, we provide an overview on the latest advancements in ML techniques for brain tumor radiomic analysis, emphasizing proprietary and public dataset preparation and state-of-the-art ML models for brain tumor diagnosis, classifications (e.g., primary and secondary tumors), discriminations between treatment effects (pseudoprogression, radiation necrosis) and true progression, survival prediction, inflammation, and identification of brain tumor biomarkers. We also compare the key features of ML models in the realm of neuroradiology with ML models employed in other medical imaging fields and discuss open research challenges and directions for future work in this nascent precision medicine area.
The clinical evaluation of atlas-based auto-segmentation for automatic contouring during cervical cancer radiotherapy
Authors: Li Yi , Wu Wenjing , Sun Yuchen , Yu Dequan , Zhang Yuemei , Wang Long , Wang Yao , Zhang Xiaozhi , Lu Yongkai
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Our purpose was to investigate the influence of atlas library size and CT cross-slice number on the accuracy and efficiency of the atlas-based auto-segmentation (ABAS) method for the automatic contouring of clinical treatment volume (CTV) and organs at risk (OARs) during cervical cancer radiotherapy.

Methods

Of 140 cervical cancer patients, contours from 20, 40, 60, 80, 100, and 120 patients were selected incrementally to create six atlas library groups in ABAS. Another 20 tested patients were automatically contoured with the ABAS method and manually contoured by the same professional oncologist. Contours included CTV, bladder, rectum, femoral head-L, femoral head-R, and spinal cord. The CT cross-slice numbers of the 20 tested patients included 61, 65, 72, 75, 81, and 84. The index of dice similarity coefficients (DSCs) and Hausdorff distance (HD) were used to assess the consistency between ABAS automatic contouring and manual contouring. The randomized block analysis of variance and paired t-test were used for statistical analysis.

Results

The mean DSC values of “CTV, bladder, femoral head, and spinal cord” were all larger than 0.8. The femoral head and spinal cord showed a high degree of agreement between ABAS automatic contouring and manual contouring, with a mean DC >0.80 and HD <1 cm in all atlas library groups. A post-hoc least significant difference comparison indicated that no significant difference had been found between different atlas library sizes with DSC and HD values. For ABAS efficiency, the atlas library size had no effect on the time of ABAS automatic contouring. The time of automatic contouring increased slightly with the increase in CT cross-slice numbers, which were 99.9, 106.8, 114.0, 120.6, 127.9, and 134.8 s with CT cross-slices of 61, 65, 72, 75, 81, and 84, respectively.

Conclusion

A total of 20 atlas library sizes and a minimum CT cross-slice number including CTV and OARs are enough for ensuring the accuracy and efficiency of ABAS automatic contouring during cervical cancer radiotherapy.
The Omicron variant of concern: The genomics, diagnostics, and clinical characteristics in children
Authors: Setiabudi Djatnika , Sribudiani Yunia , Hermawan Kartika , Andriyoko Basti , Nataprawira Heda Melinda
Published: August 2022

Since WHO announced the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, SARS-CoV-2 has undergone several mutations, with the most recent variant first identified in South Africa in November 2021, the SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern (VOC B.1.1.529) named by WHO as Omicron. To date, it has undergone more mutations compared to previous SARS-CoV-2 variants, particularly, in the S gene that encodes the spike protein, which can cause S gene target failure in some PCR kits. Since its discovery, the Omicron variant has caused a sharp rise in COVID-19 cases worldwide and was responsible for a record of 15 million new COVID-19 cases reported globally in a single week, although this may be an underestimate. Since January 2022, Omicron subvariants with variable genetic characteristics, BA.1, BA.1.1, BA.2, BA.3, BA.4, BA.5, and BA.2.12.2 have been identified, with several countries reporting BA.1.1 was the major subvariant (27.42%), followed by BA.2 (25.19%). At the begining of May 2022, BA.2.12.1 mostly (42%) was detected in the United States. Like adults, the clinical manifestations of the Omicron variant in children are similar to the previous variants consisting of fever, cough, vomiting, breathing difficulties, and diarrhea, with some reports on croup-like symptoms and seizures. Though it presents apparently milder disease than the Delta variant, it is significantly more contagious and has caused more hospitalizations, especially in unvaccinated children younger than 5 years and unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated adults. However, there is insufficient evidence yet to distinguish the Omicron variant from the other variants based solely on the clinical manifestations, therefore, this review presents a brief literature review of the most current evidence and data related to Omicron.
Signaling Green: Impact of Green Product Attributes on Consumers Trust and the Mediating Role of Green Marketing
Authors: Khan Kashif Ullah , Atlas Fouzia , Arshad Muhammad Zulqarnain , Akhtar Sadia , Khan Farhan
Published: August 2022

The purpose of this research is to highlight the relationship between green product attributes and consumer trust that influence consumers’ decision to purchase green products in the context of Pakistan. This study contributes to determining quantitatively how green product attributes such as physical, perceptual, and reflexive attributes influence consumers’ trust to purchase a green product and investigates the mediating role of green marketing. Data was collected from different industrial sectors through a survey questionnaire. We employed Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) using the SMART-PLS software to check the reliability and validity of the constructs, and to test the hypotheses. This study reveals variations in terms of shaping the sustainable consumers’ buying behavior by modifying product attributes and green marketing strategies that are in congruence with the proposed hypotheses of this study. In the end, the findings and interpretations of the results are given which can guide the managers to develop effective green marketing campaigns in reshaping the purchase intentions of consumers toward their green products.
Sensory Processing Sensitivity as a Predictor of Proactive Work Behavior and a Moderator of the Job Complexity–Proactive Work Behavior Relationship
Authors: Schmitt Antje
Published: August 2022

This study investigates the role of sensory processing sensitivity (SPS) as a predictor of employees’ proactive work behavior. SPS is a multidimensional concept that depicts differences in people’s sensory awareness, processing, and reactivity to internal and external influences. Based on research on SPS as grounded in a heightened sensitivity of the behavioral inhibition and activation systems, it was argued that the relationships with task proactivity and personal initiative as indicators of proactive work behavior differ for the three SPS dimensions. Furthermore, based on the person–environment fit perspective, SPS was assumed to moderate the relationship between employees’ job complexity and proactivity. The hypotheses were tested in two two-wave studies (N = 215 and N = 126). Across both studies, ease of excitation (EOE; i.e., the tendency to be easily overwhelmed by changes) was unrelated to proactivity. Low sensory threshold (LST; i.e., unpleasant arousal from external stimuli) was negatively related to personal initiative, only in Study 2, but it did not predict task proactivity. Meanwhile, aesthetic sensitivity (i.e., AES; awareness of and openness to positive stimuli) was positively related to proactivity, but in Study 2, this relationship could only be established for personal initiative. Moreover, job complexity was positively related to proactivity for those employees high but not for those low in AES. EOE and LST did not act as moderators. This study offers evidence of positive behavioral implications among highly sensitive persons when dealing with job complexity. Overall, the study presents an interesting point of departure for the role of SPS in employee proactivity that calls for more research.
Gazing the dusty mirror: Joint effect of narcissism and sadism on workplace incivility via indirect effect of paranoia, antagonism, and emotional intelligence
Authors: Wang Bo , Fiaz Muhammad , Hayat Mughal Yasir , Kiran Alina , Ullah Irfan , Wisetsri Worakamol
Published: August 2022

Workplace productivity is badly affected by many negative factors such as narcissism, and sadism. In addition, paranoia and antagonism play an important role in increasing workplace incivility. Through emotional intelligence, such negative behaviors could be addressed by managers and their junior colleagues. The current study aims to investigate the parallel mediating role of paranoia, antagonism, and emotional intelligence on the relationship between narcissism, sadism, and workplace incivility. A survey approach was used. Primary data was collected in PLS-SEM. The population of the study was all faculty members in higher education institutions in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (Pakistan) region. A measurement model and structural model were developed. The measurement model demonstrated that convergent and discriminant validities were established. The structural model's findings revealed that narcissism, antagonism, and emotional intelligence were not mediated between narcissism and workplace incivility. Similarly, emotional intelligence did not play any mediating role between sadism and workplace incivility. This implied that emotional intelligence has no role in decreasing or reducing workplace uncivil behavior.
Me too! A case study of gendered victimization and feminist development in a Swedish peer support organization for people with experiences of criminalization and substance abuse
Authors: Bäcklin Emy
Published: August 2022

Even if peer support is commonly defined as horizontal in contrast to the more hierarchical relationship between client and professional, peer support is not free from power dynamics. This article considers feminist organizing in the context of peer support for people with experiences of criminalization and substance abuse and addresses questions of (un)equal peer support, sexual victimization, (re)integration, and organizational change in the #MeToo era. Drawing on qualitative interviews with support organization representatives and discussion material from a study circle and a men’s group, this article analyses one organization’s framing of, and responses to, allegations of sexual victimization of female members, and their ongoing work toward increased equality. The study shows that a number of measures have been taken in the organization in order to give voice to women whose lives are affected by crime, imprisonment, violence, and drug abuse. Interview participants put strong emphasis on the need to counteract what is described as a “macho culture” embedded in the peer support organization (PESO), which is seen as repeating structures of masculinity and power from the previous criminal lifestyle as well as reproducing specific gendered vulnerabilities. The organization’s patriarchal structure is understood as connected to a culture of silence that has allowed for sexism and marginalization of female members to continue. The women’s lived experiences of trauma within peer support practices and their struggles to redefine the foundations of their organization emphasizes the lived gendered emotionality of peer support, and uncovers how power structures can be challenged by putting the gendered lived experiences of women with a history of criminalization and substance abuse in the center of ex-offender peer support.
Responding to stakeholder needs to engage rehabilitation professionals in the delivery of evidence-based health programming for adults with osteoarthritis
Authors: Chevan Julia , Barrett Maureen , Nowakowski Kimberly , Pappas Kathleen , Murphy Heather , Erck Elizabeth , Weisner Serena
Published: August 2022

Although there are many evidence-based programs that promote healthy lifestyles and symptom modification for people with osteoarthritis, their delivery in rehabilitation clinical settings in the United States is limited. These programs can be a primary component of treatment or a discharge option to facilitate long-term mobility and pain management. The purpose of this perspective article is to describe a delivery model that brings one arthritis-appropriate, evidence-based intervention, the Arthritis Foundation's Walk With Ease program, to older adults seeking physical therapy related to their osteoarthritis. We embedded program delivery into a Doctor of Physical Therapy curriculum using a student health coaching approach and partnering with physical therapy clinics and other community agencies for participant referrals. This model of delivery is cost-effective, sustainable, and provides outcomes that meet goals of the national agenda for osteoarthritis. The model provides benefits for students in health professions education programs, community organizations and rehabilitation clinics, and adults living with osteoarthritis.
Proximity is not access: A capabilities approach to understanding non-motorized transport vulnerability in African cities
Authors: Cooke Sean , Ryseck Bianca , Siame Gilbert , Nkurunziza Alphonse , Molefe Lerato , Zuidgeest Mark
Published: August 2022

A paradigm shift regarding the fundamental premise of transport planning is underway. The objectives of shifting to accessibility-based planning includes changing the focus of transport planning practices from speed to access, from the system to the user, and from efficiency to equity. However, despite equity as a stated aim, many approaches to access planning fail to question an inequitable, often subconscious, belief at the core of transport planning: that proximity is access. But, for many groups of people in our society, proximity to public transport does not mean affordability, proximity to services does not mean disability-friendly, proximity to destinations does not mean personal safety; proximity is not the same as access. To explore this disjuncture between proximity and access for those vulnerable people groups, and what it means for transport planning, this study utilizes a less conventional conceptualization of access, one in terms of the capabilities approach. This framework, along with a series of semi-structured interviews, is used to better understand the nature and consequences of access deprivation on vulnerable young non-motorized transport users in three African cities, and its implications for transport planning practice. The research finds that, despite the theoretical access that the participants have, to amenities, services, employment opportunities and transport infrastructure, through proximity, their actual set of viable access options is constrained much further by factors outside of the remit of transport planning. The positivist nature of transport planning, and the reliance on quantitative data collection methods, hides the true cost burden of access deprivation for the most vulnerable transport users. The unseen cost burden being the trips that are not taken, the trips that cannot be taken despite the proximity of the destination, and the effect of those unrealized trips on a vulnerable person's freedom to access the opportunities that will improve their livelihood. Desire, intention, need, vulnerability, and capability are all vitally important characteristics of access that are largely invisible in current quantitative datasets, especially for those whose access is most fragile, vulnerable non-motorized transport users. A “just transition” from mobility-based to access-based transport planning needs to incorporate a combination of mixed-method transport practices.
Virtuous cycles and research for a regenerative urban ecology: The case of urban wood systems in Baltimore
Authors: Grove Morgan , Carroll Jeff , Galvin Michael , Hines Sarah , Marshall Lauren L. , Wilson Gene
Published: August 2022

The field of urban ecology has progressed since the mid-1990s through four major phases: an ecology in, of, for, and with cities. This progression reflects an interest to address the complexity of urban systems with social-ecological approaches. Further, this progression signifies an interest to address societal issues by co-designing and co-producing research in collaboration with diverse stakeholders from government, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), businesses, and community associations. What remains unaddressed in this progression is a research mission orientation. While there may be a range of goals for an ecology with cities, a focus on regenerative urban ecologies is crucial. Regenerative ecologies may be seen as an endpoint along a continuum from degenerative ecologies to sustainability to regenerative ecologies. Regenerative ecologies rely upon feedback loops, similar to coral reefs and climax forests. In urban systems, these feedbacks in social-ecological systems may be considered virtuous cycles that create reinforcing, positive benefits for people and nature over time. Virtuous cycles or feedbacks are often conceived as a singular, positive feedback loop. However, virtuous cycles may be most impactful, adaptive, and resilient when they contain multiple positive and negative feedbacks and synergies. Research has several important roles in advancing virtuous cycles and regenerative urban ecologies. In this paper, we use our urban wood systems project in Baltimore as both a case study and model to illustrate an approach and lessons learned for regenerative ecologies, virtuous cycles, and the role of research. We conclude with lessons learned and consider opportunities and constraints for virtuous cycles, research, and regenerative urban ecologies in Baltimore and to other urban systems.
How hydrogen sulfide deposition from oil exploitation may affect bacterial communities and the health of forest soils in Congolese coastal plains?
Authors: Koutika Lydie-Stella
Published: August 2022

The hydrogen sulfide (H2S) deposition from oil exploitation occurring since 1969 may potentially affect bacterial communities in acacia and eucalyptus plantations of the Congolese coastal plains. These plantations have been implemented on previous native savannas to use the unsuitable soils for agriculture, provide pulp wood and fuel wood energy, and preserve the natural forests. Increased carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) stocks in stands containing acacia relative to baseline (eucalyptus) stocks have been reported. Phosphorus availability also improved in coarse particulate organic matter (4,000–250 µm) in afforested stands as compared to natural savannas. Investigation of the abundance of bacterial phyla by metabarcoding of the 16S rRNA bacterial gene in different stands of monocultures and mixed-species stands reveals the prevalence of Actinobacteria in all stands. This phylum is generally associated with the presence of sulfur in industrial areas and has a crucial role in organic matter decomposition. This may be linked to improved soil attributes (C, N, and P) and related to oil exploitation in addition to natural processes. This review shows, therefore, how potentially human activities may impact bacterial community composition, which may further change other soil attributes. It also acknowledges that the sustainability of forest plantations on inherently nutrient-poor soils strongly relies on interactions between soil functions, the environment, and human activities driven by soil organisms.
Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy with camrelizumab in patients with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Chen Fei , Qiu Lingdong , Mu Yushu , Sun Shibin , Yuan Yulong , Shang Pan , Ji Bo , Wang Qifei
Published: August 2022

Background

Neoadjuvant anti-programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) blockade has been reported to improve the prognosis of locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). This study was aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant camrelizumab plus chemoradiotherapy in locally advanced ESCC.

Methods

We retrospectively enrolled ESCC patients who received camrelizumab plus chemoradiotherapy as neoadjuvant therapy before surgery from May 2019 to September 2021.

Results

A total of 38 eligible patients were enrolled. The neoadjuvant treatment was well tolerated with no serious treatment-related adverse events. 36 (94.7%) patients achieved a R0 resection without hospital mortality or any other serious intraoperative complications. The objective response rate (ORR) was 63.2% and the disease control rate (DCR) was 100.0%. The major pathological response (MPR) was 50.0% and the complete pathological response (pCR) was 39.5%. With a median follow-up of 18.5 months, 6 (15.8%) patients had died. The overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) at 12 months were 87.6% and 78.7%, respectively. Subgroup analysis demonstrated that patients who got MPR or pCR achieved improved survival, while PD-L1 expression did not reach statistically difference in predicting survival.

Conclusions

Neoadjuvant camrelizumab plus chemoradiotherapy is safe and efficacious in treating patients with locally advanced ESCC.
Korpus ogólny jako model danego języka naturalnego: korpusy języków fonicznych a korpus polskiego języka migowego
Authors: Świdziński Marek , Rutkowski Paweł
Published: August 2022

The aim of this paper is to discuss the major differences and similarities
between the Corpus of Polish Sign Language (KPJM), which has been developed
for a decade by the team of the Section for Sign Linguistics, Faculty of Polish
Studies, University of Warsaw, and corpora of phonic languages (and in
particular the National Corpus of Polish (NKJP)). The KPJM is a general corpus
with an ambition to represent the whole language, used by the Polish Deaf.
Unlike the corpora of phonic languages, which are collections of existing
texts, the material of the KPJM was generated purposefully by recording and
annotating an extensive set of videos. The paper shows that the sign language
corpus should be viewed as analogous to spoken language corpora rather than
to written language corpora. The KPJM can be perceived as a model of Polish
Sign Language.
Wariantywność predykacji klasyfikatorowych w polskim języku migowym – badanie pilotażowe.
Authors: Dziewanowska Weronika
Published: August 2022

This paper describes the fi ndings of a pilot research on the application
of object classifi ers and body parts in classifi er predications referring to one
designatum, i.e. the dog in the picture story Frog, Where Are You?. The research
showed that the frequency of the classifi ers in informants’ texts varied. One
classifi er type prevailed when describing the majority of situations. Moreover, for
each classifi er type used in a given situation, there was a clear predominance of
one of the possible shapes of hand, while the remaining ones were similar to it.
From among body part classifi ers, the least specifi c shapes of hand prevailed,
which rendered the look of dog head to the smallest extent. These observations
prove a high level of grammaticalisation of object classifi ers and poorly specifi c
body part classifi ers
Effects of Active Cycle of Breathing Techniques on quality of life in patients with Chronic Bronchitis
Authors: Mansha Haroon , Rashid Sajid , Khalid Muhammad Usman , Khan Rehan Ramzan , Hassan Muhammad , Khalid Hayatullah
Published: July 2022

Background: In patients with a range of respiratory disorders such as chronic bronchitis, active cycle of breathing techniques which includes cycle of breathing control, thoracic expansion exercises and forced expiratory technique (FET), appears to have beneficial effects. Objectives: To determine the effectiveness of active cycle of breathing techniques with conventional medicine among chronic bronchitis patients. Methods: A quasi-interventional study was conducted in a physiotherapy department of 600 bedded Ibn-e-Siena Hospital of Multan, from August 2020 to July 2021 with 26 patients in the experimental group who followed the pharmacological and active cycle breathing techniques treatment while the 26 patients in control group patients received the basic routine pharmacological treatment only. Patients were assessed through the help of the Saint George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) from baseline to 3 months in both groups. Results: Baseline treatment showed mean SGRQ total score was 26.53±27.39 in the control group and 20.0±20.27 (p<0.33) in the experimental group. Assessment after 3 months showed mean SGRQ total score was 14.50±12.26 in control group and 8.11±10.32 (p<0.04) in experimental group. Conclusion: Active cycle of breathing techniques was more effective with conventional medicine among chronic bronchitis patients in comparison with patients with medicine alone. Significant differences was observed in symptoms, activity, impact, and total SGRQ scores of the experimental group.
Association of depression and disability with health related quality of life in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Jahan Saira , Tabassum Humna , Meer Yusra , Manzoor Saiqa , Tariq Aroosa , Khan Fizah Mahnoor
Published: July 2022

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic progressive autoimmune disorder with frequent psychological comorbidities. Depression is also associated with increased functional disability in RA patients. Objective: To determine the association of depression and disability with health related quality of life in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in which 143 patients having rheumatoid arthritis were taken from the Islamabad rheumatology centers during period of 1st August 2019 to 30th January 2020 using non probability purposive sampling technique. All the diagnosed patients of Rheumatoid arthritis both male and female between age 35 and 60 were included in this study whereas patients with any other comorbidity were excluded. Chi square test was applied to determine the association. Data was analyzed using SPSS 21. Results: In this study level of disability as measured by health assessment questionnaire disability index (HAQDI) out of 143 patients, (48.95%) patients experienced mild disability, 58 (40.55%) and 15(10.48%) patients presented with moderate and severe disability respectively. Results of severity of depression as measured by beck depression inventory scale (BDI) were: 23(16.1%) patients had mild depression, 22 (15.4%) patients had moderate depression, and 15 (10.4%) patients had severe depression. Association of disability and depression with health related quality of life (HRQOL) was significant with p<0.05. Conclusion: It is concluded that there is significant association of disability and depression with health related quality of life among patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Seasonal Dynamics of Heavy Metal Concentrations in Water and Fish from Hakaluki Haor of Bangladesh
Authors: Bhuyain Abu Shahadat Mohammad Sadequr Rahman , Barman Sanzib Kumar , Hossain Md. Motaher , Khan Mohammad Mehedi Hasan , Mim Khadizatul Kubra , Mazumder Sabuj Kanti
Published: August 2022

Food safety is currently a serious concern due to the health risks associated with food intake, particularly due to heavy metal contamination. Therefore, the present study was conducted to investigate the heavy metals concentration in water and fishes collected from Hakaluki haor, Bangladesh. Three important fish species, Labeo rohita, Cirrhinus cirrhosis, and Labeo calbasu, together with water samples, were analyzed for heavy metals (Pb, Cr, and Cd), respectively. Considering four seasons, namely the monsoon, post-monsoon, winter, and pre-monsoon, a total of 72 fish samples were collected from three fishing stations from June 2017 to May 2018. The results showed that the total mean concentration of metals in water (mg L−1) was found to be in the order of Pb (0.125 ± 0.058) > Cr (0.026 ± 0.012) > Cd (0.001 ± 0.0002) within the maximum permissible limits set by the EU and WHO, except for Pb concentrations. Similarly, the total mean concentrations of Pb in fish (µg g−1) were found in order of L. rohita (0.388 ± 0.291) > Cirrhinus cirrhosus (0.334 ± 0.236) > L. calbasu (0.251 ± 0.117) greater than the maximum permissible limits (0.3 µg g−1) set by FIQC, except for L. calbasu. However, the mean concentrations of Cr and Cd in fish were found to be below the maximum permissible limits of FAO and FIQC, respectively. The quantity of heavy metal contamination in this haor indicates that the situation is worrying for the region’s biota and residents. However, to protect public health and reduce environmental risk, the appropriate authorities should oversee and monitor it with strong hands.