bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 and Seasonal Viruses Among 2 Million Adults Hospitalized for Severe Acute Respiratory Infection During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Brazil
Authors: Diniz Lilian M , Dias Cristiane S , Oliveira Maria Christina L , Simões e Silva Ana Cristina , Colosimo Enrico A , Mak Robert H , Pinhati Clara C , Galante Stella C , Yan Isadora O , Martelli-Júnior Hercílio , Oliveira Eduardo A
Published: May 2024

Background

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the circulation of seasonal respiratory viruses. This study aimed to compare the outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 and seasonal viruses in adults hospitalized with severe acute respiratory infection during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

This population-based cohort study included patients aged >18 years hospitalized for severe acute respiratory infection in Brazil between February 2020 and February 2023. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. A competing risk analysis was used to account for competing events.

Results

In total, 2 159 171 patients were included in the study. SARS-CoV-2 was the predominant virus (98.7%). Among patients testing positive, the cumulative incidence of in-hospital mortality was 33.1% for SARS-CoV-2, 31.5% for adenovirus, 21.0% for respiratory syncytial virus, 18.7% for influenza, and 18.6% for other viruses. SARS-CoV-2 accounted for 99.3% of the deaths. Older age, male sex, comorbidities, hospitalization in the northern region, and oxygen saturation <95% were the common risk factors for death among all viruses.

Conclusions

In this large cohort study, individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 or adenovirus had the highest risk of mortality. Irrespective of the virus type, older age, male sex, comorbidities, hospitalization in vulnerable regions, and low oxygen saturation were associated with an increased risk of fatality.
Contested Statehood in a Contested International Order: Furthering a Research Agenda
Authors: Knotter Lucas
Published: May 2024

This article serves as the introduction to this Special Forum on Contested Statehood in a Contested International Order. The articles in this Special Forum (SF) are premised on the argument that the persistent ontological and epistemological contestations over the nature of such state-like polities are strongly intertwined with recent ontological and epistemological contestations of the broader international order. To introduce such an intellectual project, this paper sets out the themes that inform this SF’s analyses of the relationships between international order and contested states. I first pay heed to the manner in which existing scholarship has already studied the embeddedness of state contestation in their broader international environment. Subsequently, this paper acknowledges that the study of international order itself is becoming a rather saturated field of research, and it therefore refrains from adding too many thoughts about the nature, virtues, and vices of (the transformation of) international order per se. Instead, this paper’s final section will outline three broad “themes of contestation” that intersect between scholarship of contested statehood and international order and that broadly underpin the research contributions to this SF. These three themes revolve around violent and/or peaceful modes of international ordering, inclusive and/or exclusive modes of international ordering, and particularistic and/or universalistic modes of international ordering.
The International Norm–Practice Relationship, Contested States, and the EU’s Territorial (Un)Differentiation toward Palestine and Western Sahara
Authors: Bouris Dimitris , Fernández-Molina Irene
Published: May 2024

This article addresses the relationship—and incongruences—between international norms and practices in EU foreign policy with a particular focus on the EU’s dealing with situations of contested statehood resulting from foreign occupation. To this purpose, we revisit the literature on the international norm–practice nexus, dynamics, and mismatches—including debates on hypocrisy—and we conceptualize territorial (un)differentiation from the perspective of both norms and practices. We then examine the extent to which and how normative change and practical change have taken place, and mutually interacted, in the EU’s territorial (un)differentiation toward Israel–Palestine and Morocco–Western Sahara. We draw on the scholarship on the international norm life cycle, which we also replicate as an analytical framework to empirically track the processes of emergence, cascade, and internalization of practices. Based on our case studies, we argue that, while emerging EU territorial differentiation toward Israel–Palestine has resulted from a process in which normative change and practical change have become entangled in a feedback loop, and the norm–practice gap has tended to be closed, in the case of Morocco–Western Sahara there has been substantial normative change but practices have remained unaltered, which has led such gap—and the perception of EU hypocrisy—to widen.
The Strategic Use of Legitimizing Norms in Unilateral Declarations of Independence
Authors: Kartsonaki Argyro
Published: May 2024

Issuing a unilateral declaration of independence (UDI) is one of the strategies secessionists use to attract attention and further their goal for statehood. This article sheds light on how secessionists instrumentalize universal norms in their UDIs to legitimize their independence and increase their chances of attracting international support. It examines UDIs issued from 1970 to 2022, investigating whether secessionists invoked universal norms and, if so, which ones. By mapping UDIs over time, the analysis shows that there are changes in which legitimizing norms are invoked in UDIs proclaimed during the Cold War, during the prevalence of the liberal international order, and during its following purported decline. The article argues that secessionists strategically manipulate the use of norms and formulate their UDIs accordingly to appeal to the endorsed legitimizing norms of the international order at the time of their secession. UDIs therefore reflect the normative trends of any given international order signaling also transitions from one order to another.
The Politics of State Recognition: Norms, Geopolitics, and the East Pakistan Crisis
Authors: Price Megan
Published: May 2024

In recent years, International Relations theorists have observed a resurgence in geopolitical rivalry, much of which is coalescing around cases of contested statehood. Yet, while there is a considerable volume of work on state recognition, the field would benefit from incorporating alternate approaches to geopolitics. A common approach entails treating geopolitical interests as independent variables for comparison against other factors. However, in prioritizing the comparison of variables, such work tells us less about how particular geopolitical interests arise in connection to cases of contested statehood. This paper therefore instead proposes a discursive approach to geopolitical interests. Following this approach, theorists will be able to treat grand strategies in a similar manner to the way the recognition scholarship already treats norms—as ideas that shape the dynamics of recognition but seldom point directly to specific recognition stances. By enabling theorists to account for the role of choice, contingency, and contestation in mediating grand strategies, this approach yields more comprehensive explanations of geopolitical interest and state recognition. In advancing its discursive approach to geopolitics and state recognition, this paper engages and extends recent constructivist work on grand strategy. The paper then illustrates the approach using the example of US policy toward the 1971 East Pakistan Crisis.
Endoscopic Tissue Expander Implantation in Postburn Reconstruction: A Review of the Literature
Authors: Manasyan Artur , Johnson Maxwell B
Published: May 2024

Background

Tissue expansion generates new tissue that can be used in postburn reconstruction. Expanders are placed through small incisions, requiring difficult and sometimes blind dissection to prepare an adequate pocket. Recently, the use of endoscopy to assist in expander placement has been described, which may improve intraoperative visualization and allow for a smaller incision. In this review, we summarize the existing literature on endoscopic tissue expander (TE) placement in postburn reconstruction and highlight areas for future research.

Methods

The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines were utilized to conduct this review. The following databases were queried for the initial search of relevant articles: PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane, and Web of Science. The data were assessed qualitatively due to the heterogeneity in reporting between the studies.

Results

Our literature query yielded 1023 studies. Sixteen manuscripts underwent full-text review, and 7 met inclusion criteria. All studies demonstrated that the endoscopic approach led to successful tissue expansion. Four articles performed a comparative analysis between the open and endoscopic approach, all of which found a significant reduction in complications like seroma, hematoma formation, and device exposure with endoscopic TE implantation. Two studies demonstrated that the use of endoscopy significantly reduced operative time and length of stay.

Conclusion

Endoscopy is a safe and effective tool in tissue expansion for postburn reconstruction. Further prospective research should include evaluating the cost-benefit of this approach and long-term outcomes for patients who have undergone endoscopic-assisted TE placement.
Lymphopenia after palliative radiotherapy for vertebral metastases
Authors: Takeda Kazuya , Umezawa Rei , Yamamoto Takaya , Takahashi Noriyoshi , Suzuki Yu , Kishida Keita , Omata So , Jingu Keiichi
Published: May 2024

Lymphopenia is a well-known side effect of radiotherapy and has been shown to have a negative impact on patient outcomes. However, the extent of lymphopenia caused by palliative radiotherapy and its effect on patient prognosis has not been clarified. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and severity of lymphopenia after palliative radiotherapy for vertebral metastases and to determine their effects on patients’ survival outcomes. We conducted a retrospective analysis for patients who underwent palliative radiotherapy for vertebral metastases and could be followed up for 12 weeks. Lymphocyte counts were documented at baseline and throughout the 12-week period following the start of radiotherapy and their medians and interquartile ranges (IQRs) were recorded. Exploratory analyses were performed to identify predictive factors for lymphopenia and its impact on overall survival (OS). A total of 282 cases that met the inclusion criteria were analyzed. The median baseline lymphocyte count was 1.26 × 103/μl (IQR: 0.89–1.72 × 103/μl). Peak lymphopenia occurred at a median of 26 days (IQR: 15–45 days) with a median nadir of 0.52 × 103/μl (IQR: 0.31–0.81 × 103/μl). Long-term analysis of patients surviving for 1 year showed that lymphopenia persisted at 1 year after radiotherapy. The main irradiation site, radiation field length and pretreatment lymphocyte count were significantly related to grade 3 or higher lymphopenia. Lymphopenia was identified as a significant predictor of OS by multivariate Cox regression analysis. This study demonstrated the incidence of lymphopenia after palliative radiotherapy for vertebral metastases and its effect on patients’ OS.
Measurements of the z > 5 Lyman-α forest flux autocorrelation functions from the extended XQR-30 data set
Authors: Wolfson Molly , Hennawi Joseph F , Bosman Sarah E I , Davies Frederick B , Lukić Zarija , Becker George D , Chen Huanqing , Cupani Guido , D’Odorico Valentina , Eilers Anna-Christina , Haehnelt Martin G , Keating Laura C , Kulkarni Girish , Lai Samuel , Mesinger Andrei , Walter Fabian , Zhu Yongda
Published: May 2024

We present the first observational measurements of the Lyman-α (Ly α) forest flux autocorrelation functions in ten redshift bins from 5.1 ≤ z ≤ 6.0. We use a sample of 35 quasar sightlines at z > 5.7 from the extended XQR-30 data set; these data have signal-to-noise ratios of >20 per spectral pixel. We carefully account for systematic errors in continuum reconstruction, instrumentation, and contamination by damped Ly α systems. With these measurements, we introduce software tools to generate autocorrelation function measurements from any simulation. Our measurements of the smallest bin of the autocorrelation function increase with redshift when normalizing by the mean flux, 〈F〉. This increase may come from decreasing 〈F〉 or increasing mean free path of hydrogen-ionizing photons, λmfp. Recent work has shown that the autocorrelation function from simulations at z > 5 is sensitive to λmfp, a quantity that contains vital information on the ending of reionization. For an initial comparison, we show our autocorrelation measurements with simulation models for recently measured λmfp values and find good agreements. Further work in modelling and understanding the covariance matrices of the data is necessary to get robust measurements of λmfp from this data.
Revisiting flares in Sagittarius A* based on general relativistic magnetohydrodynamic numerical simulations of black hole accretion
Authors: Lin Xi , Yuan Feng
Published: May 2024

High-resolution observations with GRAVITY-Very Large Telescope Interferometer (VLTI) instrument have provided abundant information about the flares in Sgr A*, the supermassive black hole in our Galactic centre, including the time-dependent location of the centroid (a ‘hotspot’), the light curve, and polarization. Yuan et al. (2009) proposed a ‘coronal mass ejection’ model to explain the flares and their association with the plasma ejection. The key idea is that magnetic reconnection in the accretion flow produces the flares and results in the formation and ejection of flux ropes. The dynamical process proposed in the model has been confirmed by three-dimensional general-relativistic magnetohydrodynamic simulations in a later work. Based on this scenario, in our previous works the radiation of the flux rope has been calculated analytically and compared to the observations. In the present paper, we develop the model by directly using numerical simulation data to interpret observations. We first identify flux ropes formed due to reconnection from the data. By assuming that electrons are accelerated in the reconnection current sheet and flow into the flux rope and emit their radiation there, we have calculated the time-dependent energy distribution of electrons after phenomenologically considering their injection due to reconnection acceleration, radiative and adiabatic cooling. The radiation of these electrons is calculated using the ray-tracing approach. The trajectory of the hotspot, the radiation light curve during the flare, and the polarization are calculated. These results are compared with the GRAVITY observations and good consistencies are found.
Toward a universal theory of consciousness
Authors: Kanai Ryota , Fujisawa Ippei
Published: May 2024

While falsifiability has been broadly discussed as a desirable property of a theory of consciousness, in this paper, we introduce the meta-theoretic concept of “Universality” as an additional desirable property for a theory of consciousness. The concept of universality, often assumed in physics, posits that the fundamental laws of nature are consistent and apply equally everywhere in the universe and remain constant over time. This assumption is crucial in science, acting as a guiding principle for developing and testing theories. When applied to theories of consciousness, universality can be defined as the ability of a theory to determine whether any fully described dynamical system is conscious or non-conscious. Importantly, for a theory to be universal, the determinant of consciousness needs to be defined as an intrinsic property of a system as opposed to replying on the interpretation of the external observer. The importance of universality originates from the consideration that given that consciousness is a natural phenomenon, it could in principle manifest in any physical system that satisfies a certain set of conditions whether it is biological or non-biological. To date, apart from a few exceptions, most existing theories do not possess this property. Instead, they tend to make predictions as to the neural correlates of consciousness based on the interpretations of brain functions, which makes those theories only applicable to brain-centric systems. While current functionalist theories of consciousness tend to be heavily reliant on our interpretations of brain functions, we argue that functionalist theories could be converted to a universal theory by specifying mathematical formulations of the constituent concepts. While neurobiological and functionalist theories retain their utility in practice, we will eventually need a universal theory to fully explain why certain types of systems possess consciousness.
Key Informants’ Perceptions of Health Equity and Racial Justice Impacts of the 2019 Massachusetts An Act Modernizing Tobacco Control
Authors: Tan Andy S L , Roberts Jane , Liu Jessica , P. Hanby Elaine , Gundersen Daniel A , Reynolds Matthew J , Winickoff Jonathan P , Gottlieb Mark A , Emmons Karen M
Published: May 2024

Introduction

The Massachusetts legislature passed An Act Modernizing Tobacco Control in November 2019 to restrict retail sales of flavored commercially manufactured tobacco products including menthol products, increase penalties for violating the law’s provisions, and provide health insurance coverage for tobacco treatment.

Aims and Methods

This study explores key informants’ perceptions of intended and unintended impacts of implementation of the 2019 Massachusetts statewide law through a health equity and racial justice lens. We conducted in-depth interviews with 25 key informants from three key informant groups (public health officials and advocates, clinicians, and school staff) between March 2021 and April 2022. Using deductive codes on unintended impacts of the implementation of the law’s policies, we conducted a focused analysis to identify impacts that were perceived and observed by informants from different key informant groups.

Results

Perceived or observed impacts of the law were identified across multiple levels by key informants and included concerns related to three broad themes: 1) intended impacts on health equity and racial justice, 2) ongoing availability of restricted products undermining the intended impact of the law, and 3) inequitable targeting by the policies and enforcement among communities of color.

Conclusions

Future evaluation is needed to assess the intended and unintended impacts of implementation of the Massachusetts law to maximize the potential of the policies to reduce tobacco-related health disparities. We discuss implications and recommendations for achieving a national policy and equitable enforcement of flavored tobacco sales restrictions.

Implications

This qualitative study among 25 key informants including public health and tobacco control advocates, clinicians, and school staff obtained perspectives of intended and unintended health equity and racial justice impacts of the 2019 Massachusetts An Act Modernizing Tobacco Control. Findings and recommendations from this study can inform monitoring efforts to assess the law’s impacts in Massachusetts and the adoption of similar flavored tobacco sales restrictions and other tobacco control policies in other states to maximize the health equity benefits and minimize unintended impacts.
A Systematic Investigation of Tobacco Industry Sourced Data Relating to Illicit Tobacco Trade Featured in Pakistan’s Media Coverage (2015–2020)
Authors: Gallagher Allen William Andrew , Sheikh Zaineb Danish , Khan Zohaib , Aftab Urooj , Rahim Mariyam , Ullah Asad , Ullah Safat , Ul Haq Hessam , Siddiqi Kamran
Published: May 2024

Introduction

Previous evidence suggests the tobacco industry uses media to disseminate misleading narratives relating to illicit tobacco trade (ITT) as part of efforts to influence policy outcomes. Such evidence is largely high-income countries (HIC) focused, resulting in a literature gap for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Pakistan and its annual budget cycle are used as a case study for addressing this gap.

Aims and Methods

Electronic English-language articles from newspapers in Pakistan (328) were sourced from LexisNexis and a sub-sample of Urdu-language electronic articles (12) were identified through internet searches. The articles were published between 2015 and 2020 and included claims/estimates relating to ITT, which were coded to identify cited data sources. Changes in media coverage before and after Pakistan’s annual budget announcements were explored via Wilcoxon signed rank and Poisson regression tests.

Results

Of the 357 claims/estimates analyzed, 66 (20%) were industry-funded. The most prevalent sources were national government bodies (36.6%) and tobacco companies or their representatives (15.1%). Wilcoxon signed-rank and Poisson regression tests on the frequency of English-language articles both created a p-value of < .05 for the frequency of relevant articles between the months of April and May, compared to the other months, indicating statistical significance.

Conclusions

There was a statistically significant increase in the number of English-language articles featuring claims/estimates relating to Pakistan’s ITT in the months leading up to the annual budget each year. The government should consider measures to improve transparency standards within media coverage and promote factcheck journalism to safeguard against industry tactics to manipulate public discourses.

Implications

This paper is, to the best of our knowledge, the largest exploration of the use of data sourced from the tobacco industry within a country’s media that has been undertaken to date, utilizing a team of seven coders across the United Kingdom and Pakistan. Our findings reveal weaknesses within media coverage of ITT in Pakistan, both in English and Urdu language publications. We encourage the government to consider new standards to enhance transparency and promote factcheck journalism within media coverage in the country.
Pneumococcal Carriage in Burkina Faso After 13-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine Introduction and Before a Schedule Change
Authors: Childs Lana , Ouedraogo Issa , Zoma Robert Lamoussa , Tarbangdo T Félix , Sawadogo Guetwendé , Aké H Flavien , Ouangraoua Soumeya , Sanou Soufiane , Tran Theresa , Velusamy Srinivasan , Adebanjo Tolulope , Van Beneden Chris A , McGee Lesley , Kobayashi Miwako
Published: May 2024

Background

In October 2013, Burkina Faso introduced 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) into the routine childhood immunization program using 3 primary doses with no booster. Previous pneumococcal carriage studies showed reductions in vaccine-type (VT) carriage in children aged <5 years but not in older age groups.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional, age-stratified pneumococcal carriage study among healthy persons aged ≥1 month in Bobo-Dioulasso in March 2020. Pneumococci isolated by culture from nasopharyngeal swabs (all participants) and oropharyngeal swabs (participants aged ≥5 years) were serotyped by polymerase chain reaction; a subset was serotyped by Quellung. Using data from a study with the same design from March 2017, we examined changes in pneumococcal carriage by age group.

Results

Among 1005 (2017) and 1002 (2020) enrolled participants, VT carriage decreased (21.6% to 15.9%; adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR], 0.76 [95% confidence interval {CI}, .63–.92]). By age group, decline in VT carriage was significant among children aged 5–14 years (28.9% to 16.3%; aPR, 0.57 [95% CI, .39–.84]) but not among children aged <5 years (22.4% to 19.1%; aPR, 0.87 [95% CI, .70–1.09]) or adults aged ≥15 years (12.0% to 5.5%; aPR, 0.52 [95% CI, .26–1.05]).

Conclusions

Between 3 and 6 years after PCV13 introduction, significant declines in VT carriage were observed in older children, possibly reflecting indirect effects of PCV13 use. VT carriage in children aged <5 years remained stable with almost 1 in 5 carrying VT pneumococci, suggesting limitations to a PCV schedule without a booster dose.
Performance of and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Diagnostics Based on Symptom Onset and Close Contact Exposure: An Analysis From the Test Us at Home Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Herbert Carly , Wang Biqi , Lin Honghuang , Yan Yi , Hafer Nathaniel , Pretz Caitlin , Stamegna Pamela , Wright Colton , Suvarna Thejas , Harman Emma , Schrader Summer , Nowak Chris , Kheterpal Vik , Orvek Elizabeth , Wong Steven , Zai Adrian , Barton Bruce , Gerber Ben S , Lemon Stephenie C , Filippaios Andreas , Gibson Laura , Greene Sharone , Colubri Andres , Achenbach Chad , Murphy Robert , Heetderks William , Manabe Yukari C , O’Connor Laurel , Fahey Nisha , Luzuriaga Katherine , Broach John , Roth Kristian , McManus David D , Soni Apurv
Published: May 2024

Background

Understanding changes in diagnostic performance after symptom onset and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) exposure within different populations is crucial to guide the use of diagnostics for SARS-CoV-2.

Methods

The Test Us at Home study was a longitudinal cohort study that enrolled individuals across the United States between October 2021 and February 2022. Participants performed paired antigen-detection rapid diagnostic tests (Ag-RDTs) and reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests at home every 48 hours for 15 days and self-reported symptoms and known coronavirus disease 2019 exposures immediately before testing. The percent positivity for Ag-RDTs and RT-PCR tests was calculated each day after symptom onset and exposure and stratified by vaccination status, variant, age category, and sex.

Results

The highest percent positivity occurred 2 days after symptom onset (RT-PCR, 91.2%; Ag-RDT, 71.1%) and 6 days after exposure (RT-PCR, 91.8%; Ag-RDT, 86.2%). RT-PCR and Ag-RDT performance did not differ by vaccination status, variant, age category, or sex. The percent positivity for Ag-RDTs was lower among exposed, asymptomatic than among symptomatic individuals (37.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 13.7%–69.4%) vs 90.3% (75.1%–96.7%). Cumulatively, Ag-RDTs detected 84.9% (95% CI, 78.2%–89.8%) of infections within 4 days of symptom onset. For exposed participants, Ag-RDTs detected 94.0% (95% CI, 86.7%–97.4%) of RT-PCR–confirmed infections within 6 days of exposure.

Conclusions

The percent positivity for Ag-RDTs and RT-PCR tests was highest 2 days after symptom onset and 6 days after exposure, and performance increased with serial testing. The percent positivity of Ag-RDTs was lowest among asymptomatic individuals but did not differ by sex, variant, vaccination status, or age category.
In Utero Exposure to Maternal SARS-CoV-2 Infection Is Associated With Higher Left Ventricular Mass in Toddlers
Authors: Ockene Mollie W , Balaguru Duraisamy , Ma Ingrid L , Russo Samuel C , Arpante Allison K , Clifford Alexandra , Jasset Olyvia J , Kim Joon H , Toribio Mabel , Stanley Takara L , Shook Lydia L , Edlow Andrea G , Fourman Lindsay T
Published: May 2024

The intrauterine environment plays a critical role in shaping chronic disease risk over the life course. We prospectively evaluated cardiometabolic outcomes in toddlers born to mothers with versus without prenatal severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. Children with in utero severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 exposure had higher left ventricular mass in association with altered maternal immunologic indices.
Community notes increase trust in fact-checking on social media
Authors: Drolsbach Chiara Patricia , Solovev Kirill , Pröllochs Nicolas
Published: May 2024

Community-based fact-checking is a promising approach to fact-check social media content at scale. However, an understanding of whether users trust community fact-checks is missing. Here, we presented n=1,810 Americans with 36 misleading and nonmisleading social media posts and assessed their trust in different types of fact-checking interventions. Participants were randomly assigned to treatments where misleading content was either accompanied by simple (i.e. context-free) misinformation flags in different formats (expert flags or community flags), or by textual “community notes” explaining why the fact-checked post was misleading. Across both sides of the political spectrum, community notes were perceived as significantly more trustworthy than simple misinformation flags. Our results further suggest that the higher trustworthiness primarily stemmed from the context provided in community notes (i.e. fact-checking explanations) rather than generally higher trust towards community fact-checkers. Community notes also improved the identification of misleading posts. In sum, our work implies that context matters in fact-checking and that community notes might be an effective approach to mitigate trust issues with simple misinformation flags.
A review of medicinal plants used for the restoration of reproductive functionality following cimetidine-induced reproductive toxicity
Authors: Ikuomola Emmanuel Orire , Oka Victor , Aja Patrick Maduabuchi , Felix Ugwu Nnaemeka , Umar Uthman Shehu , Adeniyi Adekunle Ismahil , Abodunrin Victor Kehinde , Etukudo Ekom Monday , Okechukwu Paul-Chima Ugwu
Published: May 2024

Objectives

This review investigates cimetidine’s impact on testicular function, emphasizing histopathological changes, and impaired spermatogenesis resulting in reduced sperm count. Cimetidine disrupts the hormonal balance in both genders. The study explores the potential of medicinal plants (Curcuma longa, Nigella sativa, Tetracarpidium conophorium, Ginger Rhizome, and Kaempferia parviflora rhizome extract) to counter cimetidine-induced toxicity.

Methods

A systematic review within the Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome, and Study design (PICOS) framework and adherence to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 standards, which outline comprehensiveness, accuracy, and reporting guidelines for systematic reviews and meta-analyses, identified relevant literature through electronic databases.

Findings

Medicinal plants exhibit diverse mechanisms, indicating the potential to restore reproductive functionality and mitigate cimetidine-induced toxicity. They serve as adjunctive treatments for managing reproductive impairments caused by cimetidine.

Conclusions

This review provides concise insights into the potential of medicinal plants, notably C. longa, Nigella sativa, Tetracarpidium conophorium, Ginger Rhizome, and Kaempferia parviflora rhizome extract, as interventions against cimetidine-induced reproductive toxicity. These findings propose alternative strategies for addressing reproductive impairments linked to cimetidine.
Anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory protective mechanisms of Gmelina arborea stem bark extract on ischemic reperfusion injury in albino Wistar rats
Authors: Bukke Sarad Pawar Naik , Gali Avinash Kumar , Igbinoba Sharon Iyobor , Venkateswarlu Garla , Bello Hussaini , Goruntla Narayana , Onohuean Hope
Published: May 2024

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Gemlina arborea Roxb. ex.’s entire plant is utilized in medicine to treat several diseases.

Objective and design

Cerebral infarction occurs through multiple mechanisms, and herbs are natural multi-component with numerous protective mechanisms. This research investigates the neuroprotective effect of Gemlina arborea stem bark extract in preventing cerebral infarction.

Methodology

Male albino Wistar rats were inducted with ischemic injury using the bilateral common carotid artery occlusion method. Neurological effects were examined by motor defects, locomotor activity, and forced swim test, while biochemical activities of the brain oxidative stress biomarkers studied include; (lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase, catalase levels, glutathione levels, total calcium levels, and sodium-potassium-ATPase) and histopathological examination. Western blotting analysis was used to study the anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory mechanisms.

Results

The elevated oxidative stress biomarkers in the treated group showed extract-inhibited cerebral infarction. Histological examination shows inhibited neutrophil migration and cell damage. The western blot assay depicts reductions in the inflammatory indicators (p38 MAPK, TNF- α) and attenuation of apoptotic mediators (Bcl2/Bax ratio), down-regulation of caspase-3 expression, and a significantly raised anti-inflammatory mediators (IL-10 and actin) in a dose-dependent manner, suggested potential mechanisms by which the extract prevented ischemic reperfusion injury.

Conclusion

Overall, the estimation of inflammatory and apoptotic mediators revealed the involvement of the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of Gmelina arborea stem bark extract in preventing cerebral infarction.
Functional Connectivity-Based Searchlight Multivariate Pattern Analysis for Discriminating Schizophrenia Patients and Predicting Clinical Variables
Authors: Chen Yayuan , Wang Sijia , Zhang Xi , Yang Qingqing , Hua Minghui , Li Yifan , Qin Wen , Liu Feng , Liang Meng
Published: May 2024

Background

Schizophrenia, a multifaceted psychiatric disorder characterized by functional dysconnectivity, poses significant challenges in clinical practice. This study explores the potential of functional connectivity (FC)-based searchlight multivariate pattern analysis (CBS-MVPA) to discriminate between schizophrenia patients and healthy controls while also predicting clinical variables.

Study Design

We enrolled 112 schizophrenia patients and 119 demographically matched healthy controls. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data were collected, and whole-brain FC subnetworks were constructed. Additionally, clinical assessments and cognitive evaluations yielded a dataset comprising 36 clinical variables. Finally, CBS-MVPA was utilized to identify subnetworks capable of effectively distinguishing between the patient and control groups and predicting clinical scores.

Study Results

The CBS-MVPA approach identified 63 brain subnetworks exhibiting significantly high classification accuracies, ranging from 62.2% to 75.6%, in distinguishing individuals with schizophrenia from healthy controls. Among them, 5 specific subnetworks centered on the dorsolateral superior frontal gyrus, orbital part of inferior frontal gyrus, superior occipital gyrus, hippocampus, and parahippocampal gyrus showed predictive capabilities for clinical variables within the schizophrenia cohort.

Conclusion

This study highlights the potential of CBS-MVPA as a valuable tool for localizing the information related to schizophrenia in terms of brain network abnormalities and capturing the relationship between these abnormalities and clinical variables, and thus, deepens our understanding of the neurological mechanisms of schizophrenia.
‘Altogether Abnormal’: Consumer-Citizens, Outsizes, and Clothes Rationing, 1941–9
Authors: Kot-Ofek Tali
Published: May 2024

During the Second World War and the austerity period that followed it, the British government operated clothes rationing as a welfare policy. Its official aim was to ensure that all citizens had equal access to essential clothing. Despite being associated with the principle of ‘fair shares’, rationing did not work well for large-bodied consumers. Government agents’ assumptions about citizens’ bodies generated a rationing scheme that overlooked large bodies. As a result, rationing regulations and economic controls amplified the normalizing impulses of mass production, creating a constant shortage of ready-made large garments and a market in which purchasing power and access to goods depended on body size. Struggling to navigate this market, consumers attempted to hold the government accountable for its declarations of equality. Tracing this issue in government records and in local, national, and trade press, this article discusses how the conflicting motivations of state, trade, and citizens shaped rationing in a way that prioritized the culturally and statistically ‘normal’ and reflects on what mass welfare meant for citizens with ‘abnormal’ needs.
Dirty Documents and Illegible Signatures: Doctoring the Archive of British Imperialism and Decolonization
Authors: Hebert Joel
Published: May 2024

This article uses the surviving records of the Hanslope disclosure to track the British government’s efforts to censor colonial archives in the era of decolonization. As staff withdrew from colonies around the world, they were instructed to either destroy or ‘migrate’ to Britain large quantities of records that held sensitive, embarrassing, or potentially incriminating details about the history of British colonial administration. Some 25,000 files were eventually shipped to the UK in a program called ‘Operation Legacy’ where they fell into legal limbo and out of institutional memory. Millions more were burned or ditched at sea. This article pursues these archival policies as they gradually evolved from Malaya to East Africa, the Caribbean, and into the post-colonial era. In giving special attention to Operation Legacy’s broader temporal and geographic sweep, this article meditates on two key points. First, while colonial officials actively learned from their colleagues in other colonies, they were forced to adapt Operation Legacy to local circumstances. The uneven application of this policy reflected the late British Empire’s status as a patchwork of sovereignties in which people were governed differently. Second, while evidence is limited, officials across disparate colonial administrations were bound together by a common impulse. They sought not only to destroy and ‘migrate’ records but also to doctor files that could then be transferred to newly independent governments. In the end, the goal was to mask the disconnect in the archives between rhetoric and reality—of the alleged aspirations of Britain’s ‘civilizing mission’ and its history of colonial violence, systemic racism, and other inconvenient truths.
‘Monty, Bring the Blood Can!’ Pulling Teeth in Working-Class Lancashire, 1900–48
Authors: Jones Claire L
Published: May 2024

Working-class health cultures before the National Health Service have long been of scholarly interest but those related to oral health are chronically underexamined. This article examines one important aspect of this history—tooth pulling—in early twentieth-century Lancashire. By highlighting the dynamics of market supply and demand, it demonstrates how and why the tooth pulling services of non-orthodox practitioners called dental mechanics remained popular despite the increasing monopolization of oral health by dentists. Dentists characterized mechanics as quacks, but working-class Lancastrians sought out these mechanics because they formed a trusted part of their communities. This demonstration of a population’s preference for unorthodox over orthodox practitioners provides a much-needed counter-narrative to professionalization in oral health and highlights the significance of geographically specific traditions over the values of medicine and science.
Reproductive toxicity perspectives of nanoparticles: an update
Authors: Sree B Kavya , Kumar Nitesh , Singh Sanjiv
Published: May 2024

Introduction: The rapid development of nanotechnologies with their widespread prosperities has advanced concerns regarding potential health hazards of the Nanoparticles. Results: Nanoparticles are currently present in several consumer products, including medications, food, textiles, sports equipment, and electrical components. Despite the advantages of Nanoparticles, their potential toxicity has negative impact on human health, particularly on reproductive health. Conclusions: The impact of various NPs on reproductive system function is yet to be determined. Additional research is required to study the potential toxicity of various Nanoparticles on reproductive health. The primary objective of this review is to unravel the toxic effects of different Nanoparticles on the human reproductive functions and recent investigations on the reproductive toxicity of Nanoparticles both in vitro and in vivo.
Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-DNA damage effects of carnosic acid against aflatoxin B1-induced hepatic, renal, and cardiac toxicities in rats
Authors: Albadrani Ghadeer M , Altyar Ahmed E , Kensara Osama A , Haridy Mohie A M , Zaazouee Mohamed Sayed , Elshanbary Alaa Ahmed , Sayed Amany A , Abdel-Daim Mohamed M
Published: May 2024

Background

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) food contamination is a global health hazard that has detrimental effects on both human and animal health. The objective of the current study is to assess the protective impact of carnosic acid against AFB1-induced toxicities in the liver, kidneys, and heart.

Methods

Forty male Wistar Albino rats (weighting 180 ~ 200 g) were allocated into 5 groups (8 rats each); the 1st group received saline as served as a control, the 2nd group received carnosic acid (CA100) at a dose of 100 mg/kg bw/day by gavage for 14 days, the 3rd group received AFB1 at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg bw, orally twice on days 12 and 14, the 4th group (AFB1-CA50) received AFB1 as in the 3rd group and CA at a dose of 50 mg/kg bw/day, and the 5th group (AFB1-CA100) received AFB1 as in the 3rd group and CA as in the 2nd group.

Results

CA significantly decreased the liver enzymes (ALT, AST. ALP), renal function products (LDH, BUN, creatinine), and cardiac enzymes (CK and CK-MB) to control levels after the high increment by AFB1 exposure. Moreover, CA significantly decreased the oxidative stress (MDA, NO, 8-OHdG) and increased the antioxidant enzyme activities (CAT, GSH, GSH-Px, and SOD) after severe disruption of oxidant/antioxidant balance by AFB1 exposure. Interestingly, CA significantly decreased the proinflammatory mediators (IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α) to the control levels after severe inflammation induced by AFB1 exposure.

Conclusions

Conclusively, CA had antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-DNA damage effects against hepatic, renal, and cardiac AFB1-induced toxicities.
Hybrid-Theory Innovative Clinical Teaching Strategy
Authors: Kiel LaTashia , Sumpter Danica
Published: May 2024

This article introduces the Hybrid-Theory Innovative Clinical Teaching Strategy (HICTS) as a response to the challenges faced by nurse faculty in clinical education. With a shortage of clinical placements, preceptors, and evolving certification demands, faculty creativity is vital. HICTS integrates several learning theories to provide a transformative educational approach. Through shadowing and reflecting on faculty and peer actions, learners gain confidence and improved clinical reasoning. HICTS benefits faculty by reducing workload pressures and allowing personalized support. Further research is needed to determine the optimal use of HICTS and measure its impact on learner outcomes.
Association and Effect Strength of Simulation Characteristics and Transfer of Learning Attitudes in a Disaster Simulation for Prelicensure Nursing Students
Authors: Evans Cathleen A. , Roy Banibrata , Lamarra Teresa , Kobner Danielle
Published: May 2024

Nurse educators design simulations with the intent that students transfer previous academic learning. Transfer of learning (TOL) is a complex and abstract concept with critical literature gaps needing measurement research. This study examined the association between simulation characteristics and students’ TOL attitudes and the effect strength. This baseline study evidenced simulation design characteristics, as category groupings, were associated with students’ TOL attitudes with positive and mostly modest effects. The resulting educational implications include applying instructional design to simulation, teaching students what TOL is, and modeling thinking in the classroom for transfer to simulation.
Transcriptome and metabolome sequencing identifies glutamate and LPAR1 as potential factors of anlotinib resistance in thyroid cancer
Authors: Liu Bin , Peng Ying , Su Yanjun , Diao Chang , Qian Jun , Zhan Xiangxiang , Cheng Ruochuan
Published: May 2024

Objective

To explore the mechanism of anlotinib resistance in thyroid carcinoma.

Methods

We constructed an anlotinib-resistant thyroid carcinoma cell line and observed the effect of drug resistance on the functional activity of these cell lines. Transcriptome sequencing and metabolomic sequencing combined with biosynthesis analysis were used to explore and screen possible drug resistance regulatory pathways.

Results

Through transcriptomic sequencing analysis of drug-resistant cell lines, it was found that the differentially expressed genes of drug-resistant strains were enriched mainly in the interleukin 17, transforming growth factor-β, calcium, peroxisome proliferator activated receptor, and other key signaling pathways. A total of 354 differentially expressed metabolic ions were screened using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry to determine the number of metabolic ions in the drug-resistant strains. The results of the Venn diagram correlation analysis showed that glutamate is closely related to multiple pathways and may be an important regulatory factor of anlotinib resistance in thyroid carcinoma. In addition, eight common differentially expressed genes were screened by comparing the gene expression profiling interactive analysis database and sequencing results. Further quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction verification, combined with reports in the literature, showed that LPAR1 may be an important potential target.

Conclusion

This is the first study in which the drug resistance of thyroid cancer to anlotinib was preliminarily discussed. We confirmed that anlotinib resistance in thyroid cancer promotes the progression of malignant biological behavior. We conclude that glutamate may be a potential factor for anlotinib resistance in thyroid cancer and that LPAR1 is also a potentially important target.
Global Trends in and Hotspots of Bacterial Quorum Sensing: A Bibliometric Analysis for the Period 2012–2022
Authors: Miao Beiliang , Han Yu , Gao Mengqi , Yu Li , Ma Wenxin , Chen Zeliang , Zhang Ning , Liu Shiwei
Published: May 2024

Background:

Bacterial quorum sensing (QS) plays significant roles in various fields. However, a comprehensive understanding of publication trends and research focuses within this domain remains limited. This study aimed to analyze global trends and hotspots of QS through a bibliometric analysis.

Methods:

The literature collected from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database from 2012 to 2022 was retrieved, and then the bibliometric and visualization analyses were conducted using Co-Occurrence 13.4 (COOC), VOSviewer 1.6.19, and Pajek 5.16.

Results:

A total of 7506 papers were included and analyzed. The results revealed that the number of papers in the field of QS has increased rapidly in the last decade. The United States was the most productive and the most cited. China ranked second in terms of publications. The Chinese Academy of Science and The University of Copenhagen were the most active institutions in the field. Bonnie L. Bassler was the top-ranked author in terms of citations, thereby indicating that she was a leader in terms of academic influence in the area of QS. Further, the analysis of keywords revealed that previous studies focused on the basic mechanism, but recent research focuses on the more profound exploration of signal molecules and information exchange. Quorum quenching (QQ) and quorum sensing inhibitors (QSIs) provide directions for addressing bacterial resistance and pave the way for the development of new antimicrobial agents, which has become a hotspot and the key direction for future development in microbiological research.

Conclusion:

Our analysis provides a comprehensive overview of publication trends, research hotspots, and frontiers, which may provide guidelines for future research of QS.