bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterizing the Engagement of Syrian Women in the Revolution
Authors: Aubin-Boltanski Emma , Khalbous Oussama
Published: November 2022

The Syrian 2011 revolution was a moment of unprecedented expression and graphic conquest of the public space. Written and chanted words, sometimes shouted and sang during the demonstrations, have somehow crystallized hopes, disillusionment and indignation of the Syrian people. Harâ’ir ‮حرائر‬‎ (Free Women) is one of them. When it appeared on the revolutionary scene, it quickly raised a fierce debate within opposition groups. If some protesters considered the word to be “poetic” and neutral, others believed that its use was a sign of an Islamist derivation discriminatory against women. Harâ’ir is used in various manners, linked to the context of enunciation and also to the political stance of the individuals using or even, at times, brandishing it as a slogan. The aim of this article is to highlight several usages situated in Syria since 2011 and to analyze the term’s semantic and emotional resonance.
The Political Potential of Ya Hef in Contemporary Syrian Politics
Authors: Gatt Kurstin
Published: November 2022

Slogans and songs are fundamental components of the revolutionary experience. In its linguistic and musical form, the phrase ya hef (‘what a shame’) became a slogan of the 2011 Syrian revolution and served as a force for instigating a socio-political change in contemporary Syria. This paper investigates ya hef and its political potential in contemporary Syrian politics from a discourse-analytical perspective. After borrowing theories from cultural studies, discourse analysis and political studies, the article analyses the strong revolutionary connotations of the slogan and song within the discursive repertoire of massacre politics, focusing on both the general and specific functions. Through a close analysis of the song’s text, the study maps out three main arguments associated with the expression: 1) ya hef as a moral protest against state-sanctioned injustice and oppression; 2) ya hef as a response to the sentiment of brotherly betrayal among Syrians; and 3) ya hef as a cathartic mechanism for national reconciliation and nation-building. This article concludes that the expression ya hef is not only politically engaged in taking a stand against al-Assad’s brutality; it also fulfils a dialogical function between the oppressor and the oppressed, the ruler and the ruled and al-Assad and the Syrian citizens. This research adds to a growing body of literature on the uses and functions of language in revolutions in general and the Arab Spring protests in particular.
Notes on the genus Choeras Mason, 1981 (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonoidea, Braconidae, Microgastrinae) from Iran
Authors: Ghafouri Moghaddam Mostafa , Arias-Penna Diana Carolina , Heidari Latibari Minoo
Published: November 2022

The genus Choeras Mason, 1981 is distributed with six species in Iran (western Asia), most of them recorded in the north. A total of 42 Choeras specimens from this country were re-examined, and some notes along with color photographs are provided. Additionally, the geographical distribution data of the known Iranian Choeras species are discussed and a distribution map is generated. Finally, a correction for the province name of the type locality is proposed for the species Choeras qazviniensis Fernandez-Triana & Talebi, 2019.
Expanding boundaries: Unmaking and remaking secrecy in field research
Authors: Klimburg-Witjes Nina , Leese Matthias , Trauttmansdorff Paul
Published: November 2022

This paper empirically retraces and conceptualizes secrecy in the study of security. Building on 27 qualitative, semi-structured interviews with social scientists about their field research experiences, we use Gieryn’s concept of “boundary work” to rethink secrecy not as a self-evident separator between clearly demarcated spheres but as something that is negotiated, suspended, or circumvented in social situations. A boundary perspective allows us to highlight how contextualized social interactions draw and redraw lines between what can be known and what remains classified. Our analysis identifies three ways in which boundaries around secrecy can be expanded: fallibility, co-optation, and ambiguity. Explicating and empirically substantiating these forms of boundary work portrays secrecy as continuously performed and reconfigured. The paper contributes to current debates about field research by providing a different conceptual angle: one that favours performativity rather than individual capacity to reflect how access to security sites and actors comes into being.
Anne Conway on Heaven and Hell
Authors: Head Jonathan
Published: November 2022

This paper examines Anne Conway’s accounts of heaven and hell, as found in her only published work, The Principles of the Most Ancient and Modern Philosophy (1690). We see that Conway seeks to portray hell in a manner that she sees as more consonant with the postulation of a loving and just God, partly by denying eternal torment and emphasising the benefits that suffering brings to a creature. I also review Conway’s account of heaven, a realm of ‘perfect tranquillity’ in which creatures enjoy unity and harmony with Christ and other heavenly spirits. We see that Conway’s account of universal salvation in this heavenly state involves an increase of understanding of the world, a continuing process of perfection, and harmony with other heavenly spirits. Throughout the paper, I also consider Conway’s eschatology within the wider intellectual context of the revival of Origenist theology in her intellectual circle and the shifting framework of eschatological thought in the early Quaker community. By reading the Principles as responding to this context, we can deepen our understanding of the radical and original contribution Conway makes to the tradition of eschatological thought.
Dendrochronological Studies of an Alpine Village (Courbons, Digne-les-Bains, France)
Authors: Shindo Lisa
Published: November 2022

A dendrochronological study of Courbons, a village in the southern French pre-Alps, was conducted to improve our understanding of its history, strengthen the reference chronologies, and reconstruct the outlines of historical forests. A total of 20 buildings were subjected to dendrochronological sampling. The 145 sampled wood pieces were of nine different species, 44 of which are dated from larch, fir, and deciduous oak. Two main construction phases were identified (from the 13th–16th century CE and from the 18th–20th century CE), separated by a hiatus during the 17th century CE. A scarcity of resources could be the cause of the hiatus. We noticed that oak trees were only used before the 16th century CE and that trees felled after the 17th century CE grew better than those that were felled before this period. Based on historical published data, we assumed that demographic variations, trees reserved for shipbuilding, and pressures from pastoralism could explain the dendrochronological results.
A new species of Akodon Meyen, 1833 (Rodentia: Cricetidae) from dry forests of the Amazonia-Cerrado transition
Authors: BRANDÃO MARCUS VINICIUS , CARMIGNOTTO ANA PAULA , PERCEQUILLO ALEXANDRE REIS , CHRISTOFF ALEXANDRE UARTH , MENDES-OLIVEIRA ANA CRISTINA , GEISE LENA
Published: November 2022

Akodon is the most diverse genus of the tribe Akodontini, comprising 41 extant species. Although distributed in a wide range of environments in South America, the genus was long considered to be absent from Amazon Forest. Nonetheless, in recent decades, records of Akodon have been reported based on specimens from southern Amazonia, throughout the contact zone with Cerrado. Published data about the unique karyotype (2n=10), along with evidence of sister phylogenetic relationship (Cytb sequences) with Akodon cursor, a species from the Atlantic Forest, suggest that these specimens represent an undescribed species. Herein we hypothesize that these samples represent a new species of Akodon from Amazonia-Cerrado transitional areas. Through the analyses of 217 specimens from Mato Grosso and Pará states, Brazil, as well as 336 specimens of Akodon cursor species group from the Atlantic Forest, we provide qualitative and quantitative external and craniodental data that support their distinction in comparison with other congeners. The sister relationship between this new species and A. cursor provide additional evidence of a past connection between the two largest tropical forests of South America. Moreover, the recognition of Akodon n. sp. points to the presence of the genus in the Amazonia-Cerrado transition, an area currently under great anthropic pressure, highlighting the fact that we might be losing a portion of Brazilian biodiversity before even getting to know it.
Molecular and morphological evidences confirm the statuses of Ancistroides othonias (Hewitson, 1878) and the subspecies of A. nigrita (Latreille, [1824]), sensu Evans 1949 (Lepidoptera, Hesperiidae)
Authors: XUE GUOXI , QU PENG , LI MENG , CHIBA HIDEYUKI , LI WENWEI
Published: November 2022

Based upon analyses of the COI gene sequences and morphological characters, Ancistroides othonias (Hewitson, 1878) is proved to be a separate species rather than a female form of A. armatus (H. Druce, 1873) or a subspecies of A. nigrita (Latreille, [1824]), and Tagiades maura Snellen, 1886 is confirmed as its junior synonym. A. fumatus (Mabille, 1876) is restored to a full species from a subspecies of A. nigrita. Genitalia of A. othonias, A. nigrita, A. fumatus, A. armatus and A. longicornis are illustrated and described. Some taxonomic notes and discussion are provided.
Gata1s mutant mice display persistent defects in the erythroid lineage
Authors: Ling Te , Zhang Kevin , Yang Jiayue , Gurbuxani Sandeep , Crispino John D.
Published: November 2022

GATA1 mutations that result in loss of the N-terminal 83 amino acids are a feature of myeloid leukemia in children with Down syndrome, rare familial cases of dyserythropoietic anemia, and a subset of cases of Diamond-Blackfan anemia. The Gata1s mouse model, which expresses only the short GATA1 isoform that begins at methionine 84, has been shown to have a defect in hematopoiesis, especially impaired erythropoiesis with expanded megakaryopoiesis, during gestation. However, these mice reportedly did not show any postnatal phenotype. Here, we demonstrate that Gata1s mutant mice display macrocytic anemia and features of aberrant megakaryopoiesis throughout life, culminating in profound splenomegaly and bone marrow fibrosis. These data support the use of this animal model for studies of GATA1 deficiencies.
The burden of mild cognitive impairment attributable to physical inactivity in Colombia
Authors: O’Donovan Gary , Lee I-Min , Hamer Mark , García-Garro Patricia , Duran-Aniotz Claudia , Ibáñez Agustín , Sarmiento Olga L. , Hessel Philipp
Published: November 2022

Background

Mild cognitive impairment often precedes dementia. The purpose of this analysis was to estimate the population attributable fraction for physical activity in Colombia, which is the reduction in cases that would occur if all participants were physically active.

Methods

The sample included 20,174 men and women aged 70.04 ± 7.68 years (mean ± SD) from the National Survey of Health, Wellbeing and Ageing. Trained interviewers administered a shorter version of the mini-mental state examination and mild cognitive impairment was defined as a score of 12 or less out of 19. Logistic regression models were fitted and population attributable fractions for physical activity were calculated. All analyses were adjusted for age, sex, height, education, income, civil status, smoking, and alcohol drinking.

Results

The prevalence of physical activity was approximately 50% when defined as walking between 9 and 20 blocks at least three times per week. Theoretically, 19% of cases of mild cognitive impairment would be eliminated if all adults were to walk (95% confidence interval: 16%, 22%). The prevalence was approximately 20% when defined as taking part in vigorous sport or exercise at least three times per week. Theoretically, 23% of cases of mild cognitive impairment would be eliminated if all adults were to take part in vigorous sport or exercise (16%, 30%). Similar results were observed after removing those who reported mental health problems.

Conclusion

Physical activity, whether walking or vigorous sport and exercise, has the potential to substantially reduce the burden of mild cognitive impairment in Colombia.
Tubercular serpiginous choroiditis
Authors: Bansal Reema , Gupta Vishali
Published: November 2022

Tubercular association with serpiginous choroiditis, also called ‘serpiginous-like choroiditis’ or ‘multifocal serpiginoid choroiditis’ (MSC) is reported from world over, especially from endemic countries. Though the exact mechanism is not yet clear, a direct or indirect infectious trigger by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) is believed to cause choroiditis.

The link of immune mechanisms with ocular inflammation caused by MTB is emerging, and has been supported by both experimental and human data. The molecular and histopathological findings of tubercular serpiginous-like choroiditis have been demonstrated in clinicopathological reports, as well as in animal models. Young to middle-aged healthy males are more frequently affected. The choroiditis lesions of tubercular serpiginous-like choroiditis evolve as multifocal lesions, affecting the retinal periphery as well as posterior pole. They begin as discrete lesions, and spread in a serpiginoid pattern to become confluent. Fundus imaging including autofluorescence is extremely helpful in monitoring patients for response to therapy. Its diagnosis is essentially clinical. Corroborative evidence is obtained by a positive tuberculin skin test, or a positive QuantiFERON-TB Gold (Cellestis, Carnegie, Victoria, Australia) test, and/or radiological (chest X-ray or chest CT scan) evidence of TB elsewhere in the body. Systemic corticosteroids are the mainstay of therapy to control active inflammation, while ATT helps to reduce recurrence of inflammatory attacks. Immunosuppressive agents are indicated in cases with relentless progression, paradoxical worsening, or recurrent choroiditis.
The challenge of managing the evolution of genomics data over time: a conceptual model-based approach
Authors: García S. Alberto , Costa Mireia , Leon Ana , Pastor Oscar
Published: November 2022

Background

Precision medicine is a promising approach that has revolutionized disease prevention and individualized treatment. The DELFOS oracle is a model-driven genomics platform that aids clinicians in identifying relevant variations that are associated with diseases. In its previous version, the DELFOS oracle did not consider the high degree of variability of genomics data over time. However, changes in genomics data have had a profound impact on clinicians’ work and pose the need for changing past, present, and future clinical actions. Therefore, our objective in this work is to consider changes in genomics data over time in the DELFOS oracle.

Methods

Our objective has been achieved through three steps. First, we studied the characteristics of each database from which the DELFOS oracle extracts data. Second, we characterized which genomics concepts of the conceptual schema that supports the DELFOS oracle change over time. Third, we updated the DELFOS Oracle so that it can manage the temporal dimension. To validate our approach, we carried out a use case to illustrate how the new version of the DELFOS oracle handles the temporal dimension.

Results

Three events can change genomics data, namely, the addition of a new variation, the addition of a new link between a variation and a phenotype, and the update of a link between a variation and a phenotype. These events have been linked to the entities of the conceptual model that are affected by them. Finally, a new version of the DELFOS oracle that can deal with the temporal dimension has been implemented.

Conclusion

Huge amounts of genomics data that is associated with diseases change over time, impacting patients’ diagnosis and treatment. Including this information in the DELFOS oracle added an extra layer of complexity, but using a model-driven based approach mitigated the cost of implementing the needed changes. The new version handles the temporal dimension appropriately and eases clinicians’ work.
Pathogenesis of plant-associated Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Caenorhabditis elegans model
Authors: Ambreetha Sakthivel , Balachandar Dananjeyan
Published: November 2022

Background

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a globally dreaded pathogen that triggers fatality in immuno-compromised individuals. The agricultural ecosystem is a massive reservoir of this bacterium, and several studies have recommended P. aeruginosa to promote plant growth. However, there were limited attempts to evaluate the health risks associated with plant-associated P. aeruginosa. The current study hypothesized that agricultural P. aeruginosa strains exhibit eukaryotic pathogenicity despite their plant-beneficial traits.

Results

We have demonstrated that feeding with the plant-associated P. aeruginosa strains significantly affects Caenorhabditis elegans health. Out of the 18 P. aeruginosa strain tested, PPA03, PPA08, PPA10, PPA13, PPA14, PPA17, and PPA18 isolated from cucumber, tomato, eggplant, and chili exhibited higher virulence and pathogenicity. Correlation studies indicated that nearly 40% of mortality in C. elegans was triggered by the P. aeruginosa strains with high levels of pyocyanin (> 9 µg/ml) and biofilm to planktonic ratio (> 8).

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that plant-associated P. aeruginosa could be a potential threat to human health similar to the clinical strains. Pyocyanin could be a potential biomarker to screen the pathogenic P. aeruginosa strains in the agricultural ecosystem.
Diagnostic testing practices for diarrhoeal cases in South African public hospitals
Authors: Johnstone Siobhan L. , Page Nicola A. , Groome Michelle J. , du Plessis Nicolette M. , Thomas Juno
Published: November 2022

Background

Stool samples submitted for diagnostic testing represent a proportion of diarrhoeal cases seeking healthcare, and an even smaller proportion of diarrhoeal cases in the community. Despite this, surveillance relies heavily on these laboratory results. This study described diarrhoeal diagnostic practices and aetiological agents of diarrhoea in patients admitted to three South African public hospitals in order to understand biases in surveillance data, and inform guidelines, diagnostic and laboratory practices to improve clinical management.

Methods

A doctors’ survey was conducted to determine sample submission, diarrhoeal treatment and barriers to submitting samples for testing. Results for all samples submitted for routine diagnostics were obtained from the NHLS Central Data Warehouse. An enhanced surveillance study enrolled patients with acute diarrhoea at the same hospitals over the same period. Differences between routine culture results and molecular testing from the surveillance study were described.

Results

Stool samples were seldom submitted for diagnostic testing (median of 10% of admitted cases). Current diagnostic guidelines were not useful, hence most doctors (75.1%) relied on their own clinical judgement or judgement of a senior clinician. Although most doctors (90.3%) agreed that diagnostics were helpful for clinical management, they reported patients being unwilling to provide samples and long laboratory turnaround times. Routine diagnostic data represent cases with chronic diarrhoea and dysentery since doctors are most likely to submit specimens for these cases. Pathogen yield (number of pathogens detected for samples tested for specific pathogens) was significantly higher in the surveillance study, which used molecular methods, than through routine diagnostic services (73.3% versus 8.2%, p < 0.001), including for viruses (48.9% versus 2.6%, p < 0.001), bacteria (40.1% versus 2.2%, p < 0.001) and parasites (16.2% versus 3.6%, p < 0.001). Despite viruses being commonly detected in the surveillance study, viral testing was seldom requested in routine diagnostic investigations.

Conclusions

Comprehensive diagnostic and treatment guidelines are required for diarrhoeal diseases. These guidelines should be informed by local epidemiological data, where diagnostic testing is reserved for cases most likely to benefit from specific treatment. Optimisation of current diagnostic processes and methods are required for these cases, specifically in terms of minimising turnaround times while maximising diagnostic acumen.
Hypoglossal nerve palsy after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination – report of two cases
Authors: Panholzer J. , Kellermair L. , Eggers C.
Published: November 2022

Background

SARS-CoV-2 vaccination is associated with an increased risk for Bell’s palsy and some other neurological disorders assumed to be of autoimmune origin. While facial nerve palsy is frequent and usually idiopathic, hypoglossal nerve palsy is rare, and a specific cause is almost always found. We firstly report two patients who developed isolated hypoglossal nerve palsy shortly after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination.

Case presentation

Two otherwise healthy patients, a 49-year-old man and a 39-year-old woman, developed unilateral hypoglossal nerve palsy 10 and 7 days after the second SARS-CoV-2-vaccination (AstraZeneca and BioNTech/Pfizer), respectively. In both subjects, needle electromyography showed denervation and rarefication of motor units. CT, MRI, examination of blood and CSF as well as ENT exam were unremarkable. In both subjects symptoms gradually improved.

Conclusion

Due to close temporal relationship, the absence of other etiologies, and spontaneous improvement we suspect the vaccination as the cause for hypoglossal nerve palsy in both patients. This is further supported by the rarity of isolated hypoglossal nerve palsies, especially in idiopathic cases. We suggest the addition of hypoglossal nerve palsy to the list of neurological injuries potentially caused by SARS-CoV-2 vaccination.
Clinical characteristics and associated factors of pediatric acute disseminated encephalomyelitis patients with MOG antibodies: a retrospective study in Hangzhou, China
Authors: Shen Jue , Lin Donghui , Jiang Tiejia , Gao Feng , Jiang Kewen
Published: November 2022

Background

To explore the clinical characteristics and related factors of children with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) with positive anti-myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibody.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted and enrolled pediatric ADEM patients who underwent serum MOG antibody detection from May 2017 to August 2020. The patients were divided into two groups: MOG- immunoglobulin G (IgG) positive (n = 35) and MOG-IgG negative (n = 50). We analyzed the clinical characteristics of MOG-IgG-positive ADEM pediatric patients and conducted a comparative analysis between the two groups.

Results

Thirty-five patients (21 males and 14 females) in the MOG-IgG-positive group with encephalopathy, multifocal neurological symptoms, and typical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) abnormalities were enrolled. They usually had a favorable outcome, while some suffered from relapse. Compared to the MOG-IgG-negative group, MOG-IgG-positive ADEM patients had a longer disease duration (median: 10 vs. 6 days), more meningeal involvement (31.4% vs. 8%) and frontal lobe involvement (82.8% vs. 68%), higher relapse rates (14.3% vs. 2%), lower serum tumor necrosis factor (1–12.4 pg/ml, median 1.7 vs. 1–34 pg/ml, median 2.2) and interferon-gamma (1–9.4 pg/ml, median 1.3 vs. 1–64 pg/ml, median 3) (P < 0.05, respectively). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the longer disease duration, meningeal involvement and frontal lobe involvement were the correlated factors of patients with ADEM with MOG antibody (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Our findings provide clinical evidence that MOG-IgG positivity is associated with longer disease duration, meningeal involvement, and frontal lobe involvement.
Development and verification of a nomogram for predicting the prognosis of resectable gastric cancer with outlet obstruction
Authors: Wei Chengzhi , Li Changhua , Chen Xiaojiang , Chen Guoming , Nie Runcong , Zhao Chongyu , Zhou Zhiwei , Chen Yongming
Published: November 2022

Background

The prognosis of patients with gastric cancer (GC) with gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) after gastrectomy is highly variable. In this study, we aimed to develop a nomogram to predict the prognosis of these patients.

Patients and Methods

Data from 218 GC patients with GOO who underwent gastrectomy at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center were retrospectively collected as a training cohort. The data of 59 patients with the same diagnosis who underwent gastrectomy at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University were collected as an external verification cohort. A nomogram for the overall survival (OS) was developed using the Cox regression model in the training cohort, which was validated in a verification cohort.

Results

Multivariate analysis showed that the surgical procedure (P < 0.001), period of chemotherapy (P < 0.001), T stage (P = 0.006), N stage (P = 0.040), systemic immune-inflammatory index (SII) (P < 0.001), and fibrinogen level (P = 0.026) were independent factors affecting OS. The nomogram constructed on the aforementioned factors for predicting the 1- and 3-year OS achieved a Harrell’s concordance index (C-index) of 0.756 and 0.763 for the training and verification cohorts, respectively. Compared with the 8th American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) Tumour-Node-Metastasis (TNM) staging system, the nomogram had higher C-index values and areas under the curve (AUCs) and slightly higher net clinical benefit.

Conclusion

Compared to the 8th AJCC staging system, the newly developed nomogram showed superior performance in predicting the survival of GC patients with GOO after gastrectomy.
Diabetic retinopathy and corneal endothelial parameters: an analytical cross-sectional study
Authors: Mortazavi Seyed-Ali-Akbar , Akhlaghi Mohammadreza , Dehghani Alireza , Pourazizi Mohsen , Malekahmadi Mohammad , Fazel Mohammadreza , Tavakoli Mehdi , Noorshargh Pegah
Published: November 2022

Background

To investigate the possible association of different pattern of diabetic retinopathy (DR) on corneal endothelium cells in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.

Methods

In this descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study, corneal endothelium parameters including endothelial cell density (ECD), average cell size (AVG), coefficient of variation in cell size (CV), and hexagonality (Hex) were evaluated by non-contact specular microscopy.

Results

One hundred and thirty-four eyes of 134 diabetic patients including 77 females (57.5%) with a mean age of 61.03 ± 8.08 years were enrolled. The overall corneal parameters in diabetic patients with and without retinopathy were not significantly different (P > 0.05). There is a significant relationship between CV and the duration of the disease with age variable control (B = 0.369, p-value < 0.001).

Conclusions

Corneal endothelial parameters were not associated with DM in patients without and with DR. There is a significant relationship between CV and the duration of the disease with age variable control.
Construct validity and reliability Amharic version of perceived stress scale (PSS-10) among Defense University students
Authors: Tsegaye Bitew Sintayehu , Andegiorgish Amanuel Kidane , Amhare Abebe Feyissa , Hailu Habtamu Belay
Published: November 2022

Background

Perceived stress scale (PSS) is the most widely used tool for assessing stressful life events and its management. However, its validity and Reliability in Ethiopian Amharic language is not assessed.

Objective

To translate the perceived stress scale (version PSS-10) and assess its validity among Defense University students in Bishoftu, Ethiopia.

Method

From March to May 2020, an anonymous, self-managed questionnaire was used to collect the data on 758 undergraduate students of Defense University in Bishoftu, Ethiopia. Exploratory and Confirmatory factor analyses were employed to assess the factor structure and construct validity of Amharic version of the PSS-10. Composite reliability coefficient and Item total correlation were calculated to assess the internal consistency of Amharic version of the PSS-10.

Result

Exploratory factor analysis resulted in a two-dimensional PSS-10 with Eigenvalues of 3.4 and 1.6, which explained 50.7% of the variance. Confirmatory factor analysis indicates a good model fit of the two correlated factors (Comparative fit index (CFI) = 0.96 with root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.04[0.03–0.06] and standardize root mean residual (SRMR) = 0.040). The internal consistency of PSS-10 and the Negative factor were in acceptable range, whereas the Positive factor was marginally acceptable (0.77, 0.78, and 0.68) respectively.

Conclusion

The Amharic translated version of PSS-10 was found to be a valid and reliable instrument to measure the perceived stress level among university students.
CALN1 hypomethylation as a biomarker for high-risk bladder cancer
Authors: Takagi Kimiaki , Naruse Azumi , Akita Kazutoshi , Muramatsu-Maekawa Yuka , Kawase Kota , Koie Takuya , Horie Masanobu , Kikuchi Arizumi
Published: November 2022

Background

DNA methylation in cancer is considered a diagnostic and predictive biomarker. We investigated the usefulness of the methylation status of CALN1 as a biomarker for bladder cancer using methylation-sensitive restriction enzyme (MSRE)-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR).

Methods

Eighty-two bladder cancer fresh samples were collected via transurethral resection of bladder tumors. Genomic DNA was extracted from the samples, and MSRE-qPCR was performed to determine the CALN1 methylation percentage. Reverse transcription-qPCR was performed to assess the correlation between CALN1 methylation and mRNA expression. The association between CALN1 methylation percentage and clinicopathological variables of all cases and intravesical recurrence of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (non-MIBC) cases were analyzed.

Results

Of the 82 patients, nine had MIBC and 71 had non-MIBC who had not undergone total cystectomy. The median CALN1 methylation percentage was 79.5% (interquartile range: 51.1–92.6%). The CALN1 methylation percentage had a negative relationship with CALN1 mRNA expression (Spearman’s ρ = − 0.563 and P = 0.012). Hypomethylation of CALN1 was associated with advanced tumor stage (P = 0.0007) and histologically high grade (P = 0.018). Furthermore, multivariate analysis revealed that CALN1 hypomethylation was an independent risk factor for intravesical recurrence in non-MIBC patients (hazard ratio 3.83, 95% confidence interval; 1.14–13.0, P = 0.031).

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that CALN1 methylation percentage could be a useful molecular biomarker for bladder cancer.
A comprehensive artificial intelligence framework for dental diagnosis and charting
Authors: Kabir Tanjida , Lee Chun-Teh , Chen Luyao , Jiang Xiaoqian , Shams Shayan
Published: November 2022

Background

The aim of this study was to develop artificial intelligence (AI) guided framework to recognize tooth numbers in panoramic and intraoral radiographs (periapical and bitewing) without prior domain knowledge and arrange the intraoral radiographs into a full mouth series (FMS) arrangement template. This model can be integrated with different diseases diagnosis models, such as periodontitis or caries, to facilitate clinical examinations and diagnoses.

Methods

The framework utilized image segmentation models to generate the masks of bone area, tooth, and cementoenamel junction (CEJ) lines from intraoral radiographs. These masks were used to detect and extract teeth bounding boxes utilizing several image analysis methods. Then, individual teeth were matched with a patient’s panoramic images (if available) or tooth repositories for assigning tooth numbers using the multi-scale matching strategy. This framework was tested on 1240 intraoral radiographs different from the training and internal validation cohort to avoid data snooping. Besides, a web interface was designed to generate a report for different dental abnormalities with tooth numbers to evaluate this framework’s practicality in clinical settings.

Results

The proposed method achieved the following precision and recall via panoramic view: 0.96 and 0.96 (via panoramic view) and 0.87 and 0.87 (via repository match) by handling tooth shape variation and outperforming other state-of-the-art methods. Additionally, the proposed framework could accurately arrange a set of intraoral radiographs into an FMS arrangement template based on positions and tooth numbers with an accuracy of 95% for periapical images and 90% for bitewing images. The accuracy of this framework was also 94% in the images with missing teeth and 89% with restorations.

Conclusions

The proposed tooth numbering model is robust and self-contained and can also be integrated with other dental diagnosis modules, such as alveolar bone assessment and caries detection. This artificial intelligence-based tooth detection and tooth number assignment in dental radiographs will help dentists with enhanced communication, documentation, and treatment planning accurately. In addition, the proposed framework can correctly specify detailed diagnostic information associated with a single tooth without human intervention.
Association of education background with clinical pharmacists’ clinical pharmacy workload in tertiary hospitals of China
Authors: Sun Qingran , Chen Lei , Huang Yuankai , Xi Xiaoyu
Published: November 2022

Background

Workload of healthcare providers may affect the quality of healthcare. Practical evidences have indicated that healthcare providers are differentially associated with workload due to their different education and training background. Clinical pharmacists are an indispensable part of medical teams. Under the precondition that clinical pharmacists in China generally undertake uneven clinical pharmacy workload, the relationship of workload and clinical pharmacists’ different education backgrounds remains unclear. This study aimed to assess the association between the education background of clinical pharmacists and their clinical pharmacy workload in China.

Methods

A field questionnaire survey using a stratified sampling was conducted to gather data on education background and clinical pharmacy workload through a self-developed instrument. Ordinary least squares regression was used to evaluate the association of the participants’ education background with their clinical pharmacy workload.

Results

A total of 625 clinical pharmacists from 311 tertiary hospitals in China participated. Two levels of education: less than bachelor’s degree in general pharmacy, or doctoral degree in clinical pharmacy was associated significantly with clinical pharmacy workload of the participants. Participants who had credentials of national level and provincial-level specialized training for clinical pharmacists had undertaken more work than those without. Moreover, the participants’ specialized field, such as respiratory medicine and nephrology, was associated with their clinical pharmacy workload.

Conclusion

Enhancing several aspects of education or training among clinical pharmacists in tertiary hospitals in China may help improve their capability to provide clinical pharmacy services. Efforts are needed to improve the education and training system of clinical pharmacists in China.
Ultrasound-guided versus traditional method for peripheral venous access: an umbrella review
Authors: Berlanga-Macías Carlos , Díez-Fernández Ana , Martínez-Hortelano José Alberto , Sequí-Domínguez Irene , Saz-Lara Alicia , Pozuelo-Carrascosa Diana , Martínez-Vizcaíno Vicente
Published: November 2022

Background

Short peripheral catheters (SPC) insertion technique has a high failure rate, one of the reasons why the ultrasound (US)-guided method has been proposed as a valid alternative to traditional technique in SPC insertion. This umbrella review aims to synthesize the available evidence comparing the US-guided method with the traditional method on SPC insertion in terms of effectiveness, safety and patient satisfaction.

Methods

An umbrella review addressing the comparison between US-guided versus traditional method for SPC insertion in which only systematic reviews of all comparative study designs were eligible was carried out. Previous systematic reviews and meta-analyses were systematically searched in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science and Cochrane Library. Methodological quality was assessed with AMSTAR-2 tool. The quality of evidence per association was assessed using the GRADE criteria and was stablished as high, moderate, low and very low.

Results

Twelve systematic reviews with a range of 75–1860 patients were included. Moderate certainty evidence supports the positive effect of US-guided method on first-attempt success rate and number of attempts. There is moderate certainty evidence that US-guided method does not reduce the time spent in SPC insertion. Low certainty evidence supports that US-guided method improves both overall success rates and patient satisfaction. Emergency department was the main hospital department where these findings were reported.

Conclusions

The best current evidence indicates that US-guided method for SPC insertion is postulated as a valid alternative for both adult and pediatric population, especially in patients with difficult venous access and in hospital departments where optimal vascular access in the shortest time possible is critical.

Trial registration

PROSPERO: CRD42021290824.
Mediating effects of emotion regulation between socio-cognitive mindfulness and empathy in nurses: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Lee Mikyoung , Park Hyunyoung
Published: November 2022

Background

Acknowledging the under-examined research of socio-cognitive mindfulness and Gross’s emotion regulation strategies in nursing, this study investigated the relationships between socio-cognitive mindfulness, emotion regulation (i.e., reappraisal and suppression), and empathy among nurses. It also explored the mediating effects of emotion regulation.

Methods

A cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted in a sample of 245 nurses from two university hospitals in South Korea. Convenience sampling was used to collect data between August 3 and September 29, 2020. Participants completed the questionnaire measuring their socio-cognitive mindfulness, emotion regulation, and empathy. Structural equation modeling and path analysis were conducted for data analysis.

Results

Socio-cognitive mindfulness positively influenced emotion regulation of reappraisal (β = 0.404, p < 0.01) and empathy (β = 0.402, p < 0.01), but negatively influenced emotion regulation of suppression (β = −0.149, p < 0.05). Reappraisal positively influenced empathy (β = 0.341, p < 0.01), whereas suppression negatively influenced empathy (β = −0.127, p < 0.05). Importantly, emotion regulation of reappraisal mediated the association between socio-cognitive mindfulness and empathy (a X b = 0.107, p < 0.01).

Conclusion

The findings indicate that socio-cognitive mindfulness is effective in improving empathy among nurses by enhancing reappraisal. This study can provide a foundation for developing socio-cognitive mindfulness or emotion regulation programs to improve empathy among nurses, which would ultimately lead to better nursing performance by increasing patient satisfaction.
Monitoring and management of chronic kidney disease in ambulatory care – analysis of clinical and claims data from a population-based study
Authors: Weckmann Gesine , Wirkner Janine , Kasbohm Elisa , Zimak Carolin , Haase Annekathrin , Chenot Jean-François , Schmidt Carsten Oliver , Stracke Sylvia
Published: November 2022

Background

Although chronic kidney disease (CKD) is highly prevalent in the general population, little research has been conducted on CKD management in ambulatory care.

Objective was to assess management and quality of care by evaluating CKD coding in ambulatory care, patient diagnosis awareness, frequency of monitoring and whether appropriate patients are referred to nephrology.

Methods

Clinical data from the population-based cohort Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP-START) were matched with claims data of the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians. Quality of care was evaluated according international and German recommendations.

Results

Data from 1778 participants (56% female, mean age 59 years) were analysed. 10% had eGFR < 60 ml/min/1.73m2 (mean age 74 years), 15% had albuminuria. 21% had CKD as defined by KDIGO. 20% of these were coded and 7% self-reported having CKD. Coding increased with GFR stage (G3a 20%, G3b 61%, G4 75%, G5 100%). Serum creatinine and urinary dip stick testing were billed in the majority of all participants regardless of renal function. Testing frequency partially surpassed recommendations. Nephrology consultation was billed in few cases with stage G3b-G4.

Conclusion

CKD coding increased with stage and was performed reliably in stages ≥ G4, while CKD awareness was low. Adherence to monitoring and referral criteria varied, depending on the applicability of monitoring criteria. For assessing quality of care, consent on monitoring, patient education, referral criteria and coordination of care needs to be established, accounting for patient related factors, including age and comorbidity.

Trial registration

This study was prospectively registered as DRKS00009812 in the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS).
Socio-economic determinants of attendance at diabetes self-management education program: using Andersen’s behavioral model
Authors: Javan-Noughabi Javad , Tabatabaee Seyed Saeed , Vahedi Sajad , Sharifi Tahere
Published: November 2022

Background

Diabetes self-management education is an effective factor for improving outcomes and quality of life in patients with diabetes. However, little information is available on the factors associated with participation or non-participation in self-management education programs in people with diabetes. The aim of this study was to explore the factors affecting on the attendance of patients with diabetes in the diabetes self-management education program.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2019 on 384 patients with diabetes referred to the main comprehensive health centers of Mashhad, Iran. All patients were linked with a diabetes self-management education program that lasted three months and involved 12 sessions. We explore the factors affecting on attending in diabetes self-management education program using Andersen’s behavioral model. Data for independent variables (predisposing, enabling, and need factors) were gathered at the beginning of the training program using registration forms. Dependent variable (attendance of patients with diabetes in the training program) was checked at the end of the program. Univariate and multivariate analysis were done with SPSS v.25.

Results

The results of this study showed that women were less likely to participate in the self-management education program than men (OR=0.414;P<0.05). Also, age, travel time, health status and years with diabetes have negative significantly correlated with participation in the education program (P<0.05). The study showed that patients with diabetes aged≥65 were less participated in the training program than those ≤40 (OR=0.159;P<0.05). Also, patients who lived farther than 40 min away from training center were less likely to participate for this program than patients that live in an area<20 min away from training center (OR=0.196;P<0.05). Odds of attending in training program for patients with poor health status was less than patients with excellent health status (OR=0.282;P<0.05). Participation in training program were low in patients with more than 5-year diabetes duration compared to less than 1 year (OR=0.176;P<0.05).

Conclusion

The implementation of the classes at the right time and online, Reduce the distance between people and the place of the class, providing facilities and providing infrastructure may be appropriate to involve women and the elderly.
Temporal change in chromatin accessibility predicts regulators of nodulation in Medicago truncatula
Authors: Knaack Sara A. , Conde Daniel , Chakraborty Sanhita , Balmant Kelly M. , Irving Thomas B. , Maia Lucas Gontijo Silva , Triozzi Paolo M. , Dervinis Christopher , Pereira Wendell J. , Maeda Junko , Schmidt Henry W. , Ané Jean-Michel , Kirst Matias , Roy Sushmita
Published: November 2022

Background

Symbiotic associations between bacteria and leguminous plants lead to the formation of root nodules that fix nitrogen needed for sustainable agricultural systems. Symbiosis triggers extensive genome and transcriptome remodeling in the plant, yet an integrated understanding of the extent of chromatin changes and transcriptional networks that functionally regulate gene expression associated with symbiosis remains poorly understood. In particular, analyses of early temporal events driving this symbiosis have only captured correlative relationships between regulators and targets at mRNA level. Here, we characterize changes in transcriptome and chromatin accessibility in the model legume Medicago truncatula, in response to rhizobial signals that trigger the formation of root nodules.

Results

We profiled the temporal chromatin accessibility (ATAC-seq) and transcriptome (RNA-seq) dynamics of M. truncatula roots treated with bacterial small molecules called lipo-chitooligosaccharides that trigger host symbiotic pathways of nodule development. Using a novel approach, dynamic regulatory module networks, we integrated ATAC-seq and RNA-seq time courses to predict cis-regulatory elements and transcription factors that most significantly contribute to transcriptomic changes associated with symbiosis. Regulators involved in auxin (IAA4-5, SHY2), ethylene (EIN3, ERF1), and abscisic acid (ABI5) hormone response, as well as histone and DNA methylation (IBM1), emerged among those most predictive of transcriptome dynamics. RNAi-based knockdown of EIN3 and ERF1 reduced nodule number in M. truncatula validating the role of these predicted regulators in symbiosis between legumes and rhizobia.

Conclusions

Our transcriptomic and chromatin accessibility datasets provide a valuable resource to understand the gene regulatory programs controlling the early stages of the dynamic process of symbiosis. The regulators identified provide potential targets for future experimental validation, and the engineering of nodulation in species is unable to establish that symbiosis naturally.