bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring equity, diversity, and inclusion in a simulation program using the SIM-EDI tool: the impact of a reflexive tool for simulation educators
Authors: Purdy Eve , Symon Ben , Marks Ruth-Ellen , Speirs Chris , Brazil Victoria
Published: March 2023

Background

There have been increasing calls for awareness and action related to equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in simulation but a lack of practical guidance for how simulation delivery teams (SDTs) might move towards meaningful transformation. The gap between academic conversations about EDI and how to practically impact SDT attitudes, behaviors, and performance remains considerable. We designed a conversational tool, the SIM-EDI, to bridge the gap between theory and practice for SDTs by enhancing reflexivity and studied its impact locally.

Methods

We engaged in a collaborative autoethnography to explore EDI within our emergency department SDT shortly after implementing the SIM-EDI. The 12-month ethnography is informed by our team’s collection and analysis of data about ourselves and our own experiences using the tool. Data included serial interviews, field notes from simulations and SDT meetings, SDT documents, and self-reflections.

Results

We found the SIM-EDI tool could be implemented with a team with a high level of readiness. Use of the tool had several meaningful impacts including enhanced team reflexivity, normalization of conversations related to EDI and increased confidence to engage in EDI conversations with participants. Key themes throughout the process included (1) individual and team growth, (2) fear of “getting it wrong”, and (3) tension between bias towards action and need for slow reflection.

Conclusion

The SIM-EDI tool can effectively promote reflexivity among faculty in an emergency department simulation program. The tool is easy to use and implement, impacts attitudes and behaviors, and facilitates individual and team growth.
Development and validation of stability indicating HPLC–PDA method for the simultaneous determination of benzoyl peroxide and tretinoin in topical dosage form
Authors: Usman Muhammad , Abbas Tauqeer
Published: March 2023

Background

Acne vulgaris is a very dangerous skin disease leads to psychological disorders. Benzoyl peroxide and tretinoin in combination with topical dosage are used to improve the appearance of acne-prone skin. The study aimed to develop and validate an HPLC–PDA method for the simultaneous estimation of both drugs. Intentional modifications were implemented in the analytical method to get better optimum conditions. The final method was chosen for the reverse phase chromatographic separation by using the C18 column as a stationary phase and 0.01 M phosphate buffer adjusted pH 2.5 mixed with acetonitrile (25:75 v/v) as a mobile phase. The optimized conditions were 1.5 mL/min flow rate, 30 °C column temperature, 5 °C autosampler temperature, and 20 µL injection volume. The wavelength was chosen for detection of Benzoyl peroxide at 272 nm and Tretinoin at 353 nm by utilizing a PDA detector. All standard and sample solutions were made in methanol.

Results

The developed method exhibited peak retention times of 2.94 min for Benzoyl peroxide and 11.34 min for Tretinoin. This analytical method was proven to be robust, linear in calibration curve, accurate, precise, and specific. The forced degradation studies results showed that a high degree of specificity was obtained by separating both analytes from produced impurities completely.

Conclusions

The developed analytical method is fast, economic and stability indicating. It is useful for routine pharmaceutical analysis where the combination of benzoyl peroxide and tretinoin is formulated for their quality and safety.
Working Musicians
Authors: Taylor Timothy D.
Published: March 2023

In Working Musicians Timothy D. Taylor offers a behind-the-scenes look at the labor of the mostly unknown composers, music editors, orchestrators, recording engineers, and other workers involved in producing music for films, television, and video games. Drawing on dozens of interviews with music workers in Los Angeles, Taylor explores the nature of their work and how they understand their roles in the entertainment business. Taylor traces how these cultural laborers have adapted to and cope with the conditions of neoliberalism as, over the last decade, their working conditions have become increasingly precarious. Digital technologies have accelerated production timelines and changed how content is delivered, while new pay schemes have emerged that have transformed composers from artists into managers and paymasters. Taylor demonstrates that as bureaucratization and commercialization affect every aspect of media, the composers, musicians, music editors, engineers, and others whose soundtracks excite, inspire, and touch millions face the same structural economic challenges that have transformed American society, concentrating wealth and power in fewer and fewer hands.
Live-cell tracking of γ-H2AX kinetics reveals the distinct modes of ATM and DNA-PK in the immediate response to DNA damage
Authors: Trakarnphornsombat Watanya , Kimura Hiroshi
Published: March 2023

DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are a serious form of DNA damage that can cause genetic mutation. On the induction of DSBs, histone H2AX becomes phosphorylated by kinases, including ataxia telangiectasia-mutated (ATM), ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related (ATR) and DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK). Phosphorylated H2AX (γ-H2AX) can be a platform to recruit DNA repair machinery. Here, we analyzed the immediate early kinetics of γ-H2AX upon laser-induced DNA damage in ATM-proficient and -deficient living cells by using fluorescently labeled antigen-binding fragments specific for γ-H2AX. The accumulation kinetics of γ-H2AX were similar in both ATM-proficient and -deficient cells. However, γ-H2AX accumulation was delayed when the cells were treated with a DNA-PK inhibitor, suggesting that DNA-PK rapidly phosphorylates H2AX at DSB sites. Ku80 (also known as XRCC5), a DNA-PK subunit, diffuses freely in the nucleus without DNA damage, whereas ATM repeatedly binds to and dissociates from chromatin. The accumulation of ATM at damage sites was regulated by the histone H4K16 acetyltransferase MOF (also known as KAT8 in mammals), but its accumulation was not necessarily reflected in the γ-H2AX level. These results suggest distinct actions of ATM and DNA-PK in immediate γ-H2AX accumulation.
Rural-Urban Migration, Structural Transformation, and Housing Markets in China
Authors: Garriga Carlos , Hedlund Aaron , Tang Yang , Wang Ping
Published: March 2023

This paper investigates the interrelationship between urbanization, structural transformation, and the post-2000 Chinese housing boom through the lens of a dynamic spatial equilibrium model that features migration and a rich housing market structure with mortgages. Urbanization and structural transformation emerge as key drivers of China's house price boom, while at the same time rising house prices impede these forces of economic transition. Policies to boost urbanization can be undone by the endogenous price response. Land supply expansion ameliorates this negative feedback. Overall, housing markets powerfully shape the path of economic development. (JEL E23, O18, P23, P25, R23, R31, R58)
Effects of deep learning on radiologists’ and radiology residents’ performance in identifying esophageal cancer on CT
Authors: Yasaka Koichiro , Hatano Sosuke , Mizuki Masumi , Okimoto Naomasa , Kubo Takatoshi , Shibata Eisuke , Watadani Takeyuki , Abe Osamu
Published: March 2023

Objective:

To investigate the effectiveness of a deep learning model in helping radiologists or radiology residents detect esophageal cancer on contrast-enhanced CT images.

Methods:

This retrospective study included 250 and 25 patients with and without esophageal cancer, respectively, who underwent contrast-enhanced CT between December 2014 and May 2021 (mean age, 67.9 ± 10.3 years; 233 men). A deep learning model was developed using data from 200 and 25 patients with esophageal cancer as training and validation data sets, respectively. The model was then applied to the test data set, consisting of additional 25 and 25 patients with and without esophageal cancer, respectively. Four readers (one radiologist and three radiology residents) independently registered the likelihood of malignant lesions using a 3-point scale in the test data set. After the scorings were completed, the readers were allowed to reference to the deep learning model results and modify their scores, when necessary.

Results:

The area under the curve (AUC) of the deep learning model was 0.95 and 0.98 in the image- and patient-based analyses, respectively. By referencing to the deep learning model results, the AUCs for the readers were improved from 0.96/0.93/0.96/0.93 to 0.97/0.95/0.99/0.96 (p = 0.100/0.006/<0.001/<0.001, DeLong’s test) in the image-based analysis, with statistically significant differences noted for the three less-experienced readers. Furthermore, the AUCs for the readers tended to improve from 0.98/0.96/0.98/0.94 to 1.00/1.00/1.00/1.00 (p = 0.317/0.149/0.317/0.073, DeLong’s test) in the patient-based analysis.

Conclusion:

The deep learning model mainly helped less-experienced readers improve their performance in detecting esophageal cancer on contrast-enhanced CT.

Advances in knowledge:

A deep learning model could mainly help less-experienced readers to detect esophageal cancer by improving their diagnostic confidence and diagnostic performance.
How can policy and policymaking foster climate justice? A qualitative systematic review
Authors: Cairney Paul , Timonina Irina , Stephan Hannes
Published: March 2023

Background: Climate change research has established a clear requirement for policy and policymaking: (1) transformational changes in policy and policymaking to foster (2) ‘climate justice’, including a ‘just transition’ (a movement towards environmental sustainability with equitable processes and outcomes). However, there is a major gap between these requirements and actual policies and policy processes. We identify how researchers use policy theories to understand this gap.

Methods: We conducted a qualitative systematic review (2022) to identify peer reviewed journal articles on climate change, policy, justice, and equity in three databases (Web of Science, Scopus, Proquest). Each article had to provide a non-trivial reference to policymaking. We used an immersive and inductive approach to identify key themes and show how the use of policy theories informs climate change research.

Results: A total of 108 texts meet the inclusion criteria (with some bias towards Global North research since all texts are in English).  Most provide general definitions of climate justice, require fair outcomes and processes, and list what is required to meet those aims. However, they also identify unjust processes and outcomes in relation to who is recognised, gets to define the problem, and wins or loses from solutions. Researchers contrast their preferred social justice approach (informing ‘civic environmentalism) to a dominant neoliberal approach (corresponding to weak ‘ecological modernization’).

Conclusions: Researchers focus on what they need from policy and policymaking to produce climate justice. Few engage meaningfully with policy theories to describe how policymaking actually works. More engagement would help to set meaningful expectations regarding policy change and avoid a needless tendency to treat policymaking like a ‘black box’.
The geo-economic approach to the European Union’s strategy for cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region
Authors: Bharti Mukesh Shankar
Published: March 2023

The purpose of this study is to discuss the European Union’s (EU) cooperation and geo-economic approach towards the Indo-Pacific Region (IPR). This study examines the EU’s comprehensive strategy for the expansion of its presence in the Indian and the Pacific Oceans. The EU wants economic and political partnerships between the Indo-Pacific countries so as to strengthen its position in the region. The European Union’s policy has been operating in the regions as an instrument of soft power to cooperate with countries of this region. The research highlights that the EU implies the construction of structural strategic networks to intensify the high capacities in the projection of economic cooperation. As a result, the EU somehow makes a rational connection to expedite economic activities while, on the other hand, the EU needs to establish a strong mechanism to achieve ultimate geopolitical and geo-economic interest in the region.
Expectations and human rights protection: the case of Vietnam during COVID-19
Authors: Doan Hai , Nie Jing-Bao
Published: March 2023

Background: A key part of the complexity of actual social life lies in the fact that it operates on a large web of not only prescribed norms and rules, but also explicit and especially implicit expectations which constantly interact with each other.

Methods: This paper offers the first in-depth study on ‘expectations’ in bioethical and health law studies, taking Vietnamese human rights issues in response to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) as illustrations. It defines ‘expectations’ as normative imaginaries that can induce or guide actions and inactions at individual and collective levels.  

Results: The study suggests that ‘expectations’ is a fruitful concept for bioethical and health law studies because it helps better understand the complexity of interactions in society and patterns of thinking and acting of actors in real-world contexts. Studying expectations also has implications for how human rights and other ethical norms can be better realized in practice.  From applying the concept of ‘expectations’ to study human rights issues in Vietnam, this paper also argues that for better protection of human rights, there must be changes concerning expectations of involved parties.

Conclusions: Changes in expectations in turn call for changes in stimulus, knowledge, praxis, polices, laws and institutions. Meanwhile, checks and balances mechanisms must effectively constrain the materialization of undue expectations.
Utility of MALDI-TOF MS for determination of species identity and blood meal sources of primary malaria vectors on the Kenyan coast
Authors: Karisa Jonathan , Ominde Kelly , Tuwei Mercy , Bartilol Brian , Ondieki Zedekiah , Musani Harun , Wanjiku Caroline , Mwikali Kioko , Babu Lawrence , Rono Martin , Eminov Mumin , Mbogo Charles , Bejon Philip , Mwangangi Joseph , Laroche Maureen , Maia Marta
Published: March 2023

Background: Protein analysis using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass-spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) represents a promising tool for entomological surveillance. In this study we tested the discriminative power of this tool for measuring species and blood meal source of main Afrotropical malaria vectors on the Kenyan coast.

Methods: Mosquito collections were conducted along the coastal region of Kenya. MALDI-TOF MS spectra were obtained from each individual mosquito’s cephalothorax as well as the abdomens of blood-engorged mosquitoes. The same mosquitoes were also processed using gold standard tests: polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for species identification and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for blood meal source identification.

Results: Of the 2,332 mosquitoes subjected to MALDI-TOF MS, 85% (1,971/2,332) were considered for database creation and validation. There was an overall accuracy of 97.5% in the identification of members of the An. gambiae (An. gambiae, 100%; An. arabiensis, 91.9%; An. merus, 97.5%; and An. quadriannulatus, 90.2%) and An. funestus (An. funestus, 94.2%; An. rivulorum, 99.4%; and An. leesoni, 94.1%) complexes. Furthermore, MALDI-TOF MS also provided accurate (94.5% accuracy) identification of blood host sources across all mosquito species.

Conclusions: This study provides further evidence of the discriminative power of MALDI-TOF MS to identify sibling species and blood meal source of Afrotropical malaria vectors, further supporting its utility in entomological surveillance. The low cost per sample (<0.2USD) and high throughput nature of the method represents a cost-effective alternative to molecular methods and could enable programs to increase the number of samples analysed and therefore improve the data generated from surveillance activities.
The genome sequence of the Dotted Border, Agriopis marginaria (Fabricius, 1776)
Authors: Lees David , Boyes Douglas ,   Natural History Museum Genome Acquisition Lab,   University of Oxford and Wytham Woods Genome Acquisition Lab,   Darwin Tree of Life Barcoding collective,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life programme,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: DNA Pipelines collective,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: March 2023

We present a genome assembly from an individual maleAgriopis marginaria(the Dotted Border, Arthropoda; Insecta; Lepidoptera; Geometridae). The genome sequence is 500.9 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 29 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the assembled Z sex chromosome. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 16.9 kilobases in length. Gene annotation of this assembly on Ensembl identified 12,443 protein coding genes.
Quality of Artificial Intelligence Driven Procurement Decision Making and Transactional Data Structure
Authors: Delina Radoslav , Macik Marek
Published: March 2023

Purpose: Current data driven decision making development calls for the quality assurance based on quality data structure. The paper analyses transactional data structure used in public procurement in Slovakia and the effect of data structure enhancement on prediction performance as crucial part of artificial intelligence (AI) quality assurance standard. We examine the significance of data structure enhancement and attributes transformation for prediction modelling.
Methodology/Approach: The research is based on mutli-step model using stacked ensemble machine learning (ML) algorithm and simulating input space of 211 attributes transformed and aggregated according to different perspectives assessed by r2, mean absolute error (MAE) or mean square error (MSE).
Findings: The results show that different performance of variable categories to prediction power. The most significant predictors were in category related to sectoral product classifications and in category related to variables aggregated for supplier, what underline the significance of structured information of all suppliers and negotiation participants in public tenders.
Research Limitation/Implication: Methodology is based on big data with high complexity. Due to limited computing power, no subjects’ IDs were used as inputs. The complexity behind data and processes call for more complex simulations of all variables and their mutual interaction and interdependencies.
Originality/Value of paper: The paper contributes to data science in transactional data domain and assessed the significance of different variables categories with respect to their specific added value to prediction power.
Intermediaries in the Online Advertising Market
Authors: D’Annunzio Anna , Russo Antonio
Published: March 2023

We analyze the ad tech market, investigating an intermediary’s choice to disclose information to advertisers in auctions and publishers’ outsourcing decisions.
Opening the Aperture: Explaining the Complementary Roles of Advice and Testing When Forming Entrepreneurial Strategy
Authors: Miller Amisha , O’Mahony Siobhan , Cohen Susan L.
Published: March 2023

Forming entrepreneurial strategy is difficult, as the future value of strategy alternatives is uncertain. To create and capture value, firms are advised to consider and test multiple alternative strategy elements. Yet, how firms generate and test alternatives remains understudied. As entrepreneurial firms lack resources for broad search, they often draw upon advisory resources from outside the firm. However, advice can be difficult to extract, absorb, and apply. Although scholars have examined static attributes of the entrepreneur or advisor to explain whether advice is used, a dynamic explanation of how advice is produced and informs strategy testing and formation is missing. In an 11-month field study, we observed 25 founders of 12 food and agriculture firms interacting with a common pool of 34 advisors in an entrepreneurship training program. Leveraging the program’s structured design, we observed 165 advice interactions over three phases. No firm took advice and applied it directly to firm strategy. When entrepreneurs engaged literally with advice, they later discounted it—distancing advice from strategy. In contrast, entrepreneurs that coproduced advice challenged advisors to craft novel advice relevant to their strategy, translated it to make it actionable, and tested it—integrating advice into strategy. Firms that distanced advice from strategy did not test strategy alternatives, whereas firms that integrated advice into strategy tested multiple alternatives, explored broader markets, and adapted their strategies. We contribute a grounded process model that explains how coproducing advice opens firms’ apertures to consider strategy alternatives, whereas testing informs the strategy elements chosen.

Funding: This research was funded in part by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation grant to Susan Cohen.

Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.2023.1656 .
Effective Combinations Against Efflux Pump Overexpressed on Azole Resistance Candida and Dermatophytes: A Systematic Review
Authors: Jayan Aishwarya , Gupta Swati
Published: March 2023

Dermatophytes and Candida are the two most common causes of fungal infections worldwide, affecting millions of people annually. The emergence of resistance among these groups of fungi and the limited availability of effective antifungal drugs may become a real challenge in the coming era. Thus, use of a combination of resistant reversion agents along with antifungal drugs is worth investigating. One of the causes of resistance development is the overexpression of efflux pumps and associated genes. Therefore, we examined the scientific literature on antifungal combinations against resistant species of dermatophytes and Candida caused by efflux pump overexpression. A literature search on the subject performed in PubMed and Google scholar resulted from a total of sixteen relevant publications. The inclusion criteria mainly focused on dermatophyte and Candida strains resistant to azoles, as well as publications that combined antifungal medications with natural compounds or other chemicals to combat resistance. Out of sixteen, fourteen articles focused on resistant strains of Candida and two on dermatophytes. Among articles published on resistant strains of Candida, five articles were based on combining azole with other drugs, while nine were with natural compounds like essential oils, curcumin etc. Whereas with resistant strains of dermatophytes, both articles were based on combining azole with natural compounds. It can be concluded that antifungal combinations against resistant strains of Candida and dermatophytes are more effective than single drugs. Combinatorial approaches have gained considerable scientific interest over the years, with promising results. Thus, it is worthwhile to continue research in this area.
Relationship Between Sleep and Hypertension: A Narrative Review
Authors: Kannan Swetha , Muttappallymyalil Jayakumary
Published: March 2023

The risk of cardiovascular disease increases at an alarming rate with the increase in an individual’s blood pressure. Rise in systemic arterial blood pressure can be caused by factors such as unhealthy diet (excessive intake of salts, trans-fats and saturated fats), alcohol intake, inadequate sleep, smoking and decreased levels of physical activity. This narrative review aims at providing an overview of the existing studies on the relationship between duration of sleep as well as its quality and hypertension. The studies reported in this review were collected from the databases that include PubMed, Sciencedirect, Hindawi, ResearchGate and AHA journals in the period of 2006-2022. The keywords used for searching in the databases included sleep, insomnia, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. The two sociodemographic variables considered was age and gender. Literature review showed that individuals reporting shorter durations of sleep, disrupted sleep patterns and insomnia were shown to be suffering from hypertension as compared to individuals receiving adequate and quality sleep at night. Data from this review article can prove beneficial to the common population in the understanding of sleep being a modifiable risk factor of hypertension and encourage healthcare workers and patients to make the necessary changes in their sleeping patterns to prevent hypertension and associated cardiovascular events.
Wound Healing Activity of Cotton Fabrics Loaded with Silver Nanoparticles in Experimental Model of Diabetes
Authors: Hussein Jihan , El Bana Mona , Latif Yasmin Abdel , Saleh Safaa , tolba Emad
Published: March 2023

Diabetes is connected with diminished wound healing, that makes patients liable to continuing difficult wounds. Metal nanomaterials as single conjugates have established to keep possible properties of wound when metal nanoparticles are coupled with other wound covering materials. This study aimed to investigate a possible role of cotton fabrics full with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) to enhance wound healing in diabetic model induced by streptozotocin (STZ).Animals were classified into four groups including the wounded group that were equivalently covered with sterile dressing that made of cotton fabric which had been saturated with different concentrations of silver nanoparticles, and the control group that was preserved with only cotton covering without any treatment (blank group); percent of wound contraction in different studied groups was estimated. Plasma nitric oxide (NO), malodialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH) were measured. Serum neutrophil elastase and nuclear factor kappa b (NF-κb) were assayed by ELISA. Homocystiene (Hcy) was estimated by HPLC. Our results revealed an elevation in wound area, MDA, NF-κb, Hcy, and elastase in the wound group compared to treated groups concomitant with a decrease in plasma nitric oxide and reduced glutathione activities, while treatment with AgNPs significantly ameliorated these parameters in treated group compared to blank group. AgNPs showed high wound contraction rates according to their used concentration .In conclusion; AgNPs have gained considerable attention amongst researchers in wound healing applications, owing to their physicochemical and biological properties. AgNPs promote wound healing and effectively control the growth of microorganisms at the wound site, and this strategy plays an important role in the treatment of wounds.
GC-MS Profiling of Reproductive Stage Withania somnifera for Antimicrobial and Anticancer Phytochemicals
Authors: Lingfa Lali , Ankanagari Srinivas
Published: March 2023

Withanias omnifera also known as Indian ginseng is commonly found in India and other Southeast Asian countries. Various parts of this plant have been used as herbal medicine to treat a variety of diseases. However, there is a lacuna in the profiling of phytochemical constituents present in the different parts of the plant at reproductive stage. To identify phytochemicals present in the methanolic extracts of leaf, root, and stem parts of W. somnifera at reproductive stage using GC-MS analysis. Methods: The airdried parts of plant (leaf, stem and root) were extracted with methanol and concentrated under reduced pressure at 40°C using a rotary evaporator. The GCMSQP2010, Shimadzu, Kyoto, Japan with headspace sampler (AOC-20s) and autoinjector (AOC-20i), was used for sample analysis. The phytochemicals were identified with the database provided by National Institute Standard and Technology (NIST11LIB). The GC-MS analysis of leaf, root, and stem methanolic extracts of W. somnifera, revealed a total of eighty-two unique phytochemical peaks in the reproductive stage of the plant. Phytochemicals with antimicrobial and anticancer properties were identified in all the parts. In leaf, 2-pentanone, 5-chloro- was found to be most abundant and 2,5-dimethoxy-4-propoxy-. beta.-methyl-.beta.-nitrostyrene least abundant with antimicrobial nature, whereas, benzene, 1,1'-(1,2-ethenediyl)bis[2-methyl- was found to be most abundant and dibenzo[a,e]cyclooctene, 5,6,11,12-tetrahydro- least with anticancer property. In roots, the most abundant was benzoic acid, 3-methyl-2-trimethylsilyloxy-, trimethylsilyl ester and tris(trimethylsilyl)hydroxylamine the least abundant were identified to be antimicrobial, whereas high abundance uleine and low abundance 2-{4-[2-(4-methoxymethylphenyl)vinyl]phenyl}propan-2-olwere identified to be anticancer. In stem, acetohydroxamic acid was found to be most abundant and trans2,3,6-trimethoxy-b-methyl-b-nitrostyrene least abundant for antimicrobial nature, whereas 3-acetoxy-2,3'-bibenzo[b]thiophene was found to be anticancer phytochemical. In this study, phytochemicals with antimicrobial and anticancer properties were identified in leaf, root and stem parts of W. somnifera at reproductive stage.
Antibiotic Resistance of Streptococcus Pneumoniae, Neisseria Meningitidis, Haemophilus Influenzae and Staphylococcus Aureus in Morocco, National Data: Meta- Analysis.
Authors: Al-Selwi Abduladeem G.M. , Barkat Amina
Published: March 2023

Bacterial resistance to antibiotics has a very important role because it constitutes a threat to human health, especially immunocompromised people and children, this phenomenon can lead to difficulty or even the impossibility of treating certain infections. A meta-analysis from studies in Morocco on bacteria resistant to antibiotics over the last nine years and interest of bacterial: S. pneumoniae, N. meningitidis, H. influenzae and S. aureus, also the evolution their resistance. Total 654 articles in databases (206, 162, 134, and 152 articles found in: Elsevier, PubMed, Google Scholar, and other engines, respectively). For the bacteria in which we were interested, the prevalence of resistance increases with the years. Indeed, S. pneumoniae, N. meningitidis and H. influenzae, prevalence in 2012, 2016 and 2018 was respectively around (13%, 9.7%, 5.4%), (48%, 24%, 8%) and (29%, 33%, 8%). The evolution of the resistance of S. pneumoniae, was impacted by the introduction of the vaccine, indeed, the rate of its resistance to the antibiotic erythromycin before vaccination was 76% but after the introduction of the vaccine it decreased to 61%, while the incidence of pneumonia was 17.7%, and after vaccination it decreased to 10.2%. Also, the resistance of S. pneumoniae to penicillin G increased from 2.7% in 2011 to 100% in 2020. For N. meningitidis, resistance to penicillin G increased from 11.1% to 24% between 2012 and 2019. About of H. Influenzae for Bactrim, fluoroquinolones and tetracycline (16%, 4.8%, 2.5%), S.aureus resistance increases significantly. From 2016 to 2018, the resistance of S. aureus (Penicillin G 92%, ciprofloxacin 16.5%, erythromycin 14.6%).
Evaluation of the Antipyretic and Anti-Inflammatory Potential of Aqueous Fruit Pulp Extract of Terminalia bellirica
Authors: Bharathi R Poovizhi , V R Manohar , Rai Mohandas , M S Athiyamaan
Published: March 2023

Many fatal diseases have inflammation and fever as clinical symptoms. NSAIDs are the drug of choice for both of these symptoms. But they cause numerous adverse drug reactions including the gastrointestinal, renal and cardiovascular systems. Herbal medicines are known for their efficacy and lack of adverse reactions. So the search for herbal remedies is always on. Terminalia bellirica fruit pulp is used to alleviate a lot of health conditions. Hence this study looked at the antipyretic and anti-inflammatory activities of aqueous extract of Terminalia bellirica fruit pulp in rodents. The carrageenan-induced paw edema model was utilized to test the plant's acute and subacute anti-inflammatory properties. Baker's yeast-induced pyrexia model was utilized to assess the plant's antipyretic activity. Three different groups were administered the extraction (9 mg/kg, 18 mg/kg, and 36 mg/kg). Positive control and negative control for the anti-inflammatory model were Indomethacin (10 mg/kg) and Gum acacia suspension (3 ml/kg of 1 percent) respectively. Positive control and negative control for the anti-pyretic model were Paracetamol 100 mg/kg and 10 ml/kg of 1 percent Gum acacia suspension, respectively. 18 and 36 mg/kg dose of extraction showed substantial minimization of edema (P≤0.01) in tests of acute anti-inflammatory action. 36 mg/kg dose showed substantial minimization of edema in tests of subacute anti-inflammatory action (P≤0.01). The rectal temperature decreased significantly (P≤0.0001) in all experimental groups in Baker's yeast-induced pyrexia tests. Results revealed that the test drug has considerable action against inflammation and pyrexia in rodents.
Diffractive micro-lens array (DLA) for uniform and selective picosecond laser treatment
Authors: Choi Jongman , Duc Ta Minh , Kim Hyejin , Hwang Jewan Kaiser , Kang Hyun Wook
Published: March 2023

Picosecond Nd:YAG lasers using diffractive optical elements (DOE) and micro-lens arrays (MLA) have widely been used in dermatology for the treatment of pigmented lesions and skin rejuvenation. This study designed and developed a new optical element of diffractive micro-lens array (DLA) by combing the features of DOE and MLA in order to achieve uniform and selective laser treatment. Both optical simulation and beam profile measurement demonstrated that DLA created a square macro-beam consisting of multiple micro-beams in a uniform distribution. Histological analysis confirmed that the DLA-assisted laser treatment generated micro-injuries at various skin depths from the epidermal layer to the deep dermal layer (up to 1200 µm) by adjusting the focal depths while DOE showed shallow penetration depths and MLA created non-uniform micro-injury zones. The DLA-assisted picosecond Nd:YAG laser irradiation can provide a potential benefit for pigment removal and skin rejuvenation via uniform and selective laser treatment.
Tuning spin-orbit coupling and realizing inverse persistent spin helix by an extra above-barrier radiation in a GaAs/Al0.3Ga0.7As heterostructure
Authors: Ma Hui , Zhu Yaojie , Chen Yonghai , Jiang Chongyun
Published: March 2023

A persistent spin helix with equal strength of the Rashba and Dresselhaus spin-orbit coupling (SOC) is expected for future spintronic devices due to the suppression of spin relaxation. In this work we investigate the optical tuning of the Rashba and Dresselhaus SOC by monitoring the spin-galvanic effect (SGE) in a GaAs/Al0.3Ga0.7As two dimensional electron gas. An extra control light above the bandgap of the barrier is introduced to tune the SGE excited by a circularly polarized light below the bandgap of GaAs. We observe different tunability of the Rashba- and Dresselhaus-related SGE currents and extract the ratio of the Rashba and Dresselhaus coefficients. It decreases monotonously with the power of the control light and reaches a particular value of ∼−1, implying the formation of the inverse persistent spin helix state. By analyzing the optical tuning process phenomenologically and microscopically, we reveal greater optical tunability of the Rashba SOC than that of the Dresselhaus SOC.
Ultrasensitive magnetic field sensor based on cladding-etched long-period grating
Authors: Zhu Yu , Jiang Chen , Ma Yuehui , Liu Zuyao , Mou Chengbo , Liu Yunqi
Published: March 2023

We demonstrate a high-sensitivity fiber-optic magnetic field sensor, which consists of a cladding-etched long-period fiber grating (LPFG) near the dispersion turning point (DTP) integrated with a magnetic fluid (MF). By reducing the cladding diameter of the LPFG, the fundamental mode is coupled to the lowest order cladding mode (LP0,2) near the DTP, which has a much higher surrounding refractive index sensitivity. Thanks to the excellent magneto-optical characteristics of the MF, the proposed sensor can achieve a magnetic field intensity sensitivity of 44.69 nm/mT in the range of 3–7.4 mT. The minimum magnetic field intensity that can be detected is 0.45 µT due to the 0.02-nm wavelength resolution of the optical spectrum analyzer. The proposed etched DTP-LPFG-based sensor with ultrahigh magnetic field sensitivity could have potential applications in magnetic fields and electrical systems.
A new method for the joint estimation of instantaneous reproductive number and serial interval during epidemics
Authors: Dai Chenxi , Zhou Dongsheng , Gao Bo , Wang Kaifa
Published: March 2023

Although some methods for estimating the instantaneous reproductive number during epidemics have been developed, the existing frameworks usually require information on the distribution of the serial interval and/or additional contact tracing data. However, in the case of outbreaks of emerging infectious diseases with an unknown natural history or undetermined characteristics, the serial interval and/or contact tracing data are often not available, resulting in inaccurate estimates for this quantity. In the present study, a new framework was specifically designed for joint estimates of the instantaneous reproductive number and serial interval. Concretely, a likelihood function for the two quantities was first introduced. Then, the instantaneous reproductive number and the serial interval were modeled parametrically as a function of time using the interpolation method and a known traditional distribution, respectively. Using the Bayesian information criterion and the Markov Chain Monte Carlo method, we ultimately obtained their estimates and distribution. The simulation study revealed that our estimates of the two quantities were consistent with the ground truth. Seven data sets of historical epidemics were considered and further verified the robust performance of our method. Therefore, to some extent, even if we know only the daily incidence, our method can accurately estimate the instantaneous reproductive number and serial interval to provide crucial information for policymakers to design appropriate prevention and control interventions during epidemics.
Updating the WHO target product profile for next-generation Mycobacterium tuberculosis drug susceptibility testing at peripheral centres
Authors: MacLean Emily Lai-Ho , Miotto Paolo , González Angulo Lice , Chiacchiaretta Matteo , Walker Timothy M. , Casenghi Martina , Rodrigues Camilla , Rodwell Timothy C. , Supply Philip , André Emmanuel , Kohli Mikashmi , Ruhwald Morten , Cirillo Daniela Maria , Ismail Nazir , Zignol Matteo
Published: March 2023

There were approximately 10 million tuberculosis (TB) cases in 2020, of which 500,000 were drug-resistant. Only one third of drug-resistant TB cases were diagnosed and enrolled on appropriate treatment, an issue partly driven by a lack of rapid, accurate drug-susceptibility testing (DST) tools deployable in peripheral settings. In 2014, World Health Organization (WHO) published target product profiles (TPPs) which detailed minimal and optimal criteria to address high-priority TB diagnostic needs, including DST. Since then, the TB community’s needs have evolved; new treatment regimens, changes in TB definitions, further emergence of drug resistance, technological advances, and changing end-users requirements have necessitated an update. The DST TPP’s revision was therefore undertaken by WHO with the Stop TB Partnership New Diagnostics Working Group. We describe the process of updating the TPP for next-generation TB DST for use at peripheral centres, highlight key updates, and discuss guidance regarding technical and operational specifications.
Protease inhibition, in vitro antibacterial and IFD/MM-GBSA studies of ciprofloxacin-based acetanilides
Authors: Akhtar Rabia , Zahoor Ameer Fawad , Mansha Asim , Kamal Shagufta , Khan Samreen Gul , Raza Zohaib , Ali Kulsoom Ghulam
Published: March 2023

In this study, we have investigated ciprofloxacin-based acetanilides for their in-vitro inhibitory study against gram +ve, -ve bacteria and serine protease activity. The compounds 4e and 4g showed excellent antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis with a zone of inhibition (ZI) values of 40 ± 0.9 mm, 37 ± 1.4 mm and with MIC values of 4.0 ± 0.78 mg/mL, 3.0 ± 0.98 mg/ML respectively, while 4a and 4i were found most active against Escherichia coli, with ZI values 38 ± 0.1 mm, 46 ± 1.8 mm and with MIC values of 1.0 ± 0.25 mg/mL, 1.0 ± 0.23 mg/mL respectively. All derivatives (4a-j) significantly inhibited the catalytic activity of serine protease, while 4a exhibited a maximum (100%) inhibitory effect at 96 minutes having 22.50 minutes t12, and non-competitive inhibition with 0.1±0.00μM Ki. The IFD/MM-GBSA studies highlighted the binding mode of 4a for protease inhibition and indicated improved binding affinity with –107.62 kcal/mol of ΔGbind.
Evaluating the psychosocial status of BC children and youth during the COVID-19 pandemic: A MyHEARTSMAP cross-sectional study
Authors: Woodward Melissa L. , Hossain Abrar , Chun Alaina , Liu Cindy , Kilyk Kaitlyn , Bone Jeffrey N. , Meckler Garth , Black Tyler , Stewart S. Evelyn , Samji Hasina , Barbic Skye , Doan Quynh
Published: March 2023

Background

Understanding the psychosocial status of children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic is vital to the appropriate and adequate allocation of social supports and mental health resources. This study evaluates the burden of mental health concerns and the impact of demographic factors while tracking mental health service recommendations to inform community service needs.

Methods

MyHEARTSMAP is a digital self-assessment mental health evaluation completed by children and their guardian throughout British Columbia between August 2020 to July 2021. Severity of mental health concerns was evaluated across psychiatric, social, functioning, and youth health domains. Proportional odds modelling evaluated the impact of demographic factors on severity. Recommendations for support services were provided based on the evaluation.

Results

We recruited 541 families who completed 424 psychosocial assessments on individual children. Some degree of difficulty across the psychiatric, social, or functional domains was reported for more than half of children and adolescents. Older youth and those not attending any formal school or education program were more likely to report greater psychiatric difficulty. Girls experienced greater social concerns, and children attending full-time school at-home were more likely to identify difficulty within the youth health domain but were not more likely to have psychiatric difficulties. Considerations to access community mental health service were triggered in the majority (74%) of cases.

Conclusions

Psychosocial concerns are highly prevalent amongst children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on identified needs of this cohort, additional community health supports are required, particularly for higher risk groups.
Targeting earlier diagnosis: What symptoms come first in Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy?
Authors: Munro Colin F. , Yurac Ratko , Moritz Zipser Carl , Fehlings Michael G. , Rodrigues-Pinto Ricardo , Milligan James , Margetis Konstantinos , Kotter Mark R. N. , Davies Benjamin M.
Published: March 2023

Background

Degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) is a common and disabling condition. Early effective treatment is limited by late diagnosis. Conventional descriptions of DCM focus on motor and sensory limb disability, however, recent work suggests the true impact is much broader. This study aimed to characterise the symptomatic presentation of DCM from the perspective of people with DCM and determine whether any of the reported symptoms, or groups of symptoms, were associated with early diagnosis.

Methods

An internet survey was developed, using an established list of patient-reported effects. Participants (N = 171) were recruited from an online community of people with DCM. Respondents selected their current symptoms and primary presenting symptom. The relationship of symptoms and their relationship to time to diagnosis were explored. This included symptoms not commonly measured today, termed ‘non-conventional’ symptoms.

Results

All listed symptoms were experienced by >10% of respondents, with poor balance being the most commonly reported (84.2%). Non-conventional symptoms accounted for 39.7% of symptomatic burden. 55.4% of the symptoms were reported as an initial symptom, with neck pain the most common (13.5%). Non-conventional symptoms accounted for 11.1% of initial symptoms. 79.5% of the respondents were diagnosed late (>6 months). Heavy legs was the only initial symptom associated with early diagnosis.

Conclusions

A comprehensive description of the self-reported effects of DCM has been established, including the prevalence of symptoms at disease presentation. The experience of DCM is broader than suggested by conventional descriptions and further exploration of non-conventional symptoms may support earlier diagnosis.
Differences in clinical features and morphology between differentiated and undifferentiated gastric cancer after Helicobacter pylori eradication
Authors: Kodama Masaaki , Mizukami Kazuhiro , Hirashita Yuka , Okimoto Tadayoshi , Wada Yasuhiro , Fukuda Masahide , Ozaka Sotaro , Kudo Yoko , Ito Kanako , Ogawa Ryo , Okamoto Kazuhisa , Fukuda Kensuke , Murakami Kazunari
Published: March 2023

Background/Aims

Although undifferentiated gastric cancer (UGC) diagnosed after Helicobacter pylori eradication (HPE) carries a poor prognosis, characteristics of post-HPE UGC have not been evaluated in detail because of its low incidence. Therefore, we compared the clinicopathologic characteristics of UGC and differentiated gastric cancers (DGC) diagnosed after successful HPE.

Methods

GC lesions from patients who had successfully completed HPE and who had undergone upper gastrointestinal endoscopy between January 2004 and March 2016 were analyzed. Tumors were divided into DGC and UGC groups. Clinicopathologic factors of background and tumor characteristics were compared using univariate and multiple logistic analyses.

Results

A total of 129 tumors from 115 patients were evaluated; 113 tumors were in the DGC group and 16 in the UGC group. Depressed-type tumors (P = 0.024) and sub-submucosal invasion (P<0.001) were significantly higher in the UGC group. The UGC group had larger tumor diameters (25.9±7.3 mm) than the DGC group (13.2±10.2 mm) (P<0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that female sex (odds ratio [OR] 3.24, 95%CI:1.02–10.37; P = 0.047) and absent follow-up (OR 4.99, 95%CI:1.60–15.57; P = 0.006) were significant independent risk factors for UGC. The DGC group showed a gradually decreasing temporal trend by trend test (P = 0.015), while the UGC group showed a relatively constant incidence over time, although the number of cases was small.

Conclusion

UGC was diagnosed even after long time spans following HPE, although the number of cases was small. Female sex, and especially absent follow-up, were risks for post-HPE UGC, suggesting that diligent long-term follow-up after HPE is essential.