bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mobile health platform based on user-centered design to promote exercise for patients with peripheral artery disease
Authors: Kim Mihui , Kim Yesol , Choi Mona
Published: August 2022

Background

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a cardiovascular disease that can be improved by risk factor modification. Mobile health (mHealth) intervention is an effective method of healthcare delivery to promote behavior changes. An mHealth platform can encourage consistent involvement of participants and healthcare providers for health promotion. This study aimed to develop an mHealth platform consisting of a smartphone application (app) synchronized with a wearable activity tracker and a web-based portal to support exercise intervention in patients with PAD.

Methods

This study was conducted based on an iterative development process, including analysis, design, and implementation. In the analysis phase, a literature review and needs assessment through semi-structured interviews (n = 15) and a questionnaire-based survey (n = 138) were performed. The initial prototype design and contents were developed based on the users’ requirements. In the implementation phase, multidisciplinary experts (n = 4) evaluated the heuristics, following which the mHealth platform was revised. User evaluation of the usability was performed by nurses (n = 4) and patients with PAD (n = 3).

Results

Through the development process, the functional requirements of the platform were represented through visual display, reminder, education, self-monitoring, goal setting, goal attainment, feedback, and recording. In-app videos of exercise and PAD management were produced to provide information and in-app automatic text messages were developed for user motivation. The final version of the platform was rated 67.86 out of 100, which indicated “good” usability.

Conclusions

The mHealth platform was designed and developed for patients with PAD and their healthcare providers. This platform can be used to educate and promote individualized exercise among patients with PAD.
Hmga2 protein loss alters nuclear envelope and 3D chromatin structure
Authors: Divisato Giuseppina , Chiariello Andrea M. , Esposito Andrea , Zoppoli Pietro , Zambelli Federico , Elia Maria Antonietta , Pesole Graziano , Incarnato Danny , Passaro Fabiana , Piscitelli Silvia , Oliviero Salvatore , Nicodemi Mario , Parisi Silvia , Russo Tommaso
Published: August 2022

Background

The high-mobility group Hmga family of proteins are non-histone chromatin-interacting proteins which have been associated with a number of nuclear functions, including heterochromatin formation, replication, recombination, DNA repair, transcription, and formation of enhanceosomes. Due to its role based on dynamic interaction with chromatin, Hmga2 has a pathogenic role in diverse tumors and has been mainly studied in a cancer context; however, whether Hmga2 has similar physiological functions in normal cells remains less explored. Hmga2 was additionally shown to be required during the exit of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) from the ground state of pluripotency, to allow their transition into epiblast-like cells (EpiLCs), and here, we use that system to gain further understanding of normal Hmga2 function.

Results

We demonstrated that Hmga2 KO pluripotent stem cells fail to develop into EpiLCs. By using this experimental system, we studied the chromatin changes that take place upon the induction of EpiLCs and we observed that the loss of Hmga2 affects the histone mark H3K27me3, whose levels are higher in Hmga2 KO cells. Accordingly, a sustained expression of polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2), responsible for H3K27me3 deposition, was observed in KO cells. However, gene expression differences between differentiating wt vs Hmga2 KO cells did not show any significant enrichments of PRC2 targets. Similarly, endogenous Hmga2 association to chromatin in epiblast stem cells did not show any clear relationships with gene expression modification observed in Hmga2 KO. Hmga2 ChIP-seq confirmed that this protein preferentially binds to the chromatin regions associated with nuclear lamina. Starting from this observation, we demonstrated that nuclear lamina underwent severe alterations when Hmga2 KO or KD cells were induced to exit from the naïve state and this phenomenon is accompanied by a mislocalization of the heterochromatin mark H3K9me3 within the nucleus. As nuclear lamina (NL) is involved in the organization of 3D chromatin structure, we explored the possible effects of Hmga2 loss on this phenomenon. The analysis of Hi-C data in wt and Hmga2 KO cells allowed us to observe that inter-TAD (topologically associated domains) interactions in Hmga2 KO cells are different from those observed in wt cells. These differences clearly show a peculiar compartmentalization of inter-TAD interactions in chromatin regions associated or not to nuclear lamina.

Conclusions

Overall, our results indicate that Hmga2 interacts with heterochromatic lamin-associated domains, and highlight a role for Hmga2 in the crosstalk between chromatin and nuclear lamina, affecting the establishment of inter-TAD interactions.
Targeted delivery of irinotecan to colon cancer cells using epidermal growth factor receptor-conjugated liposomes
Authors: Liu Yongwei , Li Xinghui , Pen Renqun , Zuo Wei , Chen Ya , Sun Xiuying , Gou Juhua , Guo Qianwen , Wen Maoling , Li Wuqi , Yu Shuangjiang , Liu Hao , Huang Min
Published: August 2022

Background

CPT-11 (irinotecan) is one of the most efficient agents used for colorectal cancer chemotherapy. However, as for many other chemotherapeutic drugs, how to minimize the side effects of CPT-11 still needs to be thoroughly described.

Objectives

This study aimed to develop the CPT-11-loaded DSPE-PEG 2000 targeting EGFR liposomal delivery system and characterize its targeting specificity and therapeutic effect on colorectal cancer (CRC) cells in vitro and in vivo.

Results

The synthesized liposome exhibited spherical shapes (84.6 ± 1.2 nm to 150.4 nm ± 0.8 nm of estimated average sizes), good stability, sustained release, and enough drug loading (55.19%). For in vitro experiments, SW620 cells treated with CPT-11-loaded DSPE-PEG2000 targeting EGFR liposome showed lower survival extended level of intracellular ROS production. In addition, it generated an enhanced apoptotic cell rate by upregulating the protein expression of both cleaved-caspase-3 and cleaved-caspase-9 compared with those of SW620 cells treated with free CPT-11. Importantly, the xenograft model showed that both the non-target and EGFR-targeted liposomes significantly inhibited tumor growth compared to free CPT-11.

Conclusions

Compared with the non-target CPT-11-loaded DSPE-PEG2000 liposome, CPT-11-loaded DSPE-PEG2000 targeting EGFR liposome treatment showed much better antitumor activity in vitro in vivo. Thus, our findings provide new assets and expectations for CRC targeting therapy.
BTApep-TAT peptide inhibits ADP-ribosylation of BORIS to induce DNA damage in cancer
Authors: Zhang Yanmei , Fang Mengdie , Li Shouye , Xu Hao , Ren Juan , Tu Linglan , Zuo Bowen , Yao Wanxin , Liang Guang
Published: August 2022

Background

Brother of regulator of imprinted sites (BORIS) is expressed in most cancers and often associated with short survival and poor prognosis in patients. BORIS inhibits apoptosis and promotes proliferation of cancer cells. However, its mechanism of action has not been elucidated, and there is no known inhibitor of BORIS.

Methods

A phage display library was used to find the BORIS inhibitory peptides and BTApep-TAT was identified. The RNA sequencing profile of BTApep-TAT-treated H1299 cells was compared with that of BORIS-knockdown cells. Antitumor activity of BTApep-TAT was evaluated in a non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) xenograft mouse model. BTApep-TAT was also used to investigate the post-translational modification (PTM) of BORIS and the role of BORIS in DNA damage repair. Site-directed mutants of BORIS were constructed and used for investigating PTM and the function of BORIS.

Results

BTApep-TAT induced DNA damage in cancer cells and suppressed NSCLC xenograft tumor progression. Investigation of the mechanism of action of BTApep-TAT demonstrated that BORIS underwent ADP ribosylation upon double- or single-strand DNA damage. Substitution of five conserved glutamic acid (E) residues with alanine residues (A) between amino acids (AAs) 198 and 228 of BORIS reduced its ADP ribosylation. Inhibition of ADP ribosylation of BORIS by a site-specific mutation or by BTApep-TAT treatment blocked its interaction with Ku70 and impaired the function of BORIS in DNA damage repair.

Conclusions

The present study identified an inhibitor of BORIS, highlighted the importance of ADP ribosylation of BORIS, and revealed a novel function of BORIS in DNA damage repair. The present work provides a practical method for the future screening or optimization of drugs targeting BORIS.
A novel echocardiographic right ventricular dysfunction score can identify hemodynamic severity profiles in left ventricular dysfunction
Authors: Bech-Hanssen Odd , Fredholm Martin , Astengo Marco , Bartfay Sven-Erik , Bollano Entela , Dellgren Göran , Karason Kristjan , Ricksten Sven-Erik
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Recognition of congestion and hypoperfusion in patients with chronic left ventricular dysfunction (LVD) has therapeutic and prognostic implications. In the present study we hypothesized that a multiparameter echocardiographic grading of right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) can facilitate the characterization of hemodynamic profiles.

Methods

Consecutive patients (n = 105, age 53 ± 14 years, males 77%, LV ejection fraction 28 ± 11%) referred for heart transplant or heart failure work-up, with catheterization and echocardiography within 48 h, were reviewed retrospectively. Three hemodynamic profiles were defined: compensated LVD (cLVD, normal pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP < 15 mmHg) and normal mixed venous saturation (SvO2 ≥ 60%)); decompensated LVD (dLVD, with increased PCWP) and LV failure (LVF, increased PCWP and reduced SvO2). We established a 5-point RVD score including pulmonary hypertension, reduced tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, RV dilatation, ≥ moderate tricuspid regurgitation and increased right atrial pressure.

Results

The RVD score [median (IQR 25%;75%)] showed significant in-between the three groups differences with 1 (0;1), 1 (0.5;2) and 3.0 (2;3.5) in patients with cLVD, dLVD and LVF, respectively. The finding of RVD score ≥ 2 or ≥ 4 increased the likelihood of decompensation or LVF 5.2-fold and 6.7-fold, respectively. On the contrary, RVD score < 1 and < 2 reduced the likelihood 11.1-fold and 25-fold, respectively. The RVD score was more helpful than standard echocardiography regarding identification of hemodynamic profiles.

Conclusions

In this proof of concept study an echocardiographic RVD score identified different hemodynamic severity profiles in patients with chronic LVD and reduced ejection fraction. Further studies are needed to validate its general applicability.

Graphical abstract
Docetaxel-loaded M1 macrophage-derived exosomes for a safe and efficient chemoimmunotherapy of breast cancer
Authors: Zhao Yongmei , Zheng Yuanlin , Zhu Yan , Li Hongyun , Zhu Hongyan , Liu Tianqing
Published: August 2022

The conversion of tumor-promoting M2 macrophage phenotype to tumor-suppressing M1 macrophages is a promising therapeutic approach for cancer treatment. However, the tumor normally provides an abundance of M2 macrophage stimuli, which creates an M2 macrophage-dominant immunosuppressive microenvironment. In our study, docetaxel (DTX) as chemotherapeutic modularity was loaded into M1 macrophage-derived exosomes (M1-Exo) with M1 proinflammatory nature to establish DTX-M1-Exo drug delivery system. We found that DTX-M1-Exo induced naïve M0 macrophages to polarize to M1 phenotype, while failed to repolarize to M2 macrophages upon Interleukin 4 restimulation due to impaired mitochondrial function. This suggests that DTX-M1-Exo can achieve long-term robust M1 activation in immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. The in vivo results further confirmed that DTX-M1-Exo has a beneficial effect on macrophage infiltration and activation in the tumor tissues. Thus, DTX-M1-Exo is a novel macrophage polarization strategy via combined chemotherapy and immunotherapy to achieve great antitumor therapeutic efficacy.
Stimuli-responsive nanoformulations for CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing
Authors: Fang Tianxu , Cao Xiaona , Ibnat Mysha , Chen Guojun
Published: August 2022

The CRISPR-Cas9 technology has changed the landscape of genome editing and has demonstrated extraordinary potential for treating otherwise incurable diseases. Engineering strategies to enable efficient intracellular delivery of CRISPR-Cas9 components has been a central theme for broadening the impact of the CRISPR-Cas9 technology. Various non-viral delivery systems for CRISPR-Cas9 have been investigated given their favorable safety profiles over viral systems. Many recent efforts have been focused on the development of stimuli-responsive non-viral CRISPR-Cas9 delivery systems, with the goal of achieving efficient and precise genome editing. Stimuli-responsive nanoplatforms are capable of sensing and responding to particular triggers, such as innate biological cues and external stimuli, for controlled CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing. In this Review, we overview the recent advances in stimuli-responsive nanoformulations for CRISPR-Cas9 delivery, highlight the rationale of stimuli and formulation designs, and summarize their biomedical applications.
Early steroids and ventilator-associated pneumonia in COVID-19-related ARDS
Authors: Lamouche-Wilquin Pauline , Souchard Jérôme , Pere Morgane , Raymond Matthieu , Asfar Pierre , Darreau Cédric , Reizine Florian , Hourmant Baptiste , Colin Gwenhaël , Rieul Guillaume , Kergoat Pierre , Frérou Aurélien , Lorber Julien , Auchabie Johann , La Combe Béatrice , Seguin Philippe , Egreteau Pierre-Yves , Morin Jean , Fedun Yannick , Canet Emmanuel , Lascarrou Jean-Baptiste , Delbove Agathe
Published: August 2022

Rationale

Early corticosteroid treatment is used to treat COVID-19-related acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Infection is a well-documented adverse effect of corticosteroid therapy.

Objectives

To determine whether early corticosteroid therapy to treat COVID-19 ARDS was associated with ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP).

Methods

We retrospectively included adults with COVID-19-ARDS requiring invasive mechanical ventilation (MV) for ≥ 48 h at any of 15 intensive care units in 2020. We divided the patients into two groups based on whether they did or did not receive corticosteroids within 24 h. The primary outcome was VAP incidence, with death and extubation as competing events. Secondary outcomes were day 90-mortality, MV duration, other organ dysfunctions, and VAP characteristics.

Measurements and main results

Of 670 patients (mean age, 65 years), 369 did and 301 did not receive early corticosteroids. The cumulative VAP incidence was higher with early corticosteroids (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.29; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.05–1.58; P = 0.016). Antibiotic resistance of VAP bacteria was not different between the two groups (odds ratio 0.94, 95% CI 0.58–1.53; P = 0.81). 90-day mortality was 30.9% with and 24.3% without early corticosteroids, a nonsignificant difference after adjustment on age, SOFA score, and VAP occurrence (aHR 1.15; 95% CI 0.83–1.60; P = 0.411). VAP was associated with higher 90-day mortality (aHR 1.86; 95% CI 1.33–2.61; P = 0.0003).

Conclusions

Early corticosteroid treatment was associated with VAP in patients with COVID-19-ARDS. Although VAP was associated with higher 90-day mortality, early corticosteroid treatment was not. Longitudinal randomized controlled trials of early corticosteroids in COVID-19-ARDS requiring MV are warranted.
Village chicken production and food security: a two-decade bibliometric analysis of global research trends
Authors: Idamokoro Emrobowansan Monday , Hosu Yiseyon Sunday
Published: August 2022

Background

The present study aimed to reveal outputs of research works on village chicken production as a tool to combat food insecurity, taking into account the recurring challenge posed by food shortage and high rise in hunger among vulnerable people of several countries.

Results

On aggregate, 104 publications were obtained in a BibTeX design for analysis using bibliometric package in R studio. The obtained data comprised, but not limited to authors, citations, institutions, key words and journals. Published articles on village chicken production with relation to food security retrieved from web of science (WOS) and Scopus data banks were utilized with a rise in research publications of a yearly growth of 12.93% during the study period. With regard to country, USA was ranked first with an aggregate sum of publications (n = 16), and a huge global academic influence with most top article citations (n = 509). The frequently used authors’ keywords in this studied research area were food security (n = 23), poultry (n = 9), chickens (n = 7), backyard poultry (n = 5), gender (n = 4), which all together created a hint on related studies on village chicken production and food security.

Conclusions

The present study provides a worldwide situation that traverse the intellectual quandary on village chicken production and food security research, and a direction for further researches in this field. It is very vital to emphasize that the current study only dealt with principal areas of village chicken production as related to food security research, hence, it is projected that new empirical research and prospective research findings would afford new knowledge and insight on village chicken production as a means to address food security challenges as new studies evolves.
Development of low-cost RFID sensors dedicated to air pollution monitoring for preventive conservation
Authors: Rioual Stephane , Lescop Benoit , Pellé Julien , de Alkmim Radicchi Gerusa , Chaumat Gilles , Bruni Marie-Dominique , Becker Johan , Thierry Dominique
Published: August 2022

Monitoring of atmospheric pollutants is a key point for preventive conservation since these species are known to impact the integrity of many artifacts including metals, papers, pigment and textiles. The problem can be amplified in closed environments, like in exhibition rooms and showcases, where temperature and relative humidity gradients and levels can introduce additional micro-climatic problems. One objective of the EU-SensMat project concerns the development of low cost and low visual nuisance sensors sensitive to these pollutants, making them affordable for all museums including small ones. For this purpose, the Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) technology was considered to produce air-quality sensors based on reactive metallic dosimeter. Besides the low cost, they can be easily integrated to other existing RFID applications such as identification tasks since the interrogation is made with a commercial UHF-RFID reader. The description and the main features of these sensors are discussed in this paper. Moreover, as it will be shown, the subsequent chemical analysis of the sensitive part of the sensors provide useful information to determine the origin of the pollutants.
New tool for sustainable treatments: agar spray—research and practice
Authors: Giordano Ambra , Caruso Maria Rita , Lazzara Giuseppe
Published: August 2022

In the last decades, the research in the field of cultural heritage has shifted its attention to the development of green methods, focusing on the use of renewable and biodegradable materials. Within this scenario, Agar has been one of the most innovative materials available to the conservator. However, sometimes its physical characteristics such as rigidity and gelation temperature are not always an advantage in the treatment of artwork. The atomization of hydrocolloid, a procedure presented in 2019 under the name of Agar spray, has enhanced the performance of this extraordinary material. This work aims to explore the new physical and mechanical characteristics imparted to the gel by the new spray procedure, compared to agar gel that forms under normal environmental conditions. Mechanical resistance and film transparency of both soft materials have been characterized, and the speed of water release has been detected on porous material, lateral solvent flow evaluated for confined cleaning. The new residues, potentially left by the gel after the spray application, were analyzed comparing them with the residues of the gel, which gels at room temperature. The dry Agar films were studied in terms of hydrophobicity of the dry film, agar towards water and water vapor permeability. The data that emerged from the study confirm the new features imparted to the gel by the new procedure, suggesting new measures to be taken to optimize its application.
The influence of ICT use and related attitudes on students’ math and science performance: multilevel analyses of the last decade’s PISA surveys
Authors: Courtney Matthew , Karakus Mehmet , Ersozlu Zara , Nurumov Kaidar
Published: August 2022

This study analyzed the latest four PISA surveys, 2009, 2012, 2015, and 2018, to explore the association between students’ ICT-related use and math and science performance. Using ICT Engagement Theory as a theoretical framework and a three-level hierarchical linear modeling approach, while controlling for confounding effects, ICT-related independent variables of interest were added to the models at the student, school, and country levels. The series of models revealed that, in general, an increase in ICT availability and ICT use both inside and outside school had a negative association with learning outcomes, while students’ positive attitude toward ICT demonstrated a strong positive relationship. However, students’ perceived autonomy related to ICT use had the strongest association with academic performance, which is consistent with the changing nature of the modern learning environments. Findings revealed that virtually all forms of student ICT use, both inside and outside of school and whether subject related or not, had no substantive positive relationship with student performance in math or science. Conversely, higher student attitude toward, confidence in, belief in utility of, and autonomous use of ICT was associated with higher math and science performance for each of the four years of the study. Incidentally, we also found that while country GDP per capita had no consistent association with student performance, a school’s provision of extra-curricula activities did. Recommendations for educational leaders, teachers, and parents are offered.
Giant splenic artery aneurysm rupture into the stomach that was successfully managed with emergency distal pancreatectomy
Authors: Yoshikawa Chihiro , Yamato Ichiro , Nakata Yasuyuki , Nakagawa Tadashi , Inoue Takashi , Nakatani Mitsuhiro , Nezu Daiki , Doi Shunsuke , Kuroda Yasuhiro , Fujii Kazuki , Kishida Shouhei , Kamikubo Midori , Ko Saiho
Published: August 2022

Background

Splenic artery aneurysms usually rupture into the free peritoneal space and rarely into the gastrointestinal tract. We report the case of a patient with a giant splenic artery aneurysm that ruptured in to the stomach with hemorrhagic shock and was successfully treated with emergency surgery.

Case presentation

A 59-year-old man presented to the emergency department with chest pain and syncope. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed splenic artery aneurysm with active contrast extravasation. He developed upper gastrointestinal (UGI) bleeding and hypovolemic shock. We diagnosed a splenic artery aneurysm ruptured in to the stomach, performed emergency distal splenopancreatectomy including the aneurysm and partial gastric resection, and could prevent patient death.

Conclusions

This report shows that splenic artery aneurysm can cause UGI bleeding. Thus, clinicians should be alert about this condition when managing patients with UGI bleeding and/or splenic artery aneurysm.
Treatment of acute aortic dissection type A with paraplegia and distal limb ischemia within a hybrid operating room
Authors: Kvalheim Venny Lise , Soknes Maria Devold , Jenssen Guttorm Lysvold , Haaverstad Rune
Published: August 2022

Objective

Acute aortic dissection type A is among the most lethal surgical emergencies. Patients may suffer from occlusion of the aorta or its branches causing end-organ malperfusion complicating the diagnosis and worsening the prognosis. Paraplegia is a rare manifestation that affects less than 5% of patients. If type A aortic dissection and occlusion of the downstream thoraco-abdominal aorta occur simultaneously and require acute treatment, a medical dilemma occurs; what should be treated first?

Case report

We describe a case with an extensive acute type A aortic dissection with signs of consciousness and severe malperfusion syndrome.

Results

The treatment was successfully performed within a hybrid surgery suite with simultaneous open surgery and endovascular repair techniques supported by cardiopulmonary bypass circulation.

Conclusion

A hybrid operating room might offer the opportunity to simultaneously repair complicated aortic dissection with malperfusion syndrome, by open aortic surgery and endovascular techniques.
Vestibular therapy to reduce falls in people with Alzheimer’s disease: study protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial
Authors: Yesantharao Lekha V. , Rosenberg Paul , Oh Esther , Leoutsakos Jeannie , Munro Cynthia A. , Agrawal Yuri
Published: August 2022

Background

Falls are highly common in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD); around two-thirds of AD patients fall annually. Fall events are major drivers of injury, early institutionalization, and shorter survival. Balance and mobility impairment are among the most important fall risk factors in AD patients. Vestibular therapy (VT) is an effective rehabilitation intervention in improving balance and fall risk through vestibular function, but not often used in AD. We want to evaluate the feasibility of using VT to reduce falls and improve balance function in patients with AD and drive use of an existing, potentially beneficial therapy in a patient population whose high level of vestibular deficits is currently unaddressed.

Methods

The proposed pilot clinical trial will be a parallel-group randomized controlled trial. Patients with a diagnosis of mild-moderate AD, age ≥ 60, and the presence of a caregiver will be recruited from the Johns Hopkins Memory and Alzheimer’s Treatment Center. Eligible patients will be offered vestibular testing. Patients with vestibular loss will be offered participation in the VT trial. One-hundred AD patients with vestibular loss will be enrolled and randomized 1:1 into the control and intervention arms of the trial. All patients will undergo baseline balance and cognitive assessment, followed by 8 weeks of active control therapy or VT, consisting of ~25-min office sessions with a vestibular therapist. Patients will be tracked for falls and undergo follow-up balance and cognitive assessment at 8 and 52 weeks (1 year) to assess the potential short-term and longer-term effects, respectively, of VT on balance and cognition. The main outcomes of this trial are falls, balance (using the Berg Balance Scale and the Timed Up and Go test), and cognition (using the clock drawing test, the Card Rotations test, the Money Road Map test, and the triangle completion task).

Discussion

As the population ages and the number of individuals with AD in the US grows to a projected 14 million in 2050, managing falls in AD will continue to grow as a critical public health concern; this trial assesses feasibility of a potential solution.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrial.Gov identifier — NCT03799991. Registered 01 August 2019.
Generation gap, learning from the experience of compulsory remote architectural design studio
Authors: Iranmanesh Aminreza , Onur Zeynep
Published: August 2022

Physical design studio has been the mainstream method of architectural pedagogy for more than a century. Although the past two decades have brought forth emerging possibilities via advancements in digital communication, Virtual Design Studio (VDS) remained an experimental novelty until 2020. The interruption of face-to-face educational activities saw architecture schools facing a rapid paradigm shift because their studio-centred pedagogy retains intrinsic spatial qualities that are often attributed as critical dimensions of the learning process. This article explores the transition to the virtual design studio in a department of architecture after distance education became mainstream due to the global pandemic. The paper provides a comparison between students’ and lecturers’ points of view regarding different aspects of the virtual design studio. This addresses a potential generational gap concerning digital communication in a case study. A survey was administered to a group of architecture students who travelled back home and continued their education online and to the teachers of design studios who instructed VDS after the pandemic outbreak. The findings show the significant influence of effective communication, access to proper resources, maintenance of peer connections, and group works on the positive outcomes of the architectural design studio.
Quality attributes of chicken nuggets extended with different legume flours
Authors: Abiala Opeyemi , Abiala Moses , Omojola Babatunde
Published: August 2022

Chicken nugget is a comminuted meat product commonly prepared from spiced chicken meat and other ingredients. The tenderness of chicken meat lowers its firmness and mouth feel which may reduce acceptability of chicken nugget made from it. Thus, acceptability of chicken nugget could be harnessed when legume flour extenders are used along. Therefore, acceptability as well as quality of chicken nugget from different legume flours were evaluated. Soyabean, groundnut and cowpea flours were used as meat extenders for development of raw chicken nuggets and thereafter cooked for consumption. The quality of both raw and cooked legume flour extended chicken nuggets were assessed based on functional properties, sensory properties, proximate composition, amino acid content and shelf stability in terms of lipid peroxidation and microbial load. In their raw state, the legume flour extenders competed favourably with each other. Among all, soyabean flour extender maintained remarkable functional properties that transcend into significant (P < 0.05) yield of 86.93% of chicken nugget in comparison to the control (86.37%), groundnut (84.95%) and cowpea (84.50%). Upon cooking, all the legume flour extended chicken nuggets varied in their quality attributes. Apart from the high level of flavour and low microbial load, cowpea extended chicken nugget was of low quality based on the parameters evaluated in comparison with other legume flour extended chicken nuggets. Of interest, soyabean extended chicken nugget followed by groundnut extended chicken nugget were of good quality based on sensory properties, high crude protein and amino acid levels, low cholesterol content and lipid peroxidation value as well as low microbial load.

Graphical abstract
Assessment of Electronic Health Record for Cancer Research and Patient Care Through a Scoping Review of Cancer Natural Language Processing
Authors: Wang Liwei , Fu Sunyang , Wen Andrew , Ruan Xiaoyang , He Huan , Liu Sijia , Moon Sungrim , Mai Michelle , Riaz Irbaz B. , Wang Nan , Yang Ping , Xu Hua , Warner Jeremy L. , Liu Hongfang
Published: August 2022

PURPOSE

The advancement of natural language processing (NLP) has promoted the use of detailed textual data in electronic health records (EHRs) to support cancer research and to facilitate patient care. In this review, we aim to assess EHR for cancer research and patient care by using the Minimal Common Oncology Data Elements (mCODE), which is a community-driven effort to define a minimal set of data elements for cancer research and practice. Specifically, we aim to assess the alignment of NLP-extracted data elements with mCODE and review existing NLP methodologies for extracting said data elements.

METHODS

Published literature studies were searched to retrieve cancer-related NLP articles that were written in English and published between January 2010 and September 2020 from main literature databases. After the retrieval, articles with EHRs as the data source were manually identified. A charting form was developed for relevant study analysis and used to categorize data including four main topics: metadata, EHR data and targeted cancer types, NLP methodology, and oncology data elements and standards.

RESULTS

A total of 123 publications were selected finally and included in our analysis. We found that cancer research and patient care require some data elements beyond mCODE as expected. Transparency and reproductivity are not sufficient in NLP methods, and inconsistency in NLP evaluation exists.

CONCLUSION

We conducted a comprehensive review of cancer NLP for research and patient care using EHRs data. Issues and barriers for wide adoption of cancer NLP were identified and discussed.
Disjointed Times in “Climate-Smart” Amazonia
Authors: Rojas David
Published: August 2022

What does it mean to resort to neoliberal environmental approaches to heal the socio-ecological devastation wrought by fascistic forces? In Brazil extremist right-wing efforts to impose sovereign state rule over Amazonia have resulted in rampant deforestation, violence against forest peoples, and a catastrophic COVID-19 pandemic. Some environmentalists suggest that escaping such devastation means returning to previous neoliberal policies such as “climate-smart agriculture” (CSA) that were promoted as a way to open a future of endless economic expansion and forest preservation. Rejecting the choice between fascistic and neoliberal environmental approaches, this article examines the future-oriented work of Amazonian environmentalists who grapple with “disjointed times” in which economic and ecological trends resist harmonization. Attentive to multispecies and multi-temporal dynamics, they suggest ways to avoid a temporal trap wherein the catastrophic failure of anthropocentric future-making projects always calls for yet another anthropocentric future-making project.
Forest Forms and Ethical Life
Authors: Kohn Eduardo
Published: August 2022

What kind of guidance can the world Eduardo Kohn calls “forest” provide for living well on Earth in times of planetary anthropogenic ecological fragmentation? How, that is, can humans learn to ecologize their ethics? Reflecting on his ongoing ethnographic research in and around Indigenous communities of Ecuador’s Upper Amazon, Kohn uses what he learned to help find a path that can orient humans in their attempts to live well in relation to the many kinds of others that make and hold them. Ecologizing ethics, this article argues, turns on understanding the living world as a “thinking forest,” one that is mind manifesting or psychedelic in nature and as such requires a mode of attention that is itself psychedelic. Ethical guidance comes from finding ways to appreciate the “shape” of the larger mind of which people are a part, and in this way, to find direction from that form as it becomes manifest to them. This article discusses, thus, the ways in which an ecologized ethics is linked to the aesthetic ground from which it emerges.
Protein storage and reproduction increase in grasshoppers on a diet matched to the amino acids of egg yolk protein
Authors: Hatle John D. , Maslikova Victoriya , Short Clancy A. , Bracey Donald , Darmanjian Margaret , Morningstar Sarah , Reams Brooke , Mashanov Vladimir S. , Jahan-Mihan Alireza , Hahn Daniel A.
Published: August 2022

The diets of animals are essential to support development, and protein is key. Accumulation of stored nutrients can support developmental events such as molting and initiation of reproduction. Agricultural studies have addressed how dietary protein quality affects growth, but few studies have addressed the effects of dietary protein quality on developmental transitions. Studies on how dietary quality may affect protein storage and development are possible in arthropods, which store proteins in the hemolymph. We hypothesized that diets with a composition of amino acids that matches the precursor of egg yolk protein (vitellogenin, Vg) will be high quality and support both egg production and accumulation of storage proteins. Grasshoppers were fed one of two isonitrogenous solutions of amino acids daily: Vg-balanced (matched to Vg) or Unbalanced (same total moles of amino acids, but not matched to egg yolk). We measured reproduction and storage protein levels in serial hemolymph samples from individuals. The Vg-balanced group had greater reproduction and greater cumulative levels of storage proteins than did the Unbalanced group. This occurred even though amino acids fed to the Vg-balanced group were not a better match to storage protein than were the amino acids fed to the Unbalanced group. Further, oviposition timing was best explained by a combination of diet, age at the maximum level of storage protein hexamerin-270 and accumulation of hexamerin-90. Our study tightens the link between storage proteins and commitment to reproduction, and shows that dietary protein quality is vital for protein storage and reproduction.
Polyiodide Production Triggered by Acidic Phase of Aqueous Solution Confined in Carbon Nanospace
Authors: Ohkubo Takahiro , Hirano Yuri , Nakayasu Hiroki , Kuroda Yasushige
Published: August 2022

Polyiodide species were synthesized by the acceleration of an acidic environment in the nanospace of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) with light irradiation. Raman and EXAFS results strongly support the production of polyiodide species after the adsorption of CsI on SWCNT from aqueous solution. Interestingly, the reaction was initiated by the nano-confined acidic phase formed in a basic environment. The acidic phase plays an essential role as an oxidant for the production of the diiodine that is a source of polyiodide.
Another landmark achievement by Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences and the future challenges
Authors: Jawaid Shaukat Ali , Jawaid Masood
Published: August 2022

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.7.6880

How to cite this:Jawaid SA, Jawaid M. Another landmark achievement by Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences and the future challenges. Pak J Med Sci. 2022;38(7):1727-1729. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.7.6880

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Switching treatment-experienced, integrase inhibitor-naïve, virally suppressed HIV-1 infected adults from ritonavir-boosted protease inhibitors to dolutegravir: design, methods, and baseline results of a randomized, open-label, non-inferiority trial
Authors: Penner Jeremy , Ombajo Loice , Nkuranga Joseph , Mecha Jared , Owuor Kevin , Odhiambo Collins , Mburu Margaret , Ndinya Florentius , Aksam Rukia , Njenga Richard , Wahome Simone , Muiruri Peter , Eshiwani Sheila , Kimani Maureen , Ngugi Catherine , Pozniak Anton
Published: August 2022

Background: Most HIV-positive adults in Kenya with prior non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) failure are currently on ritonavir-boosted protease inhibitors (PI/r). Dolutegravir (DTG) has shown good efficacy among treatment-experienced adults. Objective: Our study is the first to evaluate the efficacy of switching from ritonavir-boosted protease inhibitor (PI/r) to DTG among virally suppressed adults with prior NNRTI failure and with no knowledge of susceptibility to nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). Methods: This open-label, randomized, active-controlled, non-inferiority trial was conducted at four sites in Kenya. Virally suppressed HIV-1 positive adults (≥ 18 years) on a second-line regimen of PI/r and 2 NRTIs were randomized (1:1) to switch to DTG or continue their pre-enrollment PI/r. The primary endpoint is proportion of participants with HIV-1 RNA ≥ 50 copies/mL at week 48 with a 4% non-inferiority margin. ClinicalTrials.gov registration: NCT04229290. Results: Between Feb 10 and Sep 3, 2020, 1,114 adults were screened, 795 were randomized and 791 treated (397 DTG, 394 baseline PI/r). All participants were black, 66.3% were female, median age was 46 years, and median CD4 count was 423 cells/μl. Grade 2 or higher laboratory abnormalities at baseline included 44.6% with reduced creatinine clearance and 9.7% with elevated lipids. Conclusions: This is the first randomized trial evaluating a switch strategy from PI/r to DTG for virally suppressed adults who have previously failed NNRTI, and is expected to provide critical evidence to inform large HIV programs in sub-Saharan Africa. We found high rates of baseline laboratory abnormalities that were not detected during routine care.
INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION IN THE MULTICULTURAL ACADEMIC CONTEXT: ETHNO-PSYCHOLOGICAL FEATURES OF TURKMEN STUDENTS
Authors: Kovtun N.
Published: August 2022

Ethno-psychological features of Turkmen mentality are seen as a factor, determining efficient communication between students of different nationalities in the multicultural educational space. The aim of the article is to single out the characteristic features of the world perception and behavioral patterns, that are to be considered while establishing collaboration with Turkmen students. The method of the research is analysis of theoretical works in the sphere of intercultural communication as well as situations in which manifestation of typical features of the people in all academic contexts. The research is resulted in making what might be called an ethno-psychological profile of the Turkmen student, which will help to choose the right strategy of communication with the people of this nationality in the multicultural educational space of Russian High School.
MEDIA CULTURE AND A MAN IN CYBERSPACE: THE ROLE OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PROCESS OF TRANSFORMATION OF PERSONALITY AND CULTURE
Authors: Burda E. , Solgi Tahereh
Published: August 2022

The article examines the impact of the transition to the digital space on people and media culture.

The introduction gives a brief description of the modern world in the era of globalism and digital transformation. The aim of the work is to analyze media culture and cyberspace, to trace the communicative aspect of the influence of virtual reality on personality. To do this, an analysis of scientific papers on this issue has been carried out, and trends based on the processes taking place in society are being investigated. The issues of the "digital divide" between countries, the "culture of cancellation", the problems of falsification of information on the Internet, including in the media, are highlighted.

The authors propose to rely on cultural heritage, including media, as a factor preventing the unification of personality in the new reality.
Partnership Transitions among Turkish Immigrants and their Descendants in Western Germany
Authors: Erdogan Muserref , Abbasoğlu Özgören Ayşe
Published: August 2022

Adaptation to host country behaviours encompasses both individual and social change, bringing about rising diversity issues in the host society and societal shifts in the country of origin. This study aims to detect whether Turkish immigrants and their descendants converge towards or diverge from the partnership practices of the native-born population in Western Germany. Specifically, transitions from (1) singlehood to the first partnership, (2) singlehood to the first marriage, (3) singlehood to the first cohabitation, (4) cohabitation to marriage and (5) marriage to divorce are investigated. Data from the Panel Analysis of Intimate Relationships and Family Dynamics (pairfam) survey for the period of 2008-2018 are used, applying Kaplan-Meier survival estimations and Cox proportional hazard models. This is the first study that includes natives, immigrants and their descendants simultaneously in an analysis of extensive partnership transitions covering practices of cohabitation, marriage and divorce and to investigate the proportionality assumption in Cox models. We formulate four research hypotheses based on the hypotheses of socialisation, adaptation and the cultural maintenance and segmented assimilation theory. Supporting our first hypothesis, our findings indicate a difference in partnership patterns between both first- and second-generation immigrants and natives, except for the finding that second-generation immigrants resemble the native pattern in their transition to the first union (including both cohabitation and marriage). Immigrants and their descendants tend to marry directly and have lower divorce hazard ratios than their native counterparts, while consensual unions are uncommon among Turkish immigrants. As suggested by our second hypothesis, the extent of the divergence varies across partnership transitions. Finally, our results provide support for our third hypothesis rather than the fourth in that partnership transition of Turkish immigrants’ descendants more closely resembles that of first-generation immigrants compared to natives.
Irrealia: F. Suárez’s Concept of Being in the Formulation of Intentionality from F. Brentano to J. Patočka and Beyond
Authors: Janik Piotr
Published: August 2022

F. SUÁREZ’S CONCEPT OF BEING IN THE FORMULATION OF INTENTIONALITY FROM F. BRENTANO TO J. PATOČKA AND BEYOND The language of phenomenology includes terms such as intentionality, phenomenon, insight, analysis, sense, not to mention the key term of Edmund Husserl’s manifesto, “the things themselves” to return to. But what does the “things themselves” properly mean? How come the term is replaced by the “findings” over time? And what are the findings for? The investigation begins by looking at the tricky legacy of the modern turn, trying to clarify ties to past masters, including Francisco Suárez and Augustine of Hippo. The former, because his influence goes beyond René Descartes reaching undoubtedly Franz Brentano and his students, as well as Martin Heidegger. The latter, because Augustine gives a personal component to the Greek inheritance, marked by the “inward turn.” However, it would not be possible to review the history of thought without the help offered by Jan Patočka's analyses. Patočka discloses the “care” of the Greek philosophers, Plato and Democritus among others, “for the soul”, we would say with Patočka for “being,” whose sense “does not leave us indifferent” as the leitmotiv of Ancient Philosophy. Nevertheless, in his lectures on Plato and Europe, Patočka points out that you must be careful not to confuse the phenomena of things, of existens, with the phenomena of being. Finally, Patočka’s legacy is found in the efforts to reconcile the life-feeling with the modern construction of reality, which means “a radical reconstruction of the naive and natural world of common sense.” In some ways, intentionality is to be revised.