bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antibiotic prescribing patterns at outpatient clinics in Western and Coastal Kenya
Authors: Kiener Melanie , Ichura Caroline , Ndenga Bryson A. , Mutuku Francis M. , Winter Christabel A. , Okuta Victoria , Mwambingu Laura , Ogamba Kevin , Shaita Karren N. , Ronga Charles , Chebii Philip , Amugongo Jael , Malumbo Said , Godana Omar , Jembe Zainab , Ng’ang’a Charles , Mazera Mwangosho , LaBeaud A. Desiree
Published: January 2025

Antimicrobial resistant pathogens are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with overuse and misuse of antimicrobials being key contributors. We aimed to identify factors associated with antibiotic prescriptions among patients presenting to clinics in Kenya. We performed a retrospective, descriptive cohort study of persons presenting to outpatient clinics in Western and Coastal Kenya, including symptoms, physical exams, clinician assessments, laboratory results and prescriptions. We reviewed 1,526 visits among 1,059 people who sought care from December 2019-February 2022. Median age was 16 (IQR 6–35) and 22% were under 5. 30% of malaria RDTs were positive and 3% of dengue RT-qPCRs were positive. Antibiotics were prescribed in 73% of encounters overall and in 84% among children under 5. In 48% of visits antibiotics were prescribed without a provisional bacterial diagnosis. In the multivariable model, factors associated with increased odds of an antibiotic prescription were the clinic in Western Kenya (OR 5.1, 95% CI 3.0–8.8), age less than or equal to 18 (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.4–3.2), endorsement of cardiorespiratory symptoms (OR 5.2, 95% CI 3.2–8.3), a negative malaria RDT (OR 4.0, 95% CI 2.5–6.8), and a provisional diagnosis that could be bacterial in etiology (OR 5.9, 95% CI 3.5–10.3). High rates of antibiotic prescriptions are common even when associated diagnoses are not bacterial. Compared to our 2014–2017 cohort, we found higher rates of antibiotic prescriptions among children. Improved diagnostics to rule in alternative diagnoses as well as stewardship programs are needed.
Progress in antileishmanial drugs: Mechanisms, challenges, and prospects
Authors: Zhang Haoran , Yan Ruixi , Liu Yahui , Yu Mengtao , He Ziyi , Xiao Junfeng , Li Kaijie , Liu Gang , Ning Qin , Li Yan
Published: January 2025

Leishmaniasis, a neglected tropical disease caused by Leishmania parasites, continues to pose global health challenges. Current treatments face issues like resistance, safety, efficacy, and cost. This review covers the discovery, mechanisms of action, clinical applications, and limitations of key antileishmanial agents: pentavalent antimonials, amphotericin B, miltefosine, paromomycin, and pentamidine. Despite toxicity and resistance (antimonials), hospitalization needs and side effects (amphotericin B), regional efficacy variability (miltefosine), inconsistent outcomes (paromomycin), and severe side effects (pentamidine), these drugs are vital. Novel strategies to overcome the deficiencies of current therapies are highlighted, including combination regimens, advanced drug delivery systems, and immunomodulatory approaches. Comprehensive and cooperative efforts are crucial to fully realize the potential of advancements in antileishmanial pharmacotherapy and to reduce the unacceptable worldwide burden imposed by this neglected disease.
Molecular dynamics simulation based prediction of T-cell epitopes for the production of effector molecules for liver cancer immunotherapy
Authors: Zafar Sidra , Bai Yuhe , Muhammad Syed Aun , Guo Jinlei , Khurram Haris , Zafar Saba , Muqaddas Iraj , Shaikh Rehan Sadiq , Bai Baogang
Published: January 2025

Liver cancer is the sixth most frequent malignancy and the fourth major cause of deaths worldwide. The current treatments are only effective in early stages of cancer. To overcome the therapeutic challenges and exploration of immunotherapeutic options, broad spectral therapeutic vaccines could have significant impact. Based on immunoinformatic and integrated machine learning tools, we predicted the potential therapeutic vaccine candidates of liver cancer. In this study, machine learning and MD simulation-based approach are effectively used to design T-cell epitopes that aid the immune system against liver cancer. Antigenicity, molecular weight, subcellular localization and expression site predictions were used to shortlist liver cancer associated proteins including AMBP, CFB, CDHR5, VTN, APOBR, AFP, SERPINA1 and APOE. We predicted CD8+ T-cell epitopes of these proteins containing LGEGATEAE, LLYIGKDRK, EDIGTEADV, QVDAAMAGR, HLEARKKSK, HLCIRHEMT, LKLSKAVHK, EQGRVRAAT and CD4+ T-cell epitopes of VLGEGATEA, WVTKQLNEI, VEEDTKVNS, FTRINCQGK, WGILGREEA, LQDGEKIMS, VKFNKPFVF, VRAATVGSL. We observed the substantial physicochemical properties of these epitopes with a significant binding affinity with MHC molecules. A polyvalent construct of these epitopes was designed using suitable linkers and adjuvant indicated significant binding energy (>-10.5 kcal/mol) with MHC class-I and II molecule. Based on in silico cloning, we found the considerable compatibility of this polyvalent construct with the E. coli expression system and the efficiency of its translation in host. The system-level and machine learning based cross validations showed the possible effect of these T-cell epitopes as potential vaccine candidates for the treatment of liver cancer.
Bacteriological quality of drinking water and its associated factors in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Daba Chala , Berhanu Leykun , Desye Belay , Berihun Gete , Geto Abebe Kassa
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Drinking contaminated water is a significant cause of mortality and morbidity in Sub-Saharan Africa, where access to safe drinking water is limited. Although numerous studies have investigated the bacteriological quality of drinking water in Ethiopia, their findings have been inconsistent and varied, hindering the implementation of effective water quality monitoring. Moreover, there is a lack of nationwide assessment of the bacteriological quality of drinking water in Ethiopia. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the bacteriological quality of drinking water and its associated factors in Ethiopia.

Methods

An international electronic database, including PubMed, Science Direct, Global Health, CINAHL, African Journals Online, HINARI, and Google Scholar was employed to retrieve the relevant articles. The study adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols (PRISMA) guidelines. A random-effects model was used to estimate the pooled effect size, and the Egger regression model was employed using STATA 14 software to assess potential publication bias.

Results

A total of 26 studies involving 7,962 water samples met the eligibility criteria for meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of at least one bacteriological contamination of drinking water was 52.26% (95%CI: 39.09–65.43), with extreme heterogeneity (I2 = 99.7%; p-value < 0.001). The pooled prevalence of total and fecal coliform in drinking water was 49.55% (95% CI: 34.88–64.23) and 44.27% (95%CI: 34.36–54.19), respectively. 14.13% of the water source was at a very high sanitary risk level (unfit for drinking), with significant heterogeneity (I2 = 94.1%, p< 0.001). The absence of household-level water treatment (OR = 3.3; 95%CI: 1.28–5.32) and drawing water using dipping methods (OR = 4.52; 95%CI: 1.71–7.34) were determinant factors for bacteriological contamination of drinking water.

Conclusion

We found that the bacteriological quality of drinking water did not comply with the World Health Organization and Ethiopia’s standard guidelines for drinking water, which call for urgent intervention. One out of seven water sources was at a high sanitary risk level, which could increase the risk of infectious disease in the country. The absence of household-level water treatment and drawing water using dipping was a significant factor in the bacteriological quality of drinking water. Based on these findings, the water supply and sewerage authority should prioritize regular monitoring of the bacteriological quality of drinking water.
Oncologists’ views on ototoxicity monitoring in head and neck cancer patients: A South Indian qualitative study
Authors: Shankar Varsha , Seethapathy Jayashree , Srinivas Satish , Nandhan Raghu , Saravanam Prasanna Kumar
Published: January 2025

Aim

The perspectives and practices of healthcare professionals regarding ototoxicity in individuals with head and neck cancers are important for the implementation of ototoxicity monitoring. The current study aims to explore the oncologist’s awareness and perspectives of ototoxicity and ototoxicity monitoring for individuals with head and neck cancer in a South-Indian district, using qualitative semi-structured interviews.

Method

The COnsolidated criteria for REporting Qualitative research (COREQ) Checklist was used to guide the method of the current qualitative study. A conceptual framework was developed for the formulation of the interview guides. Three medical oncologists and six radiation oncologists from cancer care centres participated in the study. The interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was carried out using a hybrid inductive-deductive approach to present the findings under the respective overarching themes.

Results

All oncologists are aware of the ototoxic effects caused by radiation therapy and chemoradiotherapy. It was consistently reported that the severity of the hearing loss was not substantial enough to warrant significant concern. Ototoxicity is not emphasized during the counseling process. All participants reported having awareness and knowledge of ototoxicity monitoring programs and understood their importance. However, none of them reported the implementation of an ototoxicity monitoring program in their facility.

Discussion

It is imperative to enhance the knowledge and understanding of the ototoxic nature of cancer treatment modalities among oncologists. It is crucial to raise awareness regarding the significance of ototoxicity monitoring programs among all physicians involved in the treatment of patients with cancer for maximum impact. The barriers to implementing ototoxicity monitoring programs in high- and low-income countries are similar. The models implemented in high-income countries can be adapted for use in low-middle income countries with suitable restructuring.

Conclusion

The current study provides valuable insights into the status of ototoxicity monitoring in the South-Indian context. The findings align with the key components of the health belief model, including perceived susceptibility, perceived barriers, and cues to action. Involving oncologists in the planning phase of the ototoxicity monitoring programs can help tailor future research questions and solutions to improve quality of life, foster collaboration among healthcare professionals, and produce actionable outcomes that may influence policy on ototoxicity monitoring.
Recovery time and predictors of severe acute malnutrition in children aged 6–59 months via an outpatient therapeutic program in Borena zone: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Bune Girma Tenkolu , Mohammed Abuna , Hailu Samrawit , Ashenafi Eden
Published: January 2025

Background

Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) is a severe condition causing bilateral pitting edema or signs of wasting in children, with a high mortality risk. An outpatient therapeutic program is recommended for managing SAM children without complications, but there is limited information on recovery time and its determinants.

Objective

This study aims to assess the time to recovery and its predictors among children aged 6–59 months with SAM admitted to the Outpatient therapeutic program in the Borena zone, Oromia region, Southern Ethiopia in 2023.

Methods

A prospective follow-up study was carried out from March 1–30, 2023, on 322 children aged 6–59 months in health facilities in the Borena zone. After being collected using a structured questionnaire, the data was imported into Epi Data Manager version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 26 for analysis. Model fitness was assessed using the log rank test, and time-to-recovery from SAM was found to be predicted by Cox regression analysis. Lastly, the study used the Adjusted Hazard Ratio with a p-value < 0.05 and a 95% confidence interval to describe the connection.

Results

The median duration for recovery was found to be 42 days with an interquartile range of 35 to 49. Children who received Amoxicillin had a four-times higher recovery rate (AHR = 4.09; 95% CI: 2.75, 6.07). The presence of diarrhea prolonged the recovery time by 53.0% (AHR = 0.47; 95% CI: 0.36, 0.62), while vomiting prolonged the recovery time by 58.0% (AHR = 0.42; 95% CI: 0.32, 0.55). Edema reduced the chances of recovery by 48% (AHR = 0.52; 95% CI: 0.36, 0.62).

Conclusion

The study found that recovery time for children with severe acute malnutrition is consistent with prior research. Key factors influencing recovery duration include the prompt administration of Amoxicillin upon admission and the presence of symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, and edema. The findings emphasize the critical role of specific symptoms in predicting recovery times for children with SAM. By understanding these relationships, healthcare providers can enhance treatment strategies, improve resource management, and ultimately contribute to better health outcomes for affected children.
Mental health in Germany before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Patzina Alexander , Collischon Matthias , Hoffmann Rasmus , Obrizan Maksym
Published: January 2025

Based on nationally representative panel data (N person-years = 40,020; N persons = 18,704; Panel Labour Market and Social Security; PASS) from 2018 to 2022, we investigate how mental health changed during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. We employ time-distributed fixed effects regressions to show that mental health (Mental Health Component Summary Score of the SF-12) decreased from the first COVID-19 wave in 2020 onward, leading to the most pronounced mental health decreases during the Delta wave, which began in August 2021. In the summer of 2022, mental health had not returned to baseline levels. An analysis of the subdomains of the mental health measure indicates that long-term negative mental health changes are mainly driven by declines in psychological well-being and calmness. Furthermore, our results indicate no clear patterns of heterogeneity between age groups, sex, income, education, migrant status, childcare responsibilities or pre-COVID-19 health status. Thus, the COVID-19 pandemic appears to have had a uniform effect on mental health in the German adult population and did not lead to a widening of health inequalities in the long run.
Clinical outcomes and anti-inflammatory mechanisms predict maximum heart rate improvement after physical activity training in individuals with psychiatric disorders and comorbid obesity
Authors: Soldevila-Matías Pau , Sánchez-Ortí Joan Vicent , Correa-Ghisays Patricia , Balanzá-Martínez Vicent , Selva-Vera Gabriel , Sanchis-Sanchis Roberto , Iglesias-García Néstor , Monfort-Pañego Manuel , Tomás-Martínez Pilar , Victor Víctor M. , Crespo-Facorro Benedicto , Valenzuela Constanza San Martin , Climent-Sánchez José Antonio , Corral-Márquez Rosana , Fuentes-Durá Inmaculada , Tabarés-Seisdedos Rafael
Published: January 2025

Introduction

This study aimed to evaluate the predictive validity and discriminatory ability of clinical outcomes, inflammatory activity, oxidative and vascular damage, and metabolic mechanisms for detecting significant improve maximum heart rate after physical activity training in individuals with psychiatric disorders and obesity comorbid using a longitudinal design and transdiagnostic perspective.

Methods

Patients with major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder and, schizophrenia and with comorbid obesity (n = 29) were assigned to a 12-week structured physical exercise program. Peripheral blood biomarkers of inflammation, oxidative stress, vascular mechanisms, and metabolic activity, as well as neurocognitive and functional performance were assessed twice, before and after intervention. Maximum heart rate was considered a marker of effectiveness of physical activity. Mixed one-way analysis of variance and linear regression analyses were performed.

Results

Individuals with psychiatric disorders and comorbid obesity exhibited an improvement in cognition, mood symptoms and body mass index, increase anti-inflammatory activity together with enhancement of the oxidative and cardiovascular mechanisms after physical activity training (p<0.05 to 0.0001; d = 0.47 to 1.63). A better clinical outcomes along with regulation of inflammatory, oxidative, and cardiovascular mechanisms were critical for predicting significant maximum heart rate variation over time (χ2 = 32.2 to 39.0, p < 0.0001).

Conclusions

The regulation of the anti-inflammatory mechanisms may be essential for maintained of healthy physical activity across psychiatric disorders and obesity. Likewise, inflammatory activity, oxidative stress, vascular and cardio-metabolic mechanisms may be a useful to identify individuals at greater risk of multi-comorbidity.
Object detection in motion management scenarios based on deep learning
Authors: Pei Baocheng , Sun Yanan , Fu Yebiao , Ren Ting
Published: January 2025

In athletes’ competitions and daily training, in order to further strengthen the athletes’ sports level, it is usually necessary to analyze the athletes’ sports actions at a specific moment, in which it is especially important to quickly and accurately identify the categories and positions of the athletes, sports equipment, field boundaries and other targets in the sports scene. However, the existing detection methods failed to achieve better detection results, and the analysis found that the reasons for this phenomenon mainly lie in the loss of temporal information, multi-targeting, target overlap, and coupling of regression and classification tasks, which makes it more difficult for these network models to adapt to the detection task in this scenario. Based on this, we propose for the first time a supervised object detection method for scenarios in the field of motion management. The main contributions of this method include: designing a TSM module that combines temporal offset operation and spatial convolution operation to enhance the network structure’s ability to capture temporal information in the motion scene; designing a deformable attention mechanism that enhances the feature extraction capability of individual target actions in the motion scene; designing a decoupling structure that decouples the regression task from the classification task; and using the above approach for object detection in motion management scenarios. The accuracy of target detection in this scenario is greatly. To evaluate the effectiveness of our designed network and proposed methodology, we conduct experiments on open-source datasets. The final comparison experiment shows that our proposed method outperforms all the other seven common target detection networks on the same dataset with a map_0.5 score of 92.298%. In the ablation experiments, the reduction of each module reduces the accuracy of detection. The two types of experiments prove that the proposed method is effective and can achieve better results when applied to motion management detection scenarios.
Study of distribution and morphological characteristics of the trabecular bone in the uncinate process of the cervical spine using micro-computed tomography
Authors: Hao Yunteng , Ma Yuan , Zhang Shaojie , Wang Chaoqun , Wang Wei , Li Xiaohe , Gao Shang , Li Kun , Chen Jie , Wang Haiyan , Yang Yang , Gao Mingjie , Wang Jian , Li Zhijun , Shi Jun , Wang Xing
Published: January 2025

The cervical uncinate process is a unique structure of the cervical spine that undergoes significant changes in its morphological characteristics with age, and these changes may be related to osteoporosis. This study aimed to observe the distribution of cancellous bone in the cervical uncinate process and its morphological features using micro-computed tomography (Micro-CT) to gain a deeper understanding of the morphological characteristics of the uncinate microstructure. We performed Micro-CT scans on 31 sets of C3-C7 vertebrae, a total of 155 intact bone samples, and subsequently used the measurement software with the Micro-CT system to obtain parameters related to the cancellous bone of the uncinate process. We found that the cancellous bone of the uncinate process was predominantly longitudinally cross-aligned and continuous with the cancellous bone within the vertebral body. Comparisons between the left and right sides of each parameter showed significant differences only in the bone surface area, and the peaks of each parameter were primarily concentrated in C4-C6. In this study, we found that the C5 uncinate process is the site of most significant stress in the cervical vertebrae, which leads to the earliest occurrence of osteoporosis, and this study provides experimental, theoretical bases for the prevention of cervical spondylosis and osteoporosis, and the diagnosis and treatment of related diseases.
Point prevalence survey of antibiotic use in Mexican secondary care hospitals
Authors: Zumaya-Estrada Federico A. , Alpuche-Aranda Celia M. , Huerta Icelo Hilda Ivonne , Neri-Estrada Felipe D. , Calixto Silva Verónica M. , Quiroz Escoriza Haydee E. , Garza-Ramos Jesus Ulises , Saturno-Hernandez Pedro J.
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Tackling the inertia of growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) requires changes in how antibiotics are prescribed and utilized. The monitoring of antimicrobial prescribing in hospitals is a critical component in optimizing antibiotic use. Point prevalence surveys (PPSs) enable the surveillance of antibiotic prescribing at the patient level in small hospitals that lack the resources to establish antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASP). In this study, we analyzed antibiotic use at two public secondary care hospitals in Mexico using PPSs.

Methods

Following WHO methodology, we conducted four cross-sectional PPSs on antibiotic use in two public secondary care facilities in Mexico: two surveys in a women’s specialty hospital (H1) and two in a general referral hospital (H2). We collected data from clinical records of all patients with active antibiotic prescriptions (APs) across the medical, surgical, and mixed (MIX) wards, and intensive care units (ICUs). Descriptive statistics were computed to analyze the PPSs data using Stata.

Results

The PPSs collected data on 127 patients, and 283 active APs. The prevalence of antibiotic use was 60.4% (H1, n = 29/48) and 70.5% (H2, n = 98/139). Antibiotics were more frequently used among patients in the MIX wards (H1: 87.5%, n = 14/16) and ICUs (H2: 90%, n = 9/10). The most frequent patient indications for antibiotic use were medical prophylaxis (H1: 51.7%, n = 15/29), community-acquired infections (H2: 42.9%, n = 42/98), and preoperative prophylaxis (H1: 27.6%, n = 8/29; H2: 23.5%, n = 23/98). The APs were mostly empirical (H1: 97%, n = 64/66; H2: 98.2%, n = 213/217), and parenterally administered (H1: 90.9%, n = 60/66; H2: 96.8%, n = 210/217). Most clinical records lacked documented post-prescription reviews (H1: 82.8%, n = 24/29; H2: 98%, n = 96/98). Preoperative prophylaxis was predominantly administered as multiple doses for more than one day. Penicillins with extended-spectrum (24.2%, n = 16/66), aminoglycosides (22.7%, n = 15/66), and first-generation cephalosporins (16.7%, n = 11/66) were the most prescribed antibiotic classes in H1, while third-generation cephalosporins (35%, n = 76/217), fluoroquinolones (14.3%, n = 31/217), and carbapenems (13.4%, n = 29/217) were the most prescribed in H2. No hospital had formally established ASP.

Conclusions

This study shows high prevalence rates of antibiotic use and variations in commonly prescribed antibiotic classes in public Mexican secondary care hospitals, along with shared practices in broad-spectrum antibiotic prescription. PPS-based surveillance enables the identification of specific targets to optimize antibiotic use according to the healthcare needs of patients in each hospital and facilitates comparative evaluations across hospitals.
miRNA-328-3p regulates ZO-1 expression and inhibits PEDV proliferation via the PLC-β1-PKC pathway
Authors: Zhao Han , Zhang Jiayu , Li Dengliang , Cui Zhanding , Liu Jiuyuan , Bao Di , Wei Yiming , Zhang Xinyue , Wu Zhimin , Zhang Tianqi , Wang Kai , Yi Shushuai , Lian Wei , Hu Guixue
Published: January 2025

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) is a significant pathogen affecting swine, causing severe economic losses worldwide. This study explores the regulatory role of miRNA-328-3p to ZO-1 expression and its impact on PEDV proliferation via the PLC-β1-PKC pathway in IPEC-J2 cells. We found that miRNA-328-3p can target ZO-1, influencing its expression and subsequently affecting the integrity of tight junctions in the cells. Overexpression of PLC-β1, combined with miRNA-328-3p silencing, enhanced ZO-1 expression, while PLC-β1 knockdown combined with miRNA-328-3p overexpression inhibited ZO-1 expression. Furthermore, PLC-β1 overexpression increased both viral genome expression and PEDV titers, whereas its silencing had the opposite effect. Notably, our data indicated a negative correlation between PLC-β1 and PKC expression, and PKC silencing attenuated the upregulatory effect of PLC-β1 on ZO-1. These findings suggest that PLC-β1 modulates ZO-1 expression through the PKC pathway, providing new insights into the molecular mechanisms of PEDV infection and potential therapeutic targets.
Reverse shoulder arthroplasty in revision surgery—Indications and results
Authors: Bergert Patricia , Henkelmann Ralf , Hepp Pierre , Theopold Jan
Published: January 2025

Background

The number of reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) procedures performed worldwide has increased over the last 10 years, with a corresponding increase in revision shoulder arthroplasty (SRSA). SRSA is often used for post-traumatic revision surgery in cases of infections and failure of anatomical prostheses. Data on outcomes with specific detail for each indication for the prosthetic solution as a secondary treatment are scarce, and inhomogeneous.

Methods

The questionnaires were sent by mail to 65 patients who underwent SRSA between January 2014 and November 2023. Based on the indications for SRSA, patients were categorized into post-traumatic shoulder arthritis, humeral head necrosis, failed proximal humerus fractures, failed proximal humerus osteosynthesis, prostheses loosening, and infection groups.

Results

Of the 65 patients included in the study, 39 completed the questionnaire, and the mean follow-up duration was 44 months (range, 12–104 months). The Constant score ranged from 28 points for all 6 groups (range, 38–66). The post-infection group showed the highest results, with 66 points (range, 24–90) on the Constant score; followed by 26 points (range, 49–6) points on the DASH score; and 0.90 (range, 0.763–1) on the EQ-5D-5L. Failed proximal humerus fractures presented the lowest scores: 38 points (range, 22–63) on the Constant score; 51 points (range, 73–30) points on the DASH score; and 0.61 (range, -0.496–1) on the EQ-5D-5L.

Conclusions

No previous study has investigated the influence of indications on the clinical outcome of SRSA so circumstantial. In this study, the highest outcome scores were observed in the post-infection group, whereas the lowest scores were observed in the failed humerus fracture group. Our results underline the influence of the indication on the clinical outcome of SRSA.
Ratio of remnant cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in relation to gestational diabetes mellitus risk in early pregnancy among Korean women
Authors: Sheng Jing , Ma Chun-Fang , Wu Xiao-Fei , Li Xiang-Xiang
Published: January 2025

Objective

There is no evidence to suggest that an association exists between the remnant cholesterol (RC) to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). In this study, the RC/HDL-C ratio during the first trimester was examined as a potential indicator of the onset of GDM during the second trimester.

Methods

This was a secondary analysis of data from a Korea-based prospective cohort study. The study involved 582 women within 14 weeks of pregnancy who were examined between November 2014 and July 2016 at two Korean hospitals. RC was calculated as total cholesterol (TC) minus the sum of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and HDL-C. The RC/HDL-C ratio was determined by dividing the RC content by the HDL-C content. The RC/HDL-C ratio and GDM occurrence were investigated utilizing a binary logistic regression model, various sensitivity analyses, and subgroup analyses. Additionally, the RC/HDL-C ratio was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.

Results

The average age of the pregnant women was 32.07 ± 3.78 years, and the RC/HDL-C ratio had a median value of 0.39. The prevalence of GDM was 6.01%. There was a positive association between the RC/HDL-C ratio and the incidence of GDM after adjusting for potential confounding variables (odds ratio: 21.78, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.55–133.73, P < 0.001). Furthermore, this association was validated by subgroup and sensitivity analyses. The results indicated that the RC/HDL-C ratio was a robust predictor of GDM, with an area under the ROC curve of 0.795 (95% CI: 0.723–0.868). The optimal threshold value was 0.45, with a sensitivity of 71.4% and a specificity of 75.3%. Compared with traditional lipid markers, including LDL-C, HDL-C, triglycerides, TC, and the emerging marker RC, the RC/HDL-C exhibited higher diagnostic efficacy.

Conclusion

There is an increased risk of GDM associated with higher levels of the RC/HDL-C ratio between 12 and 14 weeks of gestation, independent of traditional risk factors. The RC/HDL-C ratio is more effective in diagnosing GDM than traditional lipid markers.
Politics, lyricism and A City of Sadness: Towards a critique of the Chinese lyrical tradition in Taiwan
Authors: Shie Elliott Shr-tzung
Published: January 2025

On 24 February 2023, Hou Hsiao-Hsien’s masterpiece was re-released in movie theatres across Taiwan. Like its initial release three decades prior, the film once again sparked debates regarding the entwinement of politics and aesthetics. Considering the intricate fusion of the political and the lyrical, this article examines the ideological operation of the lyrical tradition through which the state apparatus legitimized its domination in post-war Taiwan. Furthermore, this study explains the core elements of the Chinese lyrical tradition as expounded by Sinologist Shih-hsiang Chen, emphasizing its ideological mechanism of replacing the particular and the historical with the general and the universal. Applying this observation to Hou’s film A City of Sadness, this article elucidates the intricate intertwining of its long-take aesthetics and political complications. In conclusion, I propose a discerning reassessment of the legacy of the Chinese lyrical tradition, an essential endeavour required as we venture into the new millennium.
The spatializing consciousness of Chinese cinema
Authors: Nin-tung Lam , Fan Victor , Liu Siqi
Published: January 2025

Written in 1983, this article has been considered the magnum opus of the Hong Kong film scholar Lam Nin-tung (林年同, 1944–90). For Lam, even though the cinema is technologically and ideologically configured according to the European theory of perspective, Chinese filmmakers have long experimented with spatializing the relationship between the spectator’s body and the image by layering views of reality onto a two-dimensional frame. In so doing, Lam sees the cinematographic image-consciousness as a process of mirroring-journeying, a ground-breaking understanding of the cinema that is drawn from aesthetic debates both in China and Europe and offers an intervention that predates and is comparable to film phenomenology and Deleuzian philosophy.

In this article, Lam Nin-tung’s own notes are provided as numbered side notes, whereas the translators’ notes (marked by typographical symbols) are placed at the end of each section. All dates are Common Era unless specified otherwise.
Projecting China to the world: Cinity, high frame rate cinema and the future of Chinese screening technology
Authors: Yang Xiao , Khoo Olivia
Published: January 2025

Accompanying the increasing immersiveness of cinema in the past two decades, represented by the wide application of 3D technologies, large format screens and experiments with high frame rates, China has developed its own domestic projection technology called Cinity since the late 2010s. This article examines the development of Cinity within the context of China’s global technological film aspirations and its desire to project Chinese films, and Chinese screening technology, to the world. While the uptake of Cinity internationally has been limited, the technology marks one of China’s latest efforts to upgrade its film industry as well as the ongoing nexus of China’s collaboration and competition with Hollywood. The article provides case studies of Ang Lee’s Gemini Man (2019) and Frant Gwo’s The Wandering Earth 2 (2023) to examine the changing trajectories of this technology’s projection before and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Making Qatar University (1973–2018): An Informal History, Donald Noel Baker (2024)
Authors: Determann Jörg Matthias
Published: January 2025

Review of: Making Qatar University (1973–2018): An Informal History, Donald Noel Baker (2024)

Doha: Qatar University Press, 390 pp.,

ISBN 978-9-92716-754-6, p/bk, QAR 60
VINCULUM. Power: Entailment, status, and social mobility
Authors: Rocha Ana Rita
Published: January 2025

Este livro foca-se no poder, uma das componentes que caracterizam os vínculos enquanto entidades corporativas. Analisa como é que as práticas de vinculação e o poder social funcionavam, se combinavam e rivalizavam entre si e qual o papel dos vínculos na manutenção do estatuto e poder aristocrático e nos processos de ascensão social dos grupos inferiores que aspiravam alcançar a nobreza, nomeadamente as elites urbanas. Tendo por base o estudo de quatro cidades portuguesas – Santarém, Évora, Porto e Lisboa –, entre 1300 e 1700, este livro apresenta uma caraterização sociológica dos fundadores de vínculos e da sua mobilidade social, as suas ligações a outros círculos de poder, as suas motivações para instituir um vínculo e a consciência que as elites tinham do seu poder, manifestada nos documentos de fundação de vínculos. Este livro mostra que os vínculos estavam associados a diferentes formas de poder e constituíam um meio privilegiado de acesso aos grupos mais elevados da hierarquia social.
VINCULUM. A Memória dos Vínculos. Documentos do projeto Vinculum. Antologia de Fontes
Authors: Lopes Ana Mafalda , Duarte Fábio Miguel Albino , Oliveira Maria Teresa , Rosa Maria de Lurdes
Published: January 2025

Ao longo do período em que decorreu o projeto Vinculum, foram consultados milhares de documentos relacionados com instituições de vínculos e a sua administração. Muitos deles figuram, agora, na base de dados do projeto, que procura, de forma virtual, reconstruir, tanto quanto possível, os arquivos destas instituições do Antigo Regime. Estas fontes revelaram-se essenciais para a melhor compreensão dos vínculos; todavia, a sua utilidade extravasa, em muito, essa temática, já de si tão vasta. Esta antologia tem como objetivo dar visibilidade a esses achados, recolhendo mais de 700 excertos de documentos datados do século XIV ao XVII e indexando-os tematicamente, de modo a dar a conhecer a historiadores, alunos e curiosos a riqueza e potencial destas fontes para o estudo de várias temáticas, demonstrando a importância da investigação histórica e das suas ferramentas de análise para compreender outros tempos, territórios e sociedades e pondo em diálogo esses fragmentos do passado com o presente.
VINCULUM. Imagining and organising kinship. The entailment system (14th—17th centuries)
Authors: Aguiar Miguel
Published: January 2025

Este livro aborda o parentesco como uma das dimensões intrínsecas da agência social dos vínculos. Numa perspetiva cronológica alargada, desde as primeiras manifestações da vinculação no século XIV até 1700, o livro explica como os fundadores de vínculos procuraram imaginar e organizar os grupos e relações de parentesco, moldando as suas estruturas e impondo hierarquias e comportamentos aos descendentes, num horizonte de perpetuidade. E, desde modo, produzindo uma influência duradoura no parentesco enquanto estrutura fundamental da sociedade portuguesa nos períodos medieval e moderno.
Turismo e Alimentos Orgânicos na Perspectiva Decolonial: Um Estudo no Extremo Sul do Brasil
Authors: Gastal Susana de Araujo , Costa Beber Ana Maria , Paludo Biffi Laura
Published: January 2025

O presente artigo inicia por resgatar o desenho da economia colonial brasileira, estruturada no latifúndio, trabalho escravo e monocultura para exportação - colonialidade mantida mesmo após a independência política de Portugal -, no seu segundo momento discutindo a presença da agroecologia em décadas recentes, e sua interlocução com o turismo. A agroecologia, ao priorizar a produção local, com saberes locais e consumo no lugar, incentivaria possíveis diálogos com o decolonial e com o turismo. Assim, coloca-se como objetivo compreender historicamente a oferta agroecológica nesse viés, na sua contemporaneidade supondo o turismo, em estudo na região turística Serra Gaúcha [Brasil]. O estudo, de aporte qualitativo, após revisão bibliográfica, coletou dados documentais e em entrevistas com agentes locais na cidade de Canela-RS. A análise de dados indica que a adesão ao consumo de alimentos orgânicos certificados na cidade locus da pesquisa, ainda se dá timidamente pela população local, mas com maior ênfase por turistas de segunda residência, assim como por hotéis e restaurantes. Ao mesmo tempo, o grande capital se insere no mercado com o selo ‘ecológico’ ou assemelhados, desafiando as possibilidades decoloniais da agroecologia praticada na agricultura familiar.
Treatment duration and dosage of valproic acid and subclinical hypothyroidism incidence in pediatric epilepsy patients
Authors: Carolina Infra Yunita , Anidar Anidar , Andid Rusdi , Yusuf Sulaiman , Darussalam Dora , Sovira Nora
Published: January 2025

Background Epilepsy is a central nervous system disorder characterized by abnormal electrical activity in the brain.1 Prolonged administration of valproic acid at therapeutic doses can disrupt thyroid function, leading to subclinical hypothyroidism. This condition is marked by elevated thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels, with normal serum free T4 (FT4) levels.2
Objective To investigate for possible associations between valproic acid therapy duration and dosage with the incidence of subclinical hypothyroidism in pediatric epilepsy patients.
Methods This analytical, cross-sectional study included children aged 4 months to 18 years treated at the Pediatric Clinic of RSUD Dr. Zainoel Abidin, Banda Aceh, from September to November 2023. Subjects diagnosed with epilepsy and treated with valproic acid for at least 3 months were included in this study and underwent FT4 and TSH examinations.
Results Forty-four children met the study criteria. Subclinical hypothyroidism occurred in 5 (11.4%) subjects during valproic acid therapy. Chi-square analysis revealed no significant association between therapy duration ?1 year (OR 1.286; 95%CI 0.193 to 8.568; P=1.00) or therapy dose ?20-40 mg/kg/day (OR 3.429; 95%CI 0.351 to 33.518; P=0.37) with subclinical hypothyroidism incidence.
Conclusion Neither the duration nor the dosage of valproic acid therapy were significantly associated with the incidence of subclinical hypothyroidism in children with epilepsy.
Bone turnover markers and bone mineral density in prepubertal obese children
Authors: Taha Ola , Elhwary Amany , Shoeib Sarah M. , Rashad Yosra Fouad Mohammed , Ata Dina
Published: January 2025

Background Growing evidence suggests that childhood obesity has an impact on bone metabolism. Its entails of bone resorption, destruction of mature mineralized bone by osteoclasts followed by ossification, bone formation by osteoblasts, to maintain the dynamic nature of bone. Serum C-telopeptide of collagen cross-links (CTX) is considered a bone resorption marker while serum procollagen type I N-propeptide (PINP) is considered abone formation marker. Previous studies have reported the abnormality of these bone turnover marker  in obese children.
Objective To compare bone turnover markers and bone mineral density (BMD) in obese prepubertal children to those of normoweight children.
Methods Bone metabolism was evaluated by measuring serum PINP as a bone formation marker and CTX level as a bone resorption marker by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We used dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan to evaluate BMD in 60 prepubertal children with obesity and 30 healthy prepubertal normoweight children.
Results The CTX was significantly higher in the case group compared to the control group (P=0.001).  The case group also had significantly lower mean BMD (P=0.001) and BMD Z-score (P=0.001).  C-telopeptide of collagen cross-links in the case group had significant positive correlations with waist circumference (P=0.001), BMI (P=0.001), and BMI Z-score (P=0.001). Significant negative correlations were found between waist circumference, BMI, and BMI Z-score with procollagen type I N-terminal propeptide, BMD, and BMD Z-score.
Conclusion Obesity has a negative impact on bone health. Low BMD was associated with high CTX in prepubertal obese children.
Comparing clinical, laboratory, and epidemiological features of COVID-19 variants during different pandemic waves among children in Ukraine
Authors: Harashchenko Tetiana , Umanets Tetiana , Kaminska Tetiana , Volodymyr Lapshyn , Antypkin Yurii
Published: January 2025

Background The SARS-CoV-2 virus, the causative agent of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), mutated during its replication and spread among the population. These mutations led to new viral variants, which differed in their characteristics and manifestations, contributing to the wave-like progression of the COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention classified variants based on the public health risk include variants of interest such as ? and ?, variants of concern including ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, variants of high consequence, and variants being monitored.
Objective To conduct a comparative analysis of the demographic, clinical, epidemiological, radiological, and laboratory characteristics of hospitalized children with COVID-19 during different waves of the disease.
Methods A cohort study was conducted involved 337 children aged one month to 18 years who were hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 between 2020 and 2023 in Ukraine.
Results During wave 3 (W3), wave 5 (W5) and wave 6 (W6), children under 3 years of age were hospitalized more frequently. The severe course of disease predominantly occurred during W3 period, with 47.3% cases demonstrating severe symptoms such as respiratory failure, bilateral pneumonia, and significant changes in laboratory parameters, including white blood cell count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, D-dimer, and procalcitonin. One fatal case was reported during W3. The duration of hospitalization was longest for children in the W3 group. A moderate course of the disease was significantly more prevalent among hospitalized children in the first wave (77.78%, P<0.05), characterized by interstitial changes in the lungs, elevated C-reactive protein, and platelet levels. Fever and intoxication syndrome were reported with similar frequency during all waves of COVID-19.
Conclusion Our study demonstrates the dynamic changes in manifestations and the progression of the disease across different variants of concern of SARS-CoV-2. The most severe cases of COVID-19 was observed during the third wave which predominated by the ? (Delta) strain.
Identifying competency gaps in intra- and post-learning of a pediatric residency program: a qualitative study
Authors: Putra David Anggara , Sekarhandini Pitra , Moelyo Annang Giri
Published: January 2025

Background The purpose of the pediatric residency program is for aspiring pediatricians to develop the core competencies needed to care for the children’s health. Upon graduation, pediatricians encounter competency challenges related to diverse populations, cultures, and medical facilities across the nation. Enhancing the efficacy and efficiency of medical education in pediatric residency programs requires identifying and addressing gaps in the post-learning outcomes and intra-learning processes.
Objective To investigate competency gaps between the core competencies taught in the pediatric residency training program and the actual necessitates in the professional experience of pediatricians.
Methods This qualitative study was conducted by a focus group discussion using semi-constructed questions. Twelve pediatricians who graduated from the Pediatric Residency Program of Universitas Sebelas Maret and had professional work experience of 3 to 18 months were included. Focus group discussions were held online and moderated by the research team using guided questions. Two FGD sessions of 5 and 7 subjects each were conducted. The discussions were recorded and transcribed for analysis in a stepwise manner involving data grouping, information labeling, and data coding to identify the main themes.
Results  All subjects were working in type B, C, and D hospitals in six different provinces at the time of the study. The competency gaps in intra-residency learning domain covered two topics: curriculum content (core competencies, medicolegal education, effective communication, vaccination, and longitudinal case management) and training (case variations, patient complexity, and affiliated hospital rotations). The smallest competency gaps was core competency; and there was a need for improvement in other topics, particularly in effective communication and vaccination. The competency gaps in the post-learning domain included 4 topics: daily practices (demographic differences, popular topics, and effective communication), health facilities (the gap between individual competency and availability of health facilities), professional relationships with senior/other center colleagues, and strategic plans (continuing medical education). The cultural social background of the population and limited health resources were the main issues in the post-learning are-sxa that need be acknowledged. Effective communication was the theme that emerged and should be to be taught in both ares of learning and post-learning.
Conclusion Pediatric residency graduates should address some gaps in learning after completing the pediatric residency program. Effective communication was identified as a learning gap  during and after training.  Based on our findings, we recommend for the program to provide additional steps to prepare pediatric residents before their graduation.