bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predictors of Clinical Outcome after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Hemodialysis Patients with Acute Myocardial Ischemia Syndrome
Authors: Mutahir Abbas Virk  , Sheikh Muhammad Rehman Zia  , Namra Noukhaiz  , Sahrish Javiad  , Ahmad Talal Asif  , Zoha Hassan  , Bilal Qammar
Published: December 2024

Introduction: Acute myocardial ischemia syndrome (AMIS), encompassing conditions such as unstable angina and acute myocardial infarction, is a major global health concern due to its significant morbidity and mortality rates. Objective: The main objective of the study is to find the predictors of clinical outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention in hemodialysis patients with acute myocardial ischemia syndrome. Methodology: This retrospective cohort study was conducted at Army Cardiac Hospital Lahore from June 2023 to June 2024. Data were collected from 178 patients. Data were extracted from electronic health records, capturing comprehensive patient information across multiple domains. Results: The study analyzed data from 178 hemodialysis patients with mean age of 58.91 ± 8.02 years, with a gender distribution of 60% males and 40% females. Comorbid conditions were prevalent, with 65% having diabetes mellitus and 85% hypertension. Smoking was reported by 25% of individuals, and 40% had a history of myocardial infarction (MI) or revascularization. Laboratory parameters indicated anemia (mean hemoglobin: 10.2 ± 1.5 g/dL), low albumin levels (3.2 ± 0.5 g/dL), and systemic inflammation, as 70% had elevated CRP levels. Conclusion: It is concluded that hemodialysis patients undergoing PCI for acute myocardial ischemia syndrome face significant risks influenced by nutritional status, systemic inflammation, and comorbidities such as diabetes and cardiogenic shock
Association of Breakfast Skipping with Academic Performance among Undergraduate Students
Authors: Saad Raza  , Parveen Akhtar  , Faiza Memon  , Muhammad Rahimoon  , Munwar Us Salam  , Ubedullah Rahimoon
Published: December 2024

Breakfast is said to be the most essential meal of the day for circadian rhythm and physiological metabolism. Breakfast is broadly acknowledged as a key element of a healthy lifestyle, providing essential nutrients for individuals of all age groups, including children, adolescents, and adults. Consumption of a healthy breakfast plays an essential role in various aspects of health and well-being, including academic performance. This study aims to evaluate the association of breakfast skipping with academic performance among undergraduate students. The study was conducted at the Liaquat University of Medical & Health Science (LUMHS), Jamshoro. A comparative cross-sectional study design was used and the study was conducted among Undergraduate students of 2nd year to 4th year of BS Nursing (Generic), Doctor of Pharmacy, and Doctor of Physiotherapy degree programs. A sample size of 345n was used. A stratified random sampling technique was employed. Students from Students of 2nd year to 4th year of BS Nursing (Generic), Doctor of Pharmacy, and Doctor of Physiotherapy were included whereas Students studying in 1st year were excluded. In this study, The Academic Performance Scale (APS) was used Along with the student’s last semester’s Cumulative grade point average (CGPA). Breakfast skipping was measured using questions about breakfast eating like “Do you eat breakfast”. The findings from the current study revealed a significant association was found between breakfast skipping and academic performance. Students who regularly consumed breakfast demonstrated higher academic performance However; breakfast skipping did not significantly affect cumulative GPA, indicating that while daily breakfast consumption may contribute to better academic engagement, it may not be the sole determinant of long-term academic outcomes.
Impact of A1 and A2 Β-Casein Variants on Human Health: Is Β-Casomorphin-7 A Detrimental Peptide in Cow’s Milk
Authors: Abdul Kabir  , Ihtisham Ishfaq  , Anam Bashir  , Wajid Ali Khan  , Anees ur Rahman  , Muzaffar Ali  , Abdul Hafeez Bukero  , Firdous Ali Mari  , Shafiq ur Rahman Shah
Published: December 2024

This review explores the effects of cow milk containing A1, A2, or mixed variants of β-casein on human health. Data were collected from reputable scientific databases, including Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar, using specific keywords such as "cow milk," "A1A2 beta-casein," "beta-casomorphins," "A2 cow milk," and "A2 milk." A total of 200 articles, including patents, were identified, with approximately 62 of the most relevant articles critically reviewed. The literature indicates that the most common type of cow milk globally is mixed A1/A2, containing equal proportions of both β-casein variants. Among the three major categories, A2 cow milk has attracted significant attention from both the scientific community and the public due to its potential health benefits over A1 milk, particularly concerning diabetes and cardiovascular issues. Conversely, milk containing the A1 variant of β-casein is considered potentially harmful due to the formation of the β-casomorphin-7 (BCM-7) peptide, although this claim remains contentious within the scientific community. Further research is needed to substantiate the alleged harmful effects of the A1 variant.
Effect of Supplementing Lawsonia Inermis on Chicken Ovary and Egg Quality Parameters
Authors: Tufail Ahmad  , Imdad Hussain Leghari  , Anam Bashir  , Farhan Ali Laghari  , Irfan Ahmed Solangi  , Sumbal Zain Khosa  , Naseeb Ullah Marri  , Mujeeb Ur Rehman  , https://doi.org/10.70749/ijbr.v2i02.258  , Israr ul Hussain  , Naik Muhammad Marri  , Zeeshan Inam  , Maaz Khan  , Abdul Kabir
Published: December 2024

The effects of Lawsonia inermis (henna) on the egg quality parameters of White Leghorn chickens over a 4-week period. A total of 25 chickens were housed individually, with free access to feed and water. The results showed notable variations in egg quality attributes due to the supplementation of L. inermis. In terms of albumen height, the control group had the highest measurement (8.01 cm), while Group C recorded the lowest (7.46 cm). The albumen index was also highest in the control group (2.43) and lowest in Group B (2.29). Group D had the longest albumen length (92.86 mm), while Group B had the shortest (89.09 mm). Egg weight was heaviest in the control group (67.78 g) and lightest in Group B (58.21 g). The Haugh unit was highest in Group B (87.63 HU) and lowest in Group C (85.73 HU), while shell thickness was thickest in the control group (2.66 mm) and thinnest in Group E (0.42 mm). Yolk measurements showed Group D had the largest yolk diameter (43.14 mm), while Group B had the smallest (41.11 mm). Yolk height was tallest in Group B (17.58 mm) and shortest in the control group (17.28 mm). Reproductive parameters, including follicle weights, were significantly affected, with Group A showing the highest weights across several follicle categories, while Group E recorded the lowest. The length of reproductive organs varied, with the control group having the longest shell gland (9.75 cm) and reproductive tract length (70.85 cm), and Group E showing the shortest. Lawsonia inermis supplementation affected several egg quality parameters, including shell strength and yolk color. Although these changes were consistent with prior studies, the results did not indicate substantial alterations in egg quality due to L. inermis.
Comparative Effectiveness of Zinc Supplementation Combined with Probiotic Therapy Versus Zinc Alone in Reducing Acute Diarrhea Duration, Severity, and Recurrence Rates in Pediatric Populations: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Wasiq Raza  , Talat Mahmood  , Lyaba Atta  , Sualeh Hassan  , Sami Ullah  , Shahid Ali  , Mian Muhammad  , Nigar Ahmad
Published: December 2024

Background: Diarrhea remains a significant concern for children under five, particularly in developing countries. While zinc supplementation is a standard intervention for managing diarrheal diseases, the potential role of probiotics in restoring gut flora is gaining recognition. However, limited research has compared the efficacy of zinc alone versus zinc combined with probiotics. Objective: This meta-synthesis aimed to evaluate evidence from comparative studies to determine whether combining zinc with probiotics is superior to zinc alone in reducing the incidence, severity, and recurrence of diarrhea in children. Methods: A systematic review of 24 studies published in English, including 18 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and six observational studies, was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. The focus was on children aged 0–12 years with acute diarrhea. Outcomes assessed included fecal and diarrheal frequency, episode duration, and relapse rates within three months. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) and odds ratios (ORs) were calculated for quantitative synthesis. Results: Combination therapy significantly reduced diarrhea duration by 1.25 standard deviations (p < 0.001) and recurrence rates by a factor of 0.65 (p = 0.002) compared to zinc monotherapy. Notably, Saccharomyces boulardii and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG exhibited the highest efficacy. Sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of these findings. Conclusion: Probiotics enhance the effectiveness of zinc in managing acute diarrhea in children. These findings support incorporating combination therapy into pediatric care globally, aligning with public health recommendations to improve outcomes for children
Building a Sustainable Future of the Maritime Industry
Authors: Stovba Tetyana
Published: December 2024

Maritime transport accounts for over 80% of global cargo shipments and offers numerous advantages. The main challenges facing maritime transport worldwide include increased operational costs of vessels, reduced emissions of pollutants from ships into the environment, and a significant number of maritime accidents and disasters due to improper or untimely actions by crews or shore services.The research aims to formulate measures for building a sustainable future for the maritime industry in the context of sustainable development in a BANI world.The methodological basis of the research included a systemic approach, engineering paradigm methods of analysis and synthesis, longitudinal analysis, selective surveys.To build a sustainable future for the maritime industry in the context of sustainable development, it is not enough to modernize or implement innovations in the maritime sector alone, separate from other participants in the cargo transportation process from sender to receiver. The future of the maritime industry depends on all participants in the cargo transportation process, their strategic partnerships, which, when combined, can generate a synergy effect.It is proposed to systematically introduce innovations throughout the value creation chain, which should be aimed at the dynamic balanced development of production, mining, processing enterprises providing finished products or valuable minerals for transportation, maritime education institutions, shipbuilding, machinery and equipment manufacturing, IT sphere, ship repair, suppliers of ship fuel, lubricants, spare parts, food, water, other transport companies, seaports, shipping companies, trade service organizations, market infrastructure, based on comprehensive analysis and forecasting of demand and consumer behavior.Systematized directions of innovative development for the main links in the value chain - maritime transport, maritime education institutions, and seaports.The research results confirmed the hypothesis regarding the use of the value creation chain, which will allow taking into account the needs and expectations of consumers in shaping the competitive advantages of maritime transport, reducing emissions of harmful substances from ships, reducing transportation costs, and increasing the income of maritime industry organizations.The formulated proposals are recommended to be applied by maritime industry businesses to reduce the environmental impact on the environment, optimize costs, and improve the quality of transportation services for consumers.
Assessment of the Satisfaction of Pregnant Women with Antenatal Care Services in Primary Health Care Centers in Karbala Province
Authors: Muneer Mena , Al_ali Basheer akeel , Hussein Fareed abbas
Published: December 2024

Background: Antenatal care (ANC) is the care that the pregnant woman receives from health professionals during the pregnancy. This care was given while pregnancy occurred to make sure the pregnant and her baby were in good health. Patients’ use of health care is affected by the quality of care. Pregnants who are not satisfied with their providers may be less likely to continue with treatment. The study aimed to assess the satisfaction of pregnant women with ANC services in Primary Health Care Centers (PHCC) in Karbala province.
Methods: A descriptive study was conducted from January to October 2023 to assess the satisfaction of pregnant women with ANC services in Karbala province. The sample consisted of 400 women randomly selected from four (PHCCs) that provide antenatal daily care services.
Results: The results showed that 87.25% of the pregnant women were satisfied, whereas 12.75% were unsatisfied. The results concluded that there was a significant difference in satisfaction levels between the four PHCCs (p<0.001). Regarding education, pregnant women with college and higher education satisfaction levels to other educational levels (p=0.008). Also, pregnant women in rural residences had a higher satisfaction level in comparison to urban or slum areas (p<0.001).
Conclusion: Most of the pregnant women were satisfied with the ANC services in Karbala province.
Evolución y desafíos de la protección de datos personales en el contexto de la globalización
Authors: Bonilla-Morejón Diego Marcelo , Samaniego-Quiguiri Delia Paulina
Published: December 2024

The protection of personal data faces challenges in a context of globalization and accelerated digitization, where the international exchange of information exposes privacy risks. This study conducts a literature review to analyze the evolution of data protection regulations, focusing on the impact of the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in various regions. Methods include identifying GDPR-inspired regulations adapted in countries such as Brazil and Japan, and analyzing conflicts between privacy and national security, where some jurisdictions prioritize surveillance. The findings show that, although the GDPR establishes a robust regulatory framework, its implementation faces limitations due to cultural, economic and political differences. In countries with lower regulatory capacity, such as in Latin America and Africa, insufficient resources hinder effective oversight. The study concludes that global harmonization of data protection regulations is a pending challenge, and highlights the need for a collaborative approach and robust infrastructure to enable effective data protection that is adaptable to regional contexts.
From Forms to Form: Contemporary Art and the Practice of Bureaucratic Everyday Life
Authors: Ouellet Raphaël
Published: December 2024

Cet essai propose une nouvelle manière de considérer la bureaucratie néolibérale au sein du champ de l’art contemporain en mettant l’accent sur la manière avec laquelle les abstractions administratives sont vécues concrètement. La bureaucratie se définit comme un processus d’abstraction de la réalité en des normes, des processus et des catégories qui, à l’ère néolibérale, proviennent essentiellement de l’entreprise privée. Puisque ces abstractions deviennent souvent plus importantes que les réalités qu’elles décrivent, je propose une analyse d’oeuvres contemporaines qui explorent la réalité du travail d’artiste sous la bureaucratie néolibérale et la violence symbolique que cette dernière engendre. Par le biais d’une lecture de Popularity (2012) de Joshua Schwebel, de The Gathering (2020) par John Boyle-Singfield et de l’installation Le Ministère (2022) par le collectif CODE BLANC, il s’agit de mettre en lumière l’infrastrucutre administrative de l’art contemporain, afin de questionner ses fondements idéologiques et de rendre ses conséquences visibles.
Consultative, Proactive Physical Therapy in Early Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Hendricksen Monica , Boyer Jake , Rafferty Miriam , Hohl Kristen , Graham Edith L. , Balabanov Roumen , Kinnett-Hopkins Dominique
Published: December 2024

BACKGROUND:

Exercise training may be the most effective nonpharmacological symptomatic treatment for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Physical therapy (PT) can facilitate increased exercise through education, individualized exercise routines, goal setting, and supportive resources. However, traditional PT focuses on function restoration rather than proactive measures to prevent the advancement of morbidity. We present the application of a proactive physical therapy (PAPT) approach for individuals with MS.

METHODS:

Neurologists referred patients to PT shortly after their MS diagnosis. Patients completed a shared decision-making–based evaluation of their current functional level, received education on exercise guidelines and goal-setting support, and established an exercise routine of an appropriate intensity. The patient and physical therapist communicated via email and telephone at 1 and 3 months. Assessments included physical function, Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), and self-reported exercise at 6 months.

RESULTS:

Three patients were referred directly to PAPT, and 1 transitioned from restorative PT. At 6 months, 3 patients reported regular aerobic, strengthening, and flexibility participation that met or exceeded established exercise recommendations. Two of 3 patients demonstrated clinically meaningful changes in functional outcome measures (eg, 10-meter Walk Test), a third patient remained stable in all functional outcome measures. Three patients reported significant improvements on the FSS at 6 months. The fourth patient did not complete the 6-month follow-up due to pregnancy complications but reported meeting guidelines at 3 months.

CONCLUSIONS:

A PAPT model of care is feasible and effective for patients who have been newly diagnosed with MS. With minimal PT visits, patients met established exercise guidelines and maintained or improved physical function.
The "Embodied approach" in design: the way to the East
Authors: Filonenko Nadezhda Sergeevna
Published: December 2024

The article subject is dialogue about the development prospects of the so-called “embodied approach” in design, conducted by Western researchers for the past ten years. Some of the Western researchers indicate the fundamental impossibility of creating the theory of somatic-oriented design in view of the fact that such a theory will have to rely on the “silent” knowledge of the body. The author of the article sees the exit in, firstly, to turn to the experience of Chinese and Japanese designers, for whom “embodied cognition” is deeply rooted in the regional tradition; and secondly, to form a categorical apparatus necessary for the development of the theory of somatic-oriented design, based on the category of traditional eastern philosophy, allowing to fix the experience of the body (we are talking about the image “хiang” and the intentions “yi”). In the course of the study, the author focuses on the specifics of the body's perception in the East, since oriental experience does not lead to the expansion of involved perception channels (use in addition to vision, for example, smell and hearing), but to understand the project as a spontaneous process, form as an “open” for the embodied meanings. For oriental designers it is important not to “gestalt” of previous experience, but an embodied intuition of the future, aimed at creating a product later in demand by society. In conclusion, based on the categories of eastern philosophy, the author of the study introduces the concepts of “embodied image” (spontaneously arising figurative-scheme of human interaction with the environment) and “embodied design intention” (the direction of the thought to the transformation of reality, based on the somatic relations of the designer with the world).
Dynamics of nostalgic images: the case of Pavel Leonov
Authors: Volodina Alexandra Vladimirovna
Published: December 2024

The article examines the work of the Soviet artist Pavel Leonov, one of the most famous naive artists of the 20th century, in the context of the nostalgic perception of his works by today’s audience. The nostalgic perception of Leonov's works is associated not only with the plots and themes (i.e. idealized, utopian Soviet reality), but also with the author's artistic method itself, based on the idea of invention and construction. This "constructivist" approach of Leonov correlates with the widespread DIY practices in Soviet culture, which today are also part of nostalgic imagery. A similar nostalgic effect characterizes a number of other artistic projects in contemporary Russian art. In order to study Leonov’s artworks, it is proposed to consider naive art, to which they are usually attributed, as a discursive phenomenon, rather than as an artistic style or movement, and to study individual artistic phenomena not through the identification of their "naivety", but by focusing on a specific artistic strategy as a manifestation of the historical and cultural context. Such an approach is effective, since the diversity of stylistic features of the works of various naive artists makes it difficult to single out naive art as a proper stylistic phenomenon. The formation of the discourse of the "naive" in art and culture has a long history traced back to the aesthetics of Romanticism, which allows us to confidently point out the ideological and axiological nature of this discourse in Soviet and post-Soviet art criticism, and how it was constructed, inheriting romantic ideas about naivety as simplicity and naturalness. The scientific novelty of the study lies in identification of "construction" as an important principle of Pavel Leonov’s artistic strategy and as the driving force behind the nostalgic effect of his works, noted by contemporary viewers.
The mimesis of the on-screen interface and the essence of technology: a philosophical analysis
Authors: Pluzhnikova Natalia  Nikolaevna , Saenko Natalya Ryafikovna
Published: December 2024

The work is devoted to the philosophical analysis of a number of culturological factors related primarily to visual genres and forms of culture, the subsequent impact of which on the rapid development of scientific and technological progress in the last decades of the XX – first decades of the XXI century directly or indirectly influenced the features of the functioning and appearance of the interface of screen devices in their now familiar form. The historically alternating cultural requirements for transformations of visual images in relation to their perception were investigated in diachrony. Through the analysis of visual culture, the authors consider modern technology as a unity of three components: technological, socio-cultural and anthropological. These components allow us to present the technique as an integral phenomenon for philosophical consideration. The research methodology is based on the use of empirical material from the field of modern technology development, and also includes an analysis of historical, philosophical and cultural sources related to the study of technology. When comparing the mimetic forms of traditional culture with the mimetic ways of reflecting the screen-type interface, a comparative typological approach is applied. The scientific novelty of the research lies in an attempt to compare the mimetic forms of traditional culture with the mimetic ways of reflecting the screen-type interface. By comparing these forms, the authors go out to study a broader phenomenon of modern society and culture – the phenomenon of technology. This research contributes to the development of the philosophy of technology in Russia. One of the tasks of the philosophy of technology is to study the subject of technical activity, which functions today as a new technical environment, in the context of digital and nanotechnology. Technical activity is the basis for the emergence of new knowledge about society. Technology acts as a form of materialization of ideas in practice, affects the development of technical sciences, all branches of knowledge in the modern world. Screen culture acts as a part of technical development based on the digitalization of technologies, but at the same time, it allows us to present technology as a unity of technology, man and society.
The evolution of theChinese painting genre "Zhen-wu" in the XXth century
Authors: Xu Jiangpeng
Published: December 2024

This article examines the development of Chinese figurative Zhen-wu painting in the 20th century, its transformation under the influence of both external factors and internal cultural and political changes. The object of the study is the painting of the Zhen-wu of the 20th century. Zhen-wu is one of the oldest genres of Chinese painting, which has undergone significant changes due to the reforms, cultural movements and political events of the 20th century. The subject of the study is the evolutionary processes that took place with Zhen-wu painting in China in the twentieth century. This study identifies three stages: from 1900 to 1949, from 1949 to 1978, and from 1978 to 2000. The revolution in the country and art led to the fact that the Zhen-wu genre expanded its visual and content framework, integrating elements of Western realism and modernism. Since the beginning of the century, artists have explored new forms and methods, combining Western styles and techniques with Chinese traditions, which allowed the genre to gain a unique identity connecting the past and the present. In the second half of the century, figurative painting in China acquired a social orientation, especially within the framework of socialist realism, when workers and peasants became the main characters of the works. Realism also began to play an important role in the depiction of human figures. At the end of the 20th century, thanks to the policy of reforms, the genre of Zhen-wu again became more diverse and free from ideological restrictions. As a result, Zhen-wu was enriched with elements of Western painting, such as chiaroscuro, volume, linear composition, realism and became more pronounced in terms of psychologism. Thus, the study of the Zhen-wu genre century allows a deeper understanding of how China's cultural heritage.
Chinese plants images in the painting of Meissen porcelain products
Authors: Lyakhovich Ekaterina Viktorovna
Published: December 2024

The article attempts to consider Chinese plant images in the painting of German porcelain products of the XVIII century as an area of interaction between Chinese and European artistic cultures. The subject of the study is the paintings of works of German and Chinese porcelain, which are considered as a "text" that includes not only plot-formal meanings, but also hidden structural and semantic formations. Using the example of plant images in the painting of Meissen porcelain of the XVIII century, the forms of reading and interpretation of the artistic features of Chinese porcelain by Western European masters are revealed and analyzed. The systematization and comparison of the elements of the artistic language identified in the considered works of art are carried out, the specifics of perception and interpretation by European masters of the language of Chinese art are established. Special attention is paid to the semantic meaning of the texts of works of art. By means of a comparative method, the paintings of Chinese and Meissen porcelain objects are compared, on the basis of the iconological method, the meaning of the porcelain works in the context of the culture that gave rise to them is determined. Thanks to the semiotic-hermeneutic method, the works of Chinese and European porcelain of the XVIII century were studied as texts, elements of the artistic languages of the East and West were established and characterized. The novelty of the research lies in the fact that it reconstructs the process of translation and the mechanisms of loss of symbolic meaning of decoration in Meissen chinoiserie porcelain products in the context of reception and interpretation of the artistic language of Chinese porcelain by Meissen masters of the XVIII century on the example of plant plots. A special contribution of the author to the consideration of the topic is the consideration of the painting of porcelain art objects as texts, the analysis of which is used to study the artistic language of Chinese and European art of the XVIII centuries, as well as the peculiarities of the communication process between them. The main conclusions of the study are the following: original works of Chinese porcelain containing plant images are distinguished by the depth and richness of Chinese cultural connotations. The Meissen masters, copying Chinese products, did not so much expound the original cultural meanings embedded by Chinese masters, as they interpreted Chinese images in the context and from the standpoint of European culture, endowing them with local content, connotations and symbols.
Biosimilar drug lag and evolution in Malaysia: A retrospective analysis of regulatory approvals
Authors: My Hoang Nguyen Thao , Fatokun Omotayo , Farrukh Muhammad Junaid
Published: December 2024

The availability of biosimilars has the potential to increase patient access to affordable biological treatments. However, a delay in national regulatory approval after global approval remains a concern, potentially impeding timely patient access. This study assessed the drug lag for biosimilars approved in Malaysia relative to the European Union (EU) and examined the evolution of biosimilar approvals in Malaysia between 4 August 2008 and 31 August 2023. The median biosimilar approval lag in Malaysia was 800 days (95% CI 398.57–1201.43). Over the study period, 18 INN biosimilars in 38 different brands were approved in Malaysia, with a majority (76.3%) of brand approvals occurring between 2016 and 2023. The number of brand approvals ranged from one to four per INN biosimilar, with a median of 2 (IQR = 1–3). The median time lag between the first and second biosimilar brand approvals was 608 days (IQR = 266–866), while that between the second and third brand approvals was 119.50 days (IQR = 50.25–1442.25). There was a notable drug lag for biosimilar approvals in Malaysia, but recent years showed an increasing trend in biosimilar brand approvals. Streamlined regulatory processes are essential to enhancing biosimilar availability and accessibility in Malaysia.
What do pharmacists know about managing childhood diarrhea?: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Pramestutie Hananditia Rachma , Kristina Susi Ari , Lazuardi Muhammad Lutfan , Widayanti Anna Wahyuni
Published: December 2024

Childhood diarrhea is a prevalent disease in Indonesia. Therefore, pharmacists are required to possess extensive knowledge of the management and prevention of childhood diarrhea in order to provide suitable advice to patients. To connect with this situation, this study aimed to determine the level of pharmacists’ knowledge regarding the management of childhood diarrhea therapy and its prevention. To achieve this aim, a descriptive observational study was employed. The sample in this study were pharmacists in pharmacies in the greater Malang area, Indonesia, who were selected by a convenience sampling technique. The instrument used in this study was a questionnaire on pharmacists’ knowledge of managing and preventing childhood diarrhea. The collected data were analyzed descriptively. A total of 158 pharmacists participated in this study. Most respondents were female (84.81%) and aged between 26 and 35 (60.76%). Most respondents had been practicing in pharmacies for 1–5 years (39.87%), and the average weekly pharmacist practice hours were 25–35 (41.77%). Most respondents had poor knowledge (68.35%) of pediatric therapy management and prevention. Further research is needed to identify pharmacists’ needs to optimize pharmacists’ knowledge regarding the therapeutic management and prevention of diarrhea diseases in children.
Amazônia na era do desenvolvimento: saúde, políticas e destruição, 1930-1966
Authors: de Paula Andrade Rômulo
Published: December 2024

Na obra, o autor demonstra como as decisões políticas voltadas para a região amazônica durante o século XX tornaram-na um lugar estratégico para as instituições e as agências que tinham a saúde e a exploração da natureza como seus objetivos principais. Rômulo de Paula Andrade revela o processo de profundas intervenções na floresta e na vida das populações locais, analisando, com criatividade e rigor acadêmico, o modo como a região foi interpretada e transformada pelo Estado brasileiro a partir de 1930.
Watupari: um testemunho da resistência do povo Yanomami
Authors: A. Pellegrini Marcos
Published: December 2024

Trinta anos após a publicação do premiado Watupari (Wadubari, 1993) a atualidade do texto de Marcos Pellegrini é surpreendente e, ao mesmo tempo, nos entristece, pois vivemos novamente uma grave crise humanitária que ameaça o povo Yanomami. Protagonista do esforço contemporâneo pela superação da emergência, o médico etnógrafo narra em terceira pessoa uma história em que testemunho biográfico e poesia caminham juntos a nos mostrar os limites de nosso conhecimento de napë pë (pessoas não Yanomami). O livro é um convite à construção de um outro futuro sob o mesmo céu, o céu que devemos proteger como sociedade.
Criterion placement threatens the construct validity of neural measures of consciousness
Authors: Fahrenfort Johannes J , Johnson Philippa A , Kloosterman Niels A , Stein Timo , van Gaal Simon
Published: December 2024

How consciousness arises from brain activity has been a topic of intense scientific research for decades. But how does one identify the neural basis of something that is intrinsically personal and subjective? A hallmark approach has been to ask observers to judge stimuli as ‘seen’ (conscious) and ‘unseen’ (unconscious) and use post hoc sorting of neural measurements based these judgments. Unfortunately, cognitive and response biases are known to strongly affect how observers place their criterion for judging stimuli as ’seen’ vs. ’unseen’, thereby confounding neural measures of consciousness. Surprisingly however, the effect of conservative and liberal criterion placement on neural measures of unconscious and conscious processing has never been explicitly investigated. Here we use simulations and electrophysiological brain measurements to show that conservative criterion placement has an unintuitive consequence: rather than selectively providing a cautious estimate of conscious processing, it inflates effect sizes in neural measures of both conscious and unconscious processing, while liberal criterion placement does the reverse. After showing this in simulation, we performed decoding analyses on two electroencephalography studies that employ common subjective indicators of conscious awareness, in which we experimentally manipulated the response criterion. The results confirm that the predicted confounding effects of criterion placement on neural measures of unconscious and conscious processing occur in empirical data, while further showing that the most widely used subjective scale, the Perceptual Awareness Scale (PAS), does not guard against criterion confounds. Follow-up simulations explicate how the experimental context determines whether the relative confounding effect of criterion placement is larger in neural measures of either conscious or unconscious processing. We conclude that criterion placement threatens the construct validity of neural measures of conscious and unconscious processing.
Circuit function is more robust to changes in synaptic than intrinsic conductances
Authors: Fournier Zachary , Alonso Leandro M , Marder Eve
Published: December 2024

Circuit function results from both intrinsic conductances of network neurons and the synaptic conductances that connect them. In models of neural circuits, different combinations of maximal conductances can give rise to similar activity. We compared the robustness of a neural circuit to changes in their intrinsic versus synaptic conductances. To address this, we performed a sensitivity analysis on a population of conductance-based models of the pyloric network from the crustacean stomatogastric ganglion (STG). The model network consists of three neurons with nine currents: a sodium current (Na), three potassium currents (Kd, KCa, A-type), two calcium currents (CaS and CaT), a hyperpolarization-activated current (H), a non-voltage-gated leak current (leak), and a neuromodulatory current (MI). The model cells are connected by seven synapses of two types, glutamatergic and cholinergic. We produced one hundred models of the pyloric network that displayed similar activities with values of maximal conductances distributed over wide ranges. We evaluated the robustness of each model to changes in their maximal conductances. We found that individual models have different sensitivities to changes in their maximal conductances, both in their intrinsic and synaptic conductances. As expected the models become less robust as the extent of the changes increase. Despite quantitative differences in their robustness, we found that in all cases, the model networks are more sensitive to the perturbation of their intrinsic conductances than their synaptic conductances.
Dependence of Contextual Modulation in Macaque V1 on Interlaminar Signal Flow
Authors: Zhu Shude , Oh Yu Jin , Trepka Ethan B , Chen Xiaomo , Moore Tirin
Published: December 2024

In visual cortex, neural correlates of subjective perception can be generated by modulation of activity from beyond the classical receptive field (CRF). In macaque V1, activity generated by nonclassical receptive field (nCRF) stimulation involves different intracortical circuitry than activity generated by CRF stimulation, suggesting that interactions between neurons across V1 layers differ under CRF and nCRF stimulus conditions. Using Neuropixels probes, we measured border ownership modulation within large, local populations of V1 neurons. We found that neurons in single columns preferred the same side of objects located outside of the CRF. In addition, we found that cross-correlations between pairs of neurons situated across feedback/horizontal and input layers differed between CRF and nCRF stimulation. Furthermore, independent of the comparison with CRF stimulation, we observed that the magnitude of border ownership modulation increased with the proportion of information flow from feedback/horizontal layers to input layers. These results demonstrate that the flow of signals between layers covaries with the degree to which neurons integrate information from beyond the CRF.
Drift in Individual Behavioral Phenotype as a Strategy for Unpredictable Worlds
Authors: Maloney Ryan , Ye Athena , Saint-Pre Sam-Keny , Alisch Tom , Zimmerman David , Pittoors Nicole , de Bivort Benjamin L
Published: December 2024

Individuals, even with matched genetics and environment, show substantial phenotypic variability. This variability may be part of a bet-hedging strategy, where populations express a range of phenotypes to ensure survival in unpredictable environments. In addition phenotypic variability between individuals (“bet-hedging”), individuals also show variability in their phenotype across time, even absent external cues. There are few evolutionary theories that explain random shifts in phenotype across an animals life, which we term drift in individual phenotype. We use individuality in locomotor handedness in
Drosophila melanogaster
to characterize both bet-hedging and drift. We use a continuous circling assay to show that handedness spontaneously changes over timescales ranging from seconds to the lifespan of a fly. We compare the amount of drift and bet-hedging across a number of different fly strains and show independent strain specific differences in bet-hedging and drift. We show manipulation of serotonin changes the rate of drift, indicating a potential circuit substrate controlling drift. We then develop a theoretical framework for assessing the adaptive value of drift, demonstrating that drift may be adaptive for populations subject to selection pressures that fluctuate on timescales similar to the lifespan of an animal. We apply our model to real world environmental signals and find patterns of fluctuations that favor random drift in behavioral phenotype, suggesting that drift may be adaptive under some real world conditions. These results demonstrate that drift plays a role in driving variability in a population and may serve an adaptive role distinct from population level bet-hedging.
Evolutionary unique N-glycan-dependent protein quality control system plays pivotal roles in cellular fitness and extracellular vesicle transport in Cryptococcus neoformans
Authors: Mota Catia , Kim Kiseung , Son Ye Ji , Thak Eun Jung , Lee Su-Bin , Kim Ju-El , Yoon Jeong-Kee , Kang Min-Ho , Hwang Heeyoun , Bahn Yong-Sun , Alspaugh J Andrew , Kang Hyun Ah
Published: December 2024

A conserved
N
-glycan-dependent endoplasmic reticulum protein quality control (ERQC) system has evolved in eukaryotes to ensure accuracy during glycoprotein folding. The human pathogen
Cryptococcus neoformans
possesses a unique
N
-glycosylation pathway that lacks the glucose addition step to the core
N
-glycan precursors in the ER but includes additional basidiomycetes-specific mannosidases. To investigate the molecular features and functions of the ERQC system in
C. neoformans,
we characterized a set of mutants with deletion of genes coding for the ERQC sensor UDP-glucose:glycoprotein glucosyltransferase (
UGG1
) and putative α1,2-mannose trimming enzymes (
MNS1
,
MNS101
,
MNL1
, and
MNL2
). The
ugg1
Δ,
mns1
Δ,
mns101
Δ, and
mns1
Δ
101
Δ mutants showed alterations in
N
-glycan profiles, defective cell surface organization, decreased survival in host cells, and varying degrees of reduced
in vivo
virulence. The
ugg1
Δ strain exhibited severely impaired extracellular secretion of capsular polysaccharides and virulence-related enzymes. Comparative transcriptome analysis showed the upregulation of protein folding, proteolysis, and cell wall remodeling genes, which is indicative of induced ER stress in
ugg1
Δ. However, no apparent changes were observed in the expression of genes involved in protein secretion or capsule biosynthesis. Additionally, extracellular vesicle (EV) analysis combined with proteomic analysis showed significant alterations in the number, size distribution, and cargo composition of EVs in
ugg1
Δ. These findings highlight the essential role of the functional ERQC system for cellular fitness under adverse conditions and proper EV-mediated transport of virulence bags, which are crucial for the full fungal pathogenicity of
C. neoformans
.
Impaired excitability of fast-spiking neurons in a novel mouse model of KCNC1 epileptic encephalopathy
Authors: Wengert Eric R , Cheng Melody A , Liebergall Sophie R , Markwalter Kelly H , Hong Yerahm , Arias Leroy , Marsh Eric D , Zhang Xiaohong , Somarowthu Ala , Goldberg Ethan M
Published: December 2024

The recurrent pathogenic variant
KCNC1
-p.Ala421Val (A421V) is a cause of developmental and epileptic encephalopathy characterized by moderate-to-severe developmental delay/intellectual disability, and infantile-onset treatment-resistant epilepsy with multiple seizure types including myoclonic seizures. Yet, the mechanistic basis of disease is unclear.
KCNC1
encodes Kv3.1, a voltage-gated potassium channel subunit that is highly and selectively expressed in neurons capable of generating action potentials at high frequency, including parvalbumin-positive fast-spiking GABAergic inhibitory interneurons in cerebral cortex (PV-INs) known to be important for cognitive function and plasticity as well as control of network excitation to prevent seizures. In this study, we generate a novel transgenic mouse model with conditional expression of the Ala421Val pathogenic missense variant (
Kcnc1
-A421V/+ mice) to explore the physiological mechanisms of
KCNC1
developmental and epileptic encephalopathy. Our results indicate that global heterozygous expression of the A421V variant leads to epilepsy and premature lethality. We observe decreased PV-IN cell surface expression of Kv3.1 via immunohistochemistry, decreased voltage-gated potassium current density in PV-INs using outside-out nucleated macropatch recordings in brain slice, and profound impairments in the intrinsic excitability of cerebral cortex PV-INs but not excitatory neurons in current-clamp electrophysiology.
In vivo
two-photon calcium imaging revealed hypersynchronous discharges correlated with brief paroxysmal movements, subsequently shown to be myoclonic seizures on electroencephalography. We found alterations in PV-IN-mediated inhibitory neurotransmission in young adult but not juvenile
Kcnc1
-A421V/+ mice relative to wild-type controls. Together, these results establish the impact of the recurrent Kv3.1-A421V variant on neuronal excitability and synaptic physiology across development to drive network dysfunction underlying
KCNC1
epileptic encephalopathy.
FtsK is Critical for the Assembly of the Unique Divisome Complex of the FtsZ-less Chlamydia trachomatis
Authors: Harpring McKenna , Lee Junghoon , Zhong Guangming , Ouellette Scot P , Cox John V
Published: December 2024

Chlamydia trachomatis
serovar L2
(Ct),
an obligate intracellular bacterium that does not encode FtsZ, divides by a polarized budding process. In the absence of FtsZ, we show that FtsK, a chromosomal translocase, is critical for divisome assembly in
Ct
. Chlamydial FtsK forms discrete foci at the septum and at the base of the progenitor mother cell, and our data indicate that FtsK foci at the base of the mother cell mark the location of nascent divisome complexes that form at the site where a daughter cell will emerge in the next round of division. The divisome in
Ct
has a hybrid composition, containing elements of the divisome and elongasome from other bacteria, and FtsK is recruited to nascent divisomes prior to the other chlamydial divisome proteins assayed, including the PBP2 and PBP3 transpeptidases, and MreB and MreC. Knocking down FtsK prevents divisome assembly in
Ct
and inhibits cell division and septal peptidoglycan synthesis. We further show that MreB does not function like FtsZ and serve as a scaffold for the assembly of the
Ct
divisome. Rather, MreB is one of the last proteins recruited to the chlamydial divisome, and it is necessary for the formation of septal peptidoglycan rings. Our studies illustrate the critical role of chlamydial FtsK in coordinating divisome assembly and peptidoglycan synthesis in this obligate intracellular bacterial pathogen.
Experiences of Recording Electronic Nursing Notes among Ward Nurses in Two Hospitals
Authors: Hwang Hyunmi , Kim Geun-Hee , Song Yeoungsuk
Published: December 2024

Purpose: This study explored the experiences of recording electronic nursing notes among ward nurses in the hospital. Methods: A qualitative descriptive study was conducted. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with 15 nurses at two university hospitals in Daegu between November 2022 and April 2023. Hsieh and Shannon’s conventional content analysis method was applied, and MAXQDA was used for the analysis. Results: Three categories were identified from the data, with 12 subcategories and 46 codes. The three categories were as follows: utility, limitations to effective use, and seeking a way to expand functions efficiently. Conclusion: Records involving electronic nursing notes played a very important role in patient care and legal protection, as well as serving as a guide to nursing diagnosis, a source of pride, and a resource with convenient functions. Areas for improvement relate to awareness, burden, discomfort, disparities, and obstacles to record-keeping. A more efficient record system needs to be established, with corresponding education. Furthermore, hospital administrators should provide policy support to improve the quality of nursing records.