bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ANALYSIS OF THE DESIGN OF A GLOSSY MAGAZINE WITH THE HERO OF THE ISSUE ON THE COVER
Authors:   Kharkiv State Academy of Design and Arts, OLENDAROVA Victoria
Published: December 2023

The article is devoted to the analysis of the cover design of a glossy magazine. It examines the important role of the mass media in the process of forming the views of modern society, which, thanks to the design and spread of certain models of life, has huge impact on the points of view of its audience. This is also inherent in glossy magazines. The peculiarity of the communicative component of the design of this type of publications is analyzed. It is determined that its content covers different layers of human society as a translator of ideas, trends, mass culture phenomena and current events. These tasks are solved not only due to illustrative materials accompanied by meaningful texts, but also by the choice of those persons whose photos designers and editors place on the covers of publications. Actors, writers, artists, politicians, famous fashion designers, etc often become their "heroes". The results of the study indicate that interesting exceptions from this list can be observed recently. For example, the cover of the glossy magazine "Vogue Scandinavia" for August 2021 featured a photo illustration of the eco-leader Greta Thunberg as a symbol of the fight against environmental pollution as a result of human activities. The choice for analysis of this magazine has been made due to the fact that it is in demand on the market of periodicals today, is very popular with readers and has an impact on its audience segment, building stereotypes of its behavior. The article proves that the desire to raise such an important issue as an environmental problem draws our attention to a new trend of glossy magazines. That is, a departure from the former, narrowly specific issues – beauty, fashion, glamour, news from the lives of movie stars and show business stars, sophisticated lifestyle and a turn to those aspects of life without which all this cannot be realized, in particular, to the problems of nature conservation. It has been investigated that the photographic subject of the cover refers to the archetype "girl with a unicorn" known from paintings of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, which is a symbol of purity and virtue, the fragility of harmony with nature. This parallel is read by the reader as a certain cultural code with a warning about the importance of maintaining this natural balance.
Achado raro de válvula unicúspide unicomissural em um paciente jovem
Authors: Gabriela Pimenta dos Santos Maria , Ferreira de Lima Duarte David , Akio Nishijuka Fabio , Monteiro Thaíssa , Monteiro Andrey , Carolina Terra Cola Maria
Published: December 2023

A valva aórtica unicúspide (VAU) é uma doença rara em adultos, encontrada em 0,02% da população americana, e normalmente cursa de forma assintomática até a quinta década de vida. Esta anomalia valvar sugere ter base genética, com forte associação com coarctação da aorta, estenose e insuficiência da valva aórtica. O presente caso é sobre um paciente do sexo masculino, 28 anos, com relato de cardiopatia desde a infância sem acompanhamento. Iniciou quadro de dispneia aos moderados esforços aos 27 anos. Apresentou síndrome edemigênica, dor pleurítica, sendo internado com diagnóstico de tromboembolismo venoso. Ecocardiograma transtorácico (ETT) evidenciou VAU com estenose moderada e regurgitação grave. Angiotomografia da aorta revelou dilatação aneurismática. Foi submetido a cirurgia de Bentall. O diagnóstico pré-operatório de VAU é desafiador com o uso de ETT e frequentemente resulta em diagnósticos errôneos. Com relação ao tratamento, as diretrizes americanas não especificam o tratamento da estenose da VAU. O mais recomendado é o cirúrgico e, para isso, existem alguns procedimentos que devem ser analisados e escolhidos de acordo com a individualidade de cada paciente.
ODS y la educación inclusiva a partir de distintas experiencias de Teatro Sistémico
Authors: Simón Medina Natalia , Luque Pérez Enma Lucía
Published: December 2023

La Encuesta de Condiciones de Vida (INE, 2021) establece que el porcentaje de población en riesgo de pobreza en España aumentó al 27,8%. A su vez, la tasa AROPE, manifiesta que el 38,4% de la población que ha alcanzado un nivel educativo equivalente a educación primaria o inferior estaba en riesgo de pobreza y que, el abandono temprano de la educación-formación en el año 2020 alcanzaba el 20,2% para los hombres y el 11,6% para las mujeres. El objetivo de esta investigación es conocer las experiencias del profesorado participante en las acciones formativas del teatro sistémico como herramientas de trasformación que inciden directamente en su intervención en las aulas. Se ha empleado una metodología de corte cualitativo mediante entrevistas en profundidad, dirigido al profesorado que ha recibido la formación en el curso 2020-2021. Como principal conclusión se destaca el potencial del teatro sistémico como metodología educativa que mejoraría la situación de pobreza a la que se enfrenta el alumnado que presenta desmotivación, fracaso escolar, y riesgo de exclusión social y, por lo tanto, muy adecuada enseñar en las etapas de formación inicial del profesorado.
Being Claimed in Immediate Response to an Other
Authors: Strammer Philip
Published: December 2023

In this essay, I propose a phenomenological alternative to the established candidates of what grounds moral status, namely the experience of being claimed in immediate response to an Other. Drawing from late-Wittgensteinian moral philosophy, I develop this alternative in critical juxtaposition to theories that aim to derive moral status from values grounded in independently accountable empirical properties. Against such theories, I expound how meaningful talk of moral status must instead be understood to be rooted in the individuals’ morally charged immediate responsiveness to Others, a responsiveness that preconditions the very possibility of separating value and fact. If my analysis is sound, then the empirical property or set of properties that is commonly taken to qualify as a candidate for a ground of moral status in fact presupposes a phenomenological dimension of ‘ethical encounter’. The recognition of this deeper phenomenological level would, while not disposing with the notion of moral status, transform its meaning and, thus, how much of the philosophical debate on moral status is conducted.
The Grounding Problem of Equal Respect
Authors: Jung Kevin
Published: December 2023

In this paper, I explore three theories of value to illuminate how nontheistic and theistic accounts may differ in grounding human dignity: neo- Aristotelian ethical naturalism, Kantian constructivism, and a theistic account of good simpliciter. The theistic account of good simpliciter that I offer adapts Robert Adams’s notion of the transcendent Good as the Excellent. In this account, I explain how Adams’ thesis that goodness is a property consisting in a sort of resemblance to God may be understood in a new way, using ideas drawn from contemporary mathematics and quantum mechanics. On my account, we must value human beings neither because such valuing would be beneficial or necessary for human flourishing nor because it is a logical outcome of anything we care to value. Rather it is because we recognize the property of self-similarity in all of us, which may be understood as a resemblance to God as good simpliciter.
In defense of a ‘thick’ formal equality principle in healthcare resource distribution
Authors: Sandman Lars
Published: December 2023

Given resource constraints in healthcare, demands justice and equity require the constant development of material principles for resource distribution. In many cases, such material principles are formulated as mid-level principles, well-adapted to handle healthcare distribution but suffering from aspects outside the healthcare context that affect their application. In healthcare, factors outside the healthcare system will sometimes affect patients’ equal opportunity to receive treatment and achieve health. Examples of such factors might include an individual’s economic means, the cost of drugs, geography, etc. This article explores whether the formal equality principle could help us address such problems. It is argued that the traditional (thin) formal equality principle can aid in priority setting, both as a heuristic tool to aid in consistency and also in handling under-determined cases. However, it appears to be too ‘thin’ to handle problems caused by factors outside the healthcare context. In the article, I explore a more robust version of the formal equality principle and argue that such a principle can be used to address such cases. However, even a more comprehensive formal equality principle will need to consider whether some other actors have a moral responsibility to address the problem or whether the issue could be solved more effectively by others. Furthermore, such a principle needs to consider whether the opportunity cost of achieving ‘thick’ formal equality is acceptable, given the material principles of distribution.
LETRAMENTOS ACADÊMICOS NA FORMAÇÃO INICIAL DE PROFESSORES DE LÍNGUAS: ESCRITA E ORALIDADE PELA INTERNACIONALIZAÇÃO
Authors: Rodrigues Tognato Maria Izabel Rodrigues Tognato , Martins Do Nascimento Thais , Stutz Lidia
Published: December 2023

Considerando o papel da linguagem, em especial a escrita e a oralidade no contexto do Ensino Superior, este artigo objetiva apresentar percepções e reflexões acerca dos Letramentos Acadêmicos e suas possíveis contribuições para a formação docente inicial de Língua Inglesa e as relações com a internacionalização, uma vez que é um dos princípios da Universidade. Quanto à metodologia, utilizamos estudos bibliográficos, análises de documentos como o PDI da Unespar, questionários e diários de aprendizagem e de formação. Este trabalho nos permitiu obter uma maior compreensão sobre algumas contribuições da perspectiva dos Letramentos Acadêmicos à formação inicial de professores de línguas, apontando possíveis avanços neste contexto, bem como sobre a necessidade de ampliar este trabalho no Ensino Superior por meio da continuidade de outros estudos sobre a investigação realizada.
“Certo tipo de sensibilidade pictórica”
Authors: Pimentel de Castro Isis
Published: December 2023

O Museu Nacional de Belas Artes foi criado em 1937, durante o governo de Getúlio Vargas. A instituição carregava o legado da Academia Imperial de Belas Artes através de seu acervo. Em um cenário de disputas entre acadêmicos e modernos e de instabilidade política com a ascensão do nazismo, o pintor Oswaldo Teixeira assumiu a direção do museu. Chamado de acadêmico, considerado conservador, simpático ao autoritarismo e às polêmicas, este artigo busca contribuir para a história das instituições de arte através do estudo da gestão de Oswaldo Teixeira do Amaral no MNBA, de 1938 a 1961, com destaque para o período do Estado Novo (1937-1945).
Group Assessments to Help Build Online Learning Communities in Biomedical Science Distance Learning Programmes
Authors: Millar Beverley C. , Purkis Harriet , Moore John E. , McClean Stephen , Lowery Colm J.
Published: December 2023

Introduction: Biomedical Science distance learning courses offer flexibility in study while in employment. Asynchronous and self-learning approaches are common within such courses and often student-student interaction is limited. The aims of this study were to establish learning communities, develop confidence in participating in online teamwork and foster an appreciation of transferable skills including digital capabilities through remote group activities.

Materials and Methods: Two cohorts of students (n = 20/n = 21) were enrolled in a microbiology module of an IBMS accredited MSc distance learning course. Groups of 4–5 students produced a digital output relating to current global infection-related issues, namely, assignment 1, production of a slide deck, which peers could use as learning resources and assignment 2, a voiceover PowerPoint debate, and infographic, voting assessment and peer/self-marking. Students also prepared reflections using written format and a FlipGrid video-recording. A qualitative content analysis was conducted on reflections from all students. Students completed a pre- and post-assignment survey focused on the development of transferable skills for the biomedical sector.

Results: Students’ skills and confidence increased following completion of the group assignment, as evident from the pre- and post-questionnaire responses, namely, possession of digital skills and digital creation abilities (29% v 83%), applying for jobs which require digital skills (54% v 89%), talking about examples of using digital media during job interviews (21% v 78%) and demonstration of creativity during assignment tasks (33% v 90%). Critical thinking was more commonly demonstrated during the debate in comparison to the slide deck activity (p = 0.001). The importance of developing digital skills, was higher following completion of the group activities (p = 0.03). Students reflected on the value of the group activities in relation to knowledge acquisition (85%, 86%), collegiality (70%, 71%), digital skills development (80%, 90%), the fact that the activities were enjoyable (70%, 67%) and the development of peer interaction and support (50%, 67%) in relation to assignment 1 and 2, respectively.

Discussion: Increasingly digital technologies are being used in the healthcare sector resulting in updated HCPC Standards of Proficiency. This study highlights that virtual group activities promote the establishment of supportive learning communities and the development of transferable skills including digital capabilities for application within the biomedical science workplace.
Completing a molecular timetree of apes and monkeys
Authors: Craig Jack M. , Bamba Grace L. , Barba-Montoya Jose , Hedges S. Blair , Kumar Sudhir
Published: December 2023

The primate infraorder Simiiformes, comprising Old and New World monkeys and apes, includes the most well-studied species on earth. Their most comprehensive molecular timetree, assembled from thousands of published studies, is found in the TimeTree database and contains 268 simiiform species. It is, however, missing 38 out of 306 named species in the NCBI taxonomy for which at least one molecular sequence exists in the NCBI GenBank. We developed a three-pronged approach to expanding the timetree of Simiiformes to contain 306 species. First, molecular divergence times were searched and found for 21 missing species in timetrees published across 15 studies. Second, untimed molecular phylogenies were searched and scaled to time using relaxed clocks to add four more species. Third, we reconstructed ten new timetrees from genetic data in GenBank, allowing us to incorporate 13 more species. Finally, we assembled the most comprehensive molecular timetree of Simiiformes containing all 306 species for which any molecular data exists. We compared the species divergence times with those previously imputed using statistical approaches in the absence of molecular data. The latter data-less imputed times were not significantly correlated with those derived from the molecular data. Also, using phylogenies containing imputed times produced different trends of evolutionary distinctiveness and speciation rates over time than those produced using the molecular timetree. These results demonstrate that more complete clade-specific timetrees can be produced by analyzing existing information, which we hope will encourage future efforts to fill in the missing taxa in the global timetree of life.
Degradation kinetics of medium chain length Polyhydroxyalkanoate degrading enzyme: a quartz crystal microbalance study
Authors: Millan Fabien , Hanik Nils
Published: December 2023

This study investigates the enzymatic degradation processes of different classes of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), a group of biopolymers naturally synthesized by various microorganisms. Medium chain length PHAs (mcl-PHAs) are distinguished biopolymers due to their biodegradability and diverse material properties. Using quartz crystal microbalance measurements as a valuable tool for accurate real-time monitoring of the enzymatic degradation process, the research provides detailed kinetic data, describing the interaction between enzymes and substrates during the enzymatic degradation process. Thin films of poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) and polyhydroxyoctanoate copolymer (PHO), containing molar fractions of about 84% 3-hydroxyoctanoate and 16% 3-hydroxyhexanoate, were exposed to scl-depolymerases from Pseudomonas lemoignei LMG 2207 and recombinant mcl-depolymerase produced in Escherichia coli DH5α harboring the plasmid pMAD8, respectively. Analyses based on a heterogeneous kinetic model for the polymer degradation indicated a six-fold stronger adsorption equilibrium constant of mcl-depolymerase to PHO. Conversely, the degradation rate constant was approximately twice as high for scl-depolymerases acting on PHB. Finally, the study highlights the differences in enzyme-substrate interactions and degradation mechanisms between the investigated scl- and mcl-PHAs.
Current insight on the mechanisms of programmed cell death in sepsis-induced myocardial dysfunction
Authors: Liu An-Bu , Li Shu-Jing , Yu Yuan-Yuan , Zhang Jun-Fei , Ma Lei
Published: December 2023

Sepsis is a clinical syndrome characterized by a dysregulated host response to infection, leading to life-threatening organ dysfunction. It is a high-fatality condition associated with a complex interplay of immune and inflammatory responses that can cause severe harm to vital organs. Sepsis-induced myocardial injury (SIMI), as a severe complication of sepsis, significantly affects the prognosis of septic patients and shortens their survival time. For the sake of better administrating hospitalized patients with sepsis, it is necessary to understand the specific mechanisms of SIMI. To date, multiple studies have shown that programmed cell death (PCD) may play an essential role in myocardial injury in sepsis, offering new strategies and insights for the therapeutic aspects of SIMI. This review aims to elucidate the role of cardiomyocyte’s programmed death in the pathophysiological mechanisms of SIMI, with a particular focus on the classical pathways, key molecules, and signaling transduction of PCD. It will explore the role of the cross-interaction between different patterns of PCD in SIMI, providing a new theoretical basis for multi-target treatments for SIMI.
Comparison of efficiency and safety of open surgery, hybrid surgery and endovascular repair for the treatment of thoracoabdominal aneurysms: a systemic review and network meta-analysis
Authors: Liu Tinghua , Zhao Jiani , Sun Jinjian , Wu Kemin , Wang Wei
Published: December 2023

Objective

The objective of this study was to perform a network meta-analysis (NMA) to assess the efficacy and safety of three different surgical interventions- open surgical repair (OSR), hybrid surgical repair (HSR), and endovascular repair (EVAR)- for the treatment of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAAs).

Methods

Electronic repositories like PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, ScienceDirect, the Cochrane library, Clinical trial, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) were systematically searched to identify studies that compared the efficacy of OSR, HSR, and EVAR with endografts for the treatment of TAAAs until December 24th, 2022. Random-effects and fixed-effects models were employed to analyze the data gathered in a network meta-analysis. The study's primary outcomes of interest encompassed in-hospital mortality, long-term survival rate, and postoperative complications.

Results

Eleven comparative studies meet inclusion criterias. There were 2,222 patients in OSR, 1,574 patients in EVAR and 537 patients in HSR. EVAR has lower one-month mortality than OSR (RR: 0.31; 95% CI: 0.17–0.70) and HSR (RR: 0.37; 95% CI: 0.22–0.71), and lower incident rate of renal complications than HSR (RR: 0.20; 95% CI: 0.08–0.43) and OSR (RR: 0.34; 95% CI: 0.16–0.65). Nonetheless, there was no noteworthy discrepancy identified in the long-term survival rates of these procedures.

Conclusions

As compared with OSR, HSR, and EVAR, EVER has lower one-month mortality, and lower incident rates of complications.

Systematic review registration

PROSPERO (CRD42022313829).
Noninvasive evaluation of pulmonary hypertension using the second heart sound parameters collected by a mobile cardiac acoustic monitoring system
Authors: Huang Jingjuan , Zhang Weiwei , Fu Wenxia , Le Jiawei , Qi Yiding , Hou Xumin , Pan Xin , Li Ruogu , He Ben
Published: December 2023

Background

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is linked to higher rates of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Early diagnosis of PH is important for clinical treatment. The estimated pulmonary artery systolic pressure (ePASP ≥ 35 mmHg) measured by echocardiography helps screen PH patients. In this paper, we report a novel PH screening method through a mobile cardiac acoustic monitoring system.

Methods

In the retrospective study, patients admitted to our hospital between January 2022 and April 2023 were classified into PH and control groups using ePASP and compared with acoustic cardiographic parameters. According to ePASP, PH severity was classified as mild, moderate, and severe. We analyzed the first and second heart sound (S1, S2) characteristics, including amplitude (S1A, S2A), energy (S1E, S2E), and frequency (S1F, S2F).

Results

The study included 209 subjects, divided into PH (n = 121) and control (n = 88) groups. Pearson correlation analysis confirmed the positive correlation between S2F and ePASP. The diagnostic performance of S2F as assessed by the area under the ROC curve was 0.775 for PH. The sensitivity and specificity of diagnosing ePASP ≥ 35 mmHg when S2F ≥ 36 Hz were found to be 79.34% and 67.05%, respectively, according to ROC analysis. Severity classification was performed using S2F, the area under the ROC curve was 0.712–0.838 for mild PH, 0.774–0.888 for moderate PH, and 0.826–0.940 for severe PH.

Conclusions

S2F collected by the mobile cardiac acoustic monitoring system offers a convenient method for remote PH screening, potentially improving PH management and outcomes.
Association of typical atrial flutter and cavotricuspid isthmus ablation on clinical recurrence after cryoballoon ablation for atrial fibrillation
Authors: Jeong Joo Hee , Lee Hyoung Seok , Choi Yun Young , Kim Yun Gi , Choi Jong-Il , Kim Young-Hoon , Lim Hong Euy , Oh Il-Young , Cha Myung-Jin , Lee So-Ryoung , Kim Ju Youn , Kwon Chang Hee , Lee Sung Ho , Park Junbeom , Kim Ki-Hun , Yang Pil-Sung , Kim Jun-Hyung , Shim Jaemin
Published: December 2023

Typical atrial flutter commonly occurs in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Limited information exists regarding the effects of concurrent atrial flutter on the long-term outcomes of rhythm control. This study investigated the association between concurrent typical atrial flutter and cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI) ablation and the recurrence of atrial arrhythmia. The data were obtained from a multicenter registry of cryoballoon ablation for AF (n = 2,689). Patients who were screened for typical atrial flutter were included in the analysis (n = 1,907). All the patients with typical atrial flutter underwent CTI ablation. The primary endpoint was the late recurrence of atrial arrhythmia, including AF, atrial flutter, and atrial tachycardia. Among the 1,907 patients, typical atrial flutter was detected in 493 patients (25.9%). Patients with concurrent atrial flutter had a lower incidence of persistent AF and a smaller size of the left atrium. Patients with atrial flutter had a significantly lower recurrence rate of atrial arrhythmia (19.7% vs. 29.9%, p < 0.001). In patients with atrial flutter, the recurrence rate of atrial tachycardia or atrial flutter was more frequent (7.3% vs. 4.7%, p = 0.028), but the recurrence rate of AF was significantly lower (17.0% vs. 29.4%, p < 0.001). Atrial flutter has been identified as an independent predictor of the primary endpoint (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.704; 95% confidence interval, 0.548–0.906; p = 0.006). Typical atrial flutter in patients with AF may serve as a positive marker of the recurrence of atrial arrhythmia, and performing CTI ablation in this population is associated with a reduced likelihood of AF recurrence. Performing routine screening and ablation procedures for coexisting atrial flutter may improve the clinical outcomes of AF.
U.S. parents' attitudes toward playful learning
Authors: Wright Charlotte Anne , Pasek Josh , Lee Ji Young , Masters Ally S. , Golinkoff Roberta Michnick , Thomsen Bo Stjerne , Hirsh-Pasek Kathy
Published: December 2023

Introduction

There has been a surge of research on the power of play to facilitate learning in recent years. Guided play, specifically, has emerged as an optimal learning approach over free play and direct instruction. However, whether parents' attitudes toward play align with the emerging research remains largely unexplored. Addressing this gap, the present study is the first to operationalize play by using the playful learning spectrum (i.e., free play, guided play, games, and direct instruction) to investigate parents' attitudes toward play.

Methods

The study surveyed a broad, national sample of parents with at least one child aged 2 to 12 years living in the United States (N = 1,172). To understand preferences for each approach and the factors related to those preferences, we examined how individuals regarded each of the four learning approaches and ran a series of regressions predicting perceptions of learning from the approaches as a function of demographic and attitudinal factors. These regressions were estimated in two different ways, allowing us to identify which predictors were related to each outcome as well as which explained these perceptions uniquely, over and above other predictors.

Results

The findings revealed a preference for play over direct instruction, with parents likely to perceive free play as most conducive to learning. Regression analyses uncovered significant variations in perceptions based on demographic and attitudinal factors, with highly educated respondents most likely to endorse free play, more knowledgeable respondents most likely to endorse guided play and the least educated respondents most likely to favor direct instruction.

Discussion

While the study reveals parents' evolving, positive attitudes toward play, it also underscores a gap between academic research, which highlights the advantages of guided play, and parents' perceptions. Implications for parent support initiatives are discussed.
Test translation review: a study on discussion processes and translation error detection in consensus-based review panels
Authors: Zhao Xueyu , Solano-Flores Guillermo
Published: December 2023

We examined the discussion processes through which two independent consensus-based review panels detected errors in the same sample of items from an international test translated from English to Chinese. The discussion processes were defined according to four events: (1) identifying a potential error; and (2) agreeing with, (3) disagreeing with, and (4) elaborating an opinion expressed by other panelists. We found that, while the two panels had similar error detection rates, only half of the errors detected by the two panels altogether were detected by both panels. In addition, of the errors detected by the two panels, more than half were detected by the panels through different discussion processes. No discussion process occurred substantially more frequently or less frequently for any translation error dimension. We conclude that the unique combination of backgrounds, skills, and communication styles of panel members and the unique combination of textual features in each item shape which errors each panel is capable of detecting. While panels can be highly effective in detecting errors, one single panel may not be sufficient to detect all possible errors in a given set of translated items. Consensus-based translation error review panels should not be assumed to be exchangeable.
Development and validation of the EDUcational Course Assessment TOOLkit (EDUCATOOL) – a 12-item questionnaire for evaluation of training and learning programmes
Authors: Matolić Tena , Jurakić Danijel , Greblo Jurakić Zrinka , Maršić Tošo , Pedišić Željko
Published: December 2023

Introduction

The instruments for evaluation of educational courses are often highly complex and specifically designed for a given type of training. Therefore, the aims of this study were to develop a simple and generic EDUcational Course Assessment TOOLkit (EDUCATOOL) and determine its measurement properties.

Methods

The development of EDUCATOOL encompassed: (1) a literature review; (2) drafting the questionnaire through open discussions between three researchers; (3) Delphi survey with five content experts; and (4) consultations with 20 end-users. A subsequent validity and reliability study involved 152 university students who participated in a short educational course. Immediately after the course and a week later, the participants completed the EDUCATOOL post-course questionnaire. Six weeks after the course and a week later, they completed the EDUCATOOL follow-up questionnaire. To establish the convergent validity of EDUCATOOL, the participants also completed the “Questionnaire for Professional Training Evaluation.”

Results

The EDUCATOOL questionnaires include 12 items grouped into the following evaluation components: (1) reaction; (2) learning; (3) behavioural intent (post-course)/behaviour (follow-up); and (4) expected outcomes (post-course)/results (follow-up). In confirmatory factor analyses, comparative fit index (CFI = 0.99 and 1.00), root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA = 0.05 and 0.03), and standardised root mean square residual (SRMR = 0.07 and 0.03) indicated adequate goodness of fit for the proposed factor structure of the EDUCATOOL questionnaires. The intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) for convergent validity of the post-course and follow-up questionnaires were 0.71 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.61, 0.78) and 0.86 (95% CI: 0.78, 0.91), respectively. The internal consistency reliability of the evaluation components expressed using Cronbach’s alpha ranged from 0.83 (95% CI: 0.78, 0.87) to 0.88 (95% CI: 0.84, 0.92) for the post-course questionnaire and from 0.95 (95% CI: 0.93, 0.96) to 0.97 (95% CI: 0.95, 0.98) for the follow-up questionnaire. The test–retest reliability ICCs for the overall evaluation scores of the post-course and follow-up questionnaires were 0.87 (95% CI: 0.78, 0.92) and 0.91 (95% CI: 0.85, 0.94), respectively.

Conclusion

The EDUCATOOL questionnaires have adequate factorial validity, convergent validity, internal consistency, and test–retest reliability and they can be used to evaluate training and learning programmes.
Therapeutic efficacy of rare earth carbonate with chemoradiotherapy in late-stage non-small cell lung cancer: a cohort prospective study
Authors: Cao Qiang , Ye Xia , Wu Xinyan , Zhang Qi , Gong Junling , Chen Yuquan , You Yanwei , Shen Jun , Qiang Yi , Cao Guangzhu
Published: December 2023

Objective

To compare the therapeutic effects and adverse reactions of sterilizing rare earth carbonate combined with concurrent chemoradiotherapy and simple concurrent chemoradiotherapy in the treatment of late-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and to analyze the reasons for the differences.

Method

A total of 817 patients with pathologically diagnosed late-stage NSCLC from June 1, 2021 to December 30, 2022, in the affiliated hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology, were selected. They were randomly divided into a control group of 394 people and an experimental group of 423 people. The control group was given concurrent chemoradiotherapy (cisplatin + etoposide), while the experimental group simultaneously took a low dose of sterilized rare earth carbonate (0.05mg/Kg). The χ² test and Fisher’s test were used to compare the clinical pathological features, objective response rate (ORR), ECOG score, and adverse reactions of the two groups of patients, while survival analysis was used to compare the progression-free survival (PFS) of the two groups. Cox regression analysis was used to test factors related to prognosis.

Results

The differences in clinical pathological features between the two groups of patients were not statistically significant, with all P>0.05. The ORR of the control group was 45.18% (178/394), and the experimental group was 89.83% (380/423), with a statistically significant difference (P=0.001). After treatment, the ECOG score of the experimental group was lower than that of the control group, P<0.001. The adverse reaction grading of patients in both groups was below level 3 after treatment, and no treatment-related fatalities occurred. The risk of pulmonary infection and bone marrow suppression in the experimental group was lower than that in the control group.

Conclusion

In late-stage NSCLC patients, compared with simple concurrent chemoradiotherapy, the combination of concurrent chemoradiotherapy and sterilizing rare earth carbonate can significantly improve the short-term therapeutic effect and prognosis of patients, with good safety.
Exploring the gut mycobiome: differential composition and clinical associations in hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and their comorbidity
Authors: Qiu Juan , Zhao Longyou , Cheng Yiwen , Chen Qiaoxia , Xu Yiran , Lu Yingfeng , Gao Jie , Lei Wenhui , Yan Chengmin , Ling Zongxin , Wu Shaochang
Published: December 2023

Background

Hypertension (HTN) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) pose significant global health challenges and often coexist, amplifying cardiovascular risks. Recent attention has turned to the gut mycobiome as a potential factor in their pathophysiology. Our study sought to examine the gut fungal profile in individuals with HTN, CKD, and the concurrent HTN+CKD condition, investigating its connections with serum cytokines, renal function, and blood pressure.

Methods and materials

We investigated three distinct participant groups: a cohort of 50 healthy controls (HC), 50 individuals diagnosed with HTN-only, and 50 participants suffering from both HTN and CKD (HTN+CKD). To facilitate our research, we gathered fecal and blood samples and conducted a comprehensive analysis of serum cytokines. Moreover, fungal DNA extraction was conducted with meticulous care, followed by sequencing of the Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) region.

Results

HTN+CKD patients displayed distinctive fungal composition with increased richness and diversity compared to controls. In contrast, HTN-only patients exhibited minimal fungal differences. Specific fungal genera were notably altered in HTN+CKD patients, characterized by increased Apiotrichum and Saccharomyces levels and reduced Candida abundance. Our correlation analyses revealed significant associations between fungal genera and serum cytokines. Moreover, certain fungal taxa, such as Apiotrichum and Saccharomyces, exhibited positive correlations with renal function, while others, including Septoria, Nakaseomyces, and Saccharomyces, were linked to blood pressure, particularly diastolic pressure.

Conclusion

Gut mycobiome dysbiosis in individuals with comorbid HTN and CKD differs significantly from that observed in HTN-only and healthy controls. The interactions between serum cytokines, renal function, and blood pressure emphasize the potential impact of the fungal microbiome on these conditions. Additional research is required to clarify the underlying mechanisms and identify therapeutic opportunities associated with mycobiome dysbiosis in HTN and CKD.
Association of eosinopenia with worsening prognosis in hospitalized Azvudine-treated COVID-19 patients: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Wang Xiaomin , Dian Yating , Zhou Qian , Deng Guangtong , Wei Rui , Zeng Furong
Published: December 2023

Background

Current guidelines prioritize the use of Azvudine in Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients, while biomarkers for prognosis in Azvudine-treated COVID-19 patients are still lacking. Here, we aim to assess the prognostic value of eosinopenia in Azvudine-treated COVID-19 patients.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 290 consecutive Azvudine-treated hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Clinical characteristics and prognosis data were analyzed between patients with eosinopenia and with normal eosinophil levels.

Results

A total of 290 patients were enrolled in this study, with a median age of 69 years. Among them, 40.69% presented with eosinopenia and 59.31% had normal eosinophil levels. Common symptoms included cough (87.6%), expectoration (76.2%), fever (67.9%), poor appetite (47.2%), and polypnea (46.6%). Compared to patients with normal eosinophil levels, those with eosinopenia were older and less likely to experience fatigue (25.4% vs. 39.0%, P=0.016). Significant differences in laboratory parameters, particularly in blood routine and blood biochemical indicators, were observed between the two groups. Patients with eosinopenia were also less likely to develop severe illness subtypes, requiring more medication and oxygen support. The Cox proportional hazard model showed that eosinopenia was associated with worsening progression in Azvudine-treated COVID-19 patients (adjusted hazard ratio=2.79, 95% confidence interval: 1.04, 7.50), adjusting for potential confounders.

Conclusion

Eosinopenia is associated with worsening prognosis in Azvudine-treated COVID-19 patients.
Genetic association and bidirectional Mendelian randomization for causality between gut microbiota and six lung diseases
Authors: Su Yue , Zhang Youqian , Xu Jinfu
Published: December 2023

Purposes

Increasing evidence suggests that intestinal microbiota correlates with the pathological processes of many lung diseases. This study aimed to investigate the causality of gut microbiota and lung diseases.

Methods

Genetic information on intestinal flora and lung diseases [asthma, chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), interstitial lung disease (ILD), lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI), pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)] and lung function was obtained from UK Biobank, FinnGen, and additional studies. A Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was conducted to explore the causal association between gut microbiota and lung diseases.

Results

The genetic liability to lung diseases may be associated with the abundance of certain microbiota taxa. Specifically, the genus Prevotella (p = 0.041) was related to a higher risk of asthma; the family Defluviitaleaceae (p = 0.002) and its child taxon were identified as a risk factor for chronic bronchitis; the abundance of the genus Prevotella (p = 0.020) was related to a higher risk of ILD; the family Coriobacteriaceae (p = 0.011) was identified to have a positive effect on the risk of LRTI; the genus Lactobacillus (p = 0.0297) has been identified to be associated with an increased risk of PAH, whereas the genus Holdemanella (p = 0.0154) presented a causal decrease in COPD risk; the order Selenomonadales was identified to have a positive effect on the risk of FEV1(p = 0.011). The reverse TSMR analysis also provided genetic evidence of reverse causality from lung diseases to the gut microbiota.

Conclusion

This data-driven MR analysis revealed that gut microbiota was causally associated with lung diseases, providing genetic evidence for further mechanistic and clinical studies to understand the crosstalk between gut microbiota and lung diseases.
Efficacy of the Chinese herbal medicine Jintiange capsules in the postoperative treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Fu Yongsheng , Wang Weiguo , Zhao Minghua , Zhao Jianpeng , Tan Mingyue
Published: December 2023

Background

In traditional Chinese medicine, Jintiange capsules are frequently used to treat metabolic bone diseases and strengthen bones and tendons. The main component of Jintiange capsules is bionic tiger bone powder. However, the active ingredients and proteins are derived from other animal bones, with chemical profiles similar to that of natural tiger bone. This study aimed to explore the efficacy of Jintiange capsules, a Chinese herbal medicine, in the postoperative treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs).

Methods

In this systematic review, literature was retrieved using PubMed, the Cochrane Library, the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, the Web of Science, the Wanfang Database, the Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, and the Chinese VIP Database from inception to July 2023. The primary outcome measures were the bone mineral density (BMD) and effective rate. The secondary outcome measures were the visual analog pain score (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), Cobb’s angle, serum osteocalcin, serum alkaline phosphatase, and adverse events. RevMan 5.4 and STATA 17.0 software were used for data analysis.

Results

We enrolled randomized controlled trials (RCTs) focusing on 1,642 patients in the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis illustrated that Jintiange capsules significantly increased the BMD of the lumbar spine (p < 0.00001), femoral neck (p = 0.0005), and whole body (p = 0.01). The subgroup analysis of Jintiange capsules combination therapy showed that the BMD of the lumbar spine and whole body was significantly improved with Jintiange capsules (p < 0.00001). The test for the overall effect showed that Jintiange capsules had a significantly higher effective rate than the control groups (p = 0.003). Additionally, the overall effect test showed that Jintiange capsules decreased the VAS and ODI (p < 0.00001) and Cobb’s angle (p = 0.02), and improved serum OC and ALP (p < 0.00001) compared with the controls. Furthermore, the pooled analysis of adverse reactions showed no serious impacts on the treatment of OVCFs.

Conclusion

Jintiange capsules demonstrate high safety and efficacy in the treatment of OVCFs, including increasing BMD, the lift effect rate, serum OC levels, and pain relief, decreasing the ODI, serum ALP levels, and adverse events, and improving Cobb’s angle. Additional research is required to validate the efficacy of Jintiange capsules for the postoperative treatment of OVCFs.

Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO.
Long non-coding RNA expression in PBMCs of patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis
Authors: Li Guoli , Feng Zhelong , Song Honghuan , Wang Yajing , Zhu Limei , Li Yan
Published: December 2023

Purpose

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection is the primary cause of the chronic infectious illness tuberculosis (TB). Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are functional RNA molecules that cannot be translated into proteins and play a crucial role in regulating the immune system’s innate and adaptive responses. It has been demonstrated that the dysregulation of lncRNA expression is associated with various human diseases. However, the mechanism underlying the involvement of so many lncRNAs in the immune response to TB infection remains unclear. The objective of our current study was to identify a number of significantly differentially expressed lncRNAs in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from TB patients and to select the most indicative lncRNAs as potential biomarkers for active pulmonary tuberculosis.

Methods

Microarray analysis was performed to determine the lncRNA and mRNA expression profiles in TB patients using a case-control model. The differentially expressed lncRNAs were subjected to gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis to investigate potential roles and pathways associated with the pathogenesis of TB infection, and to screen lncRNAs specifically linked to TB infection. Using real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (QRT-PCR), specific lncRNAs were identified in TB patients and latent infections.

Results

Our findings revealed that various signaling pathways were differentially expressed in TB-infected individuals, suggesting a potential role for lncRNAs in the immunological responses driven by TB infection. This study provides crucial guidelines for future functional research. Upregulated lncRNAs were mainly enriched in Neutrophil extracellular trap formation and Chemokine signaling pathways, while downregulated lncRNAs were enriched in Neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction and Cushing syndrome in TB PBMCs. Furthermore, we found that lnc-XPNPEP1-5, lnc-CASKIN2-2, lnc-HSPA13-6, lnc-CLIC5-1, and LINC02502 were significantly downregulated in TB-infected patients, while LINC00528, lnc-SLC45A4-3, and LINC00926 were significantly upregulated in TB patients and latent infections. These eight lncRNAs, identified as novel biological marker candidates for diagnosing TB infection, were validated by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (QRT-PCR).

Conclusion

The abnormally expressed lncRNAs identified in this research may provide crucial information for understanding the pathophysiological characteristics of TB patients and the dysfunction of PBMCs. Our findings reveal potential targets for early TB diagnosis and therapy, as well as offer new insights into the mechanisms underlying TB infection.
Multiple HPV integration mode in the cell lines based on long-reads sequencing
Authors: Cui Xiaofang , Li Yiyan , Zhang Chuanpeng , Qi Yanwei , Sun Yuhui , Li Weiyang
Published: December 2023

Background

The integration of human papillomavirus (HPV) is closely related to the occurrence of cervical cancer. However, little is known about the complete state of HPV integration into the host genome.

Methods

In this study, three HPV-positive cell lines, HeLa, SiHa, and CaSki, were subjected to NANOPORE long-read sequencing to detect HPV integration. Analysis of viral integration patterns using independently developed software (HPV-TSD) yielded multiple complete integration patterns for the three HPV cell lines.

Results

We found distinct differences between the integration patterns of HPV18 and HPV16. Furthermore, the integration characteristics of the viruses were significantly different, even though they all belonged to HPV16 integration. The HPV integration in the CaSki cells was relatively complex. The HPV18 integration status in HeLa cells was the dominant, whereas the percentage of integrated HPV 16 in SiHa and CaSki cells was significantly lower. In addition, the virus sequences in the HeLa cells were incomplete and existed in an integrated state. We also identified a large number of tandem repeats in HPV16 and HPV18 integration. Our study not only clarified the feasibility of high-throughput long-read sequencing in the study of HPV integration, but also explored a variety of HPV integration models, and confirmed that viral integration is an important form of HPV in cell lines.

Conclusion

Elucidating HPV integration patterns will provide critical guidance for developing a detection algorithm for HPV integration, as well as the application of virus integration in clinical practice and drug research and development.
Escherichia coli O157:H7 tir 255 T > A allele strains differ in chromosomal and plasmid composition
Authors: Weinroth Margaret D. , Clawson Michael L. , Harhay Gregory P. , Eppinger Mark , Harhay Dayna M. , Smith Timothy P. L. , Bono James L.
Published: December 2023

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O157:H7 strains with the T allele in the translocated intimin receptor polymorphism (tir) 255 A > T gene associate with human disease more than strains with an A allele; however, the allele is not thought to be the direct cause of this difference. We sequenced a diverse set of STEC O157:H7 strains (26% A allele, 74% T allele) to identify linked differences that might underlie disease association. The average chromosome and pO157 plasmid size and gene content were significantly greater within the tir 255 A allele strains. Eighteen coding sequences were unique to tir 255 A allele chromosomes, and three were unique to tir 255 T allele chromosomes. There also were non-pO157 plasmids that were unique to each tir 255 allele variant. The overall average number of prophages did not differ between tir 255 allele strains; however, there were different types between the strains. Genomic and mobile element variation linked to the tir 255 polymorphism may account for the increased frequency of the T allele isolates in human disease.