bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing ventilation through ambient carbon dioxide concentrations across multiple healthcare levels in Ghana
Authors: Crews Cecilia , Angwaawie Paul , Abdul-Mumin Alhassan , Yabasin Iddrisu Baba , Attivor Evans , Dibato John , Coffee Megan P.
Published: August 2024

Infection prevention and control (IPC) measures safeguard primary healthcare systems, especially as the infectious disease landscape evolves due to climate and environmental change, increased global mobility, and vaccine hesitancy and inequity, which can introduce unexpected pathogens. This study explores the importance of an "always-on," low-cost IPC approach, focusing on the role of natural ventilation in health facilities, particularly in low-resource settings. Ambient carbon dioxide (CO2) levels are increasingly used as a measure of ventilation effectiveness allowing for spot checks and targeted ventilation improvements. Data were collected through purposive sampling in Northern Ghana over a three-month period. Levels of CO2 ppm (parts per million) were measured by a handheld device in various healthcare settings, including Community-Based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) facilities, municipal and teaching hospitals, and community settings to assess ventilation effectiveness. Analyses compared CO2 readings in community and hospital settings as well as in those settings with and without natural ventilation. A total of 40 facilities were evaluated in this study; 90% were healthcare facilities and 75% had natural ventilation (with an open window, door or wall). Facilities that relied on natural ventilation were mostly community health centers (60% vs 0%) and more commonly had patients present (83% vs 40%) compared with facilities without natural ventilation. Facilities with natural ventilation had significantly lower CO2 concentrations (CO2 ppm: 663 vs 1378, p = 0.0043) and were more likely to meet international thresholds of CO2 < 800 ppm (87% vs 10%, p = <0.0001) and CO2 < 1000 ppm (97% vs 20%, p = <0.0001). The adjusted odds ratio of low CO2 in the natural facilities compared with non-natural were: odds ratios, OR (95% CI): 21.7 (1.89, 247) for CO2 < 800 ppm, and 16.8 (1.55, 183) for CO2 < 1000 ppm. Natural ventilation in these facilities was consistently significantly associated with higher likelihood of low CO2 concentrations. Improved ventilation represents one cost-effective layer of IPC. This study highlights the continuing role natural ventilation can play in health facility design in community health care clinics. Most health facilities met standard CO2 thresholds, particularly in community health facilities. Further research is needed to optimize the use of natural ventilation. The use of a handheld devices to track a simple metric, CO2 levels, could improve appreciation of ventilation among healthcare workers and public health professionals and allow for them to target improvements. This study highlights potential lessons in the built environment of community primary health facilities as a blueprint for low-cost, integrated multi-layer IPC measures to mitigate respiratory illness and anticipate future outbreaks.
Comparison of metrics for assessing face washing behaviour for trachoma control
Authors: Greenland Katie , Collin Claire , Sinba Etu Edao , Guye Meseret , Hika Demitu , Macleod David , Schmidt Wolf-Peter , Shafi Abdurahman Oumer , Last Anna , Burton Matthew J.
Published: August 2024

There is currently no single, easy-to-use, reliable indicator to assess whether a face has been washed with soap in the context of trachoma elimination. This study aimed to compare survey report, script-based pictorial recall and facial cleanliness indicators as alternatives to structured observation for measuring face washing behaviour. This method validation study was nested in the Stronger-SAFE trial, Oromia Region, Ethiopia. Structured observation was conducted in randomly selected households for three hours from dawn. The primary caregiver in each household participated in a survey to capture (self)-reported behaviour and/or script-based pictorial recall, a routine-based diary activity to covertly capture information on face washing behaviour of themself and any children aged 1–12. Children 4–12 years old directly participated in the survey and pictorial recall in a subset of households. The facial cleanliness of children aged 1–12 was assessed qualitatively and using the quantitative Personal Hygiene Assessment Tool (qPHAT). Prevalence estimates, sensitivity, specificity and predictive values were computed for each behavioural indicator with observation data as the gold standard. The appropriateness of script-based pictorial recall was assessed using baseline and 3-month follow-up data. Baseline data were collected from 204 households in 68 clusters. Survey estimates of face washing and face washing with soap among caregivers and children were 32% to 60% and 5% to 31% higher than observed behaviour, respectively. Face washing prevalence estimates from pictorial recall were lower than survey estimates and comparable with observations for some face washing with soap indicators (0.3% to 13% higher than observations). Specificity of pictorial recall indicators was high (85% to 99%), but the sensitivity was low (0% to 67%), resulting in a low positive predictive value for all indicators. Both qualitative facial cleanliness indicators and qPHAT scores were poorly correlated with observed face washing earlier that morning. Pictorial recall overestimated face washing with soap among both caregivers and children following intervention delivery but not at baseline. Survey (self)-reported data on face washing is highly inaccurate. Script-based pictorial recall does not correctly classify those who wash their face with soap, and is subject to differential bias following intervention exposure, and facial cleanliness is a poor indicator of recent face washing in settings where faces become rapidly dirty again after washing. Alternatives to structured observation cannot be recommended to monitor the effectiveness of face washing interventions in community settings.

Trial Registration ISRCTN registry ISRCTN40760473, https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN40760473.
Development of an indirect ELISA for detecting Toxoplasma gondii IgG antibodies based on a recombinant TgIMP1 protein
Authors: Dong Hongjie , Zhang Junmei , Wang Qi , Shen Yanmei , Zhou Beibei , Dai Lisha , Zhu Wenju , Sun Hang , Xie Xiaoman , Xie Huanhuan , Xu Chao , Zhao Guihua , Yin Kun
Published: August 2024

Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is widely spread around the world, which can cause serious harm to immunosuppressed patients. Currently, the commercial test kits are poor at assessing T. gondii infection and vaccine effectiveness, making an urgent need to exploit effective enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with great performance to compensate for this deficiency. Here, the TgIMP1 recombinant protein was expressed in E. coli BL(21) cells. The TgIMP1 was purified with affinity chromatography and the reactivity was retained with anti-TgIMP1 antibodies. The TgIMP1 was then used to develop an indirect ELISA (IMP1-iELISA) and the reaction conditions of IMP1-iELISA were optimized. As a result, the cut-off value was determined to be 0.2833 by analyzing the OD450nm values of forty T. gondii-negative sera. The coefficient of variation of 6 T. gondii-positive sera within and between runs were both less than 10%. The IMP1-iELISA was non-cross-reactive with the sera of cytomegalovirus, herpes virus, rubella virus, Cryptosporidium spp., Theileria spp., Neospora spp. and Plasmodium spp.. Furthermore, the sensitivity and specificity of IMP1-iELISA were 98.9% and 96.7%, respectively, based on testing 150 serum samples. The results suggest that this IMP1-iELISA is specific, sensitive, repeatable and can be applied to the detection of T. gondii infections in the medical and health industries.
Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma enhanced the effect of metoprolol in chronic heart failure by inhibiting autophagy in male C57BL/6J mice
Authors: Zi-chang Niu , Xiao-ling Han , Qi Jin , Ting Liu , Ming-hui Ouyang , Hao-ping Mao
Published: August 2024

Background

Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma(GS) is frequently used as an adjuvant therapy for patients with heart failure (HF). Metoprolol is widely used in patients with HF. However, there is no report on the combined effects of GS and metoprolol in patients with HF.

Objective

This study investigated the combined effects of GS and metoprolol in male C57BL/6J mice with HF and the underlying mechanisms.

Materials and methods

We utilized a mouse myocardial HF model to measure the serum levels of creatine kinase (CK) and creatine kinase-MB form (CK-MB) using an automated biochemical analyzer. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and cardiac troponin (cTnT) levels were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Autophagy of myocardial cells was evaluated using transmission electron microscopy, and changes in signal pathway proteins related to autophagy were analyzed by Western blotting.

Results

GS combined with metoprolol improved heart function, reduced heart damage, and decreased serum levels of CK, CK-MB, LDH, and cTnT. The combination of GS and metoprolol decreased autophagy in myocardial cells by reducing the levels of autophagy-related proteins (LC3, p62, Beclin1, and Atg5) and increasing the ratios of p-PI3K/PI3K, p-Akt/Akt, and p-mTOR/mTOR.

Conclusion

GS enhanced the anti-heart failure effect of metoprolol. Its mechanism of action might be related to the inhibition of autophagy mediated by the activation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway.
Antimicrobial potentials of Pandanus amaryllifolius Roxb.: Phytochemical profiling, antioxidant, and molecular docking studies
Authors: Wahyuni Dwi Kusuma , Nuha Gita Aqila , Atere Tope Gafar , Kharisma Viol Dhea , Tari Vinaya Satyawan , Rahmawati Cici Tya , Murtadlo Ahmad Affan Ali , Syukriya Alvi Jauharotus , Wacharasindu Sumrit , Prasongsuk Sehanat , Purnobasuki Hery
Published: August 2024

The emergence of antimicrobial resistance has led to an urgent need for novel antimicrobial drugs. This study aimed to determine the antioxidant and antimicrobial potentials in silico and in vitro of Pandanus amaryllifolius Roxb. ethanolic extract. The extracts were subjected to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis to identify the compounds. In silico antimicrobial studies were performed to gain insights into the possible mechanism of action of the active compounds as antimicrobials. The antimicrobial activities of the ethanolic extracts were assessed using the agar well diffusion method against the Surabaya strain of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Antioxidant properties of the extract were done using DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate) and ABTS [2,2’-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid)] inhibition assays. The phytochemical screening revealed that the extract has high flavonoids and polyphenols contents. The GC-MS analysis detected the presence of 52 bioactive substances, with n-hexadecanoic acid, 9, 12, 15-octadecatrienoic acid, benzofuran 2,3-dihydro-. quinic acid, neophytadiene as major compound. Molecular docking studies showed that these compounds have a high binding affinity towards the target proteins, thereby inhibiting their activities. The ethanolic extract of P. amaryllifolius Roxb. exhibited antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. The IC50 were 11.96 ± 4.01 μg/ml and 26.18 ± 7.44 μg/ml for DPPH and ABTS. The diameters of inhibition zones (DIZ) and percentage of inhibition (PI) were calculated and varied for every single pathogen 16.44 ± 1.21mm/66.76 ± 4.92% (50%) and 21.22 ± 0.11mm/82.49 ± 3.91% (50%) for E. coli and S. aureus (DIZ/PI) respectively. Overall, this study provides information on the mechanism responsible for P. amaryllifolius Roxb. extract as a natural antimicrobe and lays the foundation for further studies to isolate and characterize the active compounds as antimicrobial candidates.
Transition of mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer’s disease: Medications as modifiable risk factors
Authors: Wang Ying , Li Mingfei , Haughton Dominique , Kazis Lewis E.
Published: August 2024

Background

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a pre-clinical stage of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Understanding the transition probabilities across the disease continuum of AD, ranging from MCI to AD to Mortality is crucial for the economic modeling of AD and effective planning of future interventions and healthcare resource allocation decisions. This study uses the Multi-state Markov model to quantify the transition probabilities along the disease progression and specifically investigates medications as modifiable risk factors of AD associated with accelerated or decelerated transition times from MCI to AD, MCI to mortality, and AD to mortality.

Methods

Individuals with MCI were identified from the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center between September 2005 and May 2021. A three-state Markov model was postulated to model the disease progression among three states: MCI, AD, and mortality with adjustment for demographics, genetic characteristics, comorbidities and medications. Transition probabilities, the total length of stay in each state, and the hazard ratios of the use of medications for diabetes, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia (the known modifiable risk factors of AD) were evaluated for these transitions.

Results

3,324 individuals with MCI were identified. The probability of developing AD after one year since the initial diagnosis of MCI is 14.9%. After approximately 6 years from the initial diagnosis of MCI, the probability of transitioning to AD increases to nearly 41.7% before experiencing a subsequent decline. The expected total lengths of stay were 5.38 (95% CI: 0.002–6.03) years at MCI state and 7.61 (95%CI: 0.002–8.88) years at AD state. Patients with active use of lipid-lowering agents were associated with significantly lower hazards of transitioning from MCI to AD (HR: 0.83, 95%CI:0.71–0.96), MCI to mortality (HR: 0.51, 95%CI:0.34–0.77), and AD to mortality (HR: 0.81, 95%CI:0.66–0.99).

Conclusions

Results suggest that lipid-lowering agents may confer a protective effect, delaying the onset of AD. Additionally, lipid-lowering agents indicate a favorable association with a longer survival time.
Longitudinal evidence of the influence of early life circumstances, family characteristics, social ties and psychological distress on healthy behaviours of Brazilian adults: The Pro-Saude cohort study
Authors: Vettore Mario V. , Stea Tonje H. , Zahl-Olsen Rune , Faerstein Eduardo
Published: August 2024

Background

This study examined the influence of early life circumstances, family characteristics, social ties and psychological distress in adulthood on adult’s health-related behaviours.

Methods

A cohort study (Pro-Saúde Study) involving technical and administrative civil servants at university campuses in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil was conducted in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Data from 2155 adults were collected at baseline (1999) and after a 13-year period (2012–13). Family characteristics at 12 years of age were assessed retrospectively in 1999. Gender, marital status, living situation, social support, social networks of relatives and psychological distress were also measured in 1999. Data collection in 2012–13 included information about marital status, social networks of relatives, cigarette smoking, fruit and vegetable consumption and physical exercise. A conceptual model testing the relationships between variables was assessed through structural equation modelling.

Results

Female gender (β = 0.043), better social networks of relatives in 1999 (β = 0.053) and 2012–13 (β = 0.069) and low psychological distress (β = -0.048) directly predicted less smoking. Better social networks of relatives in 2012–13 was directly linked to higher consumption of fruits (β = 0.045) and vegetables (β = 0.051) and being physically active (β = 0.070). Low psychological distress directly predicted higher fruit consumption (β = -0.040). Family characteristics at 12 years-old, marital status and living with other people were linked indirectly with health behaviours through social networks, social support and psychological distress.

Conclusions

Adults with better early life family and social circumstances, and those who were married reported positive health behaviours through indirect pathways. Stronger social ties and lower psychological distress represented the pathways by which early life circumstances and relationship status influenced positive health behaviours.
Short-term multicomponent exercise training improves executive function in postmenopausal women
Authors: Ramadhana Dani Rahmat , Putra Rizki Prayuda , Sibarani Michelle Abigail , Sulistiawati Sulistiawati , Sari Dewi Ratna , Rejeki Purwo Sri , Herawati Lilik , Argarini Raden
Published: August 2024

Declined cognitive function is commonly complained during the menopausal transition and continues afterward. Combining different exercises potentially leads to greater improvements in cognitive function, however, evidence of the benefits that accrue with multicomponent exercise training, specifically for postmenopausal women is limited. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of short-term multicomponent exercise training programs on executive function in postmenopausal women. Thirty women (59.8 ± 5.2 years), who were at least 12 months post menopause were allocated into a control (CON) group and an exercise (EX) training group. The EX group underwent a 2-week (five times/week) multicomponent exercise program comprising aerobic, strength, flexibility, and balance exercises for 40–60 min. Executive function was assessed by using the Stroop test and global cognitive function was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) at baseline (pre) and after 2 weeks (post) of exercise. The EX group showed improved performance in the Stroop test, with faster inhibition reaction time (ES (g) = 0.76; p = 0.039) and fewer errors across all tasks (color naming: g = 0.8, p = 0.032; word reading: g = 0.88, p = 0.019; inhibition: g = 0.99, p = 0.009; switching: g = 0.93, p = 0.012) following exercise intervention. Additionally, statistical analysis of the MMSE score showed a significant improvement (g = 1.27; p = 0.001). In conclusion, our findings suggest that a short-term multicomponent exercise program improves selective tasks of executive function in postmenopausal women along with global cognitive function.

Trial registration

ISRCTN13086152
Applying masked autoencoder-based self-supervised learning for high-capability vision transformers of electrocardiographies
Authors: Sawano Shinnosuke , Kodera Satoshi , Setoguchi Naoto , Tanabe Kengo , Kushida Shunichi , Kanda Junji , Saji Mike , Nanasato Mamoru , Maki Hisataka , Fujita Hideo , Kato Nahoko , Watanabe Hiroyuki , Suzuki Minami , Takahashi Masao , Sawada Naoko , Yamasaki Masao , Sato Masataka , Katsushika Susumu , Shinohara Hiroki , Takeda Norifumi , Fujiu Katsuhito , Daimon Masao , Akazawa Hiroshi , Morita Hiroyuki , Komuro Issei
Published: August 2024

The generalization of deep neural network algorithms to a broader population is an important challenge in the medical field. We aimed to apply self-supervised learning using masked autoencoders (MAEs) to improve the performance of the 12-lead electrocardiography (ECG) analysis model using limited ECG data. We pretrained Vision Transformer (ViT) models by reconstructing the masked ECG data with MAE. We fine-tuned this MAE-based ECG pretrained model on ECG-echocardiography data from The University of Tokyo Hospital (UTokyo) for the detection of left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD), and then evaluated it using multi-center external validation data from seven institutions, employing the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) for assessment. We included 38,245 ECG-echocardiography pairs from UTokyo and 229,439 pairs from all institutions. The performances of MAE-based ECG models pretrained using ECG data from UTokyo were significantly higher than that of other Deep Neural Network models across all external validation cohorts (AUROC, 0.913–0.962 for LVSD, p < 0.001). Moreover, we also found improvements for the MAE-based ECG analysis model depending on the model capacity and the amount of training data. Additionally, the MAE-based ECG analysis model maintained high performance even on the ECG benchmark dataset (PTB-XL). Our proposed method developed high performance MAE-based ECG analysis models using limited ECG data.
Puerarin alleviates oxaliplatin-induced neuropathic pain by promoting Nrf2/GPX4-mediated antioxidative response
Authors: Dai Changqi , Zhen Fangshou , Yu Liangzhu , Xin Shen
Published: August 2024

Oxaliplatin (OXA) as the platinum-based agent induces the cumulative neuropathy including functional impairment and neuropathic pain. OXA treatment triggered oxidative stress and inflammatory reaction in the spinal cord. Puerarin as a natural product has the neuroprotective effect on neuropathic pain. Hence, the roles and mechanisms of Pue on OXA induced neuropathic pain were studied. In this study, OXA-induced neuropathic pain mouse model was constructed by oxaliplatin injection for 5 consecutive days and two cycles. Pue (10 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally for seven consecutive days. The changes of behavior, morphology and levels of related proteins were detected. As a result, OXA-induced mice exhibited as the increased pain hypersensitivity, the impaired motor coordination, the activated NLRP3 inflammasome mediated inflammation and the suppressed nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) mediated antioxidative reaction in the spinal cord (P<0.05 vs Control). After Pue administration, the mechanical pain threshold, thermal pain latency, spontaneous pain number and motor latency were improved (P<0.05 vs OXA). In the spinal cord, Pue administration reduced the levels of inflammatory elements, increased the levels of antioxidative elements and decreased the levels of oxidative factors (P<0.05 vs OXA). Furthermore, Pue also bind with Nrf2 and increased the association of Nrf2 to glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4). In summary, Pue alleviates oxaliplatin induced neuropathic pain by enhancing Nrf2/GPX4-mediated antioxidant response and suppressing inflammatory reaction in the spinal cord.
Histological characterisation of the horn bud region in 58 day old bovine fetuses
Authors: Aldersey Johanna E. , Chen Tong , Petrovski Kiro , Williams John L. , Bottema Cynthia D. K.
Published: August 2024

The presence of horns in domestic ruminants, such as cattle, sheep and goats, has financial and welfare implications. The genetic interactions that lead to horn development are not known. Hornless, or polled, cattle occur naturally. The known causative DNA variants (Celtic, Friesian, Mongolian and Guarani) are in intergenic regions on bovine chromosome 1, but their functions are not known. It is thought that horns may be derived from cranial neural crest stem cells and the POLLED variants disrupt the migration or proliferation of these cells. Relaxin family peptide receptor 2 (RXFP2) is more highly expressed in developing horns in cattle compared to nearby skin and has been shown to play a role in horn development in sheep. However, the role of RXFP2 in horn formation is not understood. Histological analyses of cranial tissues from homozygous horned and polled cattle fetuses at day 58 of development was carried out to determine the differences in the structure of the horn bud region. Condensed cells were only observed in the horn bud mesenchyme of horned fetuses and could be the progenitor horn cells. The distribution of neural crest markers (SOX10 and NGFR) and RXFP2 between horned and polled tissues by immunohistochemistry was also analysed. However, SOX10 and NGFR were not detected in the condensed cells, and therefore, these cells are either not derived from the neural crest, or have differentiated and no longer express neural crest markers. SOX10 and NGFR were detected in the peripheral nerves, while RXFP2 was detected in peripheral nerves and in the horn bud epidermis. Previous research has shown that RXFP2 variants are associated with horn phenotypes in cattle an sheep. Therefore, the RXFP2 variants may affect the development of the epidermis or peripheral nerves in the horn bud.
The qualifications and competence in supervisory and management skills among recently graduated Finnish forestry professionals
Authors:   University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 111, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland, Manninen Heikki ,   South-Eastern  Finland University of Applied Sciences, P.O. Box 68, FI-50101 Mikkeli, Finland, Lehtimäki Hanna , Kilpeläinen Riitta , Lautanen Eila , Kärhä Kalle
Published: August 2024

In the past decade, research and several surveys have indicated that the competence of higher forestry education graduates does not meet the requirements of working life regarding supervisory and management skills. The aim of this study was to discover what kind of supervisory and management competence is required in the daily tasks of early-career forestry professionals, and to what extent the teaching of these skills would be advisable to include in higher forestry education. The study was implemented through a Webropol survey of the Master’s of Forestry graduates and forestry engineers graduated between 2018–2021, which mapped their supervisory and managerial duties and skills. The study population was 1046 people, of which 30.4% responded to the survey. The principal finding was of an apparent extensive need for the abovementioned skills, as supervisory duties are typical in the work of forestry professionals soon after their graduation. In this study, approximately one fifth of the employed respondents worked in a supervisory position, one third had supervisory or managerial duties, and half had an indirect network of subordinates. Supervisory skills were seen important for all forestry professionals regardless of their position. Moreover, self-management, team management, and well-being and occupational health management were regarded as important skills. However, there appeared to be notable gaps in all these skills. The study results contribute to improving working life orientation in higher forestry education. Based on these findings, we recommend that teaching of these subjects should be implemented by integrating the topics into field-specific courses.
Broadening Eligibility Criteria for Clinical Trials May Benefit Participating Patients
Authors:   Sunvalley Communication, LLC, Hofland Peter
Published: August 2024

Results of a review published in Clinical Cancer Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), seem to suggest that patients with treatment-refractory cancers who received eligibility and testing waivers to participate in a large basket/umbrella oncology trial, had similar rates of clinical benefit and adverse events as patients who participated in the trial without waivers.
Europe Approves First Immunotherapy plus PARP Inhibitor Combination in Endometrial Cancer
Authors:   Sunvalley Communication, LLC / Onco'Zine, Hofland Peter
Published: August 2024

The European Commission has approved durvalumab (Imfinzi®; AstraZeneca)* and olaparib (Lynparza®; AstraZeneca)**, the first immunotherapy and PARP inhibitor combination, for the treatment for certain patients with primary advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer.
Educator Excellence in the Era of Society 5.0: A Hadith Perspective
Authors: Onilivia Viva Fadma , Noptario Noptario
Published: August 2024

Abstract: In the disruptive era of Society 5.0, educators are required to continuously learn and adapt to technological advancements. This study aims to examine the concept of an exemplary educator from the perspective of Hadith, providing a reference for teachers to develop their potential in accordance with religious teachings. Utilizing a qualitative research approach and library research methods, this study explores various sources such as books, articles, and other relevant literature. The findings emphasize that to be a quality educator in the sophisticated era of Society 5.0, one must be adept at embracing change, utilizing technology effectively, and guiding students towards both worldly success and spiritual fulfillment. The discussion underscores the importance of balancing technological proficiency with religious principles, portraying educators as critical thinkers who embody the teachings of Prophet Muhammad SAW. This study contributes to the Islamic educational knowledge base by highlighting that the efforts to create excellent educators are also advocated in Islam through Hadith, thereby ensuring that future generations receive the best education aligned with religious teachings.
Abstrak: Di era disruptif Society 5.0, pendidik dituntut untuk terus belajar dan beradaptasi dengan kemajuan teknologi. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengkaji konsep pendidik yang unggul dari perspektif hadis, memberikan referensi bagi guru untuk mengembangkan potensinya sesuai dengan ajaran agama. Menggunakan pendekatan penelitian kualitatif dan metode penelitian kepustakaan, studi ini mengeksplorasi berbagai sumber seperti buku, artikel, dan literatur relevan lainnya. Temuan menekankan bahwa untuk menjadi pendidik yang berkualitas di era Society 5.0 yang canggih, seseorang harus mampu menghadapi perubahan, memanfaatkan teknologi secara efektif, dan membimbing peserta didik menuju kesuksesan duniawi dan pemenuhan spiritual. Pembahasan ini menekankan pentingnya keseimbangan antara kecakapan teknologi dan prinsip-prinsip agama, menggambarkan pendidik sebagai pemikir kritis yang meneladani ajaran Nabi Muhammad SAW. Penelitian ini berkontribusi pada khazanah pengetahuan pendidikan Islam dengan menyoroti bahwa upaya menciptakan pendidik yang unggul juga dianjurkan dalam Islam melalui hadis, sehingga generasi masa depan dapat menerima pendidikan terbaik yang sesuai dengan ajaran agama.
Dynamics and Morphology of Focal Adhesions in Complex 3D Environment
Authors: Tolde O. , Rösel D. , Janoštiak R. , Veselý P. , Brábek Jan
Published: August 2024

Focal adhesions are specific types of cellular adhesion structures through which both mechanical force and regulatory signals are transmitted. Recently, the existence of focal adhesions in 3D environment has been questioned. Using a unique life-like model of dermis-based matrix we analysed the presence of focal adhesions in a complex 3D environment. Although the dermis-based matrix constitutes a 3D environment, the interface of cell-to-matrix contacts on thick bundled fibres within this matrix resembles 2D conditions. We call this a quasi-2D situation. We suggest that the quasi-2D interface of cell-to-matrix contacts constituted in the dermis-based matrix is much closer to in tissue conditions than the meshed structure of mostly uniform thin fibres in the gel-based matrices. In agreement with our assumption, we found that the cell adhesion structures are formed by cells that invade the dermis-based matrix and that these structures are of similar size as focal adhesions formed on fibronectin‐coated coverslips (2D). In both 2D situation and the dermis-based matrix, we observed comparable vinculin dynamics in focal adhesions and comparable enlargement of the focal adhesions in response to a MEK inhibitor. We conclude that focal adhesions that are formed in the 3D environment are similar in size and dynamics as those seen in the 2D setting.
Low Expression of NQO1 Predicts Pathological Complete Response to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer Patients Treated with TAC Regimen
Authors: Grim Jiří , Jandík P. , Slánská I. , Doleželová-Brčáková E. , Fuksa L. , Ryška A. , Knížek J. , Petera J. , Mičuda S. , Hornychová H.
Published: August 2024

The aim of this study was to evaluate preoperative tumour expression of NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) along with other biological markers as potential predictors of pathological complete response (pCR) to neoadjuvant docetaxel, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide-containing (TAC) chemotherapy in patients with primary breast cancer. Sixty-one patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT) with TAC regimen were enrolled in this prospective study. The preand postNCT expression of oestrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), epidermal growth factor receptor 1 and 2 (EGFR and HER2), NQO1, Ki-67 proliferation index, multidrug resistance protein 1 (MDR1), p53 and BCL2 were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. The pCR was reached in 14 patients (23 % of the study group). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that patients with ER-, PR-, NQO1negative, and Ki‐67‐positive tumours had a significantly higher chance to achieve pCR. Within the biological subtypes, the highest pCR rate (50 %) was seen in triple-negative (i.e. ER-, PR-, HER2-) tumours. Post-operative evaluation showed that in comparison to pre-operative tissue samples, NQO1 expression was significantly increased, while Ki‐67 and HER2 decreased, in the residual tissue after NCT. In conclusion, the present data suggests that NQO1 expression may be a novel diagnostic biomarker for the prediction of positive response to NCT in patients with breast cancer.
Association between a Marker on Chromosome 9 and Acute Coronary Syndrome Confirmatory Study on Czech Population
Authors: Hubáček Jaroslav A. , Staněk V. , Gebauerová M. , Poledne R. , Aschermann M. , Skalická H. , Matoušková J. , Kruger A. , Pěnička M. , Hrabáková H. , Veselka J. , Hájek P. , Lánská V. , Adámková V. , Piťha J.
Published: August 2024

Myocardial infarction (MI) is the leading cause of death in industrialized countries. All the classical risk factors for MI are responsible for approximately 50 % of MI cases. Attention has therefore recently been attracted to those genetic variants that are not associated with conventional risk factors. One of them is the marker rs10757274 in the “genefree” zone on chromosome 9, which has been repeatedly recognized as a risk factor for development of MI in Western populations. We analysed the relationship between the rs10757274 variant on chromosome 9 and risk of the acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in Czech population. The rs10757274 (A > G) variant was successfully analysed (CR = 99.4 % for patients and 98.4 % for controls) by PCR-RFLP in consecutively examined 1,046 men and 281 women with ACS (age below 65 years) and in population-based controls – 1,162 men and 1,355 women (aged up to 65 years). ANOVA and χ2were used for statistical analysis. We confirmed that GG homozygotes are more frequent (codominant model of analysis) among patients with myocardial infarction than in the control group both inmen(28.5%vs.22.0%,P=0.0001,OR1.73,95% CI 1.36–2.19) and women (32.0 % vs. 24.6 %, P = 0.02, OR 1.62, 95 % CI 1.13–2.34). However, rs10757274 polymorphism was not associated with the classical risk factors either in control population or in ACS patients. We conclude that the rs10757274 variant at 9p23.1 is an important genetic risk factor for ACS development in the Czech population.
Employing the intellectual virtues to better understand argumentation interventions in education
Authors: Fortes Gabriel , De Brasi Leandro , Baumtrog Michael
Published: August 2024

Argumentation-based classroom interventions are a growing alternative for stimulating conceptual learning, thinking, and communicative skills. However, not all classroom argumentation is desired, nor does every argumentation design lead students to develop their abilities and understanding. In the educational literature, productive argumentation has been associated particularly with deliberation due to the design properties that deliberative practices demand from students, such as collaborating towards a goal, revising one’s own opinion, listening to others, and changing their minds when it is necessary to arrive at a collective decision or problem resolution. We contend that what makes deliberation productive is not argumentation in itself, but how a certain type of design scaffolds students into virtuous-like behavior, which can be the enabling condition for productive argumentation in classroom activities. Through the exploration of three cases of classroom argumentation and discussion experiences, we hypothesize that virtuous-like behavior may serve as an enabling condition for each intervention. In particular, intellectually humble behaviors could be scaffolded within these interventions because all three create the proper environment for students to revise their own positions, listen carefully to others, and change their minds in light of appropriate reasoning or new evidence. Employing an intellectual virtues framework, advances our understanding of how to design classroom environments for productive argumentation. This paper thus presents a novel and pioneering approach to understanding argumentation in the classroom by incorporating the concept of intellectual virtues, bridging the gap between virtues and traditional research, and offering fresh perspectives on the field.
The effects of drone transportation on routine laboratory, immunohematology, flow cytometry and molecular analyses
Authors: Weekx Steven , Van Lint Philippe , Jacobs Sam
Published: August 2024

Objectives

Transportation of medical samples between laboratories or hospital sites is typically performed by motorized ground transport. Due to the increased traffic congestions in urban environments, drone transportation has become an attractive alternative for fast shipping of samples. In accordance with the CLSI guidelines and the ISO 15189 standard, the impact of this transportation type on sample integrity and performance of laboratory tests must be thoroughly validated.

Methods

Blood samples from 36 healthy volunteers and bacterial spiked urine samples were subjected to a 20–40 min drone flight before they were analyzed and compared with their counterparts that stayed on the ground. Effects on stability of 30 routine biochemical and hematological parameters, immunohematology tests and flow cytometry and molecular tests were evaluated.

Results

No clinically relevant effects on blood group typing, flow cytometry lymphocyte subset testing and on the stability of the multicopy opacity-associated proteins (Opa) genes in bacterial DNA nor on the number of Abelson murine leukemia viral oncogene homolog 1 (abl) housekeeping genes in human peripheral blood cells were seen. For three of the 30 biochemistry and hematology parameters a statistically significant difference was found: gamma-glutamyl transferase (gamma-GT), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and thrombocyte count. A clinically relevant effect however was only seen for potassium and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH).

Conclusions

Multi-rotor drone transportation can be used for medical sample transportation with no effect on the majority of the tested parameters, including flow cytometry and molecular analyses, with the exception of a limited clinical impact on potassium and LDH.
On the energy decay of a coupled nonlinear suspension bridge problem with nonlinear feedback
Authors: Al-Gharabli Mohammad M.
Published: August 2024

In this article, we study a mathematical model for a one-dimensional suspension bridge problem with nonlinear damping. The model takes into consideration the vibration of the bridge deck in the vertical plane and main cable from which the bridge deck is suspended by the suspenders. We use the multiplier method to establish explicit and generalized decay results, without imposing restrictive growth assumption near the origin on the damping terms. Our results substantially improve, extend, and generalize some earlier related results in the literature.
On nonexistence ofD(n)-quadruples
Authors: Franušić Zrinka , Jurasić Ana
Published: August 2024

In this paper, we show that there is no polynomialD(n)-quadruple in ℤ[X] for some polynomialsn∈ ℤ[X] that are not representable as a difference of squares of two polynomials in ℤ[X].
Euclidean operator radius inequalities of d-tuple operators and operator matrices
Authors: Jana Suvendu , Bhunia Pintu , Paul Kallol
Published: August 2024

We study Euclidean operator radius inequalities of d-tuple operators as well as the sum and the product of d-tuple operators. A power inequality for the Euclidean operator radius of d-tuple operators is also studied. Further, we study the Euclidean operator radius inequalities of 2 × 2 operator matrices whose entries are d-tuple operators.
On certain star versions of the Hurewicz property using ideals
Authors: Chandra Debraj , Alam Nur
Published: August 2024

This article is a continuation of the study of star-𝓘-Hurewicz and strongly star-𝓘-Hurewicz properties done in [Das et al.:On certain variations of 𝓘-Hurewicz property, Topology Appl. 251 (2018), 363–376]. We primarily consider and study the relative versions of star-𝓘-Hurewicz and strongly star-𝓘-Hurewicz properties. We study their relationships with the star-Hurewicz, strongly star-Hurewicz, star-𝓘-Hurewicz, strongly star-𝓘-Hurewicz and similar other properties. Few related games are also studied.
Some animal protein antigens identified in cells of two plant species
Authors: Sahin İbrahim , Eroksuz Yesari , Ugur Kader , İncili Canan Akdeniz , Eroksuz Hatice , Aydin Gizem Nur , Ozpolat Emine , Bildirici Furkan , Aydin Suleyman
Published: August 2024

Objectives

It has been recently reported that immune activity of some animal peptides/proteins has been found in some plants. In this study, the presence of immune reactivity of alarin, asprosin, paraoxonase, elabela, glucagon, and nesfatin-1 like molecules was investigated in two plant species related to Kastamonu Taşköprü garlic (an endemic cultivar of the Allium sativum L.) and Tunceli garlic (Allium tuncelianum).

Methods

Ten Kastamonu and 10 Tunceli garlic were embedded in paraffin blocks and 4–5 μm transversal and longitudinal sections were taken and stained by immunohistochemical method. In addition, 500 mg of wet tissue samples were homogenized from these garlic and supernatants were obtained. The amounts of alarin, asprosin, elabela, glucagon and nesfatin-1 were studied by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method and paraoxonase was studied by spectrophotometric method.

Results

Studied molecules show immune reactivity in the cytoplasm of the bulb storage cells of the plants parenchyma. The ELISA supernatant results also confirmed the presence of these animal molecules in the plants.

Conclusions

Although we cannot reveal the purpose of the presence of these animal molecules detected in plants with these existing data, we predict that these data will be a source of inspiration in the field of botany, that studies will shift in this direction and that they might contribute to the revision of the evolutionary processes of all living things, especially an ancestor of garlics.
O Horizonte Temático-Axiológico do Gênero Perfil no AVEA: uma análise das escritas sobre si na aula virtual
Authors: Rohling Nívea
Published: August 2024

Este artigo apresenta uma análise de enunciados do gênero perfil, postados no Ambiente Virtual de Ensino e Aprendizagem (AVEA) de um curso de Licenciatura Letras-Português-EaD de uma universidade pública federal do sul do Brasil. A fundamentação teórico-metodológica insere-se na Análise Dialógica do Discurso, do Círculo de Bakhtin. Os dados da pesquisa compõem-se de 61 enunciados postados no ambiente virtual de ensino e aprendizagem (2008/1). No texto perfil, os licenciandos constroem uma imagem de si a seus interlocutores a partir de uma relação de alteridade e de excedentede visão.
Análise de Expressões Idiomáticas italianas com as lexias capo e testa e seu correspondente cabeça, em língua portuguesa
Authors: Lodi Ariane , Amadeu-Sabino Marilei
Published: August 2024

O presente trabalho tem por objetivo investigar as Expressões Idiomáticas (EIs) ou combinatórias relacionadas às lexias italianas testa e capo, comparativamente com a lexia portuguesa cabeça. Por serem de étimos diferentes, testa e capo não são sinônimos perfeitos; ao contrário, deram origem a várias expressões que são próprias de cada lexia. Para isso, selecionamos o corpus em dicionários italianos monolíngües de língua geral e, em seguida, classificamos as ocorrências conforme a tipologia na qual se encaixam: EIs existentes apenas com capo, ou apenas com testa, EIs com sinônimos em capo e testa, e EIs cujas traduções fazem referência a outras partes do corpo. Como resultado, verificamos que a maior parte das EIs com capo ou testa possuem semas que lhes são comuns, mas que boa parte delas também são específicas de uma ou outra lexia, exclusivamente, confirmando a diferença de traços semânticos entre elas e a não-univocidade entre as línguas.
Reading multiple sources online
Authors: Viana Coscarelli Carla , Coiro Julie
Published: August 2024

Nesse artigo, discutimos sobre os componentes da leitura online e como promover habilidades e estratégias que ela requer do leitor contemporâneo Defendemos que a leitura em ambientes digitais e a leitura do impresso não devem ser vistas como atividades polarizadas, ou antagônicas, mas como um conjunto de práticas complementares. A leitura na Internet, no entanto, complexifica algumas das habilidades requeridas na leitura do impresso, uma vez que o leitor precisa lidar com questões como a hipertextualidade e a multimodalidade, bem como navegar por múltiplas fontes de informação enquanto, executa múltiplas tarefas simultaneamente. Focalizamos aqui o trabalho com múltiplas fontes, discutindo o papel da navegação, localização, seleção e avaliação, entre outros processos requeridos dos leitores online produtivos. Acreditamos que essas informações sejam importantes para orientar o trabalho do professor que busca dar suporte aos alunos no desenvolvimento de habilidades essenciais para a leitura em ambientes digitais.
Dynamic Formation of a Posterior-to-Anterior Peak-Alpha-Frequency Gradient Driven by Two Distinct Processes
Authors: Smith Max Kailler , Grabowecky Marcia , Suzuki Satoru
Published: August 2024

Peak-alpha frequency varies across individuals and mental states, but it also forms a negative gradient from posterior to anterior regions in association with increases in cortical thickness and connectivity, reflecting a cortical hierarchy in temporal integration. Tracking the spatial standard deviation of peak-alpha frequency in scalp EEG, we observed that a posterior-to-anterior gradient dynamically formed and dissolved. Periods of high spatial standard deviation yielded robustly negative posterior-to-anterior gradients—the “gradient state”—while periods of low spatial standard deviation yielded globally converged peak-alpha frequency—the “uniform state.” The state variations were characterized by a combination of slow (0.3–0.5 Hz) oscillations and random-walk-like fluctuations. They were relatively independently correlated with peak-alpha frequency variations in anterior regions and peak-alpha power variations in central regions driven by posterior regions (together accounting for ∼50% of the state variations), suggesting that two distinct mechanisms modulate the state variations: an anterior mechanism that directly adjusts peak-alpha frequencies and a posterior–central mechanism that indirectly adjusts them by influencing synchronization. The state variations likely reflect general operations as their spatiotemporal characteristics remained unchanged while participants engaged in a variety of tasks (breath focus, vigilance, working memory, mental arithmetic, and generative thinking) with their eyes closed or watched a silent nature video. The ongoing state variations may dynamically balance two global processing modes, one that facilitates greater temporal integration (and potentially also information influx) toward anterior regions in the gradient state and the other that facilitates flexible global communication (via phase locking) in the uniform state.