bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impact of the RTS,S malaria vaccine on uncomplicated malaria: evidence from the phase IV study districts, Upper East Region, Ghana, 2020–2022
Authors: Adjei Michael Rockson , Okine Rafiq , Tweneboah Peter Ofori , Baafi Janet Vanessa , Afriyie Nana Akua , Teviu Emmanuel Akwoulo Agyigewe , Nyuzaghl Josephat Ana-Imwine , Dzotsi Emmanuel Kofi , Ohene Sally-Ann , Grobusch Martin Peter
Published: October 2024

Background

The RTS,S malaria vaccine has been prequalified for use in endemic settings prioritizing areas with moderate to high disease transmission. The impact of a vaccine at the population level may differ from observations during clinical trial due to programmatic, and individual-related factors, among others. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of the RTS,S malaria vaccine on uncomplicated malaria among children aged 12–59 months in the Phase IV study districts, Upper East Region, Ghana.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted using routine malaria surveillance data for the period 2020–2022. The burden of uncomplicated malaria was compared between the implementing (Kasena Nankana East and West districts) and comparator areas (Builsa North and South districts). The impact of RTS,S malaria vaccine was assessed by estimating the percentage reduction in uncomplicated malaria and incidence averted in the implementing area, accounting for the effect of confounders.

Results

Over 50,000 episodes of uncomplicated malaria among children aged 12–59 months were included in the study. Uncomplicated malaria was reduced by 33% (95%CI 29–36) over the entire study period, but the malaria incidence averted declined from 324/1,000 (95% CI 298–339; p < 0.0001) in 2020 to 287/1000 (95% CI 274–299; p < 0.0001) in 2022.

Conclusion

The RTS,S malaria vaccine significantly reduced the burden of uncomplicated malaria among children aged 12–59 months in the implementing area. The sequential marginal declines in malaria incidence averted over the study period might be due to waning of protective immunity and acquisition of natural immunity as children age. Strengthening uptake of the currently recommended vaccines and other malaria control interventions is required to improve public health impact.
Understanding genetic variations associated with familial breast cancer
Authors: Pal Manjusha , Das Doutrina , Pandey Manoj
Published: October 2024

Background

Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer among women. Genetics are the main risk factor for breast cancer. Statistics show that 15–25% of breast cancers are inherited among those with cancer-prone relatives. BRCA1, BRCA2, TP53, CDH1, PTEN, and STK11 are the most frequent genes for familial breast cancer, which occurs 80% of the time. In rare situations, moderate-penetrance gene mutations such CHEK2, BRIP1, ATM, and PALB2 contribute 2–3%.

Methods

A search of the PubMed database was carried out spanning from 2005 to July 2024, yielding a total of 768 articles that delve into the realm of familial breast cancer, concerning genes and genetic syndromes. After exclusion 150 articles were included in the final review.

Results

We report on a set of 20 familial breast cancer -associated genes into high, moderate, and low penetrance levels. Additionally, 10 genetic disorders were found to be linked with familial breast cancer.

Conclusion

Familial breast cancer has been linked to several genetic diseases and mutations, according to studies. Screening for genetic disorders is recommended by National Comprehensive Cancer Network recommendations. Evaluation of breast cancer candidate variations and risk loci may improve individual risk assessment. Only high- and moderate-risk gene variations have clinical guidelines, whereas low-risk gene variants require additional investigation. With increasing use of NGS technology, more linkage with rare genes is being discovered.
Assessing changes in COVID-19 vaccine uptake and intentions among the Brigada Digital Latino social media audience: a repeated cross-sectional study
Authors: Riggle-van Schagen Courtney , Andrade E. L. , Chandarana S. , Lu N. , González A. , Favetto C. , Gómez V. , Palacios C. , Díaz-Ramírez M. , Edberg M. C.
Published: October 2024

Background

U.S. Latinos experienced disproportionate COVID-19 impacts in terms of morbidity and mortality. Vaccination against COVID-19 is an important strategy for mitigating health impacts, and yet, vaccine uptake was slower among U.S. Latino adults compared to other racial/ethnic groups. Vaccine hesitancy has been a significant barrier within Latino communities, and exposure to misinformation has been associated with negative attitudes toward vaccination. While some COVID-19 mitigation efforts have included community-based outreach, few studies have explored the impact of community-based digital messaging in Spanish to counter COVID-19 misinformation, build trust, and promote vaccination. To address this gap, we conducted a one-year repeated cross-sectional study to assess changes in COVID-19 vaccine uptake, intentions, and perceived norms, as well as barriers to accessing reliable information and levels of trust in COVID-19 information sources among Latino adults exposed to Brigada Digital de Salud social media content. This culturally-tailored content disseminated on Facebook, Instagram, and X platforms was amplified by community health workers and partners, and focused on COVID-19 risk and prevention, vaccine safety and efficacy, and correcting related misinformation.

Results

Statistically significant increases in COVID-19 vaccination and intentions to vaccinate children were observed from May 2022 (wave 1) to April 2023 (wave 2). Among perceived difficulties accessing information, respondents indicated the most difficulty in judging the reliability of COVID-19 information in the media; however, a statistically significant decrease in perceived difficulty was observed between waves. With regard to trust in COVID-19 information sources, levels of trust were highest for healthcare providers in both waves, and there were statistically significant increases in trust in the FDA to ensure COVID-19 vaccine safety and trust in the federal government to ensure child COVID-19 vaccine safety at wave 2.

Conclusions

Social media messaging by trusted community-based sources shows promise as a strategy for combating health misinformation and ameliorating information access gaps for language minority populations. This digital approach represents an important tool for deploying critical information to underserved populations in public health emergency and crisis contexts, and for supporting changes in attitudes, trust, and behaviors to improve health outcomes.
Lightweight technology stacks for assistive linked annotations
Authors: Thalhath Nishad
Published: October 2024

This report presents the findings of a project from the 8th Biomedical Linked Annotation Hackathon (BLAH) to explore lightweight technology stacks to enhance assistive linked annotations. Using modern JavaScript frameworks and edge functions, in-browser Named Entity Recognition (NER), serverless embedding and vector search within web interfaces, and efficient serverless full-text search were implemented. Through this experimental approach, a proof of concept to demonstrate the feasibility and performance of these technologies was demonstrated. The results show that lightweight stacks can significantly improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of annotation tools and provide a local-first, privacy-oriented, and secure alternative to traditional server-based solutions in various use cases. This work emphasizes the potential of developing annotation interfaces that are more responsive, scalable, and user-friendly, which would benefit bioinformatics researchers, practitioners, and software developers.
Molecular diagnostic approach to rare neurological diseases from a clinician viewpoint
Authors: Lee Jin Sook
Published: October 2024

Advancements in sequencing technology have significantly enhanced diagnostic capabilities for rare neurological diseases. This progress in molecular diagnostics can greatly impact clinical management and facilitate the development of personalized treatments for patients with rare neurological diseases. Neurologists with expertise should raise clinical awareness, as phenotyping remains crucial for making a clinical diagnosis, even in the genomics era. They should prioritize different types of genomic tests, considering both the benefits and the limitations inherent to each test. Notably, long-read sequencing is being utilized in cases suspected to involve repeat expansion disorders or complex structural variants. Repeat expansion disorders are highly prevalent in neurological diseases, particularly within the ataxia group. Significant efforts, including periodic reanalysis, data sharing, or integration of genomics with multi-omics studies, should be directed toward cases that remain undiagnosed after standard next-generation sequencing.
Trends in suicide mortality rates in the Republic of Cyprus between 2004 and 2020: changes in age, gender and suicide method
Authors: Chatzittofis Andreas , Middleton Nicos , Karanikola Maria
Published: October 2024

Background

The Republic of Cyprus has recorded the greatest increase in suicide mortality among Eastern Mediterranean countries, with an average annual increase of 5.1% in 2000–2019.

Aims

To investigate trends in suicide mortality rates between 2004 and 2020 in the Republic of Cyprus, with a focus on age, gender and suicide methods.

Method

Suicide deaths (ICD-10 taxonomy, including ‘undetermined’ code) and population denominators were obtained from the National Mortality Registry and Statistical Office, respectively. Directly standardised (European Standard) mortality rates were calculated for four gender and age groups. Annual change was estimated using Poisson regression models with interaction terms to assess differential trends over different time periods.

Results

There were 560 suicide deaths; these were four times more frequent in men, and approximately 80% were classified as ‘violent’ for both genders. The male suicide rate doubled from 4–5 to 9–10 per 100 000, mostly before 2012, representing a 9% annual change (rate ratio = 1.09, 95% CI 1.03, 1.15; P = 0.002). From 2013, the trend reversed (effect modification P < 0.001) with a 4% annual decrease (95% CI −9%, 1%). Declines were not uniform across all age groups; rates in males aged 45–64 years continued to rise, surpassing the previously high rate in males aged 25–44 years. Rates in females declined from 4–5 per 100 000 to 2–3 over the study period. Overall, the male-to-female suicide rate ratio was 5.33 (95% CI 3.46, 8.19) in 2017–2020, compared with 2.73 (1.88, 3.95) in 2004–2008.

Conclusion

Although suicide rates remain relatively low, the gender differential has widened in the Republic of Cyprus. Further analysis of trends in relation to unemployment and other socioeconomic indicators is warranted.
Childhood psychosocial adjustment and midlife obesity, diabetes and hypertension: prospective study from two birth cohorts
Authors: Liu Lin , Wu Kevin Chun Hei , Cai Anping , Xu Aimin , Cheung Bernard M. Y.
Published: October 2024

Background

Understanding how childhood psychosocial adjustment (CPA) influences later life health outcomes is crucial for developing interventions to mitigate the long-term risk of cardiometabolic diseases (CMDs).

Aims

To investigate the association between CPA and incident CMDs in mid-life, and the mediating roles of educational attainment, smoking habits and depression during young adulthood.

Method

A prospective cohort study utilised data from the 1958 National Child Development Study (NCDS; 1958–2013) and the 1970 British Cohort Study (BCS70; 1970–2018), encompassing 22 012 participants assessed for CPA in childhood, who were subsequently evaluated for educational attainment, smoking habits and depression in young adulthood, followed by assessments for CMDs in mid-life. CPA was assessed using the Bristol Social Adjustment Guides in the NCDS and the Rutter Child Behaviour Scale in the BCS70, with higher scores indicating poorer psychosocial adjustment. The primary outcomes were the mid-life incidences of hypertension, diabetes and obesity.

Results

Compared with children in the lowest tertile for CPA scores, those in the middle tertile had an adjusted odds ratio for hypertension of 0.98 (95% CI 0.90–1.06), whereas those in the highest tertile had an odds ratio of 1.17 (95% CI 1.08–1.26). For diabetes, the corresponding odds ratios (95% CI) were 1.15 (0.98–1.35) and 1.39 (1.19–1.62). For obesity, the corresponding odds ratios (95% CI) were 1.08 (1.00–1.16) and 1.18 (1.09–1.27). These associations were partially mediated by educational attainment (2.4–13.9%) and depression during young adulthood (2.5–14.9%).

Conclusions

Poorer CPA is correlated with the development of hypertension, diabetes and obesity in mid-life. Interventions aimed at improving CPA may help in reducing the burden of these diseases in later life.
Building an Effective International Medical Evacuation Program for Ukrainian Patients With Cancer Amid Prolonged Military Conflict
Authors: Huivaniuk Inesa , Kopetskyi Viacheslav , Ivanykovych Taras , Nikiforchin Andrei , Kizub Darya , Antoniv Marta , Dzhemiliev Ali , Powell Brittany , Yaniuta Saar , Kacharian Arman , Podolianko Anna , Melnitchouk Nelya
Published: October 2024

PURPOSE

During military conflicts, the immediate response to a severely disrupted health care system often overlooks the needs of patients with cancer who require continuous specialized care. The full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 was no exception, leaving many Ukrainian patients without access to essential care.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study to assess the impact of the MedEvac program, facilitating the transfer of Ukrainian patients with cancer to European Union (EU) institutions for treatment, and to describe its components. Patient data from the Ministry of Health of Ukraine (MOH) database (April 2022-April 2023) were analyzed.

RESULTS

Of 639 applications in the MOH database, 339 (53.1%) had sufficient data for analysis and, of those, 281 (82.9%) were evacuated to EU hospitals. Median age of evacuated patients was 47 (IQR, 38-58) years and most were newly diagnosed (94.0%, n = 264). Predominantly, patients were evacuated for systemic cancer therapy (81.9%, n = 230). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that a good performance status (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group 0-2) was the most significant factor associated with evacuation (odds ratio [OR], 9.64 [95% CI, 3.08 to 30.23]). Patients with melanoma were more likely to be evacuated, even after adjustment for performance status (OR, 2.56 [95% CI, 1.14 to 5.72]), while patients with head and neck cancer were significantly less so (OR, 0.20 [95% CI, 0.06 to 0.72]).

CONCLUSION

MedEvac program provides a viable model for medical evacuation and management of patients with cancer amid prolonged military conflict, highlighting the importance of international cooperation and setting a precedent for other crisis responses. Continuous evaluation and adaptation are essential to ensure the program's effectiveness and sustainability.
Automated mobile acceptance system solutions for use in special medicine
Authors: Arapov Denis , Kuritsyn Vladimir , Skorobogatov Stanislav
Published: October 2024

The paper presents a solution to the problem of developing an automated mobile decision-making system to assist the practicing surgeon in choosing the type of surgical repair and mathematical prediction of the performance of patients with postoperative multi-sized median hernias of the anteri-or peritoneum. A literature review was carried out on the methods and techniques of surgical treatment of hernias of the anterior peritoneal wall, on mathematical modeling of the postoperative condition of patients, on the use of artifi-cial neural networks in medical practice. Based on blood oxygen saturation, intra-abdominal pressure was assessed. The adequacy and significance of the model parameters were determined, due to the nonlinearity of the latter, by the magnitude of the relative error. For medium-sized hernias, a comparative neural network modeling of patient indicators was performed, which did not reveal the advantage of using multilayer perceptrons. The software module for neural network modeling is implemented in Python version 3.11.7 in the Spyder programming environment. We implemented a ranking of types of hernias, which can be done according to their average sizes, and the ranking of surgical methods was carried out according to their degree of complexity from 1 to 6. Thus, in the Xcode 12.5.1 environment in the Objec-tive-C language, an automated mobile system for accepting re solutions for the Apple iPhone smartphone
Rare clinical presentations and advances in the treatment of Buerger's disease - narrative review
Authors: Chruścicki Damian , Bednarczyk Paulina , Kulej Wojciech , Płonka Wojciech , Pelc Marcin , Sitarek Gracjan , Żerek Marta , Waszczyński Jakub
Published: October 2024

Introduction
Buerger's disease (BD) is an inflammatory disease with an etiology that is still not fully understood. It involves venous and arterial vessels, of small and medium caliber, of the lower and upper extremities (Cacione et al., 2020). This inflammation predominantly affects young, tobacco-smoking men, usually those before the age of 40. Literature data relating to peripheral arterial disease in general, put the prevalence of BD at between 0.5%-5.6% in Western European countries (Liu et al., 2023; Öztan et al., 2023). In this paper, we summarized the latest literature reports on rare clinical images and new directions in the treatment of Buerger's disease.
Aim of the study
The purpose of this systematic review was to compile the latest literature on the etiology, atypical disease presentation, associations with other diseases and modern treatment of Buerger's disease. 
Materials and methods
The materials used by our team were obtained from a review of the currently available literature in the PubMed database. To search for articles, we used keywords such as: Buerger’s disease, thromboangiitis obliterans, thrombosis, atherosclerosis, Peripheral arterial disease, vasculitis.
Conclusion
In addition to its characteristic clinical presentation, Buerger's disease can present under a number of atypical forms. Such examples, less common conditions in the course of BD are intestinal vascular involvement mimicking the condition of acute abdomen, infertility condition due to gonadal involvement in the patient, possible correlation between the level of ASA (anti-sperm antibodies) and reduced fertility, the occurrence of nail lesions, renal complications, including the nephrotic syndrome, ocular or psychiatric manifestations. It is important for the clinician, in the diagnostic and therapeutic process at the onset of the described symptoms, not to exclude the possibility of an uncommon course of BD, to make a correct diagnosis and undertake optimal treatment.
Dermocosmetics in the management of Acne Vulgaris
Authors: Mich Anna , Ciesielski Radosław , Perkowska Klaudia , Kaźmierczak Anna , Izdebska Wiktoria , Sornek Patrycja , Borkowska Agata , Kiełb Anna , Pawlak Igor , Stanek Jakub
Published: October 2024

Treating acne vulgaris remains a significant challenge for dermatologists. Dermocosmetics are becoming an essential component of acne management. The active ingredients in dermocosmetics help support dermatological treatments, while gentle formulations help maintain the skin's lipid barrier, reduce transepidermal water loss, and minimize the risk of irritation. Our objective was to review the active ingredients and various preparations used in dermocosmetics for acne, and to emphasize the clinical evidence supporting their effectiveness.
Role of Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS) in the Management of Chronic Rhinosinusitis
Authors: Hamerska Julia , Hamerska Laura , Lipska Julia , Antczak Joanna , Kajka Anna , Fenrych Urszula , Wojtczak Karolina , Skupińska Olga , Bocianiak Bogumił , Ruta Damian
Published: October 2024

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a persistent inflammatory condition of the nasal and sinus mucosa, affecting over 10% of adults in Europe and the USA. Treatment primarily focuses on symptom management and improving quality of life, with initial approaches including saline irrigations, intranasal corticosteroids, and short-term antibiotics when necessary. When medical therapy fails, Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS) is considered. This minimally invasive procedure has been shown to effectively alleviate symptoms and enhance the quality of life in CRS patients, as demonstrated by various studies.
Aim
This study aims to gather and analyze the current knowledge on chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), with a specific focus on the surgical treatment known as Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS) and its effectiveness in improving patient outcomes. By reviewing existing literature and clinical studies, this article seeks to provide a comprehensive overview of how FESS impacts the quality of life in CRS patients, the factors influencing its success, and the associated risks and complications. 
Methods
The study contains data available in freely accessible databases like PubMed, the National Library of Medicine and Google Scholar. The databases were searched using the keywords such as chronic rhinosinusitis, CRS, functional endoscopic sinus surgery, FESS.
Labrar el pasado. Reflexiones sobre el oficio del historiador
Authors: Archila Neira Mauricio
Published: October 2024

Labrar el pasado recoge artículos publicados entre 1997 y 2017. Aunque cubre temas teóricos e historiográficos, encierra muchos rasgos autobiográficos que reflejan una trayectoria vital y académica en el último cuarto de siglo. Hay profundas continuidades en las distintas reflexiones, pero también importantes mutaciones. En todos estos años, he mantenido un acercamiento al pasado como un conjunto de hechos que, sin duda, ocurrieron, pero que no permanecen allí inermes para ser descubiertos. Las fuentes no hablan por sí solas, hay que interrogarlas. Además, este diálogo se hace siempre desde el presente, poniendo en juego no solo las destrezas teóricas y metodológicas, sino las opciones éticas y políticas. Y no puede ser de otra forma, pues los historiadores vivimos y actuamos en el presente. Algunos de mi generación queríamos conocer el pasado para transformar el presente y así proyectar un futuro mejor, lo que era más válido para América Latina. Consistente con estas opciones académicas, éticas y políticas adherí a la historia social, en su versión “desde abajo hacia arriba”. Espero que este libro ayude a labrar sólidas y rigurosas historias para que las nuevas generaciones sigan creyendo que otro mundo es posible.
Fashionable Consumer Technology, IT Fashion, and Consumer Behavior
Authors: Grover Varun , Zhan Xinhui , Sun Heshan , Jiang Dan (Claire)
Published: October 2024

This research examines the intersection of fashion and consumer technology, introducing the concept of “IT fashion” to describe how individual perceptions of technology as fashionable influence consumer behaviors. The paper introduces novel constructs associated with IT fashion and fashionable consumer technology, particularly perceived societal-level IT fashion (PSITF, reflecting a person’s perception of society’s views on a technology) and perceived fashionableness of IT (PFIT, capturing a person’s perception of the technology’s fashionableness). Through two empirical studies, we demonstrate that IT fashion significantly impacts consumer behaviors by enhancing the symbolic values associated with technology use. These findings suggest that marketers and technology developers should not only focus on the utilitarian aspects of technology but also on its aesthetic and symbolic appeals to boost consumer acceptance and market success. The paper contributes to policy by highlighting the need for a nuanced understanding of the sociocultural dimensions of technology adoption, encouraging stakeholders to consider these factors in strategy development and communication.
Mapping core habitats, landscape permeability, and movement corridors for conservation of desert bighorn sheep in Sonora, México
Authors: Segundo Galán Juan Manuel , Torres-Romero Erik Joaquín , Bender Louis C.
Published: October 2024

The desert bighorn (Ovis canadensis mexicana) is under Special Protection in México, but populations in Sonora have declined compared to historical levels and are increasingly isolated despite the high economic and ecological value of species.  Consequently, we assessed landscape permeability for desert bighorn in Sonora, using data from 39 GPS/satellite-collared individuals.  We modeled connectivity and least-cost corridors among 95 % aKDE core areas using Circuitscape and Linkage Mapper software from habitat association maps developed using maximum entropy modelling.  We identified a network of 83 potential corridors connecting 43 core areas; corridors ranged from <1 to 165 km in length.  We found two distinct areas in desert bighorn range in Sonora: a southern area characterized by high connectivity with shorter corridors of lesser resistance to movements, and a northern area characterized by much lower connectivity with longer corridors of greater resistance; connectivity between these two areas was limited.  These results illustrate the isolated distribution of many populations of desert bighorn and the limited connectivity between populations in northern and southern Sonora.  Our connectivity maps provide a background for targetting management actions aimed at facilitating the movement and expansion of desert bighorn populations in Sonora.  Consequently, they can guide conservation efforts that identify and promote preservation of key patches or corridors; facilitate habitat restorations within and around corridors; and enhance connectivity and thus viability of populations throughout Sonora.
Neotropical Bats play natural predators of medically important Culicidae
Authors: Segura-Trujillo Cintya A. , Álvarez-Castañeda Sergio Ticul , Castañeda-Rico Susette , Maldonado Jesús E.
Published: October 2024

Arthropodophagous bats are crucial to suppressing pest insect species, particularly those of human health interest, such as mosquitoes of the family Culicidae, which are vectors of several diseases.  Reports of culicid mosquitoes in the diet of bats are scarce, especially in tropical areas where diseases in which mosquitoes are vectors proliferate.  This study aimed to evaluate the presence of culicids in the diet of neotropical arthropodophagous bats using high-throughput sequencing.  We specifically aimed to assess bats as biological control agents and determine the presence of culicid mosquitoes in their diet using two sets of COI primers.  We assess the presence of culicid mosquitoes in the feces of bats belonging to different families, environments, and foraging strata in several neotropical regions.  We compare richness, percentage of reads, and incidence of genera of Culicidae identified with each primers’ set.  Seventeen of the 19 bat species studied show consumption of culicids.  The two primers’ sets yielded dissimilar results regarding several reads and culicid species and/or genera taxonomic levels.  Our findings indicate that bats from different families and foraging habits are biological control agents consuming different species of mosquitoes associated with diseases affecting the health of humans.
Distribution and karyotypic variation of Brazilian molossid bats (Chiroptera, Mammalia) (Chiroptera, Mammalia)
Authors: Silva de Souza Lorena , Veríssimo Louzada Nathália Siqueira , de Oliveira Corrêa Margaret Maria , Pessoa Leila Maria
Published: October 2024

Recent biogeographic studies have shown that geographically distant populations of different animal groups, including bats, can present genetic differentiation.  Given this, the objective here was to study the composition of Molossidae species that occur in Brazil and investigate whether these species present karyotypic differences between populations from different biomes.  A bibliographical survey was carried out, and the karyotypes found for each species were analyzed and compared in relation to the diploid number of chromosomes, the fundamental number of arms of the autosomal chromosomes, the centromeric position, and the presence of other structural chromosomal variations.  The results showed that of the 32 species of Molossidae recorded for Brazil, 14 have their karyotypes described.  Of these, only nine refer to specimens collected in Brazil.  For Molossus molossus, karyotypic variations were observed between the Amazon and the Atlantic Forest, and within the Amazon, in regions separated by the Amazon River.  Molossops temminckii showed variations among populations in the state of Minas Gerais.  Eumops perotis and Cynomops planirostris also showed differentiation between populations from the Amazon and the Atlantic Forest.  Molossus rufus showed variation between populations from the Atlantic Forest and Caatinga.  The variations observed were structural in autosomal and sexual chromosomes between different populations.  The species Cynomops abrasus, Eumops glaucinus, and Nyctinomops laticaudatus have studies only for the Atlantic Forest region, while Eumops hansae has karyotypic studies only for the Amazon region.  This study showed the existence of karyotypic variation between different populations of five species of molossids.  Furthermore, it highlighted the need for investment in knowledge of family karyology, which is scarce, with the aim of better understanding aspects of karyotypic evolution in this group.
Baird’s Tapir (Tapirus bairdii) avoid human settlements and roads while searching for water in community-owned forests from the Calakmul region
Authors: Huerta-Rodríguez Jonathan O. , Poot-Sarmiento Itzel , Duarte-Morales Alan , Martínez-Martínez Lizzi V. , Reyna-Hurtado Rafael
Published: October 2024

Baird’s tapir (Tapirus bairdii) populations are declining because of deforestation, fragmentation, poaching, and vehicle collisions.  Tapirs play an ecological role as seed dispersers and seed predators; therefore, their loss will impact plant communities.  This species prefers large areas with continuous native forest where human pressure is low and with permanent water bodies.  In the Calakmul region of Southern Mexico, there are no permanent water bodies, only seasonal ponds called locally “aguadas”.  These ponds have been crucial for tapir survival.  Communal lands of the Calakmul region are important for tapirs, offering more surface water than the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve.  Therefore, the objective of the present work was to determine the habitat features and anthropic factors influencing Baird’s tapir use of ponds on communal lands.  Our hypothesis was that Baird's tapirs would use seasonal ponds that are farther from roads and human settlements with higher frequency than ponds near roads and human settlements.  We set camera-trap stations for 50 days at 36 ponds on three communal lands from September to November 2022.  We measured 3 habitat covariates: presence/absence of water, normalized differential vegetation index, and vegetation type. The disturbance covariates were Euclidean distance to roads and human settlements, and the sampling effort as the number of days stations were active.  We evaluated the effect of these covariates in a single occupancy model, where we built detection histories in R v. 4. 2. 2 software.  We obtained 60 independent records of Baird’s tapir at 27 out of the 36 ponds with a sampling effort of 1,599 camera trap nights.  For tapir detection, the effort had a positive effect (β = 0.34 + 0.19, Wi = 0.66, p = 0.08).  Distance to roads had the strongest effect (positive) on Baird’s tapir occupancy (β = 1.2 + 1.27, Wi = 0.39, p = 0.34), while Distance to human settlements also had a positive effect (β = 0.49 + 0.65, Wi = 0.17, p = 0.45).  On communal lands from the Calakmul region, tapirs are searching for water sources on ponds far from roads and settlements to avoid potential conflicts with humans.  Although tapirs are not hunted, other factors associated with villages and roads might encourage tapirs to avoid these areas.  Communal lands have greater water availability in ponds than in the protected area, so therefore we recommend the creation of communal protected areas to preserve the remaining forests outside the reserve.  With the arrival of mega-projects like the Maya train, the economic development of the study region will likely increase.  For this reason, it’s of great importance that wildlife passages remain available and that mega-projects assure the free movement of tapirs to ponds in the Calakmul region.
Potential distribution of the Curaçaoan Long-nosed Bat, Leptonycteris curasoae: implications for monitoring and conservation
Authors: Otálora-Ardila Aída , Cuervo-Robay Angela P. , Nassar Jafet M. , Valdés-Cardona María Camila , Díaz-B Camila A. , Henáo-Rodríguez Maria P. , López-Arévalo Hugo F. , Montenegro Olga L.
Published: October 2024

Understanding the spatial distribution of animal species, which involves integrating species occurrence with environmental data, provides crucial information for conservation planning, especially for threatened species.  In this study, we used niche-based species distribution models to create a potential distribution map of Leptonycteris curasoae, a vulnerable fruit- and nectar-feeding bat.  This model incorporated occurrence data from field sampling, mammal collections, scientific literature, and environmental variables.  Additionally, we mapped the threats faced by L. curasoae and overlaid this data with protected area boundaries to identify priority conservation regions.  Our results indicate that the current and potential distribution of this species is considerably smaller (~9 %) than the area previously considered according to the IUCN Red List.  The potential distribution of L. curasoae is environmentally restricted to arid and semiarid areas and dry forests in Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Northern Colombia, and Venezuela, characterized by high temperatures, low precipitation, and seasonality in temperature and precipitation.  Approximately 22 % of the suitable areas for this species are within protected areas, and we observe differences in the magnitude of the area under protection and the impact of identified threats among countries.  Roost vandalism is the most critical threat in Curaçao and Venezuela, while mining, tourism, and wind farms are more frequent in Colombia.  Expanding or creating protected areas and roosts, jointly with establishing conservation corridors and connected private reserves across political boundaries, are high-priority conservation actions needed to guarantee safe mating and maternity roosts, long-distance movements, and connectivity of L. curasoae populations along its entire geographic distribution.
Attitudes of nurses and physicians working in hard-to-heal wound management towards person-centred care
Authors: Çakar Vildan , Karadağ Ayişe
Published: October 2024

Objective:

Person-centred care (PCC) is an important approach as it positively affects disease management. Guiding studies are needed on the use and development of PCC in hard-to-heal (chronic) wound management. This study aimed to determine attitudes and approaches of nurses and physicians working in hard-to-heal wound management towards PCC, and obtain their views and suggestions for its scope and improvement.

Method:

Participants of this descriptive survey study consisted of nurses and physicians responsible for hard-to-heal wound care and treatment in healthcare institutions at all levels in Turkey. Data were collected through a structured online survey shared with members of professional associations via social media platforms between March–November 2020. Descriptive statistics and qualitative inductive content analysis were used to analyse data.

Results:

Participants (n=418) included physicians (84.2%) and nurses (15.8%). Mean participant-graded their person-centred behaviour level was 8.18±1.80 (out of 10 points). The majority of participants reported that they informed patients about care, treatment processes and options (87.3%) as well as including them in the decision-making process (74.6%). Responses of the participants regarding the scope of PCC were classified into five main categories, the most prominent being: ‘individual’, ‘care’, ‘professional development’ and healthcare system’. Suggestions for the improvement of PCC were classified into seven main categories, with ‘personalised care’, ‘disease-specific care’, ‘continued training of healthcare professionals should be ensured’ and ‘home care system should be developed for the continuity of care’ among the prominent subcategories.

Conclusion:

The findings of this study suggests that education on PCC is an important approach. Institutional protocols and guidelines can support person-centred hard-to-heal wound management. In this study, the level of person-centred behaviour of the participants was determined to be good. Although the results of the study cannot be generalised to all health professionals—the majority of the participants were physicians—it is recommended to develop and disseminate the PCC model in hard-to-heal wound management using the findings.
Efficacy of combined hyperbaric oxygen therapy and topical haemoglobin spray in treating hard-to-heal sloughy wounds
Authors: Demir Levent
Published: October 2024

Objective:

This study examined the effectiveness of a combination of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) and topical haemoglobin spray in treating hard-to-heal, sloughy diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs).

Method:

Patients with hard-to-heal DFUs at least 25% sloughy or necrotic were included in the study. We compared the results of patients who received standard of care and HBOT with topical haemoglobin spray (oxygen group) to an equal number of patients who only received standard personalised wound care (control group). The initial values of haemoglobin A1C and C-reactive protein, wound culture results and SINBAD (site, ischaemia, neuropathy, bacterial infection, area, depth) scores were documented. Wounds were considered healed when completely closed within 16 weeks.

Results:

The oxygen group (n=21) had a mean SINBAD score of 5.00±0.89, while the control group (n=21) had a mean score of 4.62±0.80 (p=0.155). After 16 weeks, 85.7% of wounds in the oxygen group showed complete recovery, compared with 52.4% in the control group (p=0.02).

Conclusion:

In this study, a greater number of wounds in the oxygen group healed. Combining HBOT with topical haemoglobin spray provides oxygenation to the wound for longer, primarily because patients can receive 90 minutes of HBOT daily. This ensures that patients benefit from both systemic and local oxygen. This combination therapy may effectively address the problem of hypoxia and promote healing in hard-to-heal wounds.
Clinical efficacy and safety of a silver ion-releasing foam dressing on hard-to-heal wounds: a meta-analysis
Authors: Münter Karl-Christian , Lázaro-Martínez José Luis , Kanya Susanne , Sawade Linda , Schwenke Carsten , Pegalajar-Jurado Adoracion , Swanson Terry , Leaper David
Published: October 2024

Objective:

Delayed or stalled healing in open wounds can result from persisting chronic inflammation related to infection and/or persistent bacterial colonisation and biofilm. Treatment of hard-to-heal wounds focuses on debridement and exudate management, but also on infection prevention and control. Silver dressings have been evaluated in randomised clinical trials (RCTs); this meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy and safety of a silver ion-releasing foam dressing (Biatain Ag; Coloplast A/S, Denmark) to treat hard-to-heal wounds.

Method:

Literature databases (PubMed and Cochrane Library) were searched for studies on silver ion-releasing foam dressings in the treatment of hard-to-heal wounds. Individual patient data from four RCTs were obtained and included in the meta-analysis.

Results:

Findings showed that treatment with the silver ion-releasing foam dressing was associated with a significantly higher relative reduction in wound area after four (least squares-mean difference (LS-MD): –12.55%, 95% confidence interval (CI): (–15.95, –9.16); p<0.01) and six weeks of treatment (LS-MD: –11.94%, 95%CI: (–17.21, –6.68); p<0.01) compared with controls. Significant benefits were also observed for time to disappearance of odour (hazard ratio: 1.61, 95%CI: (1.31, 1.98); p<0.01), relative reduction of exudate (LS-MD: –5.15, 95%CI: (–7.36, –2.94); p<0.01), proportion of patients with periwound erythema (relative risk (RR): 0.81, 95%CI: (0.69; 0.94); p<0.01), and less pain at dressing removal (LS-MD: –0.35, 95%CI: (–0.63, –0.06); p=0.02). No differences regarding safety outcomes were identified.

Conclusion:

This meta-analysis has demonstrated beneficial outcomes and a good tolerability profile for silver ion-releasing foam dressings in the treatment of moderate-to-highly exuding wounds with delayed healing compared with control dressings.
International oil price uncertainty and enterprise investment efficiency: An empirical research of listed companies in China
Authors: Zhan Yonghui
Published: October 2024

This article investigates the effect of international oil price uncertainty on investment efficiency using quarterly data of Chinese A-share listed companies from 2011 to 2020. It is discovered that uncertainty about oil prices increases principal-agent conflicts and information asymmetry in enterprises, leads to more inefficient investment, and ultimately lowers firms’ investment efficiency. Furthermore, China’s unique property rights foundation, firm size, and life cycle limit the aforementioned consequences. Additional investigation reveals that by raising companies’ cash reserves, oil price uncertainty exacerbates overinvestment behavior. The study presented in this article can serve as a guide for businesses looking to make the best decisions in the context of volatile global oil prices and support their long-term, stable development.
Tritium uptake in crops in the area with a high level of atmospheric tritium oxide in the territory of the former Semipalatinsk test site
Authors: Polivkina Yelena , Syssoyeva Yelena , Ivanova Axana , Panitskiy Andrey , Kenzhina Laura , Monaenko Valeriy
Published: October 2024

During the period from 2019 to 2021, a series of experiments were carried out to study the uptake of tritium by crops in an area heavily contaminated with atmospheric tritium oxide (HTO), at the former Semipalatinsk test site in Kazakhstan. A quantitative assessment is given of the tritium uptake by typical crops (lettuce, tomatoes, peppers and beans) cultivated all over Kazakhstan in the case of a short-term tritium oxide vapor exposure. The plant samples were collected during and after exposure and analyzed for the tritium concentration in two chemical forms: tissue-free water tritium (TFWT) and organically bound tritium (OBT). During the entire series of experiments, the tritium concentration in free water from leaves and ambient air was of the same order of magnitude. The tissue water tritium concentrations of stems and edible parts was 1 to 2 orders of magnitude lower than in the surrounding air. The average value of the TFWT/HTOatm ratio in the leaves and the edible part was (0.73±0.2) and (0.04±0.002), respectively. The organically-bound tritium concentration is 1–2 orders of magnitude lower than the tissue water tritium and ambient air concentrations. Under aerial tritium oxide uptake, the distribution of tritium in non-leafy crops was as follows: leaf–stem–fruit (in decreasing order). After exposure, a non-significant amount of tritium is firmly retained in plants for a long time. The tissue water tritium concentrations correlate closely with atmospheric tritium oxid (r = 0.76), correlate weakly with temperature (r = 0.43) and relative humidity (r = -0.43), and correlate moderately with solar radiation intensity (r = 0.56). There was no reliable correlation between the concentration of tritium in organic matter and in ambient air. The concentration of tritium in the free water of leaves is closely correlated with the concentration in the free water of the stems (r = 0.95) and fruits (r = 0.78). The organically-bound tritium concentration in leaves is closely correlated with the organically-bound tritium concentration in stems (r = 0.99) and fruits (r = 98). The results of the study should be considered when evaluating the impact of tritium oxide emissions on the population living near nuclear power.
An improved nonsingular adaptive super twisting sliding mode controller for quadcopter
Authors: Abera Nardos Belay , Abdissa Chala Merga , Lemma Lebsework Negash
Published: October 2024

This paper presents an improved nonsingular adaptive super twisting sliding mode control for tracking of a quadrotor system in the presence of external disturbances and uncertainty. The initial step involves developing a dynamic model for the quadrotor that is free from singularities, achieved through the utilization of the Newton-Quaternion formalism. Then, the super twisting algorithm is used to develop a novel sliding mode control that mitigates chattering. Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) is employed for the adjustment of the controller gains. Moreover, to maintain stable control of the quadcopter, even in scenarios where the upper limit of disturbances is unknown, an adaptive rule grounded in Lyapunov stability is applied. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed controller reduces tracking errors to 0.1% for roll, 0.05% for pitch, and 2.2% for altitude, outperforming other state-of-the-art sliding mode controllers. Additionally, the proposed controller effectively rejects disturbances, maintaining minimal steady-state errors of 0.01° for roll, 0.02° for pitch, and 0.001° for yaw, significantly better than conventional controllers. These results highlight tracking and disturbance rejection capabilities of the proposed controller, making its real-time implementation for quadrotor Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) feasible.
Expression of PD-L1 in breast invasive lobular carcinoma
Authors: Shin Eunah , Kim Hye Min , Koo Ja Seung
Published: October 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression of PD-L1 in invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) and to determine its implications.

Methods

Tissue microarrays were constructed for 101 cases of ILC, and immunohistochemical staining for PD-L1 (using 22C3, SP142, and SP263 antibodies) was performed to examine the correlation between staining results and clinicopathologic parameters.

Results

The positive cut-off values were defined as tumor cell (TC)≥1%, immune cell (IC)>0%, and IC≥1%. The range of PD-L1 TC positivity was 0.0–2.0%, with PD-L1 SP263 TC showing the highest positivity of 2.0%. The range of PD-L1 IC positivity was 0–21.8% for IC ≥ 1%, with PD-L1 22C3 IC showing the highest positivity. When PD-L1 IC was positive (IC≥1%), the highest antibody agreement was observed between SP263 and SP142 (OA = 93.1%), while the lowest agreement was observed between 22C3 and SP263 (OA = 73.3%, κ = 0.040). PD-L1 22C3 IC positivity (≥1%) was associated with high nuclear grade (p = 0.002), HER-2 positivity (p = 0.019), and pleomorphic type (p = 0.002).

Conclusion

PD-L1 expression in ILC shows a low TC positivity rate (0–2%) with various antibody clones and a variable IC positivity rate (0–21.8%). Pleomorphic type ILC exhibits higher PD-L1 IC positivity.