bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oxidative Stress, Ferroptosis Indicators, and Nicorandil Efficacy in STEMI Patients During Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Authors: Jia Shengqi , Tian Dingyuan , Zhang Weifeng , Jia Haiyan , Zhang Jing , Jia Xinwei , Li Yongjun
Published: November 2024

Background

Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MI/RI) poses a significant challenge during coronary revascularization. This research investigated alterations in oxidative stress and ferroptosis, alongside the impact of nicorandil on these aspects, among patients undergoing acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and receiving primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI).

Methods

121 patients with STEMI who were undergoing pPCI were included in the study, and we documented their thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) blood flow grades before and after the procedure. The serum levels of creatine kinase-MB, creatinine, and N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NTpro-BNP) were assessed. Additionally, we analyzed serum levels of SIRT1, HIF-1α, GPX-4, FTH1, FSP1, 4-HNE, and SI before pPCI and 6 h post-pPCI. Follow-ups were conducted 12 weeks after discharge, with major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) documented.

Results

The nicorandil group showed significantly improved TIMI blood flow grades and lower CK-MB and NTpro-BNP levels at 24, 48, and 72 h after PCI. Although preoperative SIRT1, HIF-1α, and ferroptosis-related indicators were similar, post-PCI, SIRT1 increased less and HIF-1α increased more in the nicorandil group. The nicorandil group exhibited higher GPX4, FTH1, and FSP1 levels, and lower levels of 4-HNE and SI. While no significant differences in left ventricular function were observed, the nicorandil group had lower LVEDD at 12 weeks. Importantly, the incidence of unstable angina and heart failure was significantly lower in the nicorandil group.

Conclusion

Administering nicorandil perioperatively during pPCI alleviates MI/RI, preserves cardiac and renal function, and reduces unstable anginarisk at 12 weeks post-PCI. These benefits of nicorandil may be attributed to its anti-oxidative stress and anti-ferroptosis effects.
Robust controller design for robot joint position servo systems
Authors: Chen Xinhua , Yu Tao , Meng Guanjun , Yin Jian
Published: November 2024

For the position servo control problem of a robot joint control system affected by the uncertainty of external disturbances, a model-based robust controller is designed in this paper. The designed controller is capable of suppressing the effect of external uncertain disturbances on the robot joint control system while improving the position servo accuracy and anti-interference capability of the system. The control scheme consists of two parts, the nominal part represents the model of the system dynamics, which is used to suppress any tendency to deviate from the constraints; the second part is the robust term, which is used to deal with the effects of the system due to uncertainties such as external disturbances. First, the boundedness and stability of the designed controller are proved by applying the Lyapunov function. Then, the effectiveness of the designed controller for trajectory tracking in position servoing is numerically simulated using MATLAB software. Finally, in this paper, the experimental equipment is used to build a test platform for joint control of a robot, and the proposed controller is verified experimentally, which confirms the efficiency and stability of the designed controller after the experimental comparison and analysis with some other control algorithms.
Electromechanical modelling and vibration control analysis of cyclic symmetric structures with a piezoelectric vibration absorber
Authors: Zhong Yucai , Ma Xinxing , Yuan Jie , Zhang Zhenguo
Published: November 2024

This study explored the application of piezoelectric vibration absorbers (PVAs) equipped with synthetic circuits for the vibration control of cyclic symmetric structures. A cyclic symmetric electromechanical model (CSEM) integrated with PVAs was introduced to facilitate the design and optimization of the PVAs. This model was formulated analytically based on the circulant matrix theory, and the dynamic response was computed using the complex mode superposition method with explicit consideration of the intrinsic resistance within the PVA. A case study involving a simplified blisk model and an experimental test rig was conducted to validate the proposed CSEM. The validity of the model was confirmed through a comparative analysis of both the natural and dynamic characteristics obtained using the finite element model and experimental results. Furthermore, the impact of synthetic circuit parameters (inductance and negative capacitance values) and the placement of piezoelectric patches on the vibration control performance of PVA were investigated. The results suggested that the optimal inductance coincide with the analytical value, whereas the optimal negative capacitance of the series was slightly greater than the intrinsic capacitance of the patch. Additionally, mounting the piezoelectric patch on the blade root improved the vibration control.
Myoring implantation with and without cross-linking: Comparative study of pre and postoperative visual outcomes and pentacam indices
Authors: Morkos Fathy Fawzy , Fawzy Nader Fathy , El Bahrawy Mohamed , Talaat Omnia , Elkitkat Rania Serag
Published: November 2024

Objectives

Comparing the visual, topographic, and aberrometric changes following Myoring implantation alone or combined with corneal cross-linking (CXL).

Methods

This retrospective, comparative study was conducted on keratoconus (KC) patients with moderate, central KC who sought medical advice at Watany Eye Hospital, Cairo, Egypt. Group 1 patients performed femtolaser-assisted Myoring implantation, while group 2 patients performed Myoring implantation with CXL.

Results

Group 1 included 44 eyes, and group 2 comprised 40 eyes. The mean follow-up interval was 2.34 years ± 2.25. There was a significant postoperative improvement in subjective refraction for both groups. Patients of group 1 showed statistically significant reductions in postoperative topographic astigmatism, K readings, Index of Surface Variance, horizontal coma, and spherical aberrations. In contrast, patients of group 2 only showed statistically significant improvements in K readings and horizontal coma. Patients of group 1 developed higher improvements in topographic astigmatism and K max compared to group 2.

Conclusion

Although the combined technique was non-inferior to implanting the Myoring alone regarding visual, refractive, and keratometric improvements, Myoring implantation alone showed better results, mainly in topographic astigmatism. Hence, our study leans in favor of Myoring implantation without the need for additional CXL.
In silico Characterization of a Hypothetical Protein (PBJ89160.1) from Neisseria meningitidis Exhibits a New Insight on Nutritional Virulence and Molecular Docking to Uncover a Therapeutic Target
Authors: Asha Israt Jahan , Gupta Shipan Das , Hossain Md. Murad , Islam Md. Nur , Akter Nurun Nahar , Islam Mohammed Mafizul , Das Shuvo Chandra , Barman Dhirendra Nath
Published: November 2024

Objective:

Neisseria meningitidis is an encapsulated, diplococcus, kidney bean-shaped bacteria that causes bacterial meningitis. Our study hopes to advance our understanding of disease progression, the spread frequency of the bacteria in people, and the interactions between the bacteria and human body by identifying a functional protein, potentially serving as a target for meningococcal medicine in the future.

Methods:

A hypothetical protein HP (PBJ89160.1) from N.  meningitidis was employed in this study for extensive structural and functional characterization. In the predictive functional role of HP, several constitutive bioinformatics approaches are applied, such as prediction of physiological properties, domain and motif family function, secondary and tertiary structure prediction, energy minimization, quality validation, docking, and ADMET analysis. To create the protein’s three-dimensional (3D) structure, a template protein (PDB_ID: 3GXA) is used with 99% sequence identity by homology modeling technique with the HHpred server. To mitigate the pathogenicity associated with the HP function, it was docked with the natural ligand methionine and five other drug compounds like Verapamil, Loperamide, Thioridazine, Chlorpromazine, and Auranofine.

Results:

The protein is predicted to be acidic, soluble and hydrophilic by physicochemical properties analysis. Subcellular localization analysis demonstrated the protein to be periplasmic. The HP has an ATP-binding cassette transporter (also known as ABC transporter) involved in uptake of methionine (MetQ) that creates nutritional virulence in host. Energy minimization, multiple quality assessments, and validation value determination led to the conclusion that the HP model had a workable and acceptable quality. Following ADMET analysis and binding affinity assessments from the docking studies, Loperamide emerged as the most promising therapeutic compound, effectively inhibiting the ATP transporter activity of the HP.

Conclusion:

Comparative genomic analysis revealed that this protein is specific to N. meningitidis and has no homologs in human proteins, thereby identifying it as a potential target for therapeutic intervention.
Unveiling Recurrence Patterns: Analyzing Predictive Risk Factors for Breast Cancer Recurrence after Surgery
Authors: Shahmoradi Monireh , Fazilat Ahmad , Ghaderi-Zefrehei Mostafa , Ardalan Arash , Bigdeli Ali , Nafissi Nahid , Babaei Ebrahim , Rahmani Mahsa
Published: November 2024

Objectives:

Breast cancer (BC) stands as the second-leading cause of female-specific cancer-related fatalities globally, necessitating comprehensive research to address its critical aspects. This study aimed to explore the time intervals between surgery and disease recurrence in BC patients and their survival utilizing various parametric and semi-parametric models.

Methods:

After the examination of data collected from 2010 to 2021 at a BC Center in Tehran, Iran, 171 cases met the criteria for analysis out of 2246 datasets. Model fitting, was assessed through the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC), and indicated the logistic distribution as the most fit one among concurrent and independent variable models.

Results:

The Cox proportional hazard regression model consistently demonstrated superior fitting, characterized by the lowest AIC values. The average age at diagnosis was 50.39 years, with a standard deviation of 11.13. Typical survival time was estimated 53.44 months, falling within a confidence interval of 51.41–55.48 months at a 95% confidence level. The 1-year survival rate was determined at 0.92 (95% CI: 0.89–0.94). Notably, patient age while cancer diagnosis, progesterone receptor (PR), tumor grade, and tumor stage were found to be statistically significant ( P < .05) risk factors for prediction of BC recurrence after surgery in Iran by Cox model.

Conclusions:

Our findings underscore the importance of further exploration and consideration of the identified risk factors in BC research and treatment strategies.
A strengths-based exploration of Māori student success at university using the Mana model
Authors: Derby (Ngāti Ranginui) Melissa , McChesney Katrina
Published: November 2024

Māori (the Indigenous people of New Zealand) are commonly framed as priority learners, a term that implicitly problematises Māori and anticipates struggle rather than success in their academic trajectories. This study resists such a framing and instead uses a strengths-based theoretical framework—the Mana model—to explore four Māori undergraduate students’ experiences at a New Zealand university. We investigate the extent to which the five elements of the Mana model, originally developed in secondary schooling contexts, supported their success at university. Three of the five elements—mana ūkaipō (sense of place), mana tū (sense of resilience), and mana whānau (sense of family)—were prominent in the students’ accounts of what enabled their success, and the remaining two elements played smaller but still important roles. By bringing the Mana model into the higher education context, this study offers promising indications that this model can inform future research, policy, and practice to foster success at university for Māori students.
Indigenizing pre-teacher education: reflections on utilizing traditional storytelling to gather language data from Sámi children
Authors: Keskitalo Pigga
Published: November 2024

The aim of this study was to develop research-based pre-teacher education pedagogies in the context of Indigenous teacher education, focusing on Sámi (Indigenous people of Sápmi—northern Scandinavia and northwest Russia) communities and investigating the reflections of preservice teachers on their participation in research-based pre-teacher education as part of a Sámi teacher education development project in Norway. Utilizing the storytelling method, preservice teachers collected language data from Sámi children in kindergartens and schools. The study sought to understand the experiences of five participative preservice teachers during the data collection process, as recorded in their diaries. This study proposes a method to indigenize research courses within Indigenous teacher education programmes at tertiary education levels. Research in higher education practices within Indigenous institutions contributes to the advancement of Indigenous higher education and provides critical insights into diverse methods, goals, and contexts of conducting research in higher education settings.
Introduction to the Tenetehar-Tembé psychology through the rites of construction of women leaders
Authors: Dantas de Almeida Miriam , Guimarães Danilo Silva , dos Santos Pâmela Damilano , Chaudhary Nandita
Published: November 2024

The article discusses psychological practices and knowledge from the Tenetehar-Tembé (an Indigenous people who live on many riverside regions in the states of Pará and Maranhão, Brazil) tradition. Their rites and narratives carry processes of construction of women as leaders. We argue that, through the community processes of construction of the person, Tenetehar-Tembé women effectively become references for decision-making inside each community and in the articulation between their communities. That is, through the rites and narratives, women become more deeply engaged in caring for the people in their communities. Women are progressively recognized for these practices among families and villages, where they actively participate in productive and political activities. Indigenous psychology, therefore, broadens the understanding of the processes of construction of the woman leader devoting attention to how participating in rites and sharing Indigenous narratives constitute the experiential basis for people’s feelings, thoughts, and actions reflexively oriented in the communities.
Nigerian Hospital and Community Pharmacists’ Knowledge, Awareness, and Perceptions of Autism Spectrum Disorders
Authors: Aiyeolemi Ayobami Adesoji , Amaeze Ogochukwu Ukamaka , Okugbeni Veronica , Kehinde Oyinlade , Adeleke Adekunle Faid , Barner Jamie C
Published: November 2024

Background:

Pharmacists can play a role in enhancing treatment outcomes of autistic people, but they must possess sufficient knowledge and awareness of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Current evidence is scant among Nigerian pharmacists. The objectives of this study were to: (1) Describe and compare Nigerian hospital and community pharmacists’ ASD knowledge, awareness, and perceptions; (2) Determine if there is a significant correlation between ASD knowledge, awareness, and perceptions; (3) Determine if demographic and practice-related factors are significantly related to pharmacists’ ASD awareness.

Method:

Hospital and community pharmacists were administered a self-report survey to assess ASD knowledge and awareness, as well as confidence in caring for autistic people, and perceived benefits of ASD training and care. Data were collected from August to December 2021 and analyzed using inferential and descriptive statistics. Cronbach’s alphas were used to assess reliability.

Results:

Of respondents, (Total N = 383; N = 201 hospital pharmacists from various states) and N = 182 community pharmacists in Lagos state) community pharmacists had significantly higher mean knowledge than hospital pharmacists (58.10% ± 19.00% vs 53.20% ± 20.10%; P = .016). Overall mean awareness score was 2.90 ± 0.80, with no significant difference between community and hospital pharmacists ( P = .096). Perception regarding ASD continuing education (CE) was strongly correlated with the perceived benefits of pharmacy services to autistic people in Nigeria ( r = .69; P < .0001). Additionally, awareness was positively correlated with knowledge ( r = .47, P < .0001) and perceived confidence in ASD medication counseling ( r = .54, P < .0001). Multivariate analysis revealed that being a hospital pharmacist, having courses on ASD during pharmacy degree programs, undergoing ASD CE, and having <5 years of practice experience were significantly ( P < 0.05) associated with higher ASD awareness.

Conclusion:

Respondents had suboptimal knowledge and awareness of ASD. Including ASD in the pharmacy curriculum and providing CE programs may help improve pharmacists’ ability to provide more optimal patient care services for autistic people.
Fatigue characterization and life prediction of flexible lattice structures based on DLP processes
Authors: Ji Xiaogang , Niu Guofa , Wang Wei , Wang Guangyang
Published: November 2024

This study investigated the effects of cell configuration and relative density on the fatigue performance of truss-like lattice structures. Among the lattice structures examined, simple cube cells exhibited the highest fatigue strength across all relative densities. Numerical simulation results indicated that the S-N curves of the structures demonstrated pronounced power-law behavior as the volume fraction changed. The influence of various geometric factors on the power-law model parameters is discussed in detail. The power-law coefficient is influenced by the unit cell configuration and relative density; however, the power-law index is not affected by relative density and depends solely on the unit cell configuration. A fatigue life prediction model based on the Ashby-Gibson model was proposed. Finally, the reliability of the numerical simulation results was experimentally verified, with the predicted results of the model showing good agreement with the test data.
“It’s a jungle”: Precarity, solidarity, and ambiguity in small conflict reporting ecosystems
Authors: Kotišová Johana
Published: November 2024

This study, based on in-depth interviews with 22 reporters, stringers, and photojournalists working in Small Conflict Reporting Ecosystems (SE) looks into the ambivalent and ambiguous work of conflict reporters who find themselves in the middle of the conflict reporting hierarchy. It seeks to diversify the understanding of global conflict reporters’ positionalities, broaden the understanding of their precarity and the overall “crisis” of global conflict reporting, and draw inspiration from the diversity of actors and practices creating the current global conflict reporting ecosystems. I address the following questions: What makes the work of SE conflict reporters “bad”? What makes it “good”? How do SE reporters navigate the ambivalence of their work and the ambiguity of their positions? The findings illustrate how SE journalists often turn their precarious conditions and ambiguity into a creative edge and solidarity networks and show how ambiguity (rather than crisis) becomes a key concept helping to understand current conflict reporting.
Ghosts in the coalfields: the spectral geographies of post-industrial spaces in Sunderland
Authors: Astley Tom
Published: November 2024

The social and material landscapes of post-industrialisation in the North East of England are replete with the ghosts of past. It is important to consider and examine the area’s demolished buildings, buried identities, people lost and ideas forgotten because they are important in contextualising contemporary issues of social inequality, economic disparity with the rest of the UK and lack of infrastructure that persists in the region. Transformed uses of colliery spaces, visually serve to re-ruralise the spaces between colliery towns, however, the spectral legacy of industrial heritage remains in economic, historical and ideological imaginings of place. This short essay offers a literary walk through Elemore Park and Herrington Country Park, sites Former colliery sites situated in the Coalfields area of the City of Sunderland. I walk through the present landscape, but imagine, in italicised interpolations, the ‘ghosts’ of people, ideas, ideologies, actions that still haunt the contemporary endeavour to renovate. I address the unease that remains in re-ruralised post-industrial spaces in a literary style that seeks to perform that spectrality.
A Scoping Study of Cultural Adaptation Frameworks
Authors: Leung Jerik , Sekar Swathi , Madrigal Lillian , Escoffery Cam
Published: November 2024

Translating evidence-based intervention in public health is important to improve health behaviors and other outcomes and reduce health disparities. Culturally adapting intervention is one approach to reaching different cultural groups. The goals of this paper were to compile definitions of program adaptations, identify processes and steps in cultural adaptations, and pose recommendations for future research related to cultural adaptations. We performed a scoping review of cultural adaptation frameworks or models for public health. Studies were coded for definitions of adaptation, cultural adaptation, other cultural concepts, process steps, community engagement, and public health topic. We found 15 frameworks that described cultural adaptation concepts and processes, and nine had varying definitions of cultural adaptations. All frameworks included tasks of information gathering about the community and developing a preliminary adapted program; over 50% had making refinements to the adapted program after some pilot testing. Only one framework mentioned the role of experts in the adaptation or enhancement process, and one mentioned dissemination. Thirteen articles (86.7%) reported the inclusion of community engagement in the adaptation process. These data present key definitions related to cultural adaptation and themes related to the process of cultural adaptation. We also report on key steps for conducting cultural adaptations. Findings can be utilized to guide future adaptations of evidence-based interventions to ensure culturally competent research and practice.
Study on tensile performance of welded seams of PVC coated fabric membrane under uniaxial cyclic load
Authors: Zhao Yushuai , Zhang Yingying , Xu Junhao , Wang Congcong , Sun Xinhui , Ji Yang
Published: November 2024

The mechanical performance degradation of welded seams under cyclic loading may lead to the failure of membrane structures. To investigate the influence of the off-axis angle and the the welded width on mechanical performance, the elastic modulus, ratcheting strain, residual strain and strain energy were studied based on the uniaxial cyclic tensile tests of welded seams. The results show that the elastic modulus of the welded seam specimens shows obvious anisotropy under cyclic loading, and the welded width has the greatest influence on the elastic modulus of the welded seam specimens with 15° and 75° off-axis angles, under which off-axis angle the welded seam specimens have good recoverability. The irreversible plastic strain of the axial welded seam specimens is close to that of the membrane specimen. The plastic development of the specimen is obvious under large off-axis angles (30°, 45°, 60°), and the final residual displacement of the welded seam specimens reach 3%–4%.
Ready, Set, Sort! A User-Guide to Card Sorts for Community-Engaged Empirical Bioethics
Authors: Meagher Karen M. , Watson Sara , Kaz Lia , Callier Shawneequa , Prince Anya E.R. , Cadigan R. Jean
Published: November 2024

We demonstrate the fruitfulness of using card sort activities as an engagement method by detailing community consultation for ethical, legal, and social implications of sociogenomics. Readers are provided with a user-guide for card sort engagement through: (1) an overview of the card sort activity and its merits for engagement, (2) detailed methods of sorting for values-elicitation and prioritization goals, and (3) strategies to design this approach for other participatory research designs. Our intent is to add to meaningful exchanges between community engaged researchers and empirical bioethicists.
Innovative Surgical Left Atrial Appendage Closure Technique: Early Experience of Inverted Spiral Closure Technique
Authors: Nagaoka Eiki , Arai Hirokuni , Mizuno Tomohiro , Oi Keiji , Fujiwara Tatsuki , Oishi Kiyotoshi , Fujita Tomoyuki
Published: November 2024

Objective:

Simultaneous closure of the left atrial appendage (LAA) during cardiac procedures has become a common preventive measure against cardiogenic embolic events associated with atrial fibrillation. However, this strategy encounters limitations during minimally invasive mitral valve surgery through a right minithoracotomy because access to the LAA is limited. The use of endocardial sutures for surgical exclusion of the LAA is also well established but has a notable rate of closure failure. We introduced a new surgical LAA closure technique called the inverted spiral closure technique (ISCT).

Methods:

Between July 2020 and August 2021, 26 patients underwent LAA closure with ISCT concomitant to mitral valve surgery in our hospital. Early postoperative outcomes and any stroke or thromboembolic event during the follow-up were evaluated. Transthoracic or transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) was used to assess LAA patency.

Results:

The ISCT procedure was performed successfully in all cases. No significant persistent flow between the left atrium and LAA was observed on intraoperative TEE. During a median follow-up of 1.1 years, no patients experienced stroke, myocardial infarction, or death. Postoperative echocardiography showed no significant residual flow within the LAA. One patient was incidentally found to have recanalization between the left atrium and LAA several months after surgery on an enhanced computed tomography scan during coronary evaluation.

Conclusions:

The ISCT can be performed reliably through the same left atriotomy for mitral valve surgery and is a useful and effective technique for surgical LAA exclusion. There are still not enough patients and modalities for postoperative evaluation.
Outcomes of Mucous Cystectomy and Osteophytectomy Using a Random Nonadvancement Flap Technique
Authors: Behzadpour Vafa , Gartner Austin M. , Morris Harry A. , Hearon Bernard F.
Published: November 2024

Background:

The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical outcomes of mucous cystectomy and osteophytectomy using a random nonadvancement flap technique.

Methods:

This was a therapeutic outcomes study of patients who underwent mucous cystectomy under local anesthesia by 1 of 2 hand fellowship-trained surgeons between 2012 and 2022. The key features of the surgical technique include designing a random nonadvancement flap with the cyst at its base; transecting the cyst pedicle as the flap is elevated; resecting the cyst wall from the undersurface of the reflected flap; decompressing the distal joint by removing marginal osteophytes; and insetting the flap without advancement. Patient demographic and disease-specific data were extracted from medical records and compiled in an electronic database. At minimum 1-year follow-up, patients were queried by telephone regarding wound complications, cyst recurrence, and satisfaction with outcome.

Results:

The study cohort included 64 cysts in 61 patients, mean age 63 ± 10 years. The index or middle finger was affected in 63% of cases. At early postoperative follow-up, digital pain improved or resolved in 97% of cases. There were no complications of wound dehiscence or infection. At median 5-year follow-up in 34 cases, all patients except 1 were satisfied with the surgical outcome. There were 2 cyst recurrences in the study cohort (3%) and only 1 secondary procedure.

Conclusions:

Our study demonstrated that mucous cystectomy and distal joint osteophytectomy using a random nonadvancement flap is an effective surgical technique with low procedure complication and cyst recurrence rates and high patient satisfaction.
Getting Real About Critical Realist Interviewing: Five Principles to Guide Practice
Authors: Moore Ashley R. , Kelly Deirdre M.
Published: November 2024

Critical realism refers to a broad project to realize a post-positivist social science. At its best, it responds to the challenges thrown down by social constructionist critiques of positivist science, while also allowing us to make interrogable claims about reality—a priority for many working to expose and eradicate structural oppression. In the social sciences, interviews remain one of the foremost methods through which researchers generate data to inform our understanding of reality. In this article, however, we argue that for critical realism to deliver on its promise as a philosophy of science for critical social scientists, we need theoretically sound guidance on what a critical realist approach to research interviewing might look like. Currently, this guidance is lacking. Through a systematic analysis of prominent qualitative research interviewing textbooks, we found that critical realism is ignored, mischaracterized, and underdeveloped. In response, we offer five principles, rooted in critical realism’s key tenets, that can guide researchers as they design, conduct, and evaluate critical realist interview studies. These principles are: (1) craft interview protocols to generate data that can inform answers to ontological research questions; (2) keep in view the interview as social practice throughout the study; (3) treat interview data as both interactively achieved co-constructions and as verifiable evidence for real phenomena; (4) be guided and informed by an aim to reduce suffering and promote social justice; and (5) demonstrate reflexivity as ongoing self-awareness.
Optimal homotopic strategy for thermal and mass transport in Williamson model flow PDEs under heat generation/absorption and Joule heating
Authors: Akbar Sana , Sohail Muhammad , Abbas Syed Tehseen , Badi Nacer
Published: November 2024

In current paper, we considered the 3-D occurrence of magneto Williamson fluid subjected to linear penetrating expanding sheet. The Williamson liquid is taken into account under the essence of bio convection bordering with Joule heating, heat production. Moreover, Brownian movement combined with thermophoresis diffusion was also analyzed in current study. Central PDEs are modified into system of ODEs on the basis of appropriate similarity transformation utilization. For solution purpose, an optimal approach namely HAM was opted. The critical review based on all involved multifarious constraints across the non- dimensional velocity contour [Formula: see text] energy and concentration distribution. Moreover, across the motile organism distribution was also conducted graphically and depicts total covenant with the former published research work. The drag force effect, Nusselt number, Sherwood number, and motile organism density in tabular form is also proposed in this study. Moreover, Motile organism profile graphically demonstrates decreased demeanor for considered bio convection Lewis number, Peclet number, and also temperature difference constraint whereas results of motile organism density augmented in tabular version for the considered bio convection Lewis number, Peclet number, and also temperature difference constraint.
Technical pace bowling coaching of adolescent cricketers: A survey on practices and barriers
Authors: Bhardwaj Dhanur , Dwyer Dan B. , Feros Simon A.
Published: November 2024

In cricket pace bowling, research has determined kinematic correlates to ball release speed and lumbar bone stress injury. Coaches have an important role in guiding the development of the bowling action of adolescent pace bowlers; however, it is not clear whether their knowledge and practices align with improving ball release speed and reducing lower back injury risk. This study had three aims: 1) to describe the technical coaching practices of adolescent pace bowlers, 2) to identify the barriers that coaches face in the implementation of such practices, and 3) to determine the relationship between coaches’ demographic characteristics and the frequency of technical coaching. This study used a cross-sectional survey study design combined with a purposive sampling approach. Participants were cricket coaches (n = 130) in Australia aged over 18 years, who coached adolescent cricket teams (10–19 years old). Only 11.3% of coaches “occasionally” engaged in technical bowling coaching in the off-season, which increased to 37.1% during the in-season. When technical bowling coaching was undertaken, it was most common for it to last “15–30 min/session” (34.5% of coaches in the off-season and 38.2% in the in-season). The most common barrier to technical bowling coaching during the off-season was limited access to players, while barriers during the in-season were minimal and varied. Younger coaches and older players were associated with more frequent technical coaching in the off-season. Future coaching educational programmes could help coaches to work around the player-access barrier by encouraging them to prescribe training drills in the off-season.
Prognostic factors and treatment choice for stage IV, low-volume metastasis hormone-sensitive prostate cancer: cross-sectional study of real-world data
Authors: Elewaily Mohamed Ibrahim , Campione Marina , Hassan Mona Ali , Anpalakhan Shobana , Atsumi Naoko , Smalley Benjamin , Ashraf Anza , Gale Joanna , Maniam Akash , Banna Giuseppe Luigi
Published: November 2024

Background:

Many metastatic prostate cancer prognostics have been suggested, but few are validated. Nodal metastasis burden and baseline biochemical characteristics are overlooked in the currently accepted stratifications for metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC). Prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PSMA PET/CT) is likely to increase the incidence of pelvic nodal and mHSPC undetected by conventional scans. However, there is no consensus on managing regional nodal metastasis (N1M0) and no separate guidelines for non-regional nodal (M1a) and low-volume bone (M1b) spread but collectively as a part of low-volume CHAARTED disease.

Objectives:

To assess the different prognostic factors for stage IV disease classified as CHAARTED low-volume on a real-world series of patients and to examine treatment preference for each of the disease subcategories.

Methods and design:

This retrospective cross-sectional study included patients diagnosed with HSPC at stage IV, with low-volume disease according to the CHAARTED criteria. Data were collected from the database of Portsmouth and St. Mary NHS Hospitals between February 2017 and August 2023. Patient characteristics were analysed, and prognostic factors were evaluated using Cox regression analysis. 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) was the primary outcome measure.

Results:

Data on 126 patients were analysed. Seven patients (6%) had N1M0, 28 (22%) M1a, and 91 (72%) M1b. 5-year PFS was 80.9% for M1a and 54.9% for M1b metastases, p = 0.3. High prostate-specific antigen (PSA) value (⩾25) was identified as an independent prognostic factor for PFS with HR = 2.80 (95% CI: 1.19–6.56), p = 0.0179. Variable treatment preference for each subclass reflects the uncertainty regarding the best regimen and the importance of consolidation prostate radiotherapy (cRT) in clinical practice.

Conclusion:

Early results of our data analysis underscore the significance of baseline PSA as an independent prognostic factor alongside anatomical tumour extent of spread in stage IV low-volume metastasis prostate cancer. There is no agreement on treatment for each subcategory, necessitating further real-world studies and clinical trials. Further follow-up would assess the prognostic benefit of cRT.
Elacestrant plus alpelisib in an ESR1 and PIK3CA co-mutated and heavily pretreated metastatic breast cancer: the first case report for combination efficacy and safety
Authors: Tokat Ünal Metin , Bilgiç Şevval Nur , Aydın Esranur , Adibi Ashkan , Özgü Eylül , Tutar Onur , Demiray Mutlu
Published: November 2024

Breast cancer (BC) is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality among women, and hormone receptor (HR)-positive subtype makes up the majority of all cases. The standard of care in HR+/HER2− metastatic BC (MBC) is endocrine therapy (ET) plus a CDK4/6 inhibitor (CDK4/6i). ESR1 mutations could impair the clinical efficacy of the ETs. Similarly, PIK3CA mutations may serve as a negative prognostic marker. Furthermore, MBC is challenging to treat despite new drug approvals. Our patient received multiple lines of ET ± CDK4/6i and chemotherapy but persistently progressed after each or stopped the treatment due to adverse events. Here we showed for the first time that an all-oral combination of elacestrant plus alpelisib was feasible, tolerable, and clinically active in an ESR1 and PIK3CA co-mutated and heavily pretreated patient. We achieved a remarkable response in the metastatic lesions with minor toxicity issues. This case highlights the importance of utilizing up-to-date therapeutic agents and reactive decision-making during personalized cancer treatment.
The Acetylated 2,3,5,4′-Tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-d-Glucoside Improved Pharmacokinetics and Enhanced Anti-Osteoporosis Effects
Authors: Wang Jing , Yang Yuqian , Wei Wenxin , Li Xingyu , Liu Feng , Liu Jianshu , Lan Wei , Gao Feng , Wang Hong , Wei Peifeng
Published: November 2024

Background: Osteoporosis has emerged as a significant global public health concern, predominantly affecting postmenopausal women. Its pathogenesis is intricate and the disease course is protracted, imposing substantial medical burden on both society and individuals. Objective: To investigate the effects of 2,3,5,4′-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-d-glucoside (TSG) and acetylated-TSG (Ac-TSG) on osteoblast viability, in vivo pharmacokinetics in rats and anti-osteoporotic effects in ovariectomized rat model. Methods: Ac-TSG was obtained by acetylation of TSG, and the purity and structure of Ac-TSG were determined by HPLC and 1H NMR. The effects of TSG and Ac-TSG on MC3T3-E1 cell viability, pharmacokinetics in rats, blood biochemical indexes of OVX model rats were detected. Hematoxylin–eosin (HE) staining was used to observe bone tissue morphology, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining was used to observe osteoclast morphology, micro-CT was used to perform three-dimensional reconstruction of femur, and femur parameters were analyzed. Results: The structure of the compound is Ac-TSG and the purity is more than 98%. Both TSG and Ac-TSG could reduce the damage of oxidative stress to MC3T3-E1 cells and effectively improve the levels of Ca, P, ALP and BGP in serum of OVX rats. Compared with TSG, Ac-TSG has a longer action time in vivo and can improve the femoral structure, the number of trabecular bone and the number of osteoclasts in rats. Conclusion: Ac-TSG conferred protection to MC3T3-E1 cells against oxidative stress-induced damage and enhanced their bioavailability. Simultaneously, Ac-TSG ameliorated abnormal bone metabolism and mitigated bone microstructural changes in OVX rats, exhibiting a protective effect against osteoporosis.
Shen Gu An Capsule Inhibition of Postmenopausal Osteoporosis in Ovariectomized Mice Using Network Pharmacology-Based Mechanism Prediction and Pharmacological Validation
Authors: Du Meilin , Yuan Shiguo , Wang Jiayang , Zhao Qiangqiang , Ye Baofei , Wu Haiyan , Xu Liangliang , Hou Yu
Published: November 2024

Background

Postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) is characterized by low bone mass and increased bone fragility in postmenopausal women. Shen Gu An capsule (SGA) has been clinically used to treat bone diseases, especially PMOP with kidney Yang deficiency.

Objectives

We aimed to study the effect of SGA on the treatment of PMOP.

Methodology

The key candidate targets and pathways of SGA for treating PMOP were predicted by Network pharmacology analysis. Then, in vivo validation using bilaterally ovariectomized C57BL/6 mice was performed, and the bone quality was analyzed by Micro-CT and histological analysis.

Results

In this study, we obtained 113 active compounds and 82 targets via the database of Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology. Subsequently, compound-target and protein−protein interaction networks were constructed. Then GO and KEGG analysis revealed that NF-κB signaling pathway might be the underlying mechanism as its well-known function in osteoclastogenesis. Furthermore, the in vivo experiments using ovariectomized mice demonstrated that SGA could decrease the number of osteoclasts and preserve bone mass through inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway.

Conclusions

SGA could prevent postmenopausal osteoporosis in ovariectomized mice through inhibiting NF-κB signaling pathway. The finding of this study provides more evidence for the clinical application of SGA to treat osteoporosis.
Improving Organizational Performance by Creating an Instrument That Can Help Keep Misuse of Manager Power Under Control
Authors: Verkhohlyad Olga O. , Romanovskyi Oleksandr O. , Romanovska Yuliia Yu.
Published: November 2024

Power misuse by managers in organizations is a wide-spread problem that has significant negative consequences for organizational performance. At the same time, published research on attempts of diagnosing power misuse is scarce. As such, organizations keep facing this problem without help from academia on handling it. The authors of this paper suggest addressing the issue by utilizing a regular survey with the purpose of diagnosing potential power misuse by supervising managers of an organization. The information collected via such a survey can be a powerful feedback instrument toward changing or continuing the state of affairs. Such a survey is developed in this paper. The survey has adequate face validity and Cronbach’s alpha reliability of 0.93. Furthermore, its criterion, convergent, external structure, and discriminant validity results indicate their good levels. Therefore, the survey may be recommended for use in the organizational setting. Utilization of this instrument can potentially lead to the increase of employee accomplishments, and the improvement of organization-wide performance.
The Infrastructure of Domestic Influence Operations: Cyber Troops and Public Opinion Manipulation Through Social Media in Indonesia
Authors: Wijayanto  , Berenschot Ward , Sastramidjaja Yatun , Ruijgrok Kris
Published: November 2024

Coordinated influence campaigns on social media have become an increasingly important tool for political and economic elites to sway public opinion in their favor. As the study of this phenomenon has so far largely focused on traces of such campaigns on social media itself, we know relatively little about the people and networks implementing them. Furthermore, existing literature offers limited analytical handles to delineate and analyze different forms of influence operations. To address these challenges, we employ interviews with fifty-two members of the “cyber troops” implementing such operations in Indonesia. On the basis of this material, we propose that three key features—being secretly funded, highly coordinated, and involving mostly anonymous accounts—distinguish cyber troops from other types of domestic influence operations. In Indonesia cyber troops involve transient, project-based collaborations among freelancing individuals, not coincidentally mirroring the character of the country’s election campaigns. This rapidly growing industry is cementing the already oligarchic character of Indonesia’s democracy.
Reignited flames: Just Early Childhood Education in neoliberal times
Authors: Joan Stuart Margaret
Published: November 2024

In Australasia there is great enthusiasm if little understanding of the ontology of Reggio Emilia preschools. The ontology of both Reggio Emilia schools and the New Zealand Early Childhood Education (ECE) bi-cultural curriculum emerge from invasive experiences of military violence, of framing ECE as social justice. In this paper I tell three tales of ‘quality’. Two are contexted, local, where the quality draws on the ontology of resisting violence. The third, with a veneer of neutrality, does a violence to these, through decontextualized econometric claims to universality.
Emerging trends in fungal endocarditis: clinical complexity, diagnostic challenges, and therapeutic implications – a case series and literature review
Authors: Naguthevar Santhanam , Ravindra Akshatha , Kumar Deepak , Meena Durga Shankar , Bohra Gopal Krishana , Jain Vidhi , Garg M. K. , Deora Surender , Choudhary Rahul
Published: November 2024

Background:

Fungal infective endocarditis (IE) is a rare, yet increasingly recognised condition associated with substantial mortality rates. Candida and Histoplasma are among the notable causative agents, presenting diverse clinical manifestations and complexities in diagnosis and management.

Objectives:

This study was undertaken to examine the clinical profiles, diagnostic challenges, treatment modalities, and outcomes of four compelling cases involving Candida and Histoplasma endocarditis.

Methods & Design:

This was a descriptive case series study conducted from July 2021 to July 2023. All patients with definite/possible endocarditis diagnosed based on modified Duke’s criteria were reviewed in this study. Data on demographics, risk factors, clinical signs and symptoms, echocardiography findings, microbiological aetiology, complications, treatment, and outcomes were collected.

Results:

Among 212 suspected IE cases reviewed, 54 met the modified Duke’s criteria for possible or definite IE, with four instances identified as fungal endocarditis. Candida species accounted for three cases, while an uncommon instance of Histoplasma Endocarditis (HE) was also observed. Clinical presentations varied, with fever and dyspnoea being prominent symptoms. Risk factors included chronic kidney disease, prior surgeries, prosthetic valves, and immunocompromised states. Diagnosis posed challenges due to the resemblance to bacterial IE, low blood culture yields, and delayed suspicion. Various diagnostic approaches, including blood cultures, serological markers, and imaging, were employed. Therapeutic strategies involved antifungal agents and surgical intervention, where feasible. However, despite prompt treatment initiation, many patients faced rapid clinical deterioration, emphasising the severity and aggressive nature of fungal endocarditis. Mortality rates remained notably high across the cohort.

Conclusion:

This study highlights the criticality of early suspicion, prompt diagnosis, and a multidisciplinary approach to managing fungal endocarditis. While recognising the limitations in current diagnostic tools and therapeutic options, the study underscores the urgent need for enhanced diagnostic modalities and novel treatment strategies to improve outcomes in these challenging cases.