bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transcriptomic changes in porcine articular cartilage one year following disruption of the anterior cruciate ligament
Authors: Donnenfield Jonah I. , Karamchedu Naga Padmini , Proffen Benedikt L. , Molino Janine , Fleming Braden C. , Murray Martha M.
Published: May 2023

To determine the transcriptomic changes seen in early- to mid-stage posttraumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) development, 72 Yucatan minipigs underwent transection of the anterior cruciate ligament. Subjects were randomized to no further intervention, ligament reconstruction, or ligament repair, followed by articular cartilage harvesting and RNA-sequencing at three different postoperative timepoints (1, 4, and 52 weeks). Six additional subjects received no ligament transection and provided cartilage tissue to serve as controls. Differential gene expression analysis between post-transection cartilage and healthy cartilage revealed an initial increase in transcriptomic differences at 1 and 4 weeks followed by a stark reduction in transcriptomic differences at 52 weeks. This analysis also showed how different treatments genetically modulate the course of PTOA following ligament disruption. Specific genes (e.g.,MMP1,POSTN,IGF1,PTGFR,HK1) were identified as being upregulated in the cartilage of injured subjects across all timepoints regardless of treatment. At the 52-week timepoint, 4 genes (e.g.,A4GALT,EFS,NPTXR,ABCA3) that—as far as we know—have yet to be associated with PTOA were identified as being concordantly differentially expressed across all treatment groups when compared to controls. Functional pathway analysis of injured subject cartilage compared to control cartilage revealed overarching patterns of cellular proliferation at 1 week, angiogenesis, ECM interaction, focal adhesion, and cellular migration at 4 weeks, and calcium signaling, immune system activation, GABA signaling, and HIF-1 signaling at 52 weeks.
Response to novel feed in dairy calves is affected by prior hay provision and presentation method
Authors: Morrow Chelsea R. , Downey Blair C. , Tucker Cassandra B.
Published: May 2023

Animals raised in environments that prevent natural foraging opportunities may have difficulty adapting to novelty, such as feeding and management changes. Our objective was to evaluate how early provision and presentation of forage in dairy calves affected response to novel TMR (total mixed ration; grain and alfalfa) at weaning. Holstein heifer calves were housed individually in a covered outdoor hutch with an attached uncovered wire-fenced pen on sand bedding. Calves were fed a diet of starter grain and milk replacer (5.7–8.4L/d step-up) via a bottle (Control, n = 9) or given additional access to mountaingrass hay presented either in a bucket (Bucket, n = 9), or PVC pipe feeder (Pipe, n = 9). Treatments were applied from birth through 50 d of age, when step-down weaning began. All calves had 3 buckets and a pipe feeder provided in their uncovered pen area. On d 50, each calf was briefly blocked inside their hutch. TMR was put in the 3rd bucket that previously contained hay (Bucket) or was empty (Control, Pipe). The calf was released from the hutch and video-recorded for 30 min. Neophobia towards TMR was affected by prior experience with presentation: Bucket calves began eating TMR faster than Pipe and Control (P≤0.012) and showed the fewest number of startle responses (P = 0.004). Intake was similar across groups (P = 0.978), suggesting this apparent neophobia was transient, but Control calves took longer to eat than Bucket (P<0.001) and Pipe (P = 0.070) calves and were less likely to give up on eating to lie down instead. These results suggest that previous experience with hay improves processing ability when presented with novel TMR. Overall, response to a novel feed is affected by both early life experience, such as opportunities to process forage, and the presentation of the feed itself. Calves also appear motivated to access forage, evidenced by transient neophobia, high intake, and persistence in feeding by naïve calves.
Exploring factors influencing the selection of primary health care delivery models in conflict-affected settings of North West and South West regions of Cameroon and North-East Nigeria: A study protocol
Authors: Omam Lundi-Anne , O’Laughlin Kelli , Tendongfor Nicholas , Wudiri Zara , Hassan Mohammed Ngubdo , Metuge Alain , Oluwafemi Ooju , Omam Esther , Parkes-Ratanshi Rosalind
Published: May 2023

Background

In conflict-affected settings, access to health care for displaced populations is constrained by barriers including geographical, cultural, communication, logistical, financial and insecurity. A six year humanitarian crises in the North West and South West regions of Cameroon has caused 27% of health facilities to be non-functional. The eleven year crisis in North-East Nigeria, has caused the closure of 26% of health facilities. These closure of health facilities and population displacement led to health care delivery using humanitarian funding by multiple different agencies. However, there is a paucity of evidence on the selection and design of the primary health care delivery models used in humanitarian settings. To ensure efficient use of resources and quality of services, model of care selection should be evidence based and informed by the specific humanitarian context. This research protocol aims to explore how primary health care models are selected by humanitarian organizations.

Methods

We will conduct a cross sectional quantitative survey to map the range of primary health care delivery models used by humanitarian organisations in Cameroon and Nigeria. Using in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with staff from humanitarian organizations and internally displaced persons, we will explore the factors influencing the selection of primary health care models in these settings and determine the coverage and gaps in services across the different primary health care models. Quantitative data will be analysed in a descriptive manner and qualitative data will be analysed thematically.

Discussion

Different models of care have been reported to be used by humanitarian organisations in conflict-affected settings, yet evidence on how different models are selected is lacking. A detailed understanding of the rationale for selection, the design and quality considerations of the strategies used to deliver health care will be obtained using a survey, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions.
A study on limited pre-sale strategy with consideration of consumer regret
Authors: Jiang Yong-chang , Qi Yue-yu
Published: May 2023

The effect of regret on consumers’ purchasing behavior is more and more obvious. The limited pre-sale can make retailers with limited production capacity allocate two periods of stock effectively and increase their income. This paper considers the heterogeneous consumers with regret behavior in the market and constructs a model to study the retailer’s optimal limited pre-sale strategy. The results show that the high price regret sensitivity negatively affects the higher price of the products in the pre-sale strategy, while the out-of-stock regret sensitivity negatively affects the retailer’s profit When the production capacity is relatively low, the proportion of rational consumers is large and the high price regret sensitivity coefficient is small, the retailer should pre-sell at a limited discount and the lowest valuation, and the highest valuation is on sale, otherwise, it should be sold at a price slightly lower than the highest valuation, but when the capacity is very sufficient, the sensitive coefficient of stock-out regret is small and the proportion of rational consumers is small, the retailer should pre-sell at an unlimited premium, and a price slightly lower than the highest valuation of the pre-sale, the lowest valuation of the sale, or should be pre-sold at the highest valuation.
Allele mining, amplicon sequencing and computational prediction of Solanum melongena L. FT/TFL1 gene homologs uncovers putative variants associated to seed dormancy and germination
Authors: Subramaniam Ranjita , Kumar Vijay Subbiah
Published: May 2023

TheFT/TFL1gene homolog family plays a crucial role in the regulation of floral induction, seed dormancy and germination in angiosperms. Despite its importance, theFT/TFL1gene homologs in eggplant (Solanum melongenaL.) have not been characterized to date. In this study, we performed a genome-wide identification ofFT/TFL1genes in eggplant usingin silicogenome mining. The presence of these genes was validated in four economically important eggplant cultivars (Surya, EP-47 Annamalai, Pant Samrat and Arka Nidhi) through Pacbio RSII amplicon sequencing. Our results revealed the presence of 12FT/TFL1gene homologs in eggplant, with evidence of diversification amongFT-like genes suggesting their possible adaptations towards various environmental stimuli. The amplicon sequencing also revealed the presence of two alleles for certain genes (SmCEN-1,SmCEN-2,SmMFT-1 andSmMFT-2) of whichSmMFT-2 was associated with seed dormancy and germination. This association was further supported by the observation that seed dormancy is rarely reported in domesticated eggplant cultivars, but is commonly observed in wild species. A survey of the genetic regions in domesticated cultivars and a related wild species,S.incanum, showed that the alternative allele ofS.incanumwas present in some members of the Pant Samrat cultivar, but was absent in most other cultivars. This difference could contribute to the differences in seed traits between wild and domesticated eggplants.
Gas-assisted femtosecond pulsed laser machining: A high-throughput alternative to focused ion beam for creating large, high-resolution cross sections
Authors: May Nicholas , Choi Hongbin , Phoulady Adrian , Amini Shahram , Tavousi Pouya , Shahbazmohamadi Sina
Published: May 2023

Cross sectioning is a critical sample preparation technique used in a wide range of applications, that enables investigation of buried layers and subsurface features or defects. State-of-the-art cross-sectioning methods, each have their own pros and cons, but generally suffer from a tradeoff between throughput and accuracy. Mechanical methods are fast but lack accuracy. On the other hand, ion-based methods, such as focused ion beam (FIB), offer high resolutions but are slow. Lasers, which can potentially improve this tradeoff, face multiple challenges that include creation of heat affected zones (HAZs), undesirably large spot size as well as material redeposition. In this work, we utilized, for the first time, a femtosecond pulsed laser, which has been shown to cause minimal to zero HAZ, for rapid creation of large cross sections that are comparable with FIB cross sections in quality. The laser was integrated with a targeted CO2 gas delivery system for redeposition control and beam tail curtailing, and a hard mask for top surface protection and further shrinkage of the effective spot size. The performance of the proposed system is showcased through real world examples that compare the throughput and quality resulted from the laser and FIB cross sectioning techniques.
Sensitivity to imidacloprid insecticide varies among some social and solitary bee species of agricultural value
Authors: Sampson Blair , Gregorc Aleš , Alburaki Mohamed , Werle Christopher , Karim Shahid , Adamczyk John , Knight Patricia
Published: May 2023

Pollinator health risks from long-lasting neonicotinoid insecticides like imidacloprid has primarily focused on commercially managed, cavity-nesting bees in the genera Apis, Bombus, and Osmia. We expand these assessments to include 12 species of native and non-native crop pollinators of differing levels of body size, sociality, and floral specialization. Bees were collected throughout 2016 and 2017 from flowering blueberry, squash, pumpkin, sunflower and okra in south Mississippi, USA. Within 30–60 minutes of capture, bees were installed in bioassay cages made from transparent plastic cups and dark amber jars. Bees were fed via dental wicks saturated with 27% (1.25 M) sugar syrup containing a realistic range of sublethal concentrations of imidacloprid (0, 5, 20, or 100 ppb) that are often found in nectar. Bees displayed no visible tremors or convulsions except for a small sweat bee, Halictus ligatus, and only at 100ppb syrup. Imidacloprid shortened the captive longevities of the solitary bees. Tolerant bee species lived ~10 to 12 days in the bioassays and included two social and one solitary species: Halictus ligatus, Apis mellifera and Ptilothrix bombiformis (rose mallow bees), respectively. No other bee species tolerated imidacloprid as well as honey bees did, which exhibited no appreciable mortality and only modest paralysis across concentration. In contrast, native bees either lived shorter lives, experienced longer paralysis, or endured both. Overall, longevity decreased with concentration linearly for social bees and non-linearly for solitary species. The percentage of a bee’s captive lifespan spent paralyzed increased logarithmically with concentration for all species, although bumble bees suffered longest. Of greatest concern was comparable debilitation of agriculturally valuable solitary bees at both low and high sublethal rates of imidacloprid.
A predicted structure of NADPH Oxidase 1 identifies key components of ROS generation and strategies for inhibition
Authors: Liu Yezhou , Liang Shiyu , Shi Danfeng , Zhang Yue , Bai Chen , Ye Richard D.
Published: May 2023

NADPH oxidase 1 (NOX1) is primarily expressed in epithelial cells and responsible for local generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). By specifically manipulating the local redox microenvironment, NOX1 actively engages in epithelial immunity, especially in colorectal and pulmonary epithelia. To unravel the structural basis of NOX1 engaged epithelial immune processes, a predicted structure model was established using RaptorX deep learning models. The predicted structure model illustrates a 6-transmembrane domain structure, a FAD binding domain, and an NADPH binding/NOXO1 interacting region. The substrate/cofactor binding scheme with respect to this proposed model highly correlates with published reports and is verified in our site-directed mutagenesis assays. An electron transport chain, from NADPH to FAD and the two heme groups, was well supported by the predicted model. Through molecular docking analysis of various small molecule NOX1 inhibitors and subsequent experimental validation, we identified pronounced active sites for potent NOX1 inhibition. Specifically, LEU60, VAL71, MET181, LEU185, HIS208, PHE211, TYR214, and TYR280 in the transmembrane domain form an active pocket for insertion of the small molecule inhibitors to inhibit electron transfer between the heme groups, thus affecting extracellular ROS generation. Altogether, our study provides structural information to help elucidate the role of NOX1 in epithelial generation of ROS and sheds light on the development of therapeutics for NOX1 related illnesses.
Perspectives of pharmacy employees on an inappropriate use of antimicrobials in Kathmandu, Nepal
Authors: Shrestha Nistha , Manandhar Sulochana , Maharjan Nhukesh , Twati Devina , Dongol Sabina , Basnyat Buddha , Baker Stephen , Karkey Abhilasha
Published: May 2023

Background

Unregulated antimicrobial use is common in both hospital and community settings of low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). However, discrete data regarding the use/misuse of antimicrobials at pharmacies in LMICs are limited. This study was conducted to understand knowledge, attitude, and practice of pharmacy employees on antimicrobial dispensing in Nepal.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional survey using a structured questionnaire on 801 pharmacy employees working in community and hospital pharmacies located in Lalitpur metropolitan city (LMC) of Kathmandu, Nepal between April 2017 and March 2019.

Results

A majority (92%) of respondents agreed that demand for non-prescription antimicrobials was common. Asking for prescription before dispensing was ranked as the first preference by majority (69%) of participants. Suspected respiratory tract infection was the most common reason demanding for non-prescription antimicrobials with the highest mean rank of 1.5. Azithromycin was the most commonly prescribed and sold antimicrobial, as reported by 46% and 48% of participants respectively. A majority (87%) of respondents agreed on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) to be a global public health threat; and misuse/overuse of antimicrobials was perceived as the most common cause of AMR with a mean rank of 1.93.

Conclusion

Our study revealed that unfounded dispensing and use of antimicrobials is prevalent among pharmacies in Kathmandu, Nepal. This over reliance on antimicrobials, notably azithromycin, may escalate burden of AMR. We identified several drivers of inappropriate antimicrobial dispensing practice in pharmacies, which will aid public health authorities in addressing these issues. Further studies considering role of other stakeholders, such as doctors, veterinarians, general public, and policy makers are required to obtain a more holistic perspectives on practices of antimicrobial use so to curb the extant AMR crisis.
Topics most predictive of favorable overall assessment in outpatient radiology
Authors: Ajam Amna A. , Berkheimer Colin , Xing Bin , Umerani Aadil , Rasheed Shayaan , Nguyen Xuan V.
Published: May 2023

Background

Patients’ subjective experiences during clinical interactions may affect their engagement in healthcare, and better understanding of the issues patients consider most important may help improve service quality and patient-staff relationships. While diagnostic imaging is a growing component of healthcare utilization, few studies have quantitatively and systematically assessed what patients deem most relevant in radiology settings. To elucidate factors driving patient satisfaction in outpatient radiology, we derived quantitative models to identify items most predictive of patients’ overall assessment of radiology encounters.

Methods

Press-Ganey survey data (N = 69,319) collected over a 9-year period at a single institution were retrospectively analyzed, with each item response dichotomized as “favorable” or “unfavorable.” Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed on 18 binarized Likert items to compute odds ratios (OR) for those question items significantly predicting Overall Rating of Care or Likelihood of Recommending. In a secondary analysis to identify topics more relevant to radiology than other encounter types, items significantly more predictive of concordant ratings in radiology compared to non-radiology visits were also identified.

Results

Among radiology survey respondents, top predictors of Overall Rating and Likelihood of Recommending were items addressing patient concerns or complaints (OR 6.8 and 4.9, respectively) and sensitivity to patient needs (OR 4.7 and 4.5, respectively). When comparing radiology and non-radiology visits, the top items more predictive for radiology included unfavorable responses to helpfulness of registration desk personnel (OR 1.4–1.6), comfort of waiting areas (OR 1.4), and ease of obtaining an appointment at the desired time (OR 1.4).

Conclusions

Items related to patient-centered empathic communication were the most predictive of favorable overall ratings among radiology outpatients, while underperformance in logistical issues related to registration, scheduling, and waiting areas may have greater adverse impact on radiology than non-radiology encounters. Findings may offer potential targets for future quality improvement efforts.
Conditioning-induced expression of novel glucose transporters in canine skeletal muscle homogenate
Authors: Barrett Montana Renae , Scott Davis Michael
Published: May 2023

Athletic conditioning can increase the capacity for insulin-stimulated skeletal muscle glucose uptake through increased sarcolemmal expression of GLUT4 and potentially additional novel glucose transporters. We used a canine model that has previously demonstrated conditioning-induced increases in basal, insulin- and contraction-stimulated glucose uptake to identify whether expression of glucose transporters other than GLUT4 was upregulated by athletic conditioning. Skeletal muscle biopsies were obtained from 12 adult Alaskan Husky racing sled dogs before and after a full season of conditioning and racing, and homogenates from those biopsies were assayed for expression of GLUT1, GLUT3, GLUT4, GLUT6, GLUT8, and GLUT12 using western blots. Athletic conditioning resulted in a 1.31 ± 0.70 fold increase in GLUT1 (p <0.0001), 1.80 ± 1.99 fold increase in GLUT4 (p = 0.005), and 2.46 ± 2.39 fold increase in GLUT12 (p = 0.002). The increased expression of GLUT1 helps explain the previous findings of conditioning-induced increases in basal glucose clearance in this model, and the increase in GLUT12 provides an alternative mechanism for insulin- and contraction-mediated glucose uptake and likely contributes to the substantial conditioning-induced increases in insulin sensitivity in highly trained athletic dogs. Furthermore, these results suggest that athletic dogs can serve as a valuable resource for the study of alternative glucose transport mechanisms in higher mammals.
An ACAT inhibitor suppresses SARS-CoV-2 replication and boosts antiviral T cell activity
Authors: Wing Peter A. C. , Schmidt Nathalie M. , Peters Rory , Erdmann Maximilian , Brown Rachel , Wang Hao , Swadling Leo ,   COVIDsortium Investigators, Newman Joseph , Thakur Nazia , Shionoya Kaho , Morgan Sophie B. , Hinks Timothy SC , Watashi Koichi , Bailey Dalan , Hansen Scott B. , Davidson Andrew D. , Maini Mala K. , McKeating Jane A.
Published: May 2023

The severity of disease following infection with SARS-CoV-2 is determined by viral replication kinetics and host immunity, with early T cell responses and/or suppression of viraemia driving a favourable outcome. Recent studies uncovered a role for cholesterol metabolism in the SARS-CoV-2 life cycle and in T cell function. Here we show that blockade of the enzyme Acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) with Avasimibe inhibits SARS-CoV-2 pseudoparticle infection and disrupts the association of ACE2 and GM1 lipid rafts on the cell membrane, perturbing viral attachment. Imaging SARS-CoV-2 RNAs at the single cell level using a viral replicon model identifies the capacity of Avasimibe to limit the establishment of replication complexes required for RNA replication. Genetic studies to transiently silence or overexpress ACAT isoforms confirmed a role for ACAT in SARS-CoV-2 infection. Furthermore, Avasimibe boosts the expansion of functional SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells from the blood of patients sampled during the acute phase of infection. Thus, re-purposing of ACAT inhibitors provides a compelling therapeutic strategy for the treatment of COVID-19 to achieve both antiviral and immunomodulatory effects.

Trial registration: NCT04318314.
Transforming Islamic entertainment and values in Malaysian films
Authors: Ghani Zulkiple Abd , Rahman Suria Hani A.
Published: May 2023

Building a society with high moral and values is imperative in Islamic teachings. As media technologies have changed the ways of human communication and offered new platforms for media content, it provides many opportunities to produce Islamic entertainment programmes that suit with the nature of various medium. Producing Islamic media content could play a unifying role for representing Muslims’ diverse cultures as well as avoiding a negative picture of Islam. Ideally, Muslim culture is derived from the cultural and communication heritage. Islamic entertainment and values are rich in terms of virtues and can be transformed into various genres of media products including films. This article will examine the debate of the Islamic entertainment particularly by examining al-Ghazali’s views ofal-sama’ (‘entertainment’) and subsequently contextualizing it to the Malaysian Islamic ambiences. Using narrative analysis, two popular melodramas (films) will be examined to manifest the process of transforming Islamic values into entertainment programmes. It is argued that the representation of values is considered essential in Islamic communication perspective. It encompasses social, religious and cultural foundations. Muslims must actively participate in producing media content so that it will strengthen both the form and content for communicating Islamic values across the world. Unity, brotherhood, equality, love and tolerance are part of the key formulas to ensure a better process of disseminating good connotations of Islam via media.
Electra Tiranicida. Gênero na recepção de uma deliberação heroica na tragédia de Sófocles
Authors: Pitombo Bacelar Agatha
Published: May 2023

No terceiro episódio da Electra de Sófocles, a heroína, acreditando que seu irmão Orestes está morto, tenta convencer sua irmã Crisótemis a participar de um plano de matar Egisto, em um discurso que retoma as honras públicas instituídas na Atenas do século V a.C. em homenagem ao casal tiranicida, Harmódio e Aristogíton, e, portanto, aproxima as duas irmãs da imagem de campeãs da democracia (v. 947-989). Este artigo compara o tratamento dado por Comentários contemporâneos à Electra de Sófocles a este discurso com estudos recentes da cidadania ateniense que fazem uso do gênero como ferramenta metodológica, no intuito de argumentar que a ideia da pólis como um “clube de homens” depende muito mais de um estereótipo moderno sobre a política ateniense do que das evidências antigas disponíveis – um estereótipo que projeta concepções europeias do século XIX acerca do político sobre o contexto antigo e perpetua, no passado, uma dominação masculina supostamente universal. Nessa perspectiva, a atitude de Electra, certamente excepcional pela situação igualmente excepcional em que a heroína se encontra, longe de transgredir de um modo impressionante os papéis de gênero antigos, aponta para a importância da cidadania feminina na democracia ateniense.
Hyperthyroid crisis with cholestasis in a 12-year-old girl: a case report
Authors: Celine Celine , Utami Ni Made Dwiyathi
Published: May 2023

Hyperthyroidism is considered to be an emergency in children. Death can occur in 10-20% of cases. This condition is found more often in adolescents and girls. Cholestasis may be caused by the hyperthyroidism or side effects of anti-thyroid drugs. Increased hepatic blood flow without adequate oxygen supply as a result of a hypermetabolic state affects the transport of bilirubin, leading to cholestasis.
Association of CD4 cell counts and viral load with cystatin C level in children with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection
Authors: Rostania Wita , Alam Anggraini , Hilmanto Dany
Published: May 2023

Background The ease of access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) has improved both survival rate and comorbidities in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Impaired kidney function is one of the most common comorbidities of HIV. CD4 and viral load can be used to monitor HIV progression and to determine the effectiveness of ART. The most commonly used estimated-glomerular filtration rate (e-GFR) technique is to use serum creatinine but often causes late detection of kidney dysfunction while serum cystatin increases at the beginning of the GFR decrease. This supports cystatin C serum as an early diagnostic tool to detect kidney function or biomarker early kidney disorders.

Objective To evaluate a possible association between serum cystatin C as a marker of kidney function and HIV progression through CD4 levels and viral load.

Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted through evaluation of secondary data from medical and laboratory records of pediatric patients who had routine visits to the HIV Clinic at Dr. Hasan Sadikin General Hospital, Bandung, West Java, in January-February 2020.

Results Sixty subjects were reviewed in the study. Median cystatin C-based eGFR was 28.1mL/minute/1.73m2. Subjects were categorized by viral load result into <40 and ?40 copies/mL. The median serum cystatin C was significantly higher [3.7 (range 2.61–6.55) mg/L] in the >40 copies/mL viral load group than the <40 copies/mL group [2.4 (range 0.26–13.61) mg/L]. The median absolute CD4 count, CD4 percentage, and cystatin C were 776 (range 7–1644) cells/mm3, 27.5 (range 1.6–57.4) %, and 3 (range 0.26–13.61) mg/L, respectively. There were no significant correlations (r=-0.2; P=0.1) between CD4 and serum cystatin C

 Conclusion Higher viral load associates with higher cystatin C level, while CD4 shows no correlation to cystatin C. However, patients with low CD4 tend to have increased cystatin C level.
Level of Perceived Satisfaction with Acute Pain Management among the Patients with Fracture of Long Bones in Teaching Hospital Jaffna
Authors: Kanagalingam Heerthikan , Murukananthan Thivera , Menadchisundaram Pavithra , Wanninayaka Oshadhi Geesara , Jayalath Nadeera , Ambalavanar Devathayalan , Coonghe Dinesh
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Pain is an unpleasant sensation that has to be managed properly. In fracture patients, effective pain management plays a major role in their treatment. Although much efforts are put in by the doctors, there is uncertainty about the level of satisfaction with acute pain management. We hope to assess the level of satisfaction with acute pain management among fracture patients and the results could be used to improve the level of satisfaction in the future.

Objectives

To assess the level of perceived satisfaction with acute pain management and associated socio-demographic and health related factors among patients with long bones fractures in surgical casualty ward of Teaching Hospital Jaffna.

Methodology

An institutional based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at ward 24, Teaching Hospital, Jaffna. This study was conducted from October 2020 to March 2021. Data was collected through interviewer-administrated questionnaires from patients above 12 years of age with fractures of long bones who had undergone management within 12 hours of admission and analyzed with SPSS 21 (T-test and ANOVA). Femoral neck, intertrochanteric, subtrochanteric and femoral head fractures were grouped as hip fractures for ease of analysis. Perceived satisfaction score was calculated according to the participant’s answers to 11 Likert scale questions which were selected from The Pain Treatment Satisfaction Scale (PTSS), each scoring from 0 to 3. (Overall score 0 to 33) Numerical pain scale was used to assess the level of pain.

Results

Among 120 study participants, 70 were male and 50 were female. The median pain score immediately after fracture was 8, one hour after analgesic administration was 5 and after non-medical intervention following analgesic administration was 4. There was a significant association with the patient’s satisfaction and time taken for initial administration of analgesics (p=0.46), site of fracture (clavicle p=0.005) and type of non-medical intervention (pop cast p=0.049, intervention p=0.011). There were no significant association between patient’s perceived satisfaction with gender (p=0.218), age category (p=0.935), educational level (p=0.130), marital status (p=0.095), past medical history (p=0.957) and past surgical history (p=0.227).

Conclusion

Majority of the patients were satisfied with the acute pain management. Early onset analgesics administration & non-medical interventions and lower level of patient’s expectation regarding pain management in our community were the reasons for higher overall satisfaction.
Continuing Medical Education Questions: May 2023
Authors: Khan Zubair
Published: May 2023

Article Title: Linaclotide Reduced Response Time for Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation Symptoms: Analysis of Four Randomized Controlled Trials
A relação rural-urbano e o abastecimento alimentar
Authors: Valério Valmir José de Oliveira
Published: May 2023

O abastecimento alimentar se realiza na conjunção de formas diferenciadas do espaço, nas quais rural e urbano expressam distintas possibilidades de relação. A especificidade de tais relações pode ser identificada por meio do caráter predominante nas políticas e ações que as definem, setorial ou territorial. Essa definição é de grande importância para analisar os interesses subentendidos à produção e distribuição de alimentos em um determinado espaço e tempo, pois demarca a relação espacial estabelecida como hegemônica. Nesse contexto, este artigo tem por objetivo refletir acerca da relação entre as dinâmicas rural e urbana na consolidação do abastecimento alimentar, tendo em vista as abordagens setorial e territorial. Para isso, foi realizada uma revisão bibliográfica sobre o assunto, com destaque para as abordagens setorial e territorial, a relação rural-urbano e os conceitos de segurança e soberania alimentar. Enquanto o enfoque setorial separa o rural do urbano, impondo o atravessador como passagem obrigatória para o encontro entre produtores e consumidores, a abordagem territorial permite pensar uma relação contraditória e integrada, na qual se destacam propostas alternativas de produção e distribuição local e regional de alimentos.
Reforma Agrária como política de reparação histórica para a população negra no Brasil
Authors: Goldfarb Yamila
Published: May 2023

Este trabalho busca construir a argumentação de defesa da Reforma Agrária enquanto reparação histórica para a população negra brasileira frente a três principais marcos da história do país, a saber: a Lei de Terras de 1850 que ao instituir a propriedade privada da terra impede o seu acesso à população que estava por ser emancipada; a interdição do acesso ao ensino público para a população escravizada e mesmo recém liberta e; a expulsão do campo sistemática que se perpetra com a ditadura cívico-militar e sua modernização conservadora e violenta. O trabalho busca mostrar que para se superar o racismo no país é preciso compreender a indissociabilidade da origem deste com a questão agrária, logo, sua superação requer também a própria superação da questão agrária. Para tanto, a reparação à população negra por meio do acesso à terra se torna fundamental.
Developing a Pan-European Open Science Training Landscape
Authors: Budroni Dr. Paolo , Gómez Sánchez Alicia Fátima , de Mello Castro Giroletti Juliana , Sánchez Solís Barbara
Published: May 2023

In an environment designed to increasingly enable Open Science, not all researchers and research supporting units have the required competences. Moreover, there is a lack of clear data professionals’ profiles and corresponding career paths, and a high degree of fragmentation in training resources. This article presents the Horizon Europe project “Skills4EOSC” and other selected initiatives that contribute to the goals of the European Open Science Cloud, and in particular to the creation of a harmonised training landscape. The transition to Open Science implies that researchers and research-supporting experts acquire new skills, which also requires new and additional forms of training. Together, and step by step, efforts add up to a common and trusted pan-European ecosystem.
¿Son los anticuerpos IgG e IgM contra los antígenos S y N del SARS-CoV-2 siempre predictores de infección previa por SARS-CoV-2?
Authors: Lippi Giuseppe , Henry Brandon M. , Pighi Laura , De Nitto Simone , Salvagno Gian Luca
Published: May 2023

Objetivos

Evaluamos si los inmunoensayos con anticuerpos IgG e IgM contra las proteínas spike (S) y nucleocápside (N) del SARS-CoV-2 detectan infecciones previas por SARS-CoV-2.

Métodos

Analizamos una cohorte de profesionales sanitarios que había completado el ciclo de vacunación. Desde 2020, y cada 2–4 semanas, se les realizaron revisiones médicas y pruebas moleculares para diagnosticar una posible infección por SARS-CoV-2. Se extrajeron muestras de sangre venosa para medir los niveles de anticuerpos contra el SARS-CoV-2 con los ensayos MAGLUMI® 2019-nCoV lgG y 2019-nCoV lgM CLIA dirigidos a las proteínas S y N del SARS-CoV-2.

Resultados

En total, la prueba RT-PCR fue positiva para SARS-CoV-2 en 31 (58,5 %) sujetos (el resultado fue positivo una vez en 24 sujetos y dos veces en 7). No se observó una relación directa entre los niveles de anticuerpos IgM contra S y N del SARS-CoV-2 y la positividad de la prueba molecular. El análisis de regresión univariante reveló una relación estadísticamente significativa entre los anticuerpos IgG contra S y N del SARS-CoV-2 y una prueba molecular positiva (r=0,33; p=0,015) y el número de pruebas moleculares positivas (r=0,43; p=0,001). Sin embargo, no se observó correlación con el número de dosis de la vacuna (r=−0,12; p=0,392). La significación se mantuvo en el análisis de regresión lineal (p=0,029 y p<0,001, respectivamente) tras controlar el efecto del sexo, edad, índice de masa corporal y dosis de la vacuna. En el análisis de la curva ROC, los IgG contra S y N del SARS-CoV-2 predijeron significativamente la positividad de la prueba molecular (AUC, 0,69; IC95 %; 0,55–0,84). El mejor valor umbral fue 0,05 AU/mL, con una precisión del 67,9 %, una sensibilidad del 0,97, y una especifidad de 0,27.

Conclusiones

Aunque los anticuerpos IgG contra S y N del SARS-CoV-2 proporcionan información útil para identificar infecciones previas por SARS-CoV-2, se debería emplear un valor umbral inferior al de la reactividad de la muestra. Los anticuerpos IgM contra S y N del SARS-CoV-2 no son válidos para tal fin.
An Autobiography of Childhood: Anatoly Kuznetsov’s Babi Yar as Bildungsroman
Authors: Balina Marina
Published: May 2023

This article represents an attempt to read Anatoly Kuznetsov’s Babi Yar: A Document in the Form of a Novel in its complete and uncensored version (published 1970) as a novel of education. Critical interpretation of this text has been dominated by the story of the mass shootings of the Jewish population witnessed by the adolescent Tolya, with the youngster’s own story often relegated to the background. But the analytic framework of the Bildungsroman makes it possible to see how, in addition to serving as a testimonial of the “Holocaust by Bullets,” the book demonstrates the full extent of the deformation of a child under conditions of war and occupation. The theoretical apparatus of the analysis is largely based on research in narratological theory (Shlomith Rimmon-Kenan). Discussion of the structural features of an autobiography of childhood also draws on Kate Douglas’s studies on autobiography, trauma, and memory. As a process of socialization, Bildung in Babi Yar turns into an anti-Bildung of adolescence: Kuznetsov’s novel shows how the experience of war deforms the personality on a variety of perceptual levels—optical, olfactory, haptic, and sonic.
Interpreting Interpretation in Private Law
Authors: Zanitelli Leandro Martins
Published: May 2023

The article addresses the following question: why do we interpret private law? My aim is, first of all, to make use of the theory of interpretation presented by Ronald Dworkin in Justice for Hedgehogs (Dworkin 2011) to emphasize the methodological importance of this issue. Second, the article casts doubt on the thesis that different interpretations of private law – for example, the so-called structuralist interpretations and instrumentalist interpretations such as the economic analysis of law – are rival interpretations. Like Dworkin, I argue that it is our interpretive responsibilities that define whether or not two interpretations of the same object should be treated as rivals. These responsibilities, in turn, are measured in light of the purpose of the interpretation. The interpretation of private law is a peculiar case of legal interpretation because it is not eminently concerned with determining the content of that law. On the other hand, if justification is the point of interpreting private law, then there seems to be no reason why different interpretations should necessarily be interpretations in competition with each other. The justification of private law may depend on a plurality of normative injunctions being met, and the features by which private law satisfies these injunctions can be highlighted sometimes by one interpretation, sometimes by another.
Giving voice to the Csángó figure: participation roles and the production of belief in language revitalisation
Authors: Bodó Csanád , Fazakas Noémi
Published: May 2023

Language revitalisation gives voice to those who participate in it. But it is not always clear whose voice the participants make heard. It is also not straightforward who hears and wants to listen to the voices that are raised during language revitalisation. In this article, we present a language educational programme which aims to give voice to the participants of the Moldavian Hungarian (also calledCsángó) language revitalisation in North-East Romania. Applying the Goffmanian participation framework, we demonstrate that the participants of the programme collaborate in giving voice to a Csángó-speaking figure while covertly performing different roles. Drawing on our linguistic ethnographic research, we point out how this institutionalised participation framework promotes the achievement of one of the objectives of language revitalisation: the restoration of past language practices. Nevertheless, it also creates an obstacle to another: to the way that the speakers of this language can have a voice worth hearing. The analysis highlights the tensions of institutionalising a participatory framework in language revitalisation, which aims to produce the belief in a Csángó figure representing the essential link between language and (national) community.
Shear strength behavior of organic soils treated with fly ash and fly ash-based geopolymer
Authors: Ameen Sarah K. , Abdulkareem Ahmed H. , Mahmood Nabeel S.
Published: May 2023

Organic soil is a problematic soil that needs to be treated before construction because of the low shear strength and high compressibility. Using by-product materials, such as fly ash (FA), to improve soils is a cost-effective and sustainable procedure. Because treatment with FA may lead to reduce shear strength, a FA-based geopolymer was used with a cohesive organic soil to substitute the reduction in strength. A series of unconfined compressive strength tests (UCS) were conducted on compacted specimens treated with FA and geopolymer. The geopolymer was produced by adding sodium hydroxide to activate the FA. Different levels of FA content, curing period, and temperature were applied to the specimens. The results indicate that for the FA treated specimens, the UCS decreased as the FA increased. For the geopolymer-treated specimens, as FA percentage in the geopolymer increased, the UCS increased and the axial strain at failure decreased. The optimum content of FA, in the geopolymer, was 20%, and the highest UCS was achieved at a curing period of 28 days at a temperature level of 65°C. Based on the obtained results, FA-based geopolymer can effectively be used to improve the strength of organic soils.
Enhancing the ability of rice to adapt and grow under saline stress using selected halotolerant rhizobacterial nitrogen fixer
Authors: Simarmata Tualar , Setiawati Mieke Rochimi , Fitriatin Betty Natalie , Herdiyantoro Diyan , Khumairah Fiqriah Hanum
Published: May 2023

Salinity stress has become the major devastating constraint for rice growth. Halotolerant rhizobacterial nitrogen fixer (HRNF) was investigated for increasing the nitrogenase activity (NA), organic acid (OA), gibberellic acid (GA), and indole 3-acetic acid (IAA) productions, seedling growth, and rice yield. Six N fixers were isolated using Ashby’s (Ab1, Ab2, and Ab3) and Okon’s media (Az1, Az2, and Az3). Furthermore, bioassay was carried out using rice seedling grown on nitrogen-free medium. The Ab3 and Az2 isolates were selected and biomolecularly identified as Pseudomonas stutzeri and Klebsiella pneumoniae, respectively. These selected bacteria were used as active ingredients for Halotolerant rhizobacterial inoculant (HRI) dosage trials (0, 500, 1,000, and 1,500 g ha−1) on simple pot experiments. The Az group isolates had 3–5 times higher ability in fixing N and producing OA, GA, and IAA than the Ab group isolates. Furthermore, N-uptake, number of panicles, filled grain, and the rice yield of HRI treated pots were significantly increased. Application of 1,000–1,500 g HRI ha−1 had resulted in a significant increase in the yield of rice grain (26.10–28.27 g plant−1 or 15.4–25.09%) which was higher than the control. This result concludes that HRI could contribute in enhancing the ability of rice to adapt and grow under saline stress.
Real-time image defect detection system of cloth digital printing machine
Authors: Liu Hongliang
Published: May 2023

In order to solve the surface defects such as white silk, spots and wrinkles in the process of digital printing, a surface defect detection system for printed fabrics based on accelerated robust feature algorithm was proposed. Image registration is mainly carried out through accelerated robust feature (SURF); bidirectional unique matching method is adopted to reduce mismatch points, achieve accurate image registration, and extract defect information through differential algorithm. The performance of the improved surfing algorithm is verified by using multiple images. The experimental results show that compared with the traditional template matching method, the detection accuracy of the system detection algorithm is 12% higher, and the average time is 42.81 ms shorter than the traditional template matching method. Experiments show that the improved surfing algorithm has short time and high precision. The system can meet the actual production needs. The new system can detect surface defects on printed fabrics with an accuracy of 98%. Conclusion: The algorithm has higher detection rate and faster detection speed, which can meet the needs of practical industrial applications.
Metal-centric organic compounds: boon to third-order nonlinear optical applications
Authors: S Shakeel Nawaz , S Ranganatha , S Supriya , Ramakrishna Dileep
Published: May 2023

In the recent past the molecular engineering of coordination metal complexes has attracted new interest in the field of nonlinear optics (NLO), which find their applications in optoelectronics and optical data storage technology it is the transition metal along with the organic moieties that induce the control over the optical nonlinearity these properties of the materials not only enhance the intensity but also have a drastic effect on the polarization of incident laser light. This is an important criterion for all-optical switching applications. Coordination metal complexes are a very good target to aim at because of their robustness, physical and chemical stability, and other variable degrees that lead to an increment in NLO responses, most importantly all these properties can be either manipulated or tailored or tunable according to the requirement. Apart from the metal center, these molecules acting as legend must be chromophoric with donor-acceptor nature. In these molecules, the NLO response is intrinsically based on the ‘push-pull’ mechanism of the electrons. Obviously to these molecules, when a metal is in contact, the electronic push-pull mechanism alters rendering the molecule non-symmetric. This review article mainly concentrates on small mononuclear metal complexes for NLO application.