bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Community-based palliative care in two primary care settings – nursing homes and home care: a national survey
Authors: Raunkiaer Mette , Mikkelsen Tina B. , Shabnam Jahan , Christiansen Sofie R. , Jarlbaek Lene
Published: March 2024

Aims:

Based on selected themes from a national survey, the study aims to describe and analyse similarities and differences in community-based palliative care provided to people living at home in two different care settings – the nursing home setting and the home care setting.

Methods:

Responses from four palliative care themes covered by a national survey sent to 717 managers in municipality-based care units were used. The themes were: (a) target groups in palliative care; (b) wishes for end-of-life care; (c) tools/guidelines in palliative care; and (d) palliative care provided to relatives.

Results:

The response rates were 53% in the nursing home setting and 69% in the home care setting (69%). Both settings had target groups for palliative care, in which significantly more units in the home care settings cared for people with other cultural backgrounds or children. Wishes for end-of-life care were addressed by more than 90% of the units in both settings. There were significantly more nursing home units that addressed questions regarding resuscitation, decision making when you are incapable of making decisions for yourself, and the level of medication. In both settings, around half of the units did not use or did not know if they used tools/guidelines to identify palliative care needs. Half of home care and 65% of nursing home settings did not/were unaware of providing palliative care to relatives.

Conclusions:

Both settings serve target populations for palliative care with few differences. Identifying palliative care needs seemed to be a low priority in both settings. A difference was found between the settings regarding end-of-life care questions and palliative care promotion to relatives.
A different playbook for the same outcome? Examining Google’s and Meta’s strategic responses to Australia’s News Media Bargaining Code
Authors: Bossio Diana , Carson Andrea , Meese James
Published: March 2024

In March 2021, Australia enacted the News Media Bargaining Code (NMBC) legislation, which compels Google and Meta to pay for third-party news content on their platforms. To date, Australian newsrooms have made deals with both platforms totalling approximately AUD$200 million (US$126.4 million). The 1-year review of the Code has prompted questions about not just the legislation but also the lack of public detail about the deals made between news organisations and the platforms. This article seeks to critically analyse the strategic positions both Google and Facebook took in supporting public interest journalism before and after the introduction of the Code. Using a mixed methodological approach, we find that both platforms differed in their strategic engagement with Australian media organisations before and after the introduction of the NMBC and that the Code, as it stands, risks increasing platform influence in the Australian news market.
Enabling circular economy practices in regional contexts: Insights from the UK Southwest
Authors: Cherrington Ruth , Manolchev Constantine , Edwards Kirstie , Housni Isabelle , Alexander Allen
Published: March 2024

While much research has focused on embedding circular economy (CE) practices in urban contexts, there is growing interest in the opportunities and challenges of rural settings. Adopting a regional lens can account for local knowledge, collective practices and community memory, yet CE conceptualisations often lack both a place-based dimension and a consideration of regional stakeholders. The aim of this paper is to explore the role of various stakeholders, in driving the adoption and implementation of CE practices at a regional level. We do this through engagement with 31 participants from business, governance and community groups in a peripheral region situated in the Southwest of the UK. Using stakeholder theory and thematic analysis of interviews, participant observation and workshop scripts, we identify ‘influencers’ as a key stakeholder group leading the implementation of regional CE goals and practices. Furthermore, we highlight key barriers and enabling factors which underpin interactions among different stakeholder groups and discuss their implications for regional CE transition.
The European Union’s governance of teachers and the evolution of a bridging issue field since the mid-2000s
Authors: Sorensen Tore Bernt , Dumay Xavier
Published: March 2024

Concerned with European Union (EU) governance of teachers since the mid-2000s, this paper makes an empirical as well as theoretical contribution to education policy studies in the context of EU governance. Drawing on neo-institutional field theory and an empirical material of policy documents and interviews, the paper analyses the consolidation and evolution of a field at the EU level that is focused on the governance of the teaching profession. We argue that this field constitutes a bridging issue field, spanning several policy domains, including education, employment and economy, and characterised by non-linear and relatively slow change. We demonstrate how the field since the mid-2000s has become elaborated via the strategic framing of teacher skills and careers as policy issues, the mobilisation of actors and networks, and an expanding institutional infrastructure of mechanisms and policy instruments. Theoretically, the paper advances the debate on EU governance by highlighting the epistemic gains of neo-institutional field theory in making sense of soft governance contexts and their trajectories as an outcome of the interplay between issue framings, different types of actors, and institutional infrastructure.
A tale of tartan: Diffractive storytelling in response to educational policy for Pākehā educators in Aotearoa New Zealand
Authors: Pears-Scown Naomi
Published: March 2024

This piece demonstrates a creative practice that invites educators from diverse backgrounds to consider the memories, stories, and cultural histories alive within them. How we carry and know our own stories influences how we can critically and reflexively enact or challenge policies of cultural responsivity in education. Given that the political landscapes in education get remade over and over, the threads of our personal histories remain vital to remember, so they, too, do not move into the realm of forgetting. To connect, in an ongoing way, to our unique heritages and stories is to challenge current policy proposals that intend to privatise historical and cultural education, risking fragmentation and dissociation. This piece uses a diffractive storytelling approach through critical autoethnography to consider how material artefacts are imbued with histories and stories. This article traces my memories as a Pākehā (immigrant of European origin) educator in Aotearoa, New Zealand, from Scotland, through the artefact of a tartan quilt. I demonstrate how educators may use creative practices to remember and trace the threads of their stories through their material artefacts, elucidating the lenses from which they teach so they may equip students with the tools to navigate political influences within their own stories.
Review of Herbal Medicinal Plants Used in the Management of Cancers in the East Africa Region from 2019 to 2023
Authors: Kudamba Ali , Kasolo Josephine N. , Bbosa Godfrey S. , Lugaajju Allan , Wabinga Henry , Kafeero Hussein M. , Ssenku Jamilu E. , Alemu Shaban O. , Walusansa Abdul , Niyonzima Nixon , Muwonge Haruna
Published: March 2024

Background:

In the East African region, herbal plants are essential in the treatment and control of cancer. Given the diverse ecological and cultural makeup of the regional states, it is likely that different ethnic groups will use the same or different plants for the same or different diseases. However, since 2019, this has not been compiled into a single study.

Purpose:

The study aimed to compile and record the medicinal plants utilized in East Africa from April 2019 to June 2023 to treat various cancer types.

Materials and methods:

The study examined 13 original studies that included ethnobotanical research conducted in East Africa. They were retrieved from several internet databases, including Google Scholar, Scopus, PubMed/Medline, Science Direct, and Research for Life. The study retrieved databases on plant families and species, plant parts used, preparation methods and routes of administration, and the country where the ethnobotanical field surveys were conducted. Graphs were produced using the GraphPad Prism 8.125 program (GraphPad Software, Inc., San Diego, CA). Tables and figures were used to present the data, which had been condensed into percentages and frequencies.

Results:

A total of 105 different plant species from 45 different plant families were identified, including Asteraceae (14), Euphorbiaceae (12), Musaceae (8), and Apocynaceae (7). Uganda registered the highest proportion (46% of the medicinal plants used). The most commonly mentioned medicinal plant species in cancer management was Prunus africana. Herbs (32%), trees and shrubs (28%), and leaves (45%) constituted the majority of herbal remedies. Most herbal remedies were prepared by boiling (decoction) and taken orally (57%).

Conclusion:

East Africa is home to a wide variety of medicinal plant species that local populations and herbalists, or TMP, frequently use in the treatment of various types of cancer. The most frequently used families are Asteraceae and Euphorbiaceae, with the majority of species being found in Uganda. The most frequently utilized plant species is Prunus africana. Studies on the effectiveness of Prunus africana against other malignancies besides prostate cancer are required.
Robot Assisted Laparoscopic Surgery in Gynaecology: An Evolving Assistive Technology
Authors: Xie Siwen , Wood Thomas Charles , Dasgupta Prokar , Aydin Abdullatif
Published: March 2024

Laparoscopic surgery is extensively utilized to treat a range of gynaecological conditions and pathologies. The advantages of laparoscopic surgery include the minimalization of blood loss and scarring, improved recovery times, and shorter hospital admissions. However, robotic technologies have had an increasing presence within gynaecological laparoscopic surgery in recent decades. This literature review therefore aims to discuss laparoscopy from 3 perspectives. First, the evolution of laparoscopy is reviewed with a focus on its origins, its transition from a diagnostic to an operative tool, and its role in present-day gynaecology. Second, interventions for benign gynaecological conditions (including excision of benign ovarian tumours, total laparoscopic hysterectomy, and laparoscopic myomectomy) are reviewed. The laparoscopic management of malignant gynaecology (including ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, and cervical cancer) is also discussed. Finally, whilst robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery is experiencing rapid technological advancement, it is pertinent to consider the extent of its benefits when compared to open or conventional laparoscopic approaches in gynaecological surgery.
Delayed ulnar artery pseudoaneurysm presentation after percutaneous cardiac intervention: A case report and review of the literature
Authors: Osilama Eshiemomoh , Satchell Emma K , Ballehaninna Umashankar K
Published: March 2024

Purpose

Here we present a case of a 62-year-old female with a delayed ulnar artery pseudoaneurysm presentation after cardiac catheterization.

Case Report

A 62-year-old woman with multiple medical comorbidities including end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on hemodialysis (HD) and atrial fibrillation on tablet apixaban who presented 8 weeks after cardiac catheterization through right ulnar artery access with a pulsatile mass, pain, and tingling of her right-hand fingers. Ultrasound exam confirmed presence of ulnar artery pseudoaneurysm with >2 cm active chamber. This pseudoaneurysm was repaired via forearm exploration, evacuation of hematoma, and primary repair with non-absorbable sutures.

Conclusion

We report a case of delayed ulnar artery pseudoaneurysm presentation following cardiac catheterization through the right ulnar artery. Open surgical repair offers a definitive addressal of ulnar artery pseudoaneurysm and removes ulnar nerve compressive neuropathy with less risk of distal embolization in patients with delayed pseudoaneurysm presentation whenever ultrasound-guided thrombin injection (UGTI) is contraindicated.
Electroacupuncture attenuates nociceptive behaviors in a mouse model of cancer pain
Authors: Zhao Yu-Xue , Yao Ming-Jiang , Shen Jian-Wu , Zhang Wen-Xi , Zhou Yuan-Xi
Published: March 2024

Pain is a major symptom in cancer patients, and cancer-induced bone pain (CIBP) is the most common type of moderate and severe cancer-related pain. The current available analgesic treatments for CIBP have adverse effects as well as limited therapeutic effects. Acupuncture is proved effective in pain management as a safe alternative therapy. We evaluated the analgesic effect of acupuncture in treatment of cancer pain and try to explore the underlying analgesic mechanisms. Nude mice were inoculated with cancer cells into the left distal femur to establish cancer pain model. Electroacupuncture (EA) treatment was applied for the xenograft animals. Pain behaviors of mice were evaluated, followed by the detections of neuropeptide-related and inflammation-related indicators in peripheral and central levels. EA treatment alleviated cancer-induced pain behaviors covering mechanical allodynia, thermal hyperalgesia and spontaneous pain, and also down-regulated immunofluorescence expressions of neuropeptide CGRP and p75 in the skin of affected plantar area in xenograft mice, and inhibited expressions of overexpressed neuropeptide-related and inflammation-related protein in the lumbar spinal cord of xenograft mice. Overall, our findings suggest that EA treatment ameliorated cancer-induced pain behaviors in the mouse xenograft model of cancer pain, possibly through inhibiting the expressions of neuropeptide-related and inflammation-related protein in central level following tumor cell xenografts.
Determination and analysis of solid–liquid equilibria for ternary systems Na2SO4–H2O2–H2O and Na2CO3–H2O2–H2O at 5 °C
Authors: Liu Yue
Published: March 2024

To develop a better process for synthesizing sodium percarbonate and getting separation of the sodium salt, the equilibrium of the ternary system Na2SO4–H2O2–H2O and Na2CO3–H2O2–H2O at 5 °C was determined using the isothermal method, and the appropriate synthesis conditions for sodium carbonate from a theoretical perspective was discussed. The Na2SO4–H2O2–H2O system phase diagram contains one co-saturated point of Na2SO4·0.5H2O2·H2O and Na2SO4·10H2O. The Na2CO3–H2O2–H2O system phase diagram contains three crystal zones: Na2CO3·10H2O crystallization field, 0Na2CO3·1.5H2O2·H2O crystallization field and Na2CO3·2H2O2·H2O crystallization field. According to the phase diagram, the suitable raw material ratio of sodium percarbonate synthesis was obtained, to get the maximum of product yield, the optimal mass ratio of Na2CO3 to 30% H2O2 is 0.609.
Immunotherapy for the treatment of biliary tract cancer: an evolving landscape
Authors: Wilbur Helen Catherine , Azad Nilofer S.
Published: March 2024

Biliary tract cancers (BTCs), consisting of intrahepatic and extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and gallbladder cancer, are an aggressive, heterogeneous malignancy. They are most often diagnosed in the locally advanced or metastatic setting, at which point treatment consists of systemic therapy or best supportive care. Our understanding of the tumor microenvironment and the molecular classification has led to the identification of targetable mutations, such as isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 and fibroblast growth factor receptor 2. Despite the identification of these genomic alterations, until recently, little advancement had been made in the first-line setting for advanced BTC. While immunotherapy (IO) has revolutionized the treatment of many malignancies, the use of IO in BTC had yielded limited results prior to TOPAZ-1. In this review, we discuss the systemic therapeutic advances for BTC over the past decade, the rationale for immunotherapy in BTC, prior trials utilizing IO in BTC, and current and emerging immune-based therapeutic options. We further analyze the culmination of these advances, which resulted in the approval of durvalumab with gemcitabine and cisplatin for the first-line treatment of BTC per TOPAZ-1. We also discuss the results of KEYNOTE-966, which similarly reported improved clinical outcomes with the use of pembrolizumab in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin.
A Machine Learning Model for Week-Ahead Hypoglycemia Prediction From Continuous Glucose Monitoring Data
Authors: Giammarino Flavia , Senanayake Ransalu , Prahalad Priya , Maahs David M. , Scheinker David
Published: March 2024

Background:

Remote patient monitoring (RPM) programs augment type 1 diabetes (T1D) care based on retrospective continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) data. Few methods are available to estimate the likelihood of a patient experiencing clinically significant hypoglycemia within one week.

Methods:

We developed a machine learning model to estimate the probability that a patient will experience a clinically significant hypoglycemic event, defined as CGM readings below 54 mg/dL for at least 15 consecutive minutes, within one week. The model takes as input the patient’s CGM time series over a given week, and outputs the predicted probability of a clinically significant hypoglycemic event the following week. We used 10-fold cross-validation and external validation (testing on cohorts different from the training cohort) to evaluate performance. We used CGM data from three different cohorts of patients with T1D: REPLACE-BG (226 patients), Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF; 355 patients) and Tidepool (120 patients).

Results:

In 10-fold cross-validation, the average area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC-AUC) was 0.77 (standard deviation [SD]: 0.0233) on the REPLACE-BG cohort, 0.74 (SD: 0.0188) on the JDRF cohort, and 0.76 (SD: 0.02) on the Tidepool cohort. In external validation, the average ROC-AUC across the three cohorts was 0.74 (SD: 0.0262).

Conclusions:

We developed a machine learning algorithm to estimate the probability of a clinically significant hypoglycemic event within one week. Predictive algorithms may provide diabetes care providers using RPM with additional context when prioritizing T1D patients for review.
What you don’t know, can’t hurt you: The differential effect of masked versus non-masked counterconditioning and mere exposure to spider pictures on women’s affective evaluation of spiders
Authors: Masselman Irina , Glashouwer Klaske A. , de Jong Peter J.
Published: March 2024

Exposure therapy is the treatment of choice for specific phobias but prolonged exposure to feared stimuli is strenuous and may lead to treatment dropout. Previous research showed that repeated exposure to masked spiders was effective in reducing psychophysiological and behavioural fear responses, but appeared ineffective in changing subjective feelings towards spiders. This study investigated in an unselected female sample if masked counterconditioning would be more effective in reducing spider dislike compared to masked exposure, and if masked counterconditioning would also be more effective than non-masked counterconditioning. Women with varying levels of spider aversion ( N = 272) were randomly assigned to one of four conditions. Three spider pictures were always (counterconditioning) or never (exposure) followed by smiling faces. For half of the participants in each condition the spiders were masked. Results indicated that participants rated the spider more positively after both masked counterconditioning and masked exposure. However, the increase in valence after masked counterconditioning was not significantly larger than after mere masked exposure, or after non-masked counterconditioning. Thus, our findings show that repeated exposure to masked spider pictures is effective in reducing spider aversion, but they provided no support for the anticipated added benefit of pairing the spider with positive stimuli.
Immortal 38: How the Media Afterlife of Slovak Ice Hockey Legend Pavol Demitra Created a Marble Hero
Authors: Mikuláš Peter , Nemcova Tejkalova Alice
Published: March 2024

In this paper we focus on the posthumous media image of the deceased professional ice hockey player Pavol Demitra. He was a world-famous athlete, starring in both the NHL and KHL, but this paper primarily focuses on his fame in Slovakia, his native country. Demitra became a legend in his own lifetime, but his story only gained its true shape after he had died. The media played a dominant role in this deeper reflection of Demitra’s life. First, we monitored the Slovak media in the ten years following his tragic death. Next, we focused on the quantitative analysis of two categories, heroism and cultural and societal overlaps, which formed the basis of Demitra’s fame legacy. Through our third step, a qualitative frame analysis, we demonstrated how the media dealt with athlete’s framing. The results showed how Demitra was put on a pedestal and, in some aspects, immortalized as a divine, heroic statue made of marble. At the same time, his legacy has continued thanks to his son Lucas, a successful athlete, keeping the name alive.
Antimicrobial and antitumor activities of an alginate-based membrane loaded with bismuth nanoparticles and cetylpyridinium chloride
Authors: Cabral-Romero Claudio , Hernández-Delgadillo Rene , Nakagoshi-Cepeda Sergio Eduardo , Sánchez-Najéra Rosa Isela , Escamilla-García Erandi , Solís-Soto Juan Manuel , García-Cuellar Claudia María , Sánchez-Pérez Yesennia , Flores-Treviño Samantha Maribel , Pineda-Aguilar Nayely , Cauich-Rodríguez Juan Valerio , Meester Irene , Chellam Shankararaman
Published: March 2024

Objective:

To evaluate the antitumor and antimicrobial properties of an alginate-based membrane (ABM) loaded with bismuth lipophilic nanoparticles (BisBAL NPs) and cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) on clinically isolated bacteria and a pancreatic cancer cell line.

Material and methods:

The BisBAL NP-CPC ABM was characterized using optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The antimicrobial potential was measured using the disk-diffusion assay, and antibiofilm activity was determined through the live/dead assay and fluorescence microscopy. The antitumor activity was analyzed on the pancreatic cell line (Panc 03.27) using the MTT assay and live/dead assay with fluorescence microscopy.

Results:

After a 24-h exposure (37°C, aerobic conditions), 5 µM BisBAL NP reduced the growth of K. pneumoniae by 77.9%, while 2.5 µM BisBAL NP inhibited the growth of Salmonella, E. faecalis and E. faecium by 82.9%, 82.6%, and 78%, respectively ( p < 0.0001). The BisBAL NPs-CPC ABM (at a ratio of 10:1; 500 and 50 µM, respectively) inhibited the growth of all isolated bacteria, producing inhibition halos of 9.5, 11.2, 7, and 10.3 mm for K. pneumoniae, Salmonella, E. faecalis, and E. faecium, respectively, in contrast to the 6.5, 9.5, 8.5, and 9.8 mm obtained with 100 µM ceftriaxone ( p < 0.0001). The BisBAL NPs-CPC ABM also reduced bacterial biofilms, with 81.4%, 74.5%, 97.1%, and 79.5% inhibition for K. pneumoniae, E. faecium, E. faecalis, and Salmonella, respectively. Furthermore, the BisBAL NPs-CPC ABM decreased Panc 03.27 cell growth by 76%, compared to 18% for drug-free ABM. GEM-ABM reduced tumoral growth by 73%. The live/dead assay confirmed that BisBAL NPs-CPC-ABM and GEM-ABM were cytotoxic for the turmoral Panc 03.27 cells.

Conclusion:

An alginate-based membrane loaded with BisBAL NP and CPC exhibits dual antimicrobial and antitumoral efficacy. Therefore, it could be applied in cancer treatment and to diminish the occurrence of surgical site infections.
Book review: Ronojoy Sen, House of the People: Parliament and the Making of Indian Democracy
Authors: Ranjan Ravi
Published: March 2024

Ronojoy Sen, House of the People: Parliament and the Making of Indian Democracy. New Delhi: Cambridge University Press, 2022, 311 pp., ₹1,295
Clinical Outcomes and Return to Preinjury Sports After Anatomic Reconstruction With a Gracilis Autograft Versus the Modified Broström Procedure in Patients With Generalized Joint Laxity
Authors: Wang Anhong , Jiang Yanfang , Su Tong , Xie Xing , Jiao Chen , Hu Yuelin , Zhang Zhu , Guo Qinwei , Jiang Dong
Published: March 2024

Background:

Generalized joint laxity (GJL) is a risk factor for inferior outcomes after the modified Broström procedure for chronic lateral ankle instability, while anatomic reconstruction with tendons is more inclined to be recommended. However, whether anatomic reconstruction could achieve better results than the modified Broström procedure in patients with GJL is unknown.

Purpose:

To compare clinical outcomes and return to sports between anatomic reconstruction and the modified Broström procedure in patients with GJL.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

Patients with GJL (Beighton score ≥4) who underwent either the modified Broström procedure or anatomic reconstruction with gracilis autografts between 2017 and 2020 were reviewed. Included were 19 patients who underwent anatomic reconstruction (reconstruction group) and 49 patients who underwent the modified Broström procedure (MBP group). Clinical outcomes were compared using the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) and the Karlsson score. The rates of return to preinjury level in high-demand sports, sprain recurrence, and range of motion between the 2 groups were also compared.

Results:

The mean follow-up duration was 38.3 months in the reconstruction group and 43.7 months in the MBP group. The FAOS and Karlsson scores improved significantly after surgery in both groups ( P < .001 for all), with the reconstruction group having significantly higher postoperative FAOS-Sports scores (87.9 ± 8.9 vs 80.5 ± 11.6; P = .015) and Karlsson scores (86.9 ± 6.1 vs 82 ± 8.4; P = .025) than the MBP group. The rate of return to preinjury high-demand sports was higher in the reconstruction group than in the MBP group (73.3% vs 38.9%; P = .034). The MBP group had a significantly higher rate of sprain recurrence (22.4% vs 0%; P = .027). More patients reported dorsiflexion restriction in the reconstruction group (n = 4; 21.1%) than in the MBP group (n = 1; 2%) ( P = .019); nonetheless, there was no noticeable effect on daily life and sports.

Conclusion:

Better clinical outcomes, less sprain recurrence, and a higher rate of return to preinjury high-demand sports were found after anatomic reconstruction with free tendons compared with the modified Broström procedure in patients with GJL. Anatomic tendon reconstruction can be recommended for such patients, especially those participating in high-demand sports.
Book review: Tajen Dabi, Medicine and Integration of Frontier Tribes: The British and After in Arunachal Pradesh
Authors: Kumar Deepak
Published: March 2024

Tajen Dabi, Medicine and Integration of Frontier Tribes: The British and After in Arunachal Pradesh (Delhi: Primus Books), 2023, xvii + 219 pp., ₹1150.
Book review: Aloka Parasher Sen, Gender, Religion and Local History: The Early Deccan
Authors: Roy Kumkum
Published: March 2024

Aloka Parasher Sen, Gender, Religion and Local History: The Early Deccan (Delhi: Primus Books), 2023, xxv + 390 pp., ₹1,750 (Hb).
The Impact of COVID-19 on Care Leavers
Authors: Vasudevan Varathagowry
Published: March 2024

The survey of the COVID-19 outbreak focused on studying the impact and long-term consequences on care leavers, especially residential care leavers who are living independently. Employment, education, physical health, hygienic practices, psychosocial and emotional health, and coping strategies adopted by care leavers were studied. Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory (1979 ) was used to study the impact of COVID-19 on care leavers at every system level in Sri Lanka. The methodology adopted was mixed method. The data collection was mainly a quantitative survey. Focused group discussion and semi-structured interviews were used to elicit qualitative aspects of survey findings. The findings highlight that care leavers were primarily female (69%) and young adults between the ages of 16 and 28 (61%); the majority of care leavers (80%) lived with their families and only 20% lived alone. Care leavers were well adapted to precautionary measures to prevent COVID-19. This study on care leavers has shed light on various social and economic issues, including care-leaving debt, lack of access to digital learning, food insecurity and homelessness, as well as lack of access to a continuum of care and mental health services. The impact was more severe care leavers’ employment and educational opportunities, which led to long-term consequences on their life cycle. The absence of income maintenance or social protection nets could further affect care leavers’ long-term consequences. The research recommends a range of interventions to support youth leaving alternative care settings and to promote their independence and dignity.
The Role of Doppler Ultrasonography in the Evaluation of the Relationship Between Vertigo and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
Authors: Buyukozsoy Ayşegul Karadayi , Karatay Emrah , Toz Hilal Tastekin
Published: March 2024

Objective:

This study was designed to assess the relationship between cases of vertigo and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) using vascular flow measured with vertebral Doppler ultrasonography (US).

Materials and Methods:

Patient cases that underwent vertebral Doppler US, thyroid hormone, and autoantibody tests between January 2020 and November 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis cases with associated vertigo were classified as the patient group, and other cases without vertigo and a known disease were the control group. A total of 184 patient cases were reviewed.

Results:

The HT patient group comprised 82 cases, and the control group comprised 102 cases. The median age was 43 years, and the interquartile range was 59 for all cases. The median total vertebral artery flow rate was 289.30 mL/min in the patient group and 278.35 mL/min in the control group, with no statistical difference ( P > .05).

Conclusion:

This study is the first to compare patients with HT and vertigo and measure vertebral vascular flow using Doppler US. This study demonstrates that vertigo in HT cases may not be due to vertebrobasilar insufficiency. The vertebral flow in the cohort was normal, and vertigo may have resulted from the autoimmune system.
Mutations in myeloid transcription factors and activated signaling genes predict chronic myeloid leukemia outcomes
Authors: Perusini Maria Agustina , Žáčková Daniela , Kim Taehyung , Pagnano Katia , Pavlovsky Carolina , Ježíšková Ivana , Kvetková Anežka , Jurček Tomáš , Kim Jaeyoon , Yoo Youngseok , Yi Seongyoon , Lee Hyewon , Kim Kyoung Ha , Chang Myunghee , Capo-Chichi Jose-Mario , Medeiros Jessie J. F. , Arruda Andrea , Minden Mark , Zhang Zhaolei , Abelson Sagi , Mayer Jiri , Hwan Kim Dennis Dong
Published: March 2024

Advancements in genomics are transforming the clinical management of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) toward precision medicine. The impact of somatic mutations on treatment outcomes is still under debate. We studied the association of somatic mutations in epigenetic modifier genes and activated signaling/myeloid transcription factors (AS/MTFs) with disease progression and treatment failure in patients with CML after tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy. A total of 394 CML samples were sequenced, including 254 samples collected at initial diagnosis and 140 samples taken during follow-up. Single-molecule molecular inversion probe (smMIP)–based next-generation sequencing (NGS) was conducted targeting recurrently mutated loci in 40 genes, with a limit of detection of 0.2%. Seventy mutations were detected in 57 diagnostic samples (22.4%), whereas 64 mutations were detected in 39 of the follow-up samples (27.9%). Carrying any mutation at initial diagnosis was associated with worse outcomes after TKI therapy, particularly in AS/MTF genes. Patients having these mutations at initial diagnosis and treated with imatinib showed higher risks of treatment failure (hazard ratio, 2.53; 95% confidence interval, 1.13-5.66; P = .0239). The adverse prognostic impact of the mutations was not clear for patients treated with second-generation TKIs. The multivariate analysis affirmed that mutations in AS/MTF genes independently serve as adverse prognostic factors for molecular response, failure-free survival, and progression risk. Additionally, there was an observable nonsignificant trend indicating a heightened risk of progression to advanced disease and worse overall survival. In conclusion, mutations in the AS/MTF genes using smMIP-based NGS can help identify patients with a potential risk of both treatment failure and progression and may help upfront TKI selection.
Type Synthesis of Self-Alignment Parallel Ankle Rehabilitation Robot with Suitable Passive Degrees of Freedom
Authors: Liu Ya , Lu Wenjuan , Fan Dabao , Tan Weijian , Hu Bo , Zeng Daxing
Published: March 2024

The current parallel ankle rehabilitation robot (ARR) suffers from the problem of difficult real-time alignment of the human-robot joint center of rotation, which may lead to secondary injuries to the patient. This study investigates type synthesis of a parallel self-alignment ankle rehabilitation robot (PSAARR) based on the kinematic characteristics of ankle joint rotation center drift from the perspective of introducing "suitable passive degrees of freedom (DOF)" with a suitable number and form. First, the self-alignment principle of parallel ARR was proposed by deriving conditions for transforming a human-robot closed chain (HRCC) formed by an ARR and human body into a kinematic suitable constrained system and introducing conditions of "decoupled" and "less limb". Second, the relationship between the self-alignment principle and actuation wrenches (twists) of PSAARR was analyzed with the velocity Jacobian matrix as a "bridge". Subsequently, the type synthesis conditions of PSAARR were proposed. Third, a PSAARR synthesis method was proposed based on the screw theory and type of PSAARR synthesis conducted. Finally, an HRCC kinematic model was established to verify the self-alignment capability of the PSAARR. In this study, 93 types of PSAARR limb structures were synthesized and the self-alignment capability of a human-robot joint axis was verified through kinematic analysis, which provides a theoretical basis for the design of such an ARR.
Unlocking the secrets: exploring the influence of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor and microbiome on cancer development
Authors: Rayan Menatallah , Sayed Tahseen S. , Hussein Ola J. , Therachiyil Lubna , Maayah Zaid H. , Maccalli Cristina , Uddin Shahab , Prehn Jochen H. M. , Korashy Hesham M.
Published: March 2024

Gut microbiota regulates various aspects of human physiology by producing metabolites, metabolizing enzymes, and toxins. Many studies have linked microbiota with human health and altered microbiome configurations with the occurrence of several diseases, including cancer. Accumulating evidence suggests that the microbiome can influence the initiation and progression of several cancers. Moreover, some microbiotas of the gut and oral cavity have been reported to infect tumors, initiate metastasis, and promote the spread of cancer to distant organs, thereby influencing the clinical outcome of cancer patients. The gut microbiome has recently been reported to interact with environmental factors such as diet and exposure to environmental toxicants. Exposure to environmental pollutants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) induces a shift in the gut microbiome metabolic pathways, favoring a proinflammatory microenvironment. In addition, other studies have also correlated cancer incidence with exposure to PAHs. PAHs are known to induce organ carcinogenesis through activating a ligand-activated transcriptional factor termed the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), which metabolizes PAHs to highly reactive carcinogenic intermediates. However, the crosstalk between AhR and the microbiome in mediating carcinogenesis is poorly reviewed. This review aims to discuss the role of exposure to environmental pollutants and activation of AhR on microbiome-associated cancer progression and explore the underlying molecular mechanisms involved in cancer development.
GPDminer: a tool for extracting named entities and analyzing relations in biological literature
Authors: Park Yeon-Ji , Yang Geun-Je , Sohn Chae-Bong , Park Soo Jun
Published: March 2024

Purpose

The expansion of research across various disciplines has led to a substantial increase in published papers and journals, highlighting the necessity for reliable text mining platforms for database construction and knowledge acquisition. This abstract introduces GPDMiner(Gene, Protein, and Disease Miner), a platform designed for the biomedical domain, addressing the challenges posed by the growing volume of academic papers.

Methods

GPDMiner is a text mining platform that utilizes advanced information retrieval techniques. It operates by searching PubMed for specific queries, extracting and analyzing information relevant to the biomedical field. This system is designed to discern and illustrate relationships between biomedical entities obtained from automated information extraction.

Results

The implementation of GPDMiner demonstrates its efficacy in navigating the extensive corpus of biomedical literature. It efficiently retrieves, extracts, and analyzes information, highlighting significant connections between genes, proteins, and diseases. The platform also allows users to save their analytical outcomes in various formats, including Excel and images.

Conclusion

GPDMiner offers a notable additional functionality among the array of text mining tools available for the biomedical field. This tool presents an effective solution for researchers to navigate and extract relevant information from the vast unstructured texts found in biomedical literature, thereby providing distinctive capabilities that set it apart from existing methodologies. Its application is expected to greatly benefit researchers in this domain, enhancing their capacity for knowledge discovery and data management.
Integrated analysis reveals the regulatory mechanism of the neddylation inhibitor MLN4924 on the metabolic dysregulation in rabbit granulosa cells
Authors: Chen Mengjuan , Liu Yuqing , Zuo Mingzhong , Zhang Meina , Wang Zhitong , Li Xin , Yuan Dongdong , Xu Huifen , Yu Guangqing , Li Ming
Published: March 2024

Background

Neddylation, an important post-translational modification (PTM) of proteins, plays a crucial role in follicular development. MLN4924 is a small-molecule inhibitor of the neddylation-activating enzyme (NAE) that regulates various biological processes. However, the regulatory mechanisms of neddylation in rabbit ovarian cells have not been emphasized. Here, the transcriptome and metabolome profiles in granulosa cells (GCs) treated with MLN4924 were utilized to identify differentially expressed genes, followed by pathway analysis to precisely define the altered metabolisms.

Results

The results showed that 563 upregulated and 910 downregulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were mainly enriched in pathways related to cancer, cell cycle, PI3K-AKT, progesterone-mediated oocyte maturation, and PPAR signaling pathway. Furthermore, we characterized that MLN4924 inhibits PPAR-mediated lipid metabolism, and disrupts the cell cycle by promoting the apoptosis and proliferation of GCs. Importantly, we found the reduction of several metabolites in the MLN4924 treated GCs, including glycerophosphocholine, arachidic acid, and palmitic acid, which was consistent with the deregulation of PPAR signaling pathways. Furthermore, the increased metabolites included 6-Deoxy-6-sulfo-D-glucono-1,5-lactone and N-Acetyl-D-glucosaminyldiphosphodolichol. Combined with transcriptome data analyses, we identified genes that strongly correlate with metabolic dysregulation, particularly those related to glucose and lipid metabolism. Therefore, neddylation inhibition may disrupt the energy metabolism of GCs.

Conclusions

These results provide a foundation for in-depth research into the role and molecular mechanism of neddylation in ovary development.
Iron-related gene mutations driving global Mycobacterium tuberculosis transmission revealed by whole-genome sequencing
Authors: Li Yameng , Li Yifan , Liu Yao , Kong Xianglong , Tao Ningning , Hou Yawei , Wang Tingting , Han Qilin , Zhang Yuzhen , Long Fei , Li Huaichen
Published: March 2024

Background

Iron plays a crucial role in the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis). However, the precise regulatory mechanism governing this system requires further elucidation. Additionally, limited studies have examined the impact of gene mutations related to iron on the transmission of M. tuberculosis globally. This research aims to investigate the correlation between mutations in iron-related genes and the worldwide transmission of M. tuberculosis.

Results

A total of 13,532 isolates of M. tuberculosis were included in this study. Among them, 6,104 (45.11%) were identified as genomic clustered isolates, while 8,395 (62.04%) were classified as genomic clade isolates. Our results showed that a total of 12 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) showed a positive correlation with clustering, such as Rv1469 (ctpD, C758T), Rv3703c (etgB, G1122T), and Rv3743c (ctpJ, G676C). Additionally, seven SNPs, including Rv0104 (T167G, T478G), Rv0211 (pckA, A302C), Rv0283 (eccB3, C423T), Rv1436 (gap, G654T), ctpD C758T, and etgB C578A, demonstrated a positive correlation with transmission clades across different countries. Notably, our findings highlighted the positive association of Rv0104 T167G, pckA A302C, eccB3 C423T, ctpD C758T, and etgB C578A with transmission clades across diverse regions. Furthermore, our analysis identified 78 SNPs that exhibited significant associations with clade size.

Conclusions

Our study reveals the link between iron-related gene SNPs and M. tuberculosis transmission, offering insights into crucial factors influencing the pathogenicity of the disease. This research holds promise for targeted strategies in prevention and treatment, advancing research and interventions in this field.
Epigenetic weapons of plants against fungal pathogens
Authors: Mierziak Justyna , Wojtasik Wioleta
Published: March 2024

In the natural environment, plants face constant exposure to biotic stress caused by fungal attacks. The plant’s response to various biotic stresses relies heavily on its ability to rapidly adjust the transcriptome. External signals are transmitted to the nucleus, leading to activation of transcription factors that subsequently enhance the expression of specific defense-related genes. Epigenetic mechanisms, including histone modifications and DNA methylation, which are closely linked to chromatin states, regulate gene expression associated with defense against biotic stress. Additionally, chromatin remodelers and non-coding RNA play a significant role in plant defense against stressors. These molecular modifications enable plants to exhibit enhanced resistance and productivity under diverse environmental conditions. Epigenetic mechanisms also contribute to stress-induced environmental epigenetic memory and priming in plants, enabling them to recall past molecular experiences and utilize this stored information for adaptation to new conditions. In the arms race between fungi and plants, a significant aspect is the cross-kingdom RNAi mechanism, whereby sRNAs can traverse organismal boundaries. Fungi utilize sRNA as an effector molecule to silence plant resistance genes, while plants transport sRNA, primarily through extracellular vesicles, to pathogens in order to suppress virulence-related genes. In this review, we summarize contemporary knowledge on epigenetic mechanisms of plant defense against attack by pathogenic fungi. The role of epigenetic mechanisms during plant-fungus symbiotic interactions is also considered.
Perceptions of professional challenges by emergency medical services providers: a qualitative content analysis study
Authors: Khazaei Afshin , Afshari Ali , Khatiban Mahnaz , Borzou Seyed Reza , Oshvandi Khodayar , Nabavian Majedeh , Maddineshat Maryam
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Emergency medical services (EMS) providers encounter a variety of challenges due to the unpredictable, uncontrollable, and dynamic conditions in the pre-hospital field. This study explored the perceived professional challenges among EMS providers.

Materials and methods

This study was conducted using a qualitative research approach and the method of content analysis. Eighteen EMS providers were purposively selected from EMS stations in Hamadan, Iran. The collected data were then analyzed based on the Granheim and Lundman's method.

Results

Based on data analysis, five categories and one theme were identified. The extracted theme was professional challenges. The five categories were as follows: Ineffective policies; multicultural and multidisciplinary factors; ambulance dispatch route problems; legal issues; and abuse against the emergency medical services

Conclusion

In general, it has been found that EMS providers encounter numerous and complex professional challenges during their work. EMS managers can utilize the findings of the present study to develop strategies for reducing the professional challenges faced by EMS providers. By doing so, they can improve the quality of care in the prehospital field.
Effects of telerehabilitation-based respiratory and corrective exercises among the elderly with thoracic hyper-kyphosis: a clinical trial
Authors: Eftekhari Elham , Sheikhhoseini Rahman , Salahzadeh Zahra , Dadfar Mahdis
Published: March 2024

Background

Aging is associated with changes in the musculoskeletal system, including increased susceptibility to spine malalignments. Utilizing corrective exercises with a therapeutic emphasis can be beneficial in the elderly with thoracic spine hyperkyphosis.

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the effects of six weeks of telerehabilitation-based respiratory and corrective exercises on quality of life, disability, thoracic kyphosis, craniovertebral angle, shoulder angle, cranial angle, and chest expansion in the elderly with thoracic spine hyperkyphosis.

Methods

In this clinical trial, a total of 40 participants aged 60 and above with thoracic hyperkyphosis were randomly divided into the control (N = 20) and experimental (N = 20) groups. The experimental group performed the corrective exercises for six weeks (3 sessions per week). The control group performed general stretching exercises during the same time period. We measured the outcomes of quality of life, disability, thoracic kyphosis, craniovertebral angle, shoulder angle, cranial angle, and lung expansion before and after the intervention. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was employed to analyze the data. A P-value ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

Quality of life (P < 0.001, Effect Size (ES): 0.44), chest expansion (P < 0.001, ES: 0.56), thoracic kyphosis angle (P < 0.001, ES: 0.31), craniovertebral (P < 0.001, ES: 0.33), cranial (P < 0.001, ES: 0.38), and shoulder (P = 0.005, ES: 0.20) angles were significantly improved in the experimental group as compared with controls. However, no statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups in terms of physical ability (P = 0.251, ES: 0.04).

Conclusion

It is therefore recommended that online corrective exercises be used in the rehabilitation protocol to improve the quality of life, posture, chest expansion, and disability in the elderly with thoracic kyphosis.