bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and Determinant Factors of Intestinal Parasitic Infections and Undernutrition among Primary School Children in North-Central Ethiopia: A School-Based Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Bisetegn Habtye , Debash Habtu , Ebrahim Hussen , Erkihun Yonas , Tilahun Mihret , Feleke Daniel Getacher
Published: March 2023

Background. Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) are a major public health problem with high morbidity and mortality in developing countries. Undernutrition is a major health problem among school children and affects their cognitive development, psychological development, motor skills, and academic achievements. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and determinant factors of IPIs and undernutrition among primary school children. Method. Cross-sectional study was conducted among 450 children from February to March 2021 at selected primary schools in Dessie town, North-central Ethiopia. Participants were selected using a stratified sampling technique. Pretested questionnaires were used to collect sociodemographic and nutrition-related data. Stool samples were used to diagnose IPIs. Participants’ height and weight were measured and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Nutritional assessment was done using WHO AnthroPlus software. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26 software.P-values <0.05 were considered statistically significant. Result. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasites was 28.9%. The prevalence of intestinal protozoa and helminths were 19.1% and 9.8%, respectively. Entamoeba histolytica/dispar was the most prevalent parasite (9.3%) followed by Giardia intestinalis (7.6%), Enterobius vermicularis (2.9%), and Ascaris lumbricoides (2.7%). The prevalence of intestinal parasites was higher in male (16.5%) than in female (12.4%) participants. Children whose mother’s level of education is illiterate, 6–11 years old, have a habit of eating raw/undercooked fruits and vegetables, untrimmed and dirty fingernails, and sickness in the past week were significantly associated with IPIs. The prevalence of underweight, stunting, and wasting were 22.4%, 26.2%, and 20.7%, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression showed gender, family size, meal frequency, and breakfast were significantly associated with undernutrition. IPIs had a statistically significant association with underweight, stunting, and wasting. Conclusion. The study showed that IPIs and undernutrition are still major health problems among children in North-central Ethiopia. Periodic deworming, community health, and school health education will be valuable to improve the health, growth, and educational outcome of children.
Mental Health Literacy among the Palestinian‐Arab Minority in Israel and Its Correlates with Mental Health Service Use
Authors: Abo-Rass Fareeda , Abu-Kaf Sarah
Published: March 2023

Background. Mental health literacy (MHL) has been proposed as a factor in facilitating the utilization of mental health services. This study examined MHL among the Palestinian‐Arab minority in Israel, based on Jorm’s six‐dimension framework, and the contribution of each MHL dimension to mental health service use. Methods. A cross‐sectional study consisting of a convenience sample of 214 Palestinian‐Arabs (Mage = 36.40 ± 10.77 years, 68.2% female), who completed measures of MHL, psychological distress, mental health service use, and sociodemographic characteristics. The differences between participants who reported using mental health services (30.38%) and those who did not were examined using t‐ and χ2 tests. Binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify service use determinants. Results. Participants reported moderate or high levels on all MHL dimensions. Compared to those who did not report mental health service use, those who did had significantly (p < 0.001) higher MHL levels on three dimensions: knowledge of professional help available, knowledge of where to seek information, and attitudes that promote recognition or appropriate help‐seeking behavior. The regression analysis indicated that the main determinants of mental health service use were psychological distress (OR = 1.70, 95% CI: 1.44–2.01), knowledge of where to seek information (OR = 1.16, 95% CI: 1.02–1.32), and attitudes that promote recognition or appropriate help‐seeking behavior (OR = 1.08, 95% CI: 1.02–1.14). Practice implications. This study underlines MHL’s crucial role and indicates that it is not only objective characteristics or psychological distress that determine service use among Palestinian‐Arabs in Israel. Rather, individuals’ knowledge of where to seek information and attitudes promoting recognition or help‐seeking behavior are also important determinants. Interventions targeting these two MHL dimensions may help increase mental health service use among this population.
Four Subbands from Dual Mismatched Wideband Bandpass Filter for 5G/WAS/Wi-Fi/WiMAX/WLAN Applications
Authors: Massamba Omar Christian , Mbango Franck Moukanda , Lilonga-Boyenga Désiré
Published: March 2023

Based on the simplicity of the design method, this paper presents a new approach for developing matched subbands when splitting two mismatched dual-wideband bandpass filters (BPFs) for the fifth generation (5G), wireless access systems (WAS), wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX), wireless local area network (WLAN), radar, and other communication devices. The method’s novelty involves using identical quarter-wavelength resonators terminated by alternated short-and-open stub configurations. Both configurations alternate and describe a perfect symmetry by their location from each other to make the subbands possible in the low-frequency and its harmonic (high-frequency) bandwidths (BW). A stub admittance

Y

1

is defined and associated with the mainline section characteristic impedance

Z

0

and an operating frequency

f

0

. A quality factor

Q

a
p

is connected to

Y

1

and

f

0

to approach the BPF global quality factor

Q

g

initially fixed. The stub characteristic impedance and the mainline one differ, while electric lengths (stub and mainline section) are identical. Using the operating frequency determines physical dimensions, creates harmonic frequencies and the rejected BW, mismatches the main frequency BW, matches the subbands, and creates transmission zero (TZ). Hence, a 28.118-dB stopband that separates the two bandpasses at 9.373 GHz is made. At the same time, the unmatched dual ultrawideband (UWB) covers a large panel of communication systems. The lowest (3.146–5.431) and highest (11.891–14.749) GHz BW exhibit a minimum insertion loss (IL) of 0.656 dB and 3.027 dB. The subbands return losses (RL) are better than 28 dB and 19 dB, respectively, and a flat group delay of 0.205 ns is obtained in the upper band. All subbands adaptation methodology is read from 10 dB of the RL. In that case, the four matched subbands in its lower wideband are 3.327–3.709 GHz and 4.442–5.048 GHz, and in its higher wideband are 11.922–12.486 GHz and 14.281–14.653 GHz. The 2275/2858 MHz is the dual-wideband with a fractional BW 53.282/21.456%. The fabricated prototype has validated the EM-simulations, and Anritsu MS4642B 20 GHz vector network analyzer (VNA) has been used for experimental results by scanning the frequency range 3 GHz–15 GHz. The tested prototype is made with a 1 mm FR4 HTG-175 thickness by considering a dielectric constant of 4.4, and its overall size occupies

22.45
×
5.72
 
m

m

2

(

0.32
 

λ

0

 
×
 
0.082
 

λ

0

 

mm

2

).
3D-Informed Targeting of the Trop-2 Signal-Activation Site Drives Selective Cancer Vulnerability
Authors: Guerra Emanuela , Trerotola Marco , Relli Valeria , Lattanzio Rossano , Tripaldi Romina , Ceci Martina , Boujnah Khouloud , Pantalone Ludovica , Sacchetti Andrea , Havas Kristina M. , Simeone Pasquale , Travali Nicole , Querzoli Patrizia , Pedriali Massimo , Roversi Pietro , Iezzi Manuela , Tinari Nicola , Antolini Laura , Alberti Saverio
Published: March 2023

Next-generation Trop-2–targeted therapy against advanced cancers is hampered by expression of Trop-2 in normal tissues. We discovered that Trop-2 undergoes proteolytic activation by ADAM10 in cancer cells, leading to the exposure of a previously inaccessible protein groove flanked by two N-glycosylation sites. We designed a recognition strategy for this region, to drive selective cancer vulnerability in patients. Most undiscriminating anti–Trop-2 mAbs recognize a single immunodominant epitope. Hence, we removed it by deletion mutagenesis. Cancer-specific, glycosylation-prone mAbs were selected by ELISA, bio-layer interferometry, flow cytometry, confocal microscopy for differential binding to cleaved/activated, wild-type and glycosylation site–mutagenized Trop-2. The resulting 2G10 mAb family binds Trop-2–expressing cancer cells, but not Trop-2 on normal cells. We humanized 2G10 by state-of-the-art complementarity determining region grafting/re-modeling, yielding Hu2G10. This antibody binds cancer-specific, cleaved/activated Trop-2 with Kd < 10−12 mol/L, and uncleaved/wtTrop-2 in normal cells with Kd 3.16×10−8 mol/L, thus promising an unprecedented therapeutic index in patients. In vivo, Hu2G10 ablates growth of Trop-2–expressing breast, colon, prostate cancers, but shows no evidence of systemic toxicity, paving the way for a paradigm shift in Trop-2–targeted therapy.
Health and Environmental Impact of Hospital Wastes: Systematic Review
Authors: Ghali Hela , Cheikh Asma Ben , Bhiri Sana , Bouzgarrou Lamia , Rejeb Mohamed Ben , Gargouri Imed , Latiri Houyem Said
Published: March 2023

Introduction: Healthcare activities are generally associated with the production of healthcare waste, a large part of which is assimilated to household waste (packaging, kitchen waste, green waste, etc.) and another category of waste which may have a risk to health and the environment given its nature and typology. This category of waste at risk includes waste at risk of infection such as stinging, sharp waste (needles, blade, scalpel, etc.), and waste at chemical risk. Poor management of hospital waste is a problem in most countries and especially in developing countries. We aimed to determine the health and environmental impacts of the poor management of healthcare waste. Methods: We carried out a systematic review of the French and English literature on the scientific research sites Medline/PubMed and Embase. This research was carried out over 3 months (April–June 2020). The search strategy was used by combining keywords and Boolean operators: Health, Health impact assessment, Hospitals, Medical waste, Waste disposal facilities, Environment, Environment/Epidemiology, Hospital waste, impact, workplace, Environment hazards, Healthcare works, Waste management. Results: It has been clear that the current management of healthcare waste is not capable of adequately preserving human health and environmental contamination from infection. The surveys analyzed showed that if incineration is properly treated, it would be an appropriate treatment method to deal with healthcare waste. However, exposure to pollutants produced by the incineration is still a public health problem. If incineration is seen as a practical solution for dealing with healthcare waste, low-temperature incinerators should be banned and replaced by modern incinerators equipped with air pollution control units. These problems are typical for any developing country which does not have the means to purchase incinerators which are more protective for the environment and equipped with the latest technologies. Conclusions: Thus, autoclaving and microwaves are considered better alternatives for treating healthcare waste. However, these methods are generally not adequate for the disposal of pathological, radioactive, laboratory, and chemotherapy wastes. Therefore, the specific management of healthcare waste is a major concern due to the potentially high risks for human health and the environment.
Comparing the Effects of Two Perturbation-Based Balance Training Paradigms in Fall-Prone Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Brüll Leon , Hezel Natalie , Arampatzis Adamantios , Schwenk Michael
Published: March 2023

Introduction: There is increasing evidence that perturbation-based balance training (PBT) is highly effective in preventing falls at older age. Different PBT paradigms have been presented so far, yet a systematic comparison of PBT approaches with respect to feasibility and effectiveness is missing. Two different paradigms of PBT seem to be promising for clinical implementation: (1) technology-supported training on a perturbation treadmill (PBTtreadmill); (2) training of dynamic stability mechanisms in the presence of perturbations induced by unstable surfaces (PBTstability). This study aimed to compare both program's feasibility and effectiveness in fall-prone older adults. Methods: In this three-armed randomized controlled trial, seventy-one older adults (74.9 ± 6.0 years) with a verified fall risk were randomly assigned into three groups: PBTtreadmill on a motorized treadmill, PBTstability using unstable conditions such as balance pads, and a passive control group (CG). In both intervention groups, participants conducted a 6-week intervention with 3 sessions per week. Effects were assessed in fall risk (Brief-BEST), balance ability (Stepping Threshold Test, center of pressure, limits of stability), leg strength capacity, functional performance (Timed Up and Go Test, Chair-Stand), gait (preferred walking speed), and fear of falling (Short FES-I). Results: Fifty-one participants completed the study. Training adherence was 91% for PBTtreadmill and 87% for PBTstability, while no severe adverse events occurred. An analysis of covariance with an intention-to-treat approach revealed statistically significant group effects in favor of PBTstability in the Brief-BEST (p = 0.009, η2 = 0.131) and the limits of stability (p = 0.020, η2 = 0.110) and in favor of PBTtreadmill in the Stepping Threshold Test (p < 0.001, η2 = 0.395). The other outcomes demonstrated no significant group effects. Conclusion: Both training paradigms demonstrated high feasibility and were effective in improving specific motor performances in the fall-prone population and these effects were task specific. PBTtreadmill showed higher improvements in reactive balance, which might have been promoted by the unpredictable nature of the included perturbations and the similarity to the tested surface perturbation paradigm. PBTstability showed more wide-ranging effects on balance ability. Consequently, both paradigms improved fall risk-associated measures. The advantages of both formats should be evaluated in light of individual needs and preferences. Larger studies are needed to investigate the effects of these paradigms on real-life fall rates.
Chronic kidney disease prediction model using machine learning approach
Authors: Chitra Munusamy , Parveen Abdul Kuthus , Elavarasi Murugadoss , Sangeetha Jayamoorthy , Vaittilingame Ramalingam
Published: March 2023

Chronic disease (CD) such as kidney disease and causes severe challenging issues to the people all around the world. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and diabetes mellitus (DM) are considered in this paper. Predicting the diseases in earlier stage, gives better preventive measures to the people. Healthcare domain leads to tremendous cost savings and improved health status of the society. The main objective of this paper is to develop an algorithm to predict CKD occurrence using machine learning (ML) technique. The commonly used classification algorithms namely logistic regression (LR), random forest (RF), conditional random forest (CRF), and recurrent neural networks (RNN) are considered to predict the disease at an earlier stage. The proposed algorithm in this paper uses medical code data to predict disease at an earlier stage.
Understanding Bureaucratic Involution through Weber’s Bureaucracy: China’s Central Inspection Teams in Practice
Authors: Zhengyang (蒋正阳) Jiang
Published: March 2023

Max Weber came to see his “rational bureaucracy” as also something of an “iron cage.” The reliance on regularized paperwork can result in a separation of the administrative procedure from actual substance, and the level-by-level transmission of documents can result in the resolution of problems on paper only. The complex specialized and standardized procedures of the formal, hierarchical bureaucracy are therefore often ineffective because they have lost touch with reality. In China, the problem of the “involution” of public power found by central inspection teams 中央巡视组 during the course of their inspections is in essence the “formalist” 形式主义 response of bureaucracy when supervised and reviewed. Weber believed that the iron cage of bureaucracy, or the irrationality of rationality, needs an outside “charismatic” authority to check and counterbalance it. The practice of the central inspection teams, however, shows how bureaucratic organizations only further intensify formalism to preserve themselves in the face of such outside authority. That is to say, if the charismatic authority does not break through the trap of bureaucratized patterns of thought and behavior, the iron cage will only be further strengthened and perpetuated.
“State Involution” Revisited: An Analysis of the Reformulation of Townships in Huangyan County, Zhejiang, 1946–1947
Authors: Cao (曹辉) Hui
Published: March 2023

The theory of “state involution,” first proposed by Prasenjit Duara, has been used to explain the expansion of power of the modern Chinese state. However, some scholars argue, on the basis of regional studies, that the concept of state involution was at most only applicable to North China and did not pertain to the practice of the Guomindang regime, which had built a complete administrative system down to the grassroots level. In 1946, Zhejiang province decided to reduce the number of townships to cut fiscal expenditures. With Huangyan county as a regional case, we investigate the implementation of the policy of reducing the number of townships and find that the theory of state involution is still applicable to explaining grassroots politics in Zhejiang under the Guomindang, showing that the theory has a wider range of applicability than some scholars believe. The development of state involution in this period is closely related to the governance capacity and patterns of the Guomindang regime at the grassroots level. It is thus inappropriate to see just the establishment and expansion of a grassroots administrative system as a sign that state involution had been overcome.
Changes, Reconfiguration, and Imagination of Rural Society in Early Left-Wing Fiction (1928–1932)
Authors: Wang (王再兴) Zaixing , Huangfu (皇甫倩倩) Qianqian
Published: March 2023

The “origin” narrative of left-wing rural literature, especially the “revolution” narrative, has by and large not received sufficient historical reflection and specific intertextual discussion. In the early left-wing rural novels composed from 1928 to 1932, what changes did the “revolution” bring about in rural society? How was the configuration of power reformulated? How did the revolutionaries image the ideal post-revolution society? The historical discussion of this complex process in the early left-wing rural novels is closely related to the historical facts of the rural areas, the subjective experiences of the peasants themselves, and the review of the writer’s narrative style. Revisiting this historical topic, we can see that the structural relationships contained in literary trends, such as the entanglement between literature and history, ideals and practices, truth and fiction, etc., last far longer than writers’ and readers’ imaginations. It may be the key to making the retelling of the rural “revolution” in the new century profound and far-reaching.
Two new species of Thismia (Thismiaceae) from the Brazilian Amazon Forest
Authors: FERREIRA DA SILVA DIEGO , HONÓRIO MAYK , GONÇALVES SILVA CHIRLEY , A. TEIXEIRA-SILVA MÁRCIA , SILVEIRA MARCOS , ALVARENGA BRAGA JOÃO MARCELO
Published: March 2023

Two new species of Thismia (Thismiaceae) from T. subg. Ophiomeris sect. Ophiomeris are described for the Brazilian Amazon Forest, in the Open Ombrophilous Forests of the State of Acre. Here we provide detailed morphological descriptions, with illustrations, distribution maps and preliminary conservation analyses.
A new species of the amphipod genus Quadrivisio (Senticaudata, Maeridae) from Chilika Lagoon, India
Authors: BHOI GITANJALI , MYERS ALAN A. , TARAFDAR LIPIKA , SMITA MOILI , JENA AJAY KUMAR , PATRO SHESDEV
Published: March 2023

A new species of the amphipod genus Quadrivisio Stebbing, 1907, Quadrivisio chilikensis sp. nov. was collected from the Chilika Lagoon, east coast of India. The species was collected from seaweed Chaetomorpha sp.. The new species can be distinguished from other described species of the genus by the presence of a carina on pleonites and urosome, by the flagellum of antenna 2 being twice the length of peduncle article 5 and by pereopods 6 and 7 being equal in length.
Impact of Arctic Sea Ice Interannual Variation on Nonmonsoonal Winter Precipitation over the Eurasian Continent
Authors: Qian Qifeng , Jia Xiaojing , Wu Renguang , Wang Min
Published: March 2023

The present study analyzes the impact of interannual variation in autumn (September–November) Arctic sea ice concentration (SIC) on early winter (November–January) precipitation over nonmonsoonal Eurasian (NME) regions based on both observations and numerical model experiments. An energy budget analysis shows that negative autumn SIC anomalies in the Beaufort–Chukchi–East Siberian Seas (BCES) induce heating in the overlying atmospheric column, which excites a Rossby wave that propagates from the BCES through the Atlantic Ocean to the mid- and high-latitude Eurasian continent. This Rossby wave obtains energy from the mean flow by both baroclinic and barotropic energy conversions. In comparison, the baroclinic energy conversion is more important than the barotropic energy conversion. The low-level anomalous cyclone and anticyclone of the Rossby wave dominate the eastern North Atlantic Ocean–southern Europe and western Russia, respectively. Anomalous westerly wind along the south flank of the anomalous cyclone transports moisture from the North Atlantic Ocean to the continent, resulting in a water vapor flux convergence and positive precipitation anomaly over southern Europe in early winter. Pronounced anomalous northerly winds in the eastern part of the western Russian anticyclone cause negative precipitation anomalies over vast regions of central Asia and the west Siberian plain in early winter. The Rossby wave ray tracing experiment and numerical sensitivity experiments support the above BCES SIC–NME precipitation connection.
Improving National Blend of Models Probabilistic Precipitation Forecasts Using Long Time Series of Reforecasts and Precipitation Reanalyses. Part I: Methods
Authors: Hamill Thomas M. , Stovern Diana R. , Smith Lesley L.
Published: March 2023

This article describes proposed revised methods for the statistical postprocessing of precipitation amount intended for the NOAA’s National Blend of Models using the Global Ensemble Forecast System version 12 data (GEFSv12). The procedure updates the previously established procedure of quantile mapping, weighting of sorted members, and dressing of the ensemble. The revised method leverages the long reforecast training dataset that has become available to improve quantile mapping of GEFSv12 data by eliminating the use of supplemental locations, that is, training data from other grid points. It establishes improved definitions of cumulative distributions through a spline-fitting approach. It provides updated algorithms for the weighting of sorted members based on closest-member histogram statistics, and it establishes an objective method for the dressing of the quantile-mapped, weighted ensemble. Verification statistics and case studies are provided in the accompanying article (Part II).
A Case of Argatroban Refractory Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia and Thrombosis
Authors: Seiler Joclyn A. , Durrani Adam Khan , Ahmeti Mentor
Published: March 2023

Prophylaxis for deep vein thrombosis is a standard of care for most hospitalized patients. This is typically given in the form of chemical prophylaxis by either, unfractionated heparin or low molecular weight heparin. One complication of administration, besides bleeding, is heparin induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). Of patients receiving therapeutic anticoagulation with heparin an estimated, .5%-1% will go on to develop heparin induced thrombocytopenia.1 We will present a case of argatroban refractory HIT after a coronary artery bypass grafting resulting in a massive left ventricular thrombus and death. There is a paucity of literature on the topic of argatroban refractory HIT. When it is discussed, the persistent drop of platelets and ongoing thrombosis, despite argatroban therapy, appears to be the hallmark. The treatment being used in these rare cases is intravenous immunoglobulin. Our case sheds light on the existence of this entity and helps consolidate some literature on the topic.
Consistency is Key: Additional Education and Outreach in a Rural Trauma System Reduces Excess Imaging Studies
Authors: Brummet Shaye D. , Tobin Christian S. , Bernis Keith J. , O’Neil Breanna M. , Sang Hilla I. , Reed Valerie , Bjordahl Paul M.
Published: March 2023

Background

Repeat imaging for trauma patients is common in rural health care systems after transfer to a tertiary trauma center which subjects patients to increased radiation, excess costs, and delays to definitive care. A previous retrospective review at our regional trauma center found that pre-transfer CT scans were frequently performed with little change in management. To improve this rate, additional emphasis was placed on (1) best imaging practices during Rural Trauma Team Development Courses (RTTDC), (2) management feedback during regional trauma case reviews, and (3) implementation of practice management guidelines for an inter-provider telehealth system.

Methods

Two hundred consecutive adult trauma patients transferred to a regional trauma center were retrospectively evaluated after trauma system improvements were implemented and compared to the previous cohort in the same system as identified by the regional trauma database.

Results

140 (70%) had a pre-transfer CT scan compared to 152 (77.2%) in the prior study ( P = .0112). Additionally, 52 (37.1%) of those with pre-transfer CT scans had at least one repeat scan on arrival which decreased from (55.3%) in the prior study ( P < .0001). The most common reason for repeat CT scans was incomplete initial imaging. Those with a repeat scan were more likely to have a head injury (51.9% vs 35.8%, P = .0413).

Discussion

With regional trauma system maturation and implementation of internal telemedicine guidelines, there was a statistically significant decrease in both pre-transfer as well as repeat CT scans in a rural trauma system. Additional research exploring patient outcomes and cost savings is recommended.
“Before I Could Get Him, He Fell”: Experiences, Concerns, and Fall Prevention Strategies of Parents With Young Children
Authors: Molocznik Amy , Omaki Elise , Wagner Kelli , Shields Wendy C. , McDonald Eileen M. , Solomon Barry S. , Gielen Andrea C.
Published: March 2023

Little is known about parents’ perceptions and prevention strategies regarding childhood falls. In this qualitative study using semi-structured interviews, we sought to describe parental reports of child fall experiences, concerns, and prevention strategies in the home. Sixteen parents with at least one child younger than 18 months were asked about their awareness of fall risks, falls experienced by the child, fall concerns, prevention strategies, and where in the home the child spends time throughout the day. Seven themes emerged: (1) “falls are unexpected,” (2) “role of the physical environment,” (3) “children’s temperament and developmental stage,” (4) “physical barriers and baby products,” (5) “addressing walking surfaces,” (6) “modifying the height of a fall,” and (7) “supervision.” Parents are aware of in-home fall hazards and actively use strategies to lessen fall risk. Anticipatory guidance should promote evidence-based and evidence-informed prevention strategies and augment effective strategies some parents use to lower fall risk.
Chronological and Replicative Aging of CD51+/PDGFR-α+ Pulp Stromal Cells
Authors: Yao L. , Li F. , Yu C. , Wang H. , Wang Y. , Ye L. , Yu F.
Published: March 2023

As a crucial source of mesenchymal stromal cells, CD51+/PDGFR-α+ human dental pulp stromal cells (hDPSCs) are promising seeding cells for regenerative medicine. Cellular senescence hinders the translational application of hDPSCs. However, it remains unclear whether chronological and replicative senescence results in distinct outcomes for hDPSCs. To investigate the influence of senescence on DPSCs, we used transgenic lineage tracking, immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, and various molecular experiments to depict the dynamic pattern of hDPSCs in mice and humans during chronological and replicative senescence. The data demonstrated that CD51+/PDGFR-α+ cells were decreased in chronological senescence. Impaired self-renewal and higher ossificatory differentiation were observed in chronologically senescent hDPSCs. Regarding replicative senescence, a decreased CD51+ but upregulated PDGFR-α+ population was observed in culture. Furthermore, weakened self-renewal and osteogenic differentiation were observed in replicatively senescent hDPSCs. In summary, CD51+/PDGFR-α+ hDPSCs decrease in chronologically aged pulp, with self-renewal that is impaired without impaired osteogenic differentiation. However, replicative senescence has a different impact: self-renewal and ossific differentiation are impaired and CD51 expression is reduced, but PDGFR-α expression remains. These findings demonstrate the different outcomes of chronological and replicative senescence in CD51+/PDGFR-α+ hDPSCs. Furthermore, we revealed that impaired self-renewal is the core dysfunction for both types of cellular aging and that osteogenic differentiation capability differs between them. This study provides insights into the influence of chronological and replicative senescence on the characteristics and capabilities of hDPSCs. These advances provide fundamental knowledge to alleviate cellular aging of CD51+/PDGFR-α+ hDPSCs and promote their translational applications.
Loss-of-Control-Eating Mediates the Relationship between Cannabis-Related Problems and Eating Pathology
Authors: Maynard Madison , Burr Emily K. , Allen Quinn , Dvorak Robert D. , Paulson Daniel
Published: March 2023

The prevalence of eating pathology among college students has increased significantly in recent years. This coincides with increases in the use of cannabis, both nationally, but also among college students. Problematic cannabis use has been linked to eating pathology in prior research. Research also shows that cannabis may affect appetitive drives linked to food consumption. The current study tested the hypothesis that the association between problem cannabis use and eating pathology was mediated by greater loss of control eating. Cross-sectional data were collected from a sample of 805 college student cannabis users at a large Southeastern university in the U.S. The sample were primarily Caucasian (76%) and female (65.22%) with an average age of 20.15 ( SD = 3.91). Participants completed surveys assessing eating outcomes (loss of control eating and eating pathology), cannabis use, and cannabis-related problems. The analysis used an observed variable path model. After controlling for cannabis use, cannabis-related problems were indirectly linked to eating pathology via loss of control eating ( B = 0.109, SE = 0.025, p < .001), supporting the primary hypothesis. The direct relationship between cannabis-related problems and eating pathology was fully accounted for ( B = 0.010, SE = 0.028, p = .724) by the indirect effect of loss of control eating. These data suggest that the association between problematic forms of cannabis use and eating pathology may be due to the association between cannabis problems and loss of control eating. While this may be due to changes in appetite and food evaluation as a function of more problematic use patterns, it may also be that individuals with problematic cannabis use have more problematic eating patterns due to deficits in adaptive coping strategies. Future research should seek to parse out these different potential explanations.
Relieving the Pressure: Team Familiarity Attenuates External Conformity Pressure on Team Member Decisions
Authors: Ferguson Amanda J. , Downes Patrick E. , Brymer Rhett Andrew , Hayman Marilla G. , Stoverink Adam C.
Published: March 2023

Decisions in organizations are often made by individuals acting as members or representatives of teams, and such decisions may be unduly influenced by the preferences of people outside their teams. In these instances of external conformity pressure, we argue that the familiarity of the decision maker's team provides social belonging and affiliation that alleviates this pressure. Whereas previous research has argued that social belonging from familiarity may drive within-group conformity when pressure comes from other team members (e.g., groupthink), we highlight that familiarity can instead help team members withstand pressure to conform when this pressure comes from outsiders. Moreover, we expect team familiarity to be especially important in high-stakes conditions, in which there are significant consequences associated with decisions. We examine our predictions in an archival sample of officiating crews making decisions about penalty calls during National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) American football games and in a laboratory experiment of team members making decisions about the quality of someone else's work product. Findings from these studies suggest that: (1) members of familiar teams are less likely to conform to the preferences of outsiders than those in unfamiliar teams; (2) team familiarity is particularly important when making high-stakes decisions; and (3) team familiarity gives team members a greater sense of belonging, which enables them to better withstand external conformity pressure.
How to train your algorithm: The struggle for public control over private audience commodities on Tiktok
Authors: Jones Corinne
Published: March 2023

Social media users are increasingly aware of the politics of their viewing habits, and they attempt to express these politics through interactions with proprietary algorithms. Combining theories about audience commodities with scholarship about “algorithmic imaginaries,” I define “algorithmically imagined audiences” as a kind of algorithmic imaginary, and I analyze 103 TikTok videos to explore how people attempt to politically engage with algorithms to position themselves within audiences. Although algorithms and audiences are proprietary, TikTokers believe they can reassert public control over audience commodities to engage in counterpublic world-making and to re-position themselves within imagined communities. While these practices are impactful, they have conceptual and practical limits; these same tactics are used to reprivatize audience commodities and to reinscribe the neoliberal capitalist underpinnings. This article raises questions for future researchers about the opportunities and limits of sociotechnical beliefs.
“With Pride:” Media Coverage of Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union's Black Parenting of Zaya
Authors: Grant Rachel , Ezeh Aruah Diane
Published: March 2023

In 2020, former NBA player Dwyane Wade discussed how his child, Zaya came out as transgender. He used his platform to generate discussions about Black parenting specifically parenting a child in the Black transgender community. In the past 3 years, Wade and his celebrity wife Gabrielle Union have shared their parental journey of Zaya through social media and mainstream media. This study explores the identity complexities of critical race parenting through media platforms. By openly using social media and mass media to support Zaya, they opened the world to the journey of parenting a transgender Black child. The study addressed the significance of social media as an educational and activism tool in marginalized communities as a way to confront media stereotypes of Black families.
Del nido versus conventional blood cardioplegia in patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Huang Yingshan , Yan Shujie , Song Yi , Wang Xiaoqi , Yang Ke , Zhang Ling , Gui Wenting , Wang Jiao , Yang Yunling , Xie Yan , Wang Dongmei , Li Xinyue
Published: March 2023

Background

Myocardial protection is essential in cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass The Del Nido cardioplegia which was initially used in pediatric cardiac surgery, has been increasingly used in adult cardiac surgery recently. However, no literature has reported the efficacy of DNC in hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy.

Methods

This retrospective study involved elective patients who underwent extended surgical myectomy with or without concomitant cardiac surgical procedures between September 2017 and June 2022. Patients were distributed into two groups, the DNC and the CBC group. The primary outcome was high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-TnI) and creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) levels at the 0, 1, and 2 postoperative days. The secondary outcomes contained: intraoperative LVEF, return to spontaneous rhythm; postoperative myocardial infarction, worsening or deteriorating of EF, mechanical circulatory support; new-onset atrial fibrillation; mechanical ventilation duration; intensive care unit hours; in-hospital days.

Results

Fifty-nine patients were included and divided into the CBC ( n = 15) and the DNC group ( n = 44). There was no statistical difference in patients’ demographics and preoperative parameters between the two groups. No in-hospital mortality. The total cardioplegia volume [21.93(18.36,26.07) vs. 25.68(23.17,37.12), p = 0.012] and infusion times [1(1,1) vs. 2(2,3), p = 0.000] were less and the incidence of return to spontaneous rhythm after declamping was higher in the DNC group [97.7% vs. 73.3%, p = 0.013]. Postoperative hs-TnI and CK-MB levels were comparable between the two groups. A longer DNC infusion interval was associated with higher levels of CK-MB on postoperative day 1 and day 2 ( p = 0.009 and p = 0.011, respectively).

Conclusions

The use of DNC in extended surgical myectomy procedure was as safe and effective as CBC. However, DNC infusion interval over 60 minutes was associated with increased postoperative CK-MB levels.
The influence of the tested item on serial dependence in perceptual decisions
Authors: Rafiei Mohsen , Chetverikov Andrey , Hansmann-Roth Sabrina , Kristjansson Árni
Published: March 2023

Serial dependence in vision reflects how perceptual decisions can be biased by what we have recently perceived. Serial dependence studies test single items’ effects on perceptual decisions. However, our visual world contains multiple objects at any given moment, so it's important to understand how past experiences affect not only a single object but also perception in a more general sense. Here we asked the question: What effect does a single item have when there is more than one subsequently presented test item? We displayed a single line (inducer) at the screen center, then either a single test-line or two simultaneous test-lines, varying in orientation space to the inducer. Next, participants reported test-line orientation using a left or right located response circle (to indicate which test-line should be reported). The results demonstrated that the inducer influenced subsequent perceptual judgments of a test-line even when two test-lines were presented. Distant items caused repulsive serial dependence, while close items caused attractive serial dependence. This shows how a single inducer can influence test-line judgments, even when two test-lines are presented, and can produce attractive and repulsive serial dependence biases when the item to report is revealed after it has disappeared.
Switching anti-CGRP(R) monoclonal antibodies in multi-assessed non-responder patients and implications for ineffectiveness criteria: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Iannone Luigi Francesco , Burgalassi Andrea , Vigani Giulia , Tabasso Giorgio , De Cesaris Francesco , Chiarugi Alberto , Geppetti Pierangelo
Published: March 2023

Background

A pharmacological class effect was initially proposed for monoclonal antibodies against the calcitonin gene related peptide pathway. However, preliminary evidence shows that switching patients who were non-responding to one monoclonal antibody to another could provide some benefit. Herein, we assess treatment response to an anti-calcitonin gene related peptide/receptor monoclonal antibody in patients who have failed to respond to anti-calcitonin gene related peptide/ligand monoclonal antibodies calcitonin gene related peptide/ligand monoclonal antibodies and vice versa. In addition, we select non-responders to the first anti- monoclonal antibody by three or five more stringent variables.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study including outpatients treated consecutively with two anti-calcitonin gene related peptide monoclonal antibodies. Ineffectiveness to the first monoclonal antibody was assessed using three (MIDAS score, monthly headache days, and analgesic monthly days) variables or five (monthly headache days, MIDAS score, analgesic monthly days, analgesic monthly number and HIT-6 score) variables in the same cohort of patients. The primary endpoints were the absolute change from baseline in monthly headache days, response rate, and persistence in medication overuse at three months of treatment with the second anti-CGRP mAb.

Results

In patients selected by three variables, a sustained reduction in monthly headache days, analgesic monthly days, MIDAS and HIT-6 scores was observed at month-3 of treatment with the second monoclonal antibody. Ten (45.4%) patients achieved at least a ≥30% response rate. No difference was reported switching anti-CGRP mAb against ligand or receptor. In the patient subgroup selected by five variables, only HIT-6 was reduced from baseline at month-3. However, a trend toward a reduction in monthly headache days, analgesic monthly days, and MIDAS score was observed at month-3.

Conclusions

Switching anti-calcitonin gene related peptide monoclonal antibodies in selected patients might be an option to achieve or improve clinical benefit. More studies are required to establish the effectiveness of switching these treatments.
Prevalence, clinical characteristics and associated factors of cardiac cephalalgia: A prospective study
Authors: Navarro-Pérez María Pilar , Espinosa-Rueda Judit , Ballesta-Martínez Sara , Revilla-Martí Pablo , Olesen Jes , Bellosta-Diago Elena , Santos-Lasaosa Sonia
Published: March 2023

Background

The prevalence of cardiac cephalalgia is unknown and there is limited information about its clinical features. We aimed to assess the prevalence of cardiac cephalalgia, its clinical characteristics and associated factors.

Methods

We conducted a prospective study of patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome admitted to the Cardiology Service at Hospital Clínico Universitario Lozano Blesa, Zaragoza, Spain, over a one-year period. We interviewed patients within the first 24 hours of admission using a standardized case-report form to assess the presence of headache in relation to the acute coronary syndrome and its characteristics.

Results

We included 438 patients, 381 with confirmed myocardial ischemia. Prevalence of cardiac cephalalgia was 14.2% (n = 54). The most common features were frontal location, pressing quality and moderate intensity. Pain referred to the jaws (aOR 2.61; 95% CI 1.33–5.12; p = 0.005), palpitations (aOR 3.65; 95% CI 1.57–8.50; p = 0.003) and circumflex coronary artery as the culprit artery for the myocardial ischemia (aOR 3.8; 95% CI 1.07–13.74; p = 0.021) were related to cardiac whereas history of hypertension was inversely associated (aOR 0.37: 95% CI 0.18–0.74; p = 0.005).

Conclusion

The prevalence of cardiac cephalalgia was 14.2%. Our study provides valuable information about cardiac cephalalgia characteristics that suggest revision of current diagnostic criteria.
Construction and properties detection of 3D micro-structure scaffolds base on decellularized sheep kidney before and after crosslinking
Authors: Ma Hailin , Zheng Le , Yang Shuangjia , Cheng Yuen Yee , Liu Tianqing , Wu Shuo , Wang Hongfei , Zhang Jingying , Song Kedong
Published: March 2023

Decellularized extracellular matrix is one form of natural material in tissue engineering. The process of dECM retains the tissue microstructure, provides good cell adhesion sites, maintains most of biological signals that promotes the survival and differentiation ability of cells. In this study, sheep kidney was decellularized followed by histochemical staining, elemental analysis and scanning electron microscopy characterizations. The dECM scaffold was prepared with different sequences of freeze drying technology, crosslinking and the water absorption, porosity, mechanical strength with subsequent thermogravimetric analysis, Infrared spectroscopy and biocompatibility tests. Our results indicated that these decellularized treatments of sheep kidney can effectively remove DNA and retain uniform pore size distribution. After crosslinking the scaffold’s water absorption decreased from 987.56 ± 40.21% to 934.39 ± 39.61%, the porosity decreased from 89.64 ± 3.2% to 85.09 ± 17.63%, and the compression modulus increased from 304.32 ± 25.43 kPa to 459.53 ± 38.92 kPa, with thermal process the percentage of weight loss decreased from 66.57% to 44.731%, in addition, the composition didn’t change significantly, crosslinking could also promote the stability. In terms of biocompatibility, the number of viable cells increased significantly with the days. In conclusion, the crosslinked decellularized sheep kidney extracellular matrix scaffold reduced water absorption and porosity slightly, but has a significant increase in mechanical properties, and presented excellent biocompatibility which are beneficial to cell adhesion, growth and differentiation.
Matching Behavioral Theories and Rules with Research Methods in Spatial Planning-Related Fields
Authors: Kwon Heeseo Rain , Silva Elisabete A.
Published: March 2023

Despite the popularity of the “behavioral approach,” there is as yet a lack of guidance on the selection and use of appropriate behavioral theories for specific planning purposes. Based on a literature review of 318 articles in spatial planning-related journals, this paper presents a portfolio of behavioral theories by types of behavior, key variables, rules, and research methods. In addition, based on the survey of twenty-two international experts, it cross-validates the findings and highlights particularly appropriate theories for certain types of behavior dealt in related disciplines. Finally, the paper derives discussion points including the applicability of various behavioral theories in urban models such as space and time-sensitive dynamic simulations.
Co-created public value: The strategic management of collaborative problem-solving
Authors: Kitchener Martin , Ashworth Rachel , Horton Dave , Elliott Eva
Published: March 2023

This paper presents the first analysis of the way that co-creation can be used as the primary approach to problem-solving within organisations that operate a public value model of strategic management (co-created public value). We begin by drawing from previous scholarship to introduce a preliminary model of three activities required to co-create public value: defining public value, mobilizing support, and building capacity. After introducing the context of our empirical case and the research methods, we present our research findings as an elaborated model that illustrates ways that each of the three activities can be performed. We conclude by considering the research and practical implications of our model.