bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Diabetes Prevention Program Interventions for Overweight/Obese Marshallese Adults
Authors: McElfish Pearl A. , Felix Holly C. , Bursac Zoran , Rowland Brett , Yeary Karen H. K. , Long Christopher R. , Selig James P. , Kaholokula Joseph Keawe‘aimoku , Riklon Sheldon
Published: February 2023

This study compared the effectiveness of two Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) interventions on weight loss among overweight and obese Marshallese adults. The study was a two-arm cluster randomized controlled trial conducted in 30 churches in Arkansas and Oklahoma. Marshallese adults with a body mass index ≥25 kg/m2 were eligible for the study. The study sample included 380 participants. Participants received either a faith-based adaptation of the DPP or a family-focused adaptation of the DPP, each delivered over 24 weeks. The primary outcome was weight change from baseline. Secondary outcomes included changes in Hemoglobin A1c, blood pressure, dietary intake, family support for healthy behaviors, and physical activity. Outcomes were examined longitudinally using general linear mixed effects regression models, adjusting for baseline outcomes, sociodemographic covariates, and clustering of participants within churches. Reductions in weight were small for both groups. Overall, only 7.1% of all participants lost 5% or more of their baseline body weight. There were no significant differences in weight loss between the 2 arms at 6 months ( P = .3599) or at 12 months ( P = .3207). Significant differences in systolic and diastolic blood pressure were found between the 2 arms at 6 months ( P = .0293; P = .0068, respectively). Significant within-arm changes were found for sugar-sweetened beverage consumption and family support for both arms at both follow-ups. Both interventions achieved a modest weight loss. While even modest weight loss can be clinically significant, future research is needed to identify chronic disease prevention interventions that can successfully reduce weight for this at-risk population.
Educational Expectation Gaps Between Second-Generation Immigrant and Ethnic Majority Students in a Comparative Perspective: The Moderating Role of Educational Tracking
Authors: Pomianowicz Katja
Published: February 2023

This paper investigates the influence of educational tracking on immigrant educational expectation gaps in Sweden, England, the Netherlands, and Germany. To account for heterogeneity in immigrant children's origin countries, this paper additionally focuses on the educational selectivity of immigrant parents. The article argues that with a greater degree of tracking, students receive stronger track signals about their ability and their future opportunities, which should reduce the influence of immigrant parents’ aspirations and mitigate immigrant students’ lower responsiveness to school ability. As a result, immigrant students in countries with a high degree of tracking should have less inflated expectations that are more similar to ethnic majority students. Additionally, the moderating effect that tracking can have on the influence of parental aspirations on immigrant students’ educational expectations should mitigate the beneficial effect of immigrant parents’ selectivity in highly versus lowly tracked countries. Findings based on two waves of the CILS4EU data reveal that second-generation immigrant students have higher educational expectations than ethnic majority students in all countries except Germany. No significant differences are found relating to parents’ educational selectivity. The results support the assumption that stronger track signals in countries with a higher degree of tracking lead to higher responsiveness to school ability among second-generation immigrant students. No support is found for a reduced influence of parental aspirations on the immigrant expectation gap in countries with a higher tracking degree. This study contributes to research on immigrant expectation gaps by highlighting the specific mechanisms through which tracking influences operate.
Sustaining Solidarity through Social Media? Employee Social-Media Groups as an Emerging Platform for Collectivism in Pakistan
Authors: Saqib Syed Imran , Allen Matthew M C , Martínez Lucio Miguel , Allen Maria
Published: February 2023

Forging solidarity among seemingly privileged white-collar professionals has been seen as a challenging process. However, many banking employees in Pakistan feel marginalized and lack formal collective mechanisms to voice their concerns, leading some to participate in social-media groups. Drawing on various discussions linked to labour process perspectives, we examine how these banking employees use social media as a means to create broader and diverse collective bonds within their profession and build bridges to their counterparts in other organizations within the sector. By doing so, we reveal that employees post on social media to express and affirm their concerns, offer broader support with one another, ‘cope’ with existing circumstances, highlight their unrewarded professionalism, and share relevant information around collective issues and experiences and not solely to critique their work environment. The article draws on and contributes to new debates on collectivism and solidarity, revealing the opportunities for actions on social media.
Experimental evaluation of event-triggered sliding mode control for trajectory tracking of a quadcopter
Authors: Raju Sarika , Deenadayalan Ezhilarasi , Ayyagari Ramakalyan
Published: February 2023

This paper presents an experimental assessment of event-triggered sliding mode control (ET-SMC) on a Quadcopter for trajectory tracking. Sufficient triggering conditions using Lyapunov analysis and a lower bound of inter-event time to avoid Zeno behaviour are derived to ensure robust stability. Real-time flights are performed for tracking constant and time-varying trajectories. Results reveal that while using the proposed controller, there is a significant reduction in the number of updates implying a substantial saving in the computations.
Chattering-free terminal sliding-mode tracking control for uncertain nonlinear systems with disturbance compensation
Authors: Zou Xiaoqi , Yang Guichao , Hong Rongjing , Dai Yongfen
Published: February 2023

In this work, an integral-type terminal sliding mode (TSM) controller with an asymptotic disturbance observer is developed. The proposed controller can be applied to a class of uncertain integrator systems with unknown external disturbances. In addition, the chattering phenomenon and the singularity problem in traditional TSM control and the influence of unknown external disturbances on the system are taken into consideration. For unknown external disturbances in practical applications, a disturbance observer with asymptotic estimation performance is constructed. Thus, the control strategy is developed to ensure chattering-free and eliminate the singularity problem. By comparing with the traditional TSM control, we expect to synthesize a more efficient chattering-free sliding mode controller. The integral-type TSM transforms the discontinuous sign function into the continuous smooth function. Furthermore, the proposed control algorithm can accurately compensate for the external unknown disturbance and exhibits better robustness. Finally, the simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the controller and the stability of the whole closed-loop system is strictly proved.
The right to a fair exit
Authors: Rouméas Élise
Published: February 2023

This paper introduces a novel account of freedom of dissociation, construed as the “right to a fair exit.” It defines freedom of dissociation as the right to end an association without excessive and undue costs. This novel account contrasts with the classic right of exit that some liberal philosophers have theorized as the bedrock of associational freedom. The original right of exit is first and foremost concerned with the protection against excessive exit costs, while the right to a fair exit broadens its scope to include undue costs as well. State policy should aim at monitoring and resourcing exit not only to ensure that leavers have adequate exit options, but also that the costs of exit are fairly divided between parties. This account illuminates a range of cases, such as divorce, dissolution of employment contracts, and contested exits from religious associations.
Assessment of the differences between generic and biosimilar drugs: A brief literature review
Authors: Sayah Roudy , Awada Sanaa , Ismaiil Lina , Hatem Georges
Published: February 2023

Generic Drugs are copies of small chemical drugs identical to their reference drug by dose, form, safety, strength, mode of administration, quality, performance, and intended purpose. They have been on the market for a long time and have abbreviated pathways to be approved. Their development is more simple and more affordable than their reference counterpart, which makes them widely used by patients. More recently, biosimilars were introduced to the market with strict regulations. They are highly similar to large, complex molecules, known as biological drugs, in terms of quality characteristics, biological activity, safety, and efficacy. Their development is complex and expensive, where clinical trials are necessary. Even though generic drugs and biosimilars are both copies of a reference drug, they differ in many aspects. Misconceptions or misinformation among healthcare stakeholders could have limited their use. Therefore, this short review aims to compare generic drugs and biosimilars in terms of characteristics, development, regulation, and interchangeability with brand drugs. Findings from this report can help clarify misconceptions and promote their use.
A functional gene module identification algorithm in gene expression data based on genetic algorithm and gene ontology
Authors: Zhang Yan , Shi Weiyu , Sun Yeqing
Published: February 2023

Since genes do not function individually, the gene module is considered an important tool for interpreting gene expression profiles. In order to consider both functional similarity and expression similarity in module identification, GMIGAGO, a functional Gene Module Identification algorithm based on Genetic Algorithm and Gene Ontology, was proposed in this work. GMIGAGO is an overlapping gene module identification algorithm, which mainly includes two stages: In the first stage (initial identification of gene modules), Improved Partitioning Around Medoids Based on Genetic Algorithm (PAM-GA) is used for the initial clustering on gene expression profiling, and traditional gene co-expression modules can be obtained. Only similarity of expression levels is considered at this stage. In the second stage (optimization of functional similarity within gene modules), Genetic Algorithm for Functional Similarity Optimization (FSO-GA) is used to optimize gene modules based on gene ontology, and functional similarity within gene modules can be improved. Without loss of generality, we compared GMIGAGO with state-of-the-art gene module identification methods on six gene expression datasets, and GMIGAGO identified the gene modules with the highest functional similarity (much higher than state-of-the-art algorithms). GMIGAGO was applied in BRCA, THCA, HNSC, COVID-19, Stem, and Radiation datasets, and it identified some interesting modules which performed important biological functions. The hub genes in these modules could be used as potential targets for diseases or radiation protection. In summary, GMIGAGO has excellent performance in mining molecular mechanisms, and it can also identify potential biomarkers for individual precision therapy.
Transcriptome sequencing and gene expression analysis revealed early ovule abortion of Paeonia ludlowii
Authors: Chen Ting-qiao , Sun Yue , Yuan Tao
Published: February 2023

Background

Paeonia ludlowii (Stern & G. Taylor D.Y. Hong) belongs to the peony group of the genus Paeonia in the Paeoniaceae family and is now classified as a “critically endangered species” in China. Reproduction is important for this species, and its low fruiting rate has become a critical factor limiting both the expansion of its wild population and its domestic cultivation.

Results

In this study, we investigated possible causes of the low fruiting rate and ovule abortion in Paeonia ludlowii. We clarified the characteristics of ovule abortion and the specific time of abortion in Paeonia ludlowii, and used transcriptome sequencing to investigate the mechanism of abortion of ovules in Paeonia ludlowii.

Conclusions

In this paper, the ovule abortion characteristics of Paeonia ludlowii were systematically studied for the first time and provide a theoretical basis for the optimal breeding and future cultivation of Paeonia ludlowii.
Counting what counts: a systematic scoping review of instruments used in primary healthcare services to measure the wellbeing of Indigenous children and youth
Authors: Saunders Vicki , McCalman Janya , Tsey Sena , Askew Deborah , Campbell Sandy , Jongen Crystal , Angelo Candace , Spurling Geoff , Cadet-James Yvonne
Published: February 2023

Background

Primary healthcare services have principal responsibility for providing child and youth wellbeing and mental health services, but have lacked appropriate measurement instruments to assess the wellbeing of Indigenous children and youth or to evaluate the effectiveness of programs and services designed to meet their needs. This review assesses the availability and characteristics of measurement instruments that have been applied in primary healthcare services in Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United States (CANZUS countries) to assess the wellbeing of Indigenous children and youth.

Methods

Fifteen databases and 12 websites were searched in December 2017 and again in October 2021. Pre-defined search terms pertained to Indigenous children and youth, CANZUS country names, and wellbeing or mental health measures. PRISMA guidelines were followed, with eligibility criteria guiding screening of titles and abstracts, and selected full-text papers. Results are presented based on the characteristics of documented measurement instruments assessed according to five desirability criteria: development for Indigenous youth populations, adherence to relational strength-based constructs, administration by child and or youth self-report, reliability and validity, and usefulness for identifying wellbeing or risk levels.

Results

Twenty-one publications were found that described the development and or use by primary healthcare services of 14 measurement instruments, employed across 30 applications. Four of the 14 measurement instruments were developed specifically for Indigenous youth populations, four focused solely on strength-based wellbeing concepts but none included all Indigenous wellbeing domains.

Conclusion

There is a diversity of measurement instruments available, but few fit our desirability criteria. Although it is possible that we missed relevant papers and reports, this review clearly supports the need for further research to develop, refine or adapt instruments cross-culturally to measure the wellbeing of Indigenous children and youth.
Delivering diabetes shared medical appointments in primary care: early and mid-program adaptations and implications for successful implementation
Authors: Nederveld Andrea , Phimphasone-Brady Phoutdavone , Gurfinkel Dennis , Waxmonsky Jeanette A. , Kwan Bethany M. , Holtrop Jodi Summers
Published: February 2023

Background

Self-management is essential for good outcomes in type 2 diabetes and patients often benefit from self-management education. Shared medical appointments (SMAs) can increase self-efficacy for self management but are difficult for some primary care practices to implement. Understanding how practices adapt processes and delivery of SMAs for patients with type 2 diabetes may provide helpful strategies for other practices interested in implementing SMAs.

Methods

The Invested in Diabetes study was a pragmatic cluster-randomized, comparative effectiveness trial designed to compare two different models of diabetes SMAs delivered in primary care. We used a multi-method approach guided by the FRAME to assess practices’ experience with implementation, including any planned and unplanned adaptations. Data sources included interviews, practice observations and field notes from practice facilitator check-ins.

Results

Several findings were identified from the data: 1) Modifications and adaptations are common in implementation of SMAs, 2) while most adaptations were fidelity-consistent supporting the core components of the intervention conditions as designed, some were not, 3) Adaptations were perceived to be necessary to help SMAs meet patient and practice needs and overcome implementation challenges, and 4) Content changes in the sessions were often planned and enacted to better address the contextual circumstances such as patient needs and culture.

Discussion

Implementing SMAs in primary care can be challenging and adaptations of both implementation processes and content and delivery of SMAS for patients with type 2 diabetes were common in the Invested in Diabetes study. Recognizing the need for adaptations based on practice context prior to implementation may help improve fit and success with SMAs, but care needs to be given to ensure that adaptations do not weaken the impact of the intervention. Practices may be able to assess what might need to adapted for them to be successful prior to implementation but likely will continue to adapt after implementation.

Conclusion

Adaptations were common in the Invested in Diabetes study. Practices may benefit from understanding common challenges in implementing SMAs and adapting processes and delivery based on their own context.

Trial registration

This trial is registered on clinicaltrials.gov under Trial number NCT03590041, posted 18/07/2018.
Influence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on long-term hospitalization and mortality in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction
Authors: Lin Chiung-Hung , Yeh Jih-Kai , Lin Ting-Yu , Lo Yu-Lun , Chang Bo-Jui , Ju Jia-Shiuan , Chiu Tzu-Hsuan , Tung Pi-Hung , Huang Yun-Ju , Lin Shu-Min
Published: February 2023

Background

Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) can coexist with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which complicates the clinical situation and worsens quality of life. The study used standard diagnostic criteria for detecting COPD in hospitalized HFrEF patients and to survey the influence of other comorbidities and medications on the long-term outcomes of HFrEF + COPD patients.

Methods

We retrospectively recruited patients hospitalized due to HFrEF in a tertiary medical center and examined and followed up clinical outcomes, including length of hospital stay, mortality, and readmission episodes, for a 5-year period. Risk factors for mortality were analyzed using multivariate analysis.

Results

Of the 118 hospitalized HFrEF study participants, 68 had concurrent COPD whereas 50 did not. There was a significant increase in the male predominance, smoking history, higher hemoglobin level and increased length of hospital stay in the HF + COPD group than in the HF-only group. Lower left ventricular ejection fraction was found in the HF and COPD comorbidity group. In multivariate analysis, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker (ACEI/ARB) use independently associated with a beneficial effect on survival in HF patients with COPD. Oral corticosteroid uses and stroke as a comorbidity were independently associated with a shorter time to the first readmission episode.

Conclusion

In HFrEF patients, COPD was associated with a prolonged length of hospital stay. ACEI/ARB use might relate to a beneficial effect on survival in HF patients with COPD. The use of maintenance oral corticosteroid in patients with both HF and COPD should be crucially evaluated to determine the clinical benefit and disadvantages.
The effect of screen time on the presentation and treatment of primary monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis
Authors: Demirbas Arif , Gercek Hacer Gizem
Published: February 2023

Background

We aimed to investigate if there was any relationship between screen time (ST) and the severity of primary monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (PMNE) and treatment success.

Methods

This study was conducted in urology and child and adolescent phsychiatry clinic in Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University Hospital. After diagnosis patients were seperated by the ST for exploring causation. Group 1 > 120, Group 2 < 120 (min/day). For the the treatment response, patients were grouped again. Group 3 patients were administered 120 mcg Desmopressin Melt (DeM) and were requested < 60 min ST. Patients in Group 4 were given 120 mcg DeM solely.

Results

The first stage of the study included 71 patients. The ages of the patients ranged from 6 to 13. Group 1 comprised 47 patients, 26 males and 21 females. Group 2 comprised 24 patients,11 males and 13 famales. Median age was 7 years in both groups. The groups were similar in respect of age and gender (p = 0.670, p = 0.449, respectively). A significant relationship was determined between ST and PMNE severity. Severe symptoms were seen at the rate of 42.6% in the Group 1, and at 16.7% in the Group 2 (p = 0.033). 44 patients completed the second stage of the study. Group 3 comprised 21 patients, 11 males and 10 females. Group 4 comprised 23 patients,11 males and 12 famales. Median age was 7 years in both groups. The groups were similar in respect of age and gender (p = 0.708, p = 0.765, respectively). Response to treatment was determined as full response in 70% (14/20) in Group 3 and in 31% (5/16) in Group 4 (p = 0.021). Failure was determined in 5% (1/21) in Group 3 and in 30% (7/23) in Group 4 (p = 0.048). Recurrence was determined at a lower rate in Group 3 where ST was restricted (7% vs. 60%, p = 0.037).

Conclusion

High screen exposure may be a factor for PMNE aetiology. And also reducing ST to a normal range can be an easy and beneficial method for treatment of PMNE.

Trial Registration ISRCTN15760867(www.isrctn.com). Date of registration: 23/05/2022. This trial was registered retrospectively.
Limited effect of reducing pulmonary tuberculosis incidence amid mandatory facial masking for COVID-19
Authors: Lin En-Cheng , Tu Hung-Pin , Hong Chien-Hui
Published: February 2023

Although the incidence and mortality rates associated with tuberculosis (TB) have been decreasing in many countries, TB remains a major public health concern. Obligatory facial masking and reduced health-care capacity because of COVID-19 may substantially influence TB transmission and care. The Global Tuberculosis Report 2021 published by the World Health Organization indicated a TB rebound at the end of 2020, which coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic. We explored this rebound phenomenon in Taiwan by investigating whether TB incidence and mortality are affected by COVID-19 because of their common route of transmission. In addition, we investigated whether the incidence of TB varies across regions with different incidences of COVID-19. Data (2010–2021) regarding annual new cases of TB and multidrug-resistant TB were collected from the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control. TB incidence and mortality were assessed in Taiwan’s seven administrative regions. Over the last decade, TB incidence decreased continually, even during 2020 and 2021, the years coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic. Notably, TB incidence remained high in regions with low COVID-19 incidence. However, the overall decreasing trends of TB incidence and mortality remained unchanged during the pandemic. Facial masking and social distancing may prevent COVID-19 transmission but exhibit limited efficacy in reducing TB transmission. Thus, during health-related policymaking, policymakers must consider TB rebound, even in the post-COVID-19 era.
A literature review of microRNA and gene signaling pathways involved in the apoptosis pathway of lung cancer
Authors: Abolfathi Hanie , Arabi Mohadeseh , Sheikhpour Mojgan
Published: February 2023

Background

Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the world and the deadliest of all cancers. Apoptosis is a key pathway in regulating the cell growth rate, proliferation, and occurrence of lung cancer. This process is controlled by many molecules, such as microRNAs and their target genes. Therefore, finding new medical approaches such as exploring diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers involved in apoptosis is needed for this disease. In the present study, we aimed to identify key microRNAs and their target genes that could be used in the prognosis and diagnosis of lung cancer.

Methods

Signaling pathways, genes, and microRNAs involved in the apoptotic pathway were identified by bioinformatics analysis and recent clinical studies. Bioinformatics analysis was performed on databases including NCBI, TargetScan, UALCAN, UCSC, KEGG, miRPathDB, and Enrichr, and clinical studies were extracted from PubMed, web of science, and SCOPUS databases.

Results

NF-κB, PI3K/AKT, and MAPK pathways play critical roles in the regulation of apoptosis. MiR-146b, 146a, 21, 23a, 135a, 30a, 202, and 181 were identified as the involved microRNAs in the apoptosis signaling pathway, and IRAK1, TRAF6, Bcl-2, PTEN, Akt, PIK3, KRAS, and MAPK1 were classified as the target genes of the mentioned microRNAs respectively. The essential roles of these signaling pathways and miRNAs/target genes were approved through both databases and clinical studies. Moreover, surviving, living, BRUCE, and XIAP was the main inhibitor of apoptosis which act by regulating the apoptosis-involved genes and miRNAs.

Conclusion

Identifying the abnormal expression and regulation of miRNAs and signaling pathways in apoptosis of lung cancer can represent a novel class of biomarkers that can facilitate the early diagnosis, personalized treatment, and prediction of drug response for lung cancer patients. Therefore, studying the mechanisms of apoptosis including signaling pathways, miRNAs/target genes, and the inhibitors of apoptosis are advantageous for finding the most practical approach and reducing the pathological demonstrations of lung cancer.
BRAFV600E and TERT promoter C228T mutations on ThyroSeq v3 analysis of delayed skin metastasis from papillary thyroid cancer: a case report and literature review
Authors: Choi Jee-Hye , Yu Hyeong Won , Lee Ja Kyung , Kim Woochul , Choi June Young , Na Hee Young , Park So Yeon , Ahn Chang Ho , Moon Jae Hoon , Choi Sang Il , Lee Ho-Young , Lee Won Woo , Cha Wonjae , Jeong Woo-Jin
Published: February 2023

Background

Skin metastasis from papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is a rare entity that can occur up to decades after treatment of the primary tumor. Here, we present a patient who developed skin metastasis 10 years after treatment of her primary tumor and describe the molecular findings of the metastatic lesion.

Case presentation

A 44-year-old female with a history of PTC who underwent a total thyroidectomy and radioactive iodine (RAI) treatment 10 years ago presented with a 1.3-cm skin lesion along the prior thyroidectomy scar. A biopsy revealed metastatic PTC, and the patient underwent surgical excision of the lesion. ThyroSeq molecular testing showed the copresence of BRAFV600E mutation and TERT promoter C228T mutation. The patient subsequently received one round of adjuvant RAI therapy.

Conclusions

A high index of suspicion is warranted in patients with a history of PTC who develop a skin lesion, even several years after remission of the primary disease. In patients with high-risk mutations, such as BRAFV600E and TERT promoter C228T mutations, long-term surveillance of disease recurrence is particularly important.
Very low-calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD): an antihypertensive nutritional approach
Authors: Barrea Luigi , Verde Ludovica , Santangeli Pasquale , Lucà Stefania , Docimo Annamaria , Savastano Silvia , Colao Annamaria , Muscogiuri Giovanna
Published: February 2023

Background

Obesity is accompanied by hormonal, inflammatory and endothelial alterations. These alterations induce a stimulation of several other mechanisms that contribute to the hypertensive state and to increase the cardiovascular morbidity. This pilot, open - label, single- center, prospective clinical trial aimed to evaluate the effect of very low- calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD) on blood pressure (BP) in women with of obesity and hypertension.

Methods

A total of 137 women, who met the inclusion criteria and accepted to adhere to VLCKD, were consecutively enrolled. Assessment of anthropometric parameters (weight, height, and waist circumference), body composition (through bioelectrical impedance analysis), systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and blood sample collection were carried out at baseline and after 45 days of the active phase of VLCKD.

Results

After VLCKD all the women experienced a significant reduction in body weight and an overall improvement of body composition parameters. In addition, high sensitivity C reactive protein (hs- CRP) levels were significantly diminished (p < 0.001), while phase angle (PhA) increased by almost 9% (p < 0.001). Interestingly, both SBP and DBP were significantly improved (-12.89% and − 10.77%, respectively; p < 0.001). At baseline, SBP and DBP showed statistically significant correlations with body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, hs-CRP levels, PhA, total body water (TBW), extracellular water (ECW), Na / K ratio, and fat mass. Even after VLCKD, all correlations among SBP and DBP with the study variables were statistically significant, except for the association between DBP and Na / K ratio. Changes (%) in both SBP and DBP were associated with ∆BMI%, ∆PhA% and ∆hs- CRP levels (p < 0.001). In addition, only ∆SBP% was associated with ∆waist circumference (p = 0.017), ∆TBW (p = 0.017), and ∆fat mass (p < 0.001); while only ∆DBP% was associated with ∆ECW (p = 0.018), and ∆Na / K ratio (p = 0.048). After adjusting for ∆BMI, ∆WC, ∆PhA, ∆TBW, and ∆fat mass, the correlation between changes in ∆SBP and ∆hs -CRP levels remained statistically significant (p < 0.001). Similarly, the correlation between ∆DBP and ∆hs- CRP levels also remained statistically significant after adjustment for ∆BMI, ∆PhA, ∆Na / K ratio, and ∆ECW (p < 0.001). From multiple regression analysis ∆hs- CRP levels seemed to be the main predictor of changes of BP (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

VLCKD reduces BP in women with of obesity and hypertension in a safely manner.
Autophagy impairment in patients with obstructive sleep apnea modulates intermittent hypoxia-induced oxidative stress and cell apoptosis via hypermethylation of the ATG5 gene promoter region
Authors: Chen Yung-Che , Lin I-Chun , Su Mao-Chang , Hsu Po-Yuan , Hsiao Chang-Chun , Hsu Te-Yao , Liou Chia-Wei , Chen Yu-Mu , Chin Chien-Hung , Wang Ting-Ya , Chang Jen-Chieh , Lin Yong-Yong , Lee Chiu-Ping , Lin Meng-Chih
Published: February 2023

Background

Autophagy is a catabolic process that recycles damaged organelles and acts as a pro-survival mechanism, but little is known about autophagy dysfunction and epigenetic regulation in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Methods

Protein/gene expressions and DNA methylation levels of the autophagy-related genes (ATG) were examined in blood leukocytes from 64 patients with treatment-naïve OSA and 24 subjects with primary snoring (PS).

Results

LC3B protein expression of blood monocytes, and ATG5 protein expression of blood neutrophils were decreased in OSA patients versus PS subjects, while p62 protein expression of cytotoxic T cell was increased, particularly in those with nocturia. ATG5, ULK1, and BECN1 gene expressions of peripheral blood mononuclear cells were decreased in OSA patients versus PS subjects. LC3B gene promoter regions were hypermethylated in OSA patients, particularly in those with excessive daytime sleepiness, while ATG5 gene promoter regions were hypermethylated in those with morning headache or memory impairment. LC3B protein expression of blood monocytes and DNA methylation levels of the LC3B gene promoter region were negatively and positively correlated with apnea hyponea index, respectively. In vitro intermittent hypoxia with re-oxygenation exposure to human THP-1/HUVEC cell lines resulted in LC3B/ATG5/ULK1/BECN1 down-regulations and p62 up-regulation along with increased apoptosis and oxidative stress, while rapamycin and umbilical cord-mesenchymal stem cell treatment reversed these abnormalities through de-methylation of the ATG5 gene promoter.

Conclusions

Impaired autophagy activity in OSA patients was regulated by aberrant DNA methylation, correlated with clinical phenotypes, and contributed to increased cell apoptosis and oxidative stress. Autophagy enhancers may be novel therapeutics for OSA-related neurocognitive dysfunction.
Single-cell heterogeneity and dynamic evolution of Ph-like acute lymphoblastic leukemia patient with novel TPR-PDGFRB fusion gene
Authors: Zhang Xuehong , Hou Zhijie , Huang Dan , Wang Furong , Gao Beibei , Zhang Chengtao , Zhou Dong , Lou Jiacheng , Wang Haina , Gao Yuan , Kang Zhijie , Lu Ying , Liu Quentin , Yan Jinsong
Published: February 2023

Philadelphia chromosome-like acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph-like ALL) is a refractory and recurrent subtype of B-cell ALL enriched with kinase-activating rearrangements. Incomplete understanding of the heterogeneity within the tumor cells presents a major challenge for the diagnosis and therapy of Ph-like ALL. Here, we exhibited a comprehensive cell atlas of one Ph-like ALL patient with a novel TPR-PDGFRB fusion gene at diagnosis and relapse by using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq). Twelve heterogeneous B-cell clusters, four with strong MKI67 expression indicating highly proliferating B cells, were identified. A relapse-enriched B-cell subset associated with poor prognosis was discovered, implicating the transcriptomic evolution during disease progression. Integrative single-cell analysis was performed on Ph-like ALL and Ph+ ALL patients, and revealed Ph-like specific B-cell subpopulations and shared malignant B cells characterized by the ectopic expression of the inhibitory receptor CLEC2D. Collectively, scRNA-seq of Ph-like ALL with a novel TPR-PDGFRB fusion gene provides valuable insights into the underlying heterogeneity associated with disease progression and offers useful information for the development of immunotherapeutic techniques in the future.
Prevalence and associated risk factors for Salmonella enterica contamination of cow milk and cottage cheese in Ethiopia
Authors: Bedassa Abdi , Nahusenay Henok , Asefa Zerihun , Sisay Tesfaye , Girmay Gebrerufael , Kovac Jasna , Vipham Jessie L. , Zewdu Ashagrie
Published: February 2023

Animal sourced foods, such as dairy products, are common sources of Salmonella enterica, a foodborne pathogen of increasing global concern, particularly in developing countries. In Ethiopia, most data on the prevalence of Salmonella in dairy products is highly varied and limited to a specific region or district. Furthermore, there is no data available on the risk factors for Salmonella contamination of cow milk and cottage cheese in Ethiopia. This study was therefore conducted to determine the presence of Salmonella throughout the Ethiopian dairy value chain and to identify risk factors for contamination with Salmonella. The study was carried out in three regions of Ethiopia, including Oromia, Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples, and Amhara during a dry season. A total 912 samples were collected from milk producers, collectors, processors, and retailers. Samples were tested for Salmonella using the ISO 6579-1: 2008 method, followed by PCR confirmation. Concurrent with sample collection, a survey was administered to study participants to identify risk factors associated with Salmonella contamination. Salmonella contamination was highest in raw milk samples at the production (19.7%) and at milk collection (21.3%) levels. No significant difference in the prevalence of Salmonella contamination among regions was detected (p > 0.05). Regional differences were apparent for cottage cheese, with the highest prevalence being in Oromia (6.3%). Identified risk factors included the temperature of water used for cow udder washing, the practice of mixing milk lots, the type of milk container, use of refrigeration, and milk filtration. These identified factors can be leveraged to develop targeted intervention strategies aimed at reducing the prevalence of Salmonella in milk and cottage cheese in Ethiopia.
Can lift be generated in a steady inviscid flow?
Authors: Liu Tianshu
Published: February 2023

This paper presents a critical evaluation of the physical aspects of lift generation to prove that no lift can be generated in a steady inviscid flow. Hence, the answer to the recurring question in the paper title is negative. In other words, the fluid viscosity is necessary in lift generation. The relevant topics include D’Alembert’s paradox of lift and drag, the Kutta condition, the force expression based on the boundary enstrophy flux (BEF), the vortex lift, and the generation of the vorticity and circulation. The physical meanings of the variational formulations to determine the circulation and lift are discussed. In particular, in the variational formulation based on the continuity equation with the first-order Tikhonov regularization functional, an incompressible flow with the artificial viscosity (the Lagrange multiplier) is simulated, elucidating the role of the artificial viscosity in lift generation. The presented contents are valuable for the pedagogical purposes in aerodynamics and fluid mechanics.
Perioperative Tracking of Intravenous Iron in Patients Undergoing On-Pump Cardiac Surgery: A Prospective, Single-Center Pilot Trial
Authors: Olivier Roman M. R. , Macke Marcel , Müller Jennifer C. , Schrader Lisa , Eveslage Maria , Rauer Marcel , Wempe Carola , Martens Sven , Zarbock Alexander , Wagner Nana-Maria , Karst Uwe , Dogan Deniz Y. , Steinbicker Andrea U.
Published: February 2023

BACKGROUND:

Preoperative intravenous iron administration is a frequently used patient blood management procedure. If the timeframe of intravenous iron administration before surgery is short, (1) the concentration of the intravenous iron compound might still be high in patients’ plasma when undergoing surgery and (2) this iron in patients’ plasma is at risk to be lost due to blood loss. The aim of the current study was, therefore, to track the iron compound ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) before, during, and after cardiac surgery requiring cardiopulmonary bypass, with an emphasis on intraoperative iron losses in shed blood and potential recovery through autologous cell salvage.

METHODS:

Concentrations of FCM were analyzed in patients’ blood using a hyphenation of liquid chromatography and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry to distinguish between pharmaceutical compound FCM and serum iron. In this prospective, single-center pilot trial, 13 anemic and 10 control patients were included. Anemic patients with hemoglobin levels ≤12/13 g/dL in women and men were treated with 500 milligrams (mg) intravenous FCM 12 to 96 hours before elective on-pump cardiac surgery. Patients’ blood samples were collected before surgery and at days 0, 1, 3, and 7 after surgery. One sample each was taken of the cardiopulmonary bypass, the autologous red blood cell concentrate generated by cell salvage, and the cell salvage disposal bag.

RESULTS:

Patients who had received FCM <48 hours before surgery had higher FCM serum levels (median [Q1–Q3], 52.9 [13.0–91.6]) compared to ≥48 hours (2.1 [0.7–5.1] µg/mL, P = .008). Of 500-mg FCM administered <48 hours, 327.37 (257.96–402.48) mg were incorporated compared to administration ≥48 hours with 493.60 (487.78–496.70) mg. After surgery, patients’ plasma FCM concentration in the FCM <48 hours group was decreased (–27.1 [–30 to −5.9] µg/mL). Little FCM was found in the cell salvage disposal bag (<48 hours, 4.2 [3.0–25.8] µg/mL, equivalent to 29.0 [19.0–40.7] mg total; equivalent to 5.8% or 1/17th of the 500 mg FCM initially administered), almost none in the autologous red blood cell concentrate (<48 hours, 0.1 [0.0–0.43] µg/mL).

CONCLUSIONS:

The data generate the hypotheses that nearly all FCM is incorporated into iron stores with administration ≥48 hours before surgery. When FCM is given <48 hours of surgery, the majority is incorporated into iron stores by the time of surgery, although a small amount may be lost during surgical bleeding with limited recovery by cell salvage.
Introduction
Authors: Johnson Adriana Michele Campos , Nemser Daniel
Published: February 2023

This essay introduces the special issue “Reading for Infrastructure: Worlds Made and Broken.” It offers an account of the “infrastructural turn” in the humanities and explains how the assembled essays frame infrastructures as making worlds with dispositions that facilitate certain “forms of life,” even as they break and dismantle others. These essays cluster around three key themes that open onto the imbrication of “modern” infrastructures and racial capitalism: slavery, borders, and energy. The introduction also outlines the various conjugations of reading and infrastructure suggested by the essays: practices of reading new things as infrastructure, reading infrastructures themselves, and engaging with readings of infrastructure.
“Anxious Desires”
Authors: Flaherty George F.
Published: February 2023

In 1961, the Mexican government launched the Programa Nacional Fronterizo (Pronaf) in partnership with the country's economic elites, a precursor to the state's more widely known border industrialization project. Pronaf was ostensibly an urban beautification program targeting nine cities at the Mexico-US border, led by former Ciudad Juárez mayor Antonio Bermúdez and with architecture supervised by Mexico City–based modernist Mario Pani. However, as this article argues, Pronaf sought to better integrate the borderlands to the national market and political structure at a moment of crisis. The state's capitalist modernization plan of import substitution industrialization, which produced the so-called Mexican Miracle in the 1940s, was showing signs of strain. Greater consumption of products made in Mexico, based on a more patriotic identification by citizens at the border, would buttress the “Miracle,” which had initially ignored these very citizens based on metropolitan perceptions of their lack of allegiance to Mexico and affinity for the US. Understanding spectacular architecture to have not only a didactic but an affective function, Pronaf deployed a network of soaring, Jet Age–inspired built environments. These parabolic hyperboloid environments, accompanied by a hyperbolic rhetoric from Bermúdez, sought to convince border residents of the “beauty” and “desirability” of national culture and the fluidity of the national market just as their socioeconomic mobility came under greater government scrutiny. Pronaf piloted an affective infrastructure that desired to channel border residents’ citizenship and consumption toward the reproduction of the political and economic status quo, eventually setting the stage for neoliberal transition.
Η θρησκευτική και πολιτιστική ιστορία των σπηλαιο-ασκητηρίων και οι προσκυνηματικές διαδρομές
Authors: Θεοτοκάτος Χρήστος
Published: February 2023

Η χρήση των σπηλαίων ως χώροι θρησκευτικών δραστηριοτήτων, ανάγονται από τις πρώτες χρονικές περιόδους του πολιτισμού. Στη χριστιανική θρησκεία χρησιμοποιήθηκαν ευρέως ως τόποι άσκησης και ιεροί χώροι, από τους πρώτους χριστιανικούς αιώνες μέχρι και σήμερα. Οι ασκητές μέσα σ’ αυτά τα σπήλαια, που τους προσέφεραν απομόνωση και ασφάλεια, ασκήθηκαν με αυστηρότητα και ζήλο, και η ζωή τους αποτέλεσε το έναυσμα, για την ανάπτυξη του μοναστικού ιδεώδους και του συγκεκριμένου μοναχικού τρόπου ζωής. Αυτό δε το ασκητικό ρεύμα, δημιουργήθηκε από την ανάγκη κάποιων ανθρώπων για να έχουν μια συνεχόμενη επικοινωνία με το Θεό μέσω της απομόνωσής των. Στους χώρους των σπήλαιο-ασκητηρίων τους οι ασκητές, για την επιβίωση τους, δημιούργησαν κάποιες υποδομές, όπως τα κελλιά, τα ναΰδρια, τους χώρους αποθήκευσης, τις στέρνες, τους εξώστες, κλπ. Επίσης για την ασφαλέστερη και ευκολότερη μετακίνηση τους από και προς τα ασκητήρια τους, δημιούργησαν διάφορες μηχανολογικές υποδομές. Οι βίοι των Αγίων ασκητών και τα ιστορικά κείμενα που αναφέρονται σ’ αυτά, όπως επίσης οι αρχιτεκτονικές και μηχανολογικές υποδομές που κατασκεύασαν, αποτελούν τη θρησκευτική και πολιτιστική ιστορία τους. Σήμερα αυτά είναι εγκαταλειμμένα, και οι υποδομές τους, αποτελούν αρχαιολογικά, αρχιτεκτονικά, μηχανολογικά και πολιτιστικά κατάλοιπα, που είναι άξια θαυμασμού και παρατήρησης. Τα σπήλαιο-ασκητήρια αποτελούν σήμερα ιδιαίτερα μέρη, γιατί αποπνέουν θρησκευτική κατάνυξη, ηρεμία, πνευματικό μεγαλείο και θρησκευτικό-πολιτιστικό ενδιαφέρον. Ακόμη προξενούν ιδιαίτερο μεγάλη εντύπωση και θαυμασμό, για τη θέση που κατέχουν στο χώρο του περιβάλλοντος τοπίου. Τα ασκητήρια αυτά, αποτελούσαν και αποτελούν σημεία αναφοράς προσκυνηματικών διαδρομών. Σήμερα, οι προσκυνηματικές διαδρομές σ᾽ αυτούς τους τόπους είναι τοπικού χαρακτήρα, η δε πρόσβαση τους είναι δύσκολη, λόγω της ιδιαίτερης θέσεις που κατέχουν στο ανάγλυφο του περιβάλλοντος τους. Εκτός από τη δυσκολία πρόσβασης, υπάρχουν και άλλου είδους δυσκολίες και προβλήματα, όπως αυτές της ασφάλειας των προσκυνητών και της ασφάλειας των ασκητηρίων. Αυτές οι δυσκολίες μπορεί να ξεπερασθούν με τη βοήθεια των εφαρμογών των νέων τεχνολογιών.
Long-term supplementation with a combination of beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate, arginine, and glutamine for pressure ulcer in sedentary older adults: a retrospective matched case-control study
Authors: Kisil Igor , Gimelfarb Yuri
Published: February 2023

Background: Growing evidence suggests that beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB), arginine (Arg), and glutamine (Gln) positively affect wound recovery. This study investigated the effects of long-term administration of HMB/Arg/Gln on pressure ulcer (PU) healing in sedentary older adults admitted to geriatric and rehabilitation care facilities.Methods: This was a pilot retrospective case (standard of care and HMB/Arg/Gln)-control (standard of care alone) clinical study. Outcome measures were relative healing rates and Pressure Ulcer Scale for Healing (PUSH) scores (calculated after 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20 weeks) and time to healing.Results: The study subpopulation was comprised of 14 participants (four males, 28.6%) with the median age of 85.5 years (interquartile range [IQR], 82.0–90.2 years). The control subpopulation was comprised of 31 participants (18 males, 58.1%) with the median age of 84.0 years (IQR, 78.0–90.0 years). At the beginning of follow-up, there were no statistically significant demographic (sex and age) and clinical (main diagnosis, baseline area, and PU perimeter) differences between the groups. During the study period, there were no significant differences in the relative healing rates and PUSH scores between the subpopulations. The median time to complete healing in the study and control populations was 170.0 days (95% confidence interval [CI], 85.7–254.3) and 218.0 days (95% CI, 149.2–286.7) (log-rank, chi-square=3.99; p<0.046), respectively.Conclusion: More than 20 weeks of HMB/Arg/Gln supplementation had a positive effect on difficult PU healing in older adults with multiple comorbidities.
Electronics
Authors: Marchenko Aleksey , Nemcov Mihail
Published: February 2023

The material of module 2 "Electronics" is systematically presented in
accordance with the modern university program of the discipline "
Electrical Engineering and Electronics" for non-electrotechnical areas of training
of bachelors and certified specialists. The element base
of semiconductor electronics devices is considered: classification,
voltage and frequency characteristics, features of the use
of electronic devices in various operating modes are given.
The principles of construction and functioning of typical analog,
pulse and digital devices are described in detail. A separate chapter is devoted to the principles
of converting light energy into electrical energy and vice versa,
the design and operation of optoelectronic devices and fiber-
optic lines of information transmission.
Meets the requirements of the federal state
educational standards of higher education of the latest generation.
For students of higher educational institutions studying in non-electro-
technical areas of bachelor's and graduate
training.