bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hosting Biafran Child Refugees: the Inter-African Refugee and International Humanitarian Network System During the Nigerian Civil War, 1967 and Beyond
Authors: Ekefre Edidiong
Published: November 2023

The Nigerian civil war (1967–1970) was one of the post-independence conflicts in Africa that called for the separation of children from their mothers for treatment and rehabilitation outside their home country. Using archival data, the article investigates the workability of the inter-African Refugee Network System and international humanitarian organisations in the evacuation of Biafran children for recuperation and rehabilitation. The article argues that it was through a collaborative network involving the Catholic Church, the World Council of Churches and the International Committee of the Red Cross, that thousands of Biafran children were transported to other African countries such as Gabon, the Ivory Coast and the Island of Sao Tomé for treatment. It concludes that such a collaboration goes a long way to prove that Africans do not just feed the Global North with refugees but can host their own refugees, though not without the help of international humanitarian organisations.
Zengaku: The Foundations of Modern Zen Scholarship, a Preliminary Survey
Authors: Jorgensen John
Published: November 2023

Zengaku 禪學, the scholarly study of Zen, is a prime reason why the Japanese pronunciation ‘Zen’ is used in European languages as an omnibus term for Chinese Chan, Korean Seon (alt. Sŏn), Vietnamese Thiền, and Japanese Zen. Zengaku, the philological and historical study of Zen was chiefly developed in Japan and came to prominence just as Japan was opening to the West. These Zen proponents promoted Zen to the West as essentially Japanese, largely ignoring Chan, Seon, and Thiền. Within East Asia, the works of Zengaku scholars pioneered the academic or scholarly study of Zen, Chan, and Seon. Zengaku scholars produced the first dictionaries of Zen, the earliest histories, bibliographical studies and text editions. Their works became the basis for Chanxue and Seonhak.

This essay examines the scholarship that modernised Zen and brought it to the attention of the modern world under the name Zengaku. It will examine the condition and status of Zen in East Asia from the 1870s to 1920s and then the knowledge available to non-East Asian audiences in the same period. Following this, it will describe the promotion of Zen to the West and a modern Japanese audience by Zengaku scholars. Lastly, it will examine the precursors of Zengaku, especially the work of Mujaku Dōchū 無着道忠 (1653–1745). It concludes that Zengaku was the basis for the development of Chanxue and Seonhak, in the sense of a modernized study of Chan and Seon that is partly informed by Western and international notions of religion, philosophy, science, psychology, and historical method.
Emergency contraception
Authors: Rana Aqsa
Published: November 2023

Emergency contraception is an intervention aimed to prevent an unplanned or unintended pregnancy after unprotected sexual intercourse or where inadequate contraception has been used. It is only recommended for occasional use, and patients should be advised regarding regular and preferably long-term contraception if suitable. The request for emergency contraception is a frequent presentation in general practice. Around 40% of pregnancies worldwide are estimated to be unplanned, and a significant proportion of unplanned pregnancies result in termination, leading to avoidable distress. Therefore, it is paramount that healthcare professionals understand the available methods of emergency contraception. This article will cover the available methods, looking at their indications, use, efficacy, risks, and benefits.
An individualized Bayesian method for estimating genomic variants of hypertension
Authors: Rahman Md Asad , Cai Chunhui , Bo Na , McNamara Dennis M. , Ding Ying , Cooper Gregory F. , Lu Xinghua , Liu Jinling
Published: November 2023

Background

Genomic variants of the disease are often discovered nowadays through population-based genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Identifying genomic variations potentially underlying a phenotype, such as hypertension, in an individual is important for designing personalized treatment; however, population-level models, such as GWAS, may not capture all the important, individualized factors well. In addition, GWAS typically requires a large sample size to detect the association of low-frequency genomic variants with sufficient power. Here, we report an individualized Bayesian inference (IBI) algorithm for estimating the genomic variants that influence complex traits, such as hypertension, at the level of an individual (e.g., a patient). By modeling at the level of the individual, IBI seeks to find genomic variants observed in the individual’s genome that provide a strong explanation of the phenotype observed in this individual.

Results

We applied the IBI algorithm to the data from the Framingham Heart Study to explore the genomic influences of hypertension. Among the top-ranking variants identified by IBI and GWAS, there is a significant number of shared variants (intersection); the unique variants identified only by IBI tend to have relatively lower minor allele frequency than those identified by GWAS. In addition, IBI discovered more individualized and diverse variants that explain hypertension patients better than GWAS. Furthermore, IBI found several well-known low-frequency variants as well as genes related to blood pressure that GWAS missed in the same cohort. Finally, IBI identified top-ranked variants that predicted hypertension better than GWAS, according to the area under the ROC curve.

Conclusions

The results support IBI as a promising approach for complementing GWAS, especially in detecting low-frequency genomic variants as well as learning personalized genomic variants of clinical traits and disease, such as the complex trait of hypertension, to help advance precision medicine.
Performance of synacthen test in chronic hemodialysis patients
Authors: Nickler Manuela , Stampf Susanne , Bernasconi Luca , Segerer Stephan , Blum Claudine A. , Kim Min Jeong
Published: November 2023

Background

Adrenal function tests (Synacthen test) in chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients are currently performed off dialysis. The study aimed to demonstrate equivalence of serum cortisol concentrations pre- and during HD, each for standard-dose (250 µg) and low-dose (1 µg) Synacthen test.

Methods

In a single-center cross-over diagnostic equivalence study, Synacthen tests were performed in four settings, in standard- and low-dose as well as pre- and during HD. Serum cortisol concentration was measured at 30 and 60 min after Synacthen administration, and additionally at 20 min in low dose test. Based on a multivariable linear mixed model the means of cortisol concentration on log-scale were estimated in each dose and test time combination. Differences in means were calculated and the TOST approach was applied to test for equivalence. Equivalence was proven if the 90% confidence interval of the difference of two cortisol means was entirely between − 0.22 and 0.22.

Results

In 28 chronic HD patients, serum cortisol concentrations at 30 and 60 min after Synacthen administration in both standard- and low-dose were shown to be equivalent pre- and during HD. In 10 of 56 low-dose tests, the cortisol peak was already reached after 20 min. However, cortisol concentrations at 20 and 30 min after low-dose Synacthen test pre- and during HD showed no significant difference.

Conclusion

These results suggest that the adrenal function test may be carried out during an ongoing HD session, leading to a more patient-friendly performance of the test, less organizational effort and potentially earlier diagnosis of adrenal insufficiency.
The effectiveness of a telephone smoking cessation program in mental health clinic patients by level of mental well-being and functioning: a secondary data analysis of a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Swong Sarah , Nicholson Andrew , Smelson David , Rogers Erin S. , El-Shahawy Omar , Sherman Scott E.
Published: November 2023

Background

Few studies have examined the effectiveness of telephone smoking cessation interventions by severity of behavioral health symptoms. Using data from a telephone counseling study, we examined whether abstinence rates varied by level of behavioral health symptoms.

Methods

The parent study recruited adults who smoke cigarettes (N = 577) referred by mental health providers at six Veterans Health Administration facilities. Participants were randomized to specialized telephone counseling (intervention) or state Quitline referral (control). Participants completed assessments at baseline and 6 months, including the BASIS-24, a self-report measure of behavioral health symptoms and functioning. We used the BASIS-24 median to dichotomize participants as having high or low scores. The primary outcome was 30-day self-reported abstinence at 6 months. We compared groups on outcomes by logistic regression and performed an interaction effect analysis between treatment assignment and groups.

Results

At baseline, those with high behavioral health symptoms scores reported heavier nicotine dependence and more sedative and/or antidepressant use, compared to participants with low behavioral health symptoms. At 6 months, participants with low behavioral health symptoms scores in the intervention reported higher rates of 30-day abstinence compared to those in the control arm (26% vs 13%, OR = 2.3, 95% CI = 1.8, 2.9). People with high behavioral health symptoms scores reported no difference in 30-day abstinence between the treatment assignments at 6 months (12% vs. 13%, OR = 1.1, 95% CI = 0.6, 2.0).

Conclusions

Only participants with low behavioral health symptoms scores reported higher abstinence rates in the intervention compared to the state Quitline. Future research can examine alternative approaches for people with worse mental well-being and functioning.

Trial registration

The parent study is registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov NCT00724308.
A novel technique to harvest bone autografts with mild local hyperthermia and enhanced osteogenic bone quality: a preclinical study in dogs
Authors: Zhou Tengfei , Gan Zekun , Zhang Hanfei , Liu Ziyi , Pu Yiping , Rong Mingdeng
Published: November 2023

Background

Guided bone regeneration (GBR) involves collecting bone autografts with high bio-quality and efficiency. The current non-irrigated low-speed drilling has been limited for broader application in bone autograft harvest due to its low efficiency, inability to conduct buccal cortical perforation, and dependence on simultaneous implant placement. Increasing the drilling speed helps improve the efficiency but may incur thermal-mechanical bone damage. Most studies have addressed thermal reactions during bone drilling on non-vital models, which is irrelevant to clinical scenarios. Little has been known about bone’s in vivo thermal profiles under non-irrigated higher-speed drilling and its influences on the resulting bone chips.

Aim

A novel technique for bone harvest and cortical perforation via in-situ non-irrigated higher-speed drilling was proposed and investigated for the first time.

Methods

The third mandible premolars of eight beagles were extracted and healed for three months. Sixteen partial edentulous sites (left and right) were randomized into four groups for bone autograft harvest without irrigation: chisel, 50 rpm drilling, 500 rpm drilling, and 1000 rpm drilling. Bone chips were harvested on the buccal plates of the missing tooth. An infrared camera and an implantable thermocouple collaboratively monitored in vivo real-time bone temperature at the drilling sites. In vitro performances of cells from bone chips, including cell number, viability, proliferation, migration, ALP activity, in vitro mineralization, mRNA transcriptional level of osteogenic genes and heat shock protein 70 (HSP-70), and HSP-70 expression at the protein level were also studied.

Results

500 rpm produced mild local hyperthermia with a 2–6 °C temperature rise both on the cortical surface and inside the cortical bone. It also held comparable or enhanced cell performances such as cell number, viability, proliferation, migration, ALP activity, in vitro mineralization, and osteogenic genes expression.

Conclusions

In-situ non-irrigated higher-speed drilling at 500 rpm using a screw drill is versatile, efficient, and thermal friendly and improves the bio-quality of bone chips. Our novel technique holds clinical translational potential in GBR application.
The power to help or harm: student perceptions of transgender health education using a qualitative approach
Authors: Linsenmeyer Whitney , Heiden-Rootes Katie , Drallmeier Theresa , Rahman Rabia , Buxbaum Emily , Walcott Katherine , Rosen Willow , Gombos Beth
Published: November 2023

Background

Lack of transgender health education among health professional education programs is a limitation to providing gender-affirming care. Educational interventions have advanced in the past decade using a variety of pedagogical approaches. Although evidence supports that educational interventions can significantly improve student knowledge, comfort levels, preparedness, and clinical skills, few studies have addressed student perceptions of or receptiveness towards transgender health education. The study purpose was to explore student perceptions of transgender health education using a qualitative approach.

Methods

We utilized a basic qualitative design to explore student perceptions of transgender health education at a Catholic, Jesuit institution. Participants were medical students (n = 182), medical family therapy students (n = 8), speech, language and hearing sciences students (n = 44), and dietetic interns (n = 30) who participated in an Interprofessional Transgender Health Education Day (ITHED) in partnership with transgender educators and activists. Participants completed an online discussion assignment using eight discussion prompts specific to the ITHED sessions. Data were analyzed using the constant comparative method and triangulated across four medical and allied health programs.

Results

A total of 263 participants provided 362 responses across eight discussion prompts. Three major themes resulted: (1) The Power to Help or Harm, (2) The Responsibility to Provide Health Care, and (3) A Posture of Humility: Listen and Learn. Each theme was supported by three to four subthemes.

Conclusions

Health professional students were highly receptive towards transgender health education delivered by transgender community members. First-person accounts from session facilitators of both positive and negative experiences in healthcare were particularly effective at illustrating the power of providers to help or harm transgender patients. Reflection and constructive dialogue offers students an opportunity to better understand the lived experiences of transgender patients and explore their identities as healthcare providers at the intersection of their religious and cultural beliefs.
Rural general practitioners have different personal and professional trajectories from those of their urban colleagues: a case-control study
Authors: Nedelec Perrine , Beviere Laurélie , Chapron Anthony , Esvan Maxime , Poimboeuf Julien
Published: November 2023

Background

In France, rural general practitioner (GP) numbers could reduce by 20% between 2006 and 2030 if no measures are taken to address primary care access difficulties. In countries such as Australia, the USA and Canada, intrinsic and extrinsic factors associated with GPs practising in rural areas include rural upbringing and rural training placements. However, the health systems and rural area definition differ between these countries and France making result extrapolation difficult. These factors must be studied in the context of the French heath system, to design strategies to improve rural GP recruitment and retention. This study aims to identify the intrinsic and extrinsic factors associated with GPs practising in rural areas in France.

Methods

This case–control study was conducted between May and September 2020. Included GPs practised in Brittany, France, and completed a self-administered questionnaire. The cases were rural GPs and controls were urban GPs. National references defined rural and urban areas. Comparisons between rural and urban groups were conducted using univariate and multivariate analyses to identify factors associated with practising in a rural area.

Results

The study included 341 GPs, of which 146 were in the rural group and 195 in the urban group. Working as a rural GP was significantly associated with having a rural upbringing (OR = 2.35; 95% CI [1.07–5.15]; p = 0.032), completing at least one undergraduate general medicine training placement in a rural area (OR = 3.44; 95% CI [1.18–9.98]; p < 0.023), and having worked as a locum in a rural area for at least three months (OR = 3.76; 95% CI [2.28–6.18]; p < 0.001). Choosing to work in a rural area was also associated with the place of residence at the end of postgraduate training (OR = 5.13; 95% CI [1.38–19.06]; p = 0.015) and with the spouse or partner having a rural upbringing (OR = 2.36; 95% CI [1.12–4.96]; p = 0.023) or working in a rural area (OR = 5.29; 95% CI [2,02–13.87]; p < 0.001).

Conclusions

French rural GPs were more likely to have grown up, trained, or worked as a locum in a rural area. Strategies to improve rural GP retention and recruitment in France could therefore include making rural areas a more attractive place to live and work, encouraging rural locum placements and compulsory rural training, and possibly enrolling more medical students with a rural background.
Effects of auricular acupressure on test anxiety in medical students: a randomized parallel-group trial
Authors: Mosavi Zinab , Khazaie Habibolah , Janatolmakan Maryam , Rezaeian Shahab , Khatony Alireza
Published: November 2023

Background

Test anxiety is a prevalent issue among students, including those in the medical field. The present study aims to examine the impact of auricular acupressure on reducing test anxiety specifically among medical students.

Methods

In this single-blind randomized parallel-group trial, a total of 114 medical students from Kermanshah, Iran, were allocated into two groups: intervention and control. Each group consisted of 57 students. The data collection instruments included a demographic information form and the Sarason Anxiety Inventory. In the intervention group, bilateral auricular acupressure was administered on the Shen Men point for a duration of 10 min. On the other hand, the control group received bilateral auricular acupressure on the Sham point, located in the earlobe, as a placebo, also for 10 min.

Results

The mean test anxiety scores in the Shen Men acupressure group exhibited a significant reduction from 18.4 ± 5.3 before the intervention to 13.3 ± 4.8 after the intervention (P = 0.001). Conversely, in the Sham acupressure group, the mean test anxiety scores showed no significant change, with values of 16.36 ± 6.4 before the intervention and 16.4 ± 6.1 after the intervention (P = 0.963). Prior to the intervention, the majority of participants in both the intervention group (87.7%) and control group (86.0%) exhibited moderate to severe levels of test anxiety. Following acupressure, a significant improvement was observed in the intervention group, with 52.6% of participants experiencing a reduction to mild anxiety levels (P = 0.001); however, no notable change in anxiety levels was observed in the control group. Furthermore, a statistically significant difference in anxiety intensity after the intervention was found between the two groups (P = 0.001).

Conclusion

Shen Men auricular acupressure demonstrates efficacy in reducing test anxiety among medical students. However, to validate its effectiveness, further research using objective measures is warranted.
Epigenetic and metabolic reprogramming in inflammatory bowel diseases: diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in colorectal cancer
Authors: Deris Zayeri Zeinab , Parsi Abazar , Shahrabi Saeid , Kargar Masoud , Davari Nader , Saki Najmaldin
Published: November 2023

Background and aim

"Inflammatory bowel disease" (IBD) is a chronic, relapsing inflammatory disease of the intestinal tract that typically begins at a young age and might transit to colorectal cancer (CRC). In this manuscript, we discussed the epigenetic and metabolic change to present a extensive view of IBDs transition to CRC. This study discusses the possible biomarkers for evaluating the condition of IBDs patients, especially before the transition to CRC.

Research approach

We searched “PubMed” and “Google Scholar” using the keywords from 2000 to 2022.

Discussion

In this manuscript, interesting titles associated with IBD and CRC are discussed to present a broad view regarding the epigenetic and metabolic reprogramming and the biomarkers.

Conclusion

Epigenetics can be the main reason in IBD transition to CRC, and Hypermethylation of several genes, such as VIM, OSM4, SEPT9, GATA4 and GATA5, NDRG4, BMP3, ITGA4 and plus hypomethylation of LINE1 can be used in IBD and CRC management. Epigenetic, metabolisms and microbiome-derived biomarkers, such as Linoleic acid and 12 hydroxy 8,10-octadecadienoic acid, Serum M2-pyruvate kinase and Six metabolic genes (NAT2, XDH, GPX3, AKR1C4, SPHK and ADCY5) expression are valuable biomarkers for early detection and transition to CRC condition. Some miRs, such as miR-31, miR-139-5p, miR -155, miR-17, miR-223, miR-370-3p, miR-31, miR -106a, miR -135b and miR-320 can be used as biomarkers to estimate IBD transition to CRC condition.
Optimal allocation of physicians improves accessibility and workload disparities in stroke care
Authors: Ohashi Kazuki , Osanai Toshiya , Bando Kyohei , Fujiwara Kensuke , Tanikawa Takumi , Tani Yuji , Takamiya Soichiro , Sato Hirotaka , Morii Yasuhiro , Ishikawa Tomoki , Ogasawara Katsuhiko
Published: November 2023

Background

Inequalities in access to stroke care and the workload of physicians have been a challenge in recent times. This may be resolved by allocating physicians suitable for the expected demand. Therefore, this study analyzes whether reallocation using an optimization model reduces disparities in spatial access to healthcare and excessive workload.

Methods

This study targeted neuroendovascular specialists and primary stroke centers in Japan and employed an optimization model for reallocating neuroendovascular specialists to reduce the disparity in spatial accessibility to stroke treatment and workload for neuroendovascular specialists in Japan. A two-step floating catchment area method and an inverted two-step floating catchment area method were used to estimate the spatial accessibility and workload of neuroendovascular specialists as a potential crowdedness index. Quadratic programming has been proposed for the reallocation of neuroendovascular specialists.

Results

The reallocation of neuroendovascular specialists reduced the disparity in spatial accessibility and the potential crowdedness index. The standard deviation (SD) of the demand-weighted spatial accessibility index improved from 125.625 to 97.625. Simultaneously, the weighted median spatial accessibility index increased from 2.811 to 3.929. Additionally, the SD of the potential crowdedness index for estimating workload disparity decreased from 10,040.36 to 5934.275 after optimization. The sensitivity analysis also showed a similar trend of reducing disparities.

Conclusions

The reallocation of neuroendovascular specialists reduced regional disparities in spatial accessibility to healthcare, potential crowdedness index, and disparities between facilities. Our findings contribute to planning health policies to realize equity throughout the healthcare system.
Endometriosis and IVF treatment outcomes: unpacking the process
Authors: Somigliana Edgardo , Li Piani Letizia , Paffoni Alessio , Salmeri Noemi , Orsi Michele , Benaglia Laura , Vercellini Paolo , Vigano’ Paola
Published: November 2023

Advanced endometriosis is associated with a reduction of IVF success. Surgical damage to the ovarian reserve following the excision of endometriomas has been claimed as a critical factor in the explanation of this detrimental effect. However, it is generally inferred that other mechanisms might also hamper IVF success in affected women. They include diminished responsiveness to ovarian stimulation, altered steroidogenesis, a decline in oocyte quality, reduced fertilization and embryo development, and impaired implantation. To navigate these limitations, we scrutinized available literature for studies specifically designed to address distinct phases of the IVF process. Utmost consideration was given to intra-patient ovarian response comparisons in women with unilateral endometriomas and to studies applying a meticulous matching to control confounders. The following observations have been drawn: 1) endometriosis has a negligible impact on ovarian response. A slight reduction in stimulation response can only be observed for endometriomas larger than 4 cm. Follicular steroidogenesis is unaffected; 2) oocyte quality is not hampered. Fertilization rates are similar, and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is not justified. Embryonic development is uncompromised, with no increase in aneuploidy rate; 3) endometrial receptivity is either unaffected or only slightly impacted. In conclusion, our study suggests that, aside from the well-known negative effect on ovarian reserve from excisional endometrioma surgeries, endometriosis does not significantly affect IVF outcomes.
Serum immunoglobulins and biomarkers of dementia: a population-based study
Authors: Yaqub Amber , Khan Samer R. , Vernooij Meike W. , van Hagen P. Martin , Peeters Robin P. , Ikram M. Arfan , Chaker Layal , Dalm Virgil A. S. H.
Published: November 2023

Background

Inflammation plays a key role in the development of dementia, but its link to early biomarkers, particularly those in plasma or neuroimaging, remains elusive. This study aimed to investigate the association between serum immunoglobulins and biomarkers of dementia.

Methods

Between 1997 and 2009, serum immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG and IgM) were measured in dementia-free participants of the population-based Rotterdam Study. A random subset of participants had assessment of biomarkers in plasma (total tau (t-tau), neurofilament light chain (NfL), amyloid-β40 (Aβ-40), amyloid-β42 (Aβ-42), while another subset of participants underwent neuroimaging to quantify brain volume, white matter structural integrity and markers of cerebral small vessel disease. Linear regression models were constructed to determine cross-sectional associations between IgA, IgG, IgM and biomarkers of dementia, with adjustment for potential confounders. Multiple testing correction was applied using the false discovery rate. As a sensitivity analysis, we re-ran the models for participants within the reference range of immunoglobulins, excluding those using immunomodulating drugs, and conducted a stratified analysis by APOE-ε4 carriership and sex.

Results

Of 8,768 participants with serum immunoglobulins, 3,455 participants (65.8 years [interquartile range (IQR): 61.5–72.0], 57.2% female) had plasma biomarkers available and 3,139 participants (57.4 years [IQR: 52.7–60.7], 54.4% female) had neuroimaging data. Overall, no associations between serum immunoglobulins and biomarkers of dementia remained significant after correction for multiple testing. However, several suggestive associations were noted: higher serum IgA levels concurred with lower plasma levels of Aβ-42 (standardized adjusted mean difference: -0.015 [95% confidence interval (CI): -0.029−-0.002], p = 2.8 × 10–2), and a lower total brain volume, mainly driven by less gray matter (-0.027 [-0.046−-0.008], p = 6.0 × 10–3) and more white matter hyperintensities (0.047 [0.016 – 0.077], p = 3.0 × 10–3). In sensitivity analyses, higher IgM was linked to lower t-tau, Aβ-40, and Aβ-42, but also a loss of white matter microstructural integrity. Stratified analyses indicate that these associations potentially differ between carriers and non-carriers of the APOE-ε4 allele and men and women.

Conclusions

While associations between serum immunoglobulins and early markers of dementia could not be established in this population-based sample, it may be valuable to consider factors such as APOE-ε4 allele carriership and sex in future investigations.
Determining the parent and associated fragment formulae in mass spectrometry via the parent subformula graph
Authors: Li Sean , Bohman Björn , Flematti Gavin R. , Jayatilaka Dylan
Published: November 2023

Background

Identifying the molecular formula and fragmentation reactions of an unknown compound from its mass spectrum is crucial in areas such as natural product chemistry and metabolomics. We propose a method for identifying the correct candidate formula of an unidentified natural product from its mass spectrum. The method involves scoring the plausibility of parent candidate formulae based on a parent subformula graph (PSG), and two possible metrics relating to the number of edges in the PSG. This method is applicable to both electron-impact mass spectrometry (EI-MS) and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) data. Additionally, this work introduces the two-dimensional fragmentation plot (2DFP) for visualizing PSGs.

Results

Our results suggest that incorporating information regarding the edges of the PSG results in enhanced performance in correctly identifying parent formulae, in comparison to the more well-accepted “MS/MS score”, on the 2016 Computational Assessment of Small Molecule Identification (CASMI 2016) data set (76.3 vs 58.9% correct formula identification) and the Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment (RECETOX) data set (66.2% vs 59.4% correct formula identification). In the extension of our method to identify the correct candidate formula from complex EI-MS data of semiochemicals, our method again performed better (correct formula appearing in the top 4 candidates in 20/23 vs 7/23 cases) than the MS/MS score, and enables the rapid identification of both the correct parent ion mass and the correct parent formula with minimal expert intervention.

Conclusion

Our method reliably identifies the correct parent formula even when the mass information is ambiguous. Furthermore, should parent formula identification be successful, the majority of associated fragment formulae can also be correctly identified. Our method can also identify the parent ion and its associated fragments in EI-MS spectra where the identity of the parent ion is unclear due to low quantities and overlapping compounds. Finally, our method does not inherently require empirical fitting of parameters or statistical learning, meaning it is easy to implement and extend upon.

Scientific contribution

Developed, implemented and tested new metrics for assessing plausibility of candidate molecular formulae obtained from HR-MS data.
Professional practice profile, treatment preferences, and the bases for clinical, educational, and research among Nigerian physiotherapists
Authors: Mbada Chidozie Emmanuel , Onigbinde Omotola Adam , Oyewole Olufemi Oyeleye , Binuyo Overcomer Temiloluwa , Gebrye Tadesse , Egwu Michael Ogbonnia , Karstens Sven , Fatoye Francis
Published: November 2023

Background

Physiotherapy education and practice have country-specific peculiarities which may limit globalization in health care. This study aimed to characterize physiotherapy practice and treatment preferences, educational qualifications, and research in Nigeria, with a view of providing vital information for transnational integration and collaboration.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey of 104 Nigerian physiotherapists was conducted. The Physical Therapy Practice Questionnaire and a self-developed proforma were used as survey tools.

Results

The mean age of respondents was 33.5 ± 9.4 years. About two-fifth of all respondents (39.4%) had an MSc and mostly practice as clinicians (51.0%) in teaching hospitals (34.6%). The respondents were mostly involved in general practice (50.0%), with a caseload of 1–10 patients per day (67.3%). Soft tissue mobilization (83%), proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (76%), breathing exercises (77%), and transcutaneous electrical neuromuscular stimulation (83%) were commonly used. Respondents were familiar databases and evidence-based resources (81.2%) and mostly utilize PubMed (73.3%). Regular case conferences with professional colleagues (47.6%) and treatment planning of between 11 and 30 min (40.6%) were common. Educators spend 1–3 h planning educational work (91.8%). Clinical decision-making is mostly based on professional experience, while journals are the primary resource for educational information.

Conclusion

Physiotherapy practice in Nigeria is degree based and requires registration board’s licensure. Practitioners deal with a high caseload and utilize a wide range of techniques and modalities and have tendencies to utilize personal experience and research in making clinical decisions. The parity in education and practice with advanced climes inadvertently gives physiotherapy practice in Nigeria a global purview.
Severe and common mental disorders and risk of emergency hospital admissions for ambulatory care sensitive conditions among the UK Biobank cohort
Authors: Niedzwiedz Claire L. , Aragón María José , Breedvelt Josefien J. F. , Smith Daniel J. , Prady Stephanie L. , Jacobs Rowena
Published: November 2023

Background

People with mental disorders have worse physical health compared with the general population, which could be attributable to receiving poorer quality healthcare.

Aims

To examine the relationship between severe and common mental disorders and risk of emergency hospital admissions for ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSCs), and factors associated with increased risk.

Method

Baseline data for England (N = 445 814) were taken from UK Biobank, which recruited participants aged 37–73 years during 2006–2010, and linked to hospital admission records up to 31 December 2019. Participants were grouped into those with a history of either schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression or anxiety, or no mental disorder. Survival analysis was used to assess the risk of hospital admission for ACSCs among those with mental disorders compared with those without, adjusting for factors in different domains (sociodemographic, socioeconomic, health and biomarkers, health-related behaviours, social isolation and psychological).

Results

People with schizophrenia had the highest (unadjusted) risk of hospital admission for ACSCs compared with those with no mental disorder (hazard ratio 4.40, 95% CI 4.04–4.80). People with bipolar disorder (hazard ratio 2.48, 95% CI 2.28–2.69) and depression or anxiety (hazard ratio 1.76, 95% CI 1.73–1.80) also had higher risk. Associations were more conservative when including all admissions, as opposed to first admissions only. The observed associations persisted after adjusting for a range of factors.

Conclusions

People with severe mental disorders have the highest risk of preventable hospital admissions. Ensuring people with mental disorders receive adequate ambulatory care is essential to reduce the large health inequalities they experience.
A Novel Mechanism of hPRL-G129R, a Prolactin Antagonist, Inhibits Human Breast Cancer Cell Proliferation and Migration
Authors: Li Ruonan , Yang Yu , Lan Hainan , Wang Yuesi , Ge Zihan , Liu Xingjie , Zhou Yixuan , Zhang Wei , Xian Li , Yuan Hongxuan
Published: November 2023

Prolactin (PRL) and its receptor, PRLR, are closely related to the occurrence and development of breast cancer. hPRL-G129R, an hPRLR antagonist, has been found to induce apoptosis in breast cancer cells via mechanisms currently unknown. Recent studies have indicated that PRLR exhibits dual functions based on its membrane/nucleus localization. In that context, we speculated whether hPRL-G129R is a dual-function antagonist. We studied the internalization of the hPRLR-G129R/PRLR complex using indirect immunofluorescence and Western blot assays. We found that hPRL-G129R not only inhibited PRLR-mediated intracellular signaling at the plasma membrane, but also blocked nuclear localization of the receptor in T-47D and MCF-7 cells in a time-dependent manner. Clone formation and transwell migration assays showed that hPRL-G129R inhibited PRL-driven proliferation and migration of tumor cells in vitro. Further, we found that increasing concentrations of hPRL-G129R inhibited the nuclear localization of PRLR and the levels of signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 5 in tumor-bearing mice and hPRL-G129R also exerted an antiproliferative effect in vivo. These results indicate that hPRL-G129R is indeed a dual-function antagonist. This study lays a foundation for exploring and developing highly effective agents against the proliferation and progression of breast malignancies.
HIV AND SYPHILIS CO-INFECTION IN NORTHEAST BRAZIL: A GENDER ASSESSMENT
Authors: Menezes Gomes Melo Jéssica , Arraes de Alencar Luiz Cláudio , Da Silva Souza Edvaldo
Published: November 2023

Introduction: The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and syphilis co-infection is highly common, especially in Brazil, which recorded a high number of cases in 2020. Due to its high prevalence and morbidity, this study aimed to determine the frequency and the clinical-epidemiological profile of HIV and syphilis co-infection between genders in specialized care services in Northeast Brazil. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted with secondary data from 171 individuals with HIV and syphilis co-infection. Data were collected in a reference center for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in Northeast Brazil from 2015 to 2020. Welch’s test compared the means of independent samples; the chi-square and Fisher’s exact test assessed the association between categoric variables. The significance level was set at 5%. This study has ethical approval. Results: The HIV and syphilis co-infection frequency was 15.4%. Individuals with co-infection had a mean age of 34.2 (± 11.0) years and were predominantly men. The women sample started their sex life earlier, had a lower education level and per capita family income, used more illicit drugs, and were mostly heterosexual, married or in a stable union, and unemployed. Men had more anal sex. Moreover, most individuals had syphilis in the asymptomatic phase and HIV with undetectable viral load; CD4 T cells were greater than 350 cells/mm³. Conclusion: The high prevalence of HIV and syphilis co-infection in specialized care services, especially in MSM, highlights the need to improve counseling to reduce sexual risk behavior and improve prevention and care strategies to control these diseases.
About professional and personal competence of a software tester in the conditions of digital transformation of society
Authors: Goryacheva Nadezhda , Lunchenkova Elvira , Antonovskiy Aleksandr
Published: November 2023

The profession of «software tester» is currently included in the list of the 50 most popular, new and promising professions on the labor market. Currently, due to the rapid development of IT technologies, the requirements for testers, their knowledge and qualifications are constantly increasing: the professional activity of a tester is becoming more and more "engineering" and requires specific knowledge, skills and competencies, as well as technical savvy. The main task of the tester is to evaluate programs that are in development or already functioning, identify failures, errors (bugs) in them and transmit this information to developers for correction. A "successful" tester, in the context of the analysis of his professional and personal competence, can be determined in the presence of the following main characteristics: the presence of professional training and work experience; the presence of internal motivation for the implementation of successful professional activities in the field of information technology; possession of reflection and introspection in the context of performing testing activities; the presence of professionally important characteristics that ensure the success of professional activities, including, for example, patience, diligence, conscientiousness, independence, etc.; the presence of ideas about test design techniques, types of testing, ways to identify and eliminate errors, a variety of approaches to testing; the presence of technical testing skills in information systems administration, programming; ability to work with test documentation: to draw up a test plan, requirements specifications, develop test scenarios, issue test reports, bug reports, etc.; availability of organizational, managerial and communicative competencies. The analysis of the professional and personal competence of testers, their professional and personal qualities can serve as a basis for the development of criteria for the success of professional activity, determining the prospects and trends of professional development, optimizing the procedures for professional selection and professional certification of testing specialists within the professional standard.
Structural-functional model of social relations of a criminogenic personality
Authors: Zlokazov Kirill
Published: November 2023

the article considers the issues of studying and describing the relations of a criminal personality to the social environment. The practical and scientific relevance of studying social relations is noted. Attention is focused on the role of relations in criminalization and resocialization of personality. The lack of ideas about determinants of relations of a criminogenic personality is stated.

The aim of the study is to develop a model of relations of criminogenic personality.

The methodological basis of the study is the system approach.

The concept of "criminogenic personality" is defined and characterized. Theoretical information about the significance of personality attitudes to others is given. Morphological, structural and functional approaches to study of relations are described. The assumption about the validity of the structural-functional version of the system approach is formulated. The concept of relations is defined together with the model of relations to others. System-forming significance is given to the complex of criminogenic personality traits. Structural components of relationship are divided into subject and object parts. Functional components are considered in context of complicity of others in satisfaction of needs and change of self-relationship of a criminogenic personality.

The area of applying the results is the prevention of recidivism.

The novelty of the work is a model describing the relations of a criminogenic person.

In conclusion, scientific and methodological prospects of application of developed structural and functional model are discussed. The scientific perspective is the conceptualization of relations. The methodological perspective consists in operationalization of the model in the form of a questionnaire used for psychological support of convicts.
Health-saving competence of cadets of a departmental university and students of a civil university: comparative analysis
Authors: Plotnikova Viktoriya , Peshkova Irina
Published: November 2023

Health care is one of the main activities of the state. The basis of health saving is the concept of «health», and the practical expression is «healthy lifestyle». According to the information of the Federal State Statistics Service for 2021, 9.6 births and 16.7 deaths per 1,000 people in the Russian Federation [4]. These statistics allow us to speak not only about a low birth rate, but also a fairly high mortality rate, including for health-related reasons. This article is devoted to the problem of health care among young people. The purpose of the study is to study and compare the level of development of health-saving competence of cadets of the Voronezh Institute of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and students of the Voronezh Pedagogical University. As a result of the study, a difference in the level of development of health-saving competence was revealed, consisting in the desire to preserve and increase health and the willingness to promote the basics of a healthy lifestyle.
INTEGRATION OF ENGLISH LEARNING AND CRITICAL THINKING IN THE TEXTBOOK
Authors: Hlyzova Natal'ya , Dyundik Yuliya
Published: November 2023

This article deals with the issues to develop critical thinking in teaching a foreign language. It gives the experience of writing a textbook to study English for university students through critical thinking development. It shows the modern challenge to work with information, to select it, percept, analyze, assess, and judge. It considers critical thinking as an integral component of information literacy of the personality which we need to develop purposefully and systematically in the educational process. The authors come to a conclusion that it is possible to integrate effectively the purposes to develop critical thinking of the personality in particular and information literacy in general into the process of teaching a foreign language. It provides the proof that we can emphasize critical thinking development of the personality at English classes studying different lexical and grammatical topics. It also studies a step-by-step algorithm to develop the desired personality skills within several lexical topics, illustrating it with different types of exercises aimed to form the linguistic competence and information literacy of the student's personality. It uses the methods of theoretical and practical analyses of the problem to develop critical thinking in the educational process. The positive experience of introducing critical thinking into the English language learning proves the potential and prospect of such an integration.
The Appreciative Paradigm: From Methodology to Paradigm
Authors: Varona Federico
Published: November 2023

The time has come to move past a partial perspective, that Appreciative Inquiry is only a methodology, and begin to see it as a paradigm, a concept that includes a set of theories, research methods, postulates and standards for a new and legitimate way of contributing to the development of a field, one which differs and is distinguished from other, existing ones for that field. This first attempt to define the new paradigm is an invitation to the AI community of practitioners, scholars, students and readers to co-construct this new paradigm.
Appreciative Inquiry and Essential Oils
Authors: Duvander Mille Themsen
Published: November 2023

The author begins with the question ‘what have Appreciative Inquiry and essential oils to do with each other?’ Her journey toward the answer has taken a decade. She reaches the conclusion that essential oils, used judiciously, can heighten the energy in the room and lead to new ideas and a readiness to act on what has been discovered through the process of inquiring appreciatively.
Uncertainty Reduction vs. Reciprocity: Understanding the Effect of a Platform-Initiated Reviewer Incentive Program on Regular Ratings
Authors: Pu Jingchuan , Kwark Young , Han Sang Pil , Ye Qiang , Gu Bin
Published: November 2023

Many online platforms are now offering free samples to seasoned reviewers, hoping to get feedback. While these reviewers are given free samples to review, they also buy and review products themselves. The regular ratings for the purchased products are the majority. This brings up the question: Does receiving free products make them rate their personal purchases more positively? And if so, why? We explored two possibilities. First, uncertainty reduction mechanism: The idea that trying free samples makes buyers more confident in their purchases, leading to greater satisfaction and higher ratings for the purchased products; Second, reciprocity mechanism: The idea that reviewers might feel obliged to give better ratings as a “thank you” for the free samples or with the expectations of getting more free samples, which could introduce bias. Our research indicates that giving free samples mainly helps in reducing purchase uncertainty, making customers genuinely happier with their subsequent purchases. So, online platforms can benefit from this strategy, as it seems to uplift genuine positive reviews rather than create biased ones. However, it is still essential to monitor for any undue bias to maintain trustworthiness in reviews.