bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Establishing language and ethnic equivalence for health-related quality of life item banks and testing their efficiency via computerised adaptive testing simulations
Authors: Kwan Yu Heng , Fenwick Eva , Leung Ying Ying , Fong Warren , Woon Ting Hui , Xiang Ling , Lamoureux Ecosse , Thumboo Julian 
Published: February 2024

Purpose
We aimed to (1) establish linguistic and ethnic equivalence (i.e. lack of bias) for the items in the English and Chinese versions of the Singapore Health and Well Being (SHAWS) Physical Functioning (PF), Positive Mindset (PM) and Social Relationship (SR) item banks (IBs); and (2) evaluate the preliminary efficiency of these IBs using Computer Adaptive Testing (CAT) simulations.

Methods
In this cross-sectional study, 671, 670, and 672 subjects answered 55, 48 and 30 items of the PF, PM, and SR IBs, respectively. Rasch analysis was conducted to assess each IB’s psychometric properties, particularly the presence of differential item functioning (DIF) for language and ethnicity. A set of performance criteria related to removing items that displayed notable DIF were employed. CAT simulations determined the mean number of items for high, moderate, and moderate-low measurement precisions (stopping rule: SEM 0.300, 0.387. 0.521, respectively).

Results
Half of subjects were >50 years old (40.9% PF, 42.1% PM, 41.4% SR), Chinese (50.7% PF, 51.0% PM, 50.6% SR) and female (50.0% PF. 49.4% PM, 52.8% SR) respectively. Rasch analysis revealed 4 items with DIF for the PF IB, 9 items with DIF for the PM IB and 2 items with DIF for the SR IB. In CAT simulations, the mean number of items administered was 8.5, 21.6 and 14.5 for the PF, PM and SR IBs, respectively (SEM 0.300), 5.1, 13.0, 8.0 for PF, PM and SR IBs, respectively (SEM 0.387) and 3.1, 5.3 and 4.1 for PF, PM and SR IBs, respectively (SEM 0.521).

Conclusion
The PF, PM and SR IBs to measure health-related quality of life revealed minimal DIF for language and ethnicity after remedial efforts. CAT simulations demonstrated that these IBs were efficient, especially when the stopping rule was set at moderate precision, and support the implementation of the SHAWS IBs into routine clinical care.
Mental health literacy and its associated factors among traditional healers toward mental illness in Northeast, Ethiopia: A mixed approach study
Authors: Anbesaw Tamrat , Asmamaw Amare , Adamu Kidist , Tsegaw Million 
Published: February 2024

Background
Currently, the biggest issue facing the entire world is mental health. According to the Ethiopian Ministry of Health, nearly one-fourth of the community is experiencing any of the mental illness categories. Most of the cases were treated in religious and traditional institutions, which the community most liked to be treated. However, there were very limited studies conducted to show the level of mental health literacy among traditional healers.

Aims
The study aimed to assess the level of mental health literacy and its associated factors among traditional healers toward mental illness found in Northeast, Ethiopia from September 1-30/2022.

Method
A mixed approach cross-sectional study design was carried out on September 130, 2022, using simple random sampling with a total sample of 343. Pretested, structured questionnaires and face-to-face interviews were utilized for data collection. The level of Mental Health Literacy (MHL) was assessed using the 35 mental health literacy (35-MHLQ) scale. The semi-structured checklist was used for the in-depth interview and the FGD for the qualitative part. Data was entered using Epi-data version 4.6 and, then exported to SPSS version 26 for analysis. The association between outcome and independent variables was analyzed with bivariate and multivariable linear regression. P-values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data, and the findings were then referenced with the findings of the quantitative data.

Results
The findings of this study showed that the sample of traditional healers found in Dessie City scored a total mean of mental health literacy of 91.81 ± 10:53. Age (β = -0.215, 95% CI (-0.233, -0.05), p = 0.003, informal educational status (β = -5.378, 95% CI (-6.505, -0.350), p = 0.029, presence of relative with a mental disorder (β = 6.030, 95% CI (0.073, 7.428),p = 0.046, getting information on mental illness (β = 6.565, 95% CI (3.432, 8.680), p = <0.001, and mental health training (β = 4.889, 95% CI (0.379, 6.455), p = 0.028 were variables significantly associated with mental health literacy. Traditional healers provide a variety of explanations for the causes of mental illness, including biological, psychological, and supernatural ones.

Conclusion
The mean score of the Mental Health Literacy Scale (MHLS) is lower among traditional healers compared with other studies. Age, informal educational status, family history of mental illness, getting information on mental illness, and mental health training were significantly associated with mental health literacy. Therefore, different works to improve the levels of mental health literacy among traditional healers are essential.
Typhoidal salmonella disease in Mukuru informal settlement, Nairobi Kenya; carriage, diversity, and antimicrobial resistant genes
Authors: Kasiano Purity , Kavai Susan , Kiiru Susan , Nyerere Andrew , Kariuki Samuel 
Published: February 2024

Introduction
Multiple studies have shown that typhoid fever is endemic in developing countries characterized by poor hygiene. A unique way of Salmonella Typhi (S.Typhi) pathogenicity is establishing a persistent, usually asymptomatic carrier state in some infected individuals who excrete large numbers of bacteria in faeces. This study aimed to determine the isolation rate of S.Typhi from blood and stool samples among cases and asymptomatic individuals in the Mukuru informal settlement and identify antibiotic resistance patterns within the same population.

Materials and methods
We recruited 1014 outpatient participants presenting with typhoid-like symptoms in selected health centres in Nairobi, Kenya. Bacterial isolation was done on Xylose Lysine Deoxycholate agar (XLD) and Mac Conkey agar (Oxoid), followed by standard biochemical tests. Identification was done using API20E, and S.Typhi was confirmed by serotyping using polyvalent antisera 0–9 and monovalent antisera d. The Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method was used to test the antimicrobial susceptibility of S.Typhi isolates, while Multi-Drug Resistant (MDR) strains were characterized using conventional PCR.

Results
Of 1014 participants, 54 (5%) tested positive for S.Typhi. Thirty-eight (70%) of the S.Typhi isolated were from stool samples, while sixteen (30%) were from blood. Three (0.2%) of the isolates were from asymptomatic carriers. Of the 54 S.Typhi isolates, 20 (37%) were MDR. Resistance to ciprofloxacin and nalidixic acid was 43% and 52%, respectively. Resistance to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (a beta-lactam inhibitor) was 2%. The BlaTEM-1 gene was present in 19/20 (95%) MDR isolates.

Conclusion
MDR S.Typhi is prevalent in Mukuru Informal settlement. The sharp increase in nalidixic acid resistance is an indication of reduced susceptibility to fluoroquinolones, which are currently the recommended drugs for the treatment of typhoid fever. This study highlights the need for effective antimicrobial stewardship and routine surveillance of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) to inform policy on the prevention and control of MDR Typhoid disease.
Tau and Aβ42 in lavage fluid of pneumonia patients are associated with end-organ dysfunction: A prospective exploratory study
Authors: Renema Phoibe , Pittet Jean-Francois , Brandon Angela P. , Leal Sixto M. , Gu Steven , Promer Grace , Hackney Andrew , Braswell Phillip , Pickering Andrew , Rafield Grace , Voth Sarah , Balczon Ron , Lin Mike T. , Morrow K. Adam , Bell Jessica , Audia Jonathon P. , Alvarez Diego , Stevens Troy , Wagener Brant M. 
Published: February 2024

Background
Bacterial pneumonia and sepsis are both common causes of end-organ dysfunction, especially in immunocompromised and critically ill patients. Pre-clinical data demonstrate that bacterial pneumonia and sepsis elicit the production of cytotoxic tau and amyloids from pulmonary endothelial cells, which cause lung and brain injury in naïve animal subjects, independent of the primary infection. The contribution of infection-elicited cytotoxic tau and amyloids to end-organ dysfunction has not been examined in the clinical setting. We hypothesized that cytotoxic tau and amyloids are present in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of critically ill patients with bacterial pneumonia and that these tau/amyloids are associated with end-organ dysfunction.

Methods
Bacterial culture-positive and culture-negative mechanically ventilated patients were recruited into a prospective, exploratory observational study. Levels of tau and Aβ42 in, and cytotoxicity of, the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were measured. Cytotoxic tau and amyloid concentrations were examined in comparison with patient clinical characteristics, including measures of end-organ dysfunction.

Results
Tau and Aβ42 were increased in culture-positive patients (n = 49) compared to culture-negative patients (n = 50), independent of the causative bacterial organism. The mean age of patients was 52.1 ± 16.72 years old in the culture-positive group and 52.78 ± 18.18 years old in the culture-negative group. Males comprised 65.3% of the culture-positive group and 56% of the culture-negative group. Caucasian culture-positive patients had increased tau, boiled tau, and Aβ42 compared to both Caucasian and minority culture-negative patients. The increase in cytotoxins was most evident in males of all ages, and their presence was associated with end-organ dysfunction.

Conclusions
Bacterial infection promotes the generation of cytotoxic tau and Aβ42 within the lung, and these cytotoxins contribute to end-organ dysfunction among critically ill patients. This work illuminates an unappreciated mechanism of injury in critical illness.
miR-328-3p targets TLR2 to ameliorate oxygen-glucose deprivation injury and neutrophil extracellular trap formation in HUVECs via inhibition of the NF-κB signaling pathway
Authors: Yao Mengting , Fang Chucun , Wang Zilong , Guo Tianting , Wu Dongwen , Ma Jiacheng , Wu Jian , Mo Jianwen 
Published: February 2024

Background
Endothelial cell injury is one of the important pathogenic mechanisms in thrombotic diseases, and also neutrophils are involved. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been demonstrated to act as essential players in endothelial cell injury, but the potential molecular processes are unknown. In this study, we used cellular tests to ascertain the protective effect of miR-328-3p on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) treated with oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD).

Methods
In our study, an OGD-induced HUVECs model was established, and we constructed lentiviral vectors to establish stable HUVECs cell lines. miR-328-3p and Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) interacted, as demonstrated by the dual luciferase reporter assay. We used the CCK8, LDH release, and EdU assays to evaluate the proliferative capacity of each group of cells. To investigate the expression of TLR2, p-P65 NF-κB, P65 NF-κB, NLRP3, IL-1β, and IL-18, we employed Western blot and ELISA. Following OGD, each group’s cell supernatants were gathered and co-cultured with neutrophils. An immunofluorescence assay and Transwell assay have been performed to determine whether miR-328-3p/TLR2 interferes with neutrophil migration and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) formation.

Results
In OGD-treated HUVECs, the expression of miR-328-3p is downregulated. miR-328-3p directly targets TLR2, inhibits the NF-κB signaling pathway, and reverses the proliferative capacity of OGD-treated HUVECs, while inhibiting neutrophil migration and neutrophil extracellular trap formation.

Conclusions
miR-328-3p inhibits the NF-κB signaling pathway in OGD-treated HUVECs while inhibiting neutrophil migration and NETs formation, and ameliorating endothelial cell injury, which provides new ideas for the pathogenesis of thrombotic diseases.
Dinamika Perumusan Pasal dalam Undang-Undang Nomor 12 Tahun 2022 Tentang Tindak Pidana Kekerasan Seksual Terkait Pemaksaan Perkawinan
Authors: Jannah Wildatul , Pratama Aman , Gabryella Gabryella , Matippanna Rimayun , Nugraha Septian Adi , Al Hafiz Si Yusuf 
Published: February 2024

Abstract: Forced marriage is a complex phenomenon that describes the interaction between norms, religion, culture, law and human rights. This practice has been going on for a long time in Indonesia, such as the Lily marriage tradition in West Nusa Tenggara, marriage due to pregnancy/rape, early marriage and others. This research will explore how the regulations regarding forced marriage have been integrated into Law No. 12 of 2022 concerning the Crime of Sexual Violence, as well as their impact on the legal and political framework. The introduction will provide background on the steps taken by the TPKS Law from the time it was initiated until it was passed into law, as well as the actors involved in the process of formulating the law. The research method used is normative empirical. The research uses legal, social and cultural debates that arise in the context of forced marriage under Law Number 12 of 2022 concerning TPKS. Policy implications emerging from the research include consideration of the balance between recognition of cultural values and protection of human rights within the relevant legal framework. Abstrak: Pemaksaan perkawinan adalah fenomena kompleks yang menggambarkan interaksi antara norma, agama, budaya, hukum dan Hak Asasi Manusia. Praktik ini telah berlangsung lama di Indonesia, seperti tradisi kawin Lily di Nusa Tenggara Barat, perkawinan karena kehamilan/pemerkosaan, perkawinan dini dan lainnya. Penelitian ini akan menggali bagaimana aturan terkait pemaksaan perkawinan tersebut telah diintegrasikan dalam Undang-Undang No 12 Tahun 2022 tentang Tindak Pidana Kekerasan Seksual, serta dampaknya terhadap kerangka hukum dan politik. Pendahuluan akan menyajikan latar belakang tentang jejak langkah UU TPKS dari saat dicetuskan hingga disahkan menjadi UU, serta aktor yang terlibat dalam proses perumusan UU. Metode penelitian yang digunakan yakni normatif empiris. Penelitian menggunakan perdebatan hukum, sosial, budaya yang muncul dalam konteks pemaksaan perkawinan di bawah UU Nomor 12 Tahun 2022 tentang TPKS. Implikasi kebijakan yang muncul dari penelitian mencakup pertimbangan keseimbangan antara pengakuan terhadap nilai budaya dan perlindungan HAM dalam kerangka hukum yang relevan.
Celebrating a decade of exercise physiology and metabolism research in physiological reports
Authors: Wright David C. , Cheng Arthur J. , MacPherson Rebecca E. K. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractDuring its first decade of life, Physiological Reports has become a home for well‐conceived and rigorously performed exercise physiology and metabolism studies. The breadth of research within this area is impressive, covering exercise‐induced increases in skeletal muscle gene expression to the effects of exercise on the gut microbiome. The purpose of the current review is to highlight some of the impactful exercise physiology and metabolism papers published in the journal and to look ahead to what areas exercise physiology publications might address in the next 10 years.
Analysing sympathy from a contrastive pragmatic angle: a Chinese–English case study
Authors: House Juliane , Kádár Dániel Z. , Cang He 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
In this study, we provide a replicable language-anchored framework for capturing expressions of sympathy in interaction, by contrasting Chinese and English sympathising behaviour. Our framework combines interaction ritual and speech acts, and it captures sympathising without associating it with one particular speech act from the outset. Methodologically, we follow a tripartite design: First we identify puzzlements which ritual sympathising can trigger for Chinese expatriates living in the US and American expatriates in China. We then conduct Discourse Completion Tests (DCTs) to identify conventions of sympathising in the two linguacultures. Finally, we interpret our expatriates’ puzzlement through the outcomes of the DCT analysis.
Epistemological theft and appropriation in qualitative inquiry in applied linguistics: lessons from Halaqa
Authors: Barnawi Othman Z. 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Within the current turn of decolonization in the field of applied linguistics, the dominant discourses may have little to say about exposing and disrupting the act of epistemological theft and appropriation in qualitative research methodologies, even implicitly. Epistemological theft and appropriation refer to the (in)deliberate intricate acts of dispossessing the original knowers of their epistemological ownership over certain knowledges in their research practices. This paper introduces and operationalizes Halaqa as an alternative way of theorizing and doing qualitative research that is not only anchored in non-western epistemologies but can also be employed as a means for disrupting theft and appropriation in literature review and drawing on participants’ narratives within qualitative inquiry. Through a four-month journey of dialogue with three in-service Saudi western-trained language teachers-educators-researchers in our Halaqa, we co-explored possible mechanisms that foster legitimate ownership of epistemologies and emphasize appreciating other ways of knowing that may not be necessarily aligned with our perspectives about ELT in applied linguistics research. This paper concludes with a call for a nuanced and continuous process of self-critique and reappraisal that centers ethical, moral and epistemic imperatives while doing a literature review and drawing on participants’ narratives.
Novel compound multistable stochastic resonance weak signal detection
Authors: Jiao Shangbin , Xue Qiongjie , Li Na , Gao Rui , Lv Gang , Wang Yi , Li Yvjun 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
The research on stochastic resonance (SR) which is used to extract weak signals from noisy backgrounds is of great theoretical significance and promising application. To address the shortcomings of the classical tristable SR model, this article proposes a novel compound multistable stochastic resonance (NCMSR) model by combining the Woods–Saxon (WS) and tristable models. The influence of the parameters of the NCMSR systems on the output response performance is studied under different α stable noises. Meanwhile, the adaptive synchronization optimization algorithm based on the proposed model is employed to achieve periodic and non-periodic signal identifications in α stable noise environments. The results show that the proposed system model outperforms the tristable system in terms of detection performance. Finally, the NCMSR model is applied to 2D image processing, which achieves great noise reduction and image recovery effects.
Cancer Immunology
Authors: Aditya Ishan , Kim Valerie , Chen Tony 
Published: February 2024

Cancer refers to a complex set of diseases that stem from abnormal cells capable of sustaining proliferative signaling, evading growth suppressors, and resisting death. These cells may form benign tumours and may be spurred by further genetic and cellular changes to undergo carcinogenesis, thereby forming masses of cancerous tissues referred to as malignant tumours. This divergence from normal cells provokes immune responses, and the interactions between cancer cells and the immune system compose the dual role of immunoediting in both hindering and facilitating tumour development and progression.
Anne Mckeage
Authors: Chen Kevin , Lam Ashley 
Published: February 2024

Anne McKeage was the former Archivist and History of Health and Medicine Librarian of the Health Sciences Library. We had the opportunity to sit down with Anne and discuss her work at McMaster. Curious to learn more about what goes on behind the scenes, we asked Anne to share with us her various experiences in gathering and organizing material for the History of Health and Medicine collection.
Congenital Insensitivity to Pain
Authors: Kundapur Deeksha , Yu Sheila , Mohanraj Sylvia 
Published: February 2024

Pain is an essential sensation that has developed in complex organisms as an evolutionary mechanism to signal impending danger. Without pain, day-to-day functions become incredibly compromised. Pain is responsible for triggering the adoption of protective behaviours, such as physical withdrawal from painful stimuli to for tissue protection. Hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy type V (HSAN V), generally known as congenital insensitivity to pain(CIP), is a rare autosomal recessive sensory neuropathy. It is caused by defective nociceptive mechanisms, which result in an inability to experience pain. HSANs range from type I to type V, encompassing varying degrees of sensory impairment at each level. Only a handful of individuals experience the clinical symptoms associated with HSAN V, as it is the rarest of the HSAN disorders.
Characterization of Integron Genes of Clinical Isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa which Perform Resistance to Antibiotics and Biofilm Formation by these Strains
Authors: Alfarras A.F. , Al-Daraghi W.A. 
Published: February 2024

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a bacterium that holds significant clinical and epidemiological significance. It serves as the principal etiological cause of opportunistic infections in individuals with impaired immune systems. Integrons are known to have a notable impact on Gram-negative bacteria, particularly in the context of P. aeruginosa, a bacterium recognized for its ability to develop resistance to antimicrobial drugs. Aim. To systematically characterize and detect integron genes (intI, intII, intIII) with antibiotic-resistant and biofilm-forming capabilities in isolated P. aeruginosa. Methods. A total of 209 samples were collected from Al Yarmouk Teaching Hospital in Baghdad City, Iraq to isolate P. aeruginosa. The process of bacterial identification was carried out phenotypically and by biochemical tests. Antibiotic susceptibility was measured using the Vitek2 system. Biofilm quantification was done by the microtiter method. The PCR approach was employed to assess the presence of class 1, 2, and 3 integrons. Results. P. aeruginosa was identified in 83 isolates by using a combination of morphological and biochemical examinations where all isolates showed the ability to grow a selective medium on cetrimide agar for P. aeruginosa. The results also showed significant variances (p < 0.05) among the percentage of a number of samples and isolated P. aeruginosa. The burn and wound infection scored the highest percentages (25% and 19%) based on the positivity of P. aeruginosa, whereas burn and ear sites scored the highest percentage (58% and 50%). Also, the isolates show the ability to form biofilm at a percentage of 68.7% with resistance to a high number of antibiotics. The multidrug-resistant and sensitive P. aeruginosa isolates scored high percentages (49.4% and 34.9%) whereas potentially pan drug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant isolates scored low percentages (2.4% and 13.3%). PCR results showed that integron I scored the highest percentage (100%) compared to integron 2 found in 3 (10%) isolates, and no intI3 gene was detected in any of the P. aeruginosa isolates. Conclusions. Overall, the findings of the present investigation indicate that integrons and biofilm development are recognized as significant factors contributing to antibiotic resistance in P. aeruginosa. The prevalence of class 1 integrons is shown to be significantly high in all bacterial isolates, with a complete occurrence rate of 100%. This high incidence of class 1 integrons is associated with the development of resistance to crucial antibiotics, including β-lactams, aminoglycosides, and cephalosporins.