bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Patterns of and Factors Undermining Female Participation in Hard Trades under Tanzania’s Vocational Education and Training System
Authors: Matiba Fortunatha , Vaging Consolatha 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
This study reports the findings on female participation in hard trades under Tanzania’s Vocational Education and Training (VET). This qualitative research involved 72 participants including females’ trainees, instructors, employers and principals. It used semi-structured interview and Focus Group Discussion to collect data, which was subjected to content analysis. Participation patterns indicated far lower female participation in hard than soft trades. The study established the main contributory factors to this lopsided female gender representation in hard trades in Tanzania as gender role stereotyping, employers’ reluctance, lack of role models, absence of formal career guidance and counselling services, as well as gender-based curriculum materials. The study, therefore, recommends for the change in mindset among female aspirants in attitude towards hard trades to increase their participation while society should embrace positive perceptions of the abilities of females to pursue hard trades. VET centres should also employ female instructors in hard trades to serve as role models to encourage other females to opt for hard trades. Finally, VET instructors should encourage female trainees to participate in hard trades.
ROMA AS A MATRIX OF THE ‘OTHER’IN THE PROJECTION OF ORIENTALISM, RACE, AND NATION IN THE WORKS BY OLHA KOBYLIANSKA
Authors: Hundorova Tamara 
Published: December 2023

The paper analyzes the images of Romani in the works by Olha Kobylianska against the background of the multiethnic situation in Bukovyna, and traces the influence of the anthropological interpretation of the Gypsies as a race and a pre-modern people on the representation of Romani in the literature of the Romanticism period and the 2nd half of the 19th century.
Kobylianska treats the Gypsies not only as an exotic ‘other’ but also as an integral part of the cultural and ethnic identity of Ukrainian society and analyzes the relationship between Romani as monads and settled peasants, as well as the processes of assimilation and integration of Gypsies into the Ukrainian environment. By depicting the colourful images of the Roma in her works, Kobylianska unfolds conflict situations related to the struggle for land and the participation of ‘outsiders’ in them. The Gypsy is a figure of the stranger who serves as a matrix of ‘otherness’ for her and functions in various semantic projections. Such a matrix is projected onto the life of Hutsuls as children of nature; it correlates with the situation of reversed gender, in particular feminine identity; it serves as an attribute of exotic and oriental racial otherness. Adopting romantic oriental stereotypes about Gypsies, Kobylianska, in accordance with the anthropology of the time, marks them racially (through the signification of the ‘black’ body) and geographically (through their belonging to the Oriental world). At the same time, she brings these images closer to Ukrainian life and everyday routine and doesn’t ignore the assimilation and relations between Ukrainians and Gypsies. Settled and nomadic peoples, insiders and outsiders become the backdrop against which Kobylianska unfolds the drama of shaping the modern Ukrainian nation.
A Book Review on Knowledge, Tradition and Civilization: Essays in Honour of Professor Osman Bakar edited by Khairudin Aljunied. United Kingdom: Beacon Books and Media Ltd. ISBN: 9781915025425. 2022
Authors: Masri Mohd Shazani 
Published: December 2023

Summary:
This book, a collection of essays honoring Muslim scholar-activist Osman Bakar, edited by Khairudin Aljunied, highlights Bakar's contributions to Islamic studies. Featuring renowned scholars and activists, the volume covers two main themes: "The Production and Problem of Knowledge" and "Civilizational Unity and Renewal." The book provides a comprehensive introduction to Bakar's work but omits aspects of his political thought and sacred studies. Furthermore, his activist side is not given enough attention. Despite these shortcomings, the book is a must-read for those seeking to understand Bakar's thoughts, as his ideas offer valuable insights for the study of knowledge, tradition, and civilization in the Islamic world and the region of Borneo.
Pituitary stalk interruption syndrome and liver cirrhosis associated with diabetes and an inactivating KCNJ11 gene mutation: a case report and literature review
Authors: Liu Zhaoxiang , Zhao Wenhui , Cao Chenxiang , Wang Yanlei , Xiao Luqi , Wang Xiaojing , Jin Chenxi , Xiao Jianzhong 
Published: December 2023

BackgroundPituitary stalk interruption syndrome (PSIS) is a congenital disease commonly found in patients with combined pituitary hormone deficiency (CPHD). Most PSIS patients manifest growth retardation and delayed puberty. We report a rare case of PSIS with tall stature, liver cirrhosis and diabetes, possibly caused by an inactivating KCNJ11 gene mutation.Case presentationA 37-year-old female patient initially presented with liver cirrhosis and diabetes, without any secondary sexual characteristics. Endocrine investigation indicated CPHD. Small anterior pituitary, invisible pituitary stalk and no eutopic posterior lobe hypersignal in the sella turcica viewed in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) confirmed the diagnosis of PSIS. Despite receiving no growth hormone or sex hormone therapy, she reached a final height of 186 cm. Liver histopathology revealed nonalcoholic fatty cirrhosis. Genetic testing identified a heterozygous p.Arg301Cys mutation in the KCNJ11 gene.ConclusionThis is a rare case of PSIS with liver cirrhosis and diabetes associated with an inactivating KCNJ11 gene mutation. It’s supposed that early hyperinsulinism caused by the KCNJ11 gene mutation, as well as delayed epiphyseal closure due to estrogen deficiency, contributed to the patient’s exceptionally tall stature. Untreated growth hormone deficiency (GHD) resulted in increased visceral fat, leading to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and cirrhosis. The decline in β cell function with age, combined with NAFLD, may have played a role in the development of diabetes.
Investigation of acquired dysfibrinogenaemia in adult patients with sepsis using fibrinogen function vs. concentration ratios: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Toenges Rosa , Steiner Michael , Weber Christian Friedrich , Miesbach Wolfgang 
Published: December 2023

IntroductionInherited or acquired molecular abnormalities form a clinically heterogeneous group of fibrinogen disorders called dysfibrinogenaemia. Apart from a pediatric case report and in contrast to other clinical conditions, acquired dysfibrinogenaemia has not been previously reported in septic patients.MethodsIn an observational cohort study, 79 adult septic patients were investigated for the presence of acquired dysfibrinogenaemia at the time of their admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) of the University Hospital Frankfurt. Following established recommendations, fibrinogen clotting activity vs. antigen ratios were analyzed using Clauss fibrinogen, prothrombin-derived fibrinogen, and radial immunodiffusion (RID) fibrinogen concentration.ResultsProthrombin-derived fibrinogen levels were highest (527 ± 182 mg/dL) followed by Clauss fibrinogen (492 ± 209 mg/dL) and radial immunodiffusion fibrinogen (426 ± 159 mg/dL). Very few cases demonstrated hypofibrinogenaemia making overt disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) unlikely in the cohort investigated. Clauss/RID fibrinogen ratios were lower (1.17 ± 0.19) compared to prothrombin time-derived/RID ratios (1.35 ± 0.33). Using the Clauss/RID dataset, 21% of patients (16/76 patients) demonstrated values below a threshold ratio for suspected acquired dysfibrinogenaemia arbitrarily set at 1.0. In contrast, prothrombin-derived ratios were below the threshold in only 7% (4/58 patients).DiscussionThe results point to the presence of acquired dysfibrinogenaemia in part of adult septic patients. If confirmed in further studies, this may form part of a specific laboratory signature of a sepsis-associated coagulation phenotype.
Quality assessment of histopathological stainings on prolonged formalin fixed thrombus tissues retrieved by mechanical thrombectomy
Authors: Bilgin Cem , Dai Daying , Johnson Collin , Mereuta Oana M. , Kallmes David F. , Brinjikji Waleed , Kadirvel Ramanathan 
Published: December 2023

BackgroundFormalin-fixed retrieved clots from mechanical thrombectomy (MT) are now routinely studied using both conventional histopathologic techniques and immunohistochemistry (IHC). However, the effects of prolonged formalin fixation on the histological results of clot analysis remain unknown. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of prolonged formalin fixation on quality of histopathologic stainings of thrombus tissues retrieved by MT.MethodsAs part of the multicenter EXCELLENT registry, a total of 80 clots extracted by MT from acute ischemic stroke patients were randomly selected from the tissue database and assigned into four groups according to 10% neutral buffered formalin (NBF) fixation duration (1–30, 30–60, 60–90, and 90+ days, up to 2 years). Samples underwent processing and sectioning. Two serial sections for each case were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&amp;E), Martius Scarlet Blue (MSB), and IHC for CD42b (platelet marker). An expert pathologist, who was blinded to tissue fixation duration and patient clinical data, assessed the quality of each stain including stainability, sensitivity, specificity, and consistency of stainings.ResultsNo significant issues were encountered during tissue processing and sectioning. On H&amp;E stain, 97.5% (78/80) of slides showed good-quality staining, demonstrating clear histological properties of the thrombus tissue as red blood cells (RBC) stained in red, fibrin/platelet stained in pink, and nuclei stained in blue with intranuclear detail. The same histological features were also successfully demonstrated on MSB for all 80 samples. One of the 80 samples (1.2%) showed that RBC lost stainability on H&amp;E due to tissue autolysis. Clear positive signal of platelet staining was expressed in 98.8% of the samples (79/80) with minimal background staining on IHC. There was no significant difference in staining quality across different formalin fixation groups.ConclusionA good quality of histopathological staining is achievable for the thrombus tissue fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin for up to 2 years. The findings are limited to the thrombus tissue retrieved by MT and specific fixation and staining protocols used in the study. To apply these results to other tissue or experimental setups, further studies and validations would be necessary.Clinical trial registrationThis study was conducted as part of the EXCELLENT study: www.clinicaltrials.gov, unique identifier: NCT03685578.
Paradoxical increase of neurofilaments in SMA patients treated with onasemnogene abeparvovec-xioi
Authors: Flotats-Bastardas Marina , Bitzan Lisa , Grell Charlotte , Martakis Kyriakos , Winter Benedikt , Zemlin Michael , Wurster Claudia D. , Uzelac Zeljko , Weiß Claudia , Hahn Andreas 
Published: December 2023

Background/ObjectiveNeurofilament light chain (NfL) has been proposed as a biomarker reflecting disease severity and therapy response in children with spinal muscular atrophy type 1 and 2 (SMA1 and 2). The objective of this study was to examine how serum NfL changes after gene replacement therapy (GRT) with onasemnogene abeparvovec-xioi.MethodsWe measured NfL in serum probes from 19 patients (10 SMA 1 and 6 SMA 2; 15 previously treated with nusinersen or risdiplam; 12 male) before and at variable time points after GRT. These values were related to motor scores (CHOP-Intend, HFMSE and RULM).ResultsMedian age at GRT was 19 months (range 2–46 months). Median NfL of all patients before GRT was 39 pg/ml (range 0–663 pg/ml; normal values &lt;25 pg/ml), increased significantly to 297 pg/ml (range 61–1,696 pg/ml; p&lt;0,002) 1 month after GRT, and decreased to 49 pg/ml (range 24–151 pg/ml) after 6 months. Subjects pre-treated with nusinersen or risdiplam had lower baseline NfL levels than naïve patients (p&lt;0,005), but absolute increases of NfL were similar in both groups. While motor scores were improved in 14 out of 18 SMA patients (78%) 6 months after GRT NfL values differed not significantly from those measured at baseline (p = 0,959).ConclusionSerum NfL showed a paradoxical transient increase after GRT in both, pre-treated and naïve patients, which may reflect an immunological reaction in the CNS related to transfection of neuronal cells by AAV9. The clinical meaning of this increase should be assessed in future studies. Our findings encourage regular monitoring of NfL in OA treated patients.
Extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma of the buttock: a case report and literature review
Authors: Ji Xinghua , Wei Jinzheng , Li Xiaoqiong , Zhang Wei , Xing Zejun 
Published: December 2023

BackgroundExtraosseous myxoid chondrosarcoma (EMC) is extremely rare, and the case we report is of a particular site with partial bone destruction.Case presentationThis case report can further strengthen the understanding of EMC and guide clinical treatment. The patient presented with a right buttock mass that was present for 1 year and that had gradually enlarged with tenderness for 6 months. The diagnosis was EMC. The interventions included puncture biopsy, surgical resection, and postoperative chemotherapy. The tumor was resected extensively, and the postoperative recovery was satisfactory. There was no recurrence or metastasis during the follow-up for 18-month.Case presentationThe case we reported occurred in the pelvic cavity, which has not been previously reported in the literature, and there was partial bone destruction. Complete resection of the tumor was performed, and a satisfactory prognosis was achieved.
Analysis of the status and factors influencing physical activity in patients undergoing ovarian cancer chemotherapy
Authors: Zhang Shasha , Zhang Fengzhi , Yang Fangfang , Yang Jimei , Zhang Lin , Xie Junfang 
Published: December 2023

BackgroundOvarian cancer is a common gynecological malignancy, leading to approximately 200,000 deaths globally in 2020. Research has shown that regular physical activity can reduce the toxic side effects of cancer treatment, reduce morbidity and mortality, extend survival time, and improve quality of life. We aimed to evaluate physical activity regimens in patients undergoing chemotherapy for ovarian cancer and analyze the factors influencing physical activity levels.MethodsTo facilitate the selection of patients with ovarian cancer hospitalized for chemotherapy in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University and the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from August 2022 to February 2023, questionnaire surveys were conducted using the General Information Questionnaire, International Physical Activity Questionnaire, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and Revised Piper Fatigue Scale.ResultsData were collected from 167 patients with ovarian cancer. Overall, 96 (57.5%) patients had low physical activity levels, 53 (31.7%) had moderate physical activity levels, and 18 (10.8%) had high physical activity levels. Logistic regression analysis revealed that sleep status, social support, anxiety, depression, and cancer-related fatigue were the main factors influencing physical activity in patients undergoing chemotherapy for ovarian cancer.ConclusionsPhysical activity levels of patients undergoing ovarian cancer chemotherapy were generally low. Therefore, healthcare professionals should pay greater attention to the physical activity in these patients. Targeted and individualized health guidance is recommended, and activity interventions should be implemented according to the influencing factors to promote disease understanding and increase physical activity levels.
Inspiring respect for fathers as coparents through a trauma-informed, infant-family mental health transformation of community-based services: process and early implementation with a multi-agency community collaborative
Authors: McHale James , Burton Donna , Negrini Lisa , Jacob Alexandra Albizu , Butler LaDonna 
Published: December 2023

IntroductionDespite compelling evidence that high-quality early care has an enduring impact, there has been little coordinated effort to transform services delivery to infuse Trauma-Informed Family Centered (TI-FC) principles into community-based agencies serving children and their families. A need for more culturally attuned, family-sensitive, evidence-based, and trauma-informed supports, especially for vulnerable children, their families and fathers, is apparent in evidence amassed by key stakeholders within the geographic area of this study. This report details the planning process, TI-FC training series, and organizational profile assessments. Authors conclude with recommendations regarding the establishment of multi-agency collectives, to include fathers, toward betterment of infant-family mental health at the community level.MethodsThe current case study details the community-level transformational effort in which major health, mental health, substance abuse, and child welfare organizations serving families of children age 0-3 worked collaboratively to enhance TI-FC services. We describe a four-stage process (1 - planning, 2 - assessment of organizational readiness, 3 - surveys, document reviews and focus groups, 4 - delivery of a training series) detailing the work of the collaborative, guided by key agency decision-makers.ResultsThe study found significant initial success in adapting approaches to serving children 0-3 and their families through TI-FC perspectives. By proactively engaging several lead organizations in a deliberative planning process with universal aims and transformational principles, the collaborative team was able to coordinate organizational assessment, staff training and consultation, self-monitoring of organizational shifts, and problem-solving of obstacles and solutions to TI-FC services delivery.DiscussionAll agencies succeeded in completing comprehensive, multi-faceted analyses of organizational culture, preparing personnel for TI-FC services through comprehensive training, and utilizing this collaborative to make deliberate and customized changes within their programs, as concerns both support of families and father engagement. Preliminary data indicate that important shifts took hold and signified changes across key domains of TI-FC care.
Deployment-related quarantining—a risk or resilience factor for German military service members? A prospective analysis during the third–fifth waves of COVID-19
Authors: Bühler Antje H. , Willmund Gerd-Dieter 
Published: December 2023

BackgroundMandatory deployment-related quarantining added further constraints on soldiers during the pandemic. Contrary to overwhelming research documenting an adverse impact of quarantining on mental health, no adverse short-term mental health effects of pre-deployment quarantining for German soldiers were identified. Therefore, we are interested in a potentially delayed onset, the impact of an additional post-deployment quarantine, and quarantine-associated risk and resilience factors predicting mental health post-deployment.MethodsIn a prospective research design, 928 German soldiers enrolled in the study at the in-processing of pre-deployment quarantine between February 2021 and March 2022. Every German military service member undergoing pre-deployment quarantine could participate. The soldiers were between 18 and 64 years old; 87.5% identified as male and 12.5% as female. Self-reported mental health (Mini-SCL), perceived social support (FSozU-K22), and perceived unit cohesion were assessed three to five times: at the beginning and the end of pre-deployment quarantine (Nt1 = 928, Nt2 = 907), if still mandatory—at the beginning and the end of post-deployment quarantine (Nt3 = 143 and Nt4 = 132), and 3 months post-deployment, on average 7 to 8 months later than pre-deployment quarantine (Nt5 = 308). The analyzed quarantine-associated risk and resilience factors were informedness about COVID-19, infection risk, quarantine benefit, clarity of quarantine protocol, need for intimacy/bonding, norms, stigma, practicality, financial disadvantages, boredom, and health-promoting leadership.ResultsDespite four different mental health trajectories identified, repeated measures ANOVAs revealed a significant improvement in mental health post-deployment (F[2,265] = 21.54, p &lt; 0.001), a small decrease in social support (F[2,266] = 16.85, p &lt; 0.001), and no significant changes in unit cohesion (F[2,264] = 0.482, p = 0.618) 3 months post-deployment. Using stepwise regression, 24% of variance in mental health symptomatology post-deployment is predicted pre-deployment by a clear quarantine protocol, unit cohesion, intimacy/bonding, and social support (F[4,263] = 22.23, p &lt; 0.001). In total, 30% of mental health at the end of post-deployment quarantine is predicted by stigma and a clear quarantine protocol (F[2,99] = 22.22, p &lt; 0.001).ConclusionAlthough no overall adverse impact of quarantining on mental health was found, it is recommended to address perceived stigma and clearly communicate the quarantine protocol, and to further follow up on the perceived decrease in social support.