#High-impact open access journals

[igminresearch-1]

Your Gateway to Publishing Excellence: High-Impact Open Access Journals for Every Researcher

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Why High-Impact Open Access Journals Are Essential

High-impact open-access journals have revolutionized the research landscape. By ensuring your work is freely accessible to a global audience, these journals break down barriers, fostering collaboration and driving innovation. Publishing in such platforms amplifies the visibility of your research, attracting citations and recognition from peers worldwide.

Unlike traditional subscription-based journals, open-access platforms democratize knowledge. Researchers from all corners of the globe can access cutting-edge studies without financial or institutional constraints. This transformative approach empowers universities, PhD professors, colleges, and institutes to contribute meaningfully to scientific progress.

Why Choose Biomed Research International Journal?

IgMin Research Open Access Journals stands out as a trusted, free journal to publish research papers that caters to a multidisciplinary audience. Whether you're an author in biology, medicine, engineering, or general science, this journal ensures your work reaches the right audience with maximum impact. Here’s what makes it exceptional:

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[juniperpublishers-crdoj]

Evaluation of Glycemic Control Obtained from NPH Insulin in Patients Experiencing Corticosteroid-Induced Hyperglycemia

Authored by Megan N Hodges

Abstract

Objective:To compare the safety and efficacy of neutral protamine Hagedorn (NPH) insulin to other antidiabetic regimens in the treatment of corticosteroid-induced hyperglycemia in non-critically ill; hospitalized patients.

Methods:This retrospective cohort included patients treated with methylprednisolone or prednisone concomitantly with NPH or other antidiabetic medications for at least two days. Patients were screened for inclusion in reverse chronological order and matched based on gender; age; body mass index; steroid dose; and history of diabetes. The primary objective was mean daily blood glucose (BG). Secondary outcomes included percentage of readings between 70mg/dL-180mg/dL; median daily BG; number of hypoglycemic events; daily steroid to NPH ratios; and mean weight-based dose of NPH for each 10mg increment of prednisone when BG readings were within goal.

Results:A total of 72 patients were included in each arm. The primary efficacy endpoint of mean daily BG ranged from 111-217mg/dL in the control group and 163-228mg/dL in the NPH arm; however; there were no statistically significant differences (p>0.05). Overall rates of hypoglycemia were slightly lower in the NPH group but with no statistically significant differences (0.61% vs. 1.12%; p = 0.51).

Conclusions:NPH; compared to other regimens; may not have an impact on achieving glycemic controlin corticosteroid-induced hyperglycemia.

Keywords: Diabetes mellitus; Corticosteroid; Hyperglycemia; Neutral protamine hagedorn

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Introduction

Systemic corticosteroids are commonly used for a wide variety of medical conditions on both an inpatient and outpatient basis for the treatment of inflammation and immune suppression. Acute asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations, rheumatoid arthritis, and organ transplant comprise just a few of the many indications. Although corticosteroids are highly efficacious, its use is limited by many serious adverse effects during acute and chronic treatment [1-6]. During short-course therapy, patients commonly develop hyperglycemia. Several studies have reported odds ratios from 1.5 to 2.5 for the development of new-onset diabetes relating specifically to steroid utilization [2-5]. Corticosteroids also have the potential to significantly worsen hyperglycemia in patients with a history of diabetes mellitus [1,7] . This represents a substantial health risk to patients since studies have found a correlation between hyperglycemia and decreased wound healing, increased length of stay (LOS) and mortality in hospitalized patients [8].

Several studies have been undertaken to better understand the exact mechanism of steroid-induced hyperglycemia. In patients receiving short-term therapy, skeletal muscle and hepatic cells develop reduced insulin sensitivity leading to decreased glucose uptake. During the post-prandial phase in particular, blood glucose (BG) levels are further elevated by impaired suppression of glucose production secondary to hepatic insulin resistance [6].

Insulin acts on liver, adipose tissue, and skeletal muscle to regulate metabolism of carbohydrates, fat, and protein. A cross- sectional review of 66 patients suggested that patients receiving ≥10mg per day of prednisolone compared to those not receiving corticosteroids experience afternoon and evening hyperglycemia despite receiving basal-bolus insulin regimens [9]. Neutral protamine Hagedorn (NPH) is a crystalline suspension of human insulin with protamine and zinc, which makes it intermediate acting insulin. Neutral protamine Hagedorn insulin produces a peak effect four to eight hours after administration with a total duration of sixteen to eighteen hours. These kinetic properties closely mirror the action of prednisone. Methylprednisolone also has a similar duration of action with a shorter onset of one to two hours [10-12]. In theory, the pharmacokinetic principles of subcutaneous NPH make it a prime candidate for the treatment of glucocorticoid induced hyperglycemia. The objective of this study is to compare NPH to other antidiabetic agents in the treatment of steroid-induced hyperglycemia.

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Materials and Methods

Study design

This single-center retrospective cohort study evaluated patients at a 450-bed community hospital. The trial was approved by the hospital Institutional Review Board before data collection began. Due to the retrospective nature of the study, informed consent was not necessary. All data was obtained through electronic medical records.

Eligibility requirements included age ≥18 years, concurrent treatment with methylprednisolone or prednisone with NPH insulin or other antidiabetic medications for at least two days, and steroid doses ≥10mg prednisone equivalent on day one. Patients receiving NPH for the treatment of steroid-induced hyperglycemia were included in the treatment arm and patients being treated with any other combination of antidiabetic medications were evaluated in the control arm. Patients in the NPH arm with glargine insulin as a home medication were included in the study if the glargine titration was limited to± 20% during the hospitalization since a 20% reduction is recommended at admission to decrease risk of hypoglycemia and to limit confounding adjustments to the glargine during steroid titration [13]. Patients were not eligible for inclusion in the NPH treatment arm if they received any other antidiabetic medications in addition to NPH, rapid acting insulin, or glargine as described above. Oral antidiabetic agents were allowed in the control arm; however, per institutional protocols and American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommendations these agents are routinely discontinued upon admission to the hospital [14]. Patients admitted with a BG>400mg/dL, those in the intensive care unit, patients on insulin pumps, and pregnant patients were excluded. Patients were also excluded if they had less than two BG readings per day or no recorded weight.

Patient characteristics were identified through queries of the hospital electronic medical record. Starting October 2014 through October 2012, all patients receiving ≥10mg of prednisone equivalent of methylprednisolone or prednisone for at least one day were consecutively screened for inclusion in reverse chronological order. After patients were identified for analysis in the NPH arm, controls were then matched by manual chart review to the NPH patients based on age, gender, body mass index (BMI) classification, steroid dose on day one, and history of diabetes.

Study outcomes and definitions

The primary outcome was the mean daily BG. Secondary outcomes included the percent of BG readings within a preset goal of 70mg/dL to 180mg/dL. All BG readings were incorporated in the analysis regardless of the patients’ fasting state, thus a higher goal of <80mg/dL was established based on the ADA random BG recommendations for non-critically ill, hospitalized patients. The low end of this range was based on the ADA definition of hypoglycemia, which is BG<70mg/dL [14]. Other secondary objectives included median daily BG, number of hypoglycemic and severe hypoglycemic events with and without intervention. Intervention was defined as intake of juice, oral glucose tablets or administration of glucagon or dextrose 50% water. As defined by the ADA, BG<40mg/dL is considered severe hypoglycemia. [14] Daily steroid to NPH ratios and steroid to NPH ratios on the index day were also collected. The index day was defined as the last day of steroid therapy or the day of discharge if the patient continued steroids as an outpatient. Mean weight-based dose of NPH for each 10mg increment of prednisone equivalent (8mg methylprednisolone) was collected for days on which all BG readings were within the goal range with the intention of formulating a standardized NPH protocol. Two subgroup analyses were performed on mean blood glucose to compare NPH to sliding scale insulin alone and to compare NPH to other antidiabetic regimens in patients admitted with a documented history of diabetes.

Statistical analysis

The outcomes data was analyzed to determine the glycemic control achieved with each regimen by looking at all available BG readings throughout the patients’ hospitalizations excluding repeat readings within 10 minutes. Baseline characteristics and outcomes were reported using means, medians, and standard deviations for interval level data and percentages for nominal and ordinal level data. Baseline demographics and study outcomes were compared between groups using Student’s t-test for continuous data and Fisher’s exact or chi-square test for categorical data. A p value of <0.05 indicated statistical significance. All analyses were performed with IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows.

To the authors’ knowledge, the only other published trials addressing this treatment regimen included a maximum of 66 patients in each arm and did not find a statistically significant difference; therefore, power was not calculated [15-17]. Based on available information, 72 patients were included in each arm.

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Results

A total of 241 patients were identified through the pharmacy informatics system for potential inclusion in the NPH arm. Of these patients, 72 were eligible based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Patients were well matched in regards to baseline demographics (Table 1). The only significant difference between groups was total LOS, which was significantly higher in the NPH group (6.98days vs. 4.88days, p =0.003). However, no differences existed among indication for steroid utilization. Baseline glycemic control was similar between groups: mean BG of 186mg/dL in the NPH group and 177mg/dL in the control group at admission (p=0.492).

*There were no significant differences between the two groups except for LOS (p=0.003)

The primary efficacy endpoint of mean daily BG ranged from 111-217mg/dL in the control group and 164-228mg/dL in the NPH arm; however, no statistically significant differences were detected for any day (Figure 1) & (Table 2). The results on the index day (Table 3) showed numerically though not statistically improved glycemic control for the control group compared with the NPH arm with a mean BG of 195mg/dL for the NPH group and 179mg/dL for the control group (p =0.135).

In regards to efficacy, the only statistically significant difference found was in the percent of BG readings between 70- 180mg/dL for day 1 in favor of the control arm (41.9%vs.28.1%, p=0.01) (Table 4). No trends were observed for the steroid: NPH ratios or weight-based NPH doses. Consistent glycemic control was achieved faster in the control arm; mean daily BG readings were <180mg/dL starting on day 5 compared to day 10 in the NPH arm (Figure 1). In contrast to a previous study, the NPH arm received a significantly higher total daily insulin dose on the index day compared to the control arm (0.37unit/kg vs. 0.21unit/kg, p=0.002). However, these differing results are likely accounted for by the inclusion of glargine insulin in the NPH arm [15].

aData presented as mean ± standard deviation.

Glycemic control was similar in both subgroup analyses (patients with a history of diabetes and those receiving only slide scale insulin compared to NPH) (data not shown). In patients with a documented history of diabetes, the mean BG on the index day was 197mg/dL in the NPH arm compared to 185mg/dL in the control arm (p=0.313). When comparing NPH and sliding scale insulin versus sliding scale insulin alone, BG on the index day was 187mg/dL in the NPH group and 174mg/dL in the sliding scale insulin group (p=0.246).

Overall, the incidence of hypoglycemia was low in both arms, with more events occurring in the control arm (Figure 2). A total of 9(0.61%) hypoglycemic episodes occurred in the NPH arm and 15(1.12%) in the control arm (p=0.51). Only one episode of severe hypoglycemia was noted in the control arm.

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Discussion

When interpreting these results, it is important to note that the number of patients evaluated dropped considerably each consecutive day. By day eleven, only two patients remained in the NPH arm compared to one patient in the control arm. Although daily trends are important to consider, the results on the index day may provide the most insight on glycemic control.

Several limitations exist within this study. Due to the retrospective design, there is also potential for data extraction errors and chart documentation errors. Another limitation is the lack of standardized NPH dosing at this institution. The doses prescribed varied greatly between patients, and the majority of weight-based NPH doses were much lower than other institution protocol recommendations [1,8-15]. Overall glycemic control was also relatively poor in both groups compared to previous studies. This could be partly due to higher daily steroid doses and lack of Diabetes Management Services [15]. Lastly, patients in the NPH group had a significantly longer LOS compared to the control group, which could have resulted in worse overall BG control with increased time of steroid exposure. However, there were no measurements to determine severity of illness to help explain the extended LOS. Although this study was conducted at a single community hospital with a limited sample size, it is the largest study to evaluate this topic.

Despite a lack of evidence, several institutions have implemented protocols for the use of weight-based NPH dosing for hyperglycemic patients treated with steroids. The doses usually range from 0.1units/kg to 0.5units/kg depending on steroid doses [1,8-15]. One retrospective cohort of 120 patients found no difference between NPH versus glargine to control steroid-induced hyperglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes [15]. A randomized control trial of 50 patients evaluated whether an NPH-based insulin regimen is safer and more effective than a glargine-based regimen in hospitalized adults with prednisolone-induced hyperglycemia. The initial daily insulin dose was 0.5units/kg or 130% of the current daily insulin dose. No differences in either outcome was observed [16]. Another randomized control trial of 53 patients examining glargine versus NPH in type II diabetics with respiratory disease and glucocorticoid induced hyperglycemia yielded similar results [17]. This current trial included patients regardless of their diabetes history or steroid indication. Despite the similarity in pharmacokinetic profiles between corticosteroids and NPH, this approach may not offer better glycemic coverage in steroidinduced hyperglycemia over other regimens as shown in this trial and in the studies by Dhital et al. [15], Ruiz de Adana et al. [17], & Radhakutty et al. [16]. Additional large, randomized-controlled trials are warranted to further help direct future evidence-based treatment strategies for steroid-induced hyperglycemia.

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Conclusion

Based on the results of this study, no conclusions can be determined about the efficacy of NPH insulin for corticosteroidinduced hyperglycemia. Patients receiving standard care (control group) appeared to have better glycemic control over patients in the NPH arm; however, the resulting differences were not statistically significant and hampered by small sample size.

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[probablyasocialecologist]

A new study highlights growing public support in the United States for eco-social policies designed to address the interconnected ecological and social crises of our time. The research, led by the Institute of Environmental Science and Technology of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (ICTA-UAB) and the London School of Economics (LSE), evaluated public support for four key innovative eco-social proposals: reducing working hours (as low as 28 hours per week), downscaling fossil fuel production, providing universal basic services, and limiting advertising for high-emission goods. The study, published in the journal Ecological Economics, also examined how individual consumption-reduction or "sufficiency" behaviors—such as adopting plant-based diets, avoiding flights, walking, or prioritizing sustainable transport like cycling—influence support for these policies. Additionally, it explored the impact of framing these proposals within a broader agenda of societal transformation (e.g., degrowth, although without using the term). Among the most notable findings, the study reveals that, on average, participants preferred these eco-social policies over existing ones. Annual caps on fossil fuel extraction and the provision of universal health care were particularly well-received. Furthermore, individuals who were more engaged in sufficiency behaviors were more likely to support ecological policies, showing stronger support for fossil fuel restrictions, while support for socially oriented measures, such as reduced working hours and universal health care, was less pervasive and depended on other factors.

[...]

Policymakers continue to ignore increasing calls for dismantling the fossil fuel industry from scientists and civil society organizations, and instead are in favor of supporting "green growth." These findings suggest that the U.S. electorate is open to policy agendas that reduce dependence on fossil fuels (e.g., through limits) while improving citizens' quality of life. Notable examples include universal health care as a human right, accessible to everyone, regardless of employment or socioeconomic status, and reduced working hours as a tool for promoting well-being. These agendas move beyond growth-based objectives to achieve eco-social goals. The study's authors suggest that transition plans for polluting industries could hold broad appeal. "Eco-social policy agendas can protect workers and support them in seeking new jobs that benefit society without harming the planet," says Dallas O'Dell, a researcher at ICTA-UAB and first author of the study. However, the study cautions that when promoting individual sufficiency behaviors, it is essential to consider citizens' privilege levels, as these could influence support for broader social policies. "Encouraging reduced individual consumption among those with less privilege could lead to rejection of broader policies, particularly those of a social nature," O'Dell adds.

10 January 2025

[oillipheist9000]

Heyy

So, this is mostly just a fun timeline I made with little research backing it, but I thought it might be cool to share?

It goes through what historical events happened throughout Alastor’s life that might have impacted him and sets the stage for what his life might have looked like. It does hinge quite a bit on US history, so I will also touch on parts of that for our friends who aren’t from the US and don’t know : D

Now keep in mind that this is more of just a list of fun facts that i’ve shoved into a readable outline, than anything put together lol.

Alastor is said to be in his 30’s or 40’s when he died in 1933, this puts his year of birth at a rough range of 1890-1900. For the purpose of this timeline, I will be assuming that Alastor was born in the year 1902 because I want to. This would make him 31 at the time of his death.

In 1892, the supreme court ruled on Plessy vs Ferguson, which was what established the idea of ���Separate but Equal’ <- (i'm assuming people know what that is and stuff, if you don’t know, feel free to ask, I can give more of a history lesson)

From 1900-1909, education past the 5th grade did not EXIST in New Orleans for black children. This is a large part of why I believe a birth year of at least 1900 would be more accurate for Alastor, as he would have been 7-9 (2nd-4th) when middle school (6th-8th) became available to him.

In 1917, McDonogh No. 35 High School became the first public high school for black teens. Alastor would have been 15 in my timeline. This means that he would have likely been out of school for a year under the assumption that he wouldn’t be able to go anymore. (There were a couple private schools, but those were Expensive!!)

1920: KKK reemerged in Louisiana <- (again, assuming people know the history on this, if you would like a quick history lesson, lmk!!)

In 1921, Alastor graduated! Yay!! He is now 19!

Now, a fun fact! Throughout all of this, radio has not existed as a Thing in New Orleans. Alastor would not have grown up listening to the radio. It would have been new tech for him!!

In 1922, the first radio station came to New Orleans!!! It’s called WWL and it runs … drumroll please … ADS!!! In an attempt to raise funds for Loyola University! Exciting, right? : D

By 1927, the Federal Radio Commission was established in an effort to help organize airwaves, which had become messy and disorganized from the abundance of unlicensed, random people broadcasting.

1933: Alastor dies D:

Also 1933, oddly enough, A newspaper somehow managed to get radio stations in New Orleans legally banned from airing news from the last 24 hours?????

An interesting note. This ban went through in the summer. Deer season is in the winter (Dec-Jan), so it was either banned 6 months before or 6 months after Alastor’s death

1934: FRC is replaced by the Federal Communications Commission

This is pretty much all I have. I also am including some of the links to sources that I thought were interesting. Super open to discussions and questions lol. Hope someone enjoyed reading all this lmao

And also @nunalastor cause you seemed interested and I finally got everything together lol

[covid-safer-hotties]

A literature review on vaccine skepticism: An intriguing intersection of history and virology.

Abstract

Global pandemics can be tackled by two means: lockdowns and vaccinations. As vaccination has a low impact on economic outcomes and better acceptance by people, it is the preferred method by most governments as a medium- to long-term solution. Vaccines have played a significant role in reducing the global burden of infectious diseases. They are designed to teach the immune system how to fight a particular infection before it causes a disease in subsequent exposures by creating a memory. Although vaccines effectiveness is well known, anti-vaccination movements pose significant challenges, even in high-income settings, leading to outbreaks of life-threatening infectious diseases. Hesitancy to take vaccines is not new and began with the first vaccination of smallpox. At that time, the problem was solved by a regulatory obligation to take vaccines, declared in England and Wales in 1853, which eventually led to its eradication in 1980. Different studies show that there is a decline in awareness of vaccines, hesitancy to take them, and concerns and trust issues regarding healthcare professionals. These problems have been rising over the past few decades for several reasons, notably, because of misinformation spread by social media. Therefore, the objective of this review is to provide a brief overview about vaccine hesitancy and attributable factors, illustrate the different types of vaccines, show the major challenges of vaccine development, and illustrate the pros and cons of each type.

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Lauren Aratani at The Observer:

An elderly billionaire goes to war with his adult children over the future of his media empire. His only ally is his eldest son, crowned leader of his father’s enterprise after years of jostling with his siblings. In choosing a successor, the patriarch spurns three of his other children, who remain threats: when he dies, they will each have just as much power as the eldest son to shape his companies, potentially against the rightwing ideologies that have guided them for decades.

Away from the public eye, he makes a dramatic move. To deliver control to his eldest son, the mogul quietly launches an extraordinary bid to alter the trust set to hand the other three influence upon his death. But they stand ready to fight. This may sound akin to HBO’s Succession, but it’s life imitating art – which was, in turn, imitating life. Rupert Murdoch, 93, the billionaire owner of News Corp and Fox Corporation who helped inspire the show, is trying to give his eldest son, Lachlan, full control of his media outlets upon his death. While his other adult children – James, Elisabeth and Prudence – will still receive equal shares of company profits, this would leave them with no say over the companies upon his death.

This battle is in fact bigger than anything featured on Succession, according to Robert Thompson, a media scholar based at Syracuse University. “This is arguably the single most influential media outlet in all of the English-speaking world,” he said of News Corp and Fox. “How this turns out has a real, significant impact on real people living on planet Earth.” News Corp owns more than a hundred major and local newspapers, including the Wall Street Journal and the New York Post in the US, as well as the Times and the Sun in the UK. Meanwhile, Fox is the parent of Fox News, the leading conservative cable network in the US, with millions of viewers.

The Murdochs’ legal fight played out in secret for months – until Wednesday, when it burst into the open. The New York Times reported on a decision from a Nevada probate commissioner, which is under seal, that Murdoch can rewrite his family’s irrevocable trust if he can prove the change is being made in good faith and benefits his heirs. The ruling sets the stage for a high-profile trial over the future of his vast array of media interests, with Murdoch and his three children slated to duke it out in court in September.

Both sides, according to the Times, have bulked up on high-profile lawyers. William Barr, the former US attorney general, is helping Murdoch rewrite the trust, and he has also hired Adam Streisand, a trial lawyer who previously worked on estate cases involving Michael Jackson and Britney Spears. The feuding appears to have taken its toll on the family. When Rupert married his fifth wife in California last month, Lachlan was said to have been the only one of his four eldest children in attendance. The other two also reportedly steered clear.

With Lachlan as his father’s successor, Fox News and News Corp will continue to be a conservative force. But under the trust’s current structure, the three other siblings, who are deemed more politically moderate, can push back. Murdoch is seemingly keen to avoid this prospect. Conservatism has been the backbone of his empire since its inception. It has proved to be remarkably profitable.

Though Murdoch had successfully formed relationships with powerful conservative figures in Australia and the UK, it was not until Donald Trump’s ascendancy that he had close ties to the White House. Though Fox was initially dismissive of Trump, the network soon turned into his most powerful megaphone. In turn, Murdoch had direct access to a commander-in-chief. Not all of Murdoch’s children were happy about this. During Trump’s presidency, Elisabeth, Prudence and James started to drift away from their father’s politics.

When Roger Ailes, the longtime Fox CEO, left the company in 2016 off the back of multiple sexual harassment allegations, James reportedly believed he could push the network in a new direction, bringing in an experienced executive who was less of an ideologue. Instead, the elder Murdoch took over as chair himself.

In the summer of 2020, James – once a senior executive at News Corp – announced he was resigning from the board over “disagreements over certain editorial content”. He and his wife, Kathryn, were particularly vocal about the climate crisis and seemed to resent Fox News and News Corp’s climate denialism. “We’ve been arguing about politics since I was a teenager,” James told the Times in 2020, about his father. In 2020, James and his wife donated more than $600,000 to Biden’s campaign. Murdoch eventually crowned Lachlan as his successor. While Lachlan does not speak publicly about his personal political views, reports have said they usually lean more conservative than his father’s. And while Lachlan appears less interested than his father in political influence, he cares about profit. And Trump has been profitable.

The Observer (the Sunday version of The Guardian) has an illuminating piece on the Murdoch media empire, and how Rupert Murdoch is going to war over who gets to succeed him upon his death by rewriting the trust to benefit stridently right-wing Lachlan at the expense of the other three (and less right-wing) children.

[gay-dorito-dust]

If you're open to requests would you write “are you hurt? you look hurt, are you sure everything’s okay?” from your prompt list with George Karim?

Again my brain is still firmly fixated on a spn x lockwood and Co crossover. They fit perfectly in my minds eye. Also I kinda had to break off the prompt a little.

“Hey Casper, why don’t you quit being a pansy arse and come on out for a friendly chat.” You spoke aloud in the dimly light hallway, progressing slowly as you searched room after room for the damned ghost, “I promise I don’t bite.” You add as you tighten your grip on your shotgun. “Much.”

You were currently on a solo ghost hunt in an abandoned warehouse where sketchy people relocated to do their dealings in and from what you gathered, there had been sightings from said dealers of an ghost that has been killing them off one by one in brutal fashion, but the authorities had all but swept it under the rug; seeing this as an golden opportunity to minimise the already alarming percentage of drug dealings within town.

You, however, had been itching for a simple salt and burn for a long while and weren’t about to pass up the chance of shooting some spectral visitors in the face with a shotgun full of rock salt, rather then fending them off with a flimsy Rapier; You had nothing against them but you preferred the way you’ve been taught to hunt over how people these days were being taunt.

You mean sure, it was effective and surfactant but you’ve always hated playing by someone else’s rules. You missed the tales Dean would tell you during his hunting youth but since his passing all you had left of him was his hunting gear, his hunting journals and the impala; All of which you took extremely good care of.

So when the ghost didn’t appear at your taunt, you began to grow annoyed and started doubting the dealers accounts of what happened. They could’ve been high for all you knew and the ghost they claimed to have seen was merely a symptom of the hallucinate drugs they’ve taken prior. However the sounds you’ve picked up on from your little ghostly visitor told you that there was a legit presence here and it was just fucking with you at this point and finding humour in your frustrations.

“Oh, just come on out so we can get this over with you shitty, fuckin-“ before you could finish your sentence the ghost appeared behind you and was about to make a grab for you when you managed to get out of dodge; taking a chest shot at it with your iron crowbar, causing it to dissipate briefly before coming back for another go at you from up close this time and before you could get a clear shot of it.

The ghost used it’s powers to push into a nearby wall, making a decent dent in it, which sent your gun from your hand and skidding just away aways from the ghost. “Simple salt and burn my arse.” You groaned in pain as the ghost was fast approaching you; Gifting no room for you to get back to your feet before being flung once again into a metal shelving rack which collapsed upon impact with your body and you to yelp in even more pain.

“Give me time to get up you unfair prick!” You exclaimed as the ghost appeared before you again, prepping to throw you for a third time, that was until you managed to act quick enough and grab an broken piece of iron, jabbing it into the ghost as it disappeared and within the short time span that you had; you ran back to your gun just in time to get a shot in when the ghost got uncomfortably close.

“Prick.” You spat as you limped out of the warehouse towards the sight where you found the bones of the ghost you needed to salt and burn- just behind the warehouse funnily enough- though not before parking the impala nearby for easier access for a quick getaway should the situation became too dire for you to handle single-handedly.

You nabbed the gasoline from the back of the impala and dumped the whole canister onto the bones before struggling to set the match alight that soon sent the bones into an fiery inferno. Ending the ghost’s reign of terror.

After concluding the case, you dragged your battered and bruised self back to the Impala, groaning in discomfort as you shifted into the driver seat before driving back to 35 Portland Row, London, aka where the people you’ve considered family were waiting.

By the time you got back to Lockwood and Co, you were barely able to stand from both your injuries and the fatigue that was quick to catch up to you directly after the adrenaline rush wore off. “Ah shit.” You cursed under your breath when you noticed that one of the wounds you’ve sustained was starting to bleed and were quick to press a hand against it as you stumbled in through the hallway.

“Y/n?” George’s voice called from the kitchen as his footsteps were quick and hurried as though he was in a rush to see you. “I’m fine!” You called out but it was too late to hide anything as George was stood across from you in the hallway, his dark, expressive eyes glanced from one wound to another. “Are you hurt? That’s a stupid question because You look hurt.” his rambling came to a stop when he saw the pain flash across your face as you put down more pressure on one of your more concerning wounds, “I’m okay.” You grunted.

“Okay? Are you sure everything’s okay because to me it looks like your bleeding out in the middle of the hallway.”

“It’s tomato sauce.” You defended as George was then set off into another rambling rant as he ride himself of his apron, tossing it onto one of the backs of the chairs before rushing to your side to support your weight as he helped you to the bathroom where the first aid was safely kept.

“George, I can patch myself up.” You whined as you were sat on the toilet seat whilst George pulled out the first aid kit, shooting you an concerned glare as his eyes once again scanned of your form. “Not in that state your not,” he tells you, “you look at though you went at it with a cinder block for a concerning amount of time and won by pure dumb luck.”

You couldn’t help but chuckle which only ended in you wincing in pain. “Stop making me laugh, I’m hurt and blessing all over the toilet seat.” You whined lightly.

“So you’re finally admitting that your not okay and that mysterious red stuff standing the carpet down stairs isn’t tomato sauce? Gee, nice to know and here I thought you were just pulling a belated April fools prank on me.” He utters sarcastically as he pulled together everything he needed before patching you up gingerly.

[reasonsforhope]

"Although methane is harmful in its effect on our climate, a new study of the greenhouse gas shows that its effects are not as intense as previously thought.

The biggest sources of methane gas emissions come from coal, oil, and gas development, although emissions from agriculture is probably the most heavily publicized.

As the planet absorbs heat from the sun, it would naturally radiate this long-wave energy back out into space. But greenhouse gasses trap the heat inside the atmosphere, causing ‘the greenhouse effect’.

Scientists at the University of California-Riverside have now found that methane also absorbs short-wave energy, which, through the creation of cooling clouds, actually cancels 30% of its own heat (the heat which the gas has created in the greenhouse effect).

Specifically, it creates more low-level clouds that offset the short-wave energy from the sun and fewer high-level clouds which increase the outward radiation of long-wave energy from the Earth.

“This has implications for understanding in more detail how methane and perhaps other greenhouses gases can impact the climate system,” said Robert Allen, UCR assistant professor of Earth sciences. “Shortwave absorption softens the overall warming and rain-increasing effects but does not eradicate them at all.”

They also found, as Allen says, that methane cancels 60% of increased levels of precipitation predicted under global warming models—yet more good news for cities and towns around flood zones.

For a number of reasons, this could be a revolutionary discovery. The EPA says that methane’s greenhouse effect is 34 times that of CO2.

Using the U.S. as an example, methane accounts for only around 10% of the nation’s emissions. The lifespan of a methane molecule in terms of its harmful affect on climate is around 9 years.

This means that methane emitted 9 years ago is no longer causing a greenhouse effect. By contrast, the greenhouse effect of CO2 molecules is more than 1,000 years.

For years, climate scientists have known that methane was a critical greenhouse gas for humanity to target, but now we can create more accurate models that reflect how methane is 30% less harmful than we thought and it counteracts 60% of its own harmful rain effects."

-via Good News Network, 3/28/23

The study was published in the renowned journal Nature, and there's a full open access copy here!

[compneuropapers]

Interesting Papers for Week 40, 2024

Impact of Extracellular Current Flow on Action Potential Propagation in Myelinated Axons. Abdollahi, N., & Prescott, S. A. (2024). Journal of Neuroscience, 44(26), e0569242024.

Prefrontal coding of learned and inferred knowledge during REM and NREM sleep. Abdou, K., Nomoto, M., Aly, M. H., Ibrahim, A. Z., Choko, K., Okubo-Suzuki, R., … Inokuchi, K. (2024). Nature Communications, 15, 4566.

Distinct basal ganglia contributions to learning from implicit and explicit value signals in perceptual decision-making. Balsdon, T., Pisauro, M. A., & Philiastides, M. G. (2024). Nature Communications, 15, 5317.

Hebbian priming of human motor learning. Bjørndal, J. R., Beck, M. M., Jespersen, L., Christiansen, L., & Lundbye-Jensen, J. (2024). Nature Communications, 15, 5126.

The well‐worn route revisited: Striatal and hippocampal system contributions to familiar route navigation. Buckley, M., McGregor, A., Ihssen, N., Austen, J., Thurlbeck, S., Smith, S. P., … Lew, A. R. (2024). Hippocampus, 34(7), 310–326.

Ouvrai opens access to remote virtual reality studies of human behavioural neuroscience. Cesanek, E., Shivkumar, S., Ingram, J. N., & Wolpert, D. M. (2024). Nature Human Behaviour, 8(6), 1209–1224.

Two distinct networks for encoding goals and forms of action: An effective connectivity study. Di Cesare, G., Lombardi, G., Zeidman, P., Urgen, B. A., Sciutti, A., Friston, K. J., & Rizzolatti, G. (2024). Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 121(26), e2402282121.

Conductance-based dendrites perform Bayes-optimal cue integration. Jordan, J., Sacramento, J., Wybo, W. A. M., Petrovici, M. A., & Senn, W. (2024). PLOS Computational Biology, 20(6), e1012047.

Subpopulations of neurons in the perirhinal cortex enable both modality-specific and modality-invariant recognition of objects. Lim, H.-Y., & Lee, I. (2024). PLOS Biology, 22(6), e3002713.

Hippocampal and orbitofrontal neurons contribute to complementary aspects of associative structure. Lin, H., & Zhou, J. (2024). Nature Communications, 15, 5283.

A vast space of compact strategies for effective decisions. Ma, T., & Hermundstad, A. M. (2024). Science Advances, 10(25).

The direction of theta and alpha travelling waves modulates human memory processing. Mohan, U. R., Zhang, H., Ermentrout, B., & Jacobs, J. (2024). Nature Human Behaviour, 8(6), 1124–1135.

Mental navigation in the primate entorhinal cortex. Neupane, S., Fiete, I., & Jazayeri, M. (2024). Nature, 630(8017), 704–711.

Low and high beta rhythms have different motor cortical sources and distinct roles in movement control and spatiotemporal attention. Nougaret, S., López-Galdo, L., Caytan, E., Poitreau, J., Barthélemy, F. V., & Kilavik, B. E. (2024). PLOS Biology, 22(6), e3002670.

Striatal Dopamine Contributions to Skilled Motor Learning. Phillips, C. D., Hodge, A. T., Myers, C. C., Leventhal, D. K., & Burgess, C. R. (2024). Journal of Neuroscience, 44(26), e0240242024.

Visuo-motor updating in individuals with heightened autistic traits. Pomè, A., & Zimmermann, E. (2024). eLife, 13, e94946.3.

Spindle-locked ripples mediate memory reactivation during human NREM sleep. Schreiner, T., Griffiths, B. J., Kutlu, M., Vollmar, C., Kaufmann, E., Quach, S., … Staudigl, T. (2024). Nature Communications, 15, 5249.

Disruption of dopamine D2/D3 system function impairs the human ability to understand the mental states of other people. Schuster, B. A., Sowden, S., Rybicki, A. J., Fraser, D. S., Press, C., Hickman, L., … Cook, J. L. (2024). PLOS Biology, 22(6), e3002652.

A prefrontal motor circuit initiates persistent movement. Wang, Y., & Sun, Q.-Q. (2024). Nature Communications, 15, 5264.

Decomposition of an odorant in olfactory perception and neural representation. Ye, Y., Wang, Y., Zhuang, Y., Tan, H., Zuo, Z., Yun, H., … Zhou, W. (2024). Nature Human Behaviour, 8(6), 1150–1162.

[orchestratedemotion]

The lovely @glasscushion tagged me to talk about 2024 books and I'm all too happy to oblige!

In this essay you will learn that I've never known peace... anyway. If you'd like an unedited ramble about books, please read on!

University completely ruined my ability to read for fun. Books were my first love, prior to high school I easily read 50+ books a year. In high school this dropped to 30-ish, and post high school, well. I was averaging maybe 5 books a year.

2024 was my first year of post-grad, full-time work and I finally remembered that books are a thing that you read, they're not just decorative. I started with a goal of 12, made that 25 when I smashed that in May, and finally finished the year on 30.

Working in public policy put me (a non-fiction fiend at heart) into an environment full of well-read people with great recommendations, so my 2024 reads were mostly non-fiction. I have a background in public health and genetics, this is definitely reflected in my reads. There was also some political commentary in there, a lot of critical thinking about the future of AI, and a handful of F1 releases.

My top 5 non-fiction reads:

Empire of Pain - Patrick Radden Keefe. A delve into America's opioid crisis through the lens of a New York Times journalist. It's 500 pages but didn't feel like it, I flew through it like it was the most gripping novel. I would recommend to anyone who loves long-form or investigative journalism.

Code Breaker - Walter Isaacson. This is an accessible yet interesting look at the long history and development of the CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology and explores it's incredible potential and the surrounding ethical considerations.

The Coming Wave - Mustafa Suleyman. What will the future of AI look like, and what do we as a society need to do to prevent the worst case scenarios that people love to throw around? A call for guardrails and effective AI policy.

Maybe You Should Talk To Someone - Lori Gottlieb. I really do love a memoir. The story of a therapist and her therapist, overlaid against the stories of her own patients.

Shortest Way Home - Pete Buttigieg. The memoir strikes again, and what can I say? I'm a sucker for an eloquent man with a brain and a moral compass.

Bonus: My Brother's Ashes are in a Sandwich Bag - Michelle Brasier. You HAVE to listen to this one as an audiobook. Michelle is a comedian, using comedy to process the death of her father and brother to genetic cancer which will almost certainly impact her at some point in her life. I've never laughed and cried so hard simultaneously. Her storytelling style is so me, I've never felt so seen.

My fiction reads tend to be mostly literary fiction, in 2025 my goal is to diversify the voices I read. I only read 7 fiction books in 2024 so a top 5 seems ridiculous, but I loved:

The Work - Bri Lee. I am fond of Bri as a non-fiction writer. I've devoured all of her work and love her Substack, so couldn't wait to get my hands on her debut novel.

The Pairing - Casey McQuiston. Anything Casey releases I will love, this one is no different. I yearn for Europe with good food and wine, so this was always going to be the book for me.

Open Water - Caleb Azumah Nelson. I'm late to the party on this one, but this tiny little book gets under your skin and packs a punch.

I've already finished 5 books for 2025, I'm trying to get back to my roots and finish 52 - I'm excited to give it a go. I've joined the reading challenge of my local book store and a few different book clubs, mostly to try and increase my fiction intake and get out of my comfort zone. (I'm reading Pride and Prejudice rn! She's a classics girly now!)

Wish me luck, see you for the 2025 wrap up. If you've made it this far, please talk to me about books! Follow @ caitrambles on Storygraph!

[ivysb]

How to Successfully Choose a Thesis Topic and Plan your Thesis?

Choosing a Thesis Topic: A Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Identify Your Interests

Reflect on past experiences to identify coursework or subjects that excited you.

Explore current trends by checking out current events or fresh research in your field.

Engage with the community by attending academic seminars or workshops.

Consult literature by reading relevant scholarly articles and books.

Create a list of 5-10 topics that genuinely excite you.

Step 2: Conduct Preliminary Research

Perform a literature review using databases like Google Scholar to find existing literature related to your topics.

Assess the availability of resources, ensuring there are enough books, articles, or data sets available for each chosen topic.

Consider time constraints by evaluating how much time you have and the extent of data collection required.

Refine your ideas as you uncover information and narrow your list based on feasibility and engagement.

Document your findings by keeping organized notes with citations for future reference.

Step 3: Consult with Advisors and Peers

Prepare questions before your meetings with advisors and peers.

Be open-minded, listening carefully and being willing to explore alternative ideas.

Engage in dialogue during meetings, discussing your thoughts about each topic and inviting feedback.

Seek multiple perspectives by connecting with more than one advisor or peer.

Follow up after discussions, reflecting on the feedback and reaching out with new questions if necessary.

Step 4: Narrow Down Your Options

Assess the relevance of each topic and how it contributes to your field.

Choose topics that genuinely excite you to maintain passion and dedication throughout the writing process.

Determine the feasibility of your chosen topics by evaluating access to data and resources.

Ensure originality by looking for topics that offer a chance for fresh research.

Make sure your selected topic adheres to your institution's thesis requirements.

Step 5: Define Your Research Question

Be specific, avoiding broad questions that are hard to tackle.

Ensure the question can be answered through research and investigation.

Focus on relevance by exploring a gap in your field.

Aim for a question that requires analysis rather than a straightforward yes or no response.

Draft several versions of your research question and test them against your criteria to identify the strongest one.

Planning Your Thesis/ Project

Step 1: Create a Project Timeline

Define key milestones, such as when to complete your literature review or draft specific chapters.

Set specific deadlines for each milestone to maintain accountability.

Adjust your timeline for flexibility by considering buffer time for unexpected challenges.

Use project management tools or digital calendars to visually maintain your timeline.

Regularly review your timeline and adjust it as necessary to stay on track.

Step 2: Break Down the Project into Manageable Tasks

Create a thorough list of tasks needed to complete your thesis, covering everything from research to formatting.

Prioritize tasks by identifying which are most critical and should be tackled first.

Set short-term goals to provide a sense of accomplishment with every completed task.

Develop daily or weekly plans to track your progress and keep motivation high.

Celebrate small wins to boost your morale.

Step 3: Conduct Thorough Research

Use diverse sources, like journal articles and interviews, for a well-rounded understanding.

Take detailed notes and organize them clearly, whether you use digital tools or notebooks.

Manage citations with tools like Citationsy to help track references effortlessly.

Stay updated by continuously following recent studies related to your topic.

Critically assess the credibility and relevance of your sources, using high-impact journals to strengthen your thesis.

Step 4: Write and Revise Your Thesis

Establish a writing routine by dedicating specific times each day or week to write.

Outline your thesis first to structure it effectively and clarify the flow of your arguments.

Focus on drafting without getting too hung up on perfection; getting your ideas out is the priority.

Allow time for substantial revisions once your draft is complete, reading your thesis aloud to highlight issues with flow and clarity.

Regularly remind yourself of the purpose behind your research to maintain enthusiasm.

Step 5: Seek Feedback and Make Improvements

Choose trusted reviewers familiar with your field for honest, constructive feedback.

Approach feedback as an opportunity for improvement rather than criticism.

Incorporate feedback to make revisions, and don’t hesitate to ask for more rounds of input if required.

If any feedback is unclear, ask follow-up questions for clarification.

Conduct a thorough check of your thesis for clarity, coherence, and an overall polished presentation.

These are some of the suggestions that work for me. I hope you will also find them helpful.

Stay persistent, remain curious, and embrace the process.

[juniperpublishers-crdoj]

Association between Complement System, Inflammatory Cytokines and Glucose Control in Obese Subjects

Authored by Essam H Jiffri

Abstract

Background:Obesity is frequently characterized by chronic systemic inflammation and insulin resistance (IR). Obesity-associated low grade systemic inflammation is responsible for the complement system activation of which the third component (C3) plays the central role.

Objective:This study aimed to detect the association between complement system, inflammatory cytokines and glucose control in obese subjects.

Methods:Seventy-nine volunteers obese subjects were interviewed, only 68 of them met eligibility criteria, signed the consent form to participate in this study. Their age ranged from 26-43 years and their body mass index (BMI) ranged from 30 to 37kg/m2. In the other hand sixty lean subjects (BMI ≤25 kg/m2) were participated in the study as a control group, the mean age was 36.18±5.84 year and body mass index (BMI) was ≤25kg/m2. All participants who were assigned into two groups, group (A) consisted of 68 obese subjects and group (B) consisted of 60 lean subjects.

Results: The mean values of HBA1c, HOMA-IR, C3, C4, TNF-α, Il-6, CRP were significantly higher in the obese group than in the lean control group. In the other hand, the mean value of QUICKI was significantly lower in the obese group than in the lean control group. However, HBA1c and HOMA-IR showed a strong direct relationship with C3, C4, TNF-α, Il-6 and CRP, while QUICKI showed a strong inverse relationship with C3, C4, TNF-α, Il-6 and CRP in the obese group (P<0.05).

Conclusion:The present study suggests that in obese subjects there is an association between complement system, inflammatory cytokines and glucose control.

Keywords: Complement system; Cytokines; Obesity; Glucose control

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Introduction

Recently, Obesity is a global medical problem as it affects about 13% of population worldwide [1]. Obesity is usually associated with impaired insulin sensitivity and insulin resistance [2,3]. Adipose tissue is a storage site and has secretory functions for some secretions of certain biological functions [4]. In addition, adipose tissues has adipocytes and non-adipocytes that include immune cells [5]. Adipose tissue in obese subjects contribute to excessive hepatic production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and serum complement proteins 3 &4 (C3 & C4) [6], which are associated with cardiovascular risk factors, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) [7,8]. However, there was an association between C3 & C4 with body mass index (BMI) and fat mass [9].

It is well-established that inflammation in obesity is characterized by a low-grade systemic inflammation [10] that leads to an increase in pro-inflammatory proteins such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) [11] and some components of complement system [12]. The complement system is mainly associated with innate immunity. However, recent studies have shown that this system is involved in metabolic events [13]. The majority of complement components are synthesized mainly by hepatocytes, but also can be produced by other cells such as macrophages and adipocytes [14]. Recently, it was demonstrated that serum complement factor 3 (C3) synthesis can be up-regulated by pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and interleukin- 1 beta (IL-1β), while serum complement factor 4 (C4) can be influenced by gamma interferon (IFN-γ) [15,16]. This study aimed to detect the association between complement system, inflammatory cytokines and glucose control in obese subjects.

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Patients and Methods

Subjects

Seventy-nine volunteers obese subjects were interviewed, only 68 of them met eligibility criteria, signed the consent form to participate in the study at the Internal Medicine Department at King Abdul Aziz University Hospital. Participants were enrolled between January 2017 and April 2017. Scientific research ethical committee of the Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University approved this study. Their age ranged from 26-43 years and their body mass index (BMI) ranged from 30 to 37kg/m2. While, the exclusion criteria were pregnant women, smoking, patients with body mass index ≥40kg/m2, subjects taking any medications or herbal supplements, respiratory infection, liver, cardiovascular, renal, endocrine and thyroid diseases. In the other hand sixty lean subjects (BMI ≤25kg/m2) were participated in the study as a control group, the mean age was 36.18±5.84 year and body mass index (BMI) was ≤25kg/ m2. All participants who were enrolled into two groups, group (A) consisted of 68 obese subjects and group (B) consisted of 60 lean subjects.

Measurements

For all subjects, independent assessors who were blinded to group assignment and not involved in the routine treatment of the patients performed clinical evaluations and laboratory analysis. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated on the basis of weight (kilograms) and height (meters), and subjects were classified as normal weight (BMI 18.5-24.9kg/m2), overweight (BMI 25-29.9kg/m2), and obese (BMI ≥30kg/m2).

Measurement of inflammatory cytokines: Venous blood samples after a 12-hours fasting were centrifuged at +4 °C (1000=g for 10min). Interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were analyzed by “Immulite 2000” immunassay analyzer (Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics, Deerfield, USA). However, tumor necrosis factoralpha (TNF-α) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were measured by ELISA kits (ELX 50) in addition to ELISA microplate reader (ELX 808; BioTek Instruments, USA).

Serum glucose, insulin and insulin resistance tests: Plasma glucose concentration and insulin were determined (Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Mannheim, Germany) using commercially available assay kits. Insulin resistance was assessed by homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR). HOMAIR = [fasting blood glucose (mmol/l) fasting insulin (mIU/ ml)]/22.5 [17]. However, insulin sensitivity was assessed by The quantitative insulin-sensitivity check index (QUICKI) using the formula: QUICKI=1/[log(insulin) + log(glucose)] [18]. All serum samples were analyzed in duplicates.

Measurement of complement system function: Biomarkers of C3 and C4 concentrations were measured from frozen serum samples stored at -80 °C by the immunochemiluminometric method (Advia Centaur XP, Siemens, Berlin, Germany).

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Statistical Analysis

SPSS (Chicago, IL, USA) version 21 was used for statistical analysis of data. Quantitative variables were described as mean±SD. An independent t-test was used to compare mean values of each parameter among the groups. To observe possible relationships between C3, C4, HBA1c, HOMA-IR, QUICKI, TNF-α, Il-6, CRP, Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r) was used. All assumptions were carefully appreciated in each model we followed. All variables with p- value less than 0.05 were considered as statistical significance.

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Results

Detailed baseline characteristics of the obese group and the lean group presented in Table 1. Comparison between both groups regarding baseline variables showed that there was no statistically significant difference between the both groups as regards age and gender, while the rest of variables the obese group showed significant differences (Table 1).

BMI: Body Mass Index; HDL-c: High-density Lipoprotein Cholesterol; LDL-c: Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol; (*) indicates a significant difference between groups, P < 0.05.

C3: Serum Complement Factor 3; C4: Serum Complement Factor 4; HBA1c: Glycosylated Hemoglobin; HOMA-IR: Homeostasis Model Assessment-Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) Index; QUICKI: The Quantitative Insulin-Sensitivity Check Index; TNF-α: Tumor Necrosis Factor -Alpha; IL-6: Interleukin-6; CRP: C-reactive Protein; (*) indicates a significant difference between groups, P<0.05.The mean values of HBA1c, HOMA-IR, C3, C4, TNF-α, Il-6, CRP were significantly higher in the obese group than in the lean control group. In the other hand, the mean value of QUICKI was significantly lower in the obese group than in the lean control group (Table 2). However, HBA1c and HOMA-IR showed a strong direct relationship with C3, C4, TNF-α ,Il-6 and CRP, while QUICKI showed a strong inverse relationship with C3, C4, TNF-α, Il-6 and CRP in the obese group (Table 3) (P < 0.05).

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Discussion

Obesity is usually associated with systemic low-grade inflammation which is responsible for complement system and macrophage infiltration [19,20]. which are linked with insulin resistance, T2DM and metabolic syndrome [21]. The complement system is mainly associated with innate immunity in addition to be involved in metabolic events [22]. Certainly, complement components C3 and C4 are associated with diabetes cardiovascular risk and the metabolic syndrome [23-25].

Concerning inflammatory markers, the results of the present study showed significantly higher values of TNF-α, IL-6 and CRP in obese than the lean control group. Researchers have found that plasma levels of CRP, TNF-α, IL-6 and other inflammatory mediators are elevated in subjects with obesity [26-28]. In correlation analysis, HBA1c and HOMA-IR showed a strong direct relationship with TNF-α, Il-6 and CRP, while QUICKI showed a strong inverse relationship with TNF-α, Il-6 and CRP in the obese group. Our findings are similar to many case-controlled researches demonstrated a direct association between HbA1c and inflammatory cytokines [29-36].

Regarding the values of C3 and C4, the present study showed significantly higher values of C3 and C4 in the obese group than the lean group. Our findings agreed with Wlazlo & colleagues [37] enrolled 532 individuals in their cohort study and reported that there was an association between the degree of body fat and the C3 level [37]. However, several studies reported that C3 and C4 correlated with CRP and other inflammatory markers [38,39]. However, in correlation analysis, HBA1c and HOMA-IR showed a strong direct relationship with C3 and C4, while QUICKI showed a strong inverse relationship with C3 and C4 in the obese group. Our findings agreed with Phillips et al. [40] reported that among 1754 with metabolic syndrome, they found an association between C3 and insulin resistance, abdominal obesity, low HDL and smoking [40]. Similarly, Koistinen et al. [41] reported that C3 level was associated with insulin resistance in in obese nondiabetic subjects and type 2 diabetics [41]. In addition, Onat & colleagues [42] conducted a cohort study on 1220 adult subjects of general population and they reported that C3 level was associated significantly with waist circumference, triglycerides, CRP, smoking and insulin resistance [42]. Moreover, Wlazlo et al. [43] conducted a 7-year prospective analysis on type 2 diabetes mellitus and found an independent association between C3 level and insulin resistance [43]. In the other hand, Bratti & colleagues [44] reported that C3 and C4 were significantly higher with positive correlation with HOMA-IR in morbidly obese patients than lean subjects, while following bariatric surgery there was reduction in triacylglycerol and increase in HDL and insulin sensitivity 6months following surgery [44].

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Conclusion

The present study suggests that in obese subjects there is an association between complement system, inflammatory cytokines and glucose control.

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Acknowledgment

The author thanks Prof. Mohammed Tayeb for his skillful assistance in selection of participants, laboratory analysis and during clamp procedures of this study. In addition, author is grateful for the cooperation and support of all patients who participated in this study.

To Know More About Current Research in Diabetes & Obesity Journal  Please click on: https://juniperpublishers.com/crdoj/index.php

To Know More About Open Access Journals Please click on: https://juniperpublishers.com/index.php

[ygodmyy20]

Hello, I hear you have many thoughts on open access publishing? 👀

Okdoki Texas I have had enough time to gather my thoughts!

BIG caveat. I haven't worked in academic publishing sphere in over a year. Things change often and there likely are things I just (not being in the industry any more) don't know because I am not in the thick of it. I also am not an academic, I have never published in a journal. I just worked in the industry.

another also (so many I just, want to make sure I am super clear) anything with academia is complex, and there is no one perfect answer. There are a myriad of things that academic publishing is grappling with that isn't just OA publishing. But I'll just touch on OA publishing here!

Useful links that can probably give better definitions on things than I ever could:

^ DORA is related to publishing but i won't talk much about it here. Another issue with academic publishing is how journals are ranked. Which.....i am not gonna go into but if you search Journal Impact Factor you can find more info. (legit its like, academic publishing is a big iceberg hahahah)

First off, a brief def of what Open Access Publishing is:

OA Publishing is "A publication is defined 'open access' when there are no financial, legal or technical barriers to accessing it (source)." That is the best definition that exists. But OA journals are also characterized by funding models which do not require the reader to pay to read the journal's contents, relying instead on author fees or on public funding, subsidies and sponsorships. 

Within that are many types of OA publishing. Gold, Green, Diamond and more. You can find those definitions in the source link above on OA publishing.

Now, non-open access journals cover publishing costs through access tolls such as subscriptions, site licenses or pay-per-view charges. These are paywalled journals.

Open Access Publishing was created because research and knowledge was and is getting locked behind paywalls. For example, if I want to look up research on say....ADHD medication.

I do a search. I find this:

Paywall. Luckily I can gleam a good bit from the abstract they provide and they share some key highlights. But I cannot read the full text.

So now where do I go? I can try and dig around and find reddit or other articles on other sites, but what if I really wanted to read the research? What if i don't want to read an opinion piece on it? I can't. I have to pay for it (cuz I am not affiliated with a university) or find it somewhere else.

Open access reduces those paywalls so I can read that research if I want to.

However, worth noting, it isn't always a perfect model, as certain side effects have come up like an increase in predatory journals, incredibly high author costs, "double dipping" by large publishers (i.e., a journal charging an author fee and still charging libraries and institutions a subscription cost to the journal) and others.

At the same time, I fully back OA publishing over the old model because the locking of knowledge behind paywalls is too big an issue to ignore. Everyone deserves to be able to access research. And publishers are making so much fucking money off of research they didn't DO. (IN some cases an author is PAYING a journal to publish their journal and then the journal charges others to access and its like I AM SORRY????)

Reminder: You can always email an author and ask for their paper. They likely will send the PDF to you. They WANT their research to be read (bc my god the time it takes to publish a paper is insane.)

I am not the right person to give recommendations on how to publish. It is so dependent on your field of study, the journals in your discipline, etc. Most often, a professor or advisor will help with those decisions, but I think more younger academics should ask questions. Understand what OA is, and see if there are any OA journals in their field that would be a good fit for their research.

Anyway I hope that was helpful or interesting, Texas!! Again I am not sure I have any hot takes, I still just feel strongly about the dissemination of research to the public.

[phdpioneers]

How to Choose the Perfect Research Topic for Your PhD

Choosing the right research topic is one of the most critical decisions you’ll make during your PhD journey. Your topic will guide your years of research, shape your academic career, and determine your contribution to your field. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you select the perfect research topic.

1. Start with Your Interests, The best research stems from genuine curiosity. Reflect on the areas in your field that excite you the most. Ask yourself:What topics have always intrigued me?Which problems do I feel passionate about solving?When you’re deeply interested in your topic, you’ll find it easier to stay motivated, even during challenging phases of your PhD.

2. Assess Current Research Trends Stay updated with the latest developments in your field by:Reading recent journal articles and reviews.Attending conferences and webinars.Networking with researchers.Identify gaps in the literature—areas that need further exploration. A good research topic often addresses unanswered questions or builds upon recent findings.

3. Balance Ambition and FeasibilityWhile it’s important to aim high, your topic must also be manageable within the timeframe and resources of your PhD program. Consider:Time: Can you realistically complete this research in 3–5 years?Resources: Do you have access to the required data, equipment, or funding?Scope: Is the topic narrow enough to allow for in-depth analysis but broad enough to be meaningful?

4. Seek Guidance from Your SupervisorYour supervisor is a valuable resource. Discuss your ideas with them to gain insights into the relevance, scope, and potential impact of your proposed topic. They can also help you refine your research question and connect you with helpful resources or collaborators.

5. Align with Your Career GoalsThink long-term. Choose a topic that aligns with your aspirations, whether you plan to pursue a career in academia, industry, or entrepreneurship. A well-chosen topic can open doors to opportunities, collaborations, and recognition in your field.

For further research assistance reach out to us on our whatsapp https://wa.me/919424229851/

[strathoa]

Twitter turbulences and their impact on Altmetric scores: a follow-up

Pablo de Castro, Open Access Advocacy Librarian at U Strathclyde

As stated in the previous post on this topic a month and a half ago, we continue to look into this issue of the possible impact of the "twitter instability" on Altmetric scores as a proxy for social impact of research.

The bad news first: the Altmetric score for the March 2023 paper in the European Journal of Human Genetics that the previous post was looking into has barely climbed despite all the media attention. As of May 6th, 2023 the score for this paper is "just" 124. This is of course one order of magnitude higher than it was a month and a half ago, but it's still rather low (see the good news bit below). The silver lining is that all the references in the news seem to have been incorporated to the score – there's 14 of them recorded in the Altmetric page.

The good news is that some publications are still able to grow very high Altmetric scores quite quickly. See for instance this PLoS Genetics paper "Imputed genomes and haplotype-based analyses of the Picts of early medieval Scotland reveal fine-scale relatedness between Iron Age, early medieval and the modern people of the UK" by A Morez (Liverpool John Moores University) et al at.

This paper, also on the topic of paleogenetics/ancient DNA and also with a key input from the University of Aberdeen (by Linus Girdland-Flink and his team), was only published on Apr 27th, 2023, i.e. just over a week ago. Its Altmetric score as of May 6th is 1,363, resulting from 166 identified mentions in news outlets and 152 tweeters. This means first and foremost that Altmetric scores seem to remain a reliable proxy for social impact of research (though the exploration continues).

It also means that the authors of this more recent paper in PLoS Genetics have probably taken a more proactive approach to dissemination within a closely-knit international community in the discipline. The journal of choice also plays an important role here – the Public Library of Science is an Open Access publisher and pioneered the adoption of article-level metrics quite a long time ago. On top of all this, the publication has been picked by AlphaGalileo, who have published and interview with the first author at Liverpool John Moores University.

A short introductory talk "Exploring Prehistory with Ancient DNA" delivered within the Aberdeen Little Lectures by Linus Girdland-Flink back in 2020 is available on YouTube, proving the point on proactiveness and international collaborative work in the discipline.

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IFTM University Moradabad: An In-Depth Overview

Introduction:

Located in Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, IFTM University is a renowned establishment that presents a wide array of programs in engineering, management, pharmacy, law, sciences, and several other fields. Since its founding, the university has been dedicated to delivering high-quality education, research initiatives, and skills enhancement for students from diverse disciplines.

Accreditation and Recognition:

IFTM University Moradabad is acknowledged by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and sanctioned by regulatory institutions such as AICTE (All India Council for Technical Education), PCI (Pharmacy Council of India), and BCI (Bar Council of India). The university adheres to national educational criteria, ensuring that its degrees are recognized throughout India for advanced studies and employment prospects.

Courses and Programs:

The university provides an extensive range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral courses across various fields:

Engineering & Technology (B.Tech, M.Tech, Ph.D.)

Management & Commerce (BBA, MBA, Ph.D.)

Pharmacy (D.Pharm, B.Pharm, M.Pharm, Ph.D.)

Law (LLB, BA LLB, LLM)

Science & Agriculture (B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D.)

Education & Humanities (B.Ed, M.Ed, MA, Ph.D.)

Journalism & Mass Communication (BJMC, MJMC)

Infrastructure and Facilities:

IFTM University boasts a well-designed campus with state-of-the-art infrastructure, ensuring an enriching academic experience. Key facilities include:

Spacious Classrooms & Labs: Furnished with cutting-edge technology and hands-on learning resources.

Library: An extensive collection of books, academic journals, and digital materials.

Hostel Accommodation: Dedicated hostels for boys and girls, equipped with safety and necessary amenities.

Sports & Recreation: Outdoor fields, fitness centers, and indoor sports facilities.

Wi-Fi & Digital Learning: Internet access throughout the campus to support e-learning.

Faculty and Teaching Methodology:

With a team of seasoned educators holding significant academic and professional experience, the university excels in delivering impactful learning. The pedagogical approach incorporates theoretical instruction blended with practical experiences, case studies, research projects, and engagements with industry professionals. Regular guest lectures, workshops, and seminars are conducted to keep students informed of current industry trends.

Placement and Career Opportunities:

A significant aspect students evaluate when choosing a university is the placement assistance provided. IFTM University has an active Training & Placement Cell that aids students in finding internships and job positions. The cell collaborates with a variety of businesses, presenting openings in IT, engineering, pharmaceuticals, business management, and beyond. Notable companies that have recruited students from IFTM University include TCS, Wipro, HDFC Bank, Infosys, and Sun Pharma.

Research and Innovation:

IFTM University advocates for both students and faculty members to participate in research and innovative projects. The institution houses multiple research centers and engages in partnerships with industries to foster scientific breakthroughs, technological progress, and solutions to real-world challenges.

Student Life and Extracurricular Activities:

Beyond academics, IFTM University offers numerous avenues for students to partake in cultural, technical, and sporting events. Annual festivals, contests, and student organizations contribute to holistic personality growth. The university also endorses NCC and NSS programs to promote social responsibility and cultivate leadership skills in students.

Admission Process and Eligibility:

Entry to IFTM University is determined by merit and entrance assessments relevant to the chosen course. Prospective students can submit applications online via the university’s official site and provide the necessary documentation. Scholarships and financial support are available for eligible candidates.

Conclusion:

IFTM University, Moradabad, presents a well-rounded blend of academic rigor, industrial exposure, and extracurricular engagement. It is an excellent choice for learners aiming for a comprehensive education across various domains. Although placements and industry interaction are influenced by individual initiatives, the university offers abundant resources to assist students in achieving success in their careers.