Current Manifestations Research Articles

The Root Causes and Current Manifestations of the Gender Income Gap

The Root Causes and Current Manifestations of the Gender Income Gap

MPOX (Monkeypox): Current Epidemiology, Clinical Manifestations, and Advances in Treatment and Prevention Strategies

MPOX (formerly known as monkeypox) has emerged as a significant public health concern in recent years, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of its epidemiology, clinical manifestations, treatment options, prevention strategies, and global health impact. This literature review synthesizes the latest data on the spread and incidence of MPOX, with a focus on geographic distribution, affected populations, and emerging trends in transmission. The clinical presentation of MPOX, including symptoms, disease progression, and complications, is explored, with particular attention to variations across different demographics. Recent advances in the treatment of MPOX are analyzed, covering current antiviral therapies, the role of supportive care, and the potential of new treatments under investigation. Prevention strategies are also examined, highlighting the effectiveness of vaccination efforts, public health measures, and containment and control strategies. The review further considers the broader impact of MPOX on global health, discussing its implications for public health policy and pandemic preparedness. Through this comprehensive analysis, the review aims to provide a robust foundation for understanding MPOX and inform future research, clinical practice, and public health initiatives.

Manifestation and Management of Cultural Heritage: An Analysis of the Old Towns of Kenyan Coastal Region

The study examined the current manifestation of intangible and tangible cultural heritage of old towns of Lamu and Mombasa in the coastal region of Kenya, with a view of evaluating management efforts by heritage managers in the region. An exploratory research design with a mixed method approach was used to generate new ideas and assumptions regarding how cultural heritage is manifested. A sample size of 110 participants from both towns was selected through multistage cluster sampling, out of which 15 heritage managers, 40 community household leaders and 55 community elders were selected using purposive and snowball techniques. The study utilized semi structured interview guides, photography and observation as data collection methods. Descriptive analysis, content analysis-specifically attribution and designation analysis were used to analyze data. The study established that cultural heritage in the old towns is manifested through symbols, values and artefacts and architecture. Among the most evident manifestations in both old towns are in the form of wedding ceremonies, burial rituals, and limited cultural festivals especially during key religious practices Manifested architectural heritage undergoing shocks is restored for tourism purposes. However, intangible heritage is preserved, not for tourism purposes but as part of local’s way of life and as dictated by cultural values such as religion. Most organizations concerned with management of cultural heritage recognize its importance and have adapted reconstruction and restoration methods of tangible heritage especially old architecture. Among preferred recommendations were that tourism as the main economic activity in the region should be developed to benefit cultural heritage. The article advocates promoting resilience of heritage through gainful economic activities such as tourism to promote its posterity.

‘More Love Letters, Please!’: Portuguese Love and the Literary Legacy of Sincere Feeling

ABSTRACT: This essay traces the formation of the myth of Portuguese Love, and demonstrates both its transcultural reach and its importance for literary history. Sparked by the tragic love of Pedro and Inês de Castro, the notion of Portuguese Love was crystallized in seventeenth-century France by Lettres portugaises , influenced European letters for centuries, and became an enduring myth in Portuguese culture. Anchored by Roland Barthes’s critique of the contemporary disparagement of sentimental love, the essay argues that Portuguese Love’s continued affirmation, from nineteenth-century literary iterations to current manifestations, demonstrates the power of a discourse of genuine feeling to counter ideological appropriation.

Pedagogy of the oppressive: building the movement to abolish U.S. legal education

ABSTRACT This essay serves as an urgent cause for action and open call to envision the abolition of U.S. law schools. Traditional legal education’s current manifestation, I argue, serves as a unique system of socialization that advances harm in service of the USA as a settler nation-state. Through a historically grounded analysis of the law school as a project of exclusionary power, this essay identifies traditional U.S. legal education’s (1) pedagogical harm, in the imperial curriculum and instruction of law students; (2) structural harm, in the gatekeeping of legal knowledge; and (3) ideological harm, in the training of future lawyers as agents of settler-state power. Drawing from movements of scholarship-activism in critical legal pedagogy, rhetorical studies, and abolition, this essay proposes radical reforms to the law school as footholds toward freedom. In situating the law school as a critical zone of abolitionist struggle, this essay makes the case that rhetoricians, legal scholars, and advocates aligned with the work of liberation might join across disciplines, jurisdictions, and time to advance “non-reformist reforms” to traditional U.S. legal education. Only through conscious processes of reimagination, I insist, can we more forcefully contribute to the abolition of oppressive formations of power everywhere.

Molecular profiling of an Indian EB cohort - a single centre experience.

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) encompasses rare hereditary skin conditions marked by skin fragility, nail dystrophy, and minor trauma-induced skin blisters. This study aims to identify genetic variants in Indian EB patients and examine the relationship between genotypic and phenotypic manifestations. EB patients seen consecutively over a period of 5 years at Outpatient Department of Dermatology. Baseline demographic data, birth history, family history, skin manifestation at birth, past medical history, current cutaneous manifestations, and the evolution of the disease were assessed and recorded. Genetic variants were identified using targeted gene panel sequencing of 23 EB-related genes, and a genetic-phenotype analysis was performed. Our study included 65 patients with EB. Among 65 EB patients, 38 dystrophic EB cases (58.46%), 12 junctional EB (18.46%), 12 epidermolysis bullosa simplex (18.46%), and 3 Kindler EB (4.62%) were reported. Dominant and recessive forms of dystrophic EB accounted for 16.92% and 41.4%, respectively. We identified 75 unique genetic variants, 58.67% newly discovered and 41.33% previously reported. Compound heterozygous variations were more frequent (55.55%) than homozygous ones (44.44%) in recessive dystrophic EB patients. Junctional EB patients harboured LAMB3 gene mutations more frequently, while epidermolysis bullosa simplex patients showed KRT5 and KRT14 gene missense heterozygous mutations. Kindler EB patients had homozygous mutations in the FERTM1 gene. Our study unveiled several novel genetic variants; severe phenotypes associated with nonsense genetic variants. These findings offer valuable insights for future clinical assessments and tailored management strategies.

Emerging Landscape of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Senescence Mechanisms and Implications on Therapeutic Strategies.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) hold significant promise for regenerative medicine and tissue engineering due to their unique multipotent differentiation ability and immunomodulatory properties. MSC therapy is widely discussed and utilized in clinical treatment. However, during both in vitro expansion and in vivo transplantation, MSCs are prone to senescence, an irreversible growth arrest characterized by morphological, gene expression, and functional changes in genomic regulation. The microenvironment surrounding MSCs plays a crucial role in modulating their senescence phenotype, influenced by factors such as hypoxia, inflammation, and aging status. Numerous strategies targeting MSC senescence have been developed, including senolytics and senomorphic agents, antioxidant and exosome therapies, mitochondrial transfer, and niche modulation. Novel approaches addressing replicative senescence have also emerged. This paper comprehensively reviews the current molecular manifestations of MSC senescence, addresses the environmental impact on senescence, and highlights potential therapeutic strategies to mitigate senescence in MSC-based therapies. These insights aim to enhance the efficacy and understanding of MSC therapies.

Tropheryma whipplei Colonization in Adults and Children: A Prospective Study.

We conducted a prospective cohort study at the IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital in Negrar di Valpolicella from 2019 to 2021 to investigate the duration of T. whipplei colonization. In addition, the correlation between persistent colonization and the continent of origin, current treatment regimen, clinical manifestations, and parasite coinfection was evaluated. The cohort included subjects who were tested in a previous study (years 2014-2016) and found to be positive for T. whipplei DNA in fecal samples. Thirty-three subjects were enrolled in a prospective study between 2019 and 2021. Feces, saliva, urine, and blood were collected at baseline and after 12 months. Medical history, current treatment, and symptoms were recorded. Among them, 25% showed persistent intestinal or oral colonization, 50% had no colonization at both visits, and 25% had intermittent colonization. No association was found between persistent T. whipplei colonization and subjects' continent of origin, current treatment regimen, initial clinical manifestations, and parasite coinfection. The longest duration of persistent T. whipplei intestinal colonization exceeded six years, with 11 subjects presenting persistent positivity for more than three years, including 1 minor. Our research was limited by the lack of a strain-specific identification of T. whipplei that made it impossible to distinguish between persistence of the same T. whipplei strain, reinfection from household exposure, or infection by a new strain. Larger prospective studies are needed to further explore the implications of this persistence and determine the key factors influencing the duration of colonization and its potential health impacts.

Exploring the Nature and Evolution of Communication Design: Perspectives from China

The concept of communication design has emerged as a focal point of discussion within the design discourse in China, prompting diverse perspectives on its essence and scope. Within this discourse, divergent viewpoints have surfaced, with some advocating for the classification of communication design as a distinct methodology within the broader framework of design studies, while others advocate for its recognition as an interdisciplinary domain, bridging diverse realms of design expertise.At the crux of this ongoing debate lies the fundamental question of whether communication design primarily concerns the 'design of communication' or the 'communication of design.'? This conceptual ambiguity underscores the complexity inherent in defining and delineating the parameters of communication design within the Chinese context. Against this backdrop, this paper aims to provide a comprehensive exploration of the evolving discourse on communication design, examining its current manifestations, and speculating on future trajectories. This paper delves into the evolving discourse on communication design, despite the foundational contributions, communication design remains relatively uncharted territory in the Chinese academic landscape, lacking a universally accepted definition and comprehensive research framework. This paper underscores the imperative of clarifying the contours of communication design within the Chinese academic sphere, emphasizing its potential to enrich the discourse on design theory and practice. By elucidating its unique attributes and theoretical underpinnings, this study contributes to the ongoing dialogue surrounding the evolution and consolidation of communication design as a distinct discipline in China.

Oropouche virus – The “Newest” invisible public enemy?

This perspective underscores the rising challenge posed by emerging diseases against the backdrop of modern advancements in global public health understanding. It particularly highlights the emergence of the Oropouche virus (OROV) as a significant global threat, detailing its transmission dynamics, symptoms, and epidemiological impact, with a focus on its historical and current manifestations. It further delves into the molecular aspects of OROV, elucidating its unique characteristics, lack of structural similarity with other arboviruses, and the limited progress in medicinal chemistry research. Still, it highlights notable studies on potential antiviral agents and the challenges in drug development, emphasizing the need for innovative approaches such as structure-based drug design (SBDD) and drug repurposing. Finally, it concludes with a call to action, urging increased attention and research focus on OROV to prevent potential future pandemics fueled by viral mutations.

The American Psychological Association and antisemitism: Toward equity, diversity, and inclusion.

[Correction Notice: An Erratum for this article was reported online in American Psychologist on Jul 15 2024 (see record 2025-04658-001). In the article, three sentences and a reference were redacted related to proceedings against a university concerning its psychology program because appropriate context was not provided in the article. All versions of this article have been corrected.] This article calls for the American Psychological Association (APA) to proactively include the elimination of antisemitism or prejudice against Jewish people in its current mission to disassemble all forms of racism from its organization as well as society. In this article, Jews (estimated as 2.4% of the population) are defined as a people with a common identity, ethnicity, and religion as they experience prejudice; their intersection in Jewish identity; the history and characteristics of antisemitism and its current manifestation in public life, academic institutions, and psychology. Despite Jews having made major contributions to the development of psychology as a profession, historically through the first half of the 20th century, Jews were systematically discriminated against within the discipline of psychology through quotas for acceptance into graduate training, discriminatory employment practices in university psychology departments, and most egregiously through the espousing of "scientific racism" including eugenics by prominent leaders in the APA. We describe how historically leaders in the APA engaged in overt and covert antisemitism while the APA continues to do little or nothing to combat it. We then offer suggestions for the mitigation and elimination of this form of bias, discrimination, and hate as it once again escalates in society. We recommend that the APA engages in research about antisemitism, its predictors, consequences, and power; evaluates the efficacy of intervention programs; encourages contact with various multicultural minoritized groups; and disseminates knowledge to educate about the psychological effects of antisemitism. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Beyond nostalgia for the Herrenvolk industrial economy

In this response to Luger and Schwarze I concur that the meaning and application of the “post-industrial” is imprecise. In particular, I argue that current manifestations of the concept background the role of racism at generating the landscapes often solely attributed to deindustrialization.

Current understanding of ELF4 deficiency: a novel inborn error of immunity.

ELF4 deficiency has been recently recognized as a novel disorder within the spectrum of inborn errors of immunity (IEIs), specifically categorized as a "disease of immune dysregulation." Cases of this condition, reported by our team and others, are very limited worldwide. As such, our current knowledge of this new disease remains preliminary.This review aims to provide a brief overview of the clinical manifestations, pathogenesis, and treatment strategies for this novel IEI. A comprehensive review was conducted after an extensive literature search in the PubMed/Medline database and websites concerning transcriptional factor ELF4 and reports concerning patients with ELF4 deficiency. Our search strategy was "ELF4 OR ETS-related transcription factor Elf-4 OR EL4-like factor 4 OR myeloid Elf-1-like factor" as of the time of manuscript submission. The current signature manifestations of ELF4 deficiency disorder are recurrent and prolonged oral ulcer, abdominal pain, and diarrhea in pediatric males. In some cases, immunodeficiency and autoimmunity can also be prominent. Targeted Sanger sequencing or whole exome sequencing can be used to detect variation in ELF4 gene. Western blotting for ELF4 expression of the patient's cells can confirm the pathogenic effect of the variant. To fully confirm the pathogenicity of the variant, further functional test is strongly advised. Glucocorticoid and biologics are the mainstream management of ELF4 deficiency disorder. Pediatric males presenting with recurring ulcerations in digestive tract epithelium with or without recurrent fever should be suspected of DEX. When atypical presentations are prominent, variations in ELF4 gene should be carefully evaluated functionally due to the complex nature of ELF4 function. Experience of treating DEX includes use of glucocorticoid and biologics and more precise treatment needs more patients to identify and further mechanistic study.

Role of history of traumatic life experiences in current psychosomatic manifestations.

Although the relationship between traumatic experiences (TEs) and psychosomatic manifestations (pain, somatization, somatosensory amplification [SSA], and alexithymia) has been widely described, very few studies have investigated how these variables correlate with each other and with a history of TEs. The aim of this study was to investigate whether and how current psychosomatic manifestations are correlated with major and minor adult- and childhood TEs. One hundred and forty-six patients (91 with pain) from the Pisa Gift Institute for Integrative Medicine Psychosomatics Lab., Italy, were assessed for pain, history of TEs (divided into major and minor based on whether or not they meet the DSM-5 Criterion A for post-traumatic stress disorder), alexithymia, somatization, and SSA. TEs were positively correlated with age, the sensorial dimension and intensity of pain, somatization, psychopathology index, SSA, and alexithymia. Using the somatization score (controlled for age) as a covariate, the previous correlations between psychosomatic dimensions and TEs lost their statistical significance: SSA (total TEs: from r = 0.30, p = 0.000 to r = -0.04, p = 0.652); alexithymia (total TEs: from r = 0.28, p = 0.001 to r = 0.04, p = 0.663); sensorial dimension of pain (total TEs: from r = 0.30, p = 0.015 to r = 0.12, p = 0.373); and pain intensity (total TEs: from r = 0.38, p = 0.004 to r = -0.15, p = 0.317). Interestingly, the tendency to report more intense pain was mainly predicted by minor TEs in childhood (β = 0.28; p = 0.030). The number of lifetime TEs is positively correlated with the sensorial dimension and intensity of pain but not its affective and cognitive dimensions. However, the former relationship depends on the presence of somatization. The intensity of pain is associated with minor rather than major TEs, especially when they occur in childhood.

Gender Through Media: Images of Contemporary Masculinity in Two Pakistani Movies

Gender and its media representations inform us about a specific culture. This research paper is an in-depth qualitative study of the representations of contemporary masculinity and queerness in the Pakistani media and popular culture. The paper analyzes two Pakistani movies: Sarmad Khoosat’s Zindagi Tamasha (Circus of Life) (2019) and Saim Sadiq’s Joyland (2022). The aim of the study is to explore the concept of masculinity in the Pakistani society and its media representations in popular culture and cinema. Masculinity is interlinked with physical appearance, social norms and religious values in the Pakistani society, whereas queer behaviour is generally condemned because of cultural stereotypes and religious injunctions. The study analyzes the impact of social customs and stereotypes on the perception of masculinity in the male characters with special focus on the queer inclinations manifested in their behaviour. The analysis of the two movies is conducted through contemporary masculinity theories to identify current manifestations of masculinity in the Pakistani society through the media representations. The findings of the research indicate that contemporary masculinities in the Pakistani society and media depict a wide range of variation from hegemonic masculinity to hybrid masculinity, inclusive masculinity and queer masculinity.

Globalization in the format of multipolarity: philosophical and worldview foundation of globopolycentrism

The subject is multipolar globalization formed in the context of globomonocentrism and globopolycentrism confrontation. The aim is to study the process of globalization in its main (current and potential) manifestations, including bipolar, unipolar and multipolar models. Their essence and specificity are considered, their effectiveness is assessed, philosophical and worldview foundation is found. F. Fukuyama’s, S. Huntington’s, Z. Brzezinski’s conceptions are analyzed as a philosophical and worldview foundation of globomonocentrism; philosophical ideas of N. Y. Danilevsky, K. N. Trubetskoy, P. N. Savitsky — of globopolycentrism. It’s concluded that there’s a need to revise the global world order from a unipolar to a multipolar format. The importance of globopolycentrism as an alternative development strategy opposing neocolonialism is emphasized. Constructing a multipolar world is necessary to strengthen the civilizational sovereignty of modern Russia and other countries of the world. The article uses historical, logical and comparative methods of analysis, the civilizational approach as a methodological instrument to substantiate the multipolarity. The main conclusions are the following: globalization as a form of interaction between civilizations isn’t identical to globomonocentrism. It’s one of the forms (not the only and not the most perfect) of constructing the interaction of civilizations. Modern globomonocentrism (in fact, americanocentrism) tries to reconstruct the world in the interests of a neocolonial regime. An alternative form of civilizational coexistence, providing protection from neocolonialism, is a multipolar world. Today we can’t talk about abandoning globalization as a whole, only about changing its format from unipolar to multipolar globalization. Multipolarity basing on the worldview principle of globopolycentrism perceives other (not only highly developed) countries as equal partners. The globopolycentric model of a multipolar world has flaws as well as the bipolar and unipolar models, but it’s much more connected with objective reality and, therefore, gives humanity a chance to overcome global geopolitical crises.

Justifications for the study of computers on the curriculum: Neo‐vocational ideology veiled in progressive educational discourse

AbstractInterest in the study of computer technology in schools (often in the form of Computer Science subjects or coding initiatives) is seen to have undergone two waves of interest, one in the late 1970s/early 1980s and the other more recently since about 2010. Through a historical exploration of the rationales for the study of computer technology in schools in both the first wave and the second wave, this paper aimed to explore the various curriculum ideologies underpinning their justification. In doing so, the paper highlights the chameleon‐like nature of this change agenda in aligning with contemporary trends to advance the study of computer technology on the curriculum. The paper argues that current manifestations of the study of computer technology in schools are at odds with broader curriculum reform goals and international policies and raises questions about students' access to such knowledge.

Intellectual Property Protection in the Transformation of Medical Scientific and Technological Achievements

In the transformation of medical scientific and technological achievements, intellectual property disputes caused by improper protection of intellectual property rights are common, which have seriously affected the efficiency of the transformation of medical scientific and technological achievements. Therefore, this article takes the importance of intellectual property protection in the process of transformation of medical scientific and technological achievements as an entry point, analyzes the current intellectual property infringement behaviors and manifestations, puts forward specific solutions, and improves the efficiency of the transformation of medical scientific and technological achievements.

On the blood of others: re-visiting how “health” happens in interdisciplinary scholarship

ABSTRACT In much interdisciplinary scholarship, when health and well-being are conceptualized, they are often contextualized in white supremacist, racist, and capitalist frames. To reframe scholarship towards more useful possibilities, we first must confront the historical and ongoing violence brought forth by our reliance on notions of health that often come directly from colonization and slavery and have failed to provide possibilities of health for racialized folks. If capitalism can be described as ‘labour on the backs of Others’, then health is founded on the blood of Others – particularly, those who were enslaved. In naming the socio-historical legacies and their current manifestations, we name some of the interconnected oppressions that we must dismantle in our everyday work as we engage with racialized communities. Our work requires us to politicize the role of health and healing as a crucial component of the better world we are building.

The Burning Spirit: The Encyclopedic Vision, Wikipedia, and Librarianship

Abstract: Mary Niles Maack was a librarian, professor, scholar of comparative library history, feminist, and encyclopedist. In this essay I consider aspects of the evolution of the encyclopedia vision to its current online manifestation as Wikipedia. I also look at how essential it is that librarians contribute to the reliability of Wikipedia and contribute citations and suggest that librarians work to overcome paywalls that create a barrier to more robust documentation.