Search

Social media platforms have become a prominent feature in modern-day communication, allowing users to express opinion and communicate with friends and likeminded individuals. However, with this revolutionary form of communication comes risks of exploitation and utilisation of these platforms for potentially illegal and harmful means. This article aims to explore the community guidelines and policies of prominent social media sites regarding extremist material, comparing the platform's policies with the user experiences. To measure social media user experience and user exposure to extremist material, this article pilots the use of a new scale: The Online Extremism Exposure Scale (OECE), which measures both the user's exposure to extremist communication and hate speech online. Users reported varied levels of exposure to both hate speech and extremist communication, with. the results indicating that users in the sample are being exposed to extremist material approximately 48.44% of the time they spend on social media daily. The results of this pilot study highlight potential failings by prominent social media platforms in their efforts to reduce users being exposed to extremist material. Limitations, future research, and implications are discussed in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is an aggressive primary brain tumor characterized by extensive heterogeneity and vascular proliferation. Hypoxic conditions in the tissue microenvironment are considered a pivotal player leading tumor progression. Specifically, hypoxia is known to activate inducible factors, such as hypoxia-inducible factor 1alpha (HIF-1α), which in turn can stimulate tumor neo-angiogenesis through activation of various downward mediators, such as the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Here, we aimed to explore the role of HIF-1α/VEGF immunophenotypes alone and in combination with other prognostic markers or clinical and image analysis data, as potential biomarkers of GBM prognosis and treatment efficacy. We performed a systematic review (Medline/Embase, and Pubmed database search was completed by 16th of April 2024 by two independent teams; PRISMA 2020). We evaluated methods of immunoassays, cell viability, or animal or patient survival methods of the retrieved studies to assess unbiased data. We used inclusion criteria, such as the evaluation of GBM prognosis based on HIF-1α/VEGF expression, other biomarkers or clinical and imaging manifestations in GBM related to HIF-1α/VEGF expression, application of immunoassays for protein expression, and evaluation of the effectiveness of GBM therapeutic strategies based on HIF-1α/VEGF expression. We used exclusion criteria, such as data not reporting both HIF-1α and VEGF or prognosis. We included 50 studies investigating in total 1319 GBM human specimens, 18 different cell lines or GBM-derived stem cells, and 6 different animal models, to identify the association of HIF-1α/VEGF immunophenotypes, and with other prognostic factors, clinical and macroscopic data in GBM prognosis and therapeutic approaches. We found that increased HIF-1α/VEGF expression in GBM correlates with oncogenic factors, such as miR-210-3p, Oct4, AKT, COX-2, PDGF-C, PLDO3, M2 polarization, or ALK, leading to unfavorable survival. Reduced HIF-1α/VEGF expression correlates with FIH-1, ADNP, or STAT1 upregulation, as well as with clinical manifestations, like epileptogenicity, and a favorable prognosis of GBM. Based on our data, HIF-1α or VEGF immunophenotypes may be a useful tool to clarify MRI-PET imaging data distinguishing between GBM tumor progression and pseudoprogression. Finally, HIF-1α/VEGF immunophenotypes can reflect GBM treatment efficacy, including combined first-line treatment with histone deacetylase inhibitors, thimerosal, or an active metabolite of irinotecan, as well as STAT3 inhibitors alone, and resulting in a favorable tumor prognosis and patient survival. These data were supported by a combination of variable methods used to evaluate HIF-1α/VEGF immunophenotypes. Data limitations may include the use of less sensitive detection methods in some cases. Overall, our data support HIF-1α/VEGF's role as biomarkers of GBM prognosis and treatment efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perpetrators often have easy access to victims via widely used social media networks, such as Snapchat, Instagram, and Facebook. Nowadays, dating applications have provided one more platform where sextortionists identify potential victims and lure them into extortion and victimization. Limited research and media coverage has revealed that sextortion can cause significant harm, with victims reporting negative psychological consequences, such as depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. Many empirical findings arise from explorations of webcam sextortion, with limited literature examining sextortion in social media platforms, and particularly online dating sites. In the current, exploratory study, we examine these modern trends directly via an online survey of 102 participants. Overall, 62.7% had been sextorted by another dating application user, and 25.5% experienced failed attempts of sextortion by another dating application user. Results uniquely showed that Tinder, as well as Snapchat, are often used as fishing platforms for identifying sextortion victims. Furthermore, sextortion could be successfully predicted if individuals perceived that the perpetrator "seemed genuinely interested," demonstrating how online dating platforms which specifically target those seeking romantic connections provide an ideal mechanism for perpetrators to fish for victims. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Author(s): Daniel Hunt [sup.1] , Maria Ioannou [sup.1] , John Synnott [sup.1] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.15751.37, 0000 0001 0719 6059, Department of Psychology, University of Huddersfield, , Queensgate, HD1 3DH, [...], When a child goes missing it is common practice to release an appeal of the child in the hope that a member of the public could help to identify and locate them. Despite being an everyday occurrence, there remains a significant gap in our understanding of how effective these appeals are. The present study sought to explore the effectiveness of missing children appeals through the recall accuracy of the general public immediately after observing the appeals and again after a three-day delay. One hundred and eighty-two participants observed either a mock Child Rescue Alert or a mock Twitter appeal. The results found no significant difference in recall accuracy between the design of the appeals although there was a significant difference in recall error. Confidence in own recall accuracy and the length of time spent observing the appeals were also found to be significantly associated with recall accuracy. Initial recall accuracy scores were significantly higher than recall accuracy scores following a three-day break. This exploratory study demonstrates the requirement to improve missing children appeals and lays the foundation for future studies to build on these findings further.

Sexting is the sharing of sexually suggestive or provocative content via new technologies. Due to the lack of studies on sexting in Greece, this study aimed to investigate the Greek sexting landscape and its impact on individuals and human relationships. Thus, 485 participants (354 women, 124 men, 4 “other”, 3 undefined) were recruited through an online questionnaire. All participants were Greeks or residents of Greece, and the age range was 16–64. Analysis showed that teens and young adults aged 16–30 tend to sext more than the ones over 30 years old; also, men are more likely to sext (both receive and send) than women. Despite the potential benefits of sexting between partners, it poses several dangers, too, especially when it is not consensual. Apart from its limitations, the study opens the way for further investigation into sexting in Greece. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Criminal Narrative Experience (CNE) is a framework developed within Invest-igative Psychology, which combines the emotions and narrative roles experienced by the offender during the commission of their offense, to understand their personal experience of crime. Previous research proposes four distinct themes within CNE; The Elated Hero, The Calm Professional, The Distressed Revenger, and The Depressed Victim , however little attention has yet been paid to the potential differences in themes across various offense types. The current study explored the CNE model within a sample of sexual offenders. Results found evidence of two CNE themes; The Intrepid Professional-Adventurer and The Dejected Revenger-Victim, this has implications stretching further than theorical, and are particularly poignant for therapists and treatment managers, who may be providing intervention to groups of sexual offenders at any one time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aim: Cigarette smoke has been shown to induce a phenotype in humans known as “acquired cystic fibrosis”. This occurs because the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) functions are impaired systemically due to the deleterious effects of smoke components. Elucidation of cigarette smoke effects on the tracheal epithelium is important. The aim of this study was to develop an ex vivo sheep tracheal model to investigate tracheal ion function. In this model, the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) is inhibited after exposure to cigarette smoke extract (CSE) as a proof of principle. Materials and Methods: Tracheas were isolated from healthy sheep and the tracheal epithelium was surgically excised. Tissues were mounted in Ussing chambers and the short circuit current (Isc) was measured after incubation with 5% CSE in PBS or PBS alone for 30 min. The function of ENaC was investigated by the addition of amiloride (10–5M) apically. Western blot analysis was performed to assess differences in ENaC quantity after CSE exposure. Some specimens were stained with H&E for detection of histological alterations. Results: The amiloride effect on normal epithelium led to a significant decrease in Isc [ΔI=33±5.92 μA/cm²; p<0.001 versus control experiments (ΔI=1.44±0.71 μA/cm²)]. After incubation with CSE, ENaC Isc was significantly reduced (ΔI=14.80±1.96 μA/cm²; p<0.001). No differences in αENaC expression were observed between CSE-exposed and normal tracheal epithelium. Histological images post CSE incubation revealed decreases in the height of the epithelium, with basal cell hyperplasia and loss of ciliated cells. Conclusion: Reduced ENaC inhibition by amiloride after CSE incubation could be due to alterations in the tracheal epithelium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]