bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The case of the missing mouse—developing cystic fibrosis drugs without using animals
Authors: Marshall Lindsay J. , Conlee Kathleen M.
Published: January 2024

Creating and developing new drugs can take decades, costs millions of dollars, requires untold human effort and usually, takes thousands of animal lives. Despite regulators professing confidence in non-animal approaches and guidance documents that permit submission of non-animal data, toxicity testing is routinely carried out in animals, employing rodents (invariably mice) and non-rodents. However, extensive preclinical testing in animals is still no guarantee that drugs will be safe and/or effective. In fact, more than nine out of every ten drugs that appear safe from animal trials will fail when tested in people, often due to unexplained toxicity or a lack of efficacy. This paper will describe recent advances in drug development where non-animal approaches have been used, to explore how and where these could be applied more widely to revolutionize the drug development pipeline and accelerate the creation of safe and effective medicines. As one case study, we look at the small molecule channel modifiers developed to address the consequences of the mutated chloride channel in the fatal genetic condition, cystic fibrosis. We then take a closer look at where drug development could be accelerated by focusing on innovative, human biology-based testing methods. Finally, we put forward recommendations, targeting all stakeholders, including the public, that will be needed to put this into practice and enable drug development to become more efficient - focusing on human-biology based testing and cutting out the middle-mouse.
Passive exercise is an effective alternative to HRT for restoring OVX induced mitochondrial dysfunction in skeletal muscle
Authors: Hu Yi , Fang Biqing , Tian Xu , Wang Haiwei , Tian Xiangyang , Yu Fangfang , Li Tao , Yang Zhijie , Shi Rengfei
Published: January 2024

Background

Postmenopausal women are more prone to develop muscle weakness, which is strongly associated with impairment of mitochondrial function in skeletal muscle. This study aimed to examine the impact of a passive exercise modality, whole-body vibration training (WBVT), on muscle mitochondrial function in ovariectomized (OVX) mice, in comparison with 17β-estradiol (E2) replacement.

Methods

Female C57BL/6J mice were assigned to four groups: sham operation control group (Sham), ovariectomized group (OVX), OVX with E2 supplement group (OVX+E), and OVX with WBVT group (OVX+W). The estrous cycle, body weight, body composition, and muscle strength of the mice were monitored after the operation. Serum E2 level was assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The ATP levels were determined using a luciferase-catalyzed bioluminescence assay. The activity of mitochondrial respiration chain complexes was evaluated using high-resolution respirometry (O2K). Expression levels of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 alpha (PGC-1α), and mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) were detected using western blotting.

Results

We observed decreased muscle strength and impaired mitochondrial function in the skeletal muscle of OVX mice. The vibration training alleviated these impairments as much as the E2 supplement. In addition, the vibration training was superior to the ovariectomy and the estradiol replacement regarding the protein expression of PGC-1α and TFAM.

Conclusion

WBVT improves the OVX-induced decline in muscle strength and impairment of mitochondrial function in the skeletal muscle. This passive exercise strategy may be useful as an alternative to E2 replacement for preventing menopausal muscular weakness. Further studies are needed to understand the effects of WBVT on various physiological systems, and precautions should be taken when implementing it in patient treatment.
Metabolomics profiling reveals low blood tyrosine levels as a metabolic feature of newborns from systemic lupus erythematosus pregnancies
Authors: Cai Yao , Deng Zhirong , Yang Qiuping , Pan Guixian , Liang Zao , Yang Ximei , Song Jie , Xiao Xin , Li Sitao
Published: January 2024

Introduction

Pregnancy outcomes of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have improved over the past four decades, leading to an increased desire for pregnancy among this cohort. However, the offspring of patients with SLE still face the risks of preterm birth, low birth weight, learning disabilities, and neurological disorders, while the causes underlying these risks remain unclear.

Methods

In this study, we analyzed the blood metabolic features of neonates born to 30 SLE patients and 52 healthy control mothers by employing tandem mass spectrometry with the dual aims of identifying the etiology of metabolic features specific to infants born from mothers with SLE and providing new insights into the clinical management of such infants.

Results

We found significant differences in serum metabolite levels between infants born from mothers with SLE and those born from mothers without SLE, including 15 metabolites with reduced serum levels. Further analysis revealed a disrupted tyrosine metabolism pathway in the offspring of mothers with SLE.

Discussion

By constructing a composite model incorporating various factors, such as serum tyrosine levels, gestational age, and birth weight, we were able to accurately differentiate between newborns of SLE and non-SLE pregnancies. Our data reveal significant differences in serum concentrations of amino acids and acylcarnitines in newborns born to mothers with SLE. We conclude that the reduction of blood L-tyrosine levels is a feature that is characteristic of adverse neurological outcomes in infants born from mothers with SLE.
Automated detection of MRI-negative temporal lobe epilepsy with ROI-based morphometric features and machine learning
Authors: Yang Lin , Peng Bo , Gao Wei , A Rixi , Liu Yan , Liang Jiawei , Zhu Mo , Hu Haiyang , Lu Zuhong , Pang Chunying , Dai Yakang , Sun Yu
Published: January 2024

Objective

Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) predominantly originates from the anteromedial basal region of the temporal lobe, and its prognosis is generally favorable following surgical intervention. However, TLE often appears negative in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), making it difficult to quantitatively diagnose the condition solely based on clinical symptoms. There is a pressing need for a quantitative, automated method for detecting TLE.

Methods

This study employed MRI scans and clinical data from 51 retrospective epilepsy cases, dividing them into two groups: 34 patients in TLE group and 17 patients in non-TLE group. The criteria for defining the TLE group were successful surgical removal of the epileptogenic zone in the temporal lobe and a favorable postoperative prognosis. A standard procedure was used for normalization, brain extraction, tissue segmentation, regional brain partitioning, and cortical reconstruction of T1 structural MRI images. Morphometric features such as gray matter volume, cortical thickness, and surface area were extracted from a total of 20 temporal lobe regions in both hemispheres. Support vector machine (SVM), extreme learning machine (ELM), and cmcRVFL+ classifiers were employed for model training and validated using 10-fold cross-validation.

Results

The results demonstrated that employing ELM classifiers in conjunction with specific temporal lobe gray matter volume features led to a better identification of TLE. The classification accuracy was 92.79%, with an area under the curve (AUC) value of 0.8019.

Conclusion

The method proposed in this study can significantly assist in the preoperative identification of TLE patients. By employing this method, TLE can be included in surgical criteria, which could alleviate patient symptoms and improve prognosis, thereby bearing substantial clinical significance.
Top 100 most-cited articles on tau protein: a bibliometric analysis and evidence mapping
Authors: Chen Zheping , Shan Guoliang , Wang Xinyue , Zuo Yaqun , Song Xinyu , Ma Yufeng , Zhao Xin , Jin Yanwu
Published: January 2024

Background

Tau, a microtubule-associated protein extensively distributed within the central nervous system (CNS), exhibits close associations with various neurodegenerative disorders. Here, we aimed to conduct a qualitative and quantitative bibliometric study of the top 100 most-cited publications on tau protein and reveal the current research hotspots and future perspectives.

Methods

The relevant literature was retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection. CiteSpace (v6.2.R4) and VOSviewer (1.6.19) were adopted for bibliometric analysis with statistical and visual analysis.

Results

Citations per article ranged from 615 to 3,123, with a median number of 765.5 times. “Neuroscience” emerged as the most extensively researched subject in this field. The USA has emerged as the leading country, with a publication record (n = 65), total citations (n = 66,543), strong centrality (0.29), and extensive international collaborations. Harvard University (n = 11) and the University of California, San Francisco (n = 11) were the top two institutions in terms of publications. Neuron dominated with 13 articles in the 37 high-quality journals. M. Goedert from the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology was the most productive (n = 9) and top co-cited (n = 179) author. The most frequently studied keywords were Alzheimer’s disease (n = 38). Future research is anticipated to intensify its focus on the pathogenesis of various tau-related diseases, emphasizing the phosphorylation and structural alterations of tau protein, particularly in Alzheimer’s disease.

Conclusion

The pathogenesis of various tau-related diseases, including the phosphorylation and structural alterations of the tau protein, will be the primary focus of future research, with particular emphasis on Alzheimer’s disease as a central area of investigation.
Outcomes and complications of postoperative seroma cavities following soft-tissue sarcoma resection
Authors: Andryk Logan M. , Neilson John C. , Wooldridge Adam N. , Hackbarth Donald A. , Bedi Meena , Baynes Keith E. , LoGiudice John A. , Slusarczyk Sonia M. , King David M.
Published: January 2024

Introduction

Seroma development is a known complication following extremity and trunk soft-tissue sarcoma (STS) resection. The purpose of this study is to evaluate and characterize seroma outcomes and the development of associated complications.

Methods

A retrospective review of 123 patients who developed postoperative seromas following STS resection at a single institution was performed. Various patient and surgical factors were analyzed to determine their effect on overall seroma outcomes.

Results

77/123 seromas (62.6%) were uncomplicated, 30/123 (24.4%) developed infection, and 16/123 (13.0%) were symptomatic and required aspiration or drainage for symptom relief at an average of 12.2 months postoperatively. 65/123 (52.8%) seromas resolved spontaneously at an average time of 12.41 months. Seromas in the lower extremity (p=0.028), surgical resection volume >864 cm3, (p=<0.001) and initial seroma volume >42 cm3 (p=<0.001) increased the likelihood of infection. 90% of infected seromas developed the infection within the first three months following initial resection. No seromas which were aspirated or drained ultimately developed an infection following these procedures, though 50% recurred.

Discussion

Most seromas following STS resection are uncomplicated and do not require intervention, though a large resection cavity >864 cm3 and a large seroma volume >42 cm3 are risk factors for complications.
Case report: Clinical features and management outcomes of isolated corneal intraepithelial neoplasia
Authors: Al-Swailem Samar A. , Alkatan Hind M. , AlDhaheri Huda Saif , AlHilali Sara M. , Maktabi Azza M. Y.
Published: January 2024

Purpose

To report clinical features and treatment outcome of three cases with isolated corneal intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN).

Methods

This case series presents 3 patients with isolated CIN. Data collected included, presenting signs and symptoms including vision, anterior segment examination, medical and surgical outcomes and signs and symptoms at lost post-treatment visit.

Results

Case 1 was a 45-year-old male who presented with an isolated grayish amoeboid corneal lesion which was excised with alcohol assisted epitheliectomy, he also received 6 cycles of topical mitomycin C (MMC) 0.02% and one injection of interferon alfa-2b with no recurrence during the 10-year follow-up period. Case 2 was 78-year-old male referred for a suspicious white corneal lesion which was completely excised, the patient also received 6 subconjunctival injections of interferon alpha-2b. However, the lesion recurred at 2.5-years post-treatment. Case 3 was a 63-year-old male patient who presented with an isolated corneal lesion that was excised using alcohol-assisted epitheliectomy, patient received four cycles of topical 5-fluorouracil with no recurrence at last follow-up visit at 6 months.

Conclusion

Isolated corneal intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) is a rare entity with few reported cases in the literature. In this case series, we report long and short-term management outcomes of combined surgical and medical therapy for isolated CIN.
Technical performance scores associate with early prognosis of tetralogy of Fallot repair
Authors: Alifu Ailixiati , Wang Haifan , Chen Renwei
Published: January 2024

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between technical performance scores (TPS) and the early prognosis of tetralogy of Fallot repair (TOF).

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted on TOF repair patients at our center from Oct 2017 to Oct 2022. Patients were classified into Class 1 (no residua), Class 2 (minor residua), or Class 3 (major residua) based on TPS derived from predischarge echocardiograms and need for reintervention. Statistical methods were used to assess the association between TPS and early prognosis.

Results

A total of 75 TOF repair patients (40% female, 60% male) were analyzed and categorized into TPS1 (24%), TPS2 (53.3%), and TPS3 (22.6%) based on pre-discharge echocardiographic findings. The median follow-up time was 7.0 months. The multivariable Cox regression analysis indicated that TPS3 scores are associated with a 12.68-fold increase in risk compared to TPS1 and TPS2 scores [95% CI = 12.68 (0.9∼179.28), P = 0.06]. The Spearman rank correlation analysis revealed a weak positive correlation between TPS classification and low cardiac output syndrome (r = 0.26, P = 0.03). However, there were no significant differences in ICU stay or duration of mechanical ventilation among the groups.

Conclusion

TPS3 after intracardiac TOF repair is associated with higher risk of early re-intervention, highlighting the importance of close follow-up and monitoring in this patient population. Patients who develop low cardiac output syndrome in the early postoperative period may have residual defects that require prompt identification.
Libman-Sacks endocarditis in a child with systemic lupus erythematosus: a case report and literature review
Authors: Lu Jingyi , Bao Shengfang , Xu Xuemei , Jin Yingying , Liu Chenxi , Zhang Yuqi , Wang Qian , Jin Yanliang
Published: January 2024

Libman-Sacks endocarditis (LSE) is a cardiac condition characterized by the growth of verrucous vegetation. Although relatively rare in children, LSE is nevertheless a known cardiac manifestation of autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The mitral valve is the most commonly affected region, followed by the aortic valve, while the tricuspid and pulmonary valves are rarely affected. The management of established Libman-Sacks vegetation poses significant challenges, often necessitating surgical interventions, although surgery is not the primary treatment modality. Herein, we present the case of a 14-year-old Chinese female patient whose initial lupus manifestation included LSE, among other symptoms and signs that provided insights into the final diagnosis of SLE. After early comprehensive pharmacological treatment, tricuspid regurgitation and vegetation disappeared within 28 days without necessitating cardiac surgery, indicating that the resolution of LSE vegetation in this patient was achieved through a combination of immunosuppressive and anticoagulant therapy. These findings suggest the potential of this treatment approach as a viable model for the management of LSE in young patients.
Is the current therapeutic dosage of nadroparin adequate for neonates and infants under 8 months with thromboembolic disease? a population pharmacokinetic study from a national children’s medical center
Authors: Chen Yewei , Lan Jianger , Zhu Lin , Dong Min , Wang Yi , Li Zhiping
Published: January 2024

Objectives: Nadroparin, a low-molecular-weight-heparin is commonly used off-label in neonates and infants for thromboembolic events prevention. However, the recommended dosing regimen often fails to achieve therapeutic target ranges. This study aimed to develop a population pharmacokinetic (PK) model of nadroparin to determine an appropriate dosing regimen for neonates and infants less than 8 months.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted on patients treated with nadroparin at Children’s Hospital of Fudan University between July 2021 and December 2023. A population PK model was developed using anti-Xa levels, and its predictive performance was evaluated internally. Monte Carlo simulations were performed to design an initial dosing schedule targeting anti-Xa levels between 0.5 and 1 IU/mL.

Results: A total of 40 neonates and infants aged less than 8 months with gestational age ranging from 25 to 41 weeks treated with nadroparin were enrolled in the study for analysis. A one-compartment PK model with first order absorption and elimination was adequately fitted to the data. Creatinine clearance was identified as a significant factor contributing to inter-individual variability in clearance. The typical population parameter estimates of clearance, distribution volume and absorption rate in this population were 0.211 L/h, 1.55 L and 0.495 h-1, respectively. Our findings suggest that current therapeutic doses of nadroparin (150–200 IU/kg q12 h) may result in subtherapeutic exposure, thus higher doses might be required.

Conclusion: The present study offers the first estimation of PK parameters for nadroparin in preterm or term neonates and infants less than 8 months utilizing the model. Our findings have potential implications for recommending initial personalized dosages, particularly among patient populations exhibiting similar characteristics.
Empirical evidence for metabolic drift in plant and algal lipid biosynthesis pathways
Authors: Zonnequin Maëlle , Belcour Arnaud , Delage Ludovic , Siegel Anne , Blanquart Samuel , Leblanc Catherine , Markov Gabriel V.
Published: January 2024

Metabolic pathway drift has been formulated as a general principle to help in the interpretation of comparative analyses between biosynthesis pathways. Indeed, such analyses often indicate substantial differences, even in widespread pathways that are sometimes believed to be conserved. Here, our purpose is to check how much this interpretation fits to empirical data gathered in the field of plant and algal biosynthesis pathways. After examining several examples representative of the diversity of lipid biosynthesis pathways, we explain why it is important to compare closely related species to gain a better understanding of this phenomenon. Furthermore, this comparative approach brings us to the question of how much biotic interactions are responsible for shaping this metabolic plasticity. We end up introducing some model systems that may be promising for further exploration of this question.
Assessing the stress-relief impact of an art-based intervention inspired by the broaden-and-build theory in college students
Authors: Liu Chen , Xie Yuan , Xu Yiwen , Song Zhenhai , Tang Jiayi , Shen Junjie , Jiang Zhou , Shen Chao , Zhan Xingya , Zheng Chu
Published: January 2024

Background and objectives

This study’s primary objective is to investigate the impact of art-making on the mental well-being of college students, who often experience heightened stress during their initial university years.

Methods

Employing a comprehensive methodology, combining interviews and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), the research aimed to assess whether a four-week art-making intervention can effectively alleviate stress levels among college students. In the experimental group, participants engaged in a variety of art-making activities, including freehand drawing, clay modeling, and crafting.

Results

The results revealed that, in the pre-test, there were no significant differences between the experimental and control groups for each assessed indicator. However, in the post-test, significant differences emerged across all indicators. Further analysis demonstrated a significant reduction in stress perception among the experimental group participants between the pre-test and post-test phases.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study provides compelling evidence that art-making has the potential to foster positive personal development and significantly reduce stress levels among college students.
Reducing motor evoked potential amplitude variability through normalization
Authors: Faro Viana Francisco , Cotovio Gonçalo , da Silva Daniel Rodrigues , Seybert Carolina , Pereira Patrícia , Silva Artur , Carvalho Filipe , Oliveira-Maia Albino J.
Published: January 2024

Background

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is used for in vivo assessment of human motor cortical excitability, with application of TMS pulses over the motor cortex resulting in muscle responses that can be recorded with electromyography (EMG) as Motor Evoked Potentials (MEPs). These have been widely explored as potential biomarkers for neuropsychiatric disorders but methodological heterogeneity in acquisition, and inherent high variability, have led to constraints in reproducibility. Normalization, consisting in scaling the signal of interest to a known and repeatable measurement, reduces variability and is standard practice for between-subject comparisons of EMG. The effect of normalization on variability of MEP amplitude has not yet been explored and was assessed here using several methods.

Methods

Three maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVICs) and 40 MEPs were collected from the right hand in healthy volunteers, with a retest session conducted 4 to 8 weeks later. MEP amplitude was normalized using either external references (MVICs) or internal references (extreme MEPs). Iterative re-sampling of 30 normalized MEPs per subject was repeated 5,000 times to define, for each normalization method, distributions for between-subject coefficients of variation (CV) of the mean MEP amplitude. Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) were used to assess the impact of normalization on test–retest stability of MEP amplitude measurements.

Results

In the absence of normalization, MEPs collected from the right hand of 47 healthy volunteers were within reported values regarding between-subject variability (95% confidence intervals for the CV: [1.0567,1.0577]) and showed good temporal stability (ICC = 0.77). Internal reference normalization substantially reduced between-subject variability, by values of up to 64%, while external reference normalization had no impact or increased between-subject variability. Normalization with the smallest references reduced test–retest stability, with use of the largest references resulting in slight reduction or improvement of ICCs. Internal reference normalization using the largest MEPs was found to be robust to several sensitivity analyses.

Conclusion

Internal, but not external, reference normalization reduces between-subject variability of MEP amplitude, and has a minimal impact on within-subject variability when conducted with the largest references. Additional research is necessary to further validate these normalization methods toward potential use of MEPs as biomarkers of neuropsychiatric disorders.
Prevalence of premenstrual syndrome and its associated factors in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Andualem Fantahun , Melkam Mamaru , Takelle Girmaw Medfu , Nakie Girum , Tinsae Techilo , Fentahun Setegn , Rtbey Gidey , Seid Jemal , Gedef Getachew Muluye , Bitew Desalegn Anmut , Godana Tilahun Nega
Published: January 2024

Background

Clinical research and epidemiological studies have shown that many women experience physical and behavioral symptoms that begin during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle and terminate around the onset of menses; this is called premenstrual syndrome. The reviews stated that the pooled prevalence of premenstrual syndrome was around 50 percent. However, there has been no review done on premenstrual syndrome in Africa. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to summarize the most recent data evidence on the pooled prevalence of premenstrual syndrome and its pooled effect of associated factors in Africa.

Method

We used an appropriate guideline for systematic reviews and meta-analyses reports, which is the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). This review protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023414021). The publications were identified from PubMed/Medline, EMBASE, Scopus databases, and other grey searches. The included papers were the original data that reported the prevalence of premenstrual syndrome and associated factors published, in English, and papers available online from January 1, 2000, to May 30, 2023. The data was extracted in Microsoft Excel, and then it would be imported into STATA 11.0 for analysis.

Results

We have included 16 studies conducted in African countries with 6530 study participants. In this meta-analysis, the pooled prevalence of premenstrual syndrome among the reproductive-age participants in Africa was 46.98 (95% CI: 28.9–65.06%). Further, in subgroup analysis, the pooled prevalence of premenstrual syndrome was 57.32% in Nigeria, 43.8% in Ethiopia, and 38.6% among university students and 66.04% among secondary school students. Among associated factors, the early age of menarche was significantly related to premenstrual syndrome.

Conclusion

In this review, the pooled prevalence of premenstrual syndrome in Africa was high. Among factors, the early age of menarche was a risk factor for premenstrual syndrome. This finding might help the stakeholders (mental health policy makers, administrators, and mental health professionals) to address prevention, early screening, and management of PMS among reproductive-age women, and to give attention to more vulnerable bodies.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO, identifier CRD42023414021.
Workplace violence against Chinese licensed doctors: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Chen Wenhao , Shi Jingyu , Xu Jingyi , Wang Yue , Wu Yanbin
Published: January 2024

Introduction

China has issued and implemented a series of policies aimed at preventing and controlling workplace violence (WPV) against licensed doctors. However, the prevalence of WPV has not been fundamentally curbed. The aim of this study was to present the prevalence of WPV, identify its influencing factors and propose responsive measures.

Method

The online Chinese Physician Practice Survey was conducted with purposive sampling method among licensed doctors in China from January 2022 to June 2022. Data covered licensed doctors’ sociodemographic characteristics, occupational characteristics, prevalence of WPV, and perception of effective countermeasures.

Results

A total of 74,305 licensed doctors participated in this study. A total of 44.88% of respondents had experienced WPV, among them, either physical violence only (1.06%) or non-physical violence only (89.91%) or encountered both of them (9.03%). Age, gender, marital status, education level, professional title and registration type were all associated with WPV, being younger, non-married, more educated, and higher professional title are all risk factors for WPV. Male (OR = 1.396, 95CI%: 1.355 to 1.439), clinicians (OR = 1.342,95%CI: 1.177 to 1.529), who were single (OR = 1.174, 95%CI: 1.111 to 1.241), with master’s degree (OR = 2.021, 95%CI: 1.739 to 2.349) and professional title were subsenior (OR = 1.194, 95%CI: 1.125 to 1.267) were most likely to occur WPV. WPV occurred mostly in provincial capitals, public hospitals, primary and community hospitals, and departments of internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, emergency medicine and mental health. Overall, 44.24% of doctors perceived that strengthening crackdowns on criminal behaviors was the most effective measure to prevent WPV against healthcare staff.

Conclusion

The frequency of WPV decreased after the implementation of relevant laws and policies. Future efforts should be made to strengthen crackdowns on illegal and criminal activities and to issue specific legal provisions on the prevention and control of WPV against doctors.
In-vitro gadolinium retro-microdialysis in agarose gel—a human brain phantom study
Authors: Zimphango Chisomo , Mada Marius O. , Sawiak Stephen J. , Giorgi-Coll Susan , Carpenter T. Adrian , Hutchinson Peter J. , Carpenter Keri L. H. , Stovell Matthew G.
Published: January 2024

Rationale and objectives

Cerebral microdialysis is a technique that enables monitoring of the neurochemistry of patients with significant acquired brain injury, such as traumatic brain injury (TBI) and subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH). Cerebral microdialysis can also be used to characterise the neuro-pharmacokinetics of small-molecule study substrates using retrodialysis/retromicrodialysis. However, challenges remain: (i) lack of a simple, stable, and inexpensive brain tissue model for the study of drug neuropharmacology; and (ii) it is unclear how far small study-molecules administered via retrodialysis diffuse within the human brain.

Materials and methods

Here, we studied the radial diffusion distance of small-molecule gadolinium-DTPA from microdialysis catheters in a newly developed, simple, stable, inexpensive brain tissue model as a precursor for in-vivo studies. Brain tissue models consisting of 0.65% weight/volume agarose gel in two kinds of buffers were created. The distribution of a paramagnetic contrast agent gadolinium-DTPA (Gd-DTPA) perfusion from microdialysis catheters using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was characterized as a surrogate for other small-molecule study substrates.

Results

We found the mean radial diffusion distance of Gd-DTPA to be 18.5 mm after 24 h (p < 0.0001).

Conclusion

Our brain tissue model provides avenues for further tests and research into infusion studies using cerebral microdialysis, and consequently effective focal drug delivery for patients with TBI and other brain disorders.
Interventions connecting young people living in Africa to healthcare; a systematic review using the RE-AIM framework
Authors: Gbaja-Biamila Titilola Abike , Obiezu-Umeh Chisom , Nwaozuru Ucheoma , Oladele David , Engelhart Alexis , Shato Thembekile , Mason Stacey , Carter Victoria , Iwelunmor-Ezepue Juliet
Published: January 2024

Introduction

Africa's young people are among the least focused groups in healthcare linkage. The disproportionally high burden of youth-related health problems is a burden, especially in developing regions like Africa, which have a high population of young people. More information is needed about factors that impact linkages in healthcare and the sustainability of health interventions among young people in Africa.

Methods

A systematic literature search was performed from October 2020 to May 2022 in PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, Global Health, and the Web of Science. Studies included in the review were conducted among young people aged 10–24 living in Africa, written in English, and published between 2011 and 2021. Results were reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. Data was analyzed using narrative synthesis, synthesizing the details of the RE-AIM reporting component. Interventions were systematically compared using the Cochrane Collaboration risk-of-bias tool to evaluate the rigor of each intervention.

Results

A total of 2,383 potentially relevant citations were obtained after an initial database search. Retained in the final group were seventeen articles from electronic data searches; among these articles, 16 interventions were identified. Out of the seventeen studies, nine (53%) were randomized controlled trials, three (18%) were quasi-experimental designs, and five (29%) were observational studies. At the same time, the included interventions were reported on 20 (76.92%) of the 26 components of the RE-AIM dimensions. In eastern Africa, twelve (80%) interventions were conducted, and all the interventions addressed linkage to care for young people in preventing and treating HIV. The least reported RE-AIM dimensions were implementing and maintaining interventions connecting young people to care.

Discussion

Timely care remains critical to treating and preventing ailments. This review indicates that interventions created to link young people to care, especially HIV care, can help link them to health care and strengthen the programs. It is also clear that further research with more extended follow-up periods is needed to examine connections to care in all other aspects of health and to bridge the gap between research and practice in the care of young people in Africa.

Systematic Review Registration

PROSPERO [CRD42022288227].
Systems mapping of multilevel factors contributing to dental caries in adolescents
Authors: Sadjadpour Fatima , Hosseinichimeh Niyousha , Pahel Bhavna T. , Metcalf Sara S.
Published: January 2024

Dental caries is a prevalent chronic disease among adolescents. Caries activity increases significantly during adolescence due to an increase in susceptible tooth surfaces, immature permanent tooth enamel, independence in pursuing self-care, and a tendency toward poor diet and oral hygiene. Dental caries in permanent teeth is more prevalent among adolescents in low-income families and racial/ethnic minority groups, and these disparities in adolescent dental caries experience have persisted for decades. Several conceptual and data-driven models have proposed unidirectional mechanisms that contribute to the extant disparities in adolescent dental caries experience. Our objective, using a literature review, is to provide an overview of risk factors contributing to adolescent dental caries. Specifically, we map the interactive relationships of multilevel factors that influence dental caries among adolescents. Such interactive multilevel relationships more closely reflect the complex nature of dental caries experience among the adolescent population. The methods that we use are two-fold: (1) a literature review using PubMed and Cochrane databases to find contributing factors; and (2) the system dynamics approach for mapping feedback mechanisms underlying adolescent dental caries through causal loop diagramming. The results of this study, based on the review of 138 articles, identified individual, family and community-level factors and their interactions contributing to dental caries experience in adolescents. Our results also provide hypotheses about the mechanisms underlying persistence of dental caries among adolescents.

Conclusions

Our findings may contribute to a deeper understanding of the multilevel and interconnected factors that shape the persistence of dental caries experience among adolescents.
Integrating resilience and nexus approaches in managing flood risk
Authors: Raub Kristin B. , Flynn Stephen E. , Stepenuck Kristine F. , Hedderman Ciaran
Published: January 2024

As climate change has worsened, so too has the risk weather-driven natural disasters pose to critical infrastructure, such as vital food, energy, and water systems. While both the concepts of a food-energy-water (FEW) nexus and resilience emphasize the interdependence of complex systems, academic studies have largely neglected a potential synthesis between the two. When applied in tandem, we believe the FEW nexus and resilience can be mutually reinforcing. Nexus approaches can enhance cross-sectoral evaluation and decision making in resilience planning, and resilience-oriented approaches can better situate the FEW nexus within a broader social, ecological, and governance context. From the small body of existing academic literature considering these concepts in tandem, we have identified a promising foundation for relevant future research that targets three key challenges: coordination, scale, and heterogeneity. Responding to these challenges, in turn, can lead to actions for constructing more resilient infrastructure systems that meet vital human needs in the midst of increasingly frequent floods and other extreme weather events.
Bioinformatics: Analyzing Data From Living Things
Authors: Fruggiero Carmine , Aufiero Gaetano , D'Agostino Nunzio
Published: January 2024

Do you know how much information is hidden inside your own cells? It is a huge amount. Are you curious about how scientists decipher and handle this large volume of data? Computer science and mathematics have helped biologists to create a new science to analyze, organize, and understand biological data: bioinformatics. Bioinformatics allows us to manage huge amounts of biological data and make sense of it. In other words, bioinformatics allows us to explore the mysteries of life and find answers to complex questions about the functioning of living beings. In this article, we are happy to tell you what this fascinating new field is and what it is used for. We think you will like it!
Strategies for building edible green infrastructure in traditional villages and insights into bio-districts: a case study of Dong villages in Huanggang, China
Authors: Zi Chengxiang , Winterbottom Daniel , Liu Juanjuan
Published: January 2024

As a concept that emerged in Europe, a bio-district is an area where different actors work together for the innovative and integrated transformation of rural food systems and the sustainable management of local resources, based on the principles of organic farming and with farmers playing a central role. Traditional Chinese villages represent sustainable models for the management of rural food systems and natural resources, developed by indigenous peoples who have been in “dialogue” with the land over millennia and adapted to specific geographical and ecological environments. These models encompass well-established edible green infrastructure (EGI) ecological structures, rich in indigenous knowledge and understanding of the environment that support food supply and regional ecological sustainability. Our case study focuses on a well-preserved village of the Dong ethnic group in southwest China, which maintains traditional livelihoods and a local food system. We used field surveys, interviews, participatory mapping to propose an EGI model of the traditional Dong village, which comprises the following key elements: the “rice-fish-duck” cycle as a key factor of traditional livelihoods, the hierarchical ecological structure of “households-groups-village,” and corresponding management models. This study aims to comprehensively understand the knowledge of sustainable food systems and natural resource management derived from traditional China. It achieves this by theoretically analyzing the traditional village EGI that has evolved over China’s thousand-year agricultural civilization. The objective is to apply this understanding to the construction of bio-districts in rural China. EGI model in traditional villages worldwide have the potential to offer lessons from millennium-old indigenous agricultural systems, which may have relevance for current environmental and food crises faced by our industrialized world, the construction of bio-districts and organic regions, and the sustainable management of local resources.
Assessment of Particulate Matter, Heavy Metals, and Carbon Deposition Capacities of Urban Tree Species in Tehran, Iran
Authors: Elkaee Sahar , Shirvany Anoushirvan , Moeinaddini Mazaher , Sabbagh Farzaneh
Published: January 2024

Air pollution is a pressing environmental concern in urban areas, with particulate matter (PM) posing serious health and environmental threats. Urban greening has emerged as a potential solution to capture and retain PM. This study assesses the PM deposition capacity of five common tree species: Morus alba (M. alba), Ailanthus altissima (A. altissima), Platanus orientalis (P. orientalis), Robinia pseudoacacia (R. pseudoacacia), and Ulmus minor (U. minor) in two highly polluted sites in Tehran, Iran. Additionally, this study investigates the accumulation of heavy metals (Ni, Fe, Cd, and Pb), Organic Carbon (OC), Elemental Carbon (EC), and Total Carbon (TC) on the leaves of these tree species. The results demonstrate species-specific differences in PM deposition capacity, with U. minor and M. alba showing high PM retention. A. altissima exhibits strong capability in adsorbing PM 0.1–2.5, while U. minor demonstrates greater retention of PM > 2.5. Moreover, the deposition of heavy metals varies among species, with R. pseudoacacia and A. altissima capturing higher levels. This study highlights the significance of appropriate tree utilization in urban environments against air pollution in order to make the air healthier in major cities. Awareness of the different tree species capacities leads urban planners and policymakers to make intelligent decisions about urban greening initiatives to improve air quality and overall well-being.
Scoping Pleiotropy of CK2 in Musculoskeletal Disorders for a Novel Targeting Approach
Authors: Pandit Venu , DeGeorge Kailey , Nohe Anja
Published: January 2024

Protein kinase CK2 (CK2) influences one-fifth of the cellular phosphoproteome. It regulates almost all cellular pathways and is thus a critical switch between biological processes within a cell. Inhibition of CK2 reverses oncogene addiction of tumor and alters tumor microenvironment. The success of this strategy and its clinical translation opens new opportunities. Targeting CK2 in musculoskeletal disorders is promising. Clinical manifestations of these disorders include dysfunctional inflammation, dysregulated cell differentiation, and senescence. Processes regulated by CK2 include all of these. Its emerging role in senescence also indicates its function’s centrality in cellular metabolism. This review summarizes considerations for targeting CK2 in musculoskeletal disorders. We have discussed the implications of CK2-regulated processes in musculoskeletal disorders.
Between Scriptura et Pictura: Meditation on the Domus Dei and the Devotion of the Holy House of Mary
Authors: Fallena Denise
Published: January 2024

This article examines the representation and significance of the Holy House of Mary as a metaphor for the domus Dei in the initial letters of a 13th-century Book of Hours (Brailes Hours BL MS Add. 49999) using hermeneutics, visual studies, and anthropology of art methodologies. The manuscript delves into the theological implications of the doctrine of the Incarnation and the virginal divine motherhood of Mary depicted in these images. Additionally, it explores the connection between these representations and the devotion to the Holy House of Nazareth and its replica in the sanctuary of Our Lady of Walsingham, recognized as a sacred pilgrimage site. To conduct this analysis, the article considers the figures of the Holy House depicted on pilgrim badges and religious jewels. Specifically, it focuses on the Hylle jewel, whose effectiveness, attributed to its form and materiality, symbolized the aurea palatium Dei.
The use of an indicative method to identify threats and risks to the financial security of an organization
Authors:   Russian Timiryazev State Agrarian University, Moscow, Russia, Khoruzhy L. I. , Katkov Yu. N. ,   Russian Timiryazev State Agrarian University, Moscow, Russia, Katkova E. A. ,   Russian Timiryazev State Agrarian University, Moscow, Russia, Dzhikiya M. K. ,   Russian Timiryazev State Agrarian University, Moscow, Russia, Suetin I. D. ,   Russian Timiryazev State Agrarian University, Moscow, Russia
Published: January 2024

The article attempts to analyze and evaluate the financial security of an organization using an indicative method. In modern conditions, the stability of the national economy is particularly dependent on the stability of economic entities, therefore, the issue of ensuring the safety of organizations from internal and external adverse factors is particularly acute. Financial security is one of the most important components of the economic security of an organization, for this reason, maintaining the financial security of an enterprise is considered a priority in the field of economic security. One of the most popular methods of assessing the level of financial security is the indicative method,according to which financial security indicators are calculated, and then compared with their threshold values. Using this method, an assessment of the current financial condition of the organization was carried out, the main threats and risks of economic activity were identified. An information and analytical system for ensuring financial security is proposed, which makes it possible to organize an integrated approach to the processes of modeling the development of an organization in all major financial aspects, to minimize risks and threats arising in the process of financial activity.
Gestión escolar en instituciones educativas públicas en contextos de emergencia sanitaria
Authors: Álvarez Medina Laura
Published: January 2024

Este estudio bibliométrico se enfocó en la gestión escolar en instituciones educativas públicas. Utilizando un diseño cualitativo, se realizaron búsquedas en diversas bases de datos, seleccionando 20 artículos relevantes de los últimos 5 años. La metodología incluyó criterios de elegibilidad y exclusión, evaluación de calidad de la evidencia y análisis documental con herramientas como Zotero y Atlas.ti. Los resultados bibliométricos revelaron categorías emergentes y frecuencia de palabras clave enraizadas en los documentos. La discusión abordó dimensiones clave de la gestión escolar, mientras que los desafíos actuales incluyeron la descentralización y la adaptación a la educación virtual. En conclusión, la gestión escolar implica planificación, organización y dirección para garantizar la equidad y la mejora continua, destacando desafíos significativos en financiamiento e implementación de TIC en un contexto postpandémico.
Desempeño docente y calidad educativa universitaria: Revisión sistemática
Authors: Ruiz Chota Ledis Masiel , Danielli Rocca Juan José
Published: January 2024

Este artículo se enfoca en la importancia de contar con profesionales altamente calificados en el actual contexto de desarrollo social, destacando el papel fundamental de los docentes en este proceso. El objetivo principal es identificar las competencias del desempeño docente que tienen mayor incidencia en la calidad educativa a nivel universitario. Se llevó a cabo una revisión sistemática de artículos desde 2019 hasta 2023, utilizando bases de datos como Science Direct, Pro Quest y Scopus. Los criterios de inclusión abarcaron artículos indexados, con acceso abierto, de cualquier país, metodología y cantidad de muestra, mientras que se excluyeron aquellos que no abordaban las incidencias de las competencias del desempeño docente en la calidad educativa. Después de la fase de búsqueda, se identificaron 83 artículos aptos para lecturas completas, de los cuales 71 resultaron no relevantes para el estudio en curso. Finalmente, se seleccionaron 15 artículos para los análisis respectivos. Los resultados revelaron divergencias en las opiniones sobre las competencias del desempeño docente que más influyen en la calidad educativa. Sin embargo, se destacaron de manera aleatoria habilidades como la comunicación, el dominio de los contenidos, el manejo de recursos tecnológicos y la responsabilidad. Estos hallazgos ofrecen una perspectiva valiosa para entender las áreas clave que impactan en la calidad educativa universitaria.