bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Balancing Efficacy and Tolerability of First-Line Systemic Therapies for Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Network Meta-Analysis
Authors: Celsa Ciro , Cabibbo Giuseppe , Pinato David James , Di Maria Gabriele , Enea Marco , Vaccaro Marco , Battaglia Salvatore , Rizzo Giacomo Emanuele Maria , Giuffrida Paolo , Giacchetto Carmelo Marco , Rancatore Gabriele , Grassini Maria Vittoria , Cammà Calogero
Published: August 2023

Background: Atezolizumab + bevacizumab represent the current standard of care for first-line treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, direct comparison with other combination treatments including immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) + tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are lacking. Objectives: This network meta-analysis (NMA) aims to indirectly compare the efficacy and the safety of first-line systemic therapies for unresectable advanced HCC. Method: A literature search of MEDLINE, Embase, and SCOPUS databases was conducted up to October 31, 2022. Phase 3 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) testing TKIs, including sorafenib and lenvatinib, or ICIs reporting overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were included. Individual survival data were extracted from OS and PFS curves to calculate restricted mean survival time. A Bayesian NMA was performed to compare treatments in terms of efficacy (15- and 30-month OS, 6-month PFS) and safety, represented by grade ≥3 (severe) adverse events (SAEs). The incremental safety-effectiveness ratio as measure of net health benefit was calculated as the difference in SAE probability divided by survival difference between the 2 most effective treatments. Results: Nine RCTs enrolling 6,600 patients were included. Atezolizumab plus bevacizumab showed the highest probability (88%) of achieving the 30-month OS landmark. Lenvatinib showed a probability of 86% of achieving best PFS outcomes. ICI monotherapies ranked as most tolerable. Atezolizumab plus bevacizumab showed the best net health benefit for OS, compared to durvalumab plus tremelimumab. When evaluating the net health benefit for PFS, at a willingness-to-risk threshold of 10% of SAEs for life-month gained, atezolizumab plus bevacizumab was favoured in 78% of cases, while at threshold of 30% of SAEs for life-month gained, lenvatinib was favoured in 76% of cases. Conclusions: Atezolizumab plus bevacizumab is the best treatment in terms of net benefit and therefore it should be recommended as standard of care. Compared to atezolizumab plus bevacizumab, lenvatinib monotherapy had the best net benefit for PFS when physicians and patients are available to accept a higher risk of toxicity.
Oxalate Nephropathy and the Mechanism of Oxalate-Induced Kidney Injury
Authors: Bao Daorina , Wang Yu , Zhao Ming-hui
Published: August 2023

Background: Hyperoxaluria is a major cause of oxalate nephropathy, which can lead to impaired renal function presenting as acute kidney injury, acute on chronic kidney disease, or chronic kidney disease. The Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort study showed that higher urinary oxalate is associated with renal outcome in patients with chronic kidney disease, supporting the nephrotoxicity of oxalate. Therefore, a better understanding of the role of oxalate in kidney injury is needed. This review describes the metabolism of oxalate and the clinical and pathology presentation of oxalate nephropathy. It also summarizes the available evidence for the underlying pathogenic mechanism and the development of treatments for oxalate-induced kidney injury. Summary: Disruption to any key step in the oxalate pathway including abnormal endogenous generation, ingestion of abnormally high dose of oxalate, increased absorption or attenuation of oxalate degradation in the gut, and reduced excretion through the kidney may lead to disrupted oxalate homeostasis. Oxalate nephropathy is mainly caused by hyperoxaluria. Oxalate crystal deposition in the kidney is usually accompanied with tubular toxicity, obstruction, interstitial fibrosis, and tubular atrophy. The mechanism of oxalate-induced renal injury has not been fully clarified. Evidence from both in vivo and in vitro studies shows that NLRP3 inflammasome activation and macrophage infiltration are involved in the processes of crystal adhesion, aggregation, and elimination and promote intrarenal inflammation and renal fibrosis. Novel treatment strategies have been developed and targeted therapies tested for oxalate nephropathy. Key Messages: Prompt diagnosis and management may help to reduce the deposition of calcium oxalate crystals in the kidney. Further studies are needed to clarify the underlying mechanisms to help develop more targeted therapies for oxalate nephropathy.
Consensus Statements Highlight the Need of Harmonizing Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Management Worldwide
Authors: Molica Stefano , Rossi Marco , Allsup David
Published: August 2023

In addition to the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) and National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines that are reference standards for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) in Europe and the USA, several consensus statements, formulated by independent, multidisciplinary panels of specialists, have been developed to provide region-specific guidance for the management of CLL.
Possible Influence of Ethnicity on Computed Tomography Perfusion Parameter Thresholds in Acute Ischaemic Stroke
Authors: Kusuma Yohanna , Clissold Benjamin , Riley Peter , Talman Paul , Wong Andrew , Litt Leonard Yeo Leong , Bustami Mursyid , Kiemas Lyna Soertidewi , Putri Indah Aprianti , Kemal M. Arief R. , Arpandy Reza A. , Melita Melita , Yan Bernard , Yielder Paul
Published: August 2023

Introduction: Tissue at risk, as estimated by CT perfusion utilizing Tmax+6, correlates with final infarct volume (FIV) in acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) without reperfusion. Tmax thresholds are derived from Western ethnic populations but not from ethnic Asian populations. We aimed to investigate the influence of ethnicity on Tmax thresholds. Methods: From a clinical-imaging registry of Australian and Indonesian stroke patients, we selected a participant subgroup with the following inclusion criteria: AIS under 24 h and absence of reperfusion therapy. Clinical data included demographics, time metrics, stroke severity, pre-morbid, and 3-month Modified Rankin Score. Baseline computed tomography perfusion and MRI <72 h were performed. Volumes of Tmax utilizing different thresholds and FIVs were calculated. Spearman correlation was used to evaluate relationship involving ordinal variables and calculate the optimal Tmax threshold against FIV in both populations. Results: Two hundred patients were included in the study sample, 100 in Jakarta and 100 in Geelong. The median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (IQR) were 6 (3–11) and 3 (1–5), respectively. The median Tmax+6 (IQR) was 0 (0–46.5) in Jakarta group and 0 (0–7.5) in Geelong group. The median FIV (IQR) was 0 (0–30.5) and 0 (0–5.5). Tmax+8 s in Jakarta population against FIV showed Spearman’s coefficient ρ = 0.72, representing the optimal Tmax threshold. Tmax+6 s showed Spearman’s coefficient ρ = 0.51 against FIV in the Geelong population. Conclusion: Tmax thresholds approximating FIV were possibly different in the Asian when compared with the non-Asian populations. Future studies are required to extend and confirm the validity of our findings.
Personal Narratives of School-Age Children: A Cross-Sectional Developmental Study
Authors: Kuvač Kraljević Jelena , Matić Škorić Ana , Gabaj Mateja
Published: August 2023

Introduction: Personal narratives are monological stories based on a personal experience that help children explain and understand their emotional states, as well as process positive and negative experiences. The aim of this study was to identify age- and emotion-related traits of lexical and grammatical abilities and coherence of personal stories produced by school-aged children between 7 and 13 years. Methods: A total of 60 typically developing children, speakers of Croatian, were stratified into three groups according to age. Using the Global TALES protocol, each child was asked to produce six personal stories prompted by different emotional states. The personal narratives were analysed using measures of lexical diversity (lemma-token ratio and number of different words), productivity (total number of words), and syntactic complexity (mean length of utterances and clausal density). Based on the Narrative Coherence Coding Scheme, three coherence dimensions (context, chronology, and theme) were rated. Results: Age group was shown to explain 18% of the variance in the ability to produce personal narratives. Personal narratives elicited through positive prompts were overall more lexically diverse but were significantly less elaborated chronologically and thematically than negative and neutral narratives. Conclusion: This study showed that coherence of the produced stories was connected with the child’s lexicon and that both variables – lexicon and coherence – were influenced by emotional valence of the story. In contrast, grammatical aspects of the narrative were influenced only by age. Finally, it is possible to state that the Global TALES protocol is sensitive enough to capture specificities of creating personal stories, both developmental ones and those created under the influence of the emotional valence of the prompts.
Systolic Blood Pressure and the Risk of Kidney Replacement Therapy and Mortality in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease Stages 4–5
Authors: Chávez-Iñiguez Jonathan S. , Zaragoza Jose J. , Camacho-Guerrero Jahir R. , Villavicencio-Cerón Vanessa , Valdez-Ortiz Rafael , Huerta-Orozco Ana E. , Chávez-Alonso Gael , Oliva-Martinez Ana E. , Díaz-Villavicencio Bladimir , Calderón-García Clementina E. , González-Barajas Jose D. , Arizaga-Nápoles Manuel , De La Vega-Méndez Frida M. , Gómez-Fregoso Juan A. , Rodríguez-García Francisco G. , Navarro-Blackaller Guillermo , Medina-González Ramón , Alcantar-Vallin Luz , García-García Guillermo
Published: August 2023

Introduction: In patients with chronic kidney disease stages 4 and 5 (CKD stages 4–5) without dialysis and arterial hypertension, it is unknown if the values of systolic blood pressure (SBP) considered in control (<120 mm Hg) are associated with kidney replacement therapy (KRT) and mortality. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, hypertensive CKD stages 4–5 patients attending the Renal Health Clinic at the Hospital Civil de Guadalajara were enrolled. We divided them into those that achieved SBP <120 mm Hg (controlled group) and those who did not (>120 mm Hg), the uncontrolled group. Our primary objective was to analyze the association between the controlled group and KRT; the secondary objective was the mortality risk and if there were subgroups of patients that achieved more benefit. Data were analyzed using Stata software, version 15.1. Results: During 2017–2022, a total of 275 hypertensive CKD stages 4–5 patients met the inclusion criteria for the analysis: 62 in the controlled group and 213 in the uncontrolled group; mean age 61 years; 49.82% were male; SBP was significantly lower in the controlled group (111 mm Hg) compared to the uncontrolled group (140 mm Hg); eGFR was similar between groups (20.41 mL/min/1.73 m2). There was a tendency to increase the mortality risk in the uncontrolled group (HR 6.47 [0.78–53.27]; p = 0.082) and an association by the Kaplan-Meir analysis (Log-rank p = 0.043). The subgroup analysis for risk of KRT in the controlled group revealed that patients ≥61 years had a lower risk of KRT (HR 0.87 [95% CI, 0–76-0.99]; p = 0.03, p of interaction = 0.005), but no differences were found in the subgroup analysis for mortality. In a follow-up of 1.34 years, no association was found in the risk of KRT according to the controlled or uncontrolled groups in a multivariate Cox analysis. Conclusion: In a retrospective cohort of patients with CKD stages 4–5 and hypertension, SBP >120 mm Hg was not associated with risk of KRT but could be associated with the risk of death. Clinical trials are required in this group of patients to demonstrate the impact of reaching the SBP goals recommended by the KDIGO guidelines.
SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF INVASIVE PLANTS IN BANDUNG, WEST JAVA, INDONESIA
Authors: Rahmawati Rahmawati , Rosleine Dian
Published: August 2023

The urban area is a source of invasive plants that enter through human activities such as agriculture and land-use conversion. Studying the invasive plant in urban areas is essential to understanding the city’s ecosystem health condition. Therefore, this study aims to inventory invasive plants, map their distribution, and explain the relationship between land use with the community diversity and species richness of invasive plants in Bandung. The vegetation analysis was performed using line-transect in 22 study sites distributed using a systematic random sampling method in Bandung to observe the plant species composition. The study plots were placed based on the land-use type. The species name, individual number, frequency, and sampling site locations were noted and analyzed to calculate the important value index (IVI) and the invasive species distribution pattern using the principal component analysis (PCA). The dominant invasive species was spatially mapped. Six types of land use were used in this study, i.e., settlements, street green lanes, gardens, paddy fields, urban parks, and urban forests. There were 187 species found in Bandung, which can be categorized into alien invasive species (39%), invasive native plants (25%), non-invasive alien species (18%), non-invasive native species (15%), and unidentified plants (3%). The most common invasive plants found were Eleusine indica (IVI=10.50%), Trimezia martinicensis (IVI=7.22%), and Cyperus rotundus (IVI=6.74%). Based on the plant community similarity index, the study area with the highest similarities were paddy fields with gardens (50.5%), settlements with road lanes (44.4%), urban parks with road lanes (26.2%), and urban forests with road lane (17.5%). PCA showed Swietenia macrophylla as the most common invasive plant found in urban forests, urban parks, and road lanes, with air humidity as the most influencing environmental factor. Trimezia martinicensis is the most common species in the settlement area affected by high air humidity. Bidens pilosa is an invasive plant commonly found on paddy fields, gardens, settlements, road lanes, and urban park edges. This species can easily and rapidly reproduce with a high survival rate. The many invasive plants found in Bandung must be managed to maintain the urban ecosystem’s health.
“that which is common to us all”: Karl Ove Knausgaard as Reader of Joyce
Authors: Cruz Tarso do Amaral de Souza
Published: August 2023

In his monumental autobiographical series of novels My Struggle, acclaimed Norwegian novelist Karl Ove Knausgaard devotes a considerable number of pages to discuss James Joyce’s fictional works. In the last volume of the series – The End –, practically the entire body of Joyce’s fiction – from early works such as Stephen Hero and Dubliners to the modernist masterpieces Ulysses and Finnegans Wake – is included in a discussion on the Irish novelist’s literature. Only one among Joyce’s major works is not tackled by Knausgaard in The End: A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man. Nonetheless, it is precisely Knausgaard who writes the preface to a celebrated Centennial edition of Joyce’s first novel in which, amidst other topics, he ponders over what he understands to be “the very essence of literature.” The article aims at highlighting some key aspects of Knausgaard’s take on Joyce’s fictional output and provide enough evidence to support the hypothesis that the Norwegian writer’s conceptualization of the literary phenomenon, including Joyce’s work, is based upon questionable essentialist premises.
Effect of Chlorhexidine on the Bonding Effect of an Etch-and-Rinse Adhesive to Pretreatment Dentin
Authors: Jing Debao , Wang Liqin
Published: August 2023

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of 2% chlorhexidine (CHX) on an etch-and rinse adhesive to dentin. Caries-free molars were selected and processed to expose a flat dentin surface. The specimens were bonded with a composite resin by an etch-and-rinse adhesive, which was pretreated with 2% CHX for 0, 15, 30, 45, and 60 seconds. The microtensile bond strength (MTBS) was evaluated before and after thermocycling. No significant differences were observed between groups before thermocycling. The 60-second CHX-pretreated group showed a significantly greater MTBS than the control group after thermocycling. The 2% CHX pretreatment could improve the bonding strength of the etch-and-rinse adhesive and slow down the aging progress of the bonding interface.
Laser-Assisted Minimally Invasive Nonsurgical Therapy in Treating Severely Periodontally Compromised Teeth: A Case Series
Authors: Chuang Pang-Ning , Kim Taewan , Wang Yu-Bo , Fiorellini Joseph , Chang Yu-Cheng
Published: August 2023

Minimally invasive nonsurgical treatment (MINST) aims to remove an etiology with minimal damage to the healthy periodontium and provide the ideal healing environment. This case series introduces the novel protocol of laser-assisted MINST (LAMINST), combining minimally invasive surgery with a dental laser. A total of 25 patients (32 teeth) with advanced periodontal disease were enrolled and received periodontal treatment by following the LAMINST protocol. Probing depth (PD), recession, clinical attachment level (CAL), bleeding on probing (BOP), plaque presence, and site mobility were evaluated preoperatively and at 6 months. Based on the periodontal evaluations, all cases were diagnosed as stage III grade C periodontitis. Six months after LAMINST, the average PD reduction was 4.44 mm and CAL improved by 4.38 mm. Baseline mobility scores of 1 (6 teeth), 2 (9 teeth), and 3 (3 teeth) decreased to 1 (5 teeth) or 0 (13 teeth). The initial prognoses of 5 (hopeless; 15 teeth), 4 (questionable; 13 teeth), and 3 (poor; 4 teeth), improved to 4 (5 teeth), 3 (12 teeth), 2 (fair; 13 teeth), and 1 (good; 2 teeth). The number of BOP sites reduced from 179 to 12, and the number of plaque sites reduced from 173 to 9. All clinical parameters were improved after LAMINST. The application of LAMINST may overcome the traditional limitations of nonsurgical treatment, such as poor accessibility.
Racial and Ethnic Diversity in Endovascular Thrombectomy Trials
Authors: Silva Gisele Sampaio , Rocha Eva , Mehta Amol , Sharrief Anjail
Published: August 2023

The burden of acute ischemic stroke varies among racial and ethnic groups. Black adults face a higher incidence of stroke as well as higher rates of mortality. Thrombolytic therapy is under‐utilized in Black adults, and recent data show that endovascular thrombectomy is also under‐utilized for Black and Hispanic adults in the United States. Despite federal initiatives designed to promote the representation of diverse racial and ethnic groups in academic research, Black and Hispanic adults continue to be underrepresented in clinical trials conducted in the United States. Globally, the lack of standardization regarding race and ethnicity reporting makes it challenging to determine the overall diversity of trial enrollment. In this topical review, we provide an overview of racial and ethnic disparities in stroke incidence and clinical care with a focus on endovascular thrombectomy and follow this with a description of diversity reporting in endovascular thrombectomy trials. We conclude with opportunities for and barriers to increasing racial and ethnic diversity in endovascular thrombectomy trials.
Automatic Detection of Cue Points for the Emulation of DJ Mixing
Authors: Zehren Mickaël , Alunno Marco , Bientinesi Paolo
Published: August 2023

The automatic identification of cue points is a central task in applications as diverse as music thumbnailing, generation of mash ups, and DJ mixing. Our focus lies in electronic dance music and in a specific kind of cue point, the “switch point,” that makes it possible to automatically construct transitions between tracks, mimicking what professional DJs do. We present two approaches for the detection of switch points. One embodies a few general rules we established from interviews with professional DJs, the other models a manually annotated dataset that we curated. Both approaches are based on feature extraction and novelty analysis. From an evaluation conducted on previously unknown tracks, we found that about 90 percent of the points generated can be reliably used in the context of a DJ mix.
Temporal dynamics of soil nematode population in an Acacia saligna invaded Mediterranean sand dune ecosystem
Authors: Applebaum Itaii , Doniger Tirza , Steinberger Yosef
Published: August 2023

The invasive Australian tree, Acacia saligna, has been the subject of numerous studies investigating its ecological impact. However, the effect of its invasion on the soil free-living nematode population has yet to be researched. In this study, we examined the impact of A. saligna on the soil free-living nematode population in a coastal dune site with a Mediterranean climate during three sampling periods. Soil samples were collected from beneath the canopies of A. saligna trees, the native dominant shrub Retama raetam, and bare soil plots as a control. Our findings reveal that A. saligna increases the density of the soil free-living nematode population and changes its trophic and taxonomic composition. While the nematode diversity and functional index scores did not significantly differ between sampling locations, they did differ between the different sampling times, highlighting the seasonal dynamics of the soil nematode population in Mediterranean sand dunes.
Enhancement of salt tolerance of transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana by Zostera japonica DnaJ gene
Authors: Chen Siting , Qiu Guanglong
Published: August 2023

Soil salt damage has become one of the main biological stresses affecting plant seed germination, crop growth and yield. Salt damage can lead to the accumulation of superoxide anion, hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl free radicals in plants, and a large amount of accumulated reactive oxygen species will cause the oxidation of lipids, proteins and nucleic acids and then cause cell damage. In this experiment, the seedlings and adult plants of transgenic Arabidopsis with overexpression of Zostera japonica (Z. japonica) DnaJ gene ZjDjB1 were used as materials. Wild-type and transgenic ZjDjB1 Arabidopsis were treated with 100 mM and 200 mM NaCl and root length, fresh weight, leaf water content and dry weight, physiological indexes and antioxidant system enzyme activities were measured. The results showed that overexpression of Z. japonica DnaJ gene ZjDjB1 could significantly alleviate the damage caused by salt stress to transgenic ZjDjB1 Arabidopsis seedlings and adult plants. The results showed that overexpression of Z. japonica DnaJ gene ZjDjB1 could reduce the content of MDA and O2-, increase the content of proline and activate the enzyme activity of antioxidant system under salt stress, to reduce the damage of salt stress to plants.
A new species of Stelis subgen. Unciferia (Orchidaceae: Pleurothallidinae) from Costa Rica
Authors: ROJAS-ALVARADO GUSTAVO
Published: August 2023

A new species of Stelis recorded in the middle lands of the Tilarán mountain range and the Volcanic Central mountain range of Costa Rica is described based on living material. Distribution map, line drawing and a Lankester Digital Composite Plate of the new species is provided. The new species Stelis luz-marinae belongs to the Stelis subgen. Unciferia and is related to the Stelis segoviensis group, a group of a dozen species distributed from Mexico to Ecuador, but with its highest diversity in Costa Rica and Panama. The new species is compared to its similar species, as Stelis psilantha, S. segoviensis and S. werckleana, but it can be distinguished by its short coflorescences generally as long as the leaf lenght, its rachis with short internodes, and its yellow-brownish flowers with the adaxial edges of the sepals covered by white or brownish trichomes.
Aeschynanthus murthyianus nom nov. (Gesneriaceae), a replacement name for A. cordifolius Kraenzlin
Authors: SINGH RAJEEV KUMAR , ARIGELA RAVI KIRAN
Published: August 2023

N/A
Geraniin-Based Self-Assemble Nanoplatform for Antioxidation Reduced Cardiotoxicity and Tumor Synergistic Therapy
Authors: Shan Lingling , Huo Yulong , Li Siyu , Li Wanrong , Wang Jing , Yang Yang , Wang Langzi , Chen Lin
Published: August 2023

Reducing the cardiotoxicity caused by DOX is a difficult problem in clinical cancer therapy. The small hydrophobic polyphenolic compound geraniin (GE) was designed as a DOX nanocarrier to coordinate with Fe3+, forming DOX-Fe3+@GE-PEG (GDFP) nanoparticles (NPs).
DOX-induced cardiotoxicity mediated by the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway was studied in vitro and in vivo. The targeting ability of GDFP NPs toward tumor cells or tissues was assessed using NIR imaging and pharmacokinetics studies. The synergistic therapeutic efficacy of the DOX and GE-based
GDFP NPs was evaluated in vitro and in vivo. GE-based GDFP NPs promoted SOD and GSH-Px activities, inhibited Nrf2 protein expression, and enhance HO-1 protein expression, which contributed to the reduction of DOX-induced cardiotoxicity. The blood-circulation half-life of GDFP
NPs was longer than 20 h determined by the NIR imaging and DOX plasma level calculations. The results indicated that high tumor accumulation of GDFP NPs could be achieved by retention (EPR) effect. The GDFP NPs showed an improved synergistic antitumor effect. Our work has explored a novel
approach for overcoming DOX-induced cardiotoxicity and achieving synergistic chemotherapy, which holds great potential for future clinical application.
Preparation, Characterization and Osteoblastic Compatibility Evaluation of Bifunctional Polyvinyl Alcohol Hydrogels Containing RGD and Hyaluronic Acid
Authors: Li Yan , Sun Lijie , Zhou Lin , Ma Yonggang , Liu Mingyuan
Published: August 2023

In recent years, polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel has been repeatedly confronted with urgent needs for more enhanced bio-activity in the field of bone tissue engineering. We used sulfydryl-alkyne click chemical reaction to prepare a bifunctional polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel containing RGD peptide
and hyaluronic acid. Polyvinyl alcohol grafted with hyaluronic acid can reduce degradation rate and improve mechanical properties. RGD peptide can improve cell adhesion and migration on material surface. The bifunctional polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel is prepared by click chemistry reaction and
characterized by scanning electron microscopy, 1H NMR, Ellman’s test and Kjeldahl nitrogen determination. The physical properties of bifunctional polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel are evaluated in terms of tensile properties and water contact angle test. According to varying hydrogel
composition, five groups are designed to conduct the experiment as follows: Control group, PVA group, PVA-HA group, PVAPA-RGD group, and PVA-HA-SH/PVAPA-RGD group, each of which is to be co-cultured with MC3T3-E1 cells to observe cell morphology by laser scanning confocal microscope. Then,
CCK-8 method and cell counting method were used to detect the proliferation activity and cell adhesion rate, respectively. ALP activity and qRT-PCR were used to detect osteogenic differentiation and expression of osteogenic marker genes ALP, OCN, Runx2, Col I and OPN. The experimental results
show that the tensile strength of the bifunctional polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel is 1.42±0.61 MPa, with tensile modulus as 0.58±0.03 MPa, and elongation at break as 297.53±42.36%. The water contact angle is 18.40±2.2°. After three days of culture, the proliferation
activity ranks in order as PVA-HA-SH/PVAPA-RGD group > PVA-RGD group > PVA-HA group > PVA group > Control group. After 4 hours of culture, cell adhesion is sequenced as PVA-HA-SH/PVAPA-RGD group > bicomponent group > PVA group > Control group. After 48 hours of culture,
immunofluorescence staining demonstrates more sufficient cellular spreading and adherence, clearer actin fibers, more vinculin numbers in PVA-HA-SH/PVAPA-RGD group. In addition, significantly higher ALP activity (after 3 days’ culturing) and osteogenic gene expression level (after 7
days’ culturing) have been witnessed in PVA-HA-SH/PVAPA-RGD group than those of other groups. The overall experimental results have confirmed its excellent hydrophilicity and fine mechanical properties of the bifunctional polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel system, which would exert a remarkable
effect on proliferation, adhesion and osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells.
An Efficient Investigation on Age-Related Macular Degeneration Using Deep Learning with Cloud-Based Teleophthalmology Architecture
Authors: Selvakumar P. , ArunPrakash R.
Published: August 2023

AMD, or age-related macular degeneration, is the fourth most common visual ailment leading to blindness worldwide and mostly affects persons over the age of 60. Early-stage blindness may be reduced with timely and precise screening. High-resolution analysis and identification of the
retinal layers damaged by illness is made possible by optical coherence tomography (OCT), a diagnostic technique. Setting up a comprehensive eye screening system to identify AMD is a difficult task. Manually sifting through OCT pictures for anomalies is a time-consuming and error-prone operation.
Automatic feature extraction from OCT images may speed up the diagnostic process and reduce the potential for human mistake. Historically, several methods have been developed to identify characteristics in OCT pictures. This thesis documents the development and evaluation of many such algorithms
for the identification of AMD. In order to minimize the severity of AMD, retinal fundus images must be employed for early detection and classification. In this work, we develop a useful deep learning cloud-based AMD categorization model for wearables. The suggested model is DLCTO-AMDC model,
a patient outfitted with a head-mounted camera (OphthoAI IoMT headset) may send retinaldehyde fundus imageries to a secure virtual server for analysis. The suggested AMD classification model employs Inception v3 as the feature extractor and a noise reduction approach based on midway point
filtering (MPF). The deep belief network (DBN) model is also used to detect and classify AMD. Then, an AOA-inspired hyperparameter optimisation method is used to fine-tune the DBN parameters. To ensure the DLCTO-AMDC model would provide superior classification results, extensive simulations
were done using the benchmark dataset. The findings prove the DLCTO-AMDC model is superior to other approaches already in use.
Effect of Calycosin on Airway Inflammation and Airway Remodeling in Allergic Asthma Mouse Model
Authors: Huang Li , Zhang Mingjuan , Xiong Jinrong
Published: August 2023

Background: This study aimed to construct a TDI-induced mouse model of asthma, and evaluate the potential effects and possible molecular mechanisms of Calycosin on airway inflammation and airway remodeling in mouse model. Material and methods: ELISA method was applied
to detect the total serum IgE level and the inflammatory cytokine level in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. The total number of cells and the proportion of inflammatory cells in BALF were evaluated under an optical microscope. HE was employed to assess and score the infiltration of peritracheal
and perivascular inflammatory cells in lung tissue, and PAS staining was used to assess the proportion of goblet cells in the airway epithelium and the thickness of airway epithelial reticular basement membrane in each group of mice. WB was used to detect the expressions of HMGB1 and a-SMA
in cells. Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the expressions of HMGB1 and a-SMA in 16HBEs. Results: The airway hyperresponsiveness of the Calycosin TDI asthma mice decreased, the inflammatory factors in BALF and the total serum IgE levels decreased, the airway epithelial
goblet cell metaplasia and the thickness of the airway epithelial reticular basement membrane were improved, thus reducing the up-regulation of HMGB1 and a-SMA expression of 16HBES induced by TDI-HSA. Conclusion: In our study, in the TDI-induced mouse model of asthma, the administration
of drug to inhibit the activation of AKT can reduce airway inflammation and airway remodeling. These findings have enriched the current understanding of Calycosin and provided a basis for future research. However, there are also some limitations: How does TDI activate the AKT signaling pathway?
After the activation of the AKT pathway, the mechanism by which the expressions of HMGB1, α-SMA and Collagen-I were up-regulated has not been fully elucidated.
Hybrid Assimilation of Snow Cover Improves Land Surface Simulations over Northern China
Authors: Zhu Enda , Shi Chunxiang , Sun Shuai , Jia Binghao , Wang Yaqiang , Yuan Xing
Published: August 2023

Ensemble data assimilation (DA) is an efficient approach to reduce snow simulation errors by combining observation and land surface modeling. However, there is a small spread between ensemble members of simulated snowpack, which typically occurs for a long time with 100% snow cover fraction (SCF) or snow-free conditions. Here, we apply a hybrid DA method, in which direct insertion (DI) is a supplement of the ensemble square root filter (EnSRF), to assimilate the spaceborne SCF into a land surface model, driven by China Meteorological Administration Land Data Assimilation System high-resolution climate forcings over northern China during the snow season in 2021/22. Compared to the open-loop experiment (without SCF assimilation), the root-mean-square error (RMSE) of SCF is reduced by 6% through the original EnSRF and is even lower (by 14%) in the combined DI and EnSRF (EnSRFDI) experiment. The results reveal the ability of both EnSRF and EnSRFDI to improve the SCF estimation over regions where the snow cover is low, while only EnSRFDI is able to efficiently reduce the RMSE over areas with high SCF. Moreover, the SCF assimilation is also observed to improve the snow depth and soil temperature simulations, with the Kling–Gupta efficiency (KGE) increasing at 60% and 56%–70% stations, respectively, particularly under conditions with near-freezing temperature, in which reliable simulations are typically challenging. Our results demonstrate that the EnSRFDI hybrid method can be applied for the assimilation of spaceborne observational snow cover to improve land surface simulations and snow-related operational products.

Significance Statement

Due to the small spread between the seasonal snowpack of ensemble simulations, ensemble snow cover fraction (SCF) data assimilation (DA) proves to be ineffective. Therefore, we apply a hybrid method that combines the direct insertion (DI) and ensemble square root filter (EnSRF) to assimilate the spaceborne SCF into a land surface model (LSM) driven by high-resolution climate forcings. Our results reveal the applicability of the EnSRFDI to further improve snow cover simulations over regions with high SCF. Furthermore, the DA experiments were validated through a large number of in situ observations from the China Meteorological Administration. The uncertainties of snow depth and soil temperature simulations are also slightly reduced by the SCF DAs, particularly over regions with a poor LSM performance.
Healthy orthorexia, orthorexia nervosa, and personality traits in a community sample in Turkey
Authors: Sezer Katar Kübra , Şahin Başak , Kurtoğlu Mustafa Batuhan
Published: August 2023

Objective

Orthorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by a rigid preoccupation with a perceived healthy diet. However, little is known about healthy orthorexia compared to orthorexia nervosa. The current study examined the relationship between healthy orthorexia and orthorexia nervosa and personality traits in a Turkish sample.

Methods

Three hundred fifty participants from a community sample aged 18-65 were included in the study. Participants completed a sociodemographic data collection form, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Teruel Orthorexia Scale (TOS), and the 10-Item Personality Inventory (TIPI).

Results

The frequency of healthy orthorexia was 32.3% and orthorexia nervosa was 10.2%. There were no differences between genders regarding healthy orthorexia and orthorexia nervosa scores. Healthy orthorexia symptoms were negatively correlated with depression and anxiety (r = -0.11 and r = -0.20, respectively, P < .05), while they were positively correlated with agreeableness (r = 0.17), conscientiousness (r = 0.14), and extraversion (r = 0.15). Orthorexia nervosa symptoms were positively associated with anxiety (r = 0.12), depression (r = 0.10), and healthy orthorexia (r = 0.55). Hierarchical regression analyses demonstrated that depression was negatively associated with healthy orthorexia symptoms, explaining 4% of the variance. The agreeableness trait was positively associated with healthy orthorexia symptoms, explaining 4% of the variance. However, no specific personality trait was associated with orthorexia nervosa symptoms.

Conclusion

To our knowledge, the present study is the first to examine the relationships between personality traits, healthy orthorexia, and orthorexia nervosa symptoms in a Turkish sample. Sociocultural factors may be important for understanding orthorexia nervosa and healthy eating behaviors in this population.
Young North Korean defectors’ new media practices in response to stereotypes by South Korean society
Authors: Son Myung-Ah , Kim You-Yeon
Published: August 2023

This study analyzed the new media practices of young North Korean defectors (YNKDs) who are portrayed in traditional media as the subject of South Korean stereotypes. Popular content on YouTube channels was examined to determine South Koreans’ perceptions of North Korea and North Korean defectors. We also interviewed YNKD YouTubers and classified the types of practices in response to such perceptions. The results indicated that South Korean subscribers prefer content highlighting South Korea’s superiority over North Korea. In response, YNKD YouTubers have produced content that may be characterized as “cultural assimilation,” “conflict and compromise” and “seeking alternatives.” This study found that the decisive factor that distinguishes these three response types is the pursuit of public interest, i.e., aiming to change South Koreans’ perception of North Korean defectors. Inner conflicts over financial benefits limit YNKDs’ practice and impede their move towards solidarity-based collective action. The findings suggest that YNKD YouTubers who want to change mainstream society’s perceptions can contribute to unification by producing authentic and creative content about North Korea.
Influences on Long-Term Physical Activity in African American Women: A Scoping Review
Authors: Moore Hubbell Annette , Schafer Astroth Kim , Henry Jenkins Sheryl , Mann Woith Wendy
Published: August 2023

African American women experience a disparity of preventable long-term illness than non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic Asian, and Hispanic women. Participation in routine physical activity (PA) is recommended to prevent and manage long-term illness, yet African American women are the least physically active. There is a paucity of literature addressing long-term PA in this population; therefore, a scoping review of the literature was conducted to assess what is known about physically active African American women who successfully participate in regular forms of long-term PA. The Socioecological Model was used to organize a synthesis of factors influencing PA at the individual, social, environmental, and political levels. A search of 7 electronic databases and reference lists produced 7 studies published in English between 2000 and 2022. Participants shared perspectives of influences at multiple levels. At the individual level, modeling PA behaviors was noted as a means for changing the cultural perspective of PA; future interventions that engage physically active African American women as advocates and promoters of PA may be useful. Social level influences were the most impactful and served as a channel for belonging and attachment while performing PA; culturally appropriate interventions may include supporting a sense of belonging. At the environmental level, financial constraints and unsafe environments for subgroups influenced the ability to perform PA; future research might consider interventions based on demographics and their impact on participants’ ability to perform PA. No influences were mentioned by participants at the political level.
Working with Indigenous Australian communities designing a nutritional mHealth tool during the Covid-19 pandemic
Authors: Gilbert Stephanie , Irvine Rachel , D’Or Melissa , Rae Kym , Murphy Nicole
Published: August 2023

Enacting a research project that is beneficial and meaningful for Indigenous communities and agencies in Australia remains a challenge in both the research and nutrition fields. This article describes how the Mums and Bubs Deadly Diets project is embedding Indigenous ways of knowing and doing and partnering with Indigenous communities to co-design mobile health technology. Each step in the process of developing and implementing this project has been actively conscious of the intentions of the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Code of Ethics and the National Ethics Standards for working with Indigenous Australians. Describing the project’s approach, methods of negotiation and responses to challenges, administering institutions and Indigenous communities, including coronavirus disease-19, provides the opportunity to reflect and forward plan for future projects.
The relationship between workplace violence, emotional exhaustion, job satisfaction and turnover intention among nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Gedik Özlem , Ülke Şimdi Refika , Kıbrıs Şerife , (Sivuk) Derya Kara
Published: August 2023

Objectives:

Workplace violence is a major issue in society, business and healthcare settings. It adversely affects both employee safety and their ability to provide healthcare services.

Aim:

This study examined the association between workplace violence, emotional exhaustion, job satisfaction and turnover intention among nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods:

We collected data from 513 nurses. We conducted ‘Process Macro’ analysis. Firstly, we included three mediators in the model: job satisfaction, workplace violence and emotional exhaustion. Secondly, we used work hours and anxiety as moderators of the relationship between workplace violence and turnover intention.

Results:

The findings revealed statistical significance that job satisfaction and workplace violence mediated the relationship between emotional exhaustion and nurse turnover intentions. Work hours and anxiety also moderated the relationship between workplace violence and nurses’ turnover intention.

Conclusion:

Respondents indicated that they were most affected by verbal violence during this time. Workplace violence is a negative factor that affects nurses’ work, affecting them physically and psychologically. This occupational risk should be considered when evaluating nurses exposed to violence, as it affects job satisfaction and turnover intentions. The main theoretical contribution of this research is the identification of the association between workplace violence, emotional exhaustion, job satisfaction and turnover intention among nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is clear that the research findings will be useful for healthcare professionals. The findings may have practical implications for healthcare administrators and their staff.
Continuous Subcutaneous Infusion Versus Multiple Daily Injections of Insulin for Pregestational Diabetes in Pregnancy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Fisher Stephanie A. , Huang Jingtong , DuBord Ashley Y. , Xu Nicole Y. , Beestrum Molly , Niznik Charlotte , Yeung Andrea M. , Nguyen Kevin T. , Klonoff David C. , Yee Lynn M.
Published: August 2023

Background:

The use of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) therapy in pregnancies affected by pregestational diabetes mellitus (DM) has generated mixed outcome data worthy of further investigation. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to evaluate clinical outcomes associated with CSII versus multiple daily injections (MDIs) in pregnant persons with pregestational DM.

Methods:

A predefined, systematic, librarian-assisted search of MEDLINE (PubMed), Embase, Cochrane Library, Scopus, ClinicalTrials.gov, and World Health Organization International Clinical Trial Registry Platform (published from 2010 to 2022) yielded 3003 studies describing pregnancy outcomes associated with CSII and/or MDI for pregestational DM. The primary exposure was mode of insulin administration, with cesarean delivery and neonatal hypoglycemia as the primary maternal and neonatal outcomes, respectively. Secondary outcomes included hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, first and third-trimester glycemic control, large-for-gestational age (LGA) neonate, preterm birth, neonatal intensive care unit admission, need for respiratory support, hyperbilirubinemia, 5-minute Apgar <7, shoulder dystocia, and perinatal mortality. We calculated pooled odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) using random-effects models.

Results:

Among 39 eligible studies, 39% of the 5518 pregnancies included were exposed to CSII. Odds of cesarean delivery were higher with CSII (20 studies: 63% vs 56%, odds ratio [OR] 1.3 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.2-1.5]), but we did not identify a difference in the odds of neonatal hypoglycemia (23 studies: 31% vs 34%, OR 1.1 [95% CI 0.9-1.5]). Among secondary outcomes, only the odds of LGA (20 studies: 47% vs 38%, OR 1.4 [95% CI 1.2-1.6]) were higher in individuals using CSII versus MDI.

Conclusions:

Use of CSII (vs MDI) for pregestational DM in pregnancy is associated with higher odds of cesarean delivery and delivery of an LGA neonate. Further evaluation of how CSII use may influence neonatal size and delivery route is warranted.
Republication of “The Evaluation and Treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulcers and Diabetic Foot Infections”
Authors: Del Core Michael A. , Ahn Junho , Lewis Robert B. , Raspovic Katherine M. , Lalli Trapper A. J. , Wukich Dane K.
Published: August 2023

Diabetic foot ulcers and infections are common complications of diabetic foot disease. Additionally, these complications are a common cause of morbidity and impose a substantial burden to the patient and society. It is imperative to understand the major contributing factors, namely, diabetic neuropathy, peripheral arterial disease, and immune system dysfunction in order to guide treatment. Management of diabetic foot disease begins with a detailed history and thorough physical examination. This examination should focus on the manifestations of diabetic neuropathy and peripheral arterial disease, and, in particular, any evidence of diabetic foot ulcers or infection. Prevention strategies should include a multi-disciplinary approach centered on patient education.