bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modulating proliferative and osteogenic potentials of mesenchymal stem cells via a novel formulation of MTA as a root perforation repair material
Authors: Elgendi Ahmed , Hassanien Ehab , Nagy Mohamed , Fathy Iman , Abu-Seida Ashraf , Hassanein Elhassan
Published: March 2024

Root perforations may cause periodontitis, resulting in alveolar bone loss. This study compared the zirconia containing MTA Matreva® (MAT group) to traditional MTA Angelus® (ANG group) as root perforation repair materials regarding the cytotoxicity and the osteogenic potential. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) were isolated from two albino rats and cultured. Cytotoxicity of the tested materials was assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay at three-time intervals; 3, 7 and 14 days. The tested materials were used to direct the osteogenic differentiation of BM-MSCs into osteoblasts. Evaluation of osteogenic effect was performed through assessments of calcium deposition by Alizarin red staining (ARS), expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) ligand (RANKL) protein in BM-MSCs seeded on the tested materials for 14 days and osteogenic potential gene markers expression in BM-MSCs after culture on the tested materials for 14 days. The assessed genes included; tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), and interleukin 1-β (IL-1β). All data were statistically analyzed. There were no significant differences between ANG and MAT groups in terms of cytotoxicity and osteogenic potential (P>0.05). The highest level of cell proliferation occurred in MAT groups, followed by ANG group, compared to negative controls (NC). The MAT group showed the highest levels of Average % calcific area fraction (90%) followed by that of ANG group (68%) as compared to NC (48%). The BM-MSCs in the MAT group exhibited significantly highest level of RANKL protein expression, followed by that of ANG group. The ANG group revealed significantly greater TNF-α and IL-1β levels than those in NC. The MAT group had significantly greater value of TGF-β than that of NC. Zirconia containing MTA (MTA Matreva) has comparable cytotoxicity and osteogenic potential to traditional MTA (MTA Angelus), which is regarded a dependable material for root perforation healing.
FGF21 inhibited NETs formation induced by myocardial I/R injury via AMPK
Authors: Gu Lingyun , Jia Chengao , Sheng Zuozhen , Jiang Wenlong , Xu Zhuowen , Li Weizhang , Zhang Hua
Published: March 2024

Background Previous investigations have established the anti-inflammatory properties of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21). However, the specific mechanism through which FGF21 mitigates myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury by inhibiting neutrophil extracellular traps(NETs) formation remains unclear.
Methods A mice model of myocardial I/R injury was induced, and myocardial tissue was stained with immunofluorescence to assess the formation of NETs. Serum NETs levels were quantified using a PicoGreen kit. In addition, the expression levels of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and FGF21 were evaluated by Wes fully automated protein blotting quantitative analysis system. Moreover, an hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) model was established using AMPK inhibitor and agonist pretreated H9c2 cells to further explore the relationship between FGF21 and AMPK.
Results Compared with the control group, serum NETs levels were significantly higher in I/R mice, and a large number of NETs were formed in myocardial tissues (97.63±11.45 vs 69.65±3.33, P<0.05). However, NETs levels were reversed in FGF21 pretreated mice (P<0.05). Further studies showed that FGF21 enhanced AMPK expression, which was significantly increased after inhibition of AMPK and decreased after promotion of AMPK (P<0.05).
Conclusions FGF21 may exert cardioprotective effects by inhibiting I/R injury-induced NETs formation via AMPK.
Post-endoscopy esophageal squamous cell carcinoma with invasion of the muscularis mucosa or deeper detected in surveillance endoscopy after esophageal endoscopic resection
Authors: Kitagawa Daiki , Ishihara Ryu , Yoshii Shunsuke , Asada Yuya , Ueda Tomoya , Kizawa Atsuko , Ninomiya Takehiro , Okubo Yuki , Kawakami Yushi , Tani Yasuhiro , Kato Minoru , Shichijo Satoki , Kanesaka Takashi , Yamamoto Sachiko , Takeuchi Yoji , Higashino Koji , Uedo Noriya , Michida Tomoki , Fujiwara Yasuhiro
Published: March 2024

Background:Surveillance endoscopy is recommended after endoscopic resection of esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (ESCCs). However, surveillance endoscopy sometimes detects advanced metachronous ESCCs with invasion of the muscularis mucosa (MM) or deeper. We aimed to clarify the clinicopathological features of these advanced metachronous ESCCs.
Methods: This single-center retrospective study identified metachronous ESCCs detected during surveillance endoscopy. ESCCs that invaded the MM or deeper and were detected within 24 months after the previous endoscopy were defined as post-endoscopy esophageal advanced lesions (PEEALs), while the first ESCC detected in the patient was defined as the primary lesion. Study 1 compared the clinicopathological characteristics of PEEALs versus non-advanced lesions. Study 2 compared the endoscopic features of pT1a-MM PEEALs versus primary lesions.
Results: A total of 307 metachronous ESCCs were analyzed in Study 1. Of these, 20 were PEEALs and 287 were non-advanced lesions (pT1a-EP/LPM). The median intervals from the previous endoscopy for PEEALs and non-advanced lesions were 6.1 months and 6.7 months, respectively (P = 0.283). The morphological feature of marginal elevation was seen in 60% of PEEALs. In Study 2, 15 pT1a-MM PEEALs were compared with 149 pT1a-MM primary lesions. Compared with primary lesions, pT1a-MM PEEALs were smaller (median 10 mm vs. 30 mm, P <0.001) and had a higher prevalence of marginal elevation morphology (53.3% vs. 10.1%, P<0.001).
Conclusions: The specific features of PEEALs were a small diameter and marginal elevation. Surveillance endoscopy with careful observation for these lesions is recommended after endoscopic resection of ESCCs.
Trial registration: The present study is a non-intervention trial.
Combined Empowerment, Continuous Appraisal, Psychological and Career Counseling Improve Medical Cadets’ Satisfaction and May Offset Burnout During Internship Year. An 18-Months Successful Experience in a Tertiary Medical Center
Authors: Shoham Reut , Robinson Hanni , Yehiel Noy , Robinzon Vered , Frenkel Yael Nir , Segal Gad
Published: March 2024

Background.
Following graduation from school of medicine, Israeli medical cadets complete a 12-months training period in hospitals. This year, their jump-start of career, has profound influence on their future contribution to our national workforce. The crisis in the healthcare system is already notable in this group of physicians, with burnout, sense of personal and professional uncertainty and disorientation resulting from the nature of their changing environment.
Methods.
In the largest Israeli tertiary hospital, we established an education authority, overseeing cadets as trainees rather workers. We offer them constructed, personalized psychological and counselling services with continuous process of appraisal. During an 18-month period we followed their monthly feedback relating to their satisfaction, learning experience and level of socialization with their peers and superiors. The study was designed as comparative research assessing cadets’ satisfaction measurements before, and after intervention as a surrogate marker for their burnout.
Results.
Comparison of measured parameters amongst our study population (before and after intervention) showed statistically significant improvement, with interns stationed in the surgical departments (n = 86) showing the highest degree of improved satisfaction: the extent of acquiring new knowledge and competencies [Likert questionnaire results (1 to 5 LQR) went from 2.2 ± 1.0 to 3.3 ± 1.42 ; p < 0.005]; experience from the absorption process into the department [LQR from 2.6 ± 1.2 to 3.5 ± 1.56 ; p < 0.05], degree of motivation to recommend peers to apply for residency [LQR from 2.3 ± 1.0 to 3.1 ± 1.6 ; p = 0.05] and the experience of being accepted to the department by the staff nurses [LQR from 2.7 ± 1.3 to 3.5 ± 1.1 ; p < 0.05].
Conclusions.
A combined, ongoing process of appraisal, empowerment, psychological and career counseling seems promising in the relenting effort to improve cadets’ satisfaction and hopefully withhold the burnout process of young physicians.
MULTIMORBIDITY, MORBIDITIES, AND LONG COVID – findings of the Sulcovid longitudinal study
Authors: Ventura Lucas Souza , Vieira Yohana Pereira , Rocha Juliana Quadros Santos , Fehlberg Lorrany da Silva Nunes , de Souza Cristiane , Duro Suele Manjourany Silva , Saes Mirelle de Oliveira
Published: March 2024

Background
The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between long COVID, morbidities, and multimorbidity in adults and older adults six to nine months after infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus in Southern Brazil.
Methods
Baseline data were obtained from the longitudinal study, Sulcovid, conducted on individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 through RT-PCR testing from December 2020 to March 2021, who were symptomatic and living in a city in southern Brazil. Long COVID was assessed based on the affirmative response to at least one of the 18 symptoms investigated and categorized as musculoskeletal, neurological, respiratory, sensory, or digestive. Morbidities were assessed based on the presence of at least one of nine self-reported diseases. Data were analyzed using the Stata 15.0 statistical package. Crude and adjusted analyses were performed using Poisson regression to assess the relationships between morbidity, multimorbidity, and long COVID.
Results
In total, 2,919 people were interviewed. The most prevalent morbidities were anxiety (26.3%), hypertension (25.3%), and depression (19.4%). In addition, 17.8% reported two previous morbidities and 22.6% had three or more comorbidities. Individuals with depression (PR = 1.17 95% CI 1.05–1.30), anxiety (PR = 1.33 95% CI 1.21–1.47), two or more morbidities (PR = 1.22 95% CI 1.07–1.39), and three or more morbidities (PR = 1.40; 95% CI 1.24–1.57) were more likely to have long COVID. A linear trend was observed, where individuals with two and three or more morbidities were 1.22 (95% CI 1.07–1.39) and 1.40 (95% CI 1.24–1.57) times more likely to develop long COVID than those with no or one morbidity.
Conclusions
The findings of this study reinforce that individuals with morbidities and multimorbidities prior to infection had greater vulnerability to long COVID.
Trust in AI applications and intention to use them in cardiac care among cardiologists in the UK: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach
Authors: Mahdavi Mahdi , Frings Daniel
Published: March 2024

Background. The widespread use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven applications among consultant cardiologists remains relatively low due to trust issues and perceived threat to professional autonomy, patient safety, and legal liability of misdiagnoses. There is a paucity of empirical research investigating the relationships between trust in AI applications and an intention to use (AI-Use) them among cardiologists. To address this gap, we surveyed a sample of cardiologists to examine the determinants of trust in AI and trust’s effects on AI-Use based on the organisational trust model.
Methods. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of consultant cardiologists (n = 61) in the UK. Given the small sample size, we used a partial least square structural equation model (SEM) analysis approach to assess the measurement and structural models. We utilized factor loadings and weights for the measurement model assessment and coefficients, the redundancy indices, and goodness of fit (GoF) for the structural model assessment. We also undertook a content analysis of open-text responses around perceived risks, enablers, and barriers to AI use in cardiac care. We performed analyses in the R programme.
Results. The GoF of the final SEM model was 63%, showcasing a substantial improvement over the original model (GoF=51%). The final model encompassed all latent constructs from the original model and explained 70% of the variance in trust and 37% in AI use. The AI application ability (accuracy and reliability) significantly influenced trust (β=0.55, p<.001), while lower benevolence correlated with decreased trust (β=0.19, p<.05). Trust in AI emerged as the sole significant contributor to AI-Use (β=0.48, p<.001), indicating higher trust associated with increased future use. Participants perceived diagnosis accuracy as a prominent theme, mentioned 20 times about AI risk and frequently cited as both an enabler (n=39 times) and a barrier (n=29 times).
Conclusions. The enhanced GoF in the final model indicates an improved final SEM model compared with the original SEM model. Addressing diagnosis accuracy concerns and building trust in AI systems is crucial to facilitate increased AI adoption among cardiologists and seamless integration into cardiac care.
Factors that influence happiness of nursing students according to COVID-19 infection status
Authors: Jung Hyun-Ok , Han Seung-Woo
Published: March 2024

Background
Happiness is a cognitive and emotional evaluation of one’s life, and the upward approach affects satisfaction and happiness throughout life, whereas the downward approach refers to lower-level factors that affect happiness in actual areas of life.
Methods
Data were collected from October 4, 2023 to November 15, 2023. The subjects were 343 students enrolled in five nursing schools in four major cities (D, G, K, and Y) in Korea. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation coefficients.
Results
For COVID+ students, happiness was significantly affected by adaptation to campus life and family strengths. This model had r2 = 0.401; i.e., it explained 40.1% of the variability in happiness. For COVID0 students, happiness was significantly affected by adaptation to campus life and subjective health status, with r2 = 0.346.
Conclusions
These results indicate the necessity of developing a happiness-promotion program for nursing students.
Splicing is dynamically regulated during limb development
Authors: Driscoll Sean , Merkuri Fjodor , Chain Frédéric J.J. , Fish Jennifer
Published: March 2024

Modifications to highly conserved developmental gene regulatory networks are thought to underlie morphological diversification in evolution and contribute to human congenital malformations. Relationships between gene expression and morphology have been extensively investigated in the limb, where most of the evidence for alterations to gene regulation in development consists of pre-transcriptional mechanisms that affect expression levels, such as epigenetic alterations to regulatory sequences and changes to cis-regulatory elements. Here we report evidence that alternative splicing (AS), a post-transcriptional process that modifies and diversifies mRNA transcripts, is dynamic during limb development in two mammalian species. We evaluated AS patterns in mouse (Mus musculus) and opossum (Monodelphis domestica) across the three key limb developmental stages: the ridge, bud, and paddle. Our data show that splicing patterns are dynamic over developmental time and differ between the two mammalian taxa. Additionally, multiple key limb development genes, including Fgf8, are differentially spliced across the three stages in both species, with expression levels of the conserved splice variants, Fgf8a and Fgf8b, changing across developmental time. Our data demonstrates that AS is a critical mediator of mRNA diversity in limb development and provides an additional mechanism for evolutionary tweaking of gene dosage.
Training needs of German healthcare professionals regarding sexual health and sex workers: Results of a nationwide, cross-sectional survey
Authors: Reinehr Sabrina , Neuendorff Nina R. , Veen Raquel , Langenbach Benedikt P. , Thieme Andreas
Published: March 2024

Background
Sexual health is an important aspect of human well-being. In terms of sexual health and healthcare, sex workers might need more specialized care than others, given their higher risk for both discrimination and various sexually transmitted diseases. Yet, however, little is known about the quality of healthcare professionals’ training regarding sexual health and healthcare of sex workers in Germany.
Methods
In an online survey, 130 physicians, 63 psychotherapists, and 154 medical students reported their perceived quality of training regarding sexual health problems in all their patients and regarding sex workers’ health issues specifically.
Results
A substantial share of respondents reported to have experienced inadequate training regarding both sexual health problems in general and specific issues concerning sex workers. However, most respondents reported feeling rather comfortable when dealing with these topics. There was a positive correlation between feeling comfortable when treating sexual health problems/ sex workers and the perceived training on these topics.
Conclusions
The results of this study indicate that sexual health issues and sex workers’ specific healthcare requirements are not sufficiently addressed in the curricula of German healthcare professionals. Future adaptations of these curricula might be necessary.
The potential use of antifungal essential oil volatiles to manage citrus decay during degreening
Authors: Dyk Meagan , Kellerman Hanli , Niekerk Jan van
Published: March 2024

New developing regulations of chemical-use on fruit calls for an integrated disease management approach using softer chemicals to reduce decay of fresh produce. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of essential oil volatiles to manage postharvest citrus decay. Fifteen essential oils were tested in vitro for its fungicidal properties against growth- and spore-germination of two postharvest citrus pathogens. Cinnamon bark and oregano oils were fungicidal to fresh mycelial-growth of Penicillium digitatum (cinnamon: ≥212.16; oregano: ≥106.08 µl/L headspace) and Galactomyces citri-aurantii (cinnamon: ≥106.08; oregano: ≥212.16 µl/L headspace). Oregano inhibited sporulation of P. digitatum (≥53.04 µl/L headspace). When spores of these pathogens were exposed to cinnamon essential oil (≥106.08 µl/L headspace) for 72 h, spore germination was inhibited by 99.8% (P. digitatum) and 99.3% (G. citri-aurantii). Combining cinnamon with oregano (both at 53.04 µl/L headspace) inhibited spore germination, whilst inhibiting sporulation of P. digitatum. Cinnamon (167.67 µl/L headspace) and oregano (83.84 µl/L headspace) tested in the absence of growth media were fungitoxic to 100% of P. digitatum spores. In vivo studies showed that cinnamon (133.00 µl/L headspace) reduces green mould (43.33±15.06% control) when tested on sterile-wounded ‘Valencia’ oranges in the presence of a fruit sporulating with P. digitatum, and that oregano (106.20 µl/L headspace) inhibits the sporulation on fruit injected with P. digitatum. These essential oils did not negatively affect degreening of ‘Eureka’ lemons when treated together with ethylene. This study demonstrates the potential use of cinnamon bark and oregano to manage postharvest decay of citrus during degreening.
A recent and rapid genome expansion driven by the amplification of transposable elements in the Neotropical annual killifish Austrolebias charrua
Authors: Gajardo Felipe , Pereiro Luisa , Arezo Maria Jose , Nardocci Gino , Rojas Natalia , Gutiérrez Veronica , Papa Nicolas , Berois Nibia , Orellana Ariel , Gutierrez Rodrigo A , González Mauricio , Mendez Marco , Montecino Martin , Hodar Christian , Glavic Alvaro , Maass Alejandro , Garcia Graciela , Allende Miguel L , Valdivieso Camilo , Genova Alex Di
Published: March 2024

Background.
Neotropical annual killifish are able to survive in seasonal ponds due to their ability to undergo embryonic diapauses in the dry season and grow, reproduce and die in the span of a few months during the rainy season. The genus group Austrolebias is endemic to the South American basins and shows remarkable speciation and genetic plasticity. Austrolebias charrua co-exists with another annual killifish, Cynopoecilus melanotaenia, from which it diverged about 25 million years ago. Despite their similar life histories, both species show important differences in genome size. It is of interest to explore the genomic structure of these species as a basis for understanding their evolution and unique adaptations.
Results.
We have sequenced the genomes of A. charrua and C. melanotaenia and have determined that they show important structural differences between them. While A. charrua has undergone an evolutionarily recent and massive genome expansion, with a size (3Gb) that triples that of most characterized teleosts, C. melaotaenia has retained a genome size of 1Gb. The expansion of the genome in A. charrua has occurred due to amplification of repetitive elements, most recently of the LINE class of elements. We explore and characterize in detail the contribution to genome expansion of repetitive elements at the level of superfamilies, as well as analyze the relationship between these elements and coding genes in Austrolebias charrua. We also examine the selection pressures on gene sequences and identify functions that are under positive or purifying selection, and compare these data with that derived from other species.
Conclusions.
Our study adds a crucial element to the understanding of annual fish evolution and life history. We show that the genetic variability and plasticity in A. charrua is accompanied by a recent genome-wide expansion with an important contribution of repetitive elements. By comparing these findings with data from other species, we show that Austrolebias has undergone bursts of repetitive element expansion, with specific superfamilies of retrotransposons and DNA transposons being the most prevalent and recent. In addition, we characterize genes that are potentially implicated in adaptive traits because of their interaction with mobile elements or because they display evidence of positive selection. These genes are candidates for functional studies aimed at unraveling the genetic basis for annualism in this group of teleosts.
Key Contextual Factors Involved with Participation in Medical and Genomic Screening and Research for African American and Caucasian Americans: A Qualitative Inquiry American Journal of Community Genetics
Authors: Smith Crystal Lederhos , Stark B. Connor , Kobalter McKenna , Barks Mary Carol , Nakano-Okuno Mariko , Romesburg Ellen Weger , Limdi Nita , May Thomas
Published: March 2024

Tremendous progress has been made promoting diversity in recruitment for genomic research, yet challenges remain for several racial demographics. Research has cited intertwined fears of racial discrimination and medical mistrust as contributing factors. This study aimed to identify key factors to establishing trust in medical and genomic screening and research among African Americans and White Americans. Participants completed online focus groups and resulting transcripts were analyzed using a qualitative descriptive approach, with content analysis methods based on recommendations by Schreier. Fifteen African Americans and 23 Caucasian Americans participated in the study, 63% of which were female. The mean age of participants was 38.53 (SD = 16.6). The Overarching Theme of Trust is Context Dependent was identified, along with the following five themes describing elements influencing trustworthiness for our participants: 1) Professional Experience, Education, and Training Bolster Trust; 2) Trust Depends on Relationships; 3) Cross-checking Provided Information is Influential in Establishing Trust; 4) Trust is Undermined by Lack of Objectivity and Bias; and 5) Racism is an Embedded Concern and a Medical Trust Limiting Component for African Americans. To effectively address mistrust and promote recruitment of diverse participants, genomic research initiatives must be communicated in a manner that resonates with the specific diverse communities targeted. Our results suggest key factors influencing trust that should be attended to if we are to promote equity appropriately and respectfully by engaging diverse populations in genomic research.
Does younger children’s social health insurance alleviate household impoverishment due to illness?
Authors: Zhou Jiali , Zhan Yong , chen huashuai , chen sijie
Published: March 2024

How children’s social health insurance works when the household carries the medical expense burden has not yet been examined. Based on the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) data from 2016 to 2018, we investigate the relationship between social health insurance and household medical impoverishment (MI) using a unique panel of Chinese younger children aged under 15 years. The results reveal that social health insurance for children can significantly reduce the incidence of household impoverishment due to illness. Under the health shock, the incidence of impoverishing health expenditure (IHE) and catastrophic health expenditure (CHE) in households covered by children’s health insurance are both reduced significantly. From the perspective of relative poverty, the poverty alleviation effect of social health insurance for children is more significant. After using the Propensity Score Matching with difference-in-differences (PSM-DID) method to accommodate endogeneity problems, our findings are still robust. The poverty alleviation mechanism transmitted by children’s enrolling in social health insurance is mainly affected by hospitalization reimbursement and the share of out-of-pocket (OOP) medical payments to total medical expenditure for children. Moreover, the poverty-reducing effect of social medical insurance is mainly significant in rural areas, low-income families, and non-left-behind children.
EPR studies of rare-earth manganites La 0.7-x Eu x Sr 0.3 MnO 3 (x = 0.1-0.7)
Authors: Yatsyk I. , Mamedov D. V. , Shestakov A. V. , Fazlizhanov I. I. , Eremina R. M. , Andronenko S. I. , Pyataev A. V. , Vadnala S. , Asthana S. , Misra Sushil
Published: March 2024

The rare-earth manganites of Eu, La0.7−xEuxSr0.3MnO3 (x = 0.0–0.7) were investigated by the technique of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) in the temperature range from 30 to 500 K. They revealed the coexistence of two to three magnetic phases in the samples with different Eu concentrations. The corresponding Curie temperatures were estimated from the characteristics of the variable-temperature EPR spectra for the various samples. The EPR data indicated the presence of Griffiths phases for the samples La0.7−xEuxSr0.3MnO3, from which the respective Griffiths temperatures were determined. It was found that the structural disorder (σ2), caused by the presence of different sets of atoms in crystal cells, characterized by the distribution of the cation radius, increased as x increased from 0.1 to 0.3 and decreased as x increased from 0.3 to 0.7. This, in turn, resulted in the sample with the maximum structural disorder, i.e. the sample with x = 0.3, being characterized by the maximum activation temperature. The activation energies are estimated here from the EPR data using the hopping model. The EPR linewidth behavior is found to be consistent with that predicted by the bottlenecked spin relaxation model. The perovskite La0.5Eu0.2Sr0.3MnO3 is found to be potentially useful in the design of magnetocaloric refrigeration units as a working fluid, since its Curie temperature (TC) is close to the room temperature/ The different ferromagnetic components in the samples studied here have been resolved by the technique of EPR, not possible by other techniques.
Shelf life of Penaeus vannamei coated with gelatin extracted from Oreochromis niloticus scales
Authors: Nogueira Sara Monaliza Sousa , Lima Jacqueline de Melo , Cerqueira Davi Araújo , de Oliveira Claudia Cinthia Santos , Vieira Cláudia Brandão , Moreira Antônio Glaydson Lima , Mattos Adriano Lincoln Albuquerque , Filho Men de Sá Moreira de Souza , de Souza Bartolomeu Warlene Silva
Published: March 2024

Fish products have high nutritional value but are very perishable. Fish gelatine coatings are a renewable technology that offers numerous benefits for preserving highly perishable fishery products with high nutritional value. A recent study evaluated the shelf life of Pacific white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) coated with gelatine extracted from Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) scales and glycerol. The coated shrimp were stored frozen at -18°C for 180 days. The researchers applied the gelatine coating at a concentration of 1.5%, with 0.2% glycerol, to peeled and headless shrimp (“treatment G”) and compared them with uncoated shrimp (control – “treatment C”). They evaluated bacterial growth, pH, formation of volatile bases (TVB-N and TMA-N), and lipid oxidation (TBARS) every 30 days (day T0, T30, T60, T90, 120, 150 and 180). The study found that the gelatine extraction yield obtained was 24.64%. The total bacterial count (TBC) range for treatment C was 0.00 to 2.32 log CFU/g, while for treatment G it was only 0.00 to 1.48 log CFU/g. The shelf-life assessment showed that the gelatine and glycerol-based coating solution was effective in preserving P. vannamei in terms of microbiological parameters, pH, TVB-N, TMA-N and TBARS. The study concluded that the use of this coating combined with frozen storage could be a good alternative for maintaining the quality of Pacific white shrimp for an extended period.
Racial Disparities in Alcoholic Hepatitis Hospitalizations in the United States: Trends, Outcomes, and Future Projections
Authors: Pan Chun-Wei , Guifarro Daniel , Poudel Ayusha , Abboud Yazan , Kotwal Vikram
Published: March 2024

Introduction:
Alcoholic Hepatitis (AH) is a serious complication of alcohol consumption with high morbidity and mortality, particularly in the United States where alcohol-related liver diseases rank as one of the leading causes of preventable death. Our study aims to analyze the morbidity and mortality of AH across racial groups and project hospitalization trends up to 2028, thereby informing public health initiatives.
Methods:
We conducted a cross-sectional study utilizing data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) spanning 2012 to 2021. The study population comprised hospitalizations identified using specific ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM codes for AH. We assessed hospitalizations, in-hospital mortality rates, length of stay (LOS), and morbidities related to alcoholic hepatitis adjusting for sociodemographic factors and hospital characteristics. Statistical analyses were performed using Stata and R software, employing logistic and linear regression analyses, and SARIMA models for forecasting.
Results:
Our results indicated a predominantly White cohort (68%), with a notable increase in AH hospitalizations among Hispanics (129.1% from 2012 to 2021). Racial disparities were observed in inpatient mortality, liver transplant accessibility, and the occurrence of in-hospital complications. The study forecasts a continued rise in hospitalizations across all racial groups, with Hispanics experiencing the sharpest increase.
Conclusion:
Our study reveals a disproportionate rise in the AH burden among Hispanics with projections indicating a persistent upward trend through 2028. These findings highlight the need for targeted public health strategies and improved healthcare access to mitigate the increasing AH burden and address disparities in care and outcomes.
Examination of the Relationships between TEC Changes and Space Weather Conditions Before and After the February 6, 2023 Kahramanmaraş Earthquake (Mw= 7.8 and Mw=7.5)
Authors: Bulbul Sercan
Published: March 2024

Earthquakes are major natural disasters that cause loss of life and property. Predicting earthquakes in advance is highly important. In recent years, GNSS measurements have been used to predict earthquakes, particularly by analysing total electron content (TEC) values obtained from these measurements. However, it is crucial to accurately analyse the TEC changes influenced by space weather conditions and distinguish them from those caused by earthquakes. This study investigated the impact of the Pazarcık-Kahramanmaraş (Mw: 7.8) and Ekinözü-Kahramanmaraş (Mw: 7.5) earthquakes that occurred on February 6, 2023, on TEC changes. To achieve this goal, space weather conditions, such as the Kp, Dst (nT), F10.7 (sfu), P (\(N⁄c{m}^{3}\)), Bx (nT), By (nT), and Bz (nT) indices, were examined for one month before and after the earthquake occurred. Potentially active days were identified. After establishing space weather conditions, their impact on TEC changes was investigated. The results indicated that there was no significant influence of space weather conditions on TEC changes during the selected time frame, suggesting that these changes may be attributed to the earthquake. Additionally, CODE-TEC and ESA-TEC values for the selected time frame were obtained using the coordinates of 15 CORS-Tr stations in the earthquake region. The upper and lower boundary values of the TEC were determined, and days with anomalies were identified. As a result, it was found that there were days with a positive anomaly approximately 15–18 days before the occurrence of possible earthquakes, which could serve as a preparation period. Furthermore, postearthquake anomalies were suggested to potentially be caused by aftershocks.
Measurement dependence in tripartite non-locality
Authors: Sk Sk Sahadat Hossain , Molla Mostak Kamal Molla , Kundu Amit Kundu , Paul Biswajit Paul , Chattopadhyay Indrani Chattopadhyay , Sarkar Debasis Sarkar
Published: March 2024

The assumption of measurement independence is required for a local deterministic model to conduct a Bell test. So, the violation of a Bell inequality by such a model implies that this assumption must be relaxed. The degree to which this assumption needs to be relaxed to achieve violation of some bipartite Bell inequalities, has been investigated in [Phys. Rev. Lett. 105, 250404(2010), Phys. Rev. A 99, 012121(2019)]. In this work, we study the minimum degree of relaxation required to simulate violations of various well-known tripartite Bell inequalities. Local deterministic models are also provided to achieve the violations of these Bell inequalities.
PACS numbers: 03.67.Mn, 03.65.Ud.;
Exploring the role and mechanism of rheumatoid arthritis-related pathway in squamous lung cancer based on Mendelian randomization analysis
Authors: Dai Jiaxing , Huang Hong , Zhang Huanghui , Yang Bing , Tang Dongxin
Published: March 2024

Objective：Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, autoimmune inflammatory joint disease. Squamous cell carcinoma of the lung (LUSC) is a malignant tumor of non-small cell lung cancer. Studies have shown a complex relationship between rheumatoid arthritis and lung cancer. This study aimed to investigate the role and mechanism of rheumatoid arthritis-related pathways in lung squamous carcinoma using bioinformatics methods combined with Mendelian randomization analysis.
Methods: Download RA gene expression profile data set GSE1919 from GEO database, screen differential genes using GEO 2 R tool, and download lung gene expression profile data from TCGA database, and screen differential genes by Rstudio software. GO / KEGG functional enrichment analysis yielded RA signaling pathway genes. After downloading RA signaling pathway SNP data as exposure factor and lung SNP data for squamous cell carcinoma as outcome factor, we used two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis to determine the causal relationship between RA signaling pathway and lung squamous cell carcinoma. In addition, gene-drug regulatory network, ceRNA regulatory network, immune cell infiltration analysis and validation group difference analysis were constructed.
Results: We found 188 genes codifferentially expressed between RA and LUSC. Results of GO / KEGG functional enrichment analysis showed that these differential genes were mainly enriched in the rheumatoid arthritis signaling pathway. The results of Mendelian randomization analysis showed that enhanced activity of RA signaling pathway was associated with a reduced risk of lung squamous carcinoma.
Conclusion: The study found that the enhanced activity of rheumatoid arthritis signaling pathway may be associated with the reduced risk of breast cancer, which provides new ideas and vision for studying the mechanism and treatment of lung squamous cell carcinoma.
Characteristics of trauma in patients with general accidents and patients who attempted suicide - trauma mechanism, injury site, and severity: A single-center study
Authors: Hyun Jiyoung , Son Yae Jun , Kim SuHyun , Bae Keum Seok , Chung Jae Sik , Park Il Hwan , Choi Young Un
Published: March 2024

Background: Among patients with trauma, those with self-harm show different characteristics, such as frequency, damage area, and degree of trauma, from those who experienced general accidents. In cases of severe injuries, it is difficult to conduct accurate imaging tests during initial treatment, making it difficult to predict the exact area of ​​damage and make decisions for definitive care. Identifying correlations betweendamage area and degree can help predict the damage area to aid in treatment. We aimed to identify the differences in characteristics between patients who experienced general accidents and those who attempted suicide.
We retrospectively reviewed the data of patients with trauma transferred to the emergency department of our hospital from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2023. Age, sex, trauma mechanism, intention of suicide, Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) score, injury severityscore (ISS),and height for fall were analyzed in 10,180 patients. Intentionality was divided into accidentandself-harm, and the characteristics of the two groups were analyzed and compared.
Results: The accident group follows the characteristics of the entire group, but in the self-harm group, falls (41.0%) and stab or cut wounds(48.9%) are overwhelmingly high, and the average age of the self-harm group was younger than that in the accident group by 10 years.In the accident fall group, the average fall height was 4.14 m, and the ISS was 15.5 points, while the average height of the self-harmgroup was 10.8 m, and ISS was 18.6 points. In the self-harm group, people in their teens and 20s mainly attempted to fall, and people in their 40s and 50s mainly attempted self-harm with knives.
Conclusion: In this study, we confirmed the relationship between the injury mechanism and AIS in patients with trauma, and compared the self-harm group and the accident group, confirming that the damaged area and degree of damage were different even if the mechanism was the same. In the self-harm group, falls and stab or cut wounds are common, and in the case of falls, there is a characteristic difference from the general accident group in terms of height, severity, and damaged area. It is expected that understanding the characteristics of patients who self-harmed can help initial treatment in the emergency room, reduce missed injuries, and establish an appropriate diagnosis and treatment plan.
Cluster Analysis as a Basis for the Development of an Application Assessing the Reliability of Transport Infrastructure
Authors: Trojanowski Piotr , Husár Jozef , Hrehová Stella , Knapčíková Lucia
Published: March 2024

Increased demand for transport services and increased mobility of citizens can lead to a reduction in the level of reliability of transport systems. This in turn increases the demand for ways to assess the reliability of road infrastructure by both transport companies and individual users. The article presents the substantive basis of an application used to determine the reliability of transport infrastructure. Our approach was based on grouping information into clusters – based on the author's proprietary clustering method. Its basis is the detailed analysis of the road infrastructure in terms of errors occurring on it, divided into conceptual, design and operational errors. The methodology consists of three stages of clustering (1) creating a database of sections with assigned errors, (2) determining the initial clusters, (3) creating a final database of clusters, and then assessing the reliability of the road infrastructure of the transport system on their basis. The assumption is that the application will remain open-ended – i.e. the database will be developed by users. The proposed methodology was verified on the example of the selected route in Poland (between Kalisz and Szczecin). Based on the results obtained during the experiment on the selected route, errors in the road infrastructure were determined. This, in turn, allowed us to find that there are a number of errors in the road infrastructure, including errors with a high frequency of occurrence i.e. the so-called permanent errors, which further confirms the need to create an application to assess the reliability of the road infrastructure.
Green Growth or Red Tape? Unraveling the Interconnected Effects of Stringent Environmental Regulations and Bribery on Enterprise Growth
Authors: Mazhar Ummad , Ullah Naimat
Published: March 2024

We study the relationship between environmental regulations and firm performance using World Bank Enterprise Surveys data for manufacturing firms in 142 countries covering 2007 to 2017 period. Existing research offers mix findings on the link and does not consider the role of institutional weaknesses, such as corruption, in the effectiveness of these regulations. To address this gap, we analyze the conditional effects of environmental regulations on firm growth across economies with varying perceptions of corruption. Our findings support the ‘strong’ version of the Porter Hypothesis, suggesting that stricter environmental regulations significantly enhance firm growth. However, when combined with high levels of bribery, these regulations have an adverse effect. The robustness of these results is confirmed by employing various statistical techniques (e.g., IV-GMM) and alternative model specifications.
Non-Diabetic Nephropathy in Diabetic Patients: Incidence, HbA1c Variability and Other Predictive Factors, and Implications
Authors: Demirelli Bulent , Boztepe Burcu , Senol Elif Gulcan , Boynuegri Basak , Bildaci Yelda Deligoz , Gumrukcu Gulistan , Canbakan Mustafa , Ogutmen Melike Betul
Published: March 2024

Purpose:Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is the leading cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the population. In patients with diabetes mellitus, the incidence of non-diabetic nephropathy (NDNP) has been estimated to range from 3% to 82.9%. Personal judgment is frequently employed while deciding whether or not to do a kidney biopsy on diabetic patients. NDNP alters the prognosis and course of treatment for people with DM. In our study, we examined the incidence of NDNP concurrent with the progression of diabetes mellitus, as well as the laboratory and clinical indicators that could be utilized to forecast it.Methods:A retrospective analysis of 76 diabetic patients who underwent KB was conducted. Based on the pathological diagnoses of these patients, they were categorized as DNP (diabetic nephropathy) or NDNP. The definition of HbA1C variability was determined by calculating the mean HbA1C and the average value of the HbA1C measurements, as well as the standard deviation (SD) for each participant.Results:NDNP was detected in 50% of 76 patients. Among patients with NDNP, 36.8% had focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), 23.6% had membranous glomerulonephritis, and 7.8% had IgA nephritis. The NDNP group exhibited significantly higher rates of female gender, absence of diabetic retinopathy, shorter time to diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, and proteinuria, less intensive medication for diabetes mellitus, presence of hematuria and leukociduria, serological marker positivity, and non-HbA1C variability. Risk factors for predicting non-diabetic nephropathy, as determined by multivariate analysis, included female gender, the absence of diabetic retinopathy, non-HbA1c variability and a positive serological test.Conclusion:In this study, a significant number of diabetic patients with chronic kidney disease were diagnosed with NDNP. Identifying these patients allows for treatment of the specific underlying disease. Factors such as the absence of DR, non-HbA1c variability, female gender, and serological test positivity can predict NDNP and guide the clinician's decision on kidney biopsy. Further prospective studies are warranted to validate the efficacy of potential predictive factors like HbA1c variability.
Quantum metrology with superposition of GHZ state and Twin-Fock state
Authors: Li Yan , Ren Zhihong
Published: March 2024

We study the metrological performance of the superposition of Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger state and Twin Fock state (SGT) in quantum phase estimation. The analytical quantum Fisher information (QFI) of an Nqubit SGT state in noninteracting environment has been derived and with the increasing ratio β in SGT state it emerges a turning point at βt = q 1 − 1 N · q2 3 , where the smallest QFI FQ = (N 2 + 2N)/3 is achieved. Interestingly, we find the 4-qubit SGT state performs better than TF state in all ratio region and further achieves the Heisenberg limit at β = √ 3/2. Working in the Mach-Zehnder interferometry, we have provided the optimal metrology schemes saturated by quantum CRLB for all kinds of SGT states and found the same βt also existed in the selection of phase generator and measured parity operator. Moreover, we have considered the decoherence effects and with the increasing decay the QFI in amplitude damping and phase damping channel decreases to the number of qubits involved, while it decreases to zero in depolarizing channel. Specially, the 4-qubit SGT state of β = √ 3/2 is found to perform better than GHZ state in phase damping channel. Our work enriches the metrological useful quantum resources.
Structural Health Assessment of overhead water tank - a case study
Authors: Shahanawaz G. , Nirupama PN , Raghavendra T.
Published: March 2024

Structural Health Assessment (SHA) is a paramount importance in many different professions and industries, such as civil and aviation, where a minute detail is examined. In order to evaluate the state and performance of structure overtime modern sensors, health assessing tools and gadgets, data procuring devices, storage clouds and many more are used. Structure deterioration or collapse can have severe effects, such as reduced strength of structure, safety hazards, revenue losses, and environmental and social interruptions. To study the importance of Structural Health Assessment (SHA) thoroughly in this research paper, an old structure situated at RV college of Engineering, Bengaluru, INDIA was considered for the study. Using health assessment instruments, the structure's safety is evaluated. Initially, a visual inspection was carried out to check the condition of the structure and the onsite dimension of the tank was measured for modelling. The structure was deteriorated in which one of the columns has experienced a crack. The water tank was tested with few Non-destructive tests to check the details of material, composition, health condition. With these details obtained, the structure was seismically modelled using an analysis software ETABS and checked its safety for the measured parameters by providing load acting on the structure in the onsite condition. The results showed that the structure was not safe for zone 2 seismic analysis and all the 4 columns failed the safety check for the available dimension of column. However, the increase in the dimension of column more than 25% of original dimension showed a good response in which all the column were capable of taking the load without any failure.