bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chelator PBT2 Forms a Ternary Cu2+ Complex with β-Amyloid that has High Stability but Low Specificity
Authors: Drew Simon
Published: May 2023

The metal chelator PBT2 (5,7-dichloro-2-[(dimethylamino)methyl]-8-hydroxyquinoline) acts as a terdentate ligand capable of forming binary and ternary Cu2+ complexes. It was clinically trialed as an Alzheimer’s disease (AD) therapeutic but failed to progress beyond phase II. The β-amyloid (Aβ) peptide associated with AD was recently concluded to form a unique Cu(Aβ) complex that is inaccessible to PBT2. Herein, it is shown that the species ascribed to this binary Cu(Aβ) complex in fact corresponds to ternary Cu(PBT2)NIm[Aβ] complexes formed by anchoring of Cu(PBT2) on imine nitrogen (NIm) donors of His side chains. The primary site of ternary complex formation is His6, having a conditional stepwise formation constant at pH 7.4 (K [M−1] ) of log K = 6.4 ± 0.1, and a second site is supplied by His13 or His14 (log K = 4.4 ± 0.1). The stability of Cu(PBT2)NIm[H13/14] is comparable with that of the simplest ternary complexes involving free imidazole (log K = 4.22 ± 0.09) and histamine (log K = 4.00 ± 0.05). The 100-fold larger formation constant for Cu(PBT2)NIm[H6] indicates that outer-sphere ligand–peptide interactions strongly stabilize its structure. Despite the relatively high stability of Cu(PBT2)NImH6, PBT2 is a promiscuous Cu2+-binding ligand capable of forming a ternary Cu(PBT2)NIm complex with any ligand containing NIm donor. These ligands include histamine, L-His, and ubiquitous His side chains of peptides and proteins in the extracellular milieu, whose combined effect should outweigh that of a single Cu(PBT2)NIm[H6] complex regardless of its stability. We therefore conclude that PBT2 is capable of accessing Cu(Aβ) complexes with high stability but not specificity. The results have implications for future AD therapeutic strategies and understanding the role of PBT2 in the bulk transport of transition metal ions. Given the repurposing of PBT2 as a drug for breaking antibiotic resistance, ternary Cu(PBT2)NIm and analogous Zn(PBT2)NIm complexes may be relevant to its antimicrobial properties.
Application Of Point-Of-Care Intestinal Ultrasound In The Diagnosis Of IBD: "Ready To Use"
Authors: Calabrese Giulio , Testa Anna , Rispo Antonio , Nardone Olga Maria , Guarino Alessia Dalila , Fierro Giuseppe , Castiglione Fabiana
Published: May 2023

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), comprising Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), defines as an idiopathic, chronic, relapsing, inflammatory disease affecting the gastrointestinal tract and leading to chronic damage. Endoscopy with biopsies is considered the gold standard for IBD diagnosis, whereas magnetic resonance (MRI) for CD extension and complication assess-ment. However, the latter are invasive procedures; thus, the need for a reliable, accessible and noninvasive way to perform IBD diagnosis and monitoring in the tight control era, like intestinal ultrasound (IUS) is. Compared to endoscopy and MRI, IUS has shown reliable diagnostic accuracy in assessing CD and UC severity and extension. Performing IUS in a point-of-care setting (POCIUS) can guide the clinician in driving the diagnostic and therapeutic pathway, thus accel-erating clinical decisions. POCIUS performed with pocket devices can represent the future of physical examination in outpatient or inpatient examination. Accordingly, we performed a liter-ature review about the application of IUS in CD and UC diagnosis. Furthermore, we explored the technical aspects of this imaging technique and its application in a point-of-care setting.
A Novel Methodology for Classifying Electrical Disturbances Using Deep Neural Networks
Authors: Guerrero-Sánchez Alma , Rivas-Araiza Edgar Alejandro , Garduño-Aparicio Mariano , Tovar-Arriaga Saúl , Rodriguez-Resendiz Juvenal , Toledano-Ayala Manuel
Published: May 2023

Electrical power quality is one of the main elements in power generation systems. At the same time, it is one of the most significant challenges regarding stability and reliability. Due to different switching devices in this type of architecture, different kinds of power generators, and non-linear loads are used for different industrial processes. As a result of this, the need to classify and analyze Power quality disturbance (PQD) to prevent and analyze the degradation of the system reliability affected by the non-linear and non-stationary oscillatory nature. This paper presents A Novel Mul-titasking Deep Neural Network (MDL) for the Classification and Analysis of Multiple Electrical Disturbances. The characteristics are extracted with a specialized and adaptive methodology for non-stationary signals, Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD). The methodology’s design, devel-opment, and various performance tests are carried out with 28 different difficulty levels, such as severity, disturbance duration time, and noise in the 20 dB to 60 dB signal range. MDL was devel-oped with a diverse data set in difficulty and noise, with a quantity of 4500 records of different samples of multiple electrical disturbances. The analysis and classification methodology has an average accuracy percentage of 95% with multiple disturbances. In addition, an average accuracy percentage of 90% in analyzing important signal aspects for studying electrical power quality such as crest factor, Per Unit voltage analysis, Short Term Flicker Perceptibility (Pst), and Total Harmonic Distortion (THD), among others.
A Unique Specific Jumping Test for Measuring Explosive Power
in Basketball Players: Validity and Reliability
Authors: Shalom Asaf , Gottlieb Roni , Alcaraz Pedro Emilio , Calleja-Gonzalez Julio
Published: May 2023

The aim of this study was to develop and assess the reliability and validity of an innovative field test that measures lower limb explosive power in basketball players (i.e., alactic anaerobic capacity) for the dominant and non-dominant leg. The test examines the performance of vertical, horizontal, and combined movements while holding the ball – similar to penetration of the basket or layup. Such capabilities are required throughout basketball practice and games, combined with upper and lower body coordination. The study included 22 male basketball players, ages 16-18, members of an elite youth league team in Israel. To assess validity, the participants performed the test for each leg, followed by nine standardized tests that were developed for a range of ball games, including basketball. To assess reliability, the participants performed a retest of the unique test 72-hours later. Our findings indicate the validity and reliability of the proposed anaerobic alactic field test for basketball players, for the dominant and non-dominant leg. Moreover, strong correlations were seen between the novel test and the standardized tests, with a high correlation for horizontal explosive power (0.5<r<0.7), a very high correlation for vertical explosive power (0.7<r<0.9), and a nearly perfect correlation for the two combined (r>0.9). In conclusion, this unique field test for basketball players could assist coaches in developing and applying optimal training programs and game plans, for players individually, and for the team as a whole. As the test measures each leg separately, it could also offer an assessment tool following players’ injuries.
Evaluation of Contrast-Enhanced Mammography and Development of Flowchart for BI-RADS Classification of Breast Lesions
Authors: Klarić Kristina , Šribar Andrej , Budisavljević Anuška , Labinac Peteh Loredana , Valković Zujić Petra
Published: May 2023

This study aimed to evaluate contrast-enhanced mammography (CEM) and compare breast lesions on CEM and breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using 5 features. We propose to create a flowchart for BI-RADS classification of breast lesions on CEM based on the Kaiser score (KS) flowchart for breast MRI. Included were 68 subjects (women and men; median age 61.4 ± 11.6 years) who were suspected of having a malignant process in the breast based on digital mammography (MG) findings. The patients underwent breast ultrasound (US), CEM, MRI, and biopsy of the suspicious lesion. There were 47 patients with malignant lesions confirmed by biopsy and 21 patients with benign lesions, for each of which a KS was calculated. In the patients with malignant lesions, the MRI-derived KS was 9 (IQR 8-9), its CEM equivalent was 9 (IQR 8-9), and BI-RADS was 5 (IQR 4-5). In patients with benign lesions, MRI-derived KS was 3 (IQR 2-3), its CEM equivalent was 3 (IQR 1.7-5), and BI-RADS was 3 (IQR 0-4). There was no significant difference between the ROC-AUC of CEM and MRI (P=0.749). In conclusion, there were no significant differences in KS results between CEM and breast MRI. The KS flowchart is useful for evaluating breast lesions on CEM.
THE ROLE OF PROFITABILITY IN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ENVIRONMENTAL DISCLOSURE AND FIRM VALUE
Authors: Megananda Galuh Sekar , Prastiwi Andri
Published: May 2023

This study aimed to examine the consistency of the effects of environmental disclosure on firm value and investigate profitability as a moderating variable. The samples in this study were companies that won the Sustainability Reporting Award (SRA) and the Asia Sustainability Reporting Rating (ASRAT) presented by the National Center for Sustainability Reporting (NCSR) in the 2014-2020 period. A total of 82 companies were sampled. This study used secondary data taken from company databases and the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX)/Bursa Efek Indonesia (BEI). The multiple regression equation model was analyzed using IBM SPSS 20 software. The results showed that environmental disclosure negatively and significantly affected firm value. Furthermore, research documented that environmental disclosure had a positive and significant effect on firm value when profits were high. These findings have provided evidence that the differences in results on the relationship between environmental disclosure and firm value are due to a conditional factor, namely profitability. Based on the stakeholder theory, fulfilling stakeholder interests has a positive effect if the company has good financial performance. Meanwhile, based on the signaling theory, financial information is required for non-financial information to be effective.
Estimating Whole-Body Walking Motion from Inertial Measurement Units at Wrist and Heels Using Deep Learning
Authors: Kumano Yuji , Kanoga Suguru , Yamamoto Masataka , Takemura Hiroshi , Tada Mitsunori
Published: May 2023

A recurrent-neural-network-based deep-learning model was developed to estimate the three-axis joint angles of an entire body with 17 bones during walking from three inertial measurement units (IMUs) — one each on the left wrist and heels. In this model, the acceleration and angular velocity of the previous 49 frames and current frame were considered as inputs. The architecture comprises two hidden layers (two long short-term memory layers) and a dense layer. The performance of the model was evaluated using the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) Gait Database 2019 public dataset. Consequently, the root mean squared error of each joint angle was less than 12.28°. A comparison of the estimation results of the same model with IMUs at the pelvis and shanks revealed that the proposed model is advantageous in terms of balanced measurement accuracy and ease of use in realizing whole-body motion capture. Although the accuracy of the model was better than those of previous models in estimating the general whole-body motion from six IMUs, it was worse than that of a previous model in estimating only the lower-limb motion from three IMUs attached to the pelvis and shanks during walking. In the proposed model, IMUs are attached to the left wrist and heels, and whole-body motion can be easily captured using a smartwatch and smart shoes.
Ten-Year Survivorship and Patient Satisfaction Following Robotic-Arm-Assisted Medial Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty
Authors: Bayoumi Tarik , Kleeblad Laura J. , Borus Todd A. , Coon Thomas M. , Dounchis Jon , Nguyen Joseph T. , Pearle Andrew D.
Published: May 2023

Background:

Robotic-arm-assisted unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) has been shown to result in high short- and mid-term survivorship. However, it is not known whether these outcomes are maintained at long-term follow-up. This study aimed to evaluate long-term implant survivorship, modes of failure, and patient satisfaction following robotic-arm-assisted medial UKA.

Methods:

A prospective multicenter study of 474 consecutive patients (531 knees) undergoing robotic-arm-assisted medial UKA was conducted. A cemented, fixed-bearing system with a metal-backed onlay tibial implant was used in all cases. Patients were contacted at 10-year follow-up to determine implant survivorship and satisfaction. Survival was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier models.

Results:

Data were analyzed for 366 patients (411 knees) with a mean follow-up of 10.2 ± 0.4 years. A total of 29 revisions were reported, corresponding to a 10-year survivorship of 91.7% (95% confidence interval, 88.8% to 94.6%). Of all revisions, 26 UKAs were revised to total knee arthroplasty. Unexplained pain and aseptic loosening were the most commonly reported modes of failure, accounting for 38% and 35% of revisions, respectively. Of patients without revision, 91% were either satisfied or very satisfied with their overall knee function.

Conclusions:

This prospective multicenter study found high 10-year survivorship and patient satisfaction following robotic-arm-assisted medial UKA. Pain and fixation failure remained common causes for revision following cemented fixed-bearing medial UKA, despite the use of a robotic-arm-assisted technique. Prospective comparative studies are needed to assess the clinical value of robotic assistance over conventional techniques in UKA.

Level of Evidence:

Prognostic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Prevalence of Cases of Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD) in Patients Treated at Veterinary Teaching Hospital During 2022
Authors: Zamzami Rumi Sahara , Panjaitan Budianto , Yuliansyah Nanda , Ferdian Riyan , Sari Wahyu Eka , Nurliana Nurliana , Awaluddin Awaluddin , Rizki Maurina , Hasyimi Adyar
Published: May 2023

Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) is a complex patient condition caused by many factors. This case is the reason why pet owners always need veterinary assistance. Cats with urinary tract disorders show almost similar symptoms such as pollakiuria, hematuria, stranguria, urethral obstruction, and even urination outside the litter box. Urethral obstruction is a common complication in cases of FUS, which often occurs in male cats. Based on this, this study was conducted to determine the prevalence rate of FUS in the cat patient population at RSHP in 2022. The total number of patients treated at Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH) Prof. Dr. Noerjanto Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala was 849, and 38 cases of cat patients experiencied FLUTD. This research is an observational study to see the prevalence rate of FLUTD in a population of cat patients treated at the VTH. Based on the research that has been done, the prevalence value of animals experiencing FLUTD is 4.47. The number of cases of FLUTD in male cats is (97.3%) and for female cats (2.63%). The incidence of FLUTD that occurred in cats aged 2 to 4 years old.
Resampled dimensional reduction for feature representation in machine learning
Authors: Sufriyana Herdiantri , Wu Yu Wei , Su Emily Chia-Yu
Published: May 2023

We aimed to provide a resampling protocol for dimensional reduction resulting a few latent variables. The applicability focuses on but not limited for developing a machine learning prediction model in order to improve the number of sample size in relative to the number of candidate predictors. By this feature representation technique, one can improve generalization by preventing latent variables to overfit data used to conduct the dimensional reduction. However, this technique may warrant more computational capacity and time to conduct the procedure. The key stages consisted of derivation of latent variables from multiple resampling subsets, parameter estimation of latent variables in population, and selection of latent variables transformed by the estimated parameters.
CEBPA enhances tumor radiosensitivity through ferroptosis and associates with tumor immune microenvironment
Authors: Du Yimeng , Liu Ji , Han Yuchen , Li Hui , Kang Xiaofeng , Zhu Junwen , Li Xingyu , Wu Di , Li Wenchao , Ma Jianli , yan zhifan
Published: May 2023

Radiotherapy has shown measurable efficacy with objective response rate and prolonged progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with breast cancer (BC). However, radioresistance is still a major challenge in BC radiotherapy, leading to limited clinical application and treatment failure. Therefore, elucidating the underlying mechanisms and developing effective strategies to enhance the radiosensitivity is of clinical importance. In the present study, we demonstratedCCAAT enhancer-binding protein alpha (CEBPA) as a specific marker for predicting the efficacy of radiotherapy in BC patients. CEBPA enhanced radiotherapeutic sensitivity of BC by increasing the apoptosis both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, CEBPA executed radio-sensitizing function in BC by promoting ferroptosis through negatively regulating the nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway genes. Furthermore, high expression of CEBPA was positively correlated with the infiltration of cytotoxic immune cells in BC microenvironment. In summary, our work revealed CEBPA as a critical regulator to enhance radiosensitivity, induce ferroptosis, as well as modulate tumor immune microenvironment in BC. Induction of CEBPA or ferroptosis with specific inducers or modulation of tumor immune microenvironment would be potential sensitizing therapeutic strategies in BC.
A novel MT-ATP6 variant associated with complicated ataxia in two unrelated Italian patients: case report and functional studies.
Authors: Sala Daniele , Marchet Silvia , Nanetti Lorenzo , Legati Andrea , Mariotti Caterina , Lamantea Eleonora , Ghezzi Daniele , Catania Alessia , Lamperti Costanza
Published: May 2023

Background: The MT-ATP6 gene is a mitochondrial gene which encodes for the intramembrane subunit 6 (or A) of the mitochondrial ATP synthase. The latter corresponds to mitochondrial complex V, which intervenes in the last step of oxidative phosphorylation to produce cellular ATP through aerobic metabolism. Although classically associated with the NARP syndrome, recent evidences point out to an important role of MT-ATP6 pathogenic variants in complicated adult onset ataxias.
Methods: We described two unrelated patients with adult onset cerebellar ataxia associated with severe optic atrophy and mild cognitive impairment. We performed the sequencing of the whole mitochondrial DNA. We employed patients’ primary fibroblasts and cytoplasmic hybrids (cybrids), generated from patients-derived cells, to assess the activity of respiratory chain, oxygen consumption rate (OCR), ATP production and mitochondrial membrane potential.
Results: In both patients, we identified the same novel m.8777T>C variant in MT-ATP6 with variable degree of heteroplasmy in different tissues. We identify an additional novel variant in MT-ATP6, m.8879G>T, with high percentage of heteroplasmy, in the patients with the most severe phenotype. A significant reduction in complex V activity, OCR and ATP production was observed in cybrid clones homoplasmic for the m.8777T>C variant, while no such defects were detected in m.8879G>T homoplasmic clones. In addition, fibroblasts with high heteroplasmic levels for the m.8777T>C variant showed increased polarization of mitochondrial membranes.
Conclusions: We describe a new pathogenic mtDNA variant in MT-ATP6 associated with adult onset ataxia, supporting the value of mtDNA screening within the diagnostic workflow of selected patients with late onset ataxias.
Global DNA methylation and telomere length as markers of accelerated ageing in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients with HIV infection
Authors: Moreno Elena , Martínez-Sanz Javier , Martín-Mateos Rosa , Díaz-Álvarez Jorge , Serrano-Villar Sergio , Burgos-Santamaría Diego , Luna Laura , Vivancos María Jesús , Moreno-Zamora Ana , Pérez-Elías María Jesús , Moreno Santiago , Dronda Fernando , Montes María Luisa , Sánchez-Conde Matilde
Published: May 2023

Metabolic-dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a comorbidity that generally increases in people living with HIV (PLWH). This condition is usually accompanied by persistent inflammation and premature immune system ageing. In this prospective cohort study, we describe a straightforward methodology for quantifying the effect of HIV on aging factors compared with other relevant conditions, such as MAFLD, by quantifying DNA methylation and telomere length. Fifty-seven samples in total, thirty-eight from HIV-infected and nineteen from HIV-uninfected participants with or without MAFLD, were obtained and subjected to DNA extraction from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). DNA methylation and telomere length quantification were performed using an adapted enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and qPCR, respectively. The quantification results were analysed and corrected by clinically relevant variables in this context, such as age, sex, and metabolic syndrome. The results showed an increased association with these age-acceleration markers in individuals with HIV, who were also diagnosed with MAFLD. This highlights the importance of HIV infection and MAFLD conditions in the biological ageing process in PLWH, and the fact that these markers of ageing can be measured through DNA methylation and telomere length quantification. Thus, we propose including these quantifications in studies of comorbidities to better understand them and potentially prevent their effects in this population.
Protective efficacy of Nigella Sativa oil, Vitamin C and E against Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) induced Aflatoxicoses in neonatal Wister rats
Authors: Badmos Amina , Oni Eniola , Adeleye Tolulope , Aladesida Adeyinka , Oluwafemi Flora
Published: May 2023

This study investigated the possible protective role of Nigella sativa oil (NSO), vitamin C, and E in one hundred and seventeen (117) aflatoxicoses induced neonatal wistar rats with Aflatoxin M1(AFM1), randomly divided into 13 groups of nine rats each (A-M) for 12 weeks. Group A served as control, while groups B, C, D, E received (9ng/l AFM1, 9ng/l AFM1 + Vit.C, +Vit.E, +NSO), groups F, G, H, I had (235 ng/l AFM1, 235 ng/l AFM1 + Vit.C, +Vit.E, +NSO) and groups J, K,L,M received (456ng/l AFM1, 456ng/l AFM1 + Vit.C, +Vit. E, + NSO). Rats were fasted overnight and anesthetized, cardiac blood was collected for the analysis of Packed Cell Volume (PCV), Haemoglobins (HB), Red Blood Cells (RBC), White Blood Cells (WBC), and levels of Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) The liver tissues were examined for histopathological changes. AFM1 concentrations significantly decreased blood levels and liver enzymes. Simultaneous supplementation with Nigella sativa oil, vitamin C, and E showed a significant increase in the PCV, HB, and RBC and a decrease in the WBC as well as the liver enzymes (ALT, ALP, and AST). NSO treatment restored blood loss and repaired damaged liver tissues irrespective of the AFM1 concentration administered, vitamin C and E restored changes only at low AFM1 concentrations.
Androgen receptor and osteoglycin gene expression predicting prognosis of metastatic prostate cancer
Authors: Kameda Tomohiro , Sugihara Toru , Obinata Daisuke , Oshima Masashi , Yamada Yuta , Kimura Naoki , Takayama Kenichi , Inoue Satoshi , Takahashi Satoru , Fujimura Tetsuya
Published: May 2023

This study aimed to identify the predictive factors associated with oncological outcomes in metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer-related genes. A nomogram for predicting prostate cancer-specific survival (CSS) was constructed based on biopsy samples from 103 patients with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. We analyzed the association between clinical data and mRNA expression levels. The nomogram was externally validated in another cohort (n = 50) using a concordance index. Based on the cutoff value, determined by a receiver operating characteristic analysis, longer CSS was observed in the high osteoglycin and androgen receptor expression level groups (> 1.133 and > 0.00; median CSS, 85.3 vs. 52.7 months, p = 0.082, and 69.1 vs. 32.1 months, p = 0.034, respectively), compared with that of the low expression level groups. The nomogram predicting CSS included hemoglobin (≥ 13.7 g/dL or < 13.7 g/dL), serum albumin (≥ 3.1 g/dL or < 3.1 g/dL), serum lactate dehydrogenase (≥ 222 IU/L or < 222 IU/L), total Japan Cancer of the Prostate Risk Assessment score, androgen receptor expression level, and osteoglycin expression level. The concordance indices for internal and external validations were 0.664 and 0.798, respectively. A nomogram that integrates expression levels of androgen receptors and osteoglycin to predict CSS in metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer was established.
Effects of the Addition of Polyvinyl Pyrrolidone (PVP) as a Corrosion Inhibitor to Zr/V-based Conversion Coating on Aluminum Alloy
Authors: Cui Zhichun , Li Jianzhong , Zhang Zhiying , Yang Wenhu , Qiu Donghai
Published: May 2023

Polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) was selected as an additive for zirconium-based conversion treatment on aluminum alloy substrate. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used to investigate the effect of PVP on the morphology and composition of the conversion coating. Neutral salt spray (NSS), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and Tafel polarization tests were used to characterize the corrosion resistance of the conversion coating. The results show that the conversion coating was mainly composed of metal oxide (ZrO2, VO2, V2O5, etc.), metal fluoride (ZrF4, Na3AlF6) and PVP. The density of Na3AlF6 crystal is increased by adding PVP into the conversion bath. This is due to the adsorption of PVP molecules on the surface of the substrate, which trap metal ions and thus facilitate the coating formation reaction. The corrosion resistance of the substrate treated by conversion coating containing PVP was significantly improved. When the amount of PVP introduced into the conversion bath is 1.5 g/L, the conversion coating can provide excellent corrosion resistance to the substrate. In addition, the non-polar groups in the PVP molecule can effectively improve the adhesion between the conversion coating and the electrophoretic coating.
An Empirical Study on the Dynamic Evolution of Health Production Efficiency and Its Influencing Factors in China——Based on Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA)
Authors: Jiali Yu , Shangguang Yang , Mengfan Xia
Published: May 2023

Exploring the evolution law of health production efficiency and its influencing factors in China is conducive to maximizing the promotion of health output under the constraints of limited resources, and is useful for alleviating medical resource shortages and solving the problems of expensive and difficult medical treatment and medical treatment for the public. The stochastic frontier production function is used to calculate the health production efficiency in China and discuss its evolution law using panel data from 31 provinces in China from 2002 to 2018. At the same time, the factors that affect the health production efficiency are empirically tested. The study discovered that China's regional health production efficiency exhibits a spiral rise—a relatively stable evolution trend, and overall efficiency performance is acceptable. There are significant spatial differences in regional health production efficiency. The efficiency gap between the country and the three traditional economic zones tends to narrow. In addition, with the exception of Northwest China, the efficiency of other comprehensive economic zones has absolute convergence characteristics. The level of urbanization, the degree of government attention, the reform of the medical and health system, and population density all have a positive impact on health production efficiency. Medical insurance coverage has not passed the significance test. Despite unfavorable factors such as current exam-oriented education and the continuous expansion of college enrollment, the increase in the number of years of education received by residents did not promote, but rather hampered, the efficiency of regional health production.
Relationship between omentin-1 levels in patients with coronary artery disease and healthy controls: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Tongxia WANG , CHEN Zhangrong
Published: May 2023

Background Omentin-1 is associated with diseases such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and coronary heart disease, as well as a range of metabolisms. This paper aims to describe the role of omentin-1 in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).Method We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of omentin-1 levels in patients with CAD compared to those in healthy individuals. We searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library from database inception to July 2022. The data extracted included the author, publication year, country, study design, sample size, sex, age, body mass index, sample source, and outcomes including levels of omentin-1 and their relationship with CAD. All data were analyzed using STATA Statistical Software, version 15.1 (StataCorp, College Station, TX, USA). For continuous variables, standardized mean difference (SMD), and mean difference (95% confidence interval [CI]) the combined effect size was used, and for risk factor assessment, the odds ratio (OR; 95% CI) was used. Both I2 and Q tests were used to evaluate heterogeneity.Results Twelve case-control studies were included in the meta-analysis. The sample size of the patients was 2034, including 1205 patients with CAD and 829 healthy controls. There were 10 studies that compared omentin-1 levels in patients with CAD to those in healthy people. The pooled results showed that the level of omentin-1 in patients with CAD was significantly lower than that in healthy people (SMD = -1.56, 95% CI: -2.00 to -1.13, P = 0.000). Five studies reported an association between omentin-1 levels and CAD. The pooled results suggested that elevated omentin-1 levels were associated with reduced incidence of CAD (OR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.91 to 0.99).Conclusion The pooled results showed that the level of omentin-1 in patients with CAD was significantly lower than that in healthy people and suggested that elevated omentin-1 levels are associated with reduced incidence of CAD.
Comparing the knowledge and management of hypertensive individuals
Authors: Simamane Mandisa , Watson Estelle , Constantinou Demitri , Gradidge Philippe Jean-Luc
Published: May 2023

Background The high prevalence of hypertension in South Africa can be attributed to poor community assessment, limited protocols for treatment and management of the disease and the relatively asymptomatic characteristic of the disease.Aim To determine the knowledge and management of hypertension in private and public health care sectors in an African population.Method One hundred and thirty-seven sample population was taken from black ethnic community. The cross-sectional study was used as a convenience sampling of participants. Interview-led questionnaires were also used to assess participants’ demographic information, hypertension management and lifestyle factors.Results Data analysis yielded the group’s overall blood pressure 124.7/79.6mm Hg with public health care sector (125.9/80.3mm Hg) and the private health care sector (123.3/78.8mm Hg) (p = 0.4). The participants showed significant differences within the groups on all the ‘Medication and adherence’ and ‘Management of hypertension’ categories.Conclusion Both the participants of the private health care sector and public health care sector had the same understanding of the knowledge and management of hypertension, as well as its risk factors.Contribution: The objectives of the study were met through the clinical application understanding the knowledge and management of hypertension and its risk factors to help identify the differences between the patients utilising public and private health care providers.
First record of the African species Leptodelphax maculigera (Stål, 1859) (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) in Brazil
Authors: Ferreira Kerolainy R. , Bartlett Charles R. , Asche Manfred , Silva Liz R. S. , Magalhães Vinícius S. , Gondinho Karina C. Albernaz
Published: May 2023

This study reports the first occurrence of Leptodelphax maculigera (Stål, 1859) in Brazil and the Americas. Until now, this species has not been reported outside of Africa. The notification occurred in the State of Goiás in species of agronomic importance, as corn, Brachiaria, elephant grass, cultivar BRS Capiaçu and beans. The identification of the species was carried out through the morphological analysis of the male terminalia. This species has been found in corn plants, were sharing the same space with another wellknown species great economic importance for the culture, the Dalbulus maidis (DeLong & Wolcott) and espite the morphological differences between the species, it's possible these two may be evaluated in the field only as “corn leaf-hoppers”, without distinguishing the species because the presence of L. maculigera in Brazil was unknown. Furthermore, another worrying factor is the ability of the genus Leptodelphax to transmit phytoplasma as reported the literature, which may potentiate the damage to possible host plants in Brazil. Thus, the confirmed presence of L. maculigera in Brazil and the morphological distinction of the two species are key factors for establishing Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in the areas where it is found.
Explosive colonic perforation, a catastrophic complication of rectal Argon Plasma Coagulation therapy
Authors: Cullen Fraser , Ramsay George , Walker Kenneth G
Published: May 2023

Argon plasma coagulation (APC) is a widely used technique which uses a jet of ionised argon gas to help control gastrointestinal bleeding. A 65-year-old gentleman underwent APC for radiation induced proctitis. On ignition of the argon laser, a large “popping” noise was heard and he experienced immediate abdominal pain. He had suffered a large sigmoid perforation that required a Hartmann’s procedure. Spontaneous colonic explosion is a known, but very rare, complication of APC. It has been suggested this is due to high intraluminal levels of combustible gases such as hydrogen or methane. Levels of these are thought to be reduced by full bowel preparation. Oxygen is also required for combustion, levels of which can be reduced by using carbon dioxide as the insufflated gas during the colonoscopy, rather than room air. Use of both full bowel preparation and C02 insufflation could help prevent this rare complication from occurring in the future.
The relationship between overweight/obesity and oral health in children
Authors: Yoldaş Meyri , Vural Simge , BOLU SEMİH , DANIŞ AYŞEGÜL
Published: May 2023

Aim
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of obesity and overweight on oral/dental health and blood biochemistry parameters in children. Eighty-seven children (29 boys and 58 girls) aged 1-18 presenting to in our pediatric clinic were included in the study.
Methods
The patient group consisted of overweight or obese children, and the control group of normal weight individuals. Pediatric patients were examined simultaneously by a pediatrician and a pediatric dentist. Oral/dental health examinations were performed by a pediatric dentist, and DMFT/dmft index, CPITN index and dental plaque calculations were made. In addition, daily tooth brushing habits were evaluated by questioning the time of the last dental examination. Oral and dental health examination findings and blood biochemistry parameters were compared between the two groups.
Results
Obesity/overweight was found to be associated with, the dental plaque index, DMFT/dmft index, and elevation in the blood biochemistry parameters CRP and PTH among the children in this study.
Conclusion
The observation of significant elevation in DMFT and dental plaque indices, and numbers of filled deciduous teeth showed that oral/dental health problems and dental decay may emerge more frequently in obesity/overweight children.
A Newly Established Cuproptosis-Related Long Noncoding RNA Signature for Predicting Prognosis and the Immune Microenvironment in Stomach Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Xiao Yaodong , Li Bowen , Shi Yiheng , Zhang Cheng , Fei Sujuan , Zhao Yanchao , Li Li
Published: May 2023

Cuproptosis is a form of cell death that is considered as a new direction for future cancer therapy. It has been less reported in stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD). Download transcriptomic data, genomic mutation data and clinical data for STAD from the TCGA website. We identified 430 cuproptosis-related long noncoding RNA (LncRNAs). Cox models screened 8 cuproptosis-related lncRNAs (AC005050.3, AC016394.2, AL606970.1, BX890604.1, C5orf66, HAGLR, LINC01094, TDRKH- AS1), and the risk model were constructed. Based on the median risk score, STAD patients were divided into a high-risk group and a low-risk group. kaplan-Meier survival curves showed that the low-risk group had a higher survival rate than the high-risk group. Operating characteristic curve and principal component analysis showed that the model had better predictive power. The tumor mutational burden was higher in the low-risk group, suggesting greater sensitivity to immunotherapy, and subsequently screening for sensitive drugs in different risk groups. Finally, qPT-PCR results showed that eight lncRNAs were highly expressed in STAD cells. In conclusion, these 8 LncRNAs may be potential biomarkers for predicting the prognosis of STAD patients and assessing the effect of immunotherapy and drug sensitivity in the future.
Molecular characterisation of human JC polyomavirus and risk of developing prostate adenocarcinoma at an early age.
Authors: TIABI Ikram , ENNAJI Youssef , Abumsimir Berjas , Sosse Soukayna Alaoui , Saif Imane , Tadlaoui Kaoutar Anouar , Takati Nadia , Laraqui Abdelilah , Ennibi Khalid , Mrabti Mohammed , Benchekroun Mohammed Nabil , Ennaji Moulay Mustapha
Published: May 2023

Background: The putative functions of JC polyomavirus (JC PyV) infections and Simian Virus 40 (SV40) in the initiation of prostate tumors have recently been discovered.
Objective: The objective of our study is to determine the frequency and the genotype of JCPyV and SV40 infections and the clinical correlation of tumor characteristics.
Material and methods: 80 samples were analyzed 50 prostate cancer patients and 30 control cases. DNA extracts were obtained from 50 men treated at the University Hospital of the city of Rabat (Morocco) between June 2021 and February 2022. These samples were then genotyped and analyzed using Sanger.
Results: Ten JC PyV infections were detected, and 50% of patients had a Gleason score of 6. A significant association between the following variables was noted: age at diagnosis and JC PyV infection (P=0.004); background medical (P=0.034); alcohol (P=0.035); BMI (P<0.001). However, no significant differences were observed between men infected and uninfected concerning other settings pathological, including pathological Gleason score, antigen prostate-specific (PSA), history surgical, stage histology of the tumor (P =0.172, P=0.107, P=1.00, P=0.258, and P=0.884, respectively). So, we don't have could detect SV40 infection in PCa samples, suggesting this virus is unrelated to the development of this type of tumor. The evolution structure of the JC PyV according to the sequences previously aligned was discussed.
Conclusion: Our results reveal the correlations between the parameters of the Clinico-pathology of prostate tumors and JC PyV infections. Research prospects with a wide size sample are essential to elucidate statistically the relationship between viral infections and parameters of prostate tumors.
Unzipped genome assemblies of polyploid root-knot nematodes reveal new kinds of unilateral composite telomeric repeats
Authors: Danchin Etienne , Mota Ana Paula Zotta , Koutsovoulos Georgios , Perfus-Barbeoch Laetitia , Despot-Slade Evelin , Labadie Karine , Aury Jean Marc , Robbe-Sermesant Karine , Bailly-Bechet Marc , Belser Caroline , Pere Arthur , Rancurel Corinne , Kozlowski Djampa , Hassanaly-Goulamhoussen Rahim , Rocha Martine Da , Noel Benjamin , Meštrović Nevenka , Wincker Patrick
Published: May 2023

Using long read sequencing we have assembled and unzipped the genomes of Meloidogyne incognita, M. javanica and M. arenaria, the three most devastating plant-parasitic nematodes at unparalleled contiguity. The telomeric repeat (TTAGGC)n, evolutionarily conserved in nematodes, was not found in these genomes. Furthermore, no evidence for a telomerase enzyme or for orthologs of C. elegans telomere-associated proteins could be found. Instead, we identified species-specific composite repeats enriched at one extremity of contigs. These repeats were G-rich, oriented and transcribed, similarly to known telomeric repeats. Using fluorescent in situ hybridization, we confirmed these repeats had telomeric location at one single end of M. incognita chromosomes. The discovery of a new kind of telomeric repeat in these species highlights the evolutionary diversity of chromosome protection systems despite their central roles in senescence, aging and chromosome integrity and opens new perspectives towards the development of more specific control methods against these pests.
Acute mania in Fanconi Bickel syndrome, a case report
Authors: Chen Allen , Russell Geoffrey , Ashour Amnie , Yacoub Adeeb
Published: May 2023

Fanconi-Bickel syndrome is a rare metabolic disorder caused by decreased glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2) function due to several known mutations in the SLC2A2 gene. As of 2020, 144 cases of FBS had been described in the literature. Metabolic and somatic sequelae include dysglycemia and accumulation of glycogen in the kidney and liver. However, there are no descriptions in the literature of possible neuropsychiatric manifestations of FBS. This case report is to our knowledge the first in this regard, describing a patient with Fanconi Bickel syndrome who was admitted to our psychiatric inpatient unit while experiencing acute mania. We conceptualize the case as a novel psychiatric presentation of acute mania in Fanconi Bickel syndrome, which may inform our understanding of bipolar disorder pathophysiology because of the hypothesized functional changes in neural pathways involving the paraventricular thalamus induced by decreased GLUT2 activity in FBS.
From Mindfulness to Flow in the Coronavirus Pandemic: Investigating the mediating role of psychological capital and coping competence. (a cross-sectional study of pre-Hospital Emergency staff)
Authors: Rahnama Nargess , zadeh Gholamreza Malek , Moshtari Mohammad
Published: May 2023

Background
The present study aims to investigate whether and how mindfulness leads to the flow experience in high-pressure situations during the coronavirus pandemic peak, especially in high-risk, challenging contexts such as emergencies. So, the authors aim to expand existing knowledge about experiencing flow at work, specifically in the crisis context of the COVID-19 period, when challenges convert to hindrance demands. Before examining the possible processes and mechanisms in this relationship, we examined the mediating role of two variables: psychological capital and coping competence.
Method
The statistical population of this study consists of all employees of emergency centers in Mashhad, Iran; there were 550 at the time of the study. Using a simple random sampling method and the Morgan table, a sample of 220 people was considered. A structural equation model, AMOS, and SPSS software were used to analyze the collected data.
Result
The results emphasize that among employees who experienced mindfulness, an optimal experience did not necessarily occur, specifically in those situations in which challenge stressors become hindrance stressors. Although the association of mindfulness and coping competence was verified, its association with flow through coping competence was rejected. It is verified that mindfulness would be associated with flow through psychological capital.
Conclusion
The study extends our understanding of occurring flow at high-risk work environments in which challenges are not motivational. The authors studied the experience of flow in a work context with challenges that appear in the form of hindrance demands, different from the previous ones that have studied flow experience in challenging and motivating contexts such as sports contexts, including mountain climbing, surfing, and similar cases. In addition, there was no consensus in different past studies about associating mindfulness with flow experience. Therefore, in this case, further study had been left to future studies. Moreover, the process of this relationship through the mediating role of psychological capital and coping competence has not been investigated in previous studies.
Comprehensive Genomic Analysis of the Prognostic and Immunological Characteristics of Tertiary Lymphoid structures and CD8+ T-cells in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Hu Hao , Xu Yang , Ai Xiangnan , Wang Tengfei , Li Huixing , Jin Changguo , Ouyang Caiguo , Wu Zhenyu
Published: May 2023

Background Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the most common subtype of pancreatic cancer, is associated with poor prognosis. Previous publications have indicated tertiary lymphoid structure (TLSs) and CD8 + T-cells as prognostic indicators for PDAC, and a positive correlation between CD8 + T-cell infiltration and TLSs was also observed in PDAC. However, different states of TLSs infiltration occurs, and not all stages of TLSs maturation are correlated with a high abundance of CD8 + T-cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME), also CD8 + T-cell infiltration could be influenced by other factors, thus an integrative characterization of the TLSs and CD8 + T-cells is urgently needed. Herein, we aimed to establish a novel scoring system for evaluating the risk for PDAC based on TLSs- and CD8 + T-cells-related genes.Methods In this study, we analyzed single-cell sequence (scRNA-seq) data from PDAC patients in GSA: CRA001160 cohort, which indicated the positive relationship between TLSs presence and CD8 + T-cell infiltration. TCGA-PAAD was used as the training cohort. ICGC-CA, E-MTAB-6134, and the joint cohort of GSE71729 and GSE85916 were used for validation. Using bioinformatics and machine algorithms, we established and validated a scoring method (T-C score) based on survival related genes highly expressed in TLSs and CD8 + T-cells in PDAC, which was then used to stratify patients into the low- and high- T-C score groups. Following that, we analyzed the differences in survival, pathway enrichment, mutation status, immune cell infiltration, expression of immune checkpoint associated genes, tumor stemness, and response to anti-tumor therapy between the two groups.Results The overall survival differed significantly between the low- and high- T-C score groups throughout the training and validation cohort. Good accuracy of the T-C score in predicting 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-year survival was further confirmed in the training and validation cohort, respectively. Furthermore, the low T-C score group was correlated with lower tumor mutation burden (TMB), and lower levels of tumor stemness, compared to the high T-C score group, Besides, analysis using the TIDE web tool has verified that patients with lower T-C score exhibited advantages in immunotherapeutic responses. Patients with lower T-C scores might be more sensitive to the chemotherapeutic regimen and multi-kinase inhibitors. Collectively, the T-C score based on the TLSs- and CD8 + T-cells-related gene signature could serve as an effective model for predicting the survival and therapeutic responses of PDAC patients.