bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inanimate 3D printed model for thoracoscopic repair of esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula
Authors: Zahradniková Petra , Babala Jozef , Pechanová Rebeka , Smrek Martin , Vitovič Pavol , Laurovičová Miroslava , Bernát Tomáš , Nedomová Barbora
Published: November 2023

Background

Thoracoscopic repair of esophageal atresia (EA) and tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) poses significant technical challenges. This study aimed to develop an inexpensive, reusable, high-fidelity synthetic tissue model for simulating EA/TEF repairs and to assess the validity of the simulator.

Methods

By using 3D printing and silicone casting, we designed an inexpensive and reusable inanimate model for training in thoracoscopic EA/TEF repair. The objective was to validate the model using a 5-point Likert scale and the Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills (OSATS) to evaluate participants' surgical proficiency.

Results

A total of 18 participants (7 medical students, 4 pediatric surgery trainees, and 7 experienced surgeons), after being instructed and trained, were asked to perform TEF ligation, dissection, as well as esophageal anastomosis using six sliding knots on the EA/TEF simulator. All participants in the expert group completed the task within the 120-minute time limit, however only 4 (57%) participants from the novice/intermediate completed the task within the time limit. There was a statistically significant difference in OSATS scores for the “flow of task” (p = 0.018) and scores for the “overall MIS skills” (p = 0.010) task distinguishing between novice and intermediates and experts. The simulator demonstrated strong suitability as a training tool, indicated by a mean score of 4.66. The mean scores for the model's realism and the working environment were 4.25 and 4.5, respectively. Overall, the face validity was scored significantly lower in the expert group compared to the novice/intermediate groups (p = 0.0002).

Conclusions

Our study established good face and content validity of the simulator. Due to its reusability, and suitability for individual participants, our model holds promise as a training tool for thoracoscopic procedures among surgeons. However, novices and trainees struggled with advanced minimally invasive surgical procedures. Therefore, a structured and focused training curriculum in pediatric MIS is needed for optimal utilization of the available training hours.
An updated meta-analysis of Chinese herbal medicine for the prevention of COVID-19 based on Western-Eastern medicine
Authors: Hu Siying , Luo Dan , Zhu Qikui , Pan Jie , Chen Bonan , Furian Michael , Harkare Harsh Vivek , Sun Shoukai , Fansa Adel , Wu Xiaoping , Yu Baili , Ma Tianhong , Wang Fei , Shi Shihua
Published: November 2023

Background and aims: Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) was used to prevent and treat coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in clinical practices. Many studies have demonstrated that the combination of CHM and Western medicine can be more effective in treating COVID-19 compared to Western medicine alone. However, evidence-based studies on the prevention in undiagnosed or suspected cases remain scarce. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the effectiveness of CHM in preventing recurrent, new, or suspected COVID-19 diseases.

Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search using ten databases including articles published between December 2019 and September 2023. This search aimed to identify studies investigating the use of CHM to prevent COVID-19. Heterogeneity was assessed by a random-effects model. The relative risk (RR) and mean differences were calculated using 95% confidence intervals (CI). The modified Jadad Scale and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) were employed to evaluate the quality of randomized controlled trials and cohort studies, respectively.

Results: Seventeen studies with a total of 47,351 patients were included. Results revealed that CHM significantly reduced the incidence of COVID-19 (RR = 0.24, 95% CI = 0.11–0.53, p = 0.0004), influenza (RR = 0.37, 95% CI = 0.18–0.76, p = 0.007), and severe pneumonia exacerbation rate (RR = 0.17, 95% CI = 0.05–0.64, p = 0.009) compared to non-treatment or conventional control group. Evidence evaluation indicated moderate quality evidence for COVID-19 incidence and serum complement components C3 and C4 in randomized controlled trials. For the incidence of influenza and severe pneumonia in RCTs as well as the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ lymphocytes, the evidence quality was low. The remaining outcomes including the disappearance rate of symptoms and adverse reactions were deemed to be of very low quality.

Conclusion: CHM presents a promising therapeutic option for the prevention of COVID-19. However, additional high-quality clinical trials are needed to further strengthen evidential integrity.
Histamine H2 receptor antagonist exhibited comparable all-cause mortality-decreasing effect as β-blockers in critically ill patients with heart failure: a cohort study
Authors: Zhang Xue-Sha , Cai Wen-Ke , Wang Ping , Xu Ran , Yin Sun-Jun , Huang Yan-Hua , Guo Yu , Jiang Fang-Fang , Pan Jian-Mei , Li Yi-Hua , He Gong-Hao
Published: November 2023

Background: Our previous study reported that histamine H2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs) exposure was associated with decreased mortality in critically ill patients with heart failure (HF) through the same pharmacological mechanism as β-blockers. However, population-based clinical study directly comparing the efficacy of H2RAs and β-blockers on mortality of HF patients are still lacking. This study aims to compare the association difference of H2RAs and β-blockers on mortality in critically ill patients with HF using the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care III database (MIMIC-III).

Methods: Study population was divided into 4 groups: β-blockers + H2RAs group, β-blockers group, H2RAs group, and Non-β-blockers + Non-H2RAs group. Kaplan–Meier curves and multivariable Cox regression models were employed to evaluate the differences of all-cause mortalities among the 4 groups. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to increase comparability of four groups.

Results: A total of 5593 patients were included. After PSM, multivariate analyses showed that patients in H2RAs group had close all-cause mortality with patients in β-blockers group. Furthermore, 30-day, 1-year, 5-year and 10-year all-mortality of patients in β-blockers + H2RAs group were significantly lower than those of patients in β-blockers group, respectively (HR: 0.64, 95%CI: 0.50–0.82 for 30-day; HR: 0.80, 95%CI: 0.69–0.93 for 1-year mortality; HR: 0.83, 95%CI: 0.74–0.93 for 5-year mortality; and HR: 0.85, 95%CI: 0.76–0.94 for 10-year mortality, respectively).

Conclusion: H2RAs exposure exhibited comparable all-cause mortality-decreasing effect as β-blockers; and, furthermore, H2RAs and β-blockers had additive or synergistic interactions to improve survival in critically ill patients with HF.
FBXW7 and human tumors: mechanisms of drug resistance and potential therapeutic strategies
Authors: Wang Wanqing , Jiang Kaipeng , Liu Xue , Li Ju , Zhou Wenshuo , Wang Chang , Cui Jiuwei , Liang Tingting
Published: November 2023

Drug therapy, including chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and endocrine therapy, stands as the foremost therapeutic approach for contemporary human malignancies. However, increasing drug resistance during antineoplastic therapy has become a substantial barrier to favorable outcomes in cancer patients. To enhance the effectiveness of different cancer therapies, an in-depth understanding of the unique mechanisms underlying tumor drug resistance and the subsequent surmounting of antitumor drug resistance is required. Recently, F-box and WD Repeat Domain-containing-7 (FBXW7), a recognized tumor suppressor, has been found to be highly associated with tumor therapy resistance. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the underlying mechanisms through which FBXW7 facilitates the development of drug resistance in cancer. Additionally, this review elucidates the role of FBXW7 in therapeutic resistance of various types of human tumors. The strategies and challenges implicated in overcoming tumor therapy resistance by targeting FBXW7 are also discussed.
Targeted haplotyping in pharmacogenomics using Oxford Nanopore Technologies’ adaptive sampling
Authors: Deserranno Koen , Tilleman Laurentijn , Rubben Kaat , Deforce Dieter , Van Nieuwerburgh Filip
Published: November 2023

Pharmacogenomics (PGx) studies the impact of interindividual genomic variation on drug response, allowing the opportunity to tailor the dosing regimen for each patient. Current targeted PGx testing platforms are mainly based on microarray, polymerase chain reaction, or short-read sequencing. Despite demonstrating great value for the identification of single nucleotide variants (SNVs) and insertion/deletions (INDELs), these assays do not permit identification of large structural variants, nor do they allow unambiguous haplotype phasing for star-allele assignment. Here, we used Oxford Nanopore Technologies’ adaptive sampling to enrich a panel of 1,036 genes with well-documented PGx relevance extracted from the Pharmacogenomics Knowledge Base (PharmGKB). By evaluating concordance with existing truth sets, we demonstrate accurate variant and star-allele calling for five Genome in a Bottle reference samples. We show that up to three samples can be multiplexed on one PromethION flow cell without a significant drop in variant calling performance, resulting in 99.35% and 99.84% recall and precision for the targeted variants, respectively. This work advances the use of nanopore sequencing in clinical PGx settings.
Aspirin intervention before ICU admission reduced the mortality in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury: results from the MIMIC-IV
Authors: Meng Yao , Lin Yi , Zhang Jia-Wei , Zou Wen-Li , Liu Yue-Ming , Shen Xiao-Gang , Shen Quan-Quan , Wang Min-Min , Shao Li-Na , Feng Hong-Yuan , Zhu Yan , Yu Jing-Ting , Lin Bo , Zhu Bin
Published: November 2023

Background: Aspirin, with its pleiotropic effects such as anti-inflammatory and anti-platelet aggregation, has been widely used for anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and cardiovascular diseases. However, the association between the use of aspirin before the intensive care unit (ICU) and clinical outcomes in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) is unknown.

Methods: Patients with AKI in this retrospective observational study were selected from the Marketplace for Medical Information in Intensive Care IV (MIMIC-IV). The association between aspirin intervention and 30-day mortality was assessed using Cox proportional hazards model. Logistic regression models were used to assess the association of aspirin intervention with the risks of intracranial hemorrhage, gastrointestinal bleeding and blood transfusion. The propensity score matching (PSM) method was adopted to balance the baseline variables. Sensitivity analysis was performed to validate the results by multiple interpolations for the missing data.

Results: The study included 4237 pre-ICU aspirin users and 9745 non-users. In multivariate models, we found a decreased risk of mortality in those who received aspirin before ICU compared to those who did not (30-day:hazard ratio [HR], 0.70; 95% CI, 0.62–0.79; p < 0.001; 90-day:HR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.63–0.77, p < 0.001; 180-day:HR, 0.72; 95%CI,0.65–0.79, p < 0.001). This benefit was consistent in the post-PSM analyses, sensitivity analyses, and subgroup analyses. Moreover, aspirin intervention was associated with a reduced risk of intracranial hemorrhage and gastrointestinal bleeding (HR, 0.16; 95% CI, 0.10–0.25; p < 0.001; HR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.38–0.88, p = 0.012) after being adjusted by relating covariates, whereas with a increased risk of blood transfusion (HR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.16–1.46; p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Patients with AKI treated with aspirin before ICU admission might have reduced 30-day, 90-day and 180-day mortality without increasing the risk of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) or gastrointestinal bleeding, but may increase the risk of transfusion.
Enhancing plant growth in biofertilizer-amended soil through nitrogen-transforming microbial communities
Authors: Li Liangzhi , Hu Zhengrong , Tan Ge , Fan Jianqiang , Chen Yiqiang , Xiao Yansong , Wu Shaolong , Zhi Qiqi , Liu Tianbo , Yin Huaqun , Tang Qianjun
Published: November 2023

Biofertilizers have immense potential for enhancing agricultural productivity. However, there is still a need for clarification regarding the specific mechanisms through which these biofertilizers improve soil properties and stimulate plant growth. In this research, a bacterial agent was utilized to enhance plant growth and investigate the microbial modulation mechanism of soil nutrient turnover using metagenomic technology. The results demonstrated a significant increase in soil fast-acting nitrogen (by 46.7%) and fast-acting phosphorus (by 88.6%) upon application of the bacterial agent. This finding suggests that stimulated soil microbes contribute to enhanced nutrient transformation, ultimately leading to improved plant growth. Furthermore, the application of the bacterial agent had a notable impact on the accumulation of key genes involved in nitrogen cycling. Notably, it enhanced nitrification genes (amo, hao, and nar), while denitrification genes (nir and nor) showed a slight decrease. This indicates that ammonium oxidation may be the primary pathway for increasing fast-acting nitrogen in soils. Additionally, the bacterial agent influenced the composition and functional structure of the soil microbial community. Moreover, the metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) obtained from the soil microbial communities exhibited complementary metabolic processes, suggesting mutual nutrient exchange. These MAGs contained widely distributed and highly abundant genes encoding plant growth promotion (PGP) traits. These findings emphasize how soil microbial communities can enhance vegetation growth by increasing nutrient availability and regulating plant hormone production. This effect can be further enhanced by introducing inoculated microbial agents. In conclusion, this study provides novel insights into the mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of biofertilizers on soil properties and plant growth. The significant increase in nutrient availability, modulation of key genes involved in nitrogen cycling, and the presence of MAGs encoding PGP traits highlight the potential of biofertilizers to improve agricultural practices. These findings have important implications for enhancing agricultural sustainability and productivity, with positive societal and environmental impacts.
Changes in mental health among Chinese university students before and during campus lockdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic: a three-wave longitudinal study
Authors: Qing Ying , Li Zhiyan , Zhang Yuhang
Published: November 2023

The campus lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected mental health among university students. However, the heterogeneity in responses to campus lockdown is still poorly known. We collected three-wave prospective data on university students’ mental health in Shanghai, China, in 2022: (i) in February before the pandemic; (ii) in April at the initial COVID-19 campus lockdown; and (iii) in May amidst the citywide lockdown. Overall, 205 university students completed sociodemographic questionnaires, the General Health Questionnaire-12 items (GHQ-12), and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 items (DASS-21). Generalized estimating equations were used to examine the longitudinal changes in mental health and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. Latent class mixed models (LCMM) were constructed to identify distinct trajectories. Multinomial regression models were used to identify factors associated with status variation patterns. Mean GHQ-12 scores were 8.49, 9.66, and 11.26 at pre-pandemic and lockdown T1 and T2, respectively (p < 0.001). Mean scores for depression, anxiety, and stress were (5.96, 10.36, and 8.06, p < 0.001), (7.13, 6.67, and 7.16, p = 0.243), and (9.83, 7.28, and 11.43, p < 0.001), respectively. Changing trends of numbers of participants with clinical symptoms were consistent with those of mean scores. LCMM fitted three distinct trajectory classes, respectively, for GHQ-12, depression and anxiety symptoms, and four classes for stress symptoms. Participants with fair or poor peer relationships were more likely to belong to vulnerable trajectories concerning depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms. This study proves heterogeneity in mental health of university students in response to pandemic campus lockdown and highlights the necessity for identifying vulnerable groups to provide targeted support in future pandemics.
Predicting postoperative delirium after cardiovascular surgeries from preoperative portable electroencephalography oscillations
Authors: Hata Masahiro , Miyazaki Yuki , Nagata Chie , Masuda Hirotada , Wada Tamiki , Takahashi Shun , Ishii Ryouhei , Miyagawa Shigeru , Ikeda Manabu , Ueno Takayoshi
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Postoperative delirium (POD) is common and life-threatening, however, with intensive interventions, a potentially preventable clinical syndrome. Although electroencephalography (EEG) is a promising biomarker of delirium, standard 20-leads EEG holds difficulties for screening usage in clinical practice.

Objective

We aimed to develop an accurate algorithm to predict POD using EEG data obtained from portable device.

Methods

We recruited 128 patients who underwent scheduled cardiovascular surgery. Cognitive function assessments were conducted, and portable EEG recordings were obtained prior to surgery.

Results

Among the patients, 47 (36.7%) patients with POD were identified and they did not significantly differ from patients without POD in sex ratio, age, cognitive function, or treatment duration of intensive care unit. However, significant differences were observed in the preoperative EEG power spectrum densities at various frequencies, especially gamma activity, between patients with and without POD. POD was successfully predicted using preoperative EEG data with a machine learning algorithm, yielding accuracy of 86% and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.93.

Discussion

This study provides new insights into the objective and biological vulnerability to delirium. The developed algorithm can be applied in general hospitals without advanced equipment and expertise, thereby enabling the reduction of POD occurrences with intensive interventions for high-risk patients.
Reusable tourniquets for blood sampling as a source of multi-resistant organisms– a systematic review
Authors: Szymczyk Julia , Månsson Michelle , Mędrzycka-Dąbrowska Wioletta
Published: November 2023

Introduction

The use of reusable tourniquets is widespread around the world, and reports suggest they may be overused. Several studies have shown that reusable tourniquets can affect the spread of pathogens between patients. Based on available studies, this review aims to analyse the indirect transmission of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens present on blood collection tourniquets, which may spread infectious diseases between patients in daily clinical practice.

Methods

A systematic review of the literature was conducted according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) protocol guidelines. The contents of PubMed, EBSCO (electronic databases), and Scopus were screened. Keywords used in the search included: “tourniquet,” “cross infection,” “nosocomial infection,” “staphylococcus aureus,” “MRO,” “pathogen,” “infectious disease,” “anti-microbial,” or a combination of these using AND or OR operators. Finally, 13 publications were included. Data were analysed both descriptively and quantitatively by calculating a balanced average for specific synthesized data.

Results

The proportional observation based on the number sampled median was 77. The genus MRSA was the type of bacteria most commonly found: on 12% of all tested tourniquets. The amount of MRSA found on tourniquets was mean ± SD 14.6 ± 45.89. A review of studies also revealed the presence of coagulase-negative staphylococci, grew Bacillus, and Staphylococcus aureus.

Conclusion

Patient safety may be at risk due to elevated contamination rates of reusable tourniquets. The microorganisms responsible for this contamination include a variety of species, the most common being the genus Staphylococcus. For this reason, we recommend the use of disposable tourniquets.
A holistic approach in epidemics
Authors: Tsagkarliotis Ioannis , Rachaniotis Nikolaos P.
Published: November 2023

This paper explores the concept of a holistic approach in preventing and responding to epidemics. Epidemics are defined as the occurrence of an illness or health-related event exceeding normal expectations within a specific community or region. Holism emphasizes viewing systems as a whole rather than a collection of parts. In the context of epidemics, a holistic approach considers not only medical interventions but also social, economic, psychological and environmental factors that influence disease transmission and management. The impact of climate change on epidemic response, the understanding of the significance of animal health and agriculture, the consideration of art, culture and societal factors, the exploration of the use of technology and innovation, the addressing of limitations in resources and the provision of enhanced support for the mental and emotional well-being of individuals and affected communities, are parts of this holistic approach. By integrating them, innovative practices as well as cross-sectoral and interdisciplinary techniques can be employed. Such an approach has the potential to enhance epidemic prevention and response strategies, ultimately contributing to positive public health outcomes.
A nationwide epidemiological and geodemographic analysis of lymphatic filariasis in Ecuador: a neglected and often forgotten disease in Ecuador
Authors: Izquierdo-Condoy Juan S. , Naranjo-Lara Patricio , Vásconez-Gonzalez Jorge , Fernandez-Naranjo Raul , Placencia-André Romina , Davila María G. , Carrington Sarah J. , Ortiz-Prado Esteban
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a neglected parasitic disease transmitted by mosquitoes and affecting the lymphatic system. The aim of this study was to analyze the epidemiological and sociodemographic characteristics of patients with LF during the last 11 years of available data in Ecuador.

Methods

A 11-year nationwide analysis of hospital admission and in-hospital mortality based on the National Institute of Statistics and Census (INEC) data was conducted in Ecuador from 2011 to 2021. The International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision (ICD-10) code for filariasis (ICD: B74) was used to retrieve information on severe LF as a proxy for incidence among 221 Ecuadorian cities.

Results

A total of 26 hospital admissions and 3 deaths due to LF were registered. The highest mortality rate was found in populations over 80 years. Men accounted for 62.5% (n = 17) of total number of cases with an average incidence rate of 1.7 cases per/1,000,000, while females accounted for 34.6% (n = 9), representing 1 case per/1,000,000 woman. Cities located at lower altitude (459/1,000,000) reported higher incidence rates than those located at higher altitudes (7.4/1,000,000).

Conclusion

This is the first study on LF in Ecuador. Although, Ecuador is not considered endemic for LF, we found evidence of the presence of this disease in recent years. The implementation and improvement of an adequate integrated epidemiological surveillance system will allow early identification of cases and therefore their respective treatment.
New rural pension scheme, intergenerational interaction and rural family human capital investments
Authors: Fan Lujie , Hua Jing
Published: November 2023

Introduction

The new rural pension scheme (NRPS) can improve the quality of life for rural older adult individuals; however, can it have a spillover effect on rural household human capital investments through intergenerational interactions?

Methods

Based on data from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) in 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, and 2018 and from the perspective of intergenerational interactions, the spillover effect and influencing mechanism of the new rural insurance policy on rural household human capital investments are empirically tested.

Results

The results show that the participation of families in the new rural insurance policy can significantly promote the human capital investments of rural families, and they are robust. Moreover, the spillover effect of this new policy is significantly different due to the gender, insurance phase, and family income of the insured. Through intergenerational interactions, the new rural insurance policy has an impact on the human capital investments of rural families from the material level of intergenerational economic support, housework and childcare for children and the nonmaterial level of old-age care cognition.

Discussion

Therefore, continuing to promote the coverage of the new rural insurance policy and scientifically improving rural social security through publicity and education to promote benign intergenerational family interactions can improve the accumulation of human capital in rural areas.
Genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in Weihai, China, march 2022 to march 2023
Authors: Li Xiang , Zhang Yuwei , Zhang Jinbo , Sui Zongyan , Qu Xinyi , Wang Mingrui , Miao Tingting , Li Jizhao
Published: November 2023

COVID-19 is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by SARS-CoV-2. It was first reported in Wuhan, China in December 2019 and rapidly spread globally in early 2020, triggering a global pandemic. In December 2022, China adjusted the dynamic COVID-zero strategy that lasted for three years. The number of positive cases in China increased rapidly in the short term. Weihai was also affected during this period. We conducted genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 variants in Weihai during this period, hoping to understand the changes in the genomic characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 before and after the adjustment of the epidemic policy. In this study,we collected SARS-CoV-2 positive samples from March 2022 to March 2023 in Weihai and performed SARS-CoV-2 whole genome sequencing on these samples using next-generation sequencing technology. we obtained a total of 704 SARS-CoV-2 whole genome sequences, and selected 581 high-quality sequences for further analysis. The analysis results showed that from March 2022 to November 2022, before the adjustment of epidemic policy, the COVID-19 cases in Weihai were mainly from four local clusters,which were caused by four variants, including BA.2,BA.1.1,P.1.15 and BA.5.2.1. Phylogenetic analysis showed that: In the same cluster,the sequences between each other were highly homologous, and the whole genome sequence were almost identical. After December 2022, the epidemic policy was adjusted, BF.7 and BA.5.2 became the dominant variants in Weihai, consistent with the main domestic strains in China during the same period. Phylodynamic analysis showed that BF.7 and BA.5.2 had a large amount of genetic diversities in December, and the effective population size of BF.7 and BA.5.2 also showed explosive growth in December. In conclusion, we reported the composition and dynamic trend of SARS-CoV-2 variants in Weihai from March 2022 to March 2023. We found that there have been significant changes in the variants and expansion patterns of SARS-CoV-2 before and after the adjustment of epidemic policies. But the dominant variants in Weihai were the same as the SARS-CoV-2 variants circulating globally at the same time and we found no persistently dominant variants or new lineages during this period.
Efficient regulatory approval of two novel HIV prevention interventions in a resource-limited setting: experiences from Zimbabwe
Authors: Murombedzi Caroline , Chirinda Libert , Chareka Gift T. , Chirenje Z. Mike , Mgodi Nyaradzo M.
Published: November 2023

The global burden of HIV remains unacceptably high despite significant progress made in HIV treatment and prevention. There is an urgent need to scale up the comprehensive HIV prevention strategies that include pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Oral PrEP is highly effective in preventing HIV acquisition when taken regularly, but this remains a challenge for some at-risk individuals. Therefore, there is a need for other HIV prevention options. The dapivirine vaginal ring (DVR) and long-acting injectable cabotegravir (CAB-LA) are novel biomedical interventions that are safe and efficacious for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis, as demonstrated in recently completed clinical trials. Timely roll-out and scalability of efficacious interventions depend on the registration process with the national medicine regulatory authorities (NMRAs). The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) was the first NMRA globally to approve the DVR in July 2021 and the first in Africa to approve CAB-LA for HIV prevention in July 2022. The regulatory review process for DVR and CAB-LA by MCAZ took 4.5 and 5.5 months, respectively. This efficient review process of the two interventions by MCAZ, a regulatory body in a resource-limited setting, provides important lessons to shorten timelines between the completion of the clinical development process and the registration of essential medicines.
An investigation of phase change induced Marangoni-dominated flow patterns using the Constrained Vapor Bubble data from ISS experiments
Authors: Chakrabarti Unmeelan , Yasin Ayaaz , Bellur Kishan , Allen Jeffrey S.
Published: November 2023

Kinetic models of liquid-vapor phase change often implicitly assume that the interface is in equilibrium. This equilibrium assumption can be justified for large flat interfaces far from the source of thermal energy, but it breaks down when the liquid surface is near a solid wall, or there is significant interface curvature. The Constrained Vapor Bubble (CVB) experiments conducted on the International Space Station (ISS) provide a unique opportunity to probe this common assumption and also provide unique data and insight into phase change-driven flow physics. The CVB experiment consists of a quartz cuvette partially filled with pentane such that a vapor bubble is formed at the center. The setup is heated and cooled at opposite ends, resulting in simultaneous evaporation and condensation. CVB data from the NASA Physical Science Informatics (PSI) database was used to reconstruct the entire 3D interface shape using interferometric image analysis and obtain an estimate of the net heat input to the bubble. The reconstructed interface shape is used to develop a liquid-only CFD model embedded with a custom-built “active surface” method that sets a variable interfacial temperature/phase change flux boundary condition. Phase change flux varies in both the axial and transverse directions, leading to a small (∼1 K) but discernible temperature variation along the liquid-vapor interface. The positive phase change flux near the heater end (denoting evaporation) gradually reduces and becomes negative near the cooler end (denoting condensation), resulting in an axial bulk flow of liquid from the cold to the hot end. There is also a higher flux in the thin film as opposed to the thick film, resulting in a transverse bulk flow. However, the interfacial temperature gradients along both axial and transverse directions induce a separate thermocapillary flow in a direction opposite to the bulk flows, leading to complex “wavy” flows with recirculation. A qualitative analysis of the flow pattern is presented in this paper and correlated with optical signatures from experimental images.
The golden ratio in baseball: the influence of historical eras on winning percentages in major league baseball
Authors: Cairney John , Townsend Stephen , Brown Denver M. Y. , Graham Jeffrey D. , Richard Veronique , Kwan Matthew Y. W.
Published: November 2023

Introduction

The golden section or golden ratio (61.8% or 0.618) is a mathematical phenomenon that appears in art, literature, music and nature with such ubiquity that it is thought to be a fundamental principle of aesthetic organisation. The golden ratio also manifests in sport, particularly as the proportion of wins to losses required to win a Major League Baseball championship. This study extends early work on the golden ratio in baseball by incorporating more than three decades of additional data.

Methods

This study involved a historically contextualized examination of how winning percentages have changed across the seven historical eras of modern baseball, including analyses of the relative contribution of offensive and defensive statistics to championship winning teams. Data was extracted from Baseball Reference and included statistics for 398 championship winning teams from both the American and National Leagues between 1901 and 2019. Pearson correlation coefficients were computed for winning percentage with indicators of offensive and defensive performance during each era. Main and interaction effects of Era and League on winning percentage were examined using factorial ANOVA, with follow-up analyses examining whether the golden ratio was included in each factor's 95% confidence interval.

Results

Our findings suggest that winning percentages for championship teams were closest to the golden ratio during eras where the relative contribution of offense and defense was most closely balanced: the Integration Era (1942–1960) and the Expansion Era (1961–1976).

Discussion

Previous scholarship theorizes that the golden ratio represents an aesthetic ideal or a Gestalt archetype. If this aesthetic theory is applied to sporting competition, these results suggest that baseball may be most aesthetically appealing to fans when offense and defense is balanced in such a way as to ensure that championship teams win 61.8% of their games.
Outcomes of humeral osteotomies versus soft-tissue procedures in secondary surgical procedures for neonatal brachial plexus palsy: a meta-analysis
Authors: Azer Amanda , Mendiratta Dhruv , Saad Anthony , Duan Yajie , Cedarstrand Matthew , Chinta Sree , Hanna Aedan , Shihora Dhvani , McGrath Aleksandra , Chu Alice
Published: November 2023

Secondary surgical procedures can be used in brachial plexus birth injury to correct shoulder movement imbalances. This study compares outcomes of the two secondary surgical procedure types: humeral osteotomies and soft tissue procedures. Outcome measures assessed included active and passive internal and external rotation, active and passive abduction and adduction, active and passive flexion and extension, percentage of the humeral head anterior to the middle glenoid fossa, glenoid version, and Mallet Score. Nineteen full-text articles were included in the analysis. Humeral osteotomies resulted in a loss of internal rotation postoperatively (−15.94°). Active internal rotation was not evaluated for soft tissue procedures. All other assessed outcomes were improved postoperatively for bony and soft tissue procedures. Bony procedures exhibited a greater degree of active external rotation postoperatively when compared to soft tissue procedures (+67° vs. +40°). Both bony and soft tissue procedures Improve shoulder function in children with neonatal brachial plexus palsy, however, soft tissue procedures showed greater consistency in outcomes.

Level of Evidence: IV
Embedded Field Stalk Detection Algorithm for Digging–Pulling Cassava Harvester Intelligent Clamping and Pulling Device
Authors: Yang Wang , Xi Junhui , Wang Zhihao , Lu Zhiheng , Zheng Xian , Zhang Debang , Huang Yu
Published: November 2023

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is a major tuber crop worldwide, but its mechanized harvesting is inefficient. The digging–pulling cassava harvester is the primary development direction of the cassava harvester. However, the harvester clamping–pulling mechanism cannot automatically adjust its position relative to the stalks in forward movement, which results in clamping stalks with a large off-center distance difficulty, causing large harvest losses. Thus, solving the device’s clamping location problem is the key to loss reduction in the harvester. To this end, this paper proposes a real-time detection method for field stalks based on YOLOv4. First, K-means clustering is applied to improve the consistency of cassava stalk detection boxes. Next, the improved YOLOv4 network’s backbone is replaced with MobileNetV2 + CA, resulting in the KMC-YOLO network. Then, the proposed model’s validity is demonstrated using ablation studies and comparison tests. Finally, the improved network is embedded into the NVIDIA Jetson AGX Xavier, and the model is accelerated using TensorRT, before conducting field trials. The results indicate that the KMC-YOLO achieves average precision (AP) values of 98.2%, with detection speeds of 33.6 fps. The model size is reduced by 53.08% compared with the original YOLOv4 model. The detection speed after TensorRT acceleration is 39.3 fps, which is 83.64% faster than before acceleration. Field experiments show that the embedded model detects more than 95% of the time at all three harvest illumination levels. This research contributes significantly to the development of cassava harvesters with intelligent harvesting operations.
A New Protocol to Mitigate Damage to Germination Caused by Black Layers in Maize (Zea mays L.) Seeds
Authors: Hong Joon Ki , Baek Jeongho , Park Sang Ryeol , Lee Gang Seob , Suh Eun Jung
Published: November 2023

Maize seeds harvested in the field have higher vitality than those harvested in greenhouses but have higher contamination rates in terms of fungal or bacterial infection. It is important to disinfect maize seeds before sowing because seeds are a source of infection and damage crop production. In this study, we aimed to provide an efficient seed sterilization method to manage fungal or bacterial infections of field-harvested maize seeds. The optimized sterilization protocol was set up according to the disinfectant liquid immersion time, inverting RPM (rotations per minute), number of seeds, and black layer removal. We put 20 grains of maize seeds in 100% commercial bleach disinfectant containing 4–5% NaClO and performed 20 min of inversion at 45 RPM. After standing without inverting for the next 25 min in the sterile hood, inversion at 45 RPM for another 40 min was performed. By using this protocol, microorganisms occurred at a low rate with an average of 11.7%. Moreover, it was shown that microorganisms occurred at the lowest rate (average of 0.29% of seeds) when the black layer was removed. In addition, this sterilization method did not affect the growth and development of maize plants. These results revealed that black layer removal from maize seeds is a highly efficient, easy, and inexpensive sterilization method and can be used for seeds of various maize lines.
Identification of Promising Three-Way Hybrids of Pearl Millet for Drought-Prone Environments of North-Western India
Authors: Kandarkar Kuldeep , Palaniappan Viswanathan , Gupta Phool Chand , Rajasekaran Ravikesavan , Prabhakaran Jeyakumar , Sevugapperumal Nakkeeran , Gupta Shashi Kumar
Published: November 2023

Stable, drought-tolerant, and high-yielding dual-purpose hybrids are needed for cultivation in the drought-prone areas of India. Working towards this, this study was conducted to assess the associations between grain yield and its component traits and the relationships among genotypes to select the most promising hybrids based on multiple traits. In the present investigation, thirty newly developed three-way hybrids (TWHs), along with four popular commercial single-cross hybrids and two open pollinated varieties (OPVs) were evaluated at three sites in the drought-prone ecology of India during the rainy season of 2021–2022. A principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that the first three component axes (PC) were significant, with eigenvalues more than one, and together contributed to 74.10% of the total variance. A hierarchical cluster analysis based on the Euclidean distance between hybrids suggested the existence of three clusters. Cluster III (C-III) had hybrids with maximum grain yield, dry fodder yield, and important component traits such as panicle harvest index and grain harvest index that are required for adaptation to drought-prone environments. A genotype by yield × trait (GYT) biplot and a superiority index (SI) were generated to identify the best hybrids with high grain yield and other component traits. These results were used to identify TWHs, namely TH-114, TH-138, TH-49, TH-67, and TH-79, with more than 30% standard heterosis and stable performance coupled with better drought-adaptive traits.
Vitamin E-Inhibited Phoxim-Induced Renal Oxidative Stress and Mitochondrial Apoptosis In Vivo and In Vitro of Piglets
Authors: Zhang Jing , Sun Yuecheng , Song Wentao , Shan Anshan
Published: November 2023

Exposure to phoxim at low levels caused bioaccumulation with neurotoxicity but also induced oxidative stress, tissue damage, and abnormal nutrient metabolism. This study described that vitamin E ameliorates phoxim-induced nephrotoxicity via inhibiting mitochondrial apoptosis. In vivo, 24 healthy piglets were treated with phoxim (0 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg) and vitamin E + phoxim (vitamin E + phoxim: 200 mg/kg + 500 mg/kg). In vitro, PK15 cells were treated with phoxim (0 mg/L and 1 mg/L) and vitamin E + phoxim (phoxim + vitamin E: 1 mg/L + 1 mg/L) for 12 h and 24 h. Our results indicated that accumulation of ROS, oxidative stress, and renal cell injury through stimulation of mitochondrial apoptosis resulted in phoxim-induced nephrotoxicity. Phoxim resulted in swollen mitochondria, blurred internal cristae, renal glomerular atrophy, and renal interstitial fibrosis. Vitamin E alleviated the adverse effects of phoxim by reducing ROS and improving antioxidant capacity in vivo and in vitro. Vitamin E significantly increased SDH in vitro (p < 0.01), while it decreased ROS, Bad, and cyto-c in vitro and SOD and CAT in vivo (p < 0.05). Vitamin E ameliorated phoxim-induced renal histopathologic changes, and mitochondria swelled. In addition, vitamin E regulates phoxim-induced apoptosis by alleviating oxidative damage to the mitochondria.
Azadirachtin Attenuates Carcinogen Benzo(a) Pyrene-Induced DNA Damage, Cell Cycle Arrest, Apoptosis, Inflammatory, Metabolic, and Oxidative Stress in HepG2 Cells
Authors: John Annie , Raza Haider
Published: November 2023

Azadirachtin (AZD), a limonoid from the versatile, tropical neem tree (Azadirachta indica), is well known for its many medicinal, and pharmacological effects. Its effects as an anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer agent are well known. However, not many studies have explored the effects of AZD on toxicities induced by benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P), a toxic component of cigarette smoke known to cause DNA damage and cell cycle arrest, leading to different kinds of cancer. In the present study, using HepG2 cells, we investigated the protective effects of Azadirachtin (AZD) against B(a)P-induced oxidative/nitrosative and metabolic stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. Treatment with 25 µM B(a)P for 24 h demonstrated an increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), followed by increased lipid peroxidation and DNA damage presumably, due to the increased metabolic activation of B(a)P by CYP 450 1A1/1A2 enzymes. We also observed intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis, alterations in glutathione-dependent redox homeostasis, cell cycle arrest, and inflammation after B(a)P treatment. Cells treated with 25 µM AZD for 24 h showed decreased oxidative stress and apoptosis, partial protection from DNA damage, and an improvement in mitochondrial functions and bioenergetics. The improvement in antioxidant status, anti-inflammatory potential, and alterations in cell cycle regulatory markers qualify AZD as a potential therapeutic in combination with anti-cancer drugs.
Exploring the Antioxidant Potential of Tragia volubilis L.: Mitigating Chemotherapeutic Effects of Doxorubicin on Tumor Cells
Authors: Bailon-Moscoso Natalia , Coronel-Hidalgo José , Duarte-Casar Rodrigo , Guamán-Ortiz Luis Miguel , Figueroa Jorge G. , Romero-Benavides Juan Carlos
Published: November 2023

Several plants of the genus Tragia L. have shown antibacterial, fungicidal, and antiproliferative activity, among other types of activities; however, most species of the genus have not been investigated. Tragia volubilis L. is native to tropical America and Africa, and although it has been reported as medicinal in the literature, it has not been thoroughly investigated. In this study, the phytochemical screening, isolation, and identification of compounds and the determination of the antioxidant activity of the aqueous extract of Tragia volubilis L. and its partitions were carried out. Ethyl acetate and n-butanol partitions of the extract present high antioxidant activity according to the Antioxidant Activity Index. Due to their activity, these partitions were tested on RKO cells as a representative model, both individually and in combination with Doxorubicin. It was found that the partitions significantly reduced the effect of Doxorubicin, as well as the expression of proteins involved in DNA damage and cell death. While the reduction of the chemotherapeutic effect of Doxorubicin on tumor cells may not be a desired outcome in therapeutic settings, the findings of the study are valuable in revealing the antioxidant potential of Tragia volubilis L. and its partitions. This highlights the importance of carefully regulating the application of antioxidants, especially in the context of cancer chemotherapy.
Dynamic Mechanical Properties of Heat-Treated Shale under Different Temperatures
Authors: Gao Weiliang , Deng Guoqiang , Sun Guijuan , Deng Yongjun , Li Yin
Published: November 2023

As a typical rock, shale’s reservoir depth is about 1500–4000 m, and the temperature of the shale reservoir at this depth is 150 °C. Therefore, in order to study the dynamic strength of shale at this temperature, it is necessary to consider the effects of temperature and strain rate on the dynamic strength of shale, and then establish the damage constitutive model of shale. This paper took black shale from the Sichuan Basin as the research object, combined it with the separated Hopkinson bar experiment and temperature control system, and conducted the Hopkinson bar experiment on shale at room temperature, 60 °C, 90 °C, 120 °C, and 150 °C, and at three groups of air pressures of 0.2 MPa, 0.3 MPa, and 0.4 MPa. The stress–strain curves of shale at the same strain rate and different temperature and at the same temperature and different strain rate were obtained. In the temperature difference range of this experiment, the dynamic strength of the sample presented two opposite trends (increasing and decreasing) with the increase in temperature, which was determined via the direction of the bedding. The peak strength linearly increased with the increase in strain rate. Based on the Weibull statistical distribution and the D–P failure criterion, a statistical damage constitutive model of shale dynamic strength considering the effects of temperature and strain rate was obtained. By modifying the parameters F0 and m, the dynamic strength statistical damage constitutive model of shale was in good agreement with the experimental results.