bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does a junior doctor focused ‘Bootcamp’ improve the confidence and preparedness of newly appointed ENT registrars to perform their job roles?
Authors: Rai Amar , Shukla Shivani , Mehtani Nikita , Acharya Vikas , Tolley Neil
Published: June 2024

Background

To assess changes in confidence and preparedness after conducting a 2-day induction bootcamp for novice Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) first year specialty trainee registrars (ST3s) in the United Kingdom (UK). The bootcamp covered common ENT presentations on the ward, and in the elective and emergency settings.

Methods

A total of 32 trainees (ST3 or research fellow) voluntarily registered via an online application form to the Southern ST3 accelerated learning course bootcamp through ENT UK. ENT UK is a membership body that supports ENT trainees throughout their careers. They completed a two-day bootcamp that was hosted at St Mary’s Hospital, London and 10 skills sessions were delivered by either a senior ENT registrar or an ENT consultant. A pre-session questionnaire was distributed to all participants and a post-session questionnaire was provided that assessed the changes in confidence and preparedness of the participants, if any. The responses were scored by a 10-point Likert scale. Only participants who fully completed the pre and post questionnaire were included, which was 29 in total.

Results

Participants self-reported a significant increase in confidence (p < 0.001) and preparedness (p < 0.001) following the bootcamp course. The greatest improvements in comparison to all other stations were self-preparedness in the rigid bronchoscopy station and self-confidence in the sphenopalatine artery (SPA) ligation station.

Conclusion

The use of a two-day bootcamp improved confidence and preparedness of managing common ENT presentations in the ward, elective and emergency settings for ENT ST3s. It provides a useful adjunct in the acquisition of technical and non-technical skills alongside the traditional surgical apprenticeship. In the future, more work is required to assess the impact of bootcamps on patient outcomes and long-term benefits on trainees’ skill retention and clinical proficiency.
Operationalizing and digitizing person-centered daily functioning: a case for functionomics
Authors: Janssen Esther R.C. , Punt Ilona M. , van Soest Johan , Heerkens Yvonne F. , Stallinga Hillegonda A. , ten Napel Huib , van Rhijn Lodewijk W. , Mons Barend , Dekker Andre , Willems Paul C. , van Meeteren Nico L.U.
Published: June 2024

An ever-increasing amount of data on a person’s daily functioning is being collected, which holds information to revolutionize person-centered healthcare. However, the full potential of data on daily functioning cannot yet be exploited as it is mostly stored in an unstructured and inaccessible manner. The integration of these data, and thereby expedited knowledge discovery, is possible by the introduction of functionomics as a complementary ‘omics’ initiative, embracing the advances in data science. Functionomics is the study of high-throughput data on a person’s daily functioning, that can be operationalized with the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF).

A prerequisite for making functionomics operational are the FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) principles. This paper illustrates a step by step application of the FAIR principles for making functionomics data machine readable and accessible, under strictly certified conditions, in a practical example. Establishing more FAIR functionomics data repositories, analyzed using a federated data infrastructure, enables new knowledge generation to improve health and person-centered healthcare. Together, as one allied health and healthcare research community, we need to consider to take up the here proposed methods.
Effects of non-pharmacological interventions for adults with subjective cognitive decline: a network meta-analysis and component network meta-analysis
Authors: Yu Xiao-Hong , Li Xin-Ru , Du Zhi-Run , Zhang Yu , Fei Yang , Tang Wen-Ping , Li Xian-Wen , Zhao Qing
Published: June 2024

Background

Non-pharmacological interventions have a myriad of available intervention options and contain multiple components. Whether specific components of non-pharmacological interventions or combinations are superior to others remains unclear. The main aim of this study is to compare the effects of different combinations of non-pharmacological interventions and their specific components on health-related outcomes in adults with subjective cognitive decline.

Methods

PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, CINAHL, PsycINFO, CENTRAL, Web of Science, and China’s two largest databases, CNKI and Wanfang, were searched from inception to 22nd, January 2023. Randomized controlled trials using non-pharmacological interventions and reporting health outcomes in adults with subjective cognitive decline were included. Two independent reviewers screened studies, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias. Component network meta-analysis was conducted employing an additive component model for network meta-analysis. This study followed the PRISMA reporting guideline and the PRISMA checklist is presented in Additional file 2.

Results

A total of 39 trials with 2959 patients were included (range of mean ages, 58.79–77.41 years). Resistance exercise might be the optimal intervention for reducing memory complaints in adults with subjective cognitive decline; the surface under the cumulative ranking p score was 0.888, followed by balance exercise (p = 0.859), aerobic exercise (p = 0.832), and cognitive interventions (p = 0.618). Music therapy, cognitive training, transcranial direct current stimulation, mindfulness therapy, and balance exercises might be the most effective intervention components for improving global cognitive function (iSMD, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.36 to 1.29), language (iSMD, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.24 to 0.38), ability to perform activities of daily living (iSMD, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.21 to 0.89), physical health (iSMD, 3.29; 95% CI, 2.57 to 4.00), and anxiety relief (iSMD, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.26 to 1.16), respectively.

Conclusions

The form of physical activity performed appears to be more beneficial than cognitive interventions in reducing subjective memory complaints for adults with subjective cognitive decline, and this difference was reflected in resistance, aerobic, and balance exercises. Randomized clinical trials with high-quality and large-scale are warranted to validate the findings.

Trial registration

PROSPERO registry number. CRD42022355363.
Alteration of the immune microenvironment in the axillary metastatic lymph nodes of luminal A breast cancer patients
Authors: Wu Min , Wang Shuo , Yuan Keyu , Xiong Bingjun , Li Yanping , Lyu Shuzhen
Published: June 2024

Background

The alteration of the immune microenvironment in the axillary metastatic lymph nodes of luminal A breast cancer patients is still unclear.

Methods

Postsurgical tissues from the enrolled luminal A BCs were divided into five categories: primary BC lesion at stage N0 (PL1), primary BC lesion at stage N1 (PL2), negative axillary lymph node at stage N0 BC (LN1), negative axillary lymph node at stage N1 BC (LN2), and positive axillary lymph node at stage N1 BC (LN3). The frequencies of positive immune markers (CD4, CD8, PD1, PD-L1, T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain 3 (TIM3), and forkhead box protein 3 (Foxp3)) in the above tissues were quantified by AKOYA Opal Polaris 7 Color Manual IHC Detection Kit.

Results

A total of 50 female patients with luminal A BC were enrolled in this study. Among these patients, 23 had stage N1 disease, and 27 had stage N0 disease. Compared with that in the PL2 subgroup, the frequency of PD-1-positive cells was significantly greater in the PL1 subgroup, whether at the stromal or intratumoral level (P value < 0.05). Both the frequency of CD8 + T cells in LN1 and that in LN2 were significantly greater than that in LN3 (P value < 0.05). The frequency of TIM3 + T cells in LN1 was significantly greater than that in PL1 (P value < 0.05). The frequency of CD8 + TIM3 + T cells was significantly greater in both the LN2 and LN3 groups than in the PL2 group (P value < 0.05). The frequency of CD4 + Foxp3 + T cells was significantly greater in LN1 than in PL1 (P value < 0.05), which was the same for both LN3 and PL2 (P value < 0.05).

Conclusion

Increased frequencies of CD8 + PD1+, CD8 + TIM3 + and CD4 + Foxp3 + T cells might inhibit the immune microenvironment of axillary metastatic lymph nodes in luminal A breast cancer patients and subsequently promote lymph node metastasis.
Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation-supported patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Song Danyu , Jin Yu , Zhang Yang , Zhou Zhou
Published: June 2024

Background

In recent years, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been increasingly used in critically ill patients with respiratory or cardiac failure. Heparin is usually used as anticoagulation therapy during ECMO support. However, heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) in ECMO-supported patients, which results in considerable morbidity and mortality, has not yet been well described. This meta-analysis and systematic review aimed to thoroughly report the incidence of HIT on ECMO, as well as the characteristics and outcomes of HIT patients.

Methods

We searched the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Scopus databases for studies investigating HIT in adult patients supported by ECMO. All studies conforming to the inclusion criteria were screened from 1975 to August 2023. Nineteen studies from a total of 1,625 abstracts were selected. The primary outcomes were the incidence of HIT and suspected HIT.

Results

The pooled incidence of HIT in ECMO-supported patients was 4.2% (95% CI: 2.7–5.6; 18 studies). A total of 15.9% (95% CI: 9.0-22.8; 12 studies) of patients on ECMO were suspected of having HIT. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is the most commonly used immunoassay. The median optical density (OD) of the ELISA in HIT-confirmed patients ranged from 1.08 to 2.10. In most studies, the serotonin release assay (SRA) was performed as a HIT-confirming test. According to the subgroup analysis, the pooled incidence of HIT in ECMO patients was 2.7% in studies whose diagnostic mode was functional assays, which is significantly lower than the incidence in studies in which the patients were diagnosed by immunoassay (14.5%). Argatroban was most commonly used as an alternative anticoagulation agent after the withdrawal of heparin. Among confirmed HIT patients, 45.5% (95% CI: 28.8–62.6) experienced thrombotic events, while 50.1% (95% CI: 24.9–75.4) experienced bleeding events. Overall, 46.6% (95% CI: 30.4–63.1) of patients on ECMO with HIT died.

Conclusion

According to our study, the pooled incidence of HIT in ECMO-supported patients is 4.2%, and it contributes to adverse outcomes. Inappropriate diagnostic methods can easily lead to misdiagnosis of HIT. Further research and development of diagnostic algorithms and laboratory assays are warranted.
Embolization treatment of right pulmonary artery agenisis with patent ductus arteriosus causing pulmonary hypertension and hemoptysis: a case report and literature review
Authors: Wei Fan , Yaowen Chang , Wenhui Wang
Published: June 2024

As the pediatric patient with right pulmonary artery agenesis (PAA) matured, she progressively presented symptoms of pulmonary hypertension and hemoptysis. There is limited clinical literature on this condition, and currently, there is no consensus regarding its diagnosis and treatment. This article presents a case study of a 16-year-old female patient with right pulmonary artery hypoplasia, providing a comprehensive summary and analysis of her developmental progression, pathology, diagnosis, and treatment.
Circular RNA HSDL2 promotes breast cancer progression via miR-7978 ZNF704 axis and regulating hippo signaling pathway
Authors: Wang Dandan , Yang Sujin , Lyu Mengmeng , Xu Liping , Zhong Shanliang , Yu Dandan
Published: June 2024

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a new group of endogenous RNAs recently found to be involved in the development of various diseases, including their confirmed involvement in the progression of several types of cancers. Unluckily, the abnormal expression and functions of circRNAs in breast cancer shall be further investigated. This work aims to elucidate the action and molecular mechanism of circHSDL2 in the malignant progression of breast cancer. Differential expression profiles of circRNAs in breast cancer tissues relative to normal breast tissues and in the exosomes of breast cancer patients compared to healthy women were analyzed from databases to identify potentially functional circRNAs. CircHSDL2 was selected for further investigation. Cell proliferation, migration and invasion assays were done to assess the effect of circHSDL2 overexpression on breast cancer cells. Bioinformatics test and dual-luciferase reporter experiments were done to explore the interaction between circHSDL2 and miRNA. Downstream target genes were further investigated through proteomics analysis and Western blotting. The influence of circHSDL2 on breast cancer in vivo was evaluated through xenograft experiments in nude mice. Functional analysis demonstrated circHSDL2 overexpression promoted the division, movement, and invasion of breast cancer cells both in vivo and in vitro. Mechanistically, circHSDL2 acted as a sponge for miR-7978 to affect ZNF704 expression and thereby regulate the Hippo pathway in breast cancer cells. In conclusion, circHSDL2 regulates the Hippo pathway through the miR-7978/ZNF704 axis to facilitate the malignancy of breast cancer. This may be a potential biomarker and treatment target.
A modified fuzzy Adomian decomposition method for solving time-fuzzy fractional partial differential equations with initial and boundary conditions
Authors: Saeed Nagwa A. , Pachpatte Deepak B.
Published: June 2024

This research article introduces a novel approach based on the fuzzy Adomian decomposition method (FADM) to solve specific time fuzzy fractional partial differential equations with initial and boundary conditions (IBCs). The proposed approach addresses the challenge of incorporating both initial and boundary conditions into the FADM framework by employing a modified approach. This approach iteratively generates a new initial solution using the decomposition method. The method presented here offers a significant contribution to solving fuzzy fractional partial differential equations (FFPDEs) with fuzzy IBCs, a topic that has received limited attention in the literature. Furthermore, it satisfies a high convergence rate with minimal computational complexity, establishing a novel aspect of this research. By providing a series solution with a small number of recursive formulas, this method enhances accuracy and emerges as a preferred choice for tackling FFPDEs with mixed initial and boundary conditions. The effectiveness of the proposed technique is further supported by the inclusion of several illustrative examples.
Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) at gamma frequency: an up-and-coming tool to modify the progression of Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: De Paolis Maria Luisa , Paoletti Ilaria , Zaccone Claudio , Capone Fioravante , D’Amelio Marcello , Krashia Paraskevi
Published: June 2024

The last decades have witnessed huge efforts devoted to deciphering the pathological mechanisms underlying Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and to testing new drugs, with the recent FDA approval of two anti-amyloid monoclonal antibodies for AD treatment. Beyond these drug-based experimentations, a number of pre-clinical and clinical trials are exploring the benefits of alternative treatments, such as non-invasive stimulation techniques on AD neuropathology and symptoms. Among the different non-invasive brain stimulation approaches, transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) is gaining particular attention due to its ability to externally control gamma oscillations. Here, we outline the current knowledge concerning the clinical efficacy, safety, ease-of-use and cost-effectiveness of tACS on early and advanced AD, applied specifically at 40 Hz frequency, and also summarise pre-clinical results on validated models of AD and ongoing patient-centred trials.
The risk of negative feedback loops in some weighted measures of crime harm
Authors: Lewis Sam , Pina-Sánchez Jose , Birks Daniel
Published: June 2024

Analyses of crime based upon aggregate counts of different crime types have restricted value, because they count all crime types equally irrespective of the harm caused. In response to this problem, a series of weighted measures of crime harm have been proposed. In this short contribution, we contend that the use of some crime harm metrics to inform police deployment practices has the potential to reinforce ethnic disparities in the criminal justice system through the creation of unintended negative feedback loops. We focus our analysis on the Cambridge Crime Harm Index and the Office for National Statistics (ONS) Crime Severity Score, the preeminent crime harm indexes in England and Wales. We conclude that the ONS Crime Severity Score, which is based on mean sentencing outcomes, does give cause for concern in some contexts. There is currently no evidence that the Cambridge Crime Harm Index, based on sentencing guidelines, presents the same problems.
Null models confirm nest site fidelity by male smallmouth bass, Micropterus dolomieu
Authors: Wiegmann Daniel D. , Weinersmith Kelly L. , Baylis Jeffrey R. , Newman Steven P. , Angeloni Lisa M.
Published: June 2024

Background

Many animals appear to preferentially renest in proximity to a site they previously occupied. Evidence of nest fidelity is often inferred from a right skewed distribution of distances between the nests of individuals that breed in two consecutive reproduction episodes, where many individuals nest some arbitrarily close distance to their prior nest and others, in the extended right tail of the distribution, nest far from the nest they previously occupied. Because right skewed distributions of inter-nest distances can arise even when individuals choose nest locations randomly, however, such inferences are prone to error. The importance of null models—used to generate patterns of individual inter-nest distances by processes that do not involve site attachment—for inferences about site fidelity has been known for decades but is still often unappreciated or ignored.

Methods

The right skewed distributions of inter-nest distances observed in two earlier studies of male smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) suggest prima facie that males exhibit nest site fidelity between annual reproduction episodes, but patterns of inter-nest distances have yet to be compared to an adequate null model. Here, we evaluate the nest site fidelity of marked male M. dolomieu in a decade-long dataset, where we apply a randomization procedure based on the rencontre probability problem to generate null models. Eight observed distributions of individual, annual inter-nest distances are compared to a year-specific null model to determine whether random processes are sufficient to explain the observed distributions of inter-nest distances.

Results

Through contrasts between observed annual inter-nest distances and results derived from null models that imposed realistic constraints on behavior, we show that some males were undoubtedly nest-site faithful. To reinforce the utility of null models and to make these kinds of models more accessible, we also provide a supplemental tutorial. The tutorial illustrates how random site choices, subject to common ecological and behavioral constraints, and even how distance is measured, can produce patterns of inter-nest distances that falsely imply nest site fidelity, or a lack of fidelity. The R code needed to reproduce these null models is included. The inference errors evident in our examples generalize to other forms of site fidelity, such as the apparent patch fidelity of certain sea bird foragers.

Conclusions

The comparisons of observed distributions of inter-nest distances with those generated by null models imply that, as suggested in prior studies, male M. dolomieu indeed exhibit annual nest site fidelity. Procedures like those we apply are necessary first steps in analyses when distributions of distances between the nests of individuals in consecutive reproduction episodes are used to infer nest-site fidelity. Why male M. dolomieu are site faithful is a question yet to be answered.
Long noncoding RNA TMPO-AS1 upregulates BCAT1 expression to promote cell proliferation in nasopharyngeal carcinoma via microRNA let-7c-5p
Authors: Wang Huan , Zhou Fuming , Wan Jia , Yu Hong , Wang Jin
Published: June 2024

Background

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) is a group of RNA transcripts that contribute to tumor development by post-transcriptionally regulating cancer-related genes. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is an epithelial tumor that occurs in the nasopharynx and is common in North Africa and Southeast Asia. The study investigated the functions of lncRNA TMPO-AS1 in NPC cell proliferation and apoptosis as well as its related competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) mechanism.

Methods

Candidate microRNA and genes that may regulated by TMPO-AS1 were predicted with the bioinformatic tool starBase. TMPO-AS1 expression in NPC tissue, cells, nuclear part, and cytoplasmic part was measured by RT-qPCR. MTT assay, EdU assay, and flow cytometry analysis were carried out to evaluate NPC cell viability, proliferation, and apoptosis, respectively. RNA immunoprecipitation assay and luciferase reporter assay were conducted to detect the binding between TMPO-AS1 and let-7c-5p or that between let-7c-5p and BCAT1.

Results

TMPO-AS1 and BCAT1 showed high expression in NPC tissue and cells, while let-7c-5p was downregulated in NPC. The silencing of TMPO-AS1 suppressed NPC cell proliferation while promoting cell apoptosis. Moreover, TMPO-AS1 interacted with let-7c-5p and negatively regulated let-7c-5p expression. BCAT1 was a target of let-7c-5p and was inversely regulated by let-7c-5p in NPC cells. The repressive impact of TMPO-AS1 knockdown on NPC cell growth was countervailed by overexpressed BCAT1.

Conclusion

TMPO-AS1 accelerates NPC cell proliferation and represses cell apoptosis by interacting with let-7c-5p to regulate BCAT1 expression.
Design and research of heat dissipation system of electric vehicle lithium-ion battery pack based on artificial intelligence optimization algorithm
Authors: Cheng Qingwei , Zhao Henan
Published: June 2024

This research focuses on the design of heat dissipation system for lithium-ion battery packs of electric vehicles, and adopts artificial intelligence optimization algorithm to improve the heat dissipation efficiency of the system. By integrating genetic algorithms and particle swarm optimization, the research goal is to optimize key design parameters of the cooling system to improve temperature control and extend battery life. In the process of algorithm implementation, genetic algorithm improves the diversity of population through crossover and mutation operations, thus enhancing the global search ability. Particle swarm optimization (PSO) improves local search accuracy and convergence speed by dynamically adjusting inertia weight and learning factor. The effects of different design schemes on heat dissipation performance were systematically evaluated by using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software. The experimental results show that the efficiency of the cooling system is significantly improved after the application of the optimization algorithm, especially in the aspects of temperature distribution uniformity and maximum temperature reduction. The optimization algorithm also successfully shortens the thermal response time of the system and improves the adaptability and stability of the system under different working conditions. The computational complexity and execution time of these algorithms are also analyzed, which proves the efficiency and feasibility of these algorithms in practical applications. This study demonstrates the practicability and effectiveness of artificial intelligence optimization algorithm in the design of heat dissipation system of lithium-ion battery pack for electric vehicles, and provides valuable reference and practical guidance for the progress of heat dissipation technology of electric vehicles in the future.
Diversity of Rhizophydiales (Chytridiomycota) in Thailand: unveiling the hidden gems of the Kingdom
Authors: Hurdeal Vedprakash G. , Longcore Joyce E. , Jones E. B. Gareth , Hyde Kevin D. , Gentekaki Eleni
Published: June 2024

Chytrids, often overshadowed by their other fungal counterparts, take center stage as we unravel the mysteries surrounding new species within Rhizophydiales and explore their unique characteristics. In the broader spectrum of chytrids, their significance lies not only in their roles as decomposers but also as key players in nutrient cycling within aquatic ecosystems as parasites and saprobes. Baited soil and aquatic samples collected from various provinces of Thailand, yielded new species of the Rhizophydiales (Chytridiomycota), some of which expanded previously single species genera. Our investigation incorporated a combination of morphological and phylogenetic approaches, enabling us to identify these isolates as distinct taxa. The novel isolates possess distinguishing features, such as variations in size and shape of the sporangium and zoospores, that somewhat differentiate them from described taxa. To confirm the novelty of the species, we employed robust phylogenetic analyses using maximum likelihood and bayesian methods. The results provided strong support for the presence of eight distinct lineages within the Rhizophydiales, representing our newly discovered species. Furthermore, we employed Poisson Tree Processes to infer putative species boundaries and supplement evidence for the establishment of our new Rhizophydiales species. By meticulously exploring their morphological characteristics and genetic makeup, we expand the known catalogue of fungal diversity by describing Alphamyces thailandicus, Angulomyces ubonensis, Gorgonomyces aquaticus, G. chiangraiensis, G. limnicus, Pateramyces pingflumenensis, Terramyces aquatica, and T. flumenensis and also provide valuable insights into the intricacies of this order. This newfound knowledge not only enriches our understanding of Rhizophydiales but also contributes significantly to the broader field of mycology, addressing a critical gap in the documentation of fungal species. The identification and characterization of these eight novel species mark a noteworthy stride towards a more comprehensive comprehension of fungal ecosystems and their vital role.
Novel TRPV6 variant linked with transient neonatal hyperparathyroidism
Authors: Kumar Chanchal , Vani Sarada , Deshmukh Namita Neelkanth , Omkaram Sujith , Pothala Rajeev , Bathina Sushma Poornima , Dodda Deepika
Published: June 2024

Background

Hereditary transient neonatal hyperparathyroidism (TNHP) is a rare autosomal-recessive condition caused by variants in TRPV6 gene which encodes for a transient maternal–fetal calcium transport channel. This is characterized by interference with placental maternal–fetal calcium transport causing fetal calcium deficiency. It primarily manifests as defective bone mineralization, narrow and bell-shaped thorax, bone fractures and short bones at birth. The current study aimed to describe a novel TRPV6 variant linked with TNHP in an Indian family and the review of literature.

Case presentation

The proband is a term female neonate with fetal growth restriction born to a third-degree consanguineous couple. She was noted to have diffuse defective bone mineralization, narrow and bell-shaped thoracic cavity, short bones and curved ribs without any bone fractures. The first pregnancy was affected with similar features in the fetus and had been terminated. Parental whole-exome sequencing suggested heterozygous missense variant in exon 12 of the TRPV6 gene (c.1585G > A, p.Asp529Asn) in both the parents. The proband required non-invasive respiratory support for ten days in neonatal intensive care unit. She had low calcium and high parathyroid hormone (PTH) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels. She received calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D supplements for three months leading to normalization of serum PTH and ALP levels. Whole-exome sequencing of the proband suggested a homozygous missense variant in exon 12 of the TRPV6 gene (p.Asp529Asn; ENST00000359396.9) that results in the amino acid substitution of asparagine for aspartic acid at codon 529. To the best of author’s knowledge, this is the twelfth case of TNHP reported in literature. The novel variant of TRPV6 gene present in this family has not been reported earlier.

Conclusion

Our finding broadens the genotypic spectrum of TNHP.
Prevalence and factors causing test anxiety among medical students
Authors: Almutairi Atheer G. , Baabbad Nuran Mazen , Alhumaidan Almaha Abdullah , Alshahrani Aljawharah Mohammed , Alabdulkarim Alanoud Ibrahim , Alsughier Naif
Published: June 2024

Background

Test anxiety (TA) is described as a set of psychological and behavioral responses that occur when a person is concerned about the possibility of unfavorable results or failing on an exam. Based on multiple studies, medical education is known for its rigorous curricula, continuous high academic demands, frequent assessments, practical instruction, and mentorship, all of which contribute to a stressful atmosphere that results in elevated rates of depression, anxiety during exams, subpar academic achievement, and a higher number of medical student dropouts. This study aimed to measure the prevalence of test anxiety and predisposing factors among students at Unaizah College of Medicine.

Results

Our study revealed that 45.4% of responders reported having low anxiety, while 33.2% of them reported having moderate anxiety. A lower but statistically significant percentage (21.5%) expressed high levels of anxiety. Regarding the factors contributing to exam anxiety in medical students such as social support, it was found that the students with poor social support exhibited significant odds of severe test anxiety. Remarkably, there was a decreased likelihood of experiencing severe anxiety when studying all the night before the exam.

Conclusion

Research results have the potential to impact institutional policies concerning medical students’ well-being. Colleges can create supportive environments that address the factors causing test anxiety and promote mental health and academic success.
Renewed Commitments to Eliminate Cervical Cancer: What This Means for Low- and Middle-Income Countries
Authors: Shinkafi-Bagudu Zainab
Published: June 2024

Cervical cancer fight gains momentum as funders meet in Cartagena with the aim of closing gaps in screening, access to vaccines and treatment.
Phase II Study of Ulixertinib in Children and Young Adults With Tumors Harboring Activating Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Pathway Alterations: APEC1621J of the National Cancer Institute-Children's Oncology Group Pediatric MATCH Trial
Authors: Vo Kieuhoa T. , Sabnis Amit J. , Williams P. Mickey , Roy-Chowdhuri Sinchita , Patton David R. , Coffey Brent , Reid Joel M. , Piao Jin , Saguilig Lauren , Alonzo Todd A. , Berg Stacey L. , Jaju Alok , Fox Elizabeth , Weigel Brenda J. , Hawkins Douglas S. , Mooney Margaret M. , Takebe Naoko , Tricoli James V. , Janeway Katherine A. , Seibel Nita L. , Parsons D. Williams
Published: June 2024

PURPOSE

The National Cancer Institute-Children's Oncology Group (NCI-COG) Pediatric MATCH trial assigns patients age 1-21 years with refractory malignancies to phase II treatment arms of molecularly targeted therapies on the basis of genetic alterations detected in their tumor. Patients with activating alterations in the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway were treated with ulixertinib, an extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 inhibitor.

METHODS

As there were no previous pediatric data, ulixertinib was initially tested in a dose escalation cohort to establish the recommended phase II dose (RP2D) before proceeding to the phase II cohort. Ulixertinib was administered at 260 mg/m2/dose orally twice a day (dose level 1 [DL1], n = 15) or 350 mg/m2/dose orally twice a day (DL2, n = 5). The primary end point was objective response rate; secondary end points included safety/tolerability and progression-free survival (PFS).

RESULTS

Twenty patients (median 12 years; range, 5-20) were treated, all evaluable for response. CNS tumors comprised 55% (11/20) of diagnoses, with high-grade glioma and low-grade glioma most common (n = 5 each). All CNS tumors except one harbored BRAF fusions or V600E mutations. Rhabdomyosarcoma (n = 5) was the most frequent non-CNS diagnosis. DL1 was declared the RP2D in the dose escalation cohort after dose-limiting toxicities in Cycle 1 occurred in 1/6 patients at DL1 and 2/5 patients at DL2, including fatigue, anorexia, rash, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, hypoalbuminemia, and hypernatremia. No objective responses were observed. Six-month PFS was 37% (95% CI, 17 to 58). Three patients with BRAF-altered CNS tumors achieved stable disease >6 months.

CONCLUSION

Ulixertinib, a novel targeted agent with no previous pediatric data, was successfully evaluated in a national precision medicine basket trial. The pediatric RP2D of ulixertinib is 260 mg/m2/dose orally twice a day. Limited single-agent efficacy was observed in a biomarker-selected cohort of refractory pediatric tumors.
Ethics as a Means to Power
Authors: Janssen Jorn
Published: June 2024

This essay seeks to reconsider the place of ethics within the framework of political realism through an engagement of the politico-theological ideas of Max Stirner. Instead of considering ethics as part of the contexts of action in which prudent political decision-making takes place, Stirner's critique of traditional religious frameworks as inadequate in addressing existential questions lays the groundwork for his conceptualization of politics as an arena for the pursuit of metaphysical meaning. Subsequently, Stirner contends that the absence of objective ethical foundations compels individuals to imbue political concepts with quasi-religious significance, thereby transforming them into sources of metaphysical security. By extension, even though this essay agrees with the realist premise that political decision is never principally based on ethics, the self-induced illusion of ethical realism creates an ever-emerging political force that decision-makers cannot simply navigate with prudence, but must contend with substantively. Yet this very same force allows political mobilization on the basis of framing any political issue as an ethical issue.
The natural gift in Rousseau’s politics and educational theory
Authors: Tsampazis Nick
Published: June 2024

Rousseau’s theoretical treatment of natural talent exhibits two distinct tendencies. The first draws inspiration from the primitive, wholly natural existence of early humans before the advent of civilization. In contrast, the second tendency is grounded in the concept of nature as an ontological foundation for authenticity within the context of alienated civilization of his time. The first perspective is defined by suspicion towards natural talent because it runs counter to the model of elementary egalitarian naturalism inherent in the genuine state of nature. In this view, any exceptional abilities or talents disrupt the inherent equality of primitive existence. Conversely, the second tendency celebrates natural talent as a rare expression of untouched nature within the confines of civilized society. Such talents possess the potential for liberation and redemption, serving as a counterbalance to the alienation that pervades modern life.
The application of data science and machine learning techniques in predicting the compressive strength of confined concrete
Authors: Papakonstantinou Christos , Valasaki Maria , Sofos Filippos , Karakasidis Theodoros
Published: June 2024

The integration of machine learning (ML) techniques into industrial and manufacturing applications has seen great growth in recent years. Various numerical and analytical models have been proposed, based either on experimental results or simulation results, and have helped to understand phenomena that take place during the life cycle of a material. In this direction, a large experimental data set to determine the compressive strength of FRP (FRP) prestressed concrete specimens has been used as a basis in this work.

The obtained measurements are correlated with the mechanical and structural properties of the material and fed into a ML model. The model is trained on the experimental values ​​and can provide predictions for conditions within or outside the value range of the input data. Various MLalgorithms are implemented and studied for their prediction accuracy, and the results show that ML can be an important computational tool, which can act as a complement to expensive experiments or time-consuming simulations in engineering sciences.
Why partitive? Possible motivations for the partitive complement of Finnic adpositions
Authors: Huumo Tuomas
Published: June 2024

Adpositions localize an entity (Figure) with respect to another entity (Ground), designated by the complement of the adposition. Most Finnic adpositions are postpositions with a genitive Ground, while prepositions typically have a partitive Ground. This work is a cognitive-linguistic study of the synchronic and diachronic semantics of partitive-Ground adpositions. It is argued that adpositions with a partitive Ground select a proximal perspective to the locational relationship, while those with a genitive Ground select a distal perspective. Three alternative hypotheses are introduced and compared concerning the origin of two Finnish partitive-Ground adpositions, kohti ‘towards’ and päin ‘towards’: 1) These adpositions originated as instructive-case bodypart expressions of position (cf. selin ‘with one’s back at’), and their partitive Ground indicated a viewpoint person; 2) They were instructive forms with a meronymic-locative meaning, expressing a more precise target area within the Ground, together with a directionality toward that area; 3) The Ground of kohti and päin was originally a partitive object of ‘aiming’ or ‘shooting’ verbs, and the soon-to-be adpositions themselves were lexicalized adverbs of direction.

Kokkuvõte. Tuomas Huumo: Milleks partitiiv? Kaassõnade laiendit markeeriva partitiivkäände motiividest läänemeresoome keeltes. Kaassõnad suhestavad trajektori orientiiriga, mida väljendab kaassõna laiend. Enamik läänemeresoome keelte kaassõnadest on tagasõnad, mille laiend on genitiivis, eessõnade laiend aga on tavaliselt partitiivis. Käesoleva töö eesmärgiks on selgitada partitiivis laiendiga kaassõnade sünkroonilist ja diakroonilist semantikat kognitiivse lingvistika vaatenurgast. Autor väidab, et partitiivlaiendiga kaassõnad valivad asukohasuhtele proksimaalse perspektiivi, erinevalt genitiivlaiendiga kaassõnadest, mis valivad distaalse ja holistilise perspektiivi. Autor pakub välja kolm alternatiivset hüpoteesi, mis puudutavad kahe soome keele partitiivlaiendiga kaassõna, kohti ja päin (mõlemad tähendusega ’suunas, poole’), päritolu: 1) kaassõnad grammatiseerusid instruktiivis kehaosaväljenditest (vrd. selin ’seljaga millegi poole’) ja nende partitiivlaiend väljendas esialgselt vaatleja asukohta; 2) vormid olid lokatiivsed instruktiivid, mis väljendasid meronüümiliselt täpsemat sihtala orientiiri sees; 3) partitiivlaiend oli esialgselt objekt ning väljendas suunatud tegevuse (nt. ’sihtima’, ’laskma’) sihtkohta, tulevased kaassõnad aga olid suunda täpsustavad adverbid.
Syntax and functions of the Ingrian discourse particles no and nu
Authors: Markus Elena
Published: June 2024

This paper examines the syntax and functions of the discourse particles no and nu in narratives and conversations recorded from speakers of Soikkola Ingrian in 2006–2013. The Ingrian particle no is probably Finnic in origin, while the particle nu was most likely borrowed from the Russian language. The goal of this research is to find out how different or similar no and nu are in contemporary Ingrian from the point of view of their syntactic positions and functions. Four structural positions are distinguished, in relation to the position of the particle in a turn and in a clause, and no striking differences are observed in the distribution of no and nu across positions. The typical functions of no and nu are analysed separately in each of the four structural positions, and the functional range is found to be similar for both particles. It is also notable that in the Russian speech of Ingrian speakers, no is sometimes used as a discourse particle, although this would not be possible in standard Russian. The research concludes that at the period under investigation the two particles were on the way to complete merger, and can be treated as phonetic variants in a synchronic description of Ingrian, despite the quantitative prevalence of no over nu.

Kokkuvõte. Elena Markus: Isuri diskursusepartiklite no ja nu süntaks ja funktsioonid. Artikkel uurib diskursusepartiklite no ja nu süntaksit ja funktsioone narratiivides ja isuri keele Soikkola murde kõnelejate vestluste salvestistes aastatel 2006–2013. Isuri partikkel no on ilmselt läänemeresoome päritolu, partikkel nu on aga tõenäoliselt laenatud vene keelest. Uurimuse eesmärk on välja selgitada, kui erinevad või sarnased on no ja nu tänapäeva isuri keeles süntaktiliste positsioonide ja funktsioonide poolest. Eristada võib nelja struktuurpositsiooni sõltuvalt partikli asukohast kõnevoorus ja lausungis, positsioonist lähtuvalt aga no ja nu vahel suuri erinevusi märgata ei olnud. Partiklitele tüüpilisi funktsioone analüüsiti eraldi igas struktuurpositsioonis ning selgus, et ka funktsioonide ulatus on mõlema partikli puhul sarnane. On ka märkimisväärne, et isuri keele kõnelejad kasutavad partiklit no diskursusepartiklina vahel ka vene keeles, kuigi vene keele standardis selline kasutus võimalik ei ole. Uurimusest järeldub, et vaadeldaval ajaperioodil on kaks partiklit üheks liitumas ning neid võib isuri keele sünkroonilises kirjelduses käsitleda kui foneetilisi variante, kuigi kvantitatiivselt on partikkel no eelistatum kui partikkel nu.
What is the disease burden from childhood and adolescent obesity?: a narrative review
Authors: Lee Eun Byoul
Published: June 2024

The prevalence of childhood and adolescent obesity has increased and exacerbated during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, both in Korea and globally. Childhood and adolescent obesity poses significant risks for premature morbidity and mortality. The development of serious comorbidities depends not only on the duration of obesity but also on the age of onset. Obesity in children and adolescents affects almost all organ systems, including the endocrine, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, reproductive, nervous, and immune systems. Obesity in children and adolescents affects growth, cognitive function, and psychosocial interactions during development, in addition to aggravating known adult comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, obstructive sleep apnea, and cancer. Childhood and adolescent obesity are highly associated with increased cardiometabolic risk factors and prevalence of metabolic syndrome. The risk of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases in later life can be considerably decreased by even a small weight loss before the onset of puberty. Childhood and adolescent obesity is a disease that requires treatment and is associated with many comorbidities and disease burdens. Therefore, early detection and therapeutic intervention are crucial.
Changes in inflammatory parameters and antioxidants and their impact on clinical symptoms, including cognitive functions, in patients with schizophrenia - scoping review
Authors: Nycz Blanka , Krysta Krzysztof , Krzystanek Marek
Published: June 2024

Introduction: Schizophrenia, a complex mental disorder, severely impacts both individuals and society. Emerging evidence points to neuroinflammation, cytokine dysregulation, oxidative stress, and antioxidant imbalances as key contributors to its pathophysiology. This review seeks to dissect the relationship between these factors and schizophrenia, assessing their roles as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
Material and methods: A literature search of PubMed, Web of Science, and PsycINFO was performed. We used search terms including "schizophrenia", "cytokines", "antioxidants", and "inflammatory markers". Based on predetermined criteria, relevant articles were selected, and their data was extracted and analyzed. We specifically examined the associations between particular cytokines, antioxidants, and schizophrenia symptoms, with a focus on antioxidants' role in regulating oxidative stress, a component of schizophrenia's neuroinflammatory process. The impact of antipsychotic treatments on cytokine levels and oxidative stress was also evaluated.
Results: Our findings suggest that cytokine dysregulation and antioxidant imbalances are associated with various clinical features of schizophrenia. Furthermore, antipsychotic treatment may modulate these factors, potentially improving symptoms. Additionally, specific cytokines, oxidative stress markers, and antioxidants may serve as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
Conclusions: Overall, our review provides a comprehensive analysis of the links between inflammatory cytokines, antioxidants, and schizophrenia, thereby deepening our understanding of this disorder's pathophysiology and treatment strategies.
Sleep Behavior of Children Born Preterm and Its Relationship with Parental Sleep Quality
Authors: Özdemir Fatih Mehmet Akif , Celik Halil
Published: June 2024

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the sleep characteristics of children born preterm and the relationship between these characteristics and parental sleep quality.
Material and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the parents of children born preterm were administered the Child Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI).
Results: The study included 89 children born preterm with a current mean age of 38.7±55 months. According to the CSHQ, 95.5% of children had a sleep disorder. According to the PSQI, 48.9% of the mothers, 35.3% of the fathers had poor sleep quality. Maternal and paternal total PSQI scores were significantly correlated (r=0.373, p=0.030). In regression analysis of factors that may affect total CSHQ score, sleep disorder was found to be associated with low maternal education, hemiplegia, no smoking in the home (p=0.001, p<0.001and p<0.001 respectively). When factors that may affect total PSQI score were examined by regression analysis, the odds of poor sleep quality were 5.5 times higher in mothers with a high education level, 4 times higher in mothers with a history of multiple pregnancy (p=0.006 and p=0.027).
Conclusion: Our study revealed a high rate of sleep disorder in children with a history of preterm birth and high rates of poor sleep quality among their parents.