bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Five years of safety profile of bevacizumab: an analysis of real-world pharmacovigilance and randomized clinical trials
Authors: Wang Li , Fei Yibo , Qu Han , Zhang Haiyang , Wang Yuanyuan , Wu Zhenghua , Fan Guorong
Published: January 2024

Objective

Bevacizumab is a monoclonal antibody against vascular endothelial growth factor. It has a wide range of clinical applications in various cancers and retinal diseases. The drugs entered the Chinese market by a large margin in 2017, and the user population changed to some extent. This study reevaluated the safety of bevacizumab through an analysis of the World Pharmacovigilance database (Food and Drug Administration Open Vigil 2.1) in conjunction with a comprehensive meta-analysis of RCTs.

Methods

Real-world pharmacovigilance data originating from case reports were mined using Open Vigil and coded at the preferred term (PT) level using the Standardized MedDRA Query. Proportional reporting ratios (PRR) and reporting odds ratios (ROR) were used to detect safety signals. Eligible items were screened by searching PubMed, Wanfang, and Web of Science, and data were extracted for systematic review and meta-analysis using RevMan 5.4 software.

Results

Analysis of the drug pharmacovigilance database revealed that the most significant PRRs were limb decortication syndrome (PRR = 2926), stomal varices (PRR = 549), anastomotic (PRR = 457) and ureteral fistula (PRR = 406). Most safety signals at the PT level emerged as various types of injuries, toxicities, operational complications, systemic diseases, various reactions at the administration site, hematological and lymphatic disorders, and gastrointestinal disorders. Adverse reactions such as nasal septal perforation (PRR = 47.502), necrotizing fasciitis (PRR = 20.261), and hypertensive encephalopathy (PRR = 18.288) listed as rare in drug specifications should not be ignored with a high signal in the real world. A total of 8 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included in the meta-analysis, and the overall risk of adverse reactions following bevacizumab administration was relatively low, indicating a good safety profile (HR = 1.19, 95% CI:0.85 ~ 1.65, p = 0.32).

Conclusion

The frequent adverse reactions of bevacizumab occurring in the real world are consistent with the data provided in RCTs and drug specifications. However, adverse reactions such as nasal septum perforation, necrotizing fasciitis, hypertensive encephalopathy and so on, listed as rare in drug specifications, may have a high signal of correlation in the real world, which all requires active monitoring and timely adjustment of bevacizumab posology during its clinical use.
Temporal trends in antipsychotic prescriptions for pediatric patients using an administrative hospital database in Japan: a retrospective study
Authors: Kikuchi Daisuke , Obara Taku , Obara Ryo , Hino Hiroaki , Suzuki Naoto , Kashiwagura Shota , Watanabe Takashi , Ouchi Ryusuke , Usui Kensuke , Okada Kouji
Published: January 2024

Background

Schizophrenia is a psychiatric disorder characterized by hallucinations, delusions, and other symptoms. Although treatment guidelines for schizophrenia have been established in Japan, drugs are not recommended for pediatric schizophrenia. Additionally, the temporal trends in prescribing antipsychotics for pediatric patients with schizophrenia are unclear. Therefore, we aimed to clarify the trends in antipsychotic prescriptions for Japanese pediatric outpatients from 2015 to 2022.

Methods

Administrative data (as of November 2023) of Japanese pediatric outpatients with schizophrenia aged 0–18 years who visited acute-care diagnosis procedure combination hospitals between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2022, were included in this study. The target drugs for schizophrenia were all indicated for treating schizophrenia and marketed in Japan as of December 2022. Annual prescription trends for antipsychotics during this period were calculated based on their proportions. The Cochran–Armitage trend test was used to evaluate the proportion of prescriptions for each antipsychotic.

Results

The main drugs prescribed for these patients were aripiprazole and risperidone. Among male patients, the proportion of prescriptions for aripiprazole increased significantly from 21.2% in 2015 to 35.9% in 2022, whereas that for risperidone decreased significantly from 47.9% in 2015 to 36.7% in 2022 (both P < 0.001). Among female patients, the proportion of prescriptions for aripiprazole increased significantly from 21.6% in 2015 to 35.6% in 2022, whereas that for risperidone decreased significantly from 38.6% in 2015 to 24.8% in 2022 (both P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Aripiprazole and risperidone were primarily prescribed for pediatric schizophrenia in Japan during the study period. Additionally, the proportion of aripiprazole prescriptions increased over time.
A surgical case of anti-coagulant ileus mimicking small-bowel tumors: a case report
Authors: Masui Hideyuki , Kobayashi Hiroyuki , Sakamoto Yusuke , Yagi Shintaro , Kaihara Satoshi
Published: January 2024

Background

Anti-coagulant ileus, characterized by intramural hematoma due to excessive anti-coagulant therapy, presents a diagnostic challenge. Although previously considered uncommon, recently, reporting cases of anti-coagulant ileus have become more frequent. Herein, we report a rare surgical case of anti-coagulant ileus mimicking small-bowel tumors.

Case presentation

A 79-year-old man was admitted to our hospital for fatigue. He had been administered warfarin for 5 months for atrial fibrillation. On admission, the patient exhibited mild epigastric tenderness. Laboratory test results revealed anemia (hemoglobin, 8.4 g/dL); unmeasurably prolonged prothrombin time (PT) with international normalized ratio (INR) > 8; and elevated soluble interleukin 2 receptor (sIL-2R) levels (849 IU/mL; normal range, 122–496 IU/mL). Abdominal plain computed tomography (CT) showed a circumferentially thickened intestinal wall at one site in the jejunum and two in the ileum. After hospitalization, bowel obstruction did not improve with conservative treatment. Suspecting small-bowel tumors such as lymphoma, the patient subsequently underwent open surgery on day 3 after admission. No obvious tumor mass was observed intra-operatively. However, only thickened and hemorrhagic segments were identified at the suspected sites. We performed partial jejunal and ileal resections of 12 and 27 cm, respectively. Histopathology confirmed submucosal congestion, edema, and hemorrhage in each area without tumor components, leading to the final diagnosis of intramural hematoma. The postoperative course was uneventful, and he was discharged on postoperative day 9. No recurrence occurred during the 5-year follow-up period.

Conclusions

We encountered a surgical case of anti-coagulant ileus, which was difficult to differentiate from malignant lymphoma based on CT findings and high sIL-2R levels. The possibility of anti-coagulant ileus should always be considered in patients on long-term anticoagulation medication and bowel obstruction with high PT-INR values.
A unified compendium of prokaryotic and viral genomes from over 300 anaerobic digestion microbiomes
Authors: Centurion Victor Borin , Rossi Alessandro , Orellana Esteban , Ghiotto Gabriele , Kakuk Balázs , Morlino Maria Silvia , Basile Arianna , Zampieri Guido , Treu Laura , Campanaro Stefano
Published: January 2024

Background

The anaerobic digestion process degrades organic matter into simpler compounds and occurs in strictly anaerobic and microaerophilic environments. The process is carried out by a diverse community of microorganisms where each species has a unique role and it has relevant biotechnological applications since it is used for biogas production. Some aspects of the microbiome, including its interaction with phages, remains still unclear: a better comprehension of the community composition and role of each species is crucial for a cured understanding of the carbon cycle in anaerobic systems and improving biogas production.

Results

The primary objective of this study was to expand our understanding on the anaerobic digestion microbiome by jointly analyzing its prokaryotic and viral components. By integrating 192 additional datasets into a previous metagenomic database, the binning process generated 11,831 metagenome-assembled genomes from 314 metagenome samples published between 2014 and 2022, belonging to 4,568 non-redundant species based on ANI calculation and quality verification. CRISPR analysis on these genomes identified 76 archaeal genomes with active phage interactions. Moreover, single-nucleotide variants further pointed to archaea as the most critical members of the community. Among the MAGs, two methanogenic archaea, Methanothrix sp. 43zhSC_152 and Methanoculleus sp. 52maCN_3230, had the highest number of SNVs, with the latter having almost double the density of most other MAGs.

Conclusions

This study offers a more comprehensive understanding of microbial community structures that thrive at different temperatures. The findings revealed that the fraction of archaeal species characterized at the genome level and reported in public databases is higher than that of bacteria, although still quite limited. The identification of shared spacers between phages and microbes implies a history of phage-bacterial interactions, and specifically lysogenic infections. A significant number of SNVs were identified, primarily comprising synonymous and nonsynonymous variants. Together, the findings indicate that methanogenic archaea are subject to intense selective pressure and suggest that genomic variants play a critical role in the anaerobic digestion process. Overall, this study provides a more balanced and diverse representation of the anaerobic digestion microbiota in terms of geographic location, temperature range and feedstock utilization.
Socio-economic, demographic, and contextual predictors of malnutrition among children aged 6–59 months in Nigeria
Authors: Obasohan Phillips Edomwonyi , Walters Stephen J. , Jacques Richard , Khatab Khaled
Published: January 2024

Malnutrition has remained a global public health issue, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Researchers have committed to studying malnutrition (especially in children under the age of five) to address the nine malnutrition targets, set by the WHO to be achieved by 2025. This study seeks to evaluate the prevalence, the individual and contextual predictors of malnutrition among children aged 6–59 months across Nigeria and its states. Two separates, independently collected, nationally representative cross-sectional surveys, the National Human Development Report (NHDR 2018) and the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (2018 NDHS) were linked for this study. Spatial map was used to describe the prevalence of malnutrition, a 3-level multivariate multilevel logistic regression models were fitted where children/individuals (at level 1) were nested in communities/clusters (at level 2) and nested in states (at level 3). A weighted sample of 7,770 children 6–59 months were considered in this study. The results showed that an estimated 43.6% of children aged 6–59 months are poorly nourished in Nigeria. The proportions of poorly nourished children were generally highest in the Northern Nigeria. Child’s gender, age, birth size, preceding birth order, anaemia status, maternal education, work status, body weight, household wealth status, number of bedrooms were among individual/household predictors of malnutrition. On the community level, being from community with high wealth index, distance to nearest health facilities is no big problem. Regional variations and gender inequality index were the state level predictors of malnutrition among children in Nigeria. This study has shown that two-third of children aged 6–59 months in Nigeria were poorly nourished, an indication of a growing concern of double burden of malnutrition in Nigeria.
Color vision evolution in egg-laying mammals: insights from visual photoreceptors and daily activities of Australian echidnas
Authors: Sakamoto Shiina , Matsushita Yuka , Itoigawa Akihiro , Ezawa Takumi , Fujitani Takeshi , Takakura Kenichiro , Zhou Yang , Zhang Guojie , Grutzner Frank , Kawamura Shoji , Hayakawa Takashi
Published: January 2024

Egg-laying mammals (monotremes) are considered “primitive” due to traits such as oviparity, cloaca, and incomplete homeothermy, all of which they share with reptiles. Two groups of monotremes, the terrestrial echidna (Tachyglossidae) and semiaquatic platypus (Ornithorhynchidae), have evolved highly divergent characters since their emergence in the Cenozoic era. These evolutionary differences, notably including distinct electrosensory and chemosensory systems, result from adaptations to species-specific habitat conditions. To date, very few studies have examined the visual adaptation of echidna and platypus. In the present study, we show that echidna and platypus have different light absorption spectra in their dichromatic visual sensory systems at the molecular level. We analyzed absorption spectra of monotreme color opsins, long-wavelength sensitive opsin (LWS) and short-wavelength sensitive opsin 2 (SWS2). The wavelength of maximum absorbance (λmax) in LWS was 570.2 in short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus) and 560.6 nm in platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus); in SWS2, λmax was 451.7 and 442.6 nm, respectively. Thus, the spectral range in echidna color vision is ~ 10 nm longer overall than in platypus. Natural selection analysis showed that the molecular evolution of monotreme color opsins is generally functionally conserved, suggesting that these taxa rely on species-specific color vision. In order to understand the usage of color vision in monotremes, we made 24-h behavioral observations of captive echidnas at warm temperatures and analyzed the resultant ethograms. Echidnas showed cathemeral activity and various behavioral repertoires such as feeding, traveling, digging, and self-grooming without light/dark environment selectivity. Halting (careful) behavior is more frequent in dark conditions, which suggests that echidnas may be more dependent on vision during the day and olfaction at night. Color vision functions have contributed to dynamic adaptations and dramatic ecological changes during the ~ 60 million years of divergent monotreme evolution. The ethogram of various day and night behaviors in captive echidnas also contributes information relevant to habitat conservation and animal welfare in this iconic species, which is locally endangered.
Exploring the determinants of the user experience in P2P payment systems in Spain: a text mining approach
Authors: Perea-Khalifi David , Irimia-Diéguez Ana I. , Palos-Sánchez Pedro
Published: January 2024

Purpose

This study aims to identify which determinants are responsible for impacting the user experience of three peer-to-peer (P2P) payment services in the Spanish market.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of all online reviews (n = 16,048) published in Google Play of three paytech apps—Bizum, Twyp, and Verse—was analyzed using text mining and sentiment analysis.

Findings

A holistic interpretation of the seed terms included in each aspect allowed to label them based on the preferences expressed by paytech app users in their reviews. Six latent aspects were identified: ease of use, usefulness, perceived value, performance expectancy, perceived quality, and user experience. In addition, the results of the analysis suggest a positivity bias in the online reviews of fintech P2P app users. Our results also show that online reviews of apps associated with banks or financial institutions, such as Bizum (to a greater extent) or Twyp, show more negative emotions, whereas independent apps (Verse) show more positive emotions. Moreover, the most critical users are those of unidentified gender, while women remain in a more neutral position, and men tend to express their opinions more positively regarding P2P payment apps.

Practical implications

Paytech providers should analyze the problems faced by users immediately after an encounter. By applying text mining analysis, service providers can gain efficiency in understanding user sentiments and emotions without tedious and time-consuming reviews.

Originality/value

This is a pioneering study on peer-to-peer (P2P) mobile payment systems from the user’s perspective because it investigates the emotions and sentiments that users convey through bank reviews.
Effect of low sodium and high potassium diet on lowering blood pressure and cardiovascular events
Authors: Kim Byung Sik , Yu Mi-Yeon , Shin Jinho
Published: January 2024

Incorporating aggressive lifestyle modifications along with antihypertensive medication therapy is a crucial treatment strategy to enhance the control rate of hypertension. Dietary modification is one of the important lifestyle interventions for hypertension, and it has been proven to have a clear effect. Among food ingredients, sodium and potassium have been found to have the strongest association with blood pressure. The blood pressure-lowering effect of a low sodium diet and a high potassium diet has been well established, especially in hypertensive population. A high intake of potassium, a key component of the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, has also shown a favorable impact on the risk of cardiovascular events. Additionally, research conducted with robust measurement methods has shown cardiovascular benefits of low-sodium intake. In this review, we aim to discuss the evidence regarding the relationship between the low sodium and high potassium diet and blood pressure and cardiovascular events.

Graphical Abstract
A deep learning model integrating multisequence MRI to predict EGFR mutation subtype in brain metastases from non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Li Ye , Lv Xinna , Chen Cancan , Yu Ruize , Wang Bing , Wang Dawei , Hou Dailun
Published: January 2024

Background

To establish a predictive model based on multisequence magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using deep learning to identify wild-type (WT) epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), EGFR exon 19 deletion (19Del), and EGFR exon 21-point mutation (21L858R) simultaneously.

Methods

A total of 399 patients with proven brain metastases of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were retrospectively enrolled and divided into training (n = 306) and testing (n = 93) cohorts separately based on two timepoints. All patients underwent 3.0-T brain MRI including T2-weighted, T2-weighted fluid-attenuated inversion recovery, diffusion-weighted imaging, and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted sequences. Radiomics features were extracted from each lesion based on four sequences. An algorithm combining radiomics approach with graph convolutional networks architecture (Radio-GCN) was designed for the prediction of EGFR mutation status and subtype. The area under the curve (AUC) at receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to evaluate the predication capabilities of each model.

Results

We extracted 1,290 radiomics features from each MRI sequence. The AUCs of the Radio-GCN model for identifying EGFR 19Del, 21L858R, and WT for the lesion-wise analysis were 0.996 ± 0.004, 0.971 ± 0.013, and 1.000 ± 0.000 on the independent testing cohort separately. It also yielded AUCs of 1.000 ± 0.000, 0.991 ± 0.009, and 1.000 ± 0.000 for predicting EGFR mutations respectively for the patient-wise analysis. The κ coefficients were 0.735 and 0.812, respectively.

Conclusions

The constructed Radio-GCN model is a new potential tool to predict the EGFR mutation status and subtype in NSCLC patients with brain metastases.

Relevance statement

The study demonstrated that a deep learning approach based on multisequence MRI can help to predict the EGFR mutation status in NSCLC patients with brain metastases, which is beneficial to guide a personalized treatment.

Key points

• This is the first study to predict the EGFR mutation subtype simultaneously.

• The Radio-GCN model holds the potential to be used as a diagnostic tool.

• This study provides an imaging surrogate for identifying the EGFR mutation subtype.

Graphical Abstract
Automated pelvic MRI measurements associated with urinary incontinence for prostate cancer patients undergoing radical prostatectomy
Authors: van den Berg Ingeborg , Spaans Robert N. , Wessels Frank J. , van der Hoeven Erik J. R. J. , Nolthenius Charlotte J. Tutein , van den Bergh Roderick C. N. , van der Voort van Zyp Jochem R. N. , van den Berg Cornelis A. T. , van Melick Harm H. E.
Published: January 2024

Background

Pelvic morphological parameters on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), such as the membranous urethral length (MUL), can predict urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy but are prone to interobserver disagreement. Our objective was to improve interobserver agreement among radiologists in measuring pelvic parameters using deep learning (DL)-based segmentation of pelvic structures on MRI scans.

Methods

Preoperative MRI was collected from 167 prostate cancer patients undergoing radical prostatectomy within our regional multicentric cohort. Two DL networks (nnU-Net) were trained on coronal and sagittal scans and evaluated on a test cohort using an 80/20% train-test split. Pelvic parameters were manually measured by three abdominal radiologists on raw MRI images and with the use of DL-generated segmentations. Automated measurements were also performed for the pelvic parameters. Interobserver agreement was evaluated using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and the Bland–Altman plot.

Results

The DL models achieved median Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) values of 0.85–0.97 for coronal structures and 0.87–0.98 for sagittal structures. When radiologists used DL-generated segmentations of pelvic structures, the interobserver agreement for sagittal MUL improved from 0.64 (95% confidence interval 0.28–0.83) to 0.91 (95% CI 0.84–0.95). Furthermore, there was an increase in ICC values for the obturator internus muscle from 0.74 (95% CI 0.42–0.87) to 0.86 (95% CI 0.75–0.92) and for the levator ani muscle from 0.40 (95% CI 0.05–0.66) to 0.61 (95% CI 0.31–0.78).

Conclusions

DL-based automated segmentation of pelvic structures improved interobserver agreement in measuring pelvic parameters on preoperative MRI scans.

Relevance statement

The implementation of deep learning segmentations allows for more consistent measurements of pelvic parameters by radiologists. Standardized measurements are crucial for incorporating these parameters into urinary continence prediction models.

Key points

• DL-generated segmentations improve interobserver agreement for pelvic measurements among radiologists.

• Membranous urethral length measurement improved from substantial to almost perfect agreement.

• Artificial intelligence enhances objective pelvic parameter assessment for continence prediction models.

Graphical Abstract
Utility of dipstick urinalysis in the diagnosis of urinary tract infections among outpatients in Mwanza and Dar es Salaam regions in Tanzania
Authors: Masoud Salim S. , Majigo Mtebe , Silago Vitus , Kunambi Peter , Nyawale Helmut , Moremi Nyambura , Komba Erick , Mgaya Fauster X. , Magembe Emmanuel , Mirambo Mariam M. , Mshana Stephen E. , Matee Mecky Isaac
Published: January 2024

Background

Globally, urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the leading cause of hospital visits, especially among women. In many developing countries, especially in lower health facilities, the dipstick urinalysis is the most commonly requested test, as urine culture is not routinely performed. The dipstick test can potentially reduce the number of patients who could be treated with empirical antibiotics and reduce the burden of antibiotic resistance. The current study determined the utility of dipstick urinalysis in diagnosing UTIs using urine culture as a gold standard method.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted between July and November 2021. The study involved 1327 outpatients attending lower health centres in Mwanza (n = 678) and Dar es Salaam (n = 649) regions. The samples were subjected to dipstick urinalysis (nitrite and leucocytes) and quantitative bacterial culture.

Results

Of all 1326 patient samples, 808(60.9%) and 48(3.6%) were positive for urinary leucocyte and nitrite, respectively, while significant urine culture was found in 364(27.4%). leucocyte test correctly diagnosed UTI in 283 (77.75%) and nitrite test in 36 (9.89%). The leucocytes and nitrites, in combination, exhibited a sensitivity of 79.40% and NPV of 85.24% but a lower specificity of 44.96% and a lower PPV of 35.29%. Urinary leucocyte test had a higher discrimination ability to detect urinary tract infection than urinary nitrite test (AUC = 0.073, 95% CI 0.043–0.103, p < 0.001); likewise, combined results of urinary nitrite and leucocytes tests had higher discrimination ability to detect UTI than nitrite only (AUC = − 0.079, 95% CI − 0.107–0.050, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

In settings where culture is available, dipstick urinalysis can be a helpful screening method for reducing unnecessary urine cultures and related expenses because of its higher negative predictive value. In most low-resource settings where patients' diagnosis solely depends on clinical diagnosis and culture is not easily available, urine dipstick can decrease the risk of overuse of antibiotics. However, the combined (leucocytes and nitrites) dipstick urinalysis has a rather low positive predictive value, with approximately one-third of cases giving positive test results being truly UTI, subjecting over 65% of cases to unnecessary antibiotic treatment.
Optimising Al2O3–water nanofluid
Authors: Onyiriuka Ekene
Published: January 2024

Background

This study explores how nanofluids can be optimised to improve heat transfer in various applications. A genetic algorithm that finds the optimal parameter configuration to achieve the best performance is studied and applied. The research focuses on the critical factors of heat transfer coefficient and pressure drop, which determine the efficiency of nanofluid-based systems.

The main body of the abstract

The methodology involves artificial intelligence and multi-objective optimisation techniques. Results show that pressure drop and heat transfer coefficient have an inverse relationship. The study provides a range of optimal values for nanofluid temperature, particle size, and volume fraction.

Results

The results show that the temperature, particle size, and volume fraction should be high. Another variation will be small particle size and small volume fractions with fluid temperature around 80 °C. The analysis yielded the following configuration with the optimal PEC. Temperature (oC), particle size (nm), volume fraction (%), heat transfer coefficient (kW/m2K), pressure drop (Pas), and PEC were 82.6 °C, 175.26 nm, 4.75%, 792.49 kW/m2K, 29.94 Pas, and 5.01.

Conclusions

The research highlights the potential of Al2O3–water nanofluids to maintain pressure drop and enhance heat transfer. It contributes to understanding nanofluid optimisation and provides practical insights for designing and selecting nanofluid systems that enhance heat transfer.
What is known about the effects of vitamin D in neuropsychiatric lupus?
Authors: Karnopp Thaís Evelyn , da Silva Freitas Vinicius , Di Domenico Andressa Leite , Chapacais Gustavo Flores , dos Santos Natália Garcia , Freitas Eduarda Correa , Gasparin Andrese Aline , Monticielo Odirlei André
Published: January 2024

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that can affect several organs and systems. The central and/or peripheral nervous system can suffer from complications known as neuropsychiatric lupus (NPSLE). Studies have associated the manifestations of SLE or NPSLE with vitamin D deficiency. It has been shown that hypovitaminosis D can lead to cognition deficits and cerebral hypoperfusion in patients with NPSLE. In this review article, we will address the main features related to vitamin D supplementation or serum vitamin D levels with neuropsychiatric manifestations, either in patients or in animal models of NPSLE.

Graphical abstract
BRITD: behavior rhythm insider threat detection with time awareness and user adaptation
Authors: Song Shuang , Gao Neng , Zhang Yifei , Ma Cunqing
Published: January 2024

Researchers usually detect insider threats by analyzing user behavior. The time information of user behavior is an important concern in internal threat detection. Existing works on insider threat detection fail to make full use of the time information, which leads to their poor detection performance. In this paper, we propose a novel behavioral feature extraction scheme: we implicitly encode absolute time information in the behavioral feature sequences and use a feature sequence construction method taking covariance into account to make our scheme adaptive to users. We select Stacked Bidirectional LSTM and Feedforward Neural Network to build a deep learning-based insider threat detection model: Behavior Rhythm Insider Threat Detection (BRITD). BRITD is universally applicable to various insider threat scenarios, and it has good insider threat detection performance: it achieves an AUC of 0.9730 and a precision of 0.8072 with the CMU CERT dataset, which exceeds all baselines.

Graphical Abstract
Corner cases in machine learning processes
Authors: Heidecker Florian , Bieshaar Maarten , Sick Bernhard
Published: January 2024

Applications using machine learning (ML), such as highly autonomous driving, depend highly on the performance of the ML model. The data amount and quality used for model training and validation are crucial. If the model cannot detect and interpret a new, rare, or perhaps dangerous situation, often referred to as a corner case, we will likely blame the data for not being good enough or too small in number. However, the implemented ML model and its associated architecture also influence the behavior. Therefore, the occurrence of prediction errors resulting from the ML model itself is not surprising. This work addresses a corner case definition from an ML model’s perspective to determine which aspects must be considered. To achieve this goal, we present an overview of properties for corner cases that are beneficial for the description, explanation, reproduction, or synthetic generation of corner cases. To define ML corner cases, we review different considerations in the literature and summarize them in a general description and mathematical formulation, whereby the expected relevance-weighted loss is the key to distinguishing corner cases from common data. Moreover, we show how to operationalize the corner case characteristics to determine the value of a corner case. To conclude, we present the extended taxonomy for ML corner cases by adding the input, model, and deployment levels, considering the influence of the corner case properties.
Scopoletin negatively regulates the HOG pathway and exerts antifungal activity against Botrytis cinerea by interfering with infection structures, cell wall, and cell membrane formation
Authors: Yuan Xiaojun , Yang Fugen , Wang Yameng , Li Shaoxuan , Zhang Demeng , Liang Wenxing , Yang Qianqian
Published: January 2024

Botrytis cinerea is the causative agent of gray mold, a fungal disease affecting a broad array of food crops and resulting in considerable agricultural and economic losses. Currently, chemical fungicides are the most effective control measure, but this practice is challenged by the growing resistance of pathogens to these fungicides. Scopoletin, a major phytoalexin of tobacco plants, has shown promise as an antifungal treatment. Here, we found that scopoletin was effective against B. cinerea infection of tomato leaves. It inhibited mycelial growth and conidial germination of B. cinerea and disrupted cell wall, cell membrane, and infection structure formation. Transcriptomic analysis identified 3495 differentially expressed genes in response to scopoletin treatment. Interestingly, scopoletin seems to deactivate the HOG pathway of B. cinerea. The growth defect caused by hyperactivation of the pathway, such as iprodione treatment and deletion of BcPtc1, the negative regulator of this pathway, was partly rescued by scopoletin. Moreover, it could downregulate phosphorylation levels of BcSak1 treated with iprodione and NaCl. In addition, the control efficiency of triadimefon was significantly increased by scopoletin. Thus, scopoletin is a promising, naturally derived, and sustainable treatment for gray mold, especially when combined with triadimefon.
A simple and rapid preparation of smooth muscle myosin 2 for the electron microscopic analysis
Authors: Bharda Anahita Vispi , Jung Hyun Suk
Published: January 2024

There has been an increase in the demand for purified protein as a result of recent developments in the structural biology of myosin 2. Although promising, current practices in myosin purification are usually time-consuming and cumbersome. The reported increased actin to myosin ratio in smooth muscles adds to the complexity of the purification process. Present study outlines a streamlined approach to isolate smooth muscle myosin 2 molecules from actomyosin suspension of chicken gizzard tissues. The procedure entails treating actomyosin for a brief period with actin-binding peptide phalloidin, followed by co-sedimentation and short column size exclusion chromatography. Typical myosin molecule with heavy and light chains and approximately 95% purity was examined using gel electrophoresis. Negative staining electron microscopy and image processing showed intact 10S myosin 2 molecules, proving that phalloidin is effective at eliminating majority of actin in the form of F-actin without dramatic alteration in the structure of myosin. The entire purification discussed here can be completed in a few hours, and further analysis can be done the same day. Thus, by offering quick and fresh supplies of native myosin molecules suited for structural research, specially cryo-electron microscopy, this innovative approach can be adapted to get around the drawbacks of time-intensive myosin purifying processes.
Characteristics of Indonesian traditional fermented seafood paste (terasi) made from shrimp and anchovy
Authors: Surya Reggie , Nugroho David , Kamal Nurkhalida , Petsong Kantiya
Published: January 2024

Fermented seafood paste, terasi, is a ubiquitous ingredient in Indonesian traditional cuisine. It is commonly used as a flavor enhancer due to its unique, strong, and complex flavor. Traditionally, terasi is made using planktonic shrimp (Acetes indicus) but some regional varieties of terasi include other seafoods, such as fish in their recipes. The present study aimed to explore the cultural and ethnic significance of terasi, investigating the current traditional preparation of terasi, and analyze the characteristics of terasi made from shrimp and fish. The traditional practice of terasi making in Cirebon, its birthplace, often includes the use of anchovy (Engraulidae) as an additional ingredient besides shrimp, as observed among more than 70% of local producers. Therefore, we characterized several aspects of terasi made from shrimp and anchovy (fish) under different proportions. Higher proportion of fish in terasi was associated with darker color due to browning reactions and higher microbial load, particularly proteolytic and lactic acid bacteria. Nutritionally, higher proportion of fish increased the protein content of terasi but decreased its fat content. A series of chemical analyses revealed that the addition of fish in terasi significantly increased protein hydrolysis, lipid peroxidation, and non-enzymatic browning (Maillard) reaction, thus resulting in a significant formation of toxic compounds such as histamine and acrylamide. Interestingly, organoleptic analysis showed that terasi made from an equal proportion of shrimp and fish was preferred by the panelists. Therefore, this study suggested that mixing shrimp and fish could be used as a strategy to increase consumer’s acceptance toward terasi. However, for food safety reasons, some adjustments in the fermentation period should be made in future studies since the addition of fish in terasi would increase microbial activity and accelerate chemical reactions.
Phenolic-rich lees from Philippine rice wine (tapuy) increases Caenorhabditis elegans lifespan in spite of having low antioxidant activity
Authors: Chua Sean Philippe L. , Umayat Lesley Dale , Medina Paul Mark B.
Published: January 2024

Tapuy is an indigenous wine produced in the Philippines. Rice wine fermentation produces a by-product of rice leftover and microbial biomass, collectively called lees, which usually is discarded as a waste product. However, studies have shown the potential value of lees as a healthy food source. We wanted to determine the nutritional profile of tapuy wine and its lees and their abilities to extend lifespan in Caenorhabditis elegans. Tapuy lees (7.65 g/100 g dry weight) was 18.5-fold greater in protein content compared to tapuy wine. Its sugar content (27.66 g/100 g dry weight) is similar to the tapuy wine’s sugar content (23.465 g/100 g dry weight). Through LC–MS/MS, 18.75% and 12.39% of spectral peaks in tapuy wine and lees were matched, respectively, to specific compounds, and several of them are associated with beneficial health effects. Furthermore, the phenolic content in tapuy lees (19,475.526 Gallic Acid Equivalent) is 6.5-fold greater compared to tapuy wine. Surprisingly, the DPPH and FRAP antioxidant assays show that tapuy lees had a lesser antioxidant ability compared to tapuy wine. However, C. elegans fed with supplementation of tapuy lees extract showed a 16.24% increase in mean lifespan, which is higher compared to the 6.10% increase in mean lifespan when supplemented with tapuy wine. Taking all these findings together, our study revealed that tapuy lees has a greater nutritional value than tapuy wine, and this underutilized and wastefully discarded product can be repurposed as a potential functional food.

Graphical Abstract
Do science teachers’ believes related to inquiry-based teaching affect students’ science process skills? Evidence from a multilevel model analysis
Authors: Li Xiying , Zhang Yuelai , Yu Fabi , Zhang Xingyu , Zhao Xin , Pi Zhongling
Published: January 2024

Inquiry-based science teaching has emerged as a prominent trend in science education. Nevertheless, it remains uncertain how teachers' self-efficacy in regard to the teaching of science as inquiry (TSI) affects students' science learning, especially considering the scarcity of research on its impact on students' Science Process Skills (SPSs). To investigate the impact of teachers' TSI on students' SPSs, this study conducted a questionnaire survey involving 539 eighth-grade students and 75 teachers from 7 junior high schools. Our Multilevel Model analysis results revealed a positive correlation between students' creative tendencies and SPSs. The results of the Cross-Level Moderation Models indicated that TSI moderated the relationship between students' creative tendencies and their SPSs, with this relationship strengthening as TSI increased. These study findings carry significant implications for both inquiry-based science education and teacher education.
Association between ambient particulate matter and semen quality parameters: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Bahreiny Seyed Sobhan , Bastani Mohammad-Navid , Dabbagh Mohammad Reza , Ghorbani Hamid , Aghaei Mojtaba , Zahedian Mehdi , Fard Reza Mohammadpour
Published: January 2024

Background

The adverse consequences of ambient particulate matter (PM) on human health have been extensively studied. However, the association between PM2.5 and PM10 μm, two common sizes of particulate matter, and semen quality remains a subject of debate. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to investigate the relationship between ambient PM2.5 and PM10 μm exposure and semen quality parameters.

Main text

A systematic literature search was conducted using electronic databases to identify relevant studies investigating the association between (PM2.5 μm and PM10 μm) exposure and semen quality, covering the period from January 2000 to April 2023. Standard mean difference (SMD) was used to calculate pooled effect estimates with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Furthermore, meta-regression and subgroup analyses provided additional insight into potential factors contributing to heterogeneity. The meta-analysis included a comprehensive review of nine studies with a total of 6264 participants. The findings demonstrated a significant negative correlation between ambient exposure to PM2.5 μm and PM10 μm and various parameters related to semen quality. The analysis revealed that PM2.5 exposure was linked to reduced semen volume (SMD = −0.028; 95% CI −0.055 to −0.01), total sperm count (SMD = −0.027; 95% CI −0.052 to -0.02), sperm motility (SMD = −0.156; 95% CI −0.26 to -0.04), and progressive motility (SMD = −0.194; 95% CI −0.38 to −0.01). Likewise, exposure to PM10 was associated with decreased sperm concentration (SMD = −0.036; 95% CI −0.06 to −0.01) and sperm motility (SMD = −0.93; 95% CI −0.15 to −0.02).

Conclusion

This systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrate a consistent negative association between ambient PM10 and PM2.5 μm exposure and semen quality parameters. The findings suggest that increased levels of ambient particulate matter may have an adverse influence on sperm count and motility. The results highlight the importance of addressing environmental air pollution as a potential risk factor for male reproductive health.
Impact of perceived social support on suicidal ideation among students at Ain Shams University
Authors: Hussein Rasha Saad , Yousef Shaimaa Samy
Published: January 2024

Background

Suicide is a significant public health issue that has long-term impacts on individuals, families, and communities. Perceived social support can reduce the frequency of suicidal ideation (SI), which is an important precursor to later attempted and completed suicide. The present study aimed to measure the prevalence of SI and perceived social support among students at Ain Shams University, compare SI and perceived social support among medical and non-medical students, and identify the factors affecting SI.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 745 students recruited from two medical and two non-medical faculties at Ain Shams University. The data was gathered through a self-administered questionnaire, including socio-demographic characteristics, family relationships, daily habits, the Suicidal Ideation Scale (SIS), and the Oslo Social Support Scale (OSSS-3).

Results

The mean age of participants was 20.1 ± 1.4, (58.1%) were females, and (7.2%) were cigarette smokers. SIS was statistically higher among non-medical students (19.89 ± 8.58) versus (16.60 ± 7.56) among medical ones. On the other hand, OSSS-3 was statistically higher among medical students, where (48.9%) of non-medical students reported poor social support versus (43.3%) among medical ones, and only (7.1%) of non-medical students reported strong social support versus (15.1%) among medical ones. The ordinal logistic regression revealed that non-medical education (OR = 1.74), smoking (OR = 2.16), dissatisfaction and neutral satisfaction regarding family relationships (OR = 6.49 and OR = 3.24, respectively), and low and moderate degrees of perceived social support (OR = 3.11 and OR = 1.81, respectively) are significant positive predictors of SI severity.

Conclusion

Since SI is a serious issue among Ain Shams University students, screening is required as a secure element of initiatives to prevent youth suicide. As poor perceived social support was a significant predictor of SI severity, teaching parenting strategies to enhance family relationships and coping with stressful situations through lectures and media must be intensified.
Interrater reliability of the ovarian–adnexal reporting and data system magnetic resonance imaging (O‑RADS MRI)
Authors: Ramadan Zainab A , Abdelrazek Ahmed Abdel Khalek , Denewar Fatmaelzahraa Abdelfattah
Published: January 2024

Aim

The current study aims to evaluate interrater reliability of ovarian–adnexal reporting and data system (O-RADS) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in interpretation of adnexal and ovarian lesions.

Material and methods

Retrospective analysis of 131 ovarian lesions was as done for 106 consecutive female patients with adnexal and/or ovarian lesions that underwent MR imaging of the pelvis. Images interpretation was accomplished by two-blinded independent raters for cystic and solid parts of ovarian lesions. The score was 5 types classified pursuant to O-RADS.

Results

A perfect interrater agreement regarding overall O-RADS [Kappa: 0.874, P: 0.001]. There was a perfect interrater agreement of the solid component (Kappa: 0.979, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.938–1.0, P: 0.001), enhancement degree relative to myometrium (Kappa: 0.876, 95% CI 0.781–0.971, P: 0.001) and entirely solid lesions (Kappa: 1.0, 95% CI 1.0–1.0, P: 0.001). A perfect interrater agreement for ORADS 1 (Kappa: 0.937, P: 0.001), ORADS 2 (Kappa: 0.983, P: 0.001), ORADS 3 (Kappa: 0.834, P: 0.001), ORADS 4 (Kappa: 0.827, P: 0.001) and ORADS 5 (Kappa: 0.963, P: 0.001) was present.

Conclusions

The O-RADS MRI scoring system has better characterization of adnexal masses with high interrater agreement. Overcoming limitations of this study, O-RADS, may be suggested as a basic system in assessment of adnexal masses.
Closed bowel loop obstruction by a fibrous band mimicking paraduodenal hernia
Authors: Tadrous Marco , Darweesh Ahmed Abdelmonem
Published: January 2024

Background

A closed-loop obstruction occurs when a section of the intestine becomes blocked at two locations along its pathway, increasing the likelihood of volvulus and ischemia. Frequently, a single adhesive band is the primary cause of a closed loop, although internal hernias from congenital defects or iatrogenic intervention in the mesentery or omentum can also become other factors. In closed-loop obstruction, computed tomography (CT) often displays a distinctive pattern where the bowel appears dilated and filled with fluid, forming a ‘C-shaped’ configuration.

Case presentation

A 43-year-old female patient presented to the emergency department complaining of acute abdominal pain and repeated bilious vomiting with no history of absolute constipation. By examination, there were tenderness, guarding and rigidity. Her medical history includes type 1 diabetes since the age of 9 years and her surgical history included a onetime cesarean section and negative history of laparoscopic interventions. Ultrasound was done as a first-line investigation. It showed a few dilated bowel loops in addition to moderate intraperitoneal free fluid and could not detect the cause of bowel dilatation; therefore, non-contrast CT scan was requested and revealed the following findings: Two bowel loops exhibited distension and mucosal edema, and the configuration of bowel loops resembled a distinctive C-shape.

Conclusion

Distinguishing between adhesive small bowel obstruction (SBO) and paraduodenal hernia relies on clinical history, imaging features, and risk factors. Adhesive SBO often stems from prior surgery or inflammation and may exhibit ‘beak’ or ‘whorl’ signs on CT scans.