bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Community engagement to inform development of strategies to improve referral for hypertension: Perspectives of patients, providers and local community members in western Kenya
Authors: Naanyu Violet , Njuguna Benson , Koros Hillary , Andesia Josephine , Kamano Jemima , Mercer Tim , Bloomfield Gerald , Pastakia Sonak , Vedanthan Rajesh , Akwanalo Constantine
Published: December 2022

Background
Hypertension is the leading cause of death and disability. Clinical care for patients with hypertension in Kenya leverages referral networks to provide basic and specialized healthcare services. However, referrals are characterized by non-adherence and delays in completion. An integrated health information technology (HIT) and peer-based support strategy to improve adherence to referrals and blood pressure control was proposed. A formative assessment gathered perspectives on barriers to referral completion and garnered thoughts on the proposed intervention.
Methods
We conducted a qualitative study in Kitale, Webuye, Kocholya, Turbo, Mosoriot and Burnt Forest areas of Western Kenya. We utilized the PRECEDE-PROCEED framework to understand the behavioral, environmental and ecological factors that would influence uptake and success of our intervention. We conducted four mabaraza, eighteen key informant interviews, and twelve focus group discussions among clinicians, patients and community members. The data obtained was audio recorded alongside field note taking. Audio recordings were transcribed and translated for onward coding and thematic analysis using NVivo 12.
Results
Specific supply-side and demand-side barriers influenced completion of referral for hypertension. Key demand-side barriers included lack of money for care and inadequate referral knowledge. On the supply-side, long distance to health facilities, low availability of services, unaffordable services, and poor referral management were reported. All participants felt that the proposed strategies could improve delivery of care and expressed much enthusiasm for them. Participants appreciated benefits of the peer component, saying it would motivate positive patient behavior, and provide health education, psychosocial support, and assistance in navigating care. The HIT component was seen as reducing paper work, easing communication between providers, and facilitating tracking of patient information. Participants also shared concerns that could influence implementation of the two strategies including consent, confidentiality, and reduction in patient-provider interaction.
Conclusions
Appreciation of local realities and patients’ experiences is critical to development and implementation of sustainable strategies to improve effectiveness of hypertension referral networks. Incorporating concerns from patients, health care workers, and local leaders facilitates adaptation of interventions to respond to real needs. This approach is ethical and also allows research teams to harness benefits of participatory community-involved research.
Trial registration:
Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT03543787, Registered June 1, 2018. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03543787
Application of PBL Combined with Lecture-based Learning for Immunochemistry Course
Authors: Song Pingping
Published: December 2022

Objective:By systematically evaluating the effect of problem-based learning (PBL) and traditional lecture-based learning (LBL) on the learning of undergraduates majoring in Chemical Biology, the significance of PBL applied in Immunochemistry Course will be explored.Methods:The teaching objects were the undergraduates majoring in Chemical Biology. The 62 undergraduates in Grade 2018 as the control group adopted the traditional LBL mode, while the 45 undergraduates in Grade 2019 and 48 undergraduates in Grade 2020 as the experimental groups adopted the two modes of PBL and LBL. For the PBL mode, 6 cases related to the course were designed for the students to complete. The Immunochemistry final exams of the undergraduates in Grades 2018-2020 were analyzed by the score ranges (<60 points, 60-69 points 70-79 points, and ≥80 points. The questionnaire survey about the analysis of the cases was performed on the undergraduates of Grades 2019-2020.Results:In Grades 2019 and 2020, the excellent rates (≥80 points), pass rates (≥60 points), fail rates (<60 points) and average scores of the undergraduates were separately 29%, 62-65%, 6-9% and 73-74. But in Grade 2018, the excellent rate, pass rate, failure rate, and average score of the undergraduates were separately 10%, 50%, 40%, and 62.55. In addition, the percentage of undergraduates in Grades 2019 and 2020 was separately 44% and 27% in the range of 70-79 points, and 18% and 38% in the range of 60-69 points. The teacher-student questionnaire on the teaching evaluation also confirmed the teaching effect of the PBL mode.Conclusion:The combination of PBL and LBL teaching modes has a positive impact on the student’s learning in the Immunochemistry Course.
CSF 14-3-3ζ is associated with tau pathology and elevated across the Alzheimer’s disease continuum
Authors: Qiang Qiang , Skudder-Hill Loren , Toyota Tomoko , Huang Zhe , Wei Wenshi , Adachi Hiroaki
Published: December 2022

Background
14-3-3 is a family of conserved proteins that consist of seven isoforms which are highly expressed in the brain, and 14-3-3ζ is one of the isoforms encoded by the YWHAZ gene. Previous studies demonstrated that 14-3-3ζ is deposited in the neurofibrillary tangles of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) brains, and that 14-3-3ζ interacts with tau from the purified neurofibrillary tangles of AD brain extract.
Methods
The present study examined the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) 14-3-3ζ levels of 719 participants from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI), including cognitively normal (CN) participants, patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and patients with AD dementia. Associations between fluid biomarkers of AD (Aβ and tau pathologies, neurodegeneration, synaptic dysfunction and neuroinflammation) with CSF 14-3-3ζ were tested by linear regression models, adjusted by age, sex, years of education and APOE ε4 status. Linear mixed-effect models evaluated how baseline CSF 14-3-3ζ levels predict the changes of cognition scores and neuroimaging findings over time. Cox proportional hazards models assessed how baseline CSF 14-3-3ζ levels influence the relative risk of progression to AD in patients with MCI.
Results
CSF 14-3-3ζ levels were increased in prodromal AD, and further elevated in AD dementia stage. CSF 14-3-3ζ levels were associated with CSF phosphorylated tau 181(p-tau) and plasma p-tau, which are fluid biomarkers of tau pathology, and could predict tau positive status with high accuracy (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUC], 0.891). CSF 14-3-3ζ levels were also associated with cognitive measurements and neuroimaging findings both at baseline and during follow up, and high CSF 14-3-3ζ levels were associated with subsequent progression to AD dementia in patients with MCI.
Conclusions
This study suggests that CSF 14-3-3ζ is a potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker of AD that may be useful in clinical practice.
Identification of differentially expressed genes associated with ferroptosis in Crohn’s disease
Authors: wenquan Zhang , Li Zhaoshui , Li Hongbo
Published: December 2022

Objective:Ferroptosis-related genes may have a critical regulatory role in the pathogenetic process of Crohn’ disease(CD).The purpose of this study was to identify genes expressed in CD that are associated with ferroptosis and provide direction in the diagnosis and therapy of Crohn's disease.
Methods: The data for CD mRNA expression were first gathered from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, and two gene sets were selected as major targets (GSE75214 and GSE102133) and analyzed differentially expressed genes.Next,R software (version 4.1.2) was used to analyze the common genes in CD differential expressed genes and ferroptosis-related genes.GO enrichment analysis,KEGG pathway analysis were used to identify differential related pathways and functions.Protein-protein interaction(PPI) analysis was performed to identify target genes.DSigDB website was used to predict potential target drugs for hub genes.Finally, qRT-PCR method were used to detect the expression of these ferroptosis related genes in clinical samples obtained from healthy control and CD patients.
Result: According to two GEO datasets, we finally identified 13 ferroptosis DEGs(10 upregulated genes and 2 downregulated genes) in crohn disease with the threshold of p-value < 0.05 and |log2 FC| > 1 and selected for continued analysis.Go enrichment analysis and KEGG pathways results were shown in the following figures.PPI analysis indicate the mutual effect between these genes and filtered out 5 hub genes.Top 10 potential targeted drugs were selected. Finally, the result of qRT-PCR shown that the expression of three genes IL-6,PTGS2 and DUOX2 were different between CD samples and healthy samples.This result was consistent with the results we obtained in the biological information analysis.
Conclusion: Bioinformatics analysis identified a total of 13 iron death-associated genes in CD. Three differential genes IL-6,PTG32 and DUOX2 were detected in tissue experiments.Our findings might provide new biomarkers and promising treatment targets in CD.
Accuracy of biomicroscopy, ultrasonography and spectral-domain OCT in detection of complete posterior vitreous detachment
Authors: Zvorničanin Jasmin , Zvorničanin Edita , Popović Maja
Published: December 2022

Objectives
To evaluate the accuracy of pre-operative biomicroscopy (BM), ultrasonography (US), and spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) for determining complete posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) confirmed by intraoperative findings of triamcinolone acetonide-assisted pars plana vitrectomy (PPV).
Methods
This prospective study included all consecutive patients admitted for surgical treatment of epiretinal membrane (ERM) and macular hole (MH). Presence of complete PVD was determined one day before PPV using BM, US, SD-OCT. Preoperative findings were compared to PVD status determined during PPV.
Results
A total of 123 eyes of 123 patients were included in the study. Indications for PPV included ERM in 57 (46.3%), full thickness macular hole in 57 (46.3%) and lamellar macular hole in 9 (7.3%) patients. Complete PVD during PPV was observed in 18 (31.6%; 95%CI:18.7–49.9) patients with ERM and 13 (19.7%; 95%CI:10.4–33.7) patients with MH. The sensitivity of preoperative BM, US, SD-OCT was 48.4% (95%CI:30.2–66.9), 61.3% (95%CI:42.2–78.2) and 54.8% (95%CI:36.0-72.7) respectively. The specificity of preoperative BM, US, SD-OCT was 81.5% (95%CI:72.1–88.9), 90.2% (95%CI:82.2–95.4) and 85.9% (95%CI:77.0-92.3) respectively. With a prevalence of 25.2% of PVD in our sample the positive predictive value of preoperative BM, US, SD-OCT was 46.9% (95%CI:29.1–65.3), 67.9% (95%CI:47.6–84.1) and 56.7% (95%CI:37.4–74.5) respectively.
Conclusion
Preoperative BM, US and SD-OCT showed relatively low sensitivity but also good specificity in assessment of complete PVD. A combination of all three diagnostic methods can provide a good assessment of the vitreoretinal interface state.
Genomic landscapes of ovarian clear cell carcinoma from Latin countries reveal aberrations linked to survival and progression
Authors: Batista Mariana de Paiva , Roffe Martin , Romero Ignacio , Lopez José Antonio , Illueca Carmen , Lopez Raquel , Costa Alexandre Balieiro Anastacio da , de Brot Louise , Molina Juan Pablo , Barboza Laura , Peria Fernanda Maris , Chahud Fernando , Yamada Ana Silvia Gouvea , Poveda Andrés , Rego Eduardo Magalhães
Published: December 2022

Background
Ovarian clear cell carcinomas (OCCCs) are rare, aggressive and chemoresistant tumors. Geographical and ethnic differences in the incidence of OCCC have been reported with a higher incidence in Asiatic countries. There is a paucity of information regarding OCCC in Latin America (LA) and other countries.
Methods
Here, we characterized two cohorts of 33 patients with OCCC from LA (24 from Brazil and 9 from Costa Rica) and a cohort of 27 patients from Spain. Genomic analysis was performed for 26 OCCC using the OncoScan platform. Tumors were classified according to their genomic landscapes into the Simplex-like (Sxl), Firestorm-like (FSl) and Sawtooth-like (STl) subgroups.
Results
The median overall survival (OS) was not significantly different between the cohorts. Genomic landscapes were characterized by different homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) levels. OCCCs with MYC-amplified tumors bearing a concomitant loss of a region in chromosome 13q12-q13 that includes the BRCA2 gene (MB subgroup) had the longest OS. In contrast, non-MB patients carrying a high number (> 30) of total copy number (CN) aberrations presented the shortest OS (PS subgroup). Furthermore, amplification of the ASH1L gene was also associated with a shorter OS. No difference in the distribution of genomic landscapes or MB and PS profiles was detected between patients from the different cohorts. Initial-stage OCCCs with early progression were characterized by gains in the JNK1 and MKL1 genes.
Conclusions
Our results provide new data from understudied OCCC populations and reveal new potential markers and therapeutic targets for OCCCs.
Arabic Offline Handwritten Text Recognition with Transformers
Authors: Momeni Saleh , babaali bagher
Published: December 2022

Handwriting recognition has always been one of the most important and challenging issues in pattern recognition and machine learning due to its diverse applications. In this paper, we investigate the problem of Arabic offline handwritten text recognition. Existing approaches mainly use a combination of convolutional and recurrent layers for image understanding and connectionist temporal classification for text generation. Due to the sequential nature of recurrent neural networks, these methods suffer from a lack of parallelization. In addition, since these models cannot model linguistic rules, an external language model is often used in the post-processing stage to increase accuracy. To address these problems, we consider two different architectures, namely the Transformer Transducer and the standard sequence-to-sequence Transformer, and compare them in terms of accuracy and performance. Our approach can model language dependencies and relies only on the attention mechanism, making it more parallelizable and less complex. We adopt pre-trained Transformers for both image understanding and language modeling. Evaluation results on the Arabic KHATT dataset show that our proposed method outperforms the current state-of-the-art on Arabic handwritten text recognition task.
Open Genes — a new comprehensive database of human genes associated with aging and longevity
Authors: Rafikova Ekaterina , Nemirovich-Danchenko Nikolay , Ogmen Anna , Parfenenkova Anna , Velikanova Anastasiia , Tikhonov Stanislav , Peshkin Leonid , Rafikov Konstantin , Spiridonova Olga , Belova Yulia , Batin Mickhail
Published: December 2022

Open Genes database is created to enhance and simplify the search for potential aging therapy targets. We collected data on 2402 genes associated with aging and developed convenient tools for searching and comparing gene features. We provided a comprehensive description for genes, such as lifespan-extending interventions, aging-related changes, longevity associations, gene evolution, associations with diseases and hallmarks of aging, and functions of gene products.
We provided detailed structured data for each experiment needed to evaluate the quality and interpret the study result. Our goal was to stay objective and precise while connecting a particular gene and human aging. We distinguished 6 types of studies and 12 criteria for adding genes to our database. Genes were classified according to the confidence level of the link between the gene and aging. All data collected in a database are provided both by API and user interface. The database is publicly available on a website https://open-genes.org/.
Surface Temperature above 100 °C under Solar Light through Intrinsic Selective Solar Absorbers
Authors: Vomiero Alberto , Taranova Anastasiia , Akbar Kamran , Yusupov Khabib , Polewczyk Vincent , Mauri Silvia , Rosen Johanna , Moras Paolo , Moretti Elisa
Published: December 2022

The combination of the ability to absorb most of the solar radiation and simultaneously suppress infrared re-radiation allows selective solar absorbers to maximize solar energy to heat conversion, which is critical to several advanced applications1,2. The intrinsic spectral selective materials are rare in nature and only a few demonstrated complete solar absorption3. Typically, intrinsic materials exhibit high performances only when they are integrated as a component in multilayered complex solar absorbers, due to their limited spectral selectivity and solar absorption4. In this study, we propose CoSbx(2<x<3) as a new and highly efficient selective solar absorber. The low bandgap nature of CoSbx endows broadband solar absorption of 0.98 over the solar spectral range and simultaneous low emissivity (0.18) in the mid-infrared region. Here we report a high intrinsic spectral solar selectivity of 5.4 for the nanostructured narrow bandgap semiconductor CoSbx. Under 1 sun illumination, the heat concentrates on the surface of the thin film of CoSbx, and a high temperature of 101.7 °C is reached, demonstrating the highest value among reported selective solar absorbers. Furthermore, the CoSbx was tested for solar water evaporation achieving an evaporation rate of 1.4 kg∙m-2∙h-1. This study may broaden the application of narrow bandgap semiconductors for use as highly efficient intrinsic selective solar absorbers and high surface temperature usage under solar illumination.
Multiple Mini-Interviews is A Predictor of Students’ Academic Achievements in Early Undergraduate Medical Years: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Alam Faiza , Chee Lim Ya , Chaw Li Ling , Idris Fazean , Kok Kenneth Yuh Yen
Published: December 2022

Background
Our study determined Multiple Mini-Interview (MMI) effectiveness in evaluating specific skill sets based on medical students’ performances during the undergraduate years and compared the academic performances of medical students who appeared for onsite/online MMI.
Methods
A retrospective study of 140 undergraduate medical students between 2016 and 2020 included data on age, gender, pre-university results, MMI scores, and examination results. Appropriate non-parametric tests were applied to compare the students’ MMI and academic performances.
Results
Ninety-eight students from cohorts 12 to 15 had an overall MMI score of 69.0(IQR: 65.0–73.2)/100 and an overall Cumulative Grade Point Average(GPA) of 3.64 (3.42–3.78)/5.0. Spearman’s correlation revealed a significantly positive relationship between MMI and cGPA (rho = 0.23) and GPA from the first 2 semesters (GPA1 rho = 0.25, GPA2 rho = 0.27). This observation was similar to that for station A in the first year (cGPA rho = 0.28, GPA1 rho = 0.34, GPA2 rho = 0.24), and in station B (GPA4 rho = 0.25) and D (GPA3 rho = 0.28, GPA4 rho = 0.24) in the second year. Of twenty-nine cohort16 students, 17(58.6%) underwent online and 12(41.4%) offline modes of MMI assessment, respectively. The overall median MMI score was 66.6(IQR: 58.6–71.6)/100, and the overall median cGPA was 3.45 (3.23–3.58)/5.0. When comparing the median marks of cohort16 groups, the online group scored significantly higher marks for station D than the offline group (p = 0.040).
Conclusion
Correspondence between MMI scores and cGPA predicted MMI scoring during student selection and entry process might ensure the success of their academic performance in medical school.
Effects of potassium management on enzyme activity and cotton fiber cellulose content
Authors: Echer Fabio Rafael , Perez Vinicius José Souza , Baltazar Giuliano Oliveira Carnevalli , Silva Gustavo Ricardo Aguiar , Moro Adriana Lima , Gorni Pedro Henrique , Rosolem Ciro Antonio
Published: December 2022

Background
Potassium (K) is prone to be washed out of plant tissues independent of mineralization since it is not strongly bound to organic structures in the plant. Therefore, cover crops can enhance K cycling in cropping systems increasing the nutrient use efficiency by taking it up deep in the soil profile and releasing it on the soil surface. However, it is not clear if this cycling would have an effect on cotton morphophysiology, enzyme activity, and eventually on fiber quality.
Results
Cotton leaf area index was increased late in the season by K, with small differences between fertilized treatments, but was highest at full bloom when at least part of the K was applied to cotton Consequently, the enzymatic activity and accumulation of cellulose in the cotton fiber were also increased.
Conclusions
Potassium fertilization improves cotton physiological parameters such as leaf area index, but the effect on enzyme activity depends on the enzyme and on the cotton cultivar. Early cellulose accumulation in the fiber is favored by potassium fertilization and cotton rotation with ruzigrass.
Factors associated with weight loss by age among community-dwelling older people
Authors: Yano Tomoko , Godai Kayo , Kabayama Mai , Akasaka Hiroshi , Takeya Yasushi , Yamamoto Koichi , Yasumoto Saori , Masui Yukie , Arai Yasumichi , Ikebe Kazunori , Ishizaki Tatsuro , Gondo Yasuyuki , Rakugi Hiromi , Kamide Kei
Published: December 2022

Background: Factors associated with weight loss in community-dwelling older people have been reported in several studies, but few studies have examined factors associated with weight loss by age groups. The purpose of this study was to clarify factors associated with weight loss by age in community-dwelling older people through a longitudinal study.
Methods: Participants in the SONIC study (Longitudinal Epidemiological Study of the Elderly) were community-dwelling people aged 70 or older. The participants were divided into two groups : 5% weight loss and maintenance groups, and compared. In addition, we examined factors affecting weight loss by age. The analysis method used was the χ2 test, and the t-test was used for comparison of the two groups. Factors associated with 5% weight loss at 3 years were examined using logistic regression analysis with sex, age, household, cognitive function, grip strength, and the serum albumin level as explanatory variables.
Results: Of the 1157 subjects, the proportions showing 5% weight loss after 3 years among all subjects, those aged 70 years, 80 years, and 90 years, were 20.5, 13.8, 26.8, and 30.5%, respectively. In logistic regression analysis, factors associated with 5% weight loss at 3 years by age were influenced by BMI of 25 or higher (OR=1.90, 95%CI=1.08-3.34, p =0.026), a married couple household (OR=0.49, 95%=0.28-0.86, p =0.013), serum albumin level below 3.8 g/dL (OR=10.75, 95%=1.90-60.73, p =0.007) at age 70, and the grip strength at age 90 (OR=1.24, 95%CI=1.02-1.51, p =0.034), respectively.
Conclusions: The results suggest that factors associated with weight loss by age in community-dwelling older people through a longitudinal study differ by age. In the future, this study will be useful to propose effective interventions to prevent factors associated with weight loss by age in community-dwelling older people.
The COVID-19 pandemic and alcohol consumption among adult population in Singapore: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Saing Chan Hang , Lin Ruixi , Oy Sreymom , Ung Mengieng , Yi Siyan
Published: December 2022

Background
The COVID-19 pandemic may either increase or reduce substance use. This study examines the impact of the pandemic on changes in alcohol consumption in the adult population in Singapore.
Methods
We conducted this online survey between July and November 2020 among 264 adults. We employed bivariate and multivariable logistic regression to identify factors associated with the intention to decrease alcohol use during the pandemic.
Results
The two-week pre- and post-COVID-19 prevalence of alcohol use were 53.3% and 50.2%, respectively. The Chi-square tests did not indicate any significant changes in the prevalence of alcohol use in both the total sample and across sociodemographic groups. In the multivariable logistic regression model, the odds of having no intention to decrease alcohol were significantly higher among participants holding at least a master’s degree than those with high school education or lower (AOR 3.90, 95% CI 1.62–9.42). The odds of not having the intention to decrease alcohol were significantly lower among the participants aged 45+ (AOR 0.39, 95% CI 0.16–0.92) and the participants reported feeling active (AOR 0.49, 95% CI 0.26–0.91) than those aged 21–34 and those feeling less active, respectively.
Conclusions
This study did not find significant changes in alcohol consumption before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, suggesting that the government restrictions might have had a limited impact on alcohol use. The findings highlight the need for community psychosocial support among young adults to avoid the risk of elevated alcohol use during the pandemic.
Analysis of clinical characteristics and risk factors of community-acquired pneumonia complicated by parapneumonic pleural effusion in elderly patients
Authors: Zhong Mingmei , Ni Ruiqin , Zhang Huizhen , Sun Yangyang
Published: December 2022

Bcckground:
Community acquired pneumonia (CAP) patients usually combine with parapneumonic pleural effusion (PPE), and complicates the treatment of pneumonia. This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics and risk factors of community acquired pneumonia (CAP) patients hospitalized with parapneumonic pleural effusion (PPE) in elderly.
Methods
The clinical data of 132 elderly patients with CAP were retrospectively analyzed. 54 patients with PPE (PPE group) and 78 patients without PPE [NPPE (non parapneumonic pleural effusion) group] were included in this study. Clinical data, laboratory examination, treatment and other related indicators were collected. Univariate analysis and multivariate Logistic regression analysis will be used to explore the possible risk factors for PPE.
Results
PPE patients were significantly more likely to be older, comorbid with neurological diseases, occur chest tightness and lasting fever (t = − 2.351, χ༒ = 4.175, χ༒ = 14.103, t = − 2.242, P < 0.05). In contrast to NEEP patients, the total number of lymphocytes, serum albumin and blood sodium levels in PPE group were significantly lower (Z = − 2.634, t = 3.597, t = 2.153, all P < 0.05), blood D-dimer and C-reactive protein (CRP) were significantly higher (Z = − 2.254, t = − 2.380, all P < 0.05), the CURB-65 score was significantly higher (t = -3.543, P = 0.001), the use rate of carbapenems or glycopeptides antibiotics was higher (χ༒ = 5.641, P = 0.018), the length of hospital stay was longer (t=-2.073, P = 0.04), and the in-hospital mortality of PPE patients was significantly higher (χ༒ = 12.551, P < 0.001). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that chest tightness (OR = 3.964, 95%CI: 1.254 ~ 12.537, P = 0.019), long duration of fever (OR = 1.108, 95%CI: 1.009 ~ 1.217, P = 0.032), low serum albumin (OR = 0.876, 95%CI: 0.790 ~ 0.971, P = 0.012) and low blood sodium (OR = 0.896, 95%CI: 0.828 ~ 0.969, P = 0.006) were significant risk factors for elderly CAP patients combine with PPE.
Conclusion
A risk factor analysis was performed, elderly patients with CAP have a higher incidence of PPE, higher mortality and longer hospital stay. Chest tightness, long duration of fever, low serum albumin and low blood sodium are risk factors for PPE.
IoT implementation in smart tourism: a future study Approach
Authors: kaveh khadijeh , Nekooeezadeh Maryam , Alimohammadlou Moslem
Published: December 2022

Future study is an approach that contributes the active directors in tourism field to prepare the ground to import smartening technologies e.g., Internet of Things (IoT) in tourism by long term planning and to help its growth and development. The present study aims to predict and identify the foremost effective factors and prepare Plausible and favorable futures in line with implementation of IoT to smarten tourism destinations at Fars province in Iran. The Fars Province is assumed as one of Iranian tourism poles. Data were collected in this study using methodologies of systematic review of literature, interview and questionnaire. Data were analyzed by the aid of Scenario Wizard and MICMAC software. The MICMAC results showed that 14 key variables played the main role in IoT implementation for smartening of tourism destination at Fars Province. In this study, two strong scenarios in the forward conditions are imagined, among which one scenario of promising and favorable conditions, and another scenario of intermediate and critical conditions are shown.
Diagnostic Performance of Different TI-RADS in the Evaluation of Thyroid Nodules in Comparison to and in Combination with a Computer-aided Diagnostic System
Authors: Jing Chen , yang keen , Huang Zhibin , Tang Shuzhen , Xu Jinfeng , Dong Fajin
Published: December 2022

Background This retrospective study aimed to compare the diagnostic performance of CAD and various TI-RADS applied by sonographers, and to assess if CAD can improve the diagnostic performance of sonographers. Methods 95 patients with a total of 150 thyroid nodules (TNs) were enrolled in the study. Three sonographers and the S-thyroid CAD system separately evaluated the thyroid images according to the TIRADS classification. Four mixed models were created using doctors’ classification and S-thyroid system evaluation (model1: Eu-TR4 + Eu-TR5 and risk, model2: Eu-TR4 + Eu-TR5 or risk, model3: Eu-TR5 and risk, model4: Eu-TR5 and risk) to investigate whether S-thyroid system could assist sonographers in feasibility diagnosis. Results The ICC values for S-thyroid CAD-based ACR-TIRADS and the sonographers-based ACR-TIRADS was 0.76. The ICCs for sonographers and CAD ultrasound features of TNs were 0.60 (shape), 0.77 (edge), 0 .61 (echo), 0.48 (calcification), and 0.46 (composition). Sensitivity, specificity, and AUC of Eu-TIRADS were higher, 90.47%, 92.42%, and 0.94, respectively. However, the differences in ROC curves between these three TI-RADS and the S-thyroid system ACR-TIRADS were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). In the CAD, the AUC, sensitivity, and specificity of risk assessment were higher than those of S-thyroid ACR-TIRADS (0.90, 90.48%, 82.82% vs 79.76%, 90.90%, 0.89). Among the mixed models 1–4, model 1 and model 3 had the higher AUC and PPV, respectively, 0.91 and 94% (model 1) and 0.90 and 96% (model 3). When two sonographers with different qualifications classified TNs using Eu-TRIADS, the AUC was 0.94 for both. Additionally, the AUC was higher in model 1 and model 3, 0.90 and 0.93, respectively. Conclusions C-TIRADS, ACR-TIRADS, Eu-TIRADS, and S-thyroid ACR-TIRADS are all effective in classifying TNs. S-thyroid CAD-based ACR-TIRADS and the sonographers-based ACR-TIRADS showed excellent interobserver agreement. CAD system may become an additional diagnostic method for the diagnosis of TNs and improve the diagnostic performance of less experienced sonographers.
Common Salt Aggravated Pathophysiology of Testosterone-Induced Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia in Adult Male Wistar Rat
Authors: Bello Idris Idowu , Omigbodun Akinyinka O. , Morhason-Bello Imran O
Published: December 2022

Background Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a major health concern in men associated with lower urinary tract symptoms and sexual dysfunction. Recurrent inflammation, decreased apoptotic rate and oxidative stress are some of the theories that explain the pathophysiology of BPH. Common salt, a food additive, is known to cause systemic inflammation and redox imbalance, and may serve as potential risk factors for BPH development or progression. This study examined the effect of common salt intake on the pathophysiology of testosterone-induced BPH. Methods Forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups (10 in each group): the control group and three salt diet groups-low salt diet (LSD), standard salt diet (SSD) and high salt diet (HSD). The rats were castrated, allowed to recuperate and placed on salt free diet (control), 0.25% salt diet (LSD), 0.5% salt diet (SSD) and 1.25% salt diet (HSD) for 60 daysad libitum.On day 33, BPH was induced in all the rats with daily injection of testosterone propionate (Testost®) for 28 days. The rats had overnight (12 hours) on day 60 and euthanized the following day in order to collect blood and prostate samples for biochemical, molecular and immunohistochemistry (IHC) analyses. Mean ± SD values were calculated and compared for significant difference with t-test (control and salt diet groups) and one-way ANOVA (in between salt diet groups) at p < 0.05. Results There was a significant rise in prostatic levels of IL-6, IL-8 and COX-2 in salt diet groups and moderate IHC staining of COX-2 in HSD group. The prostatic level of IL-17, IL-1β, PGE2, relative prostate weight and serum PSA levels were not statistically different. The concentrations of IGF-1, TGF-β were similar in all the groups but there was fold increase in Bcl-2 expression in salt diet groups-LSD (13.2), SSD (9.5) and HSD (7.9) and fold decrease in VEGF expression in LSD (-6.3), SSD (-5.1) and HSD (-14.1). Activity of SOD and concentration of nitric oxide increased in LSD and SSD groups, and SSD and HSD groups respectively. Activities of glutathione peroxidase and catalase, and concentration of NADPH and hydrogen peroxide were not significantly different. IHC result showed positive immunostaining for iNOS expression in all the groups whereas histopathology revealed moderate to severe prostate hyperplasia in salt diet groups. Conclusions There is a relationship between dietary salt intake and risk testosterone-induced BPH in Wistar rats, possibly, by promoting inflammation, oxidative stress, and suppressing apoptosis. These results reveal that intake of dietary salt at low, standard and high quantity aggravated the pathophysiology of testosterone-induced BPH in Wistar rats by promoting inflammation, oxidative stress, and suppressing apoptosis.
Unusual gingival actinomycosis post allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplant: case report
Authors: Bruno Julia Stephanie , Miranda-Silva Wanessa , Heidrich Vitor , Goncalves Marianne de Castro , Novis Yana , Rodrigues-Arrais Celso , Camargo Anamaria Aranha , Fregnani Eduardo Rodrigues
Published: December 2022

Background

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (allo-HSCT) is used to treat several hematological diseases, but immunosuppression during allo-HSCT facilitates opportunistic microbial growth in tissues, such as actinomycosis. An effective diagnosis of opportunistic diseases is essential for correct management of the disease and preservation of the immunosuppressed patient’s life.

Case description

A 57-year-old female patient was diagnosed with extranodal nasal type NK/T cell lymphoma and underwent curative treatment with allo-HSCT. Twenty-one days after the last clinical follow-up, the patient presented a necrotizing lesion in the papilla region between the first and second molars of the second quadrant. Histopathological analysis showed the presence of a bacterial cluster consistent with Actinomyces infection, and a dense lymphoid infiltrate was also observed. Immunohistochemistry for CD20, CD3, and CD56 was performed to exclude the possibility of the recurrence of extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma. Oral microbiota profiling showed a huge increase in the abundance of Actinomyces bacteria in the subgingival region three weeks prior to appearance of the lesion.

Conclusions

Opportunistic infections with an unusual clinical appearance are confounding factors in therapeutic decision-making. We present for the first time a case of actinomycosis in the gingival papilla region following allo-HSCT. We also highlight how microbiota profiling through next-generation sequencing could be used to anticipate bacterial infection diagnosis.
Oligogenic inheritance in severe adult obesity
Authors: Almansoori Sumaya , Alsters Suzanne , Yiorkas Andrianos , Hashim Nikman Adli Nor , Walters Robin , Chahal Harvinder , Purkayastha Sanjay , Lessan Nader , Blakemore Alexandra
Published: December 2022

The genetic architecture of extreme non-syndromic obesity in adults remains to be elucidated. A range of genes are known to cause monogenic obesity but, even when pathogenic mutations are present, there may be variable penetrance. Here, we present a family where initial discovery of a proband with a mutation in SH2B1 could have led to inaccurate genetic counselling. Whole exome sequencing (WES) of the parents revealed an apparently oligogenic mode of inheritance, with rare mutations in POGZ and MBD5 also segregating in this trio. Subsequent reanalysis of WES data from 91 unrelated adults with severe obesity revealed two other patients who carried more than one rare, predicted-deleterious mutation. In all three cases, the genes involved had known autosomal dominant inheritance, with incomplete penetrance. We caution clinicians and researchers to avoid confining their analysis to individual genes and, in particular, not to stop looking when the first potentially-causative mutation is found.
Low-temperature plasma radiofrequency ablation and autologous conjunctival transplantation for pterygium excision.
Authors: Song Zhen , Jin Xin , Zhu Rui , Wang Jingrao , Zhang Hong
Published: December 2022

Background/Aims:

To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of low-temperature plasma radiofrequency ablation combined with autologous conjunctival transplantation for pterygium excision.
Methods: In order to verify the safety of low-temperature plasma radiofrequency ablation, we conducted animal experiments to observe corneal structure by anterior segment photography, anterior optical coherence tomography, HE staining and immunohistochemistry(MMP-9,TNF-a) before and after corneal burning at different ablation energies (20, 15, 10, 0J/cm2)and different point in time(0,3d,1w,2w). Then, we observed preoperative and postoperative treatment effect of 121 eyes of 120 patients with primary pterygium from June 2018 to June 2020. 59 patients treated with pterygium excision and autologous conjunctival transplantation, 61 patients treated with pterygium excision by low-temperature plasma radiofrequency ablation and autologous conjunctival transplantation. The time to strip the pterygium, the integrity of the cornea and the number of inflammatory cell infiltration were observed and recorded. All patients were followed up for 18 months to observe whether the pterygium recurred.
Results: The animal experiment confirmed that suitable low-temperature plasma radiofrequency ablation energies has no damage to the corneal tissue structure. Only one case recurred during the year of follow-up. Low-temperature plasma radiofrequency ablation can reduce the time to strip the pterygium, can better maintain the integrity of the damaged cornea and reduce the number of inflammatory cell infiltration, can reduce recurrence rate.
Conclusions: Low-temperature plasma radiofrequency ablation combined with autologous conjunctival transplantation is an safety and effective pterygium excision.
User Selection Scheme based on Reference Frames
Authors: Li Meihui , Huang Yi , Wang Haiquan , Zhao Zhijin
Published: December 2022

For a multi-user (MU) massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) system, its total throughput is directly related to the degree of mutual interference among user's channel vectors accessing the communication system. Selecting a group of users with the least mutual interference can maximize the total throughput, and thus, it is important to select users with low-mutual correlations. The paper designs two effective MU selection schemes with low-complexity. Specifically, based on channel characteristic, reference frames with low correlation are contructed. Then, the user whose channel is nearby an vector in the reference frame is selected, and different selected users are close to different vectors in the reference frame. Consequently, it can guarantee that the selected users have low mutual correlations. Comparing to the existing user selection schemes, the proposed algorithms exhibit better performance. Moreover, the schemes are more flexible, that is, the schemes can be applied into different environments, such as different number of antennas at base station (BS), different candidates, different number of selected users etc, based on different reference frames.
Efficacy of combined transbronchial lung cryobiopsy and conventional forceps biopsy for lung malignancies: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Kinoshita Kohei , Morikawa Kei , Tsuruoka Hajime , Chosokabe Motohiro , Kida Hirotaka , Handa Hiroshi , Inoue Takeo , Miyazawa Tomoyuki , Saji Hisashi , Mineshita Masamichi
Published: December 2022

Background and objective: There are few prospective reports of transbronchial lung cryobiopsy (TBLC) for malignant tumors in combination with forceps biopsy. We investigated the clinical parameters in which TBLC is superior to forceps biopsy.
Methods: This is a prospective cohort study to analyse the efficacy of TBLC for suspected malignancy. TBLC was performed after brushing cytology and forceps biopsy, and the diagnostic yield for TBLC, brushing cytology, and forceps biopsy were examined. Adverse events were defined as those requiring additional procedures. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) analysis was performed in each case of non-small cell lung cancer. Registry: UMIN-CTR (identifier: UMIN000039618)
Results: Of the 100 patients, malignancy was confirmed in 94 cases. The diagnostic yield for TBLC/forceps biopsy/brushing cytology was 86/81/82% respectively, while the diagnostic yield for all procedures combined was 94%. There was no significant difference in the diagnostic yield between TBLC and forceps biopsy. When comparing the biopsy site, the diagnostic yield for TBLC at the lower lobe was significantly higher than forceps biopsy (P<0.01). Endobronchial ultrasonography imaging using a guide-sheath did not significantly differ in the diagnostic yield of TBLC. The success rate of NGS for TBLC specimens was 100% (26 cases). Adverse events included two cases of severe bleeding.
Conclusion: TBLC of peripheral lesions may improve the diagnostic yield when combined with forceps biopsy and brushing cytology. The diagnostic yield of TBLC was higher at the lower lobes. Furthermore, TBLC provided sufficient specimen quality for NGS.
A new protective gel to facilitate ulcer healing in artificial ulcers following esophageal endoscopic submucosal dissection: A multicenter, randomized trial
Authors: Zhou Tianyu , Mao Xinli , Xu Lei , Jin Haifeng , Cen Li , Dong Caijuan , Xin Linying , Wu Jiali , Lin Weimiao , Lv Bin , Ji Feng , Yu Chaohui , Shen Zhe
Published: December 2022

There are significant risks of adverse events such as stricture, delayed bleeding and perforation following esophageal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). So, it is necessary to protect the artificial ulcer and promote the healing process. This study was performed to investigate the protective role of a novel gel against esophageal ESD-associated wounds. It was a multicenter, randomized, single-blind, controlled trial, which recruited participants who underwent esophageal ESD in four hospitals in China. Participants were randomly assigned to the control or experimental group in a 1:1 ratio and the gel was used after ESD in the latter. Masking of the study group allocations was only attempted for participants. The participants were instructed to report any adverse events on post-ESD day 1, 14, and 30. Moreover, repeat endoscopy was performed at the two-week follow-up to confirm wound healing. Finally, of the 92 recruited patients, 81 completed the study. In the experimental group, the healing rates were significantly higher than the control group (83.89 ± 9.51% vs. 73.28 ± 17.81%, P = 0.0013). Participants reported no severe adverse events during the follow-up period. In conclusion, this novel gel could accelerate wound healing following esophageal ESD safely, effectively, and conveniently. Therefore, we recommend to apply this gel in daily clinical practice.
An Integrated Evaluation Approach of wearable lower limb Exoskeletons for Human Performance Augmentation
Authors: Zhang Xiao , Chen Xue , Huo Bo , Liu Chenglin , Zhu Xiaorong , Zu Yuanyuan , Wang Xiliang , Chen Xiao , Sun Qing
Published: December 2022

Wearable robots have been growing exponentially during the past years and it is crucial to quantify the performance effectiveness and to convert them into practical benchmarks. Although there exist some common metrics such as metabolic cost, many other characteristics still needs to be presented and demonstrated. In this study, we developed an integrated evaluation (IE) approach of wearable exoskeletons of lower limb focusing on human performance augmentation. We proposed a novel classification of trial tasks closely related to exoskeleton functions, which were divided into three categories, namely, basic trial at the preliminary phase, semi-reality trial at the intermediate phase, and reality trial at the advanced phase. In the present study, the IE approach has been exercised with a subject who wore an active power-assisted knee (APAK) exoskeleton with three types of trial tasks, including walking on a treadmill at a certain angle, walking up and down on three-step stairs, and ascending in 11-storey stairs. Three wearable conditions were carried out in each trial task, i.e. with unpowered exoskeleton, with powered exoskeleton, and without the exoskeleton. Nine performance indicators (PIs) for evaluating performance effectiveness were adopted basing on three aspects of goal-level, task-based kinematics, and human-robot interactions. Results indicated that compared with other conditions, the powered APAK exoskeleton make generally lesser heart rate (HR), Metabolic equivalent (METs), biceps femoris (BF) and rectus femoris (RF) muscles activation of the subject at the preliminary phase and intermediate phase, however, with minimal performance augmentation at advanced phase, suggesting that the APAK exoskeleton is not suitable for marketing and should be further improved. In the future, continuous iterative optimization for the IE approach may help the robot community to attain a comprehensive benchmarking methodology for robot-assisted locomotion more efficiently.
LncRNA-BC069792 suppresses tumor progression by targeting KCNQ4 in breast cancer
Authors: Zhang Yunxiang , Guo Xiangyu , Dong Xiaotong , Fan Yanping , Li ChunSen , Yuan Dawei , Li Meizeng , Zheng Jie , Li Hongli , Gao Peng
Published: December 2022

Background
Breast cancer is the most common malignant tumor that threatens women's health. The study of long-chain non-coding RNA (lncRNA) in breast cancer has been paid more and more attention, which is related to the progression of breast cancer, but the specific mechanism is not clear.
Methods
In this study, we explored the role of lncRNA BC069792 in breast cancer. In vitro and in vivo functional experiments were carried out in cell culture and mouse models. High-throughput next-generation sequencing technology and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR technology were used to evaluate differentially expressed genes and mRNA expression, Western blot and immunohistochemical staining were used to detect protein expression. RNA immunoprecipitation assay and dual-luciferase activity assay were used to evaluate the competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNA), and rescue and mutation experiments were used for verification.
Results
We found that lncRNA BC069792 was expressed at low level in breast cancer tissues, and significantly decreased in breast cancer with high pathological grade, lymph node metastasis and high Ki-67 index groups. Moreover, BC069792 inhibited the proliferation, invasion and metastasis of breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Mechanically, BC069792 acts as a molecular sponge to adsorb hsa-miR-658 and hsa-miR-4739, to up-regulate the protein expression of Potassium Voltage-Gated Channel Q4 (KCNQ4), inhibit the activities of JAK2 and p-AKT, and play a role in inhibiting breast cancer growth.
Conclusions
LncRNA BC069792 plays the role of tumor suppressor gene in breast cancer and is a new diagnostic index and therapeutic target in breast cancer.