bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Rare Case of NUT Carcinoma of the Thyroid
Authors: Cadesky Adam , Schulman-Rosenbaum Rifka , Carter Amanda , Paul Elizabeth , Jaggi Shuchie
Published: March 2024

NUT carcinoma is an aggressive, poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma, defined by rearrangement of the NUTM1 (Nuclear Protein in Testis) gene. Diagnosis is challenging due to histologic similarities with other poorly differentiated tumors requiring advanced diagnostic techniques. There is no established treatment, and prognosis remains extremely poor. A 27-year-old woman without known medical history presented with a rapidly enlarging neck mass and compressive symptoms. Chemotherapy for presumed squamous cell carcinoma with a component of anaplastic thyroid cancer based on pathology was initiated. Next-generation sequencing revealed thyroid NUT carcinoma with high PD-L1 expression, prompting PD-1 targeted therapy. The patient expired shortly afterwards from progressive disease. NUT carcinoma of thyroid origin is an extremely rare disease. This case brings awareness to the disease, highlights the importance of advanced diagnostic techniques and complexities in managing patients with NUT carcinoma.
Carry-over effect of artificial light at night on daytime mating activity in an ecologically important detritivore, the amphipod Gammarus pulex
Authors: He Yuhan , Ganguly Anirban , Lindgren Susan , Quispe Laura , Suvanto Corinne , Zhao Kangshun , Candolin Ulrika
Published: March 2024

Artificial light at night (ALAN) is a growing environmental problem influencing the fitness of individuals through effects on their physiology and behaviour. Research on animals has primarily focused on effects on behaviour during the night, whereas less is known about effects transferred to daytime. Here, we investigated in the lab the impact of ALAN on the mating behaviour of an ecologically important freshwater amphipod, Gammarus pulex, during both daytime and nighttime. We manipulated the presence of ALAN and the intensity of male–male competition for access to females, and found the impact of ALAN on mating activity to be stronger during daytime than during nighttime, independent of male–male competition. At night, ALAN only reduced the probability of precopula pair formation, while during the daytime, it both decreased general activity and increased the probability of pair separation after pair formation. Thus, ALAN reduced mating success in G. pulex not only directly, through effects on mating behaviour at night, but also indirectly through a carry-over effect on daytime activity and the ability to remain in precopula. These results emphasise the importance of considering delayed effects of ALAN on organisms, including daytime activities that can be more important fitness determinants than nighttime activities.
PROCare4Life lessons learned
Authors: Gangas Pilar , Judica Elda , Marin Mayca , Bouça-Machado Raquel , Ferreira Joaquim J. , Louro Claudia , Brach Michael , Linnane David , Ahmed Mona , Bentlage Ellen , Semerci Yusuf Can , Proença Joao P. , Alfonso Jorge
Published: March 2024

PeRsOnalised Integrated CARE Solution for Elderly (PROCare4Life) was an EU-funded project that ran from January 2020 until June 2023, whose focus was to further develop and integrate previous ICT solutions developed by several previous EU-funded projects into a unique modular system able to support the autonomy and empowerment and to increase the Quality of Life (QoL) of elderly people living with Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, or similar dementia, having also tested the system for elderly people living with comorbidities. This article focuses on the methodology and results used to identify the internal lessons learned. PROCare4Life was developed using a codesign approach involving more than 2,000 participants whose input has been listened to and transformed into valuable changes of the system and also into lessons learned included in this case study report. Since the beginning of the implementation of PROCare4Life, there has been a commitment to make invisible knowledge visible through open discussion and including our lessons learned in each of our deliverables. In the last six months of implementation, qualitative research has been implemented by the PROCare4Life consortium to identify and select our most relevant challenges and recommendations for future projects and initiatives. PROCare4Life was highly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and it is acknowledged in the lessons learned. However, the consortium has focused on the recommendations that could be more valuable for ordinary implementation of future projects and initiatives developing eHealth tools for elderly citizens living with conditions that might affect their cognitive or mobility capacities.
Extrapolative Uncertainty and Household Economic Behavior
Authors: Fermand Elyas , Kuhnen Camelia M. , Li Geng , Ben-David Itzhak
Published: March 2024

We examine the uncertainty in households’ expectations regarding macroeconomic outcomes, namely inflation and the rate of nationwide home price growth. We document that people extrapolate from the instability of their personal and local environment when assessing the future volatility of these macroeconomic variables. Consequently, there are within-person spillovers in subjective uncertainty regarding different economic outcomes. This extrapolative behavior is more pronounced among lower-numeracy individuals, and it persists throughout the business cycle. People with more uncertain macroeconomic expectations are more likely to engage in precautionary behaviors regarding consumption and equity market exposure and are more concerned about credit market access.

This paper was accepted by David Simchi-Levi, finance.

Supplemental Material: The data files are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2023.00820 .
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the use of an inpatient and community palliative care service
Authors: Doo Irene , Fischer Amanda , Griffin Alison , Good Phillip
Published: March 2024

Background:

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the usual provision of healthcare, changing models of care, clinical loads, service provision and patient behaviour.

Aims:

This study assesses the impact of COVID-19 on community and inpatient palliative care service provision.

Methods:

A retrospective audit and comparison of service use conducted over two defined periods, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, 2019–2020.

Findings:

The community palliative care service had a 9% increase in referrals, with a lower proportion of referrals (2.4%) from subacute/palliative care hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Provision of care during the pandemic included less face-to-face contact with patients (24.1% versus 30.2% before), and markedly more contact with patients via videoconference (2.1% versus 0.1% before the pandemic).

Conclusion:

The community specialist palliative care service was busier during the pandemic period, and experienced a shift in mode of care delivery, while the inpatient unit experienced no difference in service use.
Chemosensory changes during chemotherapy
Authors: Mohamed Mona Abed El-Rahman , Ibrahim Noha Mohammed Ibrahim , Elezaby Hanan Hassan , Shehab Mariam Sabry
Published: March 2024

Background:

Chemosensory changes that occur during chemotherapy can significantly impact food enjoyment, quality of life and recovery.

Aim:

To investigate chemosensory changes reported by oncology patients during chemotherapy.

Methods:

A mixed-method cross-sectional study design was used to explore 100 cancer patients’ experiences of chemosensory changes during chemotherapy. All patients completed a questionnaire assessing their taste and smell preferences. A purposive sample of 30 patients underwent a semi-structured interview to elicit their thoughts on their experienced chemosensory changes. Descriptive statistics and themes were examined.

Findings:

The mean age of the sample was 50.56 years, and the majority of participants were female. The most stated taste alteration was bitter, while altered food preferences were also commonly experienced. Furthermore, most patients experienced unpleasant odours around food, while some experienced these odours even when food was not present. Overall, five themes were identified: changes in taste, changes in smell, changes in social life, altered comfort and food preferences.

Conclusion:

Chemosensory changes related to cancer and its treatment impact a person's nutrient intake, food-related behaviours, quality of life and treatment response. Patients who experience chemotherapy-associated chemosensory changes require specialised nutritional therapy to increase their eating-related pleasure. As part of the nutritional assessment, chemosensory alterations should be evaluated regularly.
‘Covering all the [welfare] basics’: a critical policy study of the Expert Panel on Basic Income report in British Columbia, Canada
Authors: Smith-Carrier Tracy , Forget Evelyn , Power Elaine , Halpenny Chloe
Published: March 2024

In 2018, British Columbia (BC), Canada’s third most populous province, announced the creation of an Expert Panel to explore the feasibility of introducing a basic income in BC. The Expert Panel on Basic Income prepared the policy report, Covering All the Basics: Reforms for a More Just Society, that responded to this task. Our research applies a critical policy studies approach to explore the ideologies, discursive strategies, and discourses embedded in and emanating from the report. In so doing, we find that the report reproduces problematic discourses about self-sufficiency, welfare dependency, and (poor) choice(s). Rather than discarding a basic income for the working-age population based on flawed assumptions and problematic beliefs, we invite policymakers to consider a more transformative vision that recognises the systemic roots of financial hardship, and embraces a basic income as a key building block of income security for BC and all of Canada.
The Truth About Africa's Coups
Authors: Opalo Ken Ochieng'
Published: March 2024

Abstract: The recent coups in Africa do not portend a return to praetorian politics in the region. They are the outcomes of country-specific historical processes associated with the underdevelopment of state capacity, the decay of political institutions, and the failures of electoral politics to improve citizens' material conditions. At the same time, the coups are an important warning regarding the state of democracy in Africa. Surveys show that majorities of Africans harbor both a deep dissatisfaction with democracy and an openness to military interventions to address civilian political dysfunction. While coup contagion is a remote possibility due to strong norms against military rule in much of the region, popular dissatisfaction with democracy and permissiveness towards military interventions in politics present a real risk of autocratization through elections.
Teaching the Religious History of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia
Authors: Hanson R. Scott
Published: March 2024

Abstract: Until 2006, when faculty in the Departments of History and Religion at Temple University designed the course Religion in Philadelphia, no university in Pennsylvania offered a course specifically on the religious history of the state. The following essay outlines the rationale for a course on religion in Philadelphia, the issues involved with teaching such a course, available texts and resources, and possible field trips and assignments. It also describes how the course has been adapted for online instruction and suggests how part(s) of it might be used in a more general course on the history of Pennsylvania or American religious history.
Thomas Aquinas and Priestly Formation: From His Life to Vatican II
Authors: Lynch Reginald M.
Published: March 2024

Abstract: This article outlines the relationship between Aquinas's thought and priestly formation, beginning in the thirteenth century and ending with the twentieth-century Magisterium. In relation to the other articles in this special issue, this article is meant to serve as a kind of introduction, providing important historical context for those more specialized treatments of the relevance of Aquinas's thought for different aspects of priestly formation today. Beginning with his personal formation for the priesthood, this article examines Aquinas's role in the formation of priests during his own life, and then the subsequent role of Aquinas's thought in priestly formation before the Council of Trent, and during the post-Tridentine period until the twentieth century.
Thomas Aquinas and the Theological Education of Seminarians
Authors: Dodds Michael J.
Published: March 2024

Abstract: Thomas Aquinas continues to be a valuable resource in the theological and pastoral formation of seminarians. Not only his writings but also his personal example of faith and prayer provide a foundation to sustain them throughout their priestly vocation.
Fabrication of silicon nitride based high-Q microring resonators prepared by the hot-wire CVD method and their applications to frequency comb generation
Authors: Sota Shota , Handa Koichiro , Fujii Shun , Tanabe Takasumi , Uzawa Yoshinori , Furusawa Kentaro , Sekine Norihiko
Published: March 2024

Fabrication of silicon nitride (SiN) based high-Q microring resonators prepared by the hot-wire chemical vapor deposition (HWCVD) method is presented. By the virtue of low-stress HWCVD films, no special precautions against crack propagation were required for high confinement waveguide device fabrication. By using an additional annealing process, the intrinsic Q factor in excess of 5 × 105 was obtained in the telecommunication C band, and which allowed us to observe frequency comb generation. We also investigated into the anneal temperature dependence of the residual hydrogen concentration in the film as well as the optical properties of the microring resonators.
Analysis of the Anisotropic Passive Jamming Clouds in Bistatic Scattering by the Physical Optics Method
Authors: Gong Wei , Cai Zhihao , Rao Zhenmin , He Siyuan
Published: March 2024

In this paper, an efficient method for analyzing the electromagnetic(EM) scattering behavior of the anisotropic passive jamming clouds in bistatic radar. The electromagnetic scattering characteristics of the anisotropic passive jamming clouds are described in tensor permittivity, which can increase the difficulty of calculation, and both reflection and transmission coefficients are included in the efficient calculation of radar cross section (RCS). Therefore, the relationship between electric and magnetic fields in anisotropic media is obtained by substituting the tensor permittivity into Maxwell's equation. Meanwhile, combining the electromagnetic field expressions and boundary conditions in different regions, the reflection coefficient matrix and the transmission coefficient matrix can be presented. Furthermore, the bistatic RCS of anisotropic passive jamming clouds can be calculated efficiently by the physical optics (PO) method. Moreover, the reflection and transmission coefficients are substituted into Maxwell's equations for the electromagnetic field in space, and the bistatic RCS of anisotropic passive jamming clouds can be solved. In order to verify the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed algorithm in this paper, the results of the proposed method are compared with the finite element method (FEM) in detail. The results fully prove the excellent performance of this algorithm. Hence, the reflection coefficient and the transmission coefficient combined with the PO method are suitable for analyzing the EM scatting characteristics of anisotropic passive jamming clouds.
Background-free mid-infrared absorption spectroscopy using sub-cycle pulses
Authors: Fuji Takao , Cabello Neil , Ozawa Shinta , Kusama Shota , Huang Wei-Hong , Luo Chih Wei , Zhao Yue
Published: March 2024

We have demonstrated highly sensitive single-shot based background-free mid-infrared (MIR) absorption spectroscopy using sub-cycle MIR pulses generated through filamentation. The MIR pulse transmitted through a sample was upconverted with a fast rising and long tailing gate pulse through four-wave difference frequency generation in a silicon membrane. By recording the upconverted spectrum of the free induction decay alone, we successfully measured the absorption spectrum as a positive signal in the wavenumber range from 500 to 4500 cm-1, which covers both the fingerprint and functional group regions. We obtained an absorption spectrum of ∼50 mM of aqueous glucose, which is not detectable with a standard Fourier transform infrared spectrometer.
Explainable ensemble learning method for OCT detection with transfer learning
Authors: Yang Jiasheng , Wang Guanfang , Xiao Xu , Bao Meihua , Tian Geng
Published: March 2024

The accuracy and interpretability of artificial intelligence (AI) are crucial for the advancement of optical coherence tomography (OCT) image detection, as it can greatly reduce the manual labor required by clinicians. By prioritizing these aspects during development and application, we can make significant progress towards streamlining the clinical workflow. In this paper, we propose an explainable ensemble approach that utilizes transfer learning to detect fundus lesion diseases through OCT imaging. Our study utilized a publicly available OCT dataset consisting of normal subjects, patients with dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and patients with diabetic macular edema (DME), each with 15 samples. The impact of pre-trained weights on the performance of individual networks was first compared, and then these networks were ensemble using majority soft polling. Finally, the features learned by the networks were visualized using Grad-CAM and CAM. The use of pre-trained ImageNet weights improved the performance from 68.17% to 92.89%. The ensemble model consisting of the three CNN models with pre-trained parameters loaded performed best, correctly distinguishing between AMD patients, DME patients and normal subjects 100% of the time. Visualization results showed that Grad-CAM could display the lesion area more accurately. It is demonstrated that the proposed approach could have good performance of both accuracy and interpretability in retinal OCT image detection.
Development and validation of multiplex one-step qPCR/RT-qPCR assays for simultaneous detection of SARS-CoV-2 and pathogens associated with feline respiratory disease complex
Authors: Thieulent Côme J. , Carossino Mariano , Peak Laura , Wolfson Wendy , Balasuriya Udeni B. R.
Published: March 2024

Feline respiratory disease complex (FRDC) is caused by a wide range of viral and bacterial pathogens. Both Influenza A virus (IAV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) also induce respiratory diseases in cats. Two one-step multiplex qPCR/RT-qPCR assays were developed and validated: FRA_1 (Feline respiratory assay 1) for the detection of four viral targets and FRA_2 for the detection of three bacteria associated with FRDC. Both multiplex assays demonstrated high specificity, efficiency (93.51%–107.8%), linearity (> 0.998), analytical sensitivity (≤ 15 genome copies/μl), repeatability (coefficient of variation [CV] < 5%), and reproducibility (CV < 6%). Among the 63 clinical specimens collected from FRDC-suspected cats, 92.1% were positive for at least one pathogen and co-infection was detected in 57.1% of samples. Mycoplasma felis (61.9%) was the most found pathogen, followed by feline herpesvirus-1 (30.2%), Chlamydia felis (28.7%) and feline calicivirus (27.0%). SARS-CoV-2 was detected in two specimens. In summary, this new panel of qPCR/RT-qPCR assays constitutes a useful and reliable tool for the rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2 and viral and bacterial pathogens associated with FRDC in cats.
Labor curves based on cervical dilatation over time and their accuracy and effectiveness: A systematic scoping review
Authors: Huurnink Johanne Mamohau Egenberg , Blix Ellen , Hals Elisabeth , Kaasen Anne , Bernitz Stine , Lavender Tina , Ahlberg Mia , Øian Pål , Høifødt Aase Irene , Miltenburg Andrea Solnes , Pay Aase Serine Devold
Published: March 2024

Objectives

This systematic scoping review was conducted to 1) identify and describe labor curves that illustrate cervical dilatation over time; 2) map any evidence for, as well as outcomes used to evaluate the accuracy and effectiveness of the curves; and 3) identify areas in research that require further investigation.

Methods

A three-step systematic literature search was conducted for publications up to May 2023. We searched the Medline, Maternity & Infant Care, Embase, Cochrane Library, Epistemonikos, CINAHL, Scopus, and African Index Medicus databases for studies describing labor curves, assessing their effectiveness in improving birth outcomes, or assessing their accuracy as screening or diagnostic tools. Original research articles and systematic reviews were included. We excluded studies investigating adverse birth outcomes retrospectively, and those investigating the effect of analgesia-related interventions on labor progression. Study eligibility was assessed, and data were extracted from included studies using a piloted charting form. The findings are presented according to descriptive summaries created for the included studies.

Results and implications for research

Of 26,073 potentially eligible studies, 108 studies were included. Seventy-three studies described labor curves, of which ten of the thirteen largest were based mainly on the United States Consortium on Safe Labor cohort. Labor curve endpoints were 10 cm cervical dilatation in 69 studies and vaginal birth in 4 studies. Labor curve accuracy was assessed in 26 studies, of which all 15 published after 1986 were from low- and middle–income countries. Recent studies of labor curve accuracy in high-income countries are lacking. The effectiveness of labor curves was assessed in 13 studies, which failed to prove the superiority of any curve. Patient-reported health and well-being is an underrepresented outcome in evaluations of labor curves. The usefulness of labor curves is still a matter of debate, as studies have failed to prove their accuracy or effectiveness.
Structural bioinformatics studies of serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine transporters and their AlphaFold2 predicted water-soluble QTY variants and uncovering the natural mutations of L->Q, I->T, F->Y and Q->L, T->I and Y->F
Authors: Karagöl Taner , Karagöl Alper , Zhang Shuguang
Published: March 2024

Monoamine transporters including transporters for serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine play key roles in monoaminergic synaptic signaling, involving in the molecular etiology of a wide range of neurological and physiological disorders. Despite being crucial drug targets, the study of transmembrane proteins remains challenging due to their localization within the cell membrane. To address this, we present the structural bioinformatics studies of 7 monoamine transporters and their water-soluble variants designed using the QTY code, by systematically replacing the hydrophobic amino acids leucine (L), valine (V), isoleucine (I) and phenylalanine (F) with hydrophilic amino acids (glutamine (Q), threonine (T) and tyrosine (Y). The resulting QTY variants, despite significant protein transmembrane sequence differences (44.27%-51.85%), showed similar isoelectric points (pI) and molecular weights. While their hydrophobic surfaces significantly reduced, this change resulted in a minimal structural alteration. Quantitatively, Alphafold2 predicted QTY variant structures displayed remarkable similarity with RMSD 0.492Å-1.619Å. Accompanied by the structural similarities of substituted amino acids in the context of 1.5Å electron density maps, our study revealed multiple QTY and reverse QTY variations in genomic databases. We further analyzed their phenotypical and topological characteristics. By extending evolutionary game theory to the molecular foundations of biology, we provided insights into the evolutionary dynamics of chemically distinct alpha-helices, their usage in different chemotherapeutic applications, and open possibilities of diagnostic medicine. Our study rationalizes that QTY variants of monoamine transporters may not only become distinct tools for medical, structural, and evolutionary research, but these transporters may also emerge as contemporary therapeutic targets, providing a new approach to treatment for several conditions.
The feasibility and clinical significance of lateral approach thyroidectomy
Authors: An Ran , Gu Yong-Xue , Ni Xi-Hao , Lei Ying , Wang Wei-Tao , Men Xiao-Juan , Ma Jing-Yi , Wang Chang-Liang
Published: March 2024

Background

By comparing the three lateral approaches to thyroidectomy, the feasibility and clinical effects were analyzed, and the advantages of the lateral approach were summarized.

Methods

From January 2022 to January 2023, 52 patients with thyroid cancer admitted to our department were selected and subjected to Lateral approach for thyroidectomy. Among them, 31 patients underwent thyroidectomy via the supraclavicular approach, 13 patients underwent endoscopic thyroidectomy via the subclavicular approach, and 8 patients underwent endoscopic thyroidectomy via the axillary approach. The basic conditions, surgical conditions, complications, postoperative pain scores and postoperative satisfaction of patients in the three approach surgery groups were recorded and analyzed.

Results

There were no significant differences among the three approach groups in terms of patient characteristics, number of central lymph node dissections, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage volume, duration of drainage tube placement, length of hospital stay, postoperative pain, satisfaction, and complications. However, the operation time was longest in the subclavicular approach group, followed by the axillary approach group, and shortest in the supraclavicular approach group. The total hospitalization cost was highest in the axillary approach group, followed by the subclavicular approach group, and lowest in the supraclavicular approach group.

Conclusion

The lateral approach for thyroidectomy is deemed a safe and effective method. The three different approach paths gradually increase in length, allowing for the accumulation of anatomical experience. This approach has a shorter learning curve for clinical doctors and is a favorable choice for patients seeking aesthetic benefits.
See Elegans: Simple-to-use, accurate, and automatic 3D detection of neural activity from densely packed neurons
Authors: Lanza Enrico , Lucente Valeria , Nicoletti Martina , Schwartz Silvia , Cavallo Ilaria F. , Caprini Davide , Connor Christopher W. , Saifuddin Mashel Fatema A. , Miller Julia M. , L’Etoile Noelle D. , Folli Viola
Published: March 2024

In the emerging field of whole-brain imaging at single-cell resolution, which represents one of the new frontiers to investigate the link between brain activity and behavior, the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans offers one of the most characterized models for systems neuroscience. Whole-brain recordings consist of 3D time series of volumes that need to be processed to obtain neuronal traces. Current solutions for this task are either computationally demanding or limited to specific acquisition setups. Here, we propose See Elegans, a direct programming algorithm that combines different techniques for automatic neuron segmentation and tracking without the need for the RFP channel, and we compare it with other available algorithms. While outperforming them in most cases, our solution offers a novel method to guide the identification of a subset of head neurons based on position and activity. The built-in interface allows the user to follow and manually curate each of the processing steps. See Elegans is thus a simple-to-use interface aimed at speeding up the post-processing of volumetric calcium imaging recordings while maintaining a high level of accuracy and low computational demands. (Contact: enrico.lanza@iit.it).
Prevalence of fatigue and cognitive impairment after traumatic brain injury
Authors: Wright Traver J. , Elliott Timothy R. , Randolph Kathleen M. , Pyles Richard B. , Masel Brent E. , Urban Randall J. , Sheffield-Moore Melinda
Published: March 2024

Background

Following traumatic brain injury (TBI) some patients develop lingering comorbid symptoms of fatigue and cognitive impairment. The mild cognitive impairment self-reported by patients is often not detected with neurocognitive tests making it difficult to determine how common and severe these symptoms are in individuals with a history of TBI. This study was conducted to determine the relative prevalence of fatigue and cognitive impairment in individuals with a history of TBI.

Methods

The Fatigue and Altered Cognition Scale (FACs) digital questionnaire was used to assess self-reported fatigue and cognitive impairment. Adults aged 18–70 were digitally recruited for the online anonymous study. Eligible participants provided online consent, demographic data, information about lifetime TBI history, and completed the 20 item FACs questionnaire.

Results

A total of 519 qualifying participants completed the online digital study which included 204 participants with a history of TBI of varied cause and severity and 315 with no history of TBI. FACs Total Score was significantly higher in the TBI group (57.7 ± 22.2) compared to non-TBI (39.5 ± 23.9; p<0.0001) indicating more fatigue and cognitive impairment. When stratified by TBI severity, FACs score was significantly higher for all severity including mild (53.9 ± 21.9, p<0.0001), moderate (54.8 ± 24.4, p<0.0001), and severe (59.7 ± 20.9, p<0.0001) TBI. Correlation analysis indicated that more severe TBI was associated with greater symptom severity (p<0.0001, r = 0.3165). Ancillary analysis also suggested that FACs scores may be elevated in participants with prior COVID-19 infection but no history of TBI.

Conclusions

Adults with a history of even mild TBI report significantly greater fatigue and cognitive impairment than those with no history of TBI, and symptoms are more profound with greater TBI severity.
Transgenerational effects of pyriproxyfen in a field strain of Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae)
Authors: Iqbal Naeem , Sadiq Nauman , Naqqash Muhammad Nadir , Usman Muhammad , Khan Hafiz Azhar Ali , Abid Allah Ditta , Shahzad Muhammad Sohail
Published: March 2024

Musca domestica L. (Muscidae: Diptera) is a human and livestock pest especially in tropical and sub-tropical areas. Different insecticides have been used to control this pest that pose serious harmful effects on humans and the environment. The current study was planned to investigate the effects of two concentrations (LC25 and LC50) of pyriproxyfen on biological and population parameters of a field strain of M. domestica. The exposed parents (F0) and their progeny (F1) were studied to examine the transgenerational effects. The results indicated that preadult duration was higher in control (13.68 days) compared to LC50 treated individuals (12.44 days). The male and female longevity was relatively lower in the LC25 treated population i.e. 24.62 and 26.62 days, respectively. The adult pre-oviposition period (APOP) and total pre-oviposition period (TPOP) values were higher in the LC25 treated individuals than those of control. Moreover, oviposition days and fecundity were reduced in the treated individuals as compared to the control treatment. A gradual decrease in the net reproductive rate (R0) was observed (8.46–14.07 per day) while the value of R0 was significantly higher in control. The results suggested that pyriproxyfen can be effectively utilized and incorporated in the management programs of M. domestica.
Taste dysfunction as a predictor of depression in schizophrenia: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Liu Jia , Sun Shu-Jie , Lu Ye , Ping Xin , Zhang Wan , Pei Lin
Published: March 2024

Objective

This study aims to investigate the relationship between taste dysfunction and depression among patients with schizophrenia, to achieve early detection of depression in clinical practice.

Methods

Following PRISMA guidance, a comprehensive literature search was conducted globally, covering papers published from 1961 to June 2023. A total of 17 manuscripts were selected through meta-analysis and sensitivity analysis after examining available materials from seven databases to determine the correlation between depression and taste dysfunction.

Results

The comparison of the 17 selected manuscripts revealed that individuals with gustatory dysfunction may be more likely to experience depressive symptoms (SMD, 0.51, 95% CI, 0.08 to 0.93, p = 0.02). Depression is associated with taste dysfunction in certain aspects, as indicated by the pleasantness ratings of sucrose solutions (SMD, -0.53, 95% confidence interval [CI] -1.11 to 0.05, p = 0.08), gustatory identification ability (SMD, 0.96, 95% CI, 0.03 to 1.89, p = 0.04), and the perception threshold of sweet taste (MD, 0.80, 95% CI, 0.79 to 0.81, p < 0.00001).

Conclusions

Due to variations in the methods, designs, and selection criteria employed in the included studies, it is necessary to establish a feasible framework. Future research using detailed and targeted approaches can provide clearer and more unified conclusions on the relationship between taste dysfunction and depression. Moreover, further high-quality research is needed to obtain clearer conclusions and explore the potential of taste dysfunction as an effective tool for early screening of depression.

Trial registration

This review has been registered in the PROSPERO on April 2022 with the identifier CRD42023400172.
Single-cell analysis reveals landscape of endometrial cancer response to estrogen and identification of early diagnostic markers
Authors: Dong Chunli , Zhao Liyan , Liu Xiongtao , Dang Ling , Zhang Xin
Published: March 2024

Background

The development of endometrial cancer (EC) is closely related to the abnormal activation of the estrogen signaling pathway. Effective diagnostic markers are important for the early detection and treatment of EC.

Method

We downloaded single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and spatial transcriptome (ST) data of EC from public databases. Enrichment scores were calculated for EC cell subpopulations using the “AddModuleScore” function and the AUCell package, respectively. Six predictive models were constructed, including logistic regression (LR), Gaussian naive Bayes (GaussianNB), k-nearest neighbor (KNN), support vector machine (SVM), extreme gradient boosting (XGB), and neural network (NK). Subsequently, receiver-operating characteristics with areas under the curves (AUCs) were used to assess the robustness of the predictive model.

Result

We classified EC cell coaggregation into six cell clusters, of which the epithelial, fibroblast and endothelial cell clusters had higher estrogen signaling pathway activity. We founded the epithelial cell subtype Epi cluster1, the fibroblast cell subtype Fib cluster3, and the endothelial cell subtype Endo cluster3 all showed early activation levels of estrogen response. Based on EC cell subtypes, estrogen-responsive early genes, and genes encoding Stage I and para-cancer differentially expressed proteins in EC patients, a total of 24 early diagnostic markers were identified. The AUCs values of all six classifiers were higher than 0.95, which indicates that the early diagnostic markers we screened have superior robustness across different classification algorithms.

Conclusion

Our study elucidates the potential biological mechanism of EC response to estrogen at single-cell resolution, which provides a new direction for early diagnosis of EC.
Plant growth-promoting bacteria potentiate antifungal and plant-beneficial responses of Trichoderma atroviride by upregulating its effector functions
Authors: Guzmán-Guzmán Paulina , Valencia-Cantero Eduardo , Santoyo Gustavo
Published: March 2024

Trichoderma uses different molecules to establish communication during its interactions with other organisms, such as effector proteins. Effectors modulate plant physiology to colonize plant roots or improve Trichoderma’s mycoparasitic capacity. In the soil, these fungi can establish relationships with plant growth–promoting bacteria (PGPBs), thus affecting their overall benefits on the plant or its fungal prey, and possibly, the role of effector proteins. The aim of this study was to determine the induction of Trichoderma atroviride gene expression coding for effector proteins during the interaction with different PGPBs, Arabidopsis or the phytopathogen Fusarium brachygibbosum, and to determine whether PGPBs potentiates the beneficial effects of T. atroviride. During the interaction with F. brachygibbosum and PGPBs, the effector coding genes epl1, tatrx2 and tacfem1 increased their expression, especially during the consortia with the bacteria. During the interaction of T. atroviride with the plant and PGPBs, the expression of epl1 and tatrx2 increased, mainly with the consortium formed with Pseudomonas fluorescens UM270, Bacillus velezensis AF12, or B. halotolerans AF23. Additionally, the consortium formed by T. atroviride and R. badensis SER3 stimulated A. thaliana PR1:GUS and LOX2:GUS for SA- and JA-mediated defence responses. Finally, the consortium of T. atroviride with SER3 was better at inhibiting pathogen growth, but the consortium of T. atroviride with UM270 was better at promoting Arabidopsis growth. These results showed that the biocontrol capacity and plant growth-promoting traits of Trichoderma spp. can be potentiated by PGPBs by stimulating its effector functions.
Assunção do compromisso antirracista: Uma luta e uma proposta de professoras pretas para a educação
Authors: Espindola Barbosa Izabel , Pereira Quadrado Raquel , Almeida de Souza Eliane
Published: March 2024

Esse artigo apresenta uma proposta de pedagogia preta feminista a partir da pesquisa de uma dissertação sobre professoras pretas. A metodologia realizada foi a pesquisa bibliográfica, com parâmetros para a escrita e a análise. Para essa discussão foram pautadas os três temas (Formação, racismos e resistências) que guiaram a pesquisa de dissertação. Das entrevistas da dissertação e da bibliografia convergiram, repetitivamente, três eixos (família, coletivos como o Movimento Negro e, responsabilidade profissional). Desses ternários, propomos três práticas para promover a educação antirracista. Ao final expomos a Pedagogia Preta Feminista, sem concluí-la, pois a proposta é ser mais uma semente para a práxis antirracista.
Chronic Hepatitis E Virus Manifesting as Elevated Transaminases in a Heart Transplant Patient
Authors: Mohamed Islam , Sanders Kimberly , Hillebrand Donald J.
Published: March 2024

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a common cause of viral hepatitis worldwide. Genotypes 1 and 2 cause acute hepatitis in endemic regions (Asia and Africa), whereas genotypes 3 and 4 (America and Europe) result in sporadic acute or chronic hepatitis, specifically in certain groups. HEV infections are rising because of increased transplantation rates and immunosuppression. We report a 75-year-old heart transplant patient with nonspecific symptoms, diagnosed with HEV chronic hepatitis. Despite ribavirin-induced hemolytic anemia, the patient achieved sustained virological response and normalization of liver enzymes.
Pancreatic Tuberculosis With Duodenal Fistula Presenting as Life-Threatening Gastrointestinal Bleeding
Authors: Zaffar Duha , Ranabhat Chet Bahadur , Ismail Abdellatif , Gogna Gurdeep , Hossain Sarah , Rodriguez Gracia Viana , Sharma Disha , Kim Raymond E.
Published: March 2024

Pancreatic tuberculosis (TB) warrants heightened suspicion in individuals with pancreatic lesions and risk factors such as HIV, organ transplantation, or pertinent immigration history. We present a 38-year-old man who presented with hemodynamically unstable gastrointestinal bleeding. He was found to have pancreatic TB complicated by a duodenal ulcer with fistula. Following 1 month of antitubercular therapy, he experienced complete resolution of symptoms, healing of the duodenal ulcer, closure of the fistulous tract, and a decrease in the size of the pancreatic lesion as observed on imaging. Our case highlights the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic TB.
Editorial
Authors: Tunes Urbino da Rocha , Costa Leonardo Assis , Cortelli Sheila C. , Rovai Emanuel S.
Published: March 2024

Com grande satisfação, apresentamos mais uma edição da publicação oficial da SOBRAPE. Repleta de conhecimento, a revista está caminhando para atingir seu maior objetivo: tornar-se um dos grandes veículos da Periodontia mundial, um espaço onde a ciência impulsiona a boa prática clínica. Fiquem atentos à nova seção, que traz o consenso, elaborado em conjunto pela SOBRAPE e pela SBEM (Sociedade Brasileira de Endocrinologia e Metabologia), no manejo periodontal de diabéticos.
Possibilidades terapêuticas interdisciplinares no tratamento das lesões endoperiodontais: uma revisão integrativa
Authors: Mendes Mariana Sarmet Smiderle , Guerrero Gustavo Guimarães , Oliveira Ana Gabriela Logatto de , Oliveira Victoria Geisa Brito de , Valera Marcia Carneiro , Jardini Maria Aparecida Neves , Rovai Emanuel da Silva
Published: March 2024

INTRODUÇÃO: As lesões endoperiodontais (LEP) são definidas como a comunicação patológica entre a polpa dental e os tecidos periodontais em um dente específico. Sabe-se que o tratamento deve ser realizado de forma multidisciplinar, mas ainda há muitas dúvidas sobre a elaboração do plano de tratamento dessas lesões. OBJETIVO: O objetivo do presente artigo é esclarecer quais são as possibilidades de tratamento das LEP, por meio de uma revisão integrativa da literatura. MÉTODOS: A questão norteadora da revisão foi "Após a nova classificação das doenças periodontais, em 2018, quais são as terapias utilizadas para o tratamento das lesões endoperiodontais?", com base na estratégia PICo (P-população; I-fenômeno de interesse; Co-contexto analisado) utilizada para pesquisas não clínicas. RESULTADOS: Por meio de buscas em diferentes bases de dados e do cruzamento dos descritores em inglês "endo-perio lesion", "perio-endo lesion", "combined lesion" e "treatment", bem como seus termos correlatos, utilizando os operadores booleanos "AND" e "OR", 102 artigos foram encontrados nas bases PubMed, Wiley Online Library e Embase. Após aplicação dos critérios de inclusão e exclusão, foram selecionados 15 artigos. Os resultados foram categorizados e apresentados em uma tabela descritiva. No geral, os tratamentos adotados incluíram terapia endodôntica, periodontal não cirúrgica e terapia complementar e/ou regenerativa associada. CONCLUSÃO: Essa revisão integrativa traz um direcionamento em relação ao diagnóstico e possibilidades terapêuticas para favorecer o desfecho satisfatório nos tratamentos das LEP. Além disso, é apresentada uma diretriz para tratamento das LEP, a fim de orientar os cirurgiões-dentistas no atendimento odontológico clínico e cirúrgico.
Manipulação de tecidos moles como alternativa para preservação de alvéolo: relato de caso
Authors: Arroteia Leticia Sandoli , Stolf Camila Schmidt , Paz Hélvis Enri de Sousa , Monteiro Mabelle de Freitas , Rangel Thiago Perez , Casati Márcio Zaffalon , Casarin Renato Corrêa Viana
Published: March 2024

INTRODUÇÃO: A perda dentária é um problema comum na população brasileira e pode ocorrer por diversas razões, como cáries, trincas e fraturas e doença periodontal. A exodontia leva à redução no volume dos tecidos moles e duros, trazendo prejuízos estéticos e funcionais que podem resultar em subsequentes intervenções cirúrgicas na tentativa de alcançar as condições ideais para reabilitação da região edêntula. Nesse sentido, diversas técnicas de preservação alveolar vêm sendo descritas na literatura, na tentativa de diminuir essa alteração dimensional. Entre as possibilidades terapêuticas, a manipulação de tecidos moles pretende promover o tamponamento do alvéolo, resultando em uma melhor manutenção do coágulo e cicatrização. RELATO DE CASO: No presente relato de caso, avaliou-se as medidas tomográficas de tecidos duros antes e depois da exodontia atraumática do dente #14, associada a um enxerto gengival livre modificado. Para análise das alterações teciduais, foram realizadas duas tomografias computadorizadas de feixe cônico: a primeira imediatamente após o procedimento cirúrgico, e a segunda após três meses de pós-operatório, com o auxílio de um stent tomográfico confeccionado previamente e demarcado com material radiopaco, possibilitando a comparação das medidas nos sentidos mesiodistal e vestibulolingual. RESULTADOS: Houve uma redução da altura da crista óssea vestibular de 0,49mm, com uma redução de espessura de 0,74mm, indicando uma discreta alteração no contorno ósseo pós-exodontia. CONCLUSÃO: Considerando-se o presente relato do caso clínico, a manipulação dos tecidos moles após a exodontia pode ser uma alternativa para minimizar as alterações dimensionais causadas no rebordo alveolar pós-extração.
Periodontite, Porphyromonas gingivalis e sua relação com a doença de Alzheimer
Authors: Almeida Igor Bottino Di Gioia , Bittencourt Marilia da Silva Pereira , Rocha Luiz Eduardo Monteiro Dias da
Published: March 2024

INTRODUÇÃO: A doença de Alzheimer (DA) é uma condição neurodegenerativa crônica responsável por aproximadamente 70% dos casos de demência no mundo. Evidências consistentes apontam para estados inflamatórios crônicos como fator de risco para o desenvolvimento da DA. Dessa forma, outras condições inflamatórias, como a periodontite e seu principal patógeno, Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), poderiam contribuir para a incidência e prevalência dessa condição. OBJETIVO: O objetivo dessa revisão de literatura é avaliar a associação entre a periodontite e a DA, o papel do microrganismo Pg nesse processo e uma possível relação de causalidade entre as doenças. MATERIAL E MÉTODOS: Realizou-se um levantamento bibliográfico nas bases de dados PubMed (Medline), Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde e Portal de Periódicos CAPES, usando os descritores DeCS/MeSH: Alzheimer Disease AND Periodontitis AND Porphyromonas gingivalis. A busca foi limitada a publicações completas, em inglês, a partir de 2018. RESULTADOS: 13 artigos foram selecionados de 1.156 encontrados inicialmente. Foram selecionados somente artigos de revisão que abordassem a periodontite e a Pg associadas à DA. CONCLUSÕES: Concluiu-se que a doença periodontal pode estar associada à DA através de uma reação imunoinflamatória do hospedeiro, e que a bactéria periodontopatogênica Pg tem a capacidade de induzir neuroinflamação e neurodegeneração. Entretanto, para contemplar a relação de causalidade, estudos intervencionais e longitudinais devem ainda ser realizados.