bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Entire Expressed Peripheral Blood Transcriptome in Pediatric Severe Malarial Anemia
Authors: Anyona Samuel , Cheng Qiuying , Guo Yan , Raballah Evans , Hurwitz Ivy , Onyango Clinton , Seidenberg Philip , Schneider Kristan , Lambert Christophe , McMahon Benjamin , Ouma Collins , Perkins Douglas
Published: July 2023

This study on severe malarial anemia (SMA: Hb < 6.0 g/dL), a leading global cause of childhood morbidity and mortality, analyzed the entire expressed transcriptome in whole blood from children with non-SMA (Hb ≥ 6.0 g/dL, n = 41) and SMA (n = 25). Analyses revealed 3,420 up-regulated and 3,442 down-regulated transcripts, signifying impairments in host inflammasome activation, cell death, innate immune responses, and cellular stress responses in SMA. Immune cell profiling showed a decreased antigenic and immune priming response in children with SMA, favoring polarization toward cellular proliferation and repair. Enrichment analysis further identified altered neutrophil and autophagy-related processes, consistent with neutrophil degranulation and altered ubiquitination and proteasome degradation. Pathway analyses highlighted SMA-related alterations in cellular homeostasis, signaling, response to environmental cues, and cellular and immune stress responses. Validation with a qRT-PCR array showed strong concordance with the sequencing data. These findings identify key molecular themes in SMA pathogenesis, providing potential targets for new malaria therapies.
Spider Monkey Inspired Optimization Algorithm Based Clustering For Face Recognition
Authors: Gopal Veni devi , G Shree Devi , Geetha Angelina
Published: July 2023

Face recognition is a fast-growing technology that is widely used in forensics such as criminal identification, secure access and prison security.It contrasts from other classification issues in that there are normally a more number of classes in face recognition. Thus, the validation accuracy of the conventional subsystem face recognition is unsuitable. In order to overcome those problems the suggested method utilizes the spider monkey inspired optimization (SMO) algorithm for face clustering and recognition. At first feature reduction is done by advance principal component analysis (APCA) which is a hybridization of PCA and linear discriminant analysis (LDA). After reducing the features, the selected features are grouped and faces are recognized by means of SMO algorithm. From the food search behavior of spider monkeys, SMO algorithm is developed. The proposed performance is evaluated by means of sensitivity, specificity and accuracy. Here the proposed method accomplishes 98.66% accuracy. Using the MATLAB platform, the recommended technique is implemented.
Prioritization strategies for environmental cognition in dogs: spatial memory or olfactory memory
Authors: FANG Shao-Qin , LI Jie , CHEN Chao , ZHANG Zhi , XU Hu , CAO Jian , WAN Kui , QIU Shi , LI Xi-Gu , HUANG Qiu-Yue
Published: July 2023

Memory is the main basis for animal cognition of the environment and its composition, and more and more studies show that memory plays a key role in the cognitive development of dogs, but there are few studies on whether spatial memory or olfactory memory plays a dominant role in the cognitive process of the environment in dogs. This study aims to further identify the preferred strategy of dogs in the cognitive process of the environment, to provide scientific support for the behavioral research and training of dogs, and also, to un The present study aimed to further confirm the preferential strategy of dogs in environmental cognition to provide scientific support for dog behavioral research and training, and also to provide a reference for human cognitive modeling studies. To test this, a group of dogs was selected to participate in the same learning task in this study, and then, seven Kunming and seven Malinois were randomly selected by breed and sex to perform three rounds of scent recognition tests in the behavior laboratory, with each round of tests being conducted twice a day for a ten-day period. The first two tests (N1S1 and N1S2) both entered the laboratory from the same direction to search for the target, the second two tests (N2S1 and N2S2) entered the laboratory from different directions to search for the target, and the third two tests (N3S1 and N3S2) entered the laboratory from different directions to search for the target, while adding distractors. The test results showed that the difference in search time between N1S1 and N2S1 was not significant, and the dog's search trajectory showed no regularity; N1S2 and N1S2, N2S1 and N2S2 all showed highly significant differences in search time, and the dog's search trajectory showed regularity; N3S1 showed highly significant differences in search time with N1S1 and N2S1, and N3S1 and N3S2 showed no significant differences, and the dog's search The dog's search trajectory showed no regularity. It shows that: in a simple environment without distractors, dogs can form a spatial memory similar to geometric coordinates in the brain for the location of target objects, and they will use spatial memory as the priority strategy for search, but this spatial memory ability is more effective in the short term, and in the long term, it does not accumulate with time; the presence of distractors changed the search strategy derived from spatial memory in N1 and N2, and dogs established a preferential strategy derived from olfactory memory to search and match target objects based on olfactory source odor memory, meanwhile, the dog's odor memory ability and learning time showed a positive correlation.
Characterizing the contributions of cue familiarity for the retrieval of autobiographical memories
Authors: Gurguryan Lauri , Yang Haopei , Köhler Stefan , Sheldon Signy
Published: July 2023

Retrieving an autobiographical memory requires a cue to initiate processes related to accessing and then elaborating on a past personal experience. Prior work has shown that the familiarity of a cue can influence the autobiographical memory retrieval process. Extending on this work, we tested how different aspects of cue familiarity—i.e., amount of past exposure and amount of semantic knowledge associated with the cue concept—can affect how we access and remember in detail autobiographical memories. In Experiment 1, we measured reaction times to access and retrieve memories in response to cue words. In Experiment 2 we examined the details with which participants described memories in response to cues. For both experiments, participants provided estimates of lifetime exposure and semantic knowledge associated with each cue. In Experiment 1, we found lifetime exposure, independently of estimates of semantic knowledge, led to quicker memory access and in Experiment 2, we found both lifetime exposure and semantic knowledge interactively enhanced the ability to described detailed memories. These results provide new evidence that distinct features of familiar cues—lifetime exposure and semantic knowledge—differently contribute to how autobiographical memories are retrieved and described.
The Socio-economic, Demographic, and Contextual Predictors of Malnutrition among Children aged 6-59 months in Nigeria
Authors: Obasohan Phillips Edomwonyi , Walters Stephen J. , Jacques Richard , Khatab Khaled
Published: July 2023

Malnutrition has remained a global public health issue, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Researchers have committed to studying malnutrition (especially in children under the age of five) to address the nine malnutrition targets, set by the WHO to be achieved by 2025. With barely three years to the end of target date, there is so much yet undone to meet the target especially in developing countries. In fact, there can be no effective interventions without a strong evidence base. This study seeks to evaluate the prevalence of malnutrition among children aged 6–59 months across Nigeria and its states, as well as its individual and contextual factors. Two separates, independently collected, nationally representative cross-sectional surveys, the National Human Development Report (NHDR 2018) and the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (2018 NDHS) were linked for the study. Spatial map was used to describe the prevalence of malnutrition, a 3-level multivariate multilevel logistic regression models were fitted where children/individuals (at level 1) were nested in communities/clusters (at level 2) and nested in states (at level 3). The results showed that an estimated 43.6% of children aged 6–59 months are poorly nourished in Nigeria. The proportions of poorly nourished children were generally highest in the Northern Nigeria. Child’s gender, age, birth size, preceding birth order, anaemia status, maternal education, work status, body weight, household wealth status, number of bedrooms were among individual/household predictors of malnutrition. On the community level, being from community with high wealth index, distance to nearest health facilities is no big problem. Regional variations and gender inequality index were state level predictors of malnutrition among children in Nigeria. This study has shown that two-third of children aged 6–59 months in Nigeria were poorly nourished. The high rates of constant insecurities that have distorted farming activities in the northern part of the country should be addressed urgently.
Secure and Private Healthcare Analytics: A Feasibility Study of Federated Deep Learning with Personal Health Train
Authors: Zhang Chong , Choudhury Ananya , Volmer Leroy , Soest Johan , Bermejo Inigo , Dekker Andre , Gomes Aiara Lobo , Wee Leonard
Published: July 2023

Objective In this article, we aim to present a new open-source Federated Learning infrastructure by conducting several proof-of-concept experiments. We seek to prove the reliability of the infrastructure to develop global models without sharing private patient data.Materials and Methods We applied the Personal Health Train (PHT) principles using the Vantage6 software to train a neural network to classify head and neck cancer patients’ distant metastasis using federated learning algorithms in a privacy preserving manner. Head and neck cancer patient data from four cohorts were assigned to two data stations. During each training iteration, model weights were averaged and sent back to central node.Results We compared the area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) and model weights between the centralized and federated learning scenarios. The results showed that our federated infrastructure was able to achieve similar predicting power as in the centralized case. Different federated learning model weights aggregation methods were tested. The experiment results showed that federated learning models reached best performance when we aggregate model weights per epoch.Discussion and Conclusion PHT and FAIR data principles can efficiently calculate quality indicators in a privacy-preserving federated approach and the work can be scaled up both nationally and internationally. Despite this, application of the methodology was largely hampered by ELSI issues. However, the lessons learned from this study can provide other hospitals and researchers to adapt to the process easily and take effective measures in building quality of care infrastructures.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and compromised endothelial function in people with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Montazeri Zeinab , Hashemi-Madani Nahid , Iraji Hamed , Sohrabi Masoudreza , Shahmiri Fariba Alaei , Emami Zahra , Babaei Mohammad Reza , Malek Mojtaba , Khamseh Mohammad E.
Published: July 2023

Introduction:
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) frequently coexists with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and synergistically contributes to the development of atherosclerosis. Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) is a commonly used noninvasive test for assessing endothelial function. The main objective of this study was to explore FMD in patients with T2DM with and without NAFLD.
Methods
In this cross-sectional study, conducted on people with T2DM, NAFLD was defined as controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) score > 302 dB/m. Endothelial dysfunction was detected when arterial FMD of brachial artery was equal or less than 0.7%. Regression analyses were applied to assess factors associated with impaired FMD.
Result
A total of 147 patients (72 with NAFLD and 75 without NAFLD) were included in the final analysis. Patients with NAFLD were more likely to develop FMD ≤ 7% (77.8% vs 58.7%, P = 0.01). In multivariate analysis, NAFLD (OR = 2.581, 95% CI (1.18–5.62), P = 0.017) and hypertension (HTN) (OR = 3.114, 95% CI (1.31–7.35), P = 0.010) were associated with an increased risk of impaired FMD. However, female sex was associated with a decreased risk of impaired FMD (OR = 0.371, 95% CI (0.15–0.87), P = 0.024).
Conclusion
NAFLD is associated with endothelial dysfunction in people with T2DM. This risk is comparable with the risk imposed by HTN, highlighting the importance of screening and management of NAFLD in these patients.
Study of the effect of heat treatment of copper slag particles on abrasiveness for abrasive waterjet cutting
Authors: Barsukov Gennady , Zhuravleva Tatyana , Kozhus Olga
Published: July 2023

The known studies of heat treatment of copper slag are mainly directed to the recovery of metals from copper slag at the melting temperature. The conditions of increasing the strength of copper slag grains as a result of transition from amorphous to crystalline state during heating have not been studied. That is why the paper presents studies of microhardness and cutting properties of copper slag particles after heat treatment. Treatment regimes were assigned after calorimetric measurements of phase transition from amorphous to crystalline state of copper slag grains under isothermal conditions. It was found that for copper slag grains crystallization proceeds in two stages. The first crystallization stage started at 762.6 ℃ (1035.75 K) and the second one at 795.1 ℃ (1068.25 K). Metallographic examination of microslides of copper slag grains after heat treatment at 800 ℃ showed that the HV microhardness value increased 1.5 times. It was found that the use of heat-treated copper slag grains for water jet cutting resulted in an accurate cut and smooth surface compared to the original abrasive. It has been revealed that heat treatment of amorphous copper slag contributed to the appearance of crystallites of sillimanite, pyrope, hematite, and zinc ferrite.
Predicting pathological response after neoadjuvant chemotherapy of breast cancer using pharmacokinetic histogram features on dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Zhang Chi , Xu Hao , Luo Hongbing , Wang Ai , Ren Jing , Liu Jieke , Zhou Peng , Xu Guohui
Published: July 2023

Background
To investigate the ability of pharmacokinetic histogram features of dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) and clinical-pathological biomarkers for predicting pathological complete response (pCR) to NAC in breast cancer.
Methods
This retrospective study included 112 women with biopsy-proven breast malignancies from June 2019 to July 2020. The three-dimensional volume of interest tumors were drawn manually. A total of 51 pharmacokinetic histogram features were extracted and calculated for each participant from three pharmacokinetic parameters: Ktrans, Kep, and MaxSlope. Mann-Whitney U test, chi-squared test, logistic regression analyses, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, and Kendall's Tau-b correlation were performed. Clinical model, quantitative model, and combined model combining the pharmacokinetic histogram features and clinical-pathological factors for predicting pCR were constructed. The correlation between the clinical-pathological factors and independent risk pharmacokinetic histogram features was further observed.
Results
Simplified breast edema score (sBES), HER-2, Ki-67, KepMaximum, and KtransRange were identified as independent predictors of pCR. The quantitative model comprised of KepMaximum and KtransRange, as well as the combined model comprised of HER-2, KepMaximum, and KtransRange, demonstrated good diagnostic performance and surpassed the clinical model comprised of HER-2 and sBES (0.880 vs 0.734, P = 0.009; 0.915 vs 0.734, P < 0.001). Additionally, significant correlations were observed between KepMaximum and KtransRange and biologically aggressive clinical-pathological factors.
Conclusions
Using pharmacokinetic histogram features extracted from DCE-MRI improves the performance in predicting the pCR after NAC of breast cancer.
Rectus capitis lateralis muscle revisited: a histological study using human fetuses
Authors: Murakami Gen , Cho Kwang Ho , Kitamura Kei , Rodríguez-Vázquez Jose Francisco , Sato Tatsuo
Published: July 2023

Background Rectus capitis lateralis muscle (RCLM) is located at the border between the ventral and dorsal muscle groups, but the nerve topographical anatomy around the muscle is obscure. Materials and Methods We observed the RCLM in histological sections of 12 midterm and 10 near-term fetal heads (9–18 and 26–40 weeks of gestational age). Results At midterm, the RCLM wrapped around the inferiorly protruding inferolateral corner of the cartilaginous occipital bone. The muscle was adjacent to, or even continued to, the intertransversarius muscle between the atlas and axis. At near-term, the jugular process of the occipital bone, that is, the RCLM upper insertion, was either cartilaginous or bony, depending on age. The process formed a collar supporting the internal jugular vein from the inferior side. Moreover, the muscle is tightly attached to or inserted into the venous wall itself. The cartilaginous jugular process was adjacent to Reichert’s cartilage, and the uppermost muscle fibers passed through a narrow space between these cartilages. The RCLM appeared to accelerate the jugular process elongation, resulting in complete union of the occipital and temporal bones. The ventral ramus of the first cervical nerve passed between the RCLM and rectus capitis anterior muscle to reach the longus capitis muscle. No nerve passed between the RCLM and the obliquus capitis superior muscle (a muscle at the suboccipital triangle). Conclusion The dorsoventral position of the RCLM seemed to correspond to the scalenus posterior muscle in a laminar arrangement of the cervical axial musculature.
Identification and characterization of colorectal-cancer-associated SNPs on the SMAD7 locus
Authors: Liu Zhao , Zhao Yihan , Song Hongli , Miao Huaxue , Wang Yingying , Tu Chuntian , Fu Tianyun , Qin Juliang , Du Bing , Qian Min , Ren Hua
Published: July 2023

Purpose Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified SMAD7 as a colorectal cancer (CRC) susceptibility gene. However, its underlying mechanism has not yet been characterized. This study screened fSNPs related to colorectal cancer through Reel-seq and obtained regulatory proteins on functional SNPs.
Methods The candidate functional SNPs on the SMAD7 locus were screened by Reel-seq method. Eight SNPs such as rs8085824 were identified as functional SNPs by luciferase reporter assay and EMSA, SDCP-MS and AIDP-WB revealed that HNRNPK can specifically bind to the rs8085824-C allele. The knockdown of HNRNPK by RNAi proved that HNRNPK could affect cell function by regulating SMAD7.
Results Eight functional SNPs (fSNPs) was found on the SMAD7 locus in linkage disequilibrium (LD) with R2>0.8, i.e., rs12953717, rs7227023, rs34007497, rs58920878, rs8085824, rs4991143, rs4939826, and rs7227023. We also identified allele-imbalanced binding of HNRNPK to rs8085824, H1-3 to rs12953717, THOC6 to rs7227023, and DDX21 to rs58920878. Further functional analysis revealed that these proteins are the regulatory proteins that modulate the expression of SMAD7 in the human colorectal cancer cell line DLD1. In particular, we discovered that siRNA knockdown of HNRNPK inhibits cell proliferation and cell clonal formation by downregulating SMAD7, as the decreased cell proliferation and cell clonal formation in the siRNA HNRNPK knockdown cells was restored by SMAD7 overexpression.
Conclusion Our findings reveal a mechanism which underlies the contribution of the fSNP rs8085824 on the SMD7 locus to CRC susceptibility.
Create to Collaborate: using creative activity and participatory performance in online workshops to build collaborative research relationships
Authors: Malpass Alice , Breel Astrid , Stubbs Jo , Stevens Tassos , Maravala Persis-Jadé , Shipman Ellie , Gross Zoe Banks , Farr Michelle
Published: July 2023

Background
Creative methods/practices have been highlighted as helpful to develop more collaborative, equitable research partnerships between researchers and communities/ public-participants. We asked artist partners to design four online workshops, one on each research priority area: school environments and mental health, wellbeing within the Somali community, air pollution, health data. We aimed to understand whether creative processes can enable public-participants and researcher- participants to meet in a neutral space to discuss a research theme and begin to build collaborative relationships through level engagement. Ideas could be taken forwards with seed funding, providing opportunity for collaboration to continue beyond initial workshops.
Methods
Three artist partners designed and facilitated four workshops. Evaluation data was collected on each workshop using participatory observation and fieldnotes, alongside chatlog data, and one-to-one interviews with 21 workshop participants, providing a contextually rich, comparative evaluation across four diverse workshops. Analysis was thematically driven.
Results
Artist partners took different approaches to designing workshops. The workshops began with introductory games and activities, and there was less emphasis on introductions of people’s roles, aiming to create a more level starting position. Whilst public-participants enjoyed this, some researchers found it challenging and reported confusions over their workshop roles. Disrupting usual practice and challenging norms was not always an easy experience. There were examples where emergent, co-created knowledge was enabled. However, it was more challenging to facilitate longer-term collaborative research projects from the workshops due to different stakeholder priorities, and lack of staff time/ less sense of ownership for further work.
Conclusions
Creative activities can influence and impact the types of conversations between public-participants and researchers in a way that changes and challenges power dynamics, shifting towards public-participant driven discussion. Whilst deconstructing hierarchies is important, supporting researchers is key so that any discomfort can be productive and experienced as a vital part of co-production. Longer term collaborative research projects were limited, highlighting a need for facilitation beyond initial workshops, and a sense of ownership from workshop participants to take things forwards. Workshops like these may lend themselves well to research prioritisation. However, taking community-led ideas forwards within research funding landscapes remains challenging.
The abundance of harmful homozygous rare variants in children of consanguineous parents
Authors: Subramanian Sankar
Published: July 2023

Here we show that the individuals born of the union between double first cousins (paternal and maternal) had 20 times more deleterious homozygous rare Single Nucleotide Variants (SNVs) than those who had unrelated parents. Furthermore, the children of first cousins had ten times, and the children of second cousins had two times more of these SNVs compared to those present in the offspring of unrelated parents. These results suggest that the offspring of closely related parents could have a 2 to 20 times higher risk for rare recessive diseases than the children of unrelated parents.
Management of functional outcomes after radical prostatectomy in the Nordic countries: A survey of uro-oncological centers
Authors: Fode Mikkel , Nolsøe Alexander , Holm Henriette , Murtola Teemu , Østergren Peter
Published: July 2023

We aimed to describe the clinical practice regarding erectile dysfunction (ED) and urinary incontinence (UI) after radical prostatectomy (RP) in the Nordic countries. A 37-item survey about pre- and post-RP evaluation and rehabilitation of sexual and urinary function was sent to 42 uro-oncology centers. Twenty-seven centers in Denmark (n = 6), Norway (n = 8), Finland (n = 7), and Sweden (n = 6) responded (64.3%). Post-RP sexual function was evaluated by 25 centers. The majority used validated questionnaires with significant variations across centers. Post-RP urinary function was evaluated by 24 centers. Again, the majority used a variety of validated questionnaires, while were 9 centers used objective measures including as uroflowmetry, residual urine volume, and daily pad usage. Twenty-one centers reported to offer sexual rehabilitation and 12 of these described their protocols. All centers administered PDE5Is and seven centers offered 2nd or 3rd line options. Two centers offered a consultation with a sexologist. Twenty-three centers provided pelvic floor muscle training via a physiotherapist and one center used medical support with duloxetine. Our study indicates a need for standardized evaluation and management of ED and UI following RP. Especially, there is a need for an increased focus on sexual rehabilitation with utilization of options other than a simple PDE5I.
Using spatial point process models, clustering and space partitioning to reconfigure fire stations layout
Authors: Bispo Regina , Vieira Francisca G. , Yokochi Clara , Marques Filipe J. , Espadinha-Cruz Pedro , Penha Alexandre , Grilo António
Published: July 2023

Fire stations (FS) are typically non-uniformly distributed across space and their service area is defined based on administrative boundaries. Since the location of FS may considerably influence the readiness and the effectiveness of the provided services, national and regional governments need research-based information to adequately plan where to establish firefighting facilities. In this study, we propose a method to reconfigure the fire stations layout using spatial point process models, clustering and space partitioning. First, modeling fire intensity variation across space throught a point process model enables to replicate the process independently by simulation. Subsequently, for each simulation, the k-means algorithm is used to define a sitting location, minimizing the total within distance between the fire occurrences and the new position. This method allows to obtain a set of locations from which the respective distribution is infered. Assuming a bivariate normal spatial distribution, we further define confidence sitting regions. Ultimately, new FS service areas are defined by Voronoi tesselation. To exemplify the application of the method, we apply it to reconfigure the fire station layout in Aveiro, Portugal.
Genotoxicity and cytotoxicity of textile production effluents in Astyanax lacustris (Pisces, Characidae), before and after treatment through the vertical flow constructed wetland system
Authors: Silva Josiane Rodrigues Rocha , silva Cleiton Campos da , Zafra-Lemos Layon , Portela-Castro Ana Luiza Brito , Fernandes Carlos Alexandre
Published: July 2023

Textile effluents have a complex physical, chemical, and biological composition, and may have mutagenic, genotoxic, and carcinogenic activity. Part of the dyes used in the textile industry is lost during the dyeing process and released into bodies of water, contaminating the aquatic environment. Thus, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the cyto/genotoxic effects of textile production effluents on Astyanax lacustris specimens, before and after treatment through the vertical flow constructed wetland system (VFCW). We tested 60 fish (five treatment conditions, four fish per condition, in triplicate). Fish were exposed to contaminants for 7 days. The assays used were biomarker analysis, the micronucleus (MN) test, analysis of cellular morphological changes (CMC), and the comet assay. The concentration of 5% v/v of raw textile effluent, and the effluents treated by VFCW, showed damage significantly different from the controls. The VFCW system proved to be efficient in reducing the physicochemical parameters of effluents from textile production. We conclude that the biodegradation of textile production effluents can be accomplished with VFCW.
Effect of local Management with and without lymph node dissection on overall survival of mice inducted with 4T1 breast cancer
Authors: Darani Morteza Yousefi , Darani Hossein Yousofi , Rakhshan Reza , Seraj mohammad , Bagherhosseini Najmeh , Hashemi Maryam Omrani , Fattahi Payam , Akbari Mohammadesmail
Published: July 2023

Introduction:In cancer cases, surgery is the effective treatment for removing the mass and evaluating the locoregional lymph nodes. The extension of lymph node dissection (LND) is a challenging question in cancer surgery. At present, limited lymph node dissection is a high topic accepted in breast cancer surgery. It is interesting to know that with limitations in lymph node dissection in breast cancer surgery, there are no animal studies on this topic. So, this study investigated local management with and without lymph node dissection on the overall survival (OS) of mice inducted with 4T1 breast cancer cells.Material & methods:Fifty-four inbred female Balb/C mice were divided into seven groups, except for group seven as the healthy control group; all were injected with 4T1 breast cancer cells. Ten (early diagnosis and management) and twenty days(late diagnosis and management) following injection, in groups 1 and 2, the leg was amputated above the knee; in groups 3 and 4, inguinal LND was done without amputation (AMP). In group five, the combination of AMP and LND was performed. Group six was only injected with tumor cells, and group seven was left intact without intervention. Finally, metastasis and survival time was evaluated.Results:Survival time in group 1, group 2 (local Management), and group 5 was significantly higher compared to the control group (P<0.005). Also, Group 1 had longer survival time than in group 2 (early local management better than delayed local management) and group 5 (P=0.018). AMP treatment significantly reduces the amount of breast tumor cell metastasis (P<0.002), while LND does not affect metastasis. Also, simultaneous treatment of leg AMP and LND reduces the metastasis rate of breast tumor cells (P<0.05).Conclusion:In solid tumors, the most effective step is removing cancer (local management) as soon as possible. Evaluating the regional lymph nodes is the next step. Lymph nodes should be removed if tumors involve lymph nodes. However, removing negative lymph nodes will not affect OS. More investigations are recommended in this field.
Reduction of Musculoskeletal Pain in First Postgraduate Year (PGY1) Medicine Residents: A Randomized Controlled Trial on Improving Work Life with Laptop Ergonomics
Authors: Oh Gary Chee Seng , Le Dat , Abugattas Alonso Daniel , Gautam Vivek , Espiritu Neil , Samonte Enrique
Published: July 2023

Background Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) are a widely recognized problem among healthcare professionals. First postgraduate year (PGY1) students are particularly at risk of developing WRMSDs due to the demanding nature of their work. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an ergonomic intervention in reducing musculoskeletal pain among PGY1 and improving their work life.Methods This randomized control trial included participants from incoming first-year residents for the academic year 2022–2023. Exclusion criteria included daily medications for headaches, having a history of neck/spine pain injections, history of chronic pain, or already using laptop stands. Data collection utilized a Google Survey form incorporating pain scales at baseline, 3, and 6 months.Results Out of 57 potential candidates, 41 residents were eligible. Four subjects were lost due to dropout, transfer, or leaving the residency program, leaving 37 residents by the end. Significant differences (p < 0.05) among control and intervention are shown in shoulder pain, lower back pain, taller subjects with wrist/hand pain, and males with upper back pain. Trends (p < 0.10) existed with heavier subjects, males with upper back and wrist pain and taller subjects with headaches. The other differences in average pain scoring among different treatments, genders, weights, and heights was not statistically significant.Conclusion The study findings suggest that the intervention was effective in reducing shoulder, wrist, and lower back pain among residents. However, further research is needed to explore these outcomes.
Official Development Assistance and Middle-Income Trap in the Philippines: effects, challenges, and strategies
Authors: Masatoshi Hara
Published: July 2023

The middle-income trap (MIT) states that middle-income economies have found it challenging to upgrade to reach the high-income stage over an extended period. Overcoming MIT has long been discussed as an essential social issue related to fewer job opportunities and unstable income, notably in Southeast Asia. Previous studies demonstrated several factors contributing to MIT, including governance, infrastructure, and the labor market. Official Development Assistance (ODA) has been employed to help developing countries accelerate further development as development cooperation. Despite the massive financial aid, the Philippines has the longest-running history of operating under LMIT. Much less research on the unclouded evidence on the relationship between the ODA and MIT in the developing world and on the strategic study relevant to ODA for overcoming the lower-middle-income trap (LMIT) in the Philippines was identified from the updated government development plans were identified in the existing research. Using secondary data compiled between 2002 and 2021, primarily from the World Development Indicators, UNCTAD, UNDP, and OECD database, and POLS modeling, the strength of the Japan ODA predicting the percentage change in R2 variance in the LMIT was evaluated in nine Southeast Asian economies. Using natural data, ODA was found to be a significant predictor (F [1, 130] = 26.553 p = .000) and is thus a substantial factor in escaping LMIT. Using the analytical approach of Murdoch School of critical political-economy, state actors’ wasteful procrastination and excessive dependency on the donor were found to be significant culprits. Also, a development strategy for overcoming LMIT through the ODA was suggested by conceptually integrating three processes of problem-setting, strategy, and tactics, into one concept. Development cooperation can be re-defined as “glocal” activities by state actors collaborating with non-state actors to maximize national capabilities. Building a further trustful relationship with ASEAN and Japan is desirable for the Philippines.
Effect of water priming on the seed moisture content and the rooting of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] ‘Fukuyutaka’ seeds under non-irrigated conditions
Authors: Honda Naoki , Ishigaki Genki
Published: July 2023

This study aimed to clarify the effect of water priming on the seed moisture and the rooting rate of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] ‘Fukuyutaka’ for developing a cultivation method, where soybean seeds can directly be sown on the meadow or grassland for livestock production. The weight of each soybean seed was measured before and after they were subjected to: no treatment (control); and, two kinds of priming treatments, soaking (2 and 4 h), and moisture absorption (3, 12, and 24 h). The weight of seeds was additionally measured after keeping them at a specified temperature (28–30°C) and humidity (58–60%) for 4 h, 1, 2, and 3 days. The moisture content of soybean seeds was calculated based on their weights pre- and post-treatment. The rooting rate of the seeds was investigated after each priming (control, soaking, and moisture absorption), 48 h of standing and irrigation treatment. The seed moisture content of soybean seeds increased immediately after priming (soaking or moisture absorption treatment), however, after standing, the moisture content in both treatments deceased to the same level as that of control. The rooting rate in both priming pre-treatments was similar to or lower than that in control, indicating that neither soaking nor moisture absorption of soybean seeds had a keeping moisture content of seeds for long time which promoting effect on rooting of soybean under dry condition on meadow or grassland
Changing Trends Towards Herbal Supplements: An Insight into Safety
and Herb-drug Interaction
Authors: Rasheed Haamid , Ahmed Suhail , Sharma Alok
Published: July 2023

Herbs have been used as sustenance and medicine for a very long time, often in
conjunction with other prescribed medications. Even though they are thought to be natural and
secure, many of these herbs can interact with other medications and cause potentially dangerous
adverse effects or decrease the benefits of the medication. The complex and diverse
pharmacological functions carried out by the active ingredients in herbs unavoidably alter the
pharmacokinetics of chemical drugs when administered in vivo. Drug transporter expression has a
direct impact on how medications are absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted in living
organisms. Changes in substrate pharmacokinetics can affect the effectiveness and toxicity of a
drug when the active ingredients of a herb inhibit or stimulate the expression of transporters. By
reviewing published clinical and preclinical studies, this review aims to raise awareness of herbdrug
interactions and discuss their evidence-based mechanisms and clinical consequences. More
clinical information on herb-drug interactions is required to make choices regarding patient safety
as the incidence and severity of herb-drug interactions are rising due to an increase in the use of
herbal preparations globally.This review seeks to increase understanding of herb-drug interactions
and explore their evidence-based mechanisms and clinical implications by reviewing published
clinical and preclinical studies. The incidence and severity of herb-drug interactions are on the rise
due to an increase in the use of herbal preparations worldwide, necessitating the need for more
clinical data on these interactions in order to make decisions regarding patient safety. Healthcare
workers and patients will become more alert to potential interactions as their knowledge of
pharmacokinetic herb-drug interactions grows. The study's objective is to raise readers' awareness
of possible interactions between herbal supplements and prescription medications who regularly
take them.
B Vitamins as Adjunctive Treatment for Chronic Heart Failure
Authors: Dkhillon Dzhastyn , Samogulova Alina , Kolobov Boris
Published: July 2023

Introduction:

Vitamin B deficiency causes cardiac hypertrophy, reduced cardiac contractility,
and arrhythmias.The purpose of this study is to perform a network meta-analysis of randomized
controlled trials of vitamin B supplements in a group of 150 patients who meet the eligibility
criteria.The study also aims to describe the effect of synthetic multivitamins (pyridoxine, folic acid,
and cyanocobalamin) on the laboratory findings reflecting the severity of chronic heart failure (cholesterol,
glucose, and fibrinogen).

Methods:

The experiment involved a group of people (150 individuals) diagnosed with chronic
heart failure with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction. The study compared serum levels of B
vitamins measured after the therapy and at baseline. The second part of the study focused on the
assessment of the laboratory findings reflecting the severity of cardiovascular pathology and indicating
an increased risk of vascular catastrophes.

Results:

Clinical trials among patients diagnosed with chronic heart failure showed that the intake of synthetic
forms of pyridoxine, folic acid, and cyanocobalamin slightly increases systolic, diastolic and central
venous pressure while decreasing the heart rate and increasing LVEF. Thiamine acts as a vasodilator. It
reduces the cardiac afterload and improves heart function.

Conclusion:

The results obtained can be useful in terms of improving the comprehensive treatment
strategy for chronic heart failure and further investigation of the effects produced by the intake of B
vitamins.
Estimate of the most common bacteria cause of UTI and effective drug in Alrefaai City
Authors: Al‑khegane Murtadha A. , Abed Ali Wisam Jasim , Ashour Zainab , Turki Ibrahim Dip , K. Najim Murtadha , Lahhob Qais R.
Published: July 2023

Background: Urinary Tract Infection is a worldwide prevalence disease that infects both males and females in different ratios. Escherichia coli is the most infectious pathogen, followed by Klebsiella and Pseudomonas. Through time bacteria increase their resistance to most antibiotics, increasing bacterial prevalence and pathogenesis. Fifty patients with UTI symptoms were randomly selected in Alrefaai Hospital from October 2021 to April 2022. A 10-15 ml urine sample was collected from each patient and cultured to calculate colony forming unit and detect the type of bacteria with biochemical tests. Most patients were female 66% compared to male 34% with age groups 1-30 years 68% and those more than other groups. Escherichia coli is the most prevalent, 54%, while the second one is Staphylococcus aureus 20%, then Coagulase -ve Staphylococcus 14% and less infection was with Klebsiella and Proteus, 6%. Antibiotic Imipenem, Chloramphenicol, Gentamycin, Norfloxacin, Ciprofloxacin and Tobramycin play highly effective roles on most bacteria. We found that most patients with UTI were from the city center and in the age group 1-30 years. The most prevalent pathogens of UTI were Escherichia coli and then Staphylococcus aureus. Almost Imipenem, Chloramphenicol, Gentamycin, Norfloxacin, Ciprofloxacin and Tobramycin are the best effective antibiotics against our study's bacteria.
Keywords: Urinary Tract Infection, Recurrent UTI, Alrefaai city, Antibiotic susceptibility.
The Global Prevalence of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and its Association With Cancers: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Muhamad Nor Asiah , Maamor Nur Hasnah , Leman Fatin Norhasny , Mohamad Zuraifah Asrah , Bakon Sophia Karen , Abdul Mutalip Mohd Hatta , Rosli Izzah Athirah , Aris Tahir , Lai Nai Ming , Abu Hassan Muhammad Radzi
Published: July 2023

Background

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the common causes of chronic liver disease globally. Obesity, metabolic diseases, and exposure to some environmental agents contribute to NAFLD. NAFLD is commonly considered a precursor for some types of cancers. Since the leading causes of death in people with NAFLD are cardiovascular disease and extrahepatic cancers, it is important to understand the mechanisms of the progression of NAFLD to control its progression and identify its association with extrahepatic cancers. Thus, this review aims to estimate the global prevalence of NAFLD in association with the risk of extrahepatic cancers.

Objective

We aimed to determine the prevalence of various cancers in NAFLD patients and the association between NAFLD and cancer.

Methods

We searched PubMed, ProQuest, Scopus, and Web of Science from database inception to March 2022 to identify eligible studies reporting the prevalence of NAFLD and the risk of incident cancers among adult individuals (aged ≥18 years). Data from selected studies were extracted, and meta-analysis was performed using random effects models to obtain the pooled prevalence with the 95% CI. The quality of the evidence was assessed with the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.

Results

We identified 11 studies that met our inclusion criteria, involving 222,523 adults and 3 types of cancer: hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), breast cancer, and other types of extrahepatic cancer. The overall pooled prevalence of NAFLD and cancer was 26% (95% CI 16%-35%), while 25% of people had NAFLD and HCC (95% CI 7%-42%). NAFLD and breast cancer had the highest prevalence out of the 3 forms of cancer at 30% (95% CI 14%-45%), while the pooled prevalence for NAFLD and other cancers was 21% (95% CI 12%-31%).

Conclusions

The review suggests that people with NAFLD may be at an increased risk of cancer that might not affect not only the liver but also other organs, such as the breast and bile duct. The findings serve as important evidence for policymakers to evaluate and recommend measures to reduce the prevalence of NAFLD through lifestyle and environmental preventive approaches.

Trial Registration

PROSPERO CRD42022321946; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=321946
Identifying and Addressing Barriers and Facilitators for the Implementation of Internet of Things in Distributed Care: Protocol for a Case Study
Authors: Palm Klas , Kronlid Carl , Brantnell Anders , Elf Marie , Borg Johan
Published: July 2023

Background

 The internet of things (IoT) is recognized as a valuable approach to supporting health care to achieve quality and person-centered care. This study aims to identify the facilitators and barriers associated with implementing IoT solutions in health care within a Scandinavian context. It addresses the pressing need to adapt health care systems to the demographic changes occurring in Scandinavia. The vision of “Vision eHealth 2025,” a long-term strategic direction for digitalization in Sweden, serves as the background for this project. The implementation of IoT solutions is a crucial aspect of achieving the vision’s goal of making Sweden a global leader in using digitalization and eHealth opportunities by 2025. IoT is recognized as a valuable approach to supporting health care to achieve quality and person-centered care. Previous research has shown that there is a gap in our understanding of social and organizational challenges related to IoT and that the implementation and introduction of new technology in health care is often problematic.

Objective

 In this study, we will identify facilitating and hindering factors for the implementation of IoT solutions in social and health care.

Methods

 We will use an explorative design with a case study approach. The data collection will comprise questionnaires and qualitative interviews. Also, a literature review will be conducted at the start of the project. Thus, quantitative and qualitative data will be collected concurrently and integrated into a convergent mixed methods approach.

Results

 As of June 2023, data for the review and 22 interviews with the stakeholders have been performed. The co-design with stakeholders will be performed in the fall of 2023.

Conclusions

 This study represents a unique and innovative opportunity to gain new knowledge relevant and useful for future implementation of new technology at health care organizations so they can continue to offer high-quality, person-centered care. The outcomes of this research will contribute to a better understanding of the conditions necessary to implement and fully use the potential of IoT solutions. By developing cocreated implementation strategies, the study seeks to bridge the gap between theory and practice. Ultimately, this project aims to facilitate the adoption of IoT solutions in health care for promoting improved patient care and using technology to meet the evolving needs of health care.

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/44562