bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nonshared environmental factors in the aetiology of autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions: a monozygotic co-twin control study
Authors: Isaksson Johan , Ruchkin Vladislav , Aho Nikolas , Lundin Remnélius Karl , Marschik Peter B. , Bölte Sven
Published: February 2022

Background

A significant proportion of variation in likelihood of neurodevelopmental conditions (NDCs) has been attributed to nonshared environmental (NSE) factors, although it remains unclear which NSE factors pose specific risks for certain NDCs.

Methods

A monozygotic co-twin design was applied in a sample of 224 twins (mean age = 17.70 years, SD = 6.28) controlling for confounders such as genes and shared environment. Generalized estimating equation models were fitted, using perinatal and postnatal indications of NSEs as exposure, operationalized both as separate risk factors and as cumulative risk loads. Categorical and dimensional operationalizations of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), intellectual disability and other NDCs were used as outcomes.

Results

Birth weight discordance was associated with dimensional autism and ADHD for the smaller twin, and medication during infancy was associated with dimensional autism. Among postnatal factors scarlet fever during early childhood was associated with lower IQ. Especially autism was associated with a greater cumulative perinatal or postnatal risk load.

Limitations

When exploring the associations between each condition and specific NSEs the risk of being statistically underpowered increases. Hence, we limit the reported findings on specific indicators of NSEs to trait levels and present descriptive data for categorical NDCs.

Conclusions

The findings support previous research by indicating an association between exposure to perinatal and postnatal risks and subsequent NDCs within twin pairs and suggest that autism may be especially linked to accumulative early environmental risks. The findings are potentially important for developmental outcomes prognoses and may inform targeted prevention and early interventions.
Extensive intrathoracic and intraperitoneal splenosis mimicking mesothelioma: a case report
Authors: Föh Bandik , Sieren Malte Maria , Both Marcus , Seeger Marcus , Günther Rainer
Published: February 2022

Background

Splenosis is the heterotopic autotransplantation of splenic tissue after severe splenic trauma and/or splenectomy. The epidemiology is elusive, but splenosis is frequently misdiagnosed as malignant tumors of gastrointestinal, gynecological, or hematological origin before the correct diagnosis is ultimately found. We herein report a rare case of combined, extensive intraabdominal and intrathoracic splenosis initially presenting as pleural mesothelioma.

Case presentation

A 63-year-old Caucasian male presented with dyspnea and recurring thoracic pain. Initial X-ray and computed tomography scans showed disseminated intrathoracic and intraabdominal lesions. Consequently, thoracoabdominal mesothelioma or a polytopically metastasized cancer of unknown origin was suspected. A thorough examination of the patient’s medical history and contrast-enhanced ultrasound by a skilled examiner revealed the diagnosis of extensive abdominal and thoracic splenosis as a consequence of an abdominal gunshot wound with a ruptured diaphragm several decades earlier. Timely diagnosis by noninvasive measures prevented the patient from potential complications of harmful diagnostic procedures, including nuclear imaging and biopsies. The patient is currently treated for hepatitis C and chronic obstructive lung disease, whereas no specific treatment for splenosis is required.

Conclusions

We present a case of rare intrathoracic and intraperitoneal splenosis mimicking mesothelioma. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound and thorough patient history were used for diagnosis and prevented this patient from having to undergo potentially harmful diagnostics. Splenosis can occur after splenic trauma and, consequently, needs to be considered as a rare differential diagnosis to malignant tumors of various origins when a matching patient history is obtained.
Melatonin enhances osteogenic differentiation of dental pulp mesenchymal stem cells by regulating MAPK pathways and promotes the efficiency of bone regeneration in calvarial bone defects
Authors: Chan Ya-Hui , Ho Kuo-Ning , Lee Yu-Chieh , Chou Meng-Jung , Lew Wei-Zhen , Huang Haw-Ming , Lai Pin-Chuang , Feng Sheng-Wei
Published: February 2022

Background

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-based tissue engineering plays a major role in regenerative medicine. However, the efficiency of MSC transplantation and survival of engrafted stem cells remain challenging. Melatonin can regulate MSC biology. However, its function in the osteogenic differentiation of dental pulp-derived MSCs (DPSCs) remains unclear. We investigated the effects and mechanisms of melatonin on the osteogenic differentiation and bone regeneration capacities of DPSCs.

Methods

The biological effects and signaling mechanisms of melatonin with different concentrations on DPSCs were evaluated using a proliferation assay, the quantitative alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, Alizarin red staining, a real-time polymerase chain reaction, and a western blot in vitro cell culture model. The in vivo bone regeneration capacities were assessed among empty control, MBCP, MBCP + DPSCs, and MBCP + DPSCs + melatonin preconditioning in four-created calvarial bone defects by using micro-computed tomographic, histological, histomorphometric, and immunohistochemical analyses after 4 and 8 weeks of healing.

Results

In vitro experiments revealed that melatonin (1, 10, and 100 μM) significantly and concentration-dependently promoted proliferation, surface marker expression (CD 146), ALP activity and extracellular calcium deposition, and osteogenic gene expression of DPSCs (p < 0.05). Melatonin activated the protein expression of ALP, OCN, and RUNX-2 and inhibited COX-2/NF-κB expression. Furthermore, the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) p38/ERK signaling was significantly increased in DPSCs treated with 100 μM melatonin, and their inhibitors significantly decreased osteogenic differentiation. In vivo experiments demonstrated that bone defects implanted with MBCP bone-grafting materials and melatonin-preconditioned DPSCs exhibited significantly greater bone volume fraction, trabecular bone structural modeling, new bone formation, and osteogenesis-related protein expression than the other three groups at 4 and 8 weeks postoperatively (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

These results suggest that melatonin promotes the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of DPSCs by regulating COX-2/NF-κB and p38/ERK MAPK signaling pathways. Preconditioning DPSCs with melatonin before transplantation can efficiently enhance MSCs function and regenerative capacities.
Psychosocial rehabilitation of individuals with schizophrenia: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Oyelade Oyeyemi Olajumoke , Nkosi-Mafutha Nokuthula Gloria
Published: February 2022

Background

The psychosocial rehabilitation of an individual with mental illness is an evidence-based approach to reducing the burden of the illness and the associated stigma globally. Specifically, in Africa, it has promising scope for African life and the African economy. Psychosocial rehabilitation is described as a set of approaches that aim to assist an individual in achieving restoration from a state of dependency caused by schizophrenia to a state of being an independent decision-maker. However, there seems to be a dearth of literature and implementation of psychosocial rehabilitation in Africa. Therefore, it is necessary to map studies on how psychosocial rehabilitation is conducted for people living in Africa with the most chronic form of mental illness, schizophrenia.

Methods

This study will adopt the Arksey and O’Malley scoping review framework to search and compile relevant studies. This process will involve three steps: title screening, to be performed solely by the principal investigator, followed by abstract and full-text screening, to be performed independently by two reviewers (the principal investigator and co-investigator). Rayyan QCRI, a systematic reviews web app, will be used for tracking the screening records, and data charting form will be used to extract basic data of included studies. The risk of bias in the articles identified for screening will be assessed by the Mixed Method Appraisal Tool (MMAT). Finally, the content analysis of the screened studies will be performed with NVivo.

Expected outcome

This study has the likelihood of revealing a research gap in psychosocial rehabilitation approaches and methods. The review results will constitute part of the available evidence that the researchers aim to adopt in the broader part of the project, which aims to develop implementation strategies for the psychosocial rehabilitation of chronic mental illnesses, specifically schizophrenia, in Sub-Sahara Africa. The implementation process also encompasses disseminating the findings of this review to stakeholders, which will enhance their knowledge of the current state of Sub-Saharan Africa and may stimulate support for the implementation of rehabilitation strategies.
Geometric properties of the meromorphic functions class through special functions associated with a linear operator
Authors: Ghanim F. , Al-Janaby Hiba F. , Bazighifan Omar
Published: February 2022

According to the theory of regular geometric functions, the relevance of geometry to analysis is a critical feature. One of the significant tools to study operators is to utilize the convolution product. The dynamic techniques of convolution have attracted numerous complex analyses in current research. In this effort, an attempt is made by utilizing the said techniques to study a new linear complex operator connecting an incomplete beta function and a Hurwitz–Lerch zeta function of certain meromorphic functions. Furthermore, we employ a method based on the first-order differential subordination to derive new and better differential complex inequalities, namely differential subordinations.
Effects of service-wide support on regularity of alcohol screening of clients in Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health Services: a cluster randomised trial
Authors: Dzidowska Monika , Raubenheimer Jacques E. , Dobbins Timothy A. , Lee K. S. Kylie , Hayman Noel , Vnuk Julia , Haber Paul , Conigrave Katherine M.
Published: February 2022

Background

We have previously shown that service-wide support can increase the odds of alcohol screening in any 2-month period in a cluster randomized trial of service-wide support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHS). Here we report an exploratory analysis on whether the resulting pattern of screening was appropriate. Aim: we assess whether that increase in screening was associated with: (i) increased first-time screening, (ii) increased annual screening, (iii) whether frequently screened clients fell into one of four risk categories as defined by national guidelines.

Methods

Setting and participants: 22 ACCHS; randomized to receive the support model in the treatment (‘early-support’) arm over 24-months or to the waitlist control arm. Intervention: eight-component support, including training, sharing of experience, audit-and-feedback and resource support. Analysis: records of clients with visits before and after start of implementation were included. Multilevel logistic modelling was used to compare (i) the odds of previously unscreened clients receiving an AUDIT-C screen, (ii) odds of clients being screened with AUDIT-C at least once annually. We describe the characteristics of a sub-cohort of clients who received four or more screens annually, including if they were in a high-risk category.

Results

Of the original trial sample, 43,054 met inclusion criteria, accounting for 81.7% of the screening events in the overall trial. The support did not significantly increase the odds of first-time screening (OR  = 1.33, 95% CI 0.81–2.18, p  = 0.25) or of annual screening (OR  = 0.99, 95% CI 0.42–2.37, p = 0.98). Screening more than once annually occurred in 6240 clients. Of the 841 clients with four or more screens annually, over 50% did not fall into a high-risk category. Females were overrepresented. More males than females fell into high-risk categories.

Conclusion

The significant increase in odds of screening observed in the main trial did not translate to significant improvement in first-time or annual screening following implementation of support. This appeared to be due to some clients being screened more frequently than annually, while more than half remained unscreened. Further strategies to improve alcohol screening should focus on appropriate screening regularity as well as overall rates, to ensure clinically useful information about alcohol consumption.

Trial Registration ACTRN12618001892202, retrospectively registered 16 November 2018 https://anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?ACTRN=12618001892202.
Metamodeling techniques for CPU-intensive simulation-based design optimization: a survey
Authors: Khatouri Hanane , Benamara Tariq , Breitkopf Piotr , Demange Jean
Published: February 2022

In design optimization of complex systems, the surrogate model approach relying on progressively enriched Design of Experiments (DOE) avoids efficiency problems encountered when embedding simulation codes within optimization loops. However, an efficient a priori sampling of the design space rapidly becomes costly when using High-Fidelity (HF) simulators, especially in high dimension. On the other hand, in applications such as aeronautical design, multiple simulation tools are frequently available for the same problem, generally with a degree of precision inversely proportional to the CPU cost. Thus, the concept of multi-fidelity proposes to merge different levels of fidelity within a single model with controlled variance. Based on recent Reduced-Order Modeling (ROM) techniques, an alternative approach allows to pursue the objective of mastering the simulation budget by replacing costly models with their approximate full-field counterparts, providing additional insight to scalar surrogates built directly from the Quantities of Interest (QoI). Both approaches: multi-fidelity and ROM, may be combined, allowing for additional flexibility in choosing the degree of fidelity required in different zones of the design space. This paper reviews the strategies that seek to improve surrogate-based optimization efficiency, including ROM, multi-fidelity metamodeling, and DOE enrichment strategies.
Warwick Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (WEMWBS): measurement invariance across genders and item response theory examination
Authors: Marmara Joshua , Zarate Daniel , Vassallo Jeremy , Patten Rhiannon , Stavropoulos Vasileios
Published: February 2022

Background

The Warwick Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (WEMWBS) is a measure of subjective well-being and assesses eudemonic and hedonic aspects of well-being. However, differential scoring of the WEMWBS across gender and its precision of measurement has not been examined. The present study assesses the psychometric properties of the WEMWBS using measurement invariance (MI) between males and females and item response theory (IRT) analyses.

Method

A community sample of 386 adults from the United States of America (USA), United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada were assessed online (N = 394, 54.8% men, 43.1% women, Mage = 27.48, SD = 5.57).

Results

MI analyses observed invariance across males and females at the configural level and metric level but non-invariance at the scalar level. The graded response model (GRM) conducted to observe item properties indicated that all items demonstrated, although variable, sufficient discrimination capacity.

Conclusions

Gender comparisons based on WEMWBS scores should be cautiously interpreted for specific items that demonstrate different scalar scales and similar scores indicate different severity. The items showed increased reliability for latent levels of ∓ 2 SD from the mean level of SWB. The WEMWBS may also not perform well for clinically low and high levels of SWB. Including assessments for clinical cases may optimise the use of the WEMWBS.
FAM83A is a potential biomarker for breast cancer initiation
Authors: Marino Natascia , German Rana , Podicheti Ram , Rockey Pam , Sandusky George E. , Temm Constance J. , Nakshatri Harikrishna , Addison Rebekah J. , Selman Bryce , Althouse Sandra K. , Storniolo Anna Maria V.
Published: February 2022

Background

Family with sequence similarity 83 member A (FAM83A) presents oncogenic properties in several cancers including breast cancer. Recently, we reported FAM83A overexpression in normal breast tissues from women at high risk of breast cancer. We now hypothesize that FAM83A is a key factor in breast cancer initiation.

Methods

Immunohistochemical staining was used to evaluate FAM83A protein levels in both a normal breast tissue microarray (TMA, N = 411) and a breast tumor TMA (N = 349). EGFR staining and its correlation with FAM83A expression were also assessed. Lentivirus-mediated manipulation of FAM83A expression in primary and hTERT-immortalized breast epithelial cells was employed. Biological and molecular alterations upon FAM83A overexpression/downregulation and FAM83A’s interaction partners were investigated.

Results

TMA analysis revealed a 1.5-fold increase in FAM83A expression level in breast cancer cases as compared with normal breast tissues (p < 0.0001). FAM83A protein expression was directly correlated with EGFR level in both normal and breast cancer tissues. In in vitro assays, exogenous expression of FAM83A in either primary or immortalized breast epithelial cells promoted cell viability and proliferation. Additionally, Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) revealed that FAM83A overexpression in primary cells affected the expression of genes involved in cellular morphology and metabolism. Mass spectrometry analysis identified DDX3X and LAMB3 as potential FAM83A interaction partners in primary cells, while we detected FAM83A interaction with cytoskeleton reorganization factors, including LIMA1, MYH10, PLEC, MYL6 in the immortalized cells.

Conclusions

This study shows that FAM83A promotes metabolic activation in primary breast epithelial cells and cell proliferation in both primary and immortalized cells. These findings support its role in early breast oncogenesis.
Sentiment analysis for cruises in Saudi Arabia on social media platforms using machine learning algorithms
Authors: Al sari Bador , Alkhaldi Rawan , Alsaffar Dalia , Alkhaldi Tahani , Almaymuni Hanan , Alnaim Norah , Alghamdi Najwa , Olatunji Sunday O.
Published: February 2022

Social media﻿ has great importance in the community for discussing many events and sharing them with others. The primary goal of this research is to study the quality of the sentiment analysis (SA) of impressions about Saudi cruises, as a first event, by creating datasets from three selected social media platforms (Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter). The outcome of this study will help in understanding opinions of passengers and viewers about their first Saudi cruise experiences by analyzing their feelings from social media posts. After cleaning, this experiment contains 1200 samples. The data was classified into positive or negative classes using the choice of machine learning algorithms, such as multilayer perceptron (MLP), naıve bayes (NB), random forest (RF), support vector machine (SVM), and voting. The results show the highest classification accuracy for the RF algorithm, as it achieved 100% accuracy with over-sampled data from Snapchat using both test options. The algorithms were compared among the three different datasets. All algorithms achieved a high level of accuracy. Hence, the results show that 80% of the sentiments were positive while 20% were negative.
Spatiotemporal features of pollutant loads in the Yan River Basin, a typical loess hilly and gully watershed in the Chinese Loess Plateau
Authors: Song Yanni , Wu Yiping , Sun Changshun , Zhao Fubo , Hu Jingyi , Chen Ji , Qiu Linjing , Lian Yanqing
Published: February 2022

Water quality is the restrictive factor for both ecosystem health and social development in the Chinese Loess Plateau, a unique area with most severe soil erosion, fragile ecology, and water shortage. Understanding the characteristics of the pollutant loads is of vital importance for the sustainability of eco-environment in the Loess Plateau. This study investigated the spatiotemporal changes of chemical oxygen demand (COD), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) loads by combining the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) and regression model Load Estimator (LOADEST) in a typical loess hilly and gully watershed—the Yan River Basin (YanRB). Results showed that the model simulations of monthly streamflow and pollutant loads were in good agreement with those derived from the in situ observations. The temporal variation analysis suggested that the pollutant loads were generally rising in the study period (2001–2018) at four of the five stations and reached the maximum in 2014, and the multi-year (i.e., 2001–2018 with 2013 being excluded due to extreme rainfall) average loads of COD, TN, and TP at the Tanjiahe station, which is close to the outlet of the basin, were 15,021 kg/day, 3835 kg/day, and 168 kg/day, respectively. The spatial distribution of the TN and TP loads along the river seemed to be quite unique because the TP level were obviously higher at the midstream (e.g., Zhujiagou and Ganguyi) than the downstream (e.g., Tanjiahe), and the TN level decreased when the river flowed from Zhujiagou to Ganguyi. Further, the seasonal analysis indicated that the nutrient loads were the highest in summer, followed by autumn, and the loads in these two seasons contributed the most of the annual pollution loads—about 76% and 84% for TN and TP, respectively, indicating the higher flow, the higher pollution load, a similar point based on the inter-annual analysis. In addition, the contribution analysis of point source and non-point source pollutions demonstrated that NPS led to most of the pollutant loads at the whole watershed—70%, 67%, and 71% of the COD, TN, and TP loads, respectively. Overall, this study provided spatiotemporal distributions of the key pollutant loads in the YanRB and can be valuable for water quality protection and pollution control in this area.
Racism, sexism and disconnection: contrasting experiences of Black women in STEM before and after transfer from community college
Authors: Allen DeeDee , Dancy Melissa , Stearns Elizabeth , Mickelson Roslyn , Bottia Martha
Published: February 2022

Background

Repeated calls to diversify the population of students earning undergraduate degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields have noted the greater diversity of community college students and their potential to thus have an impact on the racial/ethnic composition of 4-year degree earners. In this paper, we investigate barriers and supports to Black women’s success in STEM, using longitudinal interview data with seven Black women who were enrolled at community colleges and stated an interest in majoring in STEM at 4-year institutions.

Results

Our findings highlight a contrast between community colleges and universities. At community colleges, Black women were able to form supportive relationships with professors and peers, downplayed the potential of racism and sexism to derail their STEM ambitions, and saw little to no impact of bias on their educational experiences. Those students who transferred characterized university climates very differently, as they struggled to form supportive relationships and experienced racism and sexism from professors and peers.

Conclusions

We conclude using Patricia Hill Collins’ Domains of Power framework to categorize students’ experiences, then end with recommendations for change that will result in less alienating experiences for Black women, among other minoritized students.
I will teach you here or there, I will try to teach you anywhere: perceived supports and barriers for emergency remote teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Donham Cristine , Barron Hillary A. , Alkhouri Jourjina Subih , Changaran Kumarath Maya , Alejandro Wesley , Menke Erik , Kranzfelder Petra
Published: February 2022

Background

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many universities moved to emergency remote teaching (ERT). This allowed institutions to continue their instruction despite not being in person. However, ERT is not without consequences. For example, students may have inadequate technological supports, such as reliable internet and computers. Students may also have poor learning environments at home and may need to find added employment to support their families. In addition, there are consequences to faculty. It has been shown that female instructors are more disproportionately impacted in terms of mental health issues and increased domestic labor. This research aims to investigate instructors’ and students’ perceptions of their transition to ERT. Specifically, during the transition to ERT at a research-intensive, Minority-Serving Institution (MSI), we wanted to: (1) Identify supports and barriers experienced by instructors and students. (2) Compare instructors’ experiences with the students’ experiences. (3) Explore these supports and barriers within the context of social presence, teaching presence, and/or cognitive presence as well as how these supports and barriers relate to scaffolding in STEM courses.

Results

Instructors identified twice as many barriers as supports in their teaching during the transition to ERT and identified casual and formal conversations with colleagues as valuable supports. Emerging categories for barriers consisted of academic integrity concerns as well as technological difficulties. Similarly, students identified more barriers than supports in their learning during the transition to ERT. More specifically, students described pre-existing course structure, classroom technology, and community as best supporting their learning. Barriers that challenged student learning included classroom environment, student availability, and student emotion and comfort.

Conclusions

Together, this research will help us understand supports and barriers to teaching and learning during the transition to ERT. This understanding can help us better plan and prepare for future emergencies, particularly at MSIs, where improved communication and increased access to resources for both students and instructors are key.
Real-time irradiation system using patterned light to actuate light-driven on-chip gel actuators
Authors: Koike Yuha , Kodera Shunnosuke , Yokoyama Yoshiyuki , Hayakawa Takeshi
Published: February 2022

A light-driven gel actuator is a potential candidate for a single-cell manipulation tool because it allows cells to be manipulated while ensuring less damage. Moreover, a large number of actuators can be integrated into a microfluidic chip because no wiring is required. Previously, we proposed a method for cell manipulation using light-driven gel actuators. However, the system used in the previous work did not allow the targeted cells to be manipulated in real time because the system used in the previous work could only irradiate preprogrammed patterned light. Moreover, when a large number of gel actuators are integrated into a chip, the Gaussian distribution of the laser light source results in the response characteristics of the gel actuators varying with the location of the actuator. In this work, we constructed a system that homogenized the intensity of the patterned light used for irradiation, allowing multiple gel actuators to be driven in parallel in real time. The intensity-homogenized patterned light improved the variations in the response characteristics of the gel actuators, and as a result, we succeeded in actuating gel actuators with various light patterns in real time.
Expert guidance for the rehabilitation of children with arthrogryposis: protocol using an integrated knowledge translation approach
Authors: Dahan-Oliel Noémi , Cachecho Sarah , Fąfara Alicja , Lacombe Francis , Samargian Ani , Bussières André
Published: February 2022

Background

Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita (AMC) is a group of rare congenital disorders characterized by multiple joint contractures present at birth. Contractures can affect different body areas and impact activities of daily living, mobility and participation. Although early rehabilitation is crucial to promote autonomy and participation in children with AMC, empirical evidence to inform best practice is scarce and clinical expertise hard to develop due to the rarity of AMC. Preliminary research involving stakeholders in AMC (youth with AMC, parents, and clinicians) identified priorities in pediatric rehabilitation. Scoping reviews on these priorities showed a lack of high quality evidence related to rehabilitation in AMC. The objective of this project is to provide rehabilitation expert guidance on the assessment and treatment of children with AMC in the areas of muscle and joint function, pain, mobility and self-care, participation and psychosocial wellbeing.

Methods

An integrated knowledge translation approach will be used throughout the project. Current rehabilitation practices in AMC will be identified using a clinician survey. Using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations framework (GRADE) approach, a panel of interdisciplinary expert clinicians, patient and family representatives, and researchers will develop expert guidance on the assessment and treatment for pediatric AMC rehabilitation based on findings from the scoping reviews and survey results. Consensus on the guidance statements will be sought using a modified Delphi process with a wider panel of international AMC experts, and statements appraised using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II (AGREE II) tool. Theoretical facilitators and barriers toward implementing clinical guidance into practice will be identified among rehabilitation clinicians and managers to inform the design of dissemination and implementation strategies.

Discussion

This multi-phase project will provide healthcare users and providers with research-based, expert guidance for the rehabilitation of children with AMC and will contribute to family-centered practice.
Visual working memory for connected 3D objects: effects of stimulus complexity, dimensionality and connectivity
Authors: He Chuanxiuyue , Gunalp Peri , Meyerhoff Hauke S. , Rathbun Zoe , Stieff Mike , Franconeri Steven L. , Hegarty Mary
Published: February 2022

Visual working memory (VWM) is typically measured using arrays of two-dimensional isolated stimuli with simple visual identities (e.g., color or shape), and these studies typically find strong capacity limits. Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) experts are tasked with reasoning with representations of three-dimensional (3D) connected objects, raising questions about whether those stimuli would be subject to the same limits. Here, we use a color change detection task to examine working memory capacity for 3D objects made up of differently colored cubes. Experiment 1a shows that increasing the number of parts of an object leads to less sensitivity to color changes, while change-irrelevant structural dimensionality (the number of dimensions into which parts of the structure extend) does not. Experiment 1b shows that sensitivity to color changes decreases similarly with increased complexity for multipart 3D connected objects and disconnected 2D squares, while sensitivity is slightly higher with 3D objects. Experiments 2a and 2b find that when other stimulus characteristics, such as size and visual angle, are controlled, change-irrelevant dimensionality and connectivity have no effect on performance. These results suggest that detecting color changes on 3D connected objects and on displays of isolated 2D stimuli are subject to similar set size effects and are not affected by dimensionality and connectivity when these properties are change-irrelevant, ruling out one possible explanation for scientists’ advantages in storing and manipulating representations of complex 3D objects.
Physical exercise intervention via telerehabilitation in patients with neurological disorders: a narrative literature review
Authors: Özden Fatih , Özkeskin Mehmet , Ak Süleyman Mert
Published: February 2022

Background

In recent years, telerehabilitation applications have increased with the rapid development of mobile technology. Remote rehabilitation services have utmost importance in chronic neurological disorders. The aim of this narrative literature review was to discuss the physical exercise interventions via telerehabilitation in patients with neurological disorders. The literature search was conducted via PubMed using the neurological pathology terms in the MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) database. Physical exercise-based studies within the scope of neurological rehabilitation were included in the study. The contents of the studies were discussed with narrative synthesis.

Results

A total of 329 studies were obtained in the initial search. Twelve studies including cases of multiple sclerosis (MS), stroke, parkinson's disease, intracranial tumors, spinal-cord injury were interpreted. A vast majority of studies (50%) was conducted with stroke cases. On the other hand, half of the studies addressed the specific results of balance or balance-falling. The results of the studies were discussed comprehensively.

Conclusion

Physical exercise with telerehabilitation provides productive results to improve quality of life, muscle strength-endurance, hand function, balance, aerobic capacity in neurologic rehabilitation.
Microencapsulation of avocado pear seed (Persea Americana mill) bioactive-rich extracts and evaluation of its antioxidants, in vitro starch digestibility and storage stability
Authors: Awolu Olugbenga O. , Fole Esosa T. , Oladeji Oluwatoyin A. , Ayo-Omogie Helen N. , Olagunju Aderonke I.
Published: February 2022

Background

This study evaluated the antioxidant activities of avocado seed extract as affected by solvent for extraction and formulation of microcapsule from the extract. Avocado seed powder was extracted using ethanol, aqueous ethanol, and water as solvents. The extract with the highest bioactive activity was encapsulated using corn and cassava starches as cell wall materials. The antioxidant activity, storage stability, in vitro starch digestibility and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) of the microcapsules were evaluated.

Results

Results indicated that 100% ethanolic extract had the highest flavonoid and total phenolic contents and the highest antioxidant activity. Cassava starch was observed as a better cell wall material for the entrapment of phenolic and bioactive compounds as compared to corn starch. After 30 days of storage at room temperature, there was a significant reduction (p ≤ 0.05) in the DPPH and OH* of the microcapsules, while the total phenol contents increased significantly (p ≤ 0.05). The FTIR showed that the microcapsules contained primarily alcohol (O–H), carbonyl, (C=O,), alkyne (C≡C) and benzene ring functional groups. The microcapsules were able to retain the bioactive contents during storage.

Conclusion

Microcapsule produced could be used for the formulation of several functional food products and supplements.
In vitro strategies for the enhancement of secondary metabolite production in plants: a review
Authors: Fazili Mohammad Afaan , Bashir Irfan , Ahmad Mudasar , Yaqoob Ubaid , Geelani Syed Naseem
Published: February 2022

Background

Plants are the prime source of vital secondary metabolites (SMs) which are medicinally important for drug development, and these secondary metabolites are often used by plants in the various important tasks like defense against herbivory, interspecies defenses and against different types of stresses. For humans, these secondary metabolites are important as medicines, pigments, flavorings and drugs. Because most of the pharmaceutical industries are highly dependent on medicinal plants and their extraction, these medicinal plants are getting endangered.

Main body

Plant cell culture technologies are introduced as a viable mechanism for producing and studying SMs of plants. Various types of in vitro strategies (elicitation, hairy root culture system, suspension culture system, etc.) have been considerably used for the improvement of the production of SMs of plants. For the enhancement of SM production, suspension culture and elicitation are mainly used, but hairy root culture and other organ cultures are proved to satisfy the demand of secondary metabolites. Now, it is easy to control and manipulate the pathways that produce the plant secondary metabolites.

Conclusions

Techniques like plant cell, tissue and organ cultures provide a valuable method for the production of medicinally significant SMs. In recent years, most of the in vitro strategies are used due to knowledge and regulation of SM pathway in commercially valuable plants. In future, these things will provide a valuable method to sustain the feasibility of medicinal plants as the renewable sources of medicinally important compounds, and these methods will provide successful production of desired, important, valuable and also unknown compounds.
Effect of foliar spray of ammonium nitrate and irrigation time on vegetative growth, fruit set, yield and fruit quality of “Ewais” mango trees
Authors: Abd El-Migeed M. M. M. , Abd El-Razek E. , Ali Hassan A. M. , Abdel-Hamid N.
Published: February 2022

Background

The current experiment was done during the 2018 and 2019 seasons on ‘Ewais’ mango trees (Mangifera indica) grown in Research Station, El-Nubaria district, Egypt, to study the impact of spraying ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) and irrigation time on vegetative growth, yield and fruit quality. All experimental plants have been received the same care,i.e.control of pests & weeds, fertilization, and irrigation until the 1st week of October. The irrigation was adapted to apply 5m3/feddan (4200 m2)/week to control leaves damage due to low temperature after this period and the treatments included: (T1) Water spraying at 1st week of November + start normal irrigation program at the same time after four weeks of adapted irrigation as 5m3/feddan (4200 m2)/week (Control). (T2) Spraying with NH4NO32% at 1st week of November + start normal irrigation program at the same time after four weeks of adapted irrigation as 5m3/feddan /week. (T3) Spraying NH4NO32% at 1st week of November + start normal irrigation program at 1st week of December after eight weeks of adapted irrigation as 5m3/feddan/week. (T4) Spraying NH4NO32% at 1st week of November + start normal irrigation program at 1st week of January after twelve weeks of adapted irrigation as 5m3/feddan/week. All treatments received the same quantity of irrigation water, approximately 4000 m3/feddan/year.

Results

All treatments (T2, T3 & T4) had a significant influence on vegetative growth, fruiting behavior (fruit set % & the yield), and the fruit quality compared with the control (T1). The significant was not only the fruit physical characteristics (weight, dimensions, volume, and specific gravity) but also the fruit chemical characteristics (total soluble solids % (T.S.S.), acidity %, T.S.S / acid ratio and vitamin C (L- ascorbic acid)).

Conclusion

Spraying NH4NO32% at 1st week of November plus start normal irrigation program at 1st week of November or December or January after 4 or 8 or 12 weeks of adapted irrigation as 5m3/feddan (4200 m2)/week (T2, T3, and T4) increased the vegetative growth, i.e. length of terminal shoots, No. leaves / terminal shoots & leaf area as well as the fruiting behavior such as fruit set percentage, No. fruits per tree & the tree production (kg/tree) and improved the fruit characteristics not only the fruit physical parameters but also the chemical properties in comparing with the untreated trees. During the two seasons, spraying NH4NO32% at 1st week of November plus start normal irrigation program at 1st week of January after 12 weeks of adapted irrigation as 5m3/feddan/week (T4) is recommended since; it is the only treatment with the superiority effect on studied parameters.
Evaluation of antibacterial effect of silver nanoparticles paste with and without curcumin as intracanal medication
Authors: Abdou Soha Adel , Mohamed Amira Ibrahim
Published: February 2022

Background

The purpose of the current study was to compare the antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticles AgNPs paste and silver nanoparticles AgNPs with curcumin paste as intracanal medications versus calcium hydroxide Ca(OH)2 paste. Thirty extracted, human teeth with single roots were decoronated and mechanically prepared. After sterilization, roots were inoculated with Enterococcus faecalis for 10 days. Roots were separated into three groups in accordance to kind of intracanal medications used; Group A, silver nanoparticles AgNPs (Nanogate company, Cairo, Egypt). Group B, silver nanoparticles AgNPs with curcumin (Nanogate company, Cairo, Egypt). Group C, calcium hydroxide Ca(OH)2 (Metapaste, META BIOMED). First microbiological samples (S1) were collected from the canal, before insertion of intracanal medication. Intracanal medications were kept in root canals in all groups for 7 days; then second microbiological samples (S2) were collected from the canals after medicament removal. After the colony forming units CFUs have been counted, the data were statistically analyzed.

Results

In the three tested groups, the highest bacterial count was found in (S1), while the least bacterial count was found in (S2) with statistical significant difference between them.

Conclusions

The effect of AgNPs paste and AgNPs with curcumin paste was superior to Ca(OH)2 paste. AgNPs with curcumin paste had the best antibacterial effect.
Productivity of Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa L.) under new reclaimed soil conditions at north-western coast of Egypt
Authors: Wali Asal M. , Kenawey M. K. , Ibrahim O. M. , El Lateef E. M. Abd
Published: February 2022

Background

Introducing new crops to reduce the nutritional gap in Egypt is an important target. One of these crops is Quinoa which is characterized by high nutritional value with multiple food uses. However, it will compete with other winter crops, so it is candidate to grow in marginal lands like calcareous soils. Meanwhile, planting density and N requirements are not known under such conditions; therefore, this work was undertaken in calcareous soil Caco3 > 50%.

Methods

The experiments included three nitrogen fertilization treatments (0, 50 and 100 kg/fed.) and two plant densities (20,000 plants/fed. and 36,000 plants/fed.) on Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) cv. Shibaya Field over two consecutive winter seasons of 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 in calcareous soil. Quinoa seed yield, biological yield, straw yield, weight of 1000-seed, harvest index, total nitrogen percentage in seeds, crude protein content in seeds, phosphorus content in seeds and potassium percentage in seeds were determined. The experimental design was a split plot design with three replications.

Results

The results showed that applying nitrogen fertilization at a rate of 100 kg/fed. had significantly greater seed yield, biological yield, seed yield, straw yield and weight of 1000-seed. All seed chemical contents except K percentage were significantly affected due to nitrogen fertilization. Increasing plant density from 20,000 to 36,000 plants per feddan significantly increased the biological yield, seed yield, straw yield, weight of 1000-seed and harvest index. The interaction between the two studied factors was significant on all characters of this investigation except, K percentage in seeds.

Conclusion

It can be concluded from this study that the quinoa crop responds to the increase in nitrogen fertilization and increases productivity and quality when fertilized with a rate of 100 kg nitrogen per fed.
Quadriceps muscle volume has no effect on patellofemoral cartilage lesions in patients with end-stage knee osteoarthritis
Authors: Yoon Jung-Ro , Joo Hong Joon , Lee Seung Hoon
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The quadriceps muscle has a positive effect on anterior knee pain. However, its effect on the patellofemoral (PF) cartilage in patients with end-stage knee osteoarthritis is unknown. The present study aimed to evaluate whether the quadriceps muscle area had a positive effect on the PF cartilage and whether this muscle had a positive effect on the clinical scores.

Materials and methods

Patients with confirmed cartilage status and clinical scores who underwent total knee arthroplasty (TKA) were included. The PF cartilage status was evaluated during TKA. The thickness and the area of the quadriceps muscle were measured using a knee computed tomography scan obtained before the surgery. The Q-angle, hip–knee–ankle angle, alignment, and Insall–Salvati ratio were measured by radiography.

Results

Altogether, 204 patients were included in the study. Logistic regression was performed including factors associated with PF cartilage lesions. The regression model was found to be statistically significant (Hosmer–Lemeshow test, χ2 = 0.493). A smaller hip–knee–ankle (HKA) angle was associated with a higher incidence of PF cartilage lesions (p = 0.033) and only the alignment had an effect on the PF cartilage lesions. PF cartilage lesions did not correlate with the clinical scores. A thicker medial portion of the quadriceps muscle was associated with a significantly higher Knee Society Knee Score (KSKS) (p = 0.028).

Conclusions

Quadriceps muscle thickness and area, Q-angle, and patellar height were not associated with PF cartilage lesions, while a smaller HKA angle was associated with PF cartilage lesions. The presence of PF cartilage lesions did not affect the clinical symptoms. However, a thicker medial portion of the quadriceps muscle was associated with a higher KSKS.
Pulmonary sequestration: a rare cause of false-positive uptake in Iodine-131 whole-body scan
Authors: Rohani Mohd Fazrin Mohd , Sohaimi Wan Fatihah Wan , Nawi Norazlina Mat , Sapiai Nur Asma , Daud Muhammad Azizul Mohd , Sohaimi Wan Hazirah Wan
Published: February 2022

Background

High-dose radioactive iodine-131 (I-131) is generally used post-total or subtotal thyroidectomy in differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) patients. I-131 whole-body scan (WBS) is performed to localize I-131 accumulation in the body and for restaging after therapy. Nonetheless, there are numerous causes of false-positive uptake in I-131 WBS in the absence of residual thyroid tissue or thyroid cancer metastasis.

Case presentation

We present a case of 51-year-old lady with false-positive uptake in I-131 WBS mimicking lung metastasis. Patient underwent total thyroidectomy, and histopathological examination showed well-differentiated papillary thyroid microcarcinoma. Diagnostic I-131 WBS followed by two subsequent high-dose radioiodine ablation showed persistent I-131 uptake in the left lower lung field. However, the serum thyroglobulin (Tg) is incessantly undetectable (< 0.04 μg/ml) with negative anti-thyroglobulin antibody (anti-TgAb). Three serial CT scans over the course of treatment coupled with MRI of the thoracolumbar region revealed stable lung lesion in the posterior segment of left lower lobe which signifies pulmonary sequestration. Based on the clinical assessment, imaging findings and blood investigations, patient was no longer subjected to I-131 therapy and is maintained on TSH suppression with L-thyroxine. After due consideration of the pros and cons of surgical intervention, the patient opted against surgical removal of the pulmonary sequestration.

Conclusions

Meticulous assessment of patient with suspected disease recurrence or metastasis in thyroid carcinoma is essential to avoid unnecessary I-131 ablation or surgical intervention. In this case, the positive I-131 imaging is associated with undetectable serum Tg (with negative anti-TgAb). Albeit uncommon, pulmonary sequestration should be taken into consideration as one of the differentials in false-positive findings of an I-131 WBS.