bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Epidemiological characteristics of tuberculosis incidence and its macro-influence factors in Chinese mainland during 2014–2021
Authors: Deng Le-le , Zhao Fei , Li Zhuo-wei , Zhang Wei-wei , He Guang-xue , Ren Xiang
Published: May 2024

Background

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a pressing public health issue, posing a significant threat to individuals' well-being and lives. This study delves into the TB incidence in Chinese mainland during 2014–2021, aiming to gain deeper insights into their epidemiological characteristics and explore macro-level factors to enhance control and prevention.

Methods

TB incidence data in Chinese mainland from 2014 to 2021 were sourced from the National Notifiable Disease Reporting System (NNDRS). A two-stage distributed lag nonlinear model (DLNM) was constructed to evaluate the lag and non-linearity of daily average temperature (℃, Atemp), average relative humidity (%, ARH), average wind speed (m/s, AWS), sunshine duration (h, SD) and precipitation (mm, PRE) on the TB incidence. A spatial panel data model was used to assess the impact of demographic, medical and health resource, and economic factors on TB incidence.

Results

A total of 6,587,439 TB cases were reported in Chinese mainland during 2014–2021, with an average annual incidence rate of 59.17/100,000. The TB incidence decreased from 67.05/100,000 in 2014 to 46.40/100,000 in 2021, notably declining from 2018 to 2021 (APC = -8.87%, 95% CI: -11.97, -6.85%). TB incidence rates were higher among males, farmers, and individuals aged 65 years and older. Spatiotemporal analysis revealed a significant cluster in Xinjiang, Qinghai, and Xizang from March 2017 to June 2019 (RR = 3.94, P < 0.001). From 2014 to 2021, the proportion of etiologically confirmed cases increased from 31.31% to 56.98%, and the time interval from TB onset to diagnosis shortened from 26 days (IQR: 10–56 days) to 19 days (IQR: 7–44 days). Specific meteorological conditions, including low temperature (< 16.69℃), high relative humidity (> 71.73%), low sunshine duration (< 6.18 h) increased the risk of TB incidence, while extreme low wind speed (< 2.79 m/s) decreased the risk. The spatial Durbin model showed positive associations between TB incidence rates and sex ratio (β = 1.98), number of beds in medical and health institutions per 10,000 population (β = 0.90), and total health expenses (β = 0.55). There were negative associations between TB incidence rates and population (β = -1.14), population density (β = -0.19), urbanization rate (β = -0.62), number of medical and health institutions (β = -0.23), and number of health technicians per 10,000 population (β = -0.70).

Conclusions

Significant progress has been made in TB control and prevention in China, but challenges persist among some populations and areas. Varied relationships were observed between TB incidence and factors from meteorological, demographic, medical and health resource, and economic aspects. These findings underscore the importance of ongoing efforts to strengthen TB control and implement digital/intelligent surveillance for early risk detection and comprehensive interventions.

Graphical Abstract
Energy expenditure during nutritional rehabilitation: a scoping review to investigate hypermetabolism in individuals with anorexia nervosa
Authors: Reed Kylie K. , Silverman Ava E. , Abbaspour Afrouz , Burger Kyle S. , Bulik Cynthia M. , Carroll Ian M.
Published: May 2024

Background

Weight gain and nutritional rehabilitation are essential first steps to achieve medical stabilization in anorexia nervosa, and frequent resistance to weight gain requires patients to consume high kilocalorie loads. Adaptive hypometabolism is common when patients begin treatment, and rebound hypermetabolism is suspected to be a significant barrier to weight gain. The aim of this review was to summarize existing data describing metabolic changes in anorexia nervosa during weight restoration. The reported findings challenge current hypotheses of weight gain resistance and highlight key areas for future research.

Methods

Using scoping review guidelines, three databases were searched for studies investigating metabolic changes in anorexia nervosa before and after renourishment. Two reviewers systematically screened the titles and abstracts of 447 articles, and full-text versions of 106 studies were assessed for eligibility. A total of 36 studies were included for review. Data regarding the study description, sample population (including age, weight, BMI, duration of treatment, and caloric intake), and metabolic variable descriptions were extracted.

Results

Female patients with anorexia nervosa from studies across 13 countries were included. Across the studies, average BMI increased from 13.7 kg/m2 at admission to 17.57 kg/m2. Patients presented to treatment with clinically reduced energy expenditure levels. After varying levels of nutritional rehabilitation and weight restoration, measured energy expenditure increased significantly in 76% of the studies. Energy expenditure values at the second timepoint increased to the standard range for normal weight female teenagers and adults. Despite these increases, the studies do not indicate the presence of a hypermetabolic state during renourishment. Additionally, all studies including both measured and predicted energy expenditure reported that predicted energy expenditure overestimated measured values.

Conclusion

This study provides a detailed evaluation of the literature investigating energy expenditure and metabolic rate in patients with anorexia nervosa before and following a period of renourishment. The findings from this review identify important gaps in the current beliefs of energy expenditure in anorexia nervosa and highlight a need for further exploration of metabolic alterations during weight restoration.
Risk and resilience in eating disorders: differentiating pathways among psychosocial predictors
Authors: Bazo Perez Maria , Frazier Leslie D.
Published: May 2024

Objective

Eating disorders (EDs) represent a rising global health concern. The current study takes a multivariate approach to examine psychological (i.e., perfectionism, anxiety sensitivity [AS], emotion dysregulation) and sociocultural factors (i.e., body dissatisfaction) that may relate to risk and resilience in EDs.

Methods

Participants were 698 undergraduate students (Mage = 21, SDage = 4.02), mainly female (71%) and Hispanic (61.6%), who participated in an online survey assessing perfectionism, emotion dysregulation, AS, body dissatisfaction, and eating behaviors.

Results

The results from structural equation model analyses revealed differential associations with disordered eating (DE) outcomes. Self-oriented perfectionism and dysmorphic appearance concerns were associated with increased dieting/carb restriction, desire for thinness, and binging tendencies. Specifically, emotional nonacceptance and lack of emotional awareness showed associations with elevated risk for dieting/carb restriction and purging tendencies, respectively. Conversely, lack of emotional clarity showed a protective pathway to these risk behaviors. Anxiety sensitivity cognitive concerns related to higher purging tendencies, while AS social concerns related to lower purging and binging tendencies.

Discussion

Findings highlight the differential pathways of psychosocial risk and resilience for EDs. Subscales of emotional dysregulation and AS showed risk as well as resilience associations with DE outcomes. This information is key for advancing transdiagnostic prevention and intervention to reduce the rising rates of EDs.
An intervention development study of an mHealth app to manage women’s health and safety while on probation
Authors: Crawford Allison D. , Salisbury Emily J. , McGrath Jacqueline M.
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Preliminary studies have suggested that women are responsive to using technology to manage their health, due to its discreet, convenient, and cost-effective nature. Yet, there are limited mobile health (mHealth) apps specific to women’s needs, particularly those on probation. The purpose of this study was to explore features of 2 existing mHealth applications related to sexual health and safety, specific to interpersonal and sexual violence, to answer research questions related to the usability, barriers, and facilitators of mHealth app use for women on probation.

Subjects

We purposefully sampled from a local adult probation site and utilized snow-ball sampling to recruit 11 women who were on probation and owned iPhones.

Methods

We conducted an exploratory intervention development study using a qualitative design. Social Cognitive Theory was used for data synthesize and organization.

Findings

Three themes emerged: (1) It made me take time for myself; (2) It helped me to be more respectful of my body; (3) The connectivity….that was helpful.

Major implications

Participants expressed mHealth apps to be usable, feasible, accessible and promoted self-efficacy by allowing them track symptoms and patterns of behavior specific to health and safety in a discreet, convenient, and effective manner. This research suggests that a culturally tailored mHealth app may be an appropriate intervention to provide timely gender-responsive feedback, resources, and health care to women on probation.
Intravitreal MPTP drives retinal ganglion cell loss with oral nicotinamide treatment providing robust neuroprotection
Authors: Rombaut Anne , Jovancevic Danica , Wong Raymond Ching-Bong , Nicol Alan , Brautaset Rune , Finkelstein David I. , Nguyen Christine T. O. , Tribble James R. , Williams Pete A.
Published: May 2024

Neurodegenerative diseases have common underlying pathological mechanisms including progressive neuronal dysfunction, axonal and dendritic retraction, and mitochondrial dysfunction resulting in neuronal death. The retina is often affected in common neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. Studies have demonstrated that the retina in patients with Parkinson’s disease undergoes changes that parallel the dysfunction in the brain. These changes classically include decreased levels of dopamine, accumulation of alpha-synuclein in the brain and retina, and death of dopaminergic nigral neurons and retinal amacrine cells leading to gross neuronal loss. Exploring this disease's retinal phenotype and vision-related symptoms is an important window for elucidating its pathophysiology and progression, and identifying novel ways to diagnose and treat Parkinson’s disease. 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) is commonly used to model Parkinson’s disease in animal models. MPTP is a neurotoxin converted to its toxic form by astrocytes, transported to neurons through the dopamine transporter, where it causes mitochondrial Complex I inhibition and neuron degeneration. Systemic administration of MPTP induces retinal changes in different animal models. In this study, we assessed the effects of MPTP on the retina directly via intravitreal injection in mice (5 mg/mL and 50 mg/mL to 7, 14 and 21 days post-injection). MPTP treatment induced the reduction of retinal ganglion cells—a sensitive neuron in the retina—at all time points investigated. This occurred without a concomitant loss of dopaminergic amacrine cells or neuroinflammation at any of the time points or concentrations tested. The observed neurodegeneration which initially affected retinal ganglion cells indicated that this method of MPTP administration could yield a fast and straightforward model of retinal ganglion cell neurodegeneration. To assess whether this model could be amenable to neuroprotection, mice were treated orally with nicotinamide (a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide precursor) which has been demonstrated to be neuroprotective in several retinal ganglion cell injury models. Nicotinamide was strongly protective following intravitreal MPTP administration, further supporting intravitreal MPTP use as a model of retinal ganglion cell injury. As such, this model could be utilized for testing neuroprotective treatments in the context of Parkinson’s disease and retinal ganglion cell injury.
Method for selecting viewpoints of architectural heritage landscapes
Authors: Hu Yungang , Feng Yutang , Zhao Ran , Wu Yuhua , Nie Pinjun
Published: May 2024

The selection of viewpoints is a crucial aspect in conducting visual impact assessments of architectural heritage. To address this issue, a quantitative viewpoint selection method based on GIS spatial analysis is proposed. The first step involves defining the factors that influence the selection of viewpoints for architectural heritage. Next, the city’s historical architectural areas are divided into units based on courtyards. Subsequently, a candidate set of viewpoints is constructed by extracting the skeleton lines and characteristic points of sub-regions. Finally, following the principles of viewpoint selection, the method achieves the selection of viewpoints for the visual impact assessment of architectural heritage. The Forbidden City is chosen as the practical area for implementation, and the results demonstrate that the viewshed coverage range in the architectural heritage area is as high as 96%. It represents that this approach for visual impact assessments of architectural heritage is more grounded.
Insights into fermentation with lactic acid bacteria on the flavonoids biotransformation of alfalfa silage
Authors: Gao Yu , Zhou Hongzhang , Wang Yuan , Nussio Luiz Gustavo , Yang Fuyu , Ni Kuikui
Published: May 2024

Background

Oxidative stress is currently one of the main threats to animal health, and flavonoids in forage have good antioxidant activity. However, the impact of fermentation on flavonoids and their antioxidant activity in forage is still unclear. This study aims to investigate the effect of lactic acid bacteria inoculation on the biological transformation of flavonoids in alfalfa silage fermentation and its relationship with antioxidant activity.

Results

Compared with the raw materials, silage fermentation can increase the total flavonoid content of alfalfa. The addition of Pediococcus pentosaceus (CP115739.1) and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (CP115741.1) can significantly increase the total flavonoid content in alfalfa silage (P < 0.05). The addition of lactic acid bacteria significantly improved the antioxidant capacity of alfalfa silage (P < 0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed a significant correlation between total flavonoids and DPPH (R = 0.62, P < 0.05), and a highly significant correlation between total flavonoids and FRAP (R = 0.70, P < 0.01). Compared with natural silage fermentation, the addition of lactic acid bacteria leads to changes in the biological transformation process of flavonoids in alfalfa. Its unique products, 3,7,4′-trioxyflavonoids, as well as acacetin and taxifolin 7-O-rhamnoside, are significantly positively correlated with antioxidant activity.

Conclusions

Silage fermentation contributes to the transformation of flavonoids, and inoculation with certain lactic acid bacteria can increase the content of flavonoids (including apigenin, luteolin, and other free flavonoids). It is worth noting that after fermentation, the antioxidant capacity of alfalfa is significantly improved, which may be attributed to the biotransformation of flavonoids related to acacetin, 3,7,4′-trihydroxyflavonoids, and taxifolin 7-O-rhamnoside. This study provides a potential pathway for obtaining value-added silage fermentation products by selecting specific lactic acid bacteria inoculants.

Graphical Abstract
Potential Moderators of the Effects of Blood Flow Restriction Training on Muscle Strength and Hypertrophy: A Meta-analysis Based on a Comparison with High-Load Resistance Training
Authors: Geng Yu , Wu Xueping , Zhang Yong , Zhang Meng
Published: May 2024

Background

While it has been examined whether there are similar magnitudes of muscle strength and hypertrophy adaptations between low-load resistance training combined with blood-flow restriction training (BFR-RT) and high-load resistance training (HL-RT), some important potential moderators (e.g., age, sex, upper and lower limbs, frequency and duration etc.) have yet to be analyzed further. Furthermore, training status, specificity of muscle strength tests (dynamic versus isometric or isokinetic) and specificity of muscle mass assessments (locations of muscle hypertrophy assessments) seem to exhibit different effects on the results of the analysis. The role of these influencing factors, therefore, remains to be elucidated.

Objectives

The aim of this meta-analysis was to compare the effects of BFR- versus HL-RT on muscle adaptations, when considering the influence of population characteristics (training status, sex and age), protocol characteristics (upper or lower limbs, duration and frequency) and test specificity.

Methods

Studies were identified through database searches based on the following inclusion criteria: (1) pre- and post-training assessment of muscular strength; (2) pre- and post-training assessment of muscular hypertrophy; (3) comparison of BFR-RT vs. HL-RT; (4) score ≥ 4 on PEDro scale; (5) means and standard deviations (or standard errors) are reported or allow estimation from graphs. In cases where the fifth criterion was not met, the data were requested directly from the authors.

Results

The main finding of the present study was that training status was an important influencing factor in the effects of BFR-RT. The trained individuals may gain greater muscle strength and hypertrophy with BFR-RT as compared to HL-RT. However, the results showed that the untrained individuals experienced similar muscle mass gains and superior muscle strength gains in with HL-RT compared to BFR-RT.

Conclusion

Compared to HL-RT, training status is an important factor influencing the effects of the BFR-RT, in which trained can obtain greater muscle strength and hypertrophy gains in BFR-RT, while untrained individuals can obtain greater strength gains and similar hypertrophy in HL-RT.
Electricity mix from renewable energies can avoid further fragmentation of African rivers
Authors: Peters Rebecca , Berlekamp Jürgen , Tockner Klement , Zarfl Christiane
Published: May 2024

In Africa, mitigating climate change in a context of a growing human population and developing economies requires a bold transition to renewable energy (RE) resources. Declining costs for solar photovoltaics (by 90% between 2009 and 2023) and wind turbines (by 57% between 2010 and 2023) fuelled their construction, and hybrid forms such as floating photovoltaics (FPV) on existing hydropower reservoirs are increasingly being explored. Nevertheless, 65% of the proposed RE capacity in Africa remains hydropower, despite confirmed ecological, socioeconomic, and political ramifications on different spatiotemporal scales. The 673 proposed hydropower plants (HPPs) would increasingly affect river systems and threaten their biodiversity. While there is clear evidence that a transition to RE in Africa is technically feasible, there is a lack of spatially explicit studies on how this transition could be implemented. Hence, the aim of the present study is to explore options for an RE mix that avoids additional hydropower construction and, therefore, further river fragmentation. Attribute data of the open-accessible Renewable Power Plant Database (RePP Africa) were analysed to assess the amount of lost capacity due to operation stops. Geospatial analyses of solar irradiation and existing reservoir data were used to derive the potential for FPV. The degree of possible replacement of future hydropower was assessed under consideration of economically feasible wind and solar photovoltaic (PV) potential. To enhance electricity generation from existing HPPs, efficient and sustainable renewable power plant planning must integrate the risk of failure, as it has diminished the available capacity in the past up to 24%. Our findings further reveal that 25 African countries could replace the proposed hydropower development by FPV covering less than 25% of the surface area of their existing hydropower reservoirs. All 36 African countries could replace proposed hydroelectricity generation by fully exploiting feasible onshore wind and solar PV potential with a mean surplus of 371 TWh per year. In summary, our findings provide scientific evidence to support policy discussions on the potential electricity gains from (1) minimizing plant failure, (2) installing FPV as a co-use option, and (3) exploiting wind and solar resources. This study provides quantitative, data-based, and spatially explicit scenarios on the implementation of an RE mix that could relieve the dam building pressure on African rivers.
Circadian temperature rhythm in breeding sows: differences between days in oestrus and anoestrus after weaning
Authors: Sánchez-Giménez P. , Martínez-Nicolas A. , Madrid J. A. , Fernández R. , Martínez-Alarcón L. , Murciano F. , Muñoz A. , Ramis G.
Published: May 2024

Background

Mammals are subject to circadian rhythms for the control of various physiological events. One of the parameters known to be subject to variations throughout the day is body temperature, which is also subject to influences such as environmental temperature. However, there are not many studies on these rhythms in breeding sows. The aim of this study was to determine the circadian parameters for body temperature in post-weaning sows during oestrus period, throughout the seasons in a warm climate.

Results

Differences were observed in inter-daily stability, intra-daily fragmentation and cycle length comparing the summer sows with the other seasons. Differences were also observed in the period that the sows were in oestrus compared to the non-oestrus period for intra-daily fragmentation, with these differences being more important in the warm seasons compared to the cold seasons. The parameters normalised by COSINOR also showed significant differences when comparing seasons, especially in the acrophase of the temperature maximum. Another significant finding was an increase in vaginal temperature during oestrus in sows monitored in summer compared to the other seasons. Correlations between body, vaginal and environmental temperature were observed.

Conclusion

There is a seasonal influence on the circadian rhythm of temperature and summer is clearly the season with the greatest differences in circadian parameters when compared to the other seasons. The extreme summer conditions seem to definitely influence this rhythm and make the body and vaginal temperature of the sows different from the rest of the year. The increase in period robustness in both body and vaginal temperature during the days when sows are in oestrus could be related to the hormonal events of oestrus and ovulation and seems to be independent of weather since it occurs in all controlled seasons. However, this robustness is significantly higher in summer than in the other seasons both in the oestrus period and on days when sows are not in oestrus.
Price dynamics and volatility jumps in bitcoin options
Authors: Chen Kuo Shing , Yang J. Jimmy
Published: May 2024

In the FinTech era, we contribute to the literature by studying the pricing of Bitcoin options, which is timely and important given that both Nasdaq and the CME Group have started to launch a variety of Bitcoin derivatives. We find pricing errors in the presence of market smiles in Bitcoin options, especially for short-maturity ones. Long-maturity options display more of a “smirk” than a smile. Additionally, the ARJI-EGARCH model provides a better overall fit for the pricing of Bitcoin options than the other ARJI-GARCH type models. We also demonstrate that the ARJI-GARCH model can provide more precise pricing of Bitcoin and its options than the SVCJ model in term of the goodness-of-fit in forecasting. Allowing for jumps is crucial for modeling Bitcoin options as we find evidence of time-varying jumps. Our empirical results demonstrate that the realized jump variation can describe the volatility behavior and capture the jump risk dynamics in Bitcoin and its options.
Efficacy and safety of guselkumab in patients with active psoriatic arthritis who had inadequate efficacy and/or intolerance to one prior tumor necrosis factor inhibitor: study protocol for SOLSTICE, a phase 3B, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
Authors: Ogdie Alexis , Merola Joseph F. , Mease Philip J. , Ritchlin Christopher T. , Scher Jose U. , Lafferty Kimberly Parnell , Chan Daphne , Chakravarty Soumya D. , Langholff Wayne , Wang Yanli , Choi Olivia , Krol Yevgeniy , Gottlieb Alice B.
Published: May 2024

Background

Tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) are frequently chosen as the first biologic for patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Given that many patients with PsA are TNFi inadequate responders (TNF-IR; either inadequate efficacy or intolerance), treatments utilizing alternative mechanisms of action are needed. In phase 3 studies, the fully human ﻿interleukin (IL)-23p19 subunit-inhibitor, guselkumab, was efficacious in patients with active PsA, including TNFi-IR. Efficacy was generally consistent between TNFi-naïve and TNFi-experienced cohorts; however, in the latter, higher response rates have been observed with the Q4W dosing regimen relative to the Q8W dosing regimen for some endpoints, suggesting the need to evaluate whether more frequent dosing may provide an incremental clinical benefit for TNFi-IR patients.

Methods

The phase 3b SOLSTICE study will assess guselkumab efficacy and safety in TNFi-IR PsA patients. Eligibility criteria include a PsA diagnosis for ≥ 6 months; active disease (≥ 3 swollen, ≥ 3 tender joints, C-reactive protein ≥ 0.3 mg/dL); and inadequate efficacy with, and/or intolerance to, one prior TNFi. Participants will be randomized 1:1:1 to guselkumab Q4W or Q8W or placebo→guselkumab﻿ Q4W (at Week 24). The primary endpoint is the proportion of patients achieving ≥ 20% improvement in the American College of Rheumatology criteria (ACR20) at Week 24. Major secondary endpoints include ACR50, ACR70; an Investigator’s Global Assessment (IGA) of psoriasis score of 0/1 plus ≥ 2-grade reduction and ≥ 90% improvement in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (both among patients with ≥ 3% body surface area affected by psoriasis and baseline IGA ≥ 2); minimal/very low disease activity; and changes from baseline in Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index, the 36-item Short-Form﻿ Health Survey Physical Component Summary, and Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue scores. The target sample size (N = 450) is estimated to provide > 90% power in detecting differences between each guselkumab group and the placebo group for the primary endpoint assuming a 2-sided α = 0.05. Cochran-Mantel–Haenszel testing and analyses of covariance will﻿ be used to compare efficacy for binary and continuous endpoints, respectively.

Discussion

Findings from the phase 3b SOLSTICE study, the design of which was informed by results from previously conducted phase 3 studies, is expected to provide important efficacy and safety information on guselkumab therapy in TNFi-IR patients with PsA.

Trial registration

This trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04936308, on 23 June 2021.
Role of Von Willebrand factor level as a biomarker in acute ischemic stroke
Authors: Sabbah Asmaa Sayed , Elkattan Manal Mahmoud , Labib Dalia Mohammed , Hamdy Mona Salah Eldin , Wahdan Nancy Samir , Aboulfotoh Al-shaimaa Mahmoud
Published: May 2024

Background

Von Willebrand factor (VWF) is a large, multimeric glycoprotein that plays a role in thrombus formation; it is also an important mediator of inflammation. Our study aims to determine the association of VWF plasma level and acute ischemic stroke and determine plasma level of VWF in different subtypes of acute ischemic stroke. This case–control study was conducted on 90 subjects: 30 acute ischemic atherosclerotic stroke patients, 30 acute cardioembolic stroke patients and 30 healthy age and sex-matched control subjects. Stroke patients were recruited within the first week of stroke onset with an age range from 18 to 75 years. All subjects underwent complete neurological examination, duplex ultrasonography (U/S), CT brain, routine laboratory work-up and serum level of VWF.

Results

VWF serum levels were significantly elevated in patients of acute ischemic stroke, compared to control subjects. Higher plasma levels of VWF were observed in patients with acute ischemic atherosclerotic stroke.

Conclusion

Serum level of VWF can be used as a marker for acute ischemic stroke, especially the atherosclerotic subtype.
Dynamic channelwise functional-connectivity states extracted from resting-state EEG signals of patients with Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Ding Hao , Weng Xinmeng , Xu Minghuan , Shen Jian , Wu Zhanxiong
Published: May 2024

Background

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that usually happens to elderly people, with a wide range of motor and dementia symptoms. An objective and convenient biomarker for PD detection is extremely valuable, especially one that could be acquired non-invasively and low-costly. To this end, this study used resting-state scalp electroencephalography (EEG) signals to explore dynamic functional-connectivity (dFC) states between each pair of EEG recording channels, without source localization.

Methods

dFC refers to synchronization patterns over time between each pair of EEG channels. First, five frequency bands were extracted from EEG signals with fourth-order Butterworth bandpass filter, including delta (0.5–4 Hz), theta (4–8 Hz), alpha (8–13 Hz), beta (8–30 Hz) and gamma (30–50 Hz). Then, after non-random joint fluctuation was measured with weighted symbolic mutual information (wSMI) algorithm, whole-brain dynamic channelwise dFC states were estimated, and classified with k-means clustering. At last, FC state occurrences were calculated, and ANOVA analyses were performed for each state. Two open-source resting-state EEG data sets (https://doi.org/10.18112/openneuro.ds002778.v1.0.4: 32 channels, 16 health controls and 15 PD subjects. https://doi.org/10.18112/openneuro.ds003490.v1.1.0: 64 channels, 25 health controls and 25 PD subjects) were used to test our methods.

Results

Significant changes in proportions of various dFC states within beta frequency-band were consistently observed in these both data sets (p value < 0.05).

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that channelwise dFC states within beta frequency-band directly extracted from resting-state scalp–EEG recordings could potentially serve as a biomarker of PD.
Guiding lights in the early postoperative computed tomography following cranial surgery for traumatic brain injury patients
Authors: Elkholy Hany , Elnoamany Hossam , Dorrah Mohamed
Published: May 2024

Background

Computed tomography (CT) can be a substantial source of guiding lights during the early postoperative hours in traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients. However, controversy still exists regarding: What is the appropriate time for the first postoperative CT? And what are the guiding lights that can be gained from an early follow-up CT? Therefore, our objective was to reach more clear answers for these questions and to design a simple algorithm for the follow-up of TBI patients during the first 24 h after cranial surgery.

Methods

This is a retrospective study included 164 TBI patients who were surgically treated for various traumatic cranial and/or intracranial lesions in our neurosurgery department from January 2022 to April 2023. Pre- and postoperative clinical and radiological data of these patients were collected and analyzed.

Results

The mean age was (23.46 ± 15.126) years. The mean glasgow coma scale (GCS) on presentation was (11.62 ± 3.004). 51.2% of patients had their first follow-up CT done within the first postoperative hour (0–1 h). Postoperative remarkable CT findings were detected in 39 patients (23.8%), with 13 cases (33.3%) of them required re-surgery. 69.2% of the postoperative remarkable findings were recognized in the first hour CT (P = 0.025). Acute subdural hematoma was the only significant primary lesion associated with the need for re-surgery (P = 0.015). Postoperative development of remarkable CT findings was significantly (P < 0.001) associated with increased possibility of re-surgery, high mortality rate, prolonged hospital stay and poor outcome.

Conclusions

Immediate (0–1 h) follow-up CT brain can be more lucrative in the early postoperative assessment for TBI patients. The first hour CT can provide distinct guiding lights of significant value for the subsequent postoperative management and prediction of patients' clinical course and discharge outcome.
Safety and feasibility of mini-open Wiltse approach in posterolateral lumbar stabilization and fusion: intra- and post-operative evaluation
Authors: Elkholy Hany , Elnoamany Hossam , Hussein Mohamed Adel
Published: May 2024

Background

Expected operative challenges in minimally invasive spine surgeries as a result of restricted surgical field, unfamiliarity with surgical approaches and fear of complications are behind the preference of using traditional "open" spine surgery.

Objectives

To evaluate the safety and feasibility of mini-open Wiltse approach in comparison with the conventional midline approach for posterolateral lumbar stabilization and fusion.

Patients and methods

A retrospective comparative study conducted on 49 patients with low grade single level lumbar spondylolithesis who were surgically treated in our Department between May 2020 and May 2022. Patients who were surgically treated with traditional midline approach were included in group (A) and patients in whom the mini-open Wiltse approach was used, were assigned to group (B). The two groups were compared regarding various intra and postoperative parameters.

Results

Group (A) included 27 patients (55.1%) operated upon with the classic midline approach and 22 patients (44.9%) were surgically treated using the Wiltse approach (group B). The mean patients' age (50.43 ± 5.538) years and L4-5 was the most commonly affected level (71.4%). The intra-operative parameters (operation time, blood loss and fluoroscopy time) showed significant lower results (P < 0.001) among patients of group (B). No cases in the group (B) required blood transfusion versus 5 cases in group (A) (P = 0.033). Postoperatively, the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Visual analogue scale (VAS) scores were significantly improved in each group in comparison to the preoperative scores (P < 0.001). However, after 3 months the ODI score in group (B) was superior to that in group (A) (P = 0.045) and postoperative VAS score in group (B) was significantly improved compared to that in group (A) at discharge (P = 0.016), and also after 1 and 3 months (P < 0.001). Patients operated with Wiltse approach had a shorter duration of hospital stay but the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.090).

Conclusions

Because of minimal trauma to the muscles and soft tissues, the mini-open Wiltse approach can be faster, safer and requires less recovery time as opposed to the classic midline approach.
Inflammatory fibroid polyp– a rare aetiology for adult ileocolic intussusception
Authors: Toro Tole David , Sufyan Wajiha , Bade Kim
Published: May 2024

We report a case of an adult ileocolic intussusception secondary to an inflammatory fibroid polyp (IFP), a rare and unexpected association between a surgical condition, and an underlying histopathological process. Intussusception is an uncommon surgical diagnosis in adults, and an IFP is rare mesenchymal tumour. Surgical intervention of the intussusception in an adult patient, given the uncertain aetiology of the lead point, is recommended as gold standard.
Engineering of the complementary mutation site in tobacco mosaic virus p126 to develop a stable attenuated mutant for cross-protection
Authors: Xu Xiaojie , Huan Xiaoxue , Mu Xiuqi , Zhu Qing , Jiang Shaoyan , Sun Xujie , Tian Yanping , Geng Chao , Li Xiangdong
Published: May 2024

Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV; genus Tobamovirus) is one of the most prevailing pathogens that seriously affects the quality and yield of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) leaves. Cross-protection using mild strains is a potential strategy for the biological prevention of plant viral diseases. Complementary mutations in attenuated strains may cause attenuated ones to suddenly evolve into virulent strains, which limits the application of cross-protection in practice. To data there has been no study on engineering the complementary mutation sites to generate stable attenuated mutants for cross-protection. In this study, we found that the substitution of the conserved arginine at position 88 (R88) in p126 protein with alanine (A) abolished the cell-to-cell movement and reduced the replication of TMV. However, a spontaneous complementary mutation of serine at position 114 (S114) to lysine (K) in p126 restored TMV virulence. Substitution of S114 with R in p126 restored the systemic infection but not the virulence of TMV, therefore, the mutant TMV-R88A/S114R was an attenuated one. Furthermore, our results showed that TMV-R88A/S114R was a stable attenuated mutant, and could effectively protect tobacco plants against the wild-type TMV infection. This study reports a promising TMV mild mutant for cross-protection in tobacco plants by modifying the complementary mutation site in p126.
Comfort food for Generation Z: a case study in Taiwan
Authors: Lin Fang-Yi
Published: May 2024

The Generation Z cohort, born between 1995 and 2010, represents a substantial portion of the global population, experiencing their formative years in an era characterized by pervasive globalization. Comfort foods serve as tangible expressions of both individual and national dietary cultures. This study reveals that the comfort foods of Generation Z also reflect the locality and globalization of dietary habits. Exploring the comfort foods of Generation Z in Taiwan, this research categorizes them into four classifications: main meals, desserts and snacks, beverages, and fruits and vegetables. Among Taiwan’s Generation Z, approximately one-third of their comfort food choices hold specific cultural significance, reflecting the dietary transformations and historical trajectory of Taiwan over the past century. The study also identifies key experiences and recollections associated with Generation Z’s comfort foods, including enhanced mood, ritualistic engagement, and emotional solace; while leisure, hunger, and cravings are contextual factors influencing the consumption of comfort foods.
Intrahepatic bile duct anatomical variation in liver transplant donors and its implication in liver transplantation
Authors: Hassan Mohamed Mohsen Mohamed , Shahat Mona Abd El Rahim El , Botros Kamal Gabra , Rakhawy May Magdy Abd El Ghaffour El , Shiha Usama Abdel Gawad
Published: May 2024

Background

For patients with end-stage liver disease, liver transplantation is considered the chief curative option. Radiological imaging has a pivotal role in evaluating both donors and recipients before and after transplantation. So the purpose of our study is to assess anatomical variant of intra-hepatic bile duct variation among liver transplant donors by MRCP and its implication in liver transplantation. Retrospective study was carried out in Mansoura University Hospitals over period from January 2019 till June 2022. Study included 64 liver transplant donors aged from 21 to 46 years old. All subjects underwent MRCP. Analysis of data obtained from images as well as reconstruction was performed to get images of bile ducts with a maximum intensity projection and volume rendering.

Results

Our study included 64 liver transplant donors. Donor mean age was 29.8 ± 2.57 years with range between 20 and 38 years. There were 40 males (62.5%) and 24 females (37.5%). Regarding right posterior hepatic duct drainage based on Huang classification, the type of bile duct variant was classified as follows: The most common variant was type A1 in 50% of the donors followed by type A4 in 20.3% then type A2 and type A3 in 14.1% each. The distance between RPHD insertion and junction between the right and left hepatic ducts (L) owns a surgical importance as it may need modification of surgical technique if L was more than 1 cm. So according to karakas classification, we had to subtype Huang A1 cases into K1 subtype (L > 1 cm) and K2a subtype (L ≤ 1 cm). Our subjects were 20 with K1 subtype (31.25%) and 12 with K2a subtype (18.75%).

Conclusions

Assessment of anatomical variation of right hepatic duct in liver transplant donor by non-invasive method as MRCP had a fundamental role to obtain successful surgical outcome and also to reduce hepatobiliary surgical complications.
IMplementation of the Preterm Birth Surveillance PAthway: a RealisT evaluation (The IMPART Study)
Authors: Carlisle Naomi , Dalkin Sonia , Shennan Andrew H , Sandall Jane
Published: May 2024

Background

In the UK, 7.6% of babies are born preterm, which the Department of Health aims to decrease to 6% by 2025. To advance this, NHS England released Saving Babies Lives Care Bundle Version 2 Element 5, recommending the Preterm Birth Pathway for women at risk of preterm birth. The success of this new pathway depends on its implementation. The IMPART (IMplementation of the Preterm Birth Surveillance PAthway: a RealisT evaluation) study aimed to research how, why, for whom, to what extent and in what contexts the prediction and prevention aspects of Preterm Birth Surveillance Pathway is implemented through a realist evaluation. Realist implementation studies are growing in popularity.

Methods

Initial programme theories were developed through a realist informed literature scope, interviews with developers of the NHS England guidance, and a national questionnaire of current practice. Implementation theory was utilised in developing the programme theories. Data (interviews and observations with staff and women) were undertaken in 3 case sites in England to ‘test’ the programme theories. Substantive theory was utilised during data analysis to interpret and refine the theories on how implementation could be improved.

Results

Three explanatory areas were developed: risk assessing and referral; the preterm birth surveillance clinic; and women centred care. Explanatory area 1 dealt with the problems in correct risk assessment and referral to a preterm clinic. Explanatory area 2 focused on how once a correct referral has been made to a preterm clinic, knowledgeable and supported clinicians can deliver a well-functioning clinic. Explanatory area 3 concentrated on how the pathway delivers appropriate care to women.

Conclusions

The IMPART study provides several areas where implementation could be improved. These include educating clinicians on knowledge of risk factors and the purpose of the preterm clinic, having a multidisciplinary preterm team (including a preterm midwife) with specialist preterm knowledge and skills (including transvaginal cervical scanning skills), and sites actively working with their local network. This multidisciplinary preterm team are placed to deliver continuity of care for women at high-risk of preterm birth, being attentive to their history but also ensuring they are not defined by their risk status.

Trial registration

ISRCTN57127874.
The association of serum uric acid level with metabolic risk factors in patients with type 2 diabetes and their relation to eGFR status
Authors: Argoons S. A. , Mahmoud Esraa Tarek , Madkour Rasha A.
Published: May 2024

Background

The importance of uric acid has been increasingly appreciated because of its association with the development of diabetes mellitus and related diseases, and with the increasing incidence of diabetes, studying the impact of hyperuricemia in patients with diabetes type 2 is necessary. So we aimed to measure serum uric acid (SUA) levels in patients with diabetes type 2 and to assess the relation between the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and the SUA in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM).

Subjects and methods

This study is a cross-sectional conducted on 142 adult patients who attended the Outpatients Diabetes Clinic and Endocrinology Center in the Department of Internal Medicine, Assiut University Hospitals, in the period from the 1st of November 2021 up to October 2022. We measured serum uric acid level, serum creatinine, cholesterol, low- and high-density lipoproteins, triglycerides, and eGFR.

Results

Overall, 142 patients were enrolled in the study; all patients had type 2 diabetes. The mean age of the participants was 61.08 ± 9.73 years. Based on SUA level, 46 (32.4%) patients had normal SUA and 96 (67.6%) patients had high SUA. Sixty-nine (48.6%) patients had normal eGFR and 73 (51.4%) patients had reduced eGFR. We found that serum uric acid had a positive significant correlation with the number of metabolic syndrome criteria, cholesterol, low-density lipoproteins, and triglycerides. Meanwhile, it had a negative significant correlation with eGFR and high-density lipoproteins.

Conclusion

Serum uric acid was strongly associated with metabolic syndrome components and reduced eGFR in patients with T2DM.
A CURE Lab in Introductory Biology at a Regional Comprehensive University Negatively Impacts Student Success in the Associated Lecture Course Among Students from Groups Underrepresented in Science
Authors: Casper Anne M. , Laporte Marianne M.
Published: May 2024

Course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) have been proposed as a mechanism to democratize access to the benefits of apprentice-style scientific research to a broader diversity of students, promoting inclusivity and increasing student success and retention. As we evaluate CUREs, it is essential to explore their effectiveness within the environments of regional comprehensive universities and community colleges, because they are important access points for a wide variety of students. It is also important to address the potential influence of volunteer bias, where students can opt to enroll in either the CURE or a traditional lab, on the outcomes of CUREs. We evaluated a CURE at a regional comprehensive university under conditions both with and without volunteer bias. We find that nonvolunteer students report a lower sense of discovery and relevance of the CURE compared with students who volunteered for the course. Importantly, we also find that our replacement of the traditional lab class with a CURE resulted in lower scores on exams in the associated lecture course among students who are both BIPOC and Pell eligible. We call for additional research on the effects of CUREs at nonresearch-intensive institutions and without volunteer bias, to better understand the impact of these classes.
Development of the Mentoring in Undergraduate Research Survey
Authors: Limeri Lisa B. , Carter Nathan T. , Hess Riley A. , Tuma Trevor T. , Koscik Isabelle , Morrison Alexander J. , Outlaw Briana , Royston Kathren Sage , Bridges Benjamin H. T. , Dolan Erin L.
Published: May 2024

This study presents the development of a new measure of the mentoring that undergraduate researchers experience with evidence of seven distinct types of mentoring experience that are supportive or destructive in nature.