bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impaired hemoglobin clearance by sinusoidal endothelium promotes vaso-occlusion and liver injury in sickle cell disease
Authors: Kaminski Tomasz W. , Katoch Omika , Li Ziming , Hanway Corrine B , Dubey Rikesh K , Alagbe Adekunle , Brzoska Tomasz , Zhang Hong , Sundd Prithu , Kato Gregory J. , Novelli Enrico M. , Pradhan-Sundd Tirthadipa
Published: November 2023

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a monogenic disorder that affects 100,000 African Americans and millions of people worldwide. Intra-erythrocytic polymerization of sickle hemoglobin (HbS) promotes erythrocyte sickling, impaired rheology, ischemia and hemolysis, leading to the development of progressive liver injury in SCD. Liver resident macrophages and monocytes are known to enable the clearance of HbS, however, the role of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) in HbS clearance and liver injury in SCD remains unknown. Using real-time intravital (in vivo) imaging in the mice liver as well as flow cytometric analysis and confocal imaging of primary human LSECs, we show for the first time that liver injury in SCD is associated with accumulation of HbS and iron in the LSECs, leading to LSEC senescence. Hb uptake by LSECs was mediated by micropinocytosis. Hepatic monocytes were observed to attenuate LSECsenescence by accelerating HbS clearance in the liver of SCD mice, however, this protection was impaired in P-selectin-deficient SCD mice secondary to reduced monocyte recruitment in the liver. These findings are the first to suggest that LSECs contribute to HbS clearance and HbS induced LSEC-senescence promotes progressive liver injury in SCD mice. Our results provide a novel insight into the pathogenesis of hemolysis induced chronic liver injury in SCD caused by LSEC senescence. Identifying the regulators of LSEC mediated HbS clearance may lead to new therapies to prevent the progression of liver injury in SCD.
Các nhân tố ảnh hưởng đến mức nắm giữ tiền mặt của công ty niêm yết tại Việt Nam: tác động điều tiết của hạn chế tài chính
Authors: Nguyễn Thanh Liêm , Lê Thị Hồng Thắm , Nguyễn Lê Bảo Hân
Published: November 2023

Nghiên cứu này sử dụng bộ dữ liệu gồm 616 công ty phi tài chính niêm yết tại Việt Nam trong giai đoạn 2012 - 2021. Kết quả nghiên cứu cho thấy đòn bẩy tài chính, dòng tiền, vốn lưu động và chi phí đầu tư tài sản cố định có ảnh hưởng đến mức giữ tiền của các công ty niêm yết tại Việt Nam. Nghiên cứu xem xét tác động điều tiết của hạn chế tài chính đến các mối quan hệ trên. Kết quả cho thấy hạn chế tài chính có ảnh hưởng đáng kể đến mối quan hệ giữa các nhân tố và mức nắm giữ tiền mặt theo hướng các quyết định tối ưu về mức nắm giữ tiền khó được đảm bảo. Dựa trên các kết quả trên, nghiên cứu cung cấp một số hàm ý liên quan nhằm cải thiện khả năng quản lý tiền mặt của các doanh nghiệp Việt Nam.
PERMANÊNCIA E ÊXITO SOB A PERSPECTIVA DISCENTE: ANÁLISE COM EGRESSOS E EVADIDOS DE CURSOS DO IFSC-TUBARÃO-SC
Authors: Corrêa Garcia Fernanda , Bortolanza Spessatto Marizete
Published: November 2023

O presente artigo apresenta resultados de uma pesquisa que se propôs à investigação sobre as principais causas de evasão e retenção escolar – e na outra ponta, os fatores que mais contribuem para a permanência e êxito em cursos técnicos da Rede da Educação Profissional e Tecnológica (EPT). O tema é colocado em pauta desde os desdobramentos que acompanham a expansão da Rede EPT, incluindo-se entre eles as taxas de evasão e retenção. O trabalho parte do pressuposto de que as medidas a serem adotadas para assegurar a conclusão dos cursos técnicos – sejam eles integrados ou subsequentes – precisam considerar as especificidades de cada contexto regional e dos perfis dos sujeitos atendidos. Como delimitação metodológica, a pesquisa, de abordagem qualitativa, analisou a situação junto ao campus do IFSC de Tubarão, localizado na região sul de Santa Catarina. A pesquisa contemplou, a partir das vozes dos estudantes, o desenvolvimento de um Produto Educacional contendo ações práticas para atuação no combate da evasão e retenção. A análise aponta que os sentimentos de pertencimento e o foco dos cursos nas demandas do mundo do trabalho da região na qual os estudantes estão inseridos são os principais fatores para assegurar a permanência e o êxito.
Palavras-chave: Educação Profissional e Tecnológica. Permanência e Êxito. Evasão e Retenção. Produto Educacional.
 
ABSTRACT
This article presents the results of a research that aimed to investigate the main causes of school dropout and retention - and at the other end, the factors that most contribute to the permanence and success in technical courses of the Professional and Technological Education Network (EPT). The topic has been on the agenda since the developments that accompany the expansion of the EPT Network, including dropout and retention rates. The work assumes that the measures to be adopted to ensure the completion of technical courses, whether integrated or subsequent, need to consider the specifics of each regional context and the profiles of the subjects served. As a methodological delimitation, the research, with a qualitative approach, analyzed the situation near the IFSC campus in Tubarão, located in the southern region of Santa Catarina. The research contemplated, from the students' voices, the development of a Educational Product containing practical actions to act in the fight against dropout and retention. The analysis points out that the feelings of belonging and the focus of the courses on the demands of the world of work in the region in which the students are inserted are the main factors to ensure permanence and success.
Keywords: Professional and Technological Education. Permanence and Success. Evasion and Retention. Educational Product.
Investigation and Evaluation of COVID-19 Response by Purdue University of Fort Wayne in Welcoming Back Students
Authors: Boylan Daniel H. , Kostic Semir
Published: November 2023

This research investigates the success of Purdue University, Fort Wayne’s Campus Kickoff event in the middle of the COVID-19 Pandemic and the planning to minimize the spread and infection. Researchers observed the attending student population, along with the presence of the virus on campus to determine the precautions effectiveness. Purdue University, Fort Wayne committed a normal approach while other campuses moved online. After examining the school’s infections before and after the Campus Kickoff event, we have discovered infection rates across campus proved there was no significant outbreak because of the event, meaning the prevention measures show to have been successful.
Sex-specific migratory behavior in a marine predator results in higher risks to females
Authors: Rebstock GA , Dee Boersma P
Published: November 2023

Protecting migratory species requires knowledge of their distributions throughout the year. Spatial or temporal segregation of females and males during part of the annual cycle complicates conservation measures and can lead to sex-biased mortality. Females and males of many seabird species use separate areas during the nonbreeding season, and sex-biased bycatch in fisheries is common. We satellite-tracked 8 female and 8 male post-breeding adult Magellanic penguins Spheniscus magellanicus, including 7 pairs, from Punta Tombo, Argentina, during their fall northbound migration. Our results agreed with recent studies from other colonies, and provided more accurate locations than the geolocator tags used in those studies. Females stayed 47 km closer to shore than males. On average, females and males reached similar latitudes from northern Argentina to southern Brazil. Females tended to stay farther north, however, with some males heading south by June. Body size did not influence how far offshore a penguin migrated, when controlling for sex. On average, females left the colony 2 d before their mates, and did not encounter them at sea. The mean distance between mates at sea was more than 350 km. Females are likely exposed to fishing gear and pollution more than males because the females stayed closer to shore and stayed farther north than males. Migratory routes varied among individuals. The large area that penguins use during their nonbreeding season makes protection of the population difficult.
Knowledge and Role of Midwives in Using Maternal and Child Health Books
Authors: Pani Widya , Hasnawati Hasnawati
Published: November 2023

Background The use of KIA books by midwives in Parigi Moutong Regency has not been optimal at around 82.1%, while those who do not use KIA books as much as 17.9% are due to the fact that at all times there is always a revision of the KIA book and there is no training in filling KIA books, only socializing Zoom Meetings and YouTube Channels, so many midwives still do not understand about filling it out, especially in the mother's section of the book. The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between midwife's knowledge and the role of midwives in the use of KIA Books. The method is Cross cross-sectional approach, the population in this study is all Midwives in the Parigi Moutong Regency Area. The sample amounted to 83 respondents. The instrument used is a questionnaire—univariate and bivariate data analysis with a chi-square test. The study's results found that some respondents were well knowledgeable, 77 people (92.8%) and had good roles totaling 81 people (97.6%). With a p-value of ≤ 0.05 which is 0.004. The conclusion is that there is a relationship between midwives' knowledge and the role of midwives in the use of KIA Books in the Parigi Moutong Regency Area. It is expected for health workers, especially midwives, to motivate mothers more in terms of using KIA books.
Overview of MAN Student's Preceptions of Early Marriage
Authors: Siregar Nilda Yulita , Ramadhan Kadar , Mirna Mirna
Published: November 2023

Background: In MAN 1 Poso there are still students who have dropped out of school due to early marriage. Adolescent life is a life that is very decisive for one's future. Objective: to find out how students perceive early marriage in MAN 1 Poso, Poso Pesisir District, Poso Regency.Method: the type of research used in this study is a descriptive type research method. The population used in this study was MAN 1 Poso students i.e. 408 students. The sample in this study was 80 respondents, the technique of determining the sample by simple random sampling is a technique to select sample members from population members so that population members have the same opportunity to become sample members. Results: showed that MAN 1 Poso, based on the results of research on the cognitive aspects of respondents about early marriage in general was good for as many as 58 students (72.5%). Based on the results of research on the affective aspects of respondents showed as many as 44 students (55%) did not support early marriage. On the conative aspect, respondents stated that they did not agree with the existence of early marriage as many as 50 students (62.5%).Conclusion: Based on cognitive, affective, and conative aspects, the majority of respondents are well informed, do not support early marriage, and are not ready to face the condition. The researchers' suggestion is that the school will continue to provide counseling to students related to early marriage and conduct counseling by health workers and other related parties and the school will establish a youth counseling information center program.
Survival and prognostic factors of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy in people living with HIV in modern ART era
Authors: Jiang Rui , Song Zichen , Liu Li , Mei Xue , Sun Jianjun , Qi Tangkai , Wang Zhenyan , Song Wei , Tang Yang , Yang Junyang , Xu Shuibao , Zhao Bihe , Shen Yinzhong , Zhang Renfang , Chen Jun
Published: November 2023

Background

The incidence of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) in people living with HIV (PLWH) is 2%-4%. Currently, there is no effective therapeutic strategy for the treatment of PML in PLWH, resulting in a mortality of up to 50%. This study aimed to identify risk factors of death and prognostic markers in people living with HIV with PML.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study of AIDS-related PML individuals was conducted from January 1, 2015, to October 1, 2022, in Shanghai, China. PLWH who were diagnosed with PML for the first time were included. Kaplan-Meier curve and Cox regression were used to analyze the survival and its predictors. Levels of inflammatory markers and immune checkpoint inhibitors in blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were measured in the prestored samples using bead-based multiplex assay Indolamine 2,3-dioxygenase was determined using ELISA.

Results

Twenty of 71 subjects had initiated antiretroviral therapy (ART) before PML onset and no patients discontinued ART during this period. In total, 34 patients (47.9%) had opportunistic infections (OIs), the median CD4+ T cell count was 73.0 (33.0-149.0) cells/μL. The estimated probability of survival at six months was 78% (95% confidential intervals [CIs]:0.63-0.85). OIs, low CD4+ T cell count were associated with lower estimated six-month survival (hazard ratio 8.01, 95% CIs: 1.80-35.00, P=0.006 and 5.01, 95% CIs:1.57-16.03, p=0.007). Indolamine 2,3-dioxygenase activity in CSF of non-survivors group were higher than survivors group (p<0.05).

Conclusions

The survival rate of AIDS-related PML in the modern ART era was higher than the survival rate a decade ago. Low CD4+T cell count, OIs, were all associated with death of individuals with AIDS-related PML. The role of IDO in AIDS-related PML warrant further investigation.
An integrated methodological framework for the durable conservation of freshwater ecosystems: a case study in Colombia’s Caquetá River basin
Authors: Nogales Jonathan , Rogéliz-Prada Carlos , Cañon Miguel A. , Vargas-Luna Andres
Published: November 2023

Introduction: Although freshwater ecosystems encompass 12% of all known species, their study has achieved less progress in systematic conservation planning exercises compared with terrestrial and marine ecosystems. Moreover, little attention has been given to ecosystem services and cultural and spiritual values, which are pivotal in the long-term preservation of freshwater ecosystems. Conservation, restoration, and sustainable management actions within freshwater systems are currently addressed individually, underscoring the necessity of comprehensive methodological frameworks that holistically address the questions of where and how to conserve while integrating ecosystem services and cultural factors as conservation values.

Methods: We propose a new methodological framework for the conservation of freshwater ecosystems that incorporates these elements and fulfills six prioritization criteria: 1) representativeness, 2) integrity, 3) importance, 4) rarity, 5) complementarity, and 6) connectivity. To illustrate the application of this approach, we conducted a regional study in the Caquetá River basin in Colombia.

Results: By applying our methodological framework, we demonstrated that the Caquetá River basin hosts 518 distinct freshwater groups with unique characteristics that contribute to the maintenance of ecosystems and the preservation of their inherent values. Additionally, our analysis revealed that protection is the most effective conservation strategy for 77.4% of the Caquetá River basin, whereas restoration and sustainable management are suitable for 4.7% and 17.9% of the basin, respectively. The prioritized portfolio for the Caquetá River basin encompasses 80.1% of all freshwater groups, effectively meeting The Nature Conservancy’s proposed conservation objectives.

Conclusion: This novel methodological framework provides a pragmatic approach to systematic conservation planning and answers the questions of both where and how to conserve.
Fertility desire and associated factors among women of reproductive age living with HIV/AIDS attending antiretroviral therapy clinic in Arba Minch General Hospital, South Ethiopia, 2021
Authors: Tufa Disasa , Wassihun Biresaw , Misker Direslgne , Beyene Kassaw
Published: November 2023

Background

The fertility desire of women living with HIV to have children can have significant implications for public health. Despite the increase in the number of HIV-positive women, the issues of their fertility desire have not been well-studied. This study aims to assess fertility desire and associated factors among women living with HIV/AIDS.

Methods

A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 1 May to 30 July 2021. The researchers employed a systematic sampling technique. The data were gathered and entered into EpiData 3.1 software, and subsequently exported to the statistical package for social science version 25 for analysis. Binary logistic regression analyses were used to identify the factors involved, and a p-value of <0.05 at a 95% confidence level was deemed to be statistically significant.

Result

The findings of this study indicate that 47.8% of women expressed a desire to conceive. Various factors such as parents’ pressure [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 4.41, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.15–9.05], community pressure (AOR = 2.62, 95% CI: 1.30–5.26), being married (AOR = 0.25, 95% CI: 0.09–0.73), having only female offspring (AOR = 2.57, 95% CI: 1.12–5.90), and having HIV seropositive children (AOR = 2.45, 95% CI: 1.23–4.85) had statistically significant association with fertility desire.

Conclusion

The study area exhibited a high level of fertility desire. Various factors can influence fertility desire, including parents’ pressure, community pressure, being married, having only female offspring, and having children who are HIV seropositive. When developing interventions on sexual and reproductive health issues, it is imperative for policymakers and healthcare providers who are working in antiretroviral therapy clinics to take into account the effects of these factors on women living with HIV. When designing and implementing prevention of mother-to-child transmission services, it is important to consider the fertility desires of mothers who are living with HIV.
Effects of human donor milk on gut barrier function and inflammation: in vitro study of the beneficial properties to the newborn
Authors: Rodríguez-Camejo Claudio , Puyol Arturo , Arbildi Paula , Sóñora Cecilia , Fazio Laura , Siré Gabriela , Hernández Ana
Published: November 2023

Introduction

The gastrointestinal and immune systems of premature infants are not fully developed, rendering them more vulnerable to severe complications like necrotizing enterocolitis. Human milk offers a rich array of bioactive factors that collectively contribute to reducing the incidence of gut infections and inflammatory conditions. When a mother's milk is unavailable, preterm infants are often provided with donor human milk processed in Human Milk Banks. However, it remains uncertain whether pasteurized milk confers the same level of risk reduction as unprocessed milk. This uncertainty may stem from the well-documented adverse effects of heat treatment on milk composition. Yet, our understanding of the comprehensive impact on protective mechanisms is limited.

Methods

In this study, we conducted a comparative analysis of the effects of raw versus pasteurized milk and colostrum versus mature milk on cellular functions associated with the gut epithelial barrier and responses to inflammatory stimuli. We utilized THP-1 and HT-29 cell lines, representing monocyte/macrophages and gut epithelial cells, respectively.

Results

Our observations revealed that all milk types stimulated epithelial cell proliferation. However, only raw colostrum increased cell migration and interfered with the interaction between E. coli and epithelial cells. Furthermore, the response of epithelial and macrophage cells to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was enhanced solely by raw colostrum, with a milder effect observed with mature milk. In contrast, both raw and pasteurized milk diminished the LPS induced response in monocytes. Lastly, we examined how milk affected the differentiation of monocytes into macrophages, finding that milk reduced the subsequent inflammatory response of macrophages to LPS.

Discussion

Our study sheds light on the impact of human milk on certain mechanisms that potentially account for its protective effects against necrotizing enterocolitis, highlighting the detrimental influence of pasteurization on some of these mechanisms. Our findings emphasize the urgency of developing alternative pasteurization methods to better preserve milk properties. Moreover, identifying the key components critically affected by these protective mechanisms could enable their inclusion in donor milk or formula, thereby enhancing immunological benefits for vulnerable newborns.
FibroVit—Vision transformer-based framework for detection and classification of pulmonary fibrosis from chest CT images
Authors: Waseem Sabir Muhammad , Farhan Muhammad , Almalki Nabil Sharaf , Alnfiai Mrim M. , Sampedro Gabriel Avelino
Published: November 2023

Pulmonary Fibrosis (PF) is an immedicable respiratory condition distinguished by permanent fibrotic alterations in the pulmonary tissue for which there is no cure. Hence, it is crucial to diagnose PF swiftly and precisely. The existing research on deep learning-based pulmonary fibrosis detection methods has limitations, including dataset sample sizes and a lack of standardization in data preprocessing and evaluation metrics. This study presents a comparative analysis of four vision transformers regarding their efficacy in accurately detecting and classifying patients with Pulmonary Fibrosis and their ability to localize abnormalities within Images obtained from Computerized Tomography (CT) scans. The dataset consisted of 13,486 samples selected out of 24647 from the Pulmonary Fibrosis dataset, which included both PF-positive CT and normal images that underwent preprocessing. The preprocessed images were divided into three sets: the training set, which accounted for 80% of the total pictures; the validation set, which comprised 10%; and the test set, which also consisted of 10%. The vision transformer models, including ViT, MobileViT2, ViTMSN, and BEiT were subjected to training and validation procedures, during which hyperparameters like the learning rate and batch size were fine-tuned. The overall performance of the optimized architectures has been assessed using various performance metrics to showcase the consistent performance of the fine-tuned model. Regarding performance, ViT has shown superior performance in validation and testing accuracy and loss minimization, specifically for CT images when trained at a single epoch with a tuned learning rate of 0.0001. The results were as follows: validation accuracy of 99.85%, testing accuracy of 100%, training loss of 0.0075, and validation loss of 0.0047. The experimental evaluation of the independently collected data gives empirical evidence that the optimized Vision Transformer (ViT) architecture exhibited superior performance compared to all other optimized architectures. It achieved a flawless score of 1.0 in various standard performance metrics, including Sensitivity, Specificity, Accuracy, F1-score, Precision, Recall, Mathew Correlation Coefficient (MCC), Precision-Recall Area under the Curve (AUC PR), Receiver Operating Characteristic and Area Under the Curve (ROC-AUC). Therefore, the optimized Vision Transformer (ViT) functions as a reliable diagnostic tool for the automated categorization of individuals with pulmonary fibrosis (PF) using chest computed tomography (CT) scans.
Parvalbumin-positive neurons in the medial vestibular nucleus contribute to vestibular compensation through commissural inhibition
Authors: Zhang Yuejin , Chu Guangpin , Leng Yangming , Lin Xueling , Zhou Hong , Lu Yisheng , Liu Bo
Published: November 2023

Background

The commissural inhibitory system between the bilateral medial vestibular nucleus (MVN) plays a key role in vestibular compensation. Calcium-binding protein parvalbumin (PV) is expressed in MVN GABAergic neurons. Whether these neurons are involved in vestibular compensation is still unknown.

Methods

After unilateral labyrinthectomy (UL), we measured the activity of MVN PV neurons by in vivo calcium imaging, and observed the projection of MVN PV neurons by retrograde neural tracing. After regulating PV neurons’ activity by chemogenetic technique, the effects on vestibular compensation were evaluated by behavior analysis.

Results

We found PV expression and the activity of PV neurons in contralateral but not ipsilateral MVN increased 6 h following UL. ErbB4 is required to maintain GABA release for PV neurons, conditional knockout ErbB4 from PV neurons promoted vestibular compensation. Further investigation showed that vestibular compensation could be promoted by chemogenetic inhibition of contralateral MVN or activation of ipsilateral MVN PV neurons. Additional neural tracing study revealed that considerable MVN PV neurons were projecting to the opposite side of MVN, and that activating the ipsilateral MVN PV neurons projecting to contralateral MVN can promote vestibular compensation.

Conclusion

Contralateral MVN PV neuron activation after UL is detrimental to vestibular compensation, and rebalancing bilateral MVN PV neuron activity can promote vestibular compensation, via commissural inhibition from the ipsilateral MVN PV neurons. Our findings provide a new understanding of vestibular compensation at the neural circuitry level and a novel potential therapeutic target for vestibular disorders.
Dietary and lifestyle factors associated with troublesome gastroesophageal reflux symptoms in Vietnamese adults
Authors: Quach Duc Trong , Luu Mai Ngoc , Nguyen Phong Van , Vo Uyen Pham-Phuong , Vo Cong Hong-Minh
Published: November 2023

Background

Dietary and lifestyle habits related to troublesome gastroesophageal reflux symptoms (tGERS) differ significantly across populations. There have yet to be studies on the Vietnamese population.

Aims

To identify dietary and lifestyle habits associated with tGERS in Vietnamese adults.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among Vietnamese adults aged 18 years and older from March 2023 to May 2023. Participants were recruited online through a widely read national newspaper and Facebook, one of Vietnam’s most popular social media platforms. The survey questionnaire comprised 27 questions covering participants’ basic demographic information, dietary and lifestyle habits, the presence and characteristics of tGERS, and inquiries about specific dietary and lifestyle patterns, foods, and beverages associated with tGERS.

Results

A total of 4,400 valid responses were collected, including 2050 participants without tGERS and 2,350 participants with tGERS. Multivariate analysis showed several factors associated with tGERS, including eating beyond fullness (OR 1.383, CI95% 1.127–1.698), tight clothing (OR 1.627, CI95% 1.256–2.107), stress (OR 1.566, CI95% 1.363–1.800), and insomnia (OR 1.321, CI95% 1.129–1.546). Among habits associated with tGERS, eating beyond fullness was the most frequently reported (64.6%). Interestingly, although a short meal-to-bed time and staying up late after midnight were not risk factors for tGERS, they were two common factors associated with tGERS in symptomatic participants, particularly those with nocturnal reflux symptoms. For food triggers, the three most common ones were greasy foods (71.9%), sour/spicy soups (64.7%), and citrus fruits (36.0%). In terms of beverages, carbonated soft drinks were at the top of triggering tGERS (40.3%), and beer and orange juice were the second and third most common triggers, accounting for 35.7 and 30.6%, respectively.

Conclusion

We reported the dietary and lifestyle habits associated with tGERS in Vietnamese adults for the first time. These findings will serve as a basis for future studies on the primary prevention and nondrug management of tGERS in Vietnam.
Proton versus photon therapy for high-risk prostate cancer with dose escalation of dominant intraprostatic lesions: a preliminary planning study
Authors: Ong Ashley Li Kuan , Knight Kellie , Panettieri Vanessa , Dimmock Mathew , Tuan Jeffrey Kit Loong , Tan Hong Qi , Wright Caroline
Published: November 2023

Background and purpose

This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of safe-dose escalation to dominant intraprostatic lesions (DILs) and assess the clinical impact using dose-volume (DV) and biological metrics in photon and proton therapy. Biological parameters defined as late grade ≥ 2 gastrointestinal (GI) and genitourinary (GU) derived from planned (DP) and accumulated dose (DA) were utilized.

Materials and methods

In total, 10 patients with high-risk prostate cancer with multiparametric MRI-defined DILs were investigated. Each patient had two plans with a focal boost to the DILs using intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT) and volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT). Plans were optimized to obtain DIL coverage while respecting the mandatory organ-at-risk constraints. For the planning evaluation, DV metrics, tumor control probability (TCP) for the DILs and whole prostate excluding the DILs (prostate-DILs), and normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) for the rectum and bladder were calculated. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used for analyzing TCP and NTCP data.

Results

IMPT achieved a higher Dmean for the DILs compared to VMAT (IMPT: 68.1 GyRBE vs. VMAT: 66.6 Gy, p < 0.05). Intermediate–high rectal and bladder doses were lower for IMPT (p < 0.05), while the high-dose region (V60 Gy) remained comparable. IMPT-TCP for prostate-DIL were higher compared to VMAT (IMPT: 86%; α/β = 3, 94.3%; α/β = 1.5 vs. VMAT: 84.7%; α/β = 3, 93.9%; α/β = 1.5, p < 0.05). Likewise, IMPT obtained a moderately higher DIL TCP (IMPT: 97%; α/β = 3, 99.3%; α/β = 1.5 vs. VMAT: 95.9%; α/β = 3, 98.9%; α/β = 1.5, p < 0.05). Rectal DA-NTCP displayed the highest GI toxicity risk at 5.6%, and IMPT has a lower GI toxicity risk compared to VMAT-predicted Quantec-NTCP (p < 0.05). Bladder DP-NTCP projected a higher GU toxicity than DA-NTCP, with VMAT having the highest risk (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Dose escalation using IMPT is able to achieve a high TCP for the DILs, with the lowest rectal and bladder DV doses at the intermediate–high-dose range. The reduction in physical dose was translated into a lower NTCP (p < 0.05) for the bladder, although rectal toxicity remained equivalent.
Influence of socio-affective factors on quality of life in women diagnosed with fibromyalgia
Authors: Ortega-Martínez Ana Raquel , Grande-Gascón María Luisa , Calero-García María José
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Fibromyalgia is a disease that involves chronic pain, with high prevalence in the female population and great impact on the bio-psycho-social sphere of people affected by it. However, few studies have analyzed the possible influence of socio-affective factors on the quality of life of people who suffer from this disease.

Objective

The aim of this study was to determine the relationships between the impact of this disease on the lives of people with fibromyalgia and these variables. Specifically, we analyzed the quality of partner relationship, perceived loneliness, life satisfaction, and perceived socio-family situation.

Method

A descriptive-correlational cross-sectional design was used. The sample consisted of 69 women diagnosed with fibromyalgia. The participants completed different questionnaires that measured their happiness, satisfaction with life, perceived loneliness, quality of partner relationship, socio-family valuation, and the impact of fibromyalgia.

Results

The quality of partner relationship, perceived loneliness and socio-family valuation seem to be good predictors of subjective happiness, life satisfaction, and the impact that fibromyalgia has on people’s lives, in the sense that the more positive the valuation of the couple relationship and of the socio-family situation, and the lower the perceived loneliness, people feel happier, more satisfied with their lives and the lower the impact that fibromyalgia has on their lives.

Conclusion

The 50% of satisfaction with life can be explained from the scores obtained in perceived loneliness and the quality of partner relationship. In this sense, perceived loneliness was a good predictor of the impact of fibromyalgia on the lives of these patients.
From legends to legacy: the impact of fan influence on retiring athletes in premier league basketball
Authors: Lev Assaf , Levental Orr , Tamir Ilan
Published: November 2023

Introduction

This research examines the perceived age of Premier League basketball players as they near retirement, focusing on the complex interplay between players, fans, and the media in shaping perceptions of age and retirement. The study highlights the unique pressure on the basketball players to retire due to age-related expectations, rooted in the perception that athleticism is age dependent.

Methods

The research methodology applied in this study involved conducting semi-structured interviews with a sample of 11 professional Israeli basketball players and two veteran players’ agents.

Results

Three themes emerged: (1) Feelings of betrayal and ingratitude; (2) A farewell tour toward disengagement from one’s professional career; and (3) The media’s role in shaping beliefs and attitudes. These themes illustrate how the sports environment portrays aging players, shaping fan opinions, both positively and negatively. Significantly, the findings emphasize the challenges that players must confront within an ageist environment.

Discussion

The study concludes by highlighting the cultural and social construction at work. The “coercion” to retire from professional sports is more pronounced here due to the common belief that sports success is time-bound and age-dependent, necessitating a “young body”. In this reality, the audience does not merely function as a backdrop for athletes’ performances, but has the power, at the collective and the individual level, to affect change on and off the court.
Reducing stigma toward autistic peers: a pilot investigation of a virtual autism acceptance program for children
Authors: Davidson Denise , Morales Dakota
Published: November 2023

Inclusive educational practices can be beneficial for autistic children, especially when the general education classroom can better meet the child’s academic and socio-emotional needs than a special education classroom. Unfortunately, autistic children may not thrive in general education classrooms if they are perceived negatively, subject to bullying, and are socially isolated and rejected by their typically developing peers. Autism acceptance programs may help address the root cause of these problems, autism stigma. Thus, this study evaluated the effectiveness of a virtual autism acceptance program presented to typically developing, 8–10-year-old children through remote learning technology. The 5-week, stakeholder-approved pilot program included a themed module each week (e.g., facts about autism and reducing stigma, sensory sensitivities, strengths of those with autism) presented through a variety of online educational materials. Pretest, posttest, and maintenance results showed that the program was effective in improving children’s knowledge about autism, and children’s attitudes and behavioral intentions toward their peers with autism. In addition to reducing autism stigma, study findings suggest that remote learning and virtual tools can be used to implement an efficacious autism acceptance program to children, allowing for greater and more cost-effective outreach to children and schools.
Social cognition and emotional rehabilitation in participants with schizofrenia
Authors: Rodríguez Pulido Francisco , Caballero Estebaranz Nayra , García Caballero Alejandro Alberto , González Dávila Enrique , León Palacín Celia , Hernández Álvarez de Sotomayor María del Carmen , López Reig Susana , Vílchez de León Patricia Inés
Published: November 2023

Introduction

People with schizophrenia have deficits in social cognition, emotion and social perception, as well as attributional style. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a multicomponent social cognition training program, e-Motional Training® (ET), in people with schizophrenia and to compare its efficacy with people who did not receive it. Therefore, a single-blind RCT was conducted in participants with a diagnosis of schizophrenia.

Methods

A randomized, single-blind, clinical trial was conducted with 50 stable outparticipants with schizophrenia (registry number CHUC_2019_109). All participants (control and intervention) were treated with pharmacotherapy, case management and were on Individual Placement and Support methodology for competitive employment. The intervention group was treated with ET, an online program designed for social cognition rehabilitation. Pre and post assessment was performed using different battery of tests. General mixed models with subject identification and repeated measures over time were used.

Results

Different pre and post measurements were performed in the two groups. No significant differences were found in sociodemographic characteristics between the control and intervention groups. Improvements were obtained in the intervention group in the Ekman test (p = 0.009), mainly enhanced by the improvement shown in three emotions: fear, sadness and disgust (p = 0.041, p = 0.021 and p = 0.038 respectively).

Conclusion

ET is a promising online training tool for social cognition deficits in schizophrenia, in particular, for the improvement of emotions.

Clinical Trial Registration: https://beta.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT05866328.
Prevalence and related factors of abdominal obesity among urban adults aged 35 to 79 years in southwest China
Authors: Huang Chuan , Zhang Ying , Liu Ya , Liu Jian-Xiong , Hu Yong-Mei , Tang Wei-Wei , Wang Tzung-Dau , Huang Xiao-bo
Published: November 2023

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and related factors of abdominal obesity among urban adults aged 35 to 79 years in southwest China.

Methods

From September 2013 to March 2014, a multi-stage sampling was conducted, and a total of 10,981 people aged 35–79 years living in Chengdu and Chongqing were included. More than 30 investigators were trained in data collection, including questionnaire, anthropometric measurements and blood biomarkers testing. Abdominal obesity was defined as waist circumference ≥ 90 cm for men and ≥ 85 cm for women.

Results

The prevalence of abdominal obesity was 30.7%, 24.8% in males and 33.9% in females (p < 0.001). The prevalence of abdominal obesity increased with BMI. The prevalence of abdominal obesity was positively correlated with age, sex, marriage, alcohol consumption, hypertension and diabetes, and negatively correlated with high education level, smoking and Physical activity.

Conclusion

The prevalence of abdominal obesity among adults aged 35–79 in urban communities in southwest China is high, which is close to that of adults in urban communities in China. We should strengthen health education among the population, adopt healthy diet, maintain moderate physical activity and other measures to curb the prevalence of abdominal obesity in urban communities in southwest China.
Factor structure and psychometric properties of an Arabic version of the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale, short form (IGDS-SF9)
Authors: El Keshky Mogeda El Sayed , Alballa Tmader
Published: November 2023

Background

In its most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), the American Psychological Association recognized that internet gaming disorder is a psychological condition and provides nine criteria for its diagnosis, and the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale, short form (IGDS-SF9) was developed to assess individuals.

Aim

To develop and investigate the psychometric properties of an Arabic version of IGDS-SF9.

Method

A five-stage translation and verification process produced an Arabic version of IGDS-SF9, and a study was conducted using a sample of 410 respondents (45.6% females, mean age = 17.6, SD = 1.56) to assess its psychometric properties. Respondents completed the Arabic version, the Smartphone Addiction Scale, the Smartphone Application-Based Addiction Scale, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, as well as a demographic survey. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, measurement invariance, item response theory, convergent, concurrent, criterion validity, and internal consistency reliability and test–retest reliability were employed to validate the scale.

Results

The exploratory factor analysis suggested the scale’s unidimensional structure; the confirmatory factor analysis exhibited good model fit and factor loadings. Measurement invariance, and concurrent, convergent, and criterion validity were established, resulting in good internal consistency and test–retest reliability for the scale.

Conclusion

The Arabic version of IGDS-SF9 is a valid and reliable measure for research and diagnosis in Arabic-speaking countries.
Low-cost 3D printed inertial flow microfluidic devices for cellular isolation in liquid biopsies
Authors: Sierra Agudelo Jessica Nathalia , Subirada Francesc , Hendriks Melanie , Rodriguez Trujillo Romen , Samitier Josep
Published: November 2023

Microfluidic devices for biomedical applications manufactured by conventional lithography often lack flexibility in design integration. Limitations in aspect ratio or in the ability to integrate microfluidic elements located in different planes reduce the available design options. Regarding this, 3D printing offers several advantages over traditional fabrication techniques. However, 3D printing technologies indeed show some limitations in the resolution of the microstructures obtained in comparison with standard lithography. We have optimized a low-cost multi-system combining standard lithography and 3D printing to design inertial flow microfluidic devices with different channels dimensions for cell concentration or isolation in blood, which are adaptable to cancer tumor cell (CTC) detection in liquid biopsies. CTC separation from complete blood using microfluidic devices often faces the challenge of leukocyte contamination due to their similar size with CTC. However, with 3D printing, we can create larger channels than those produced through lithography, enabling the use of beads coated with antibodies that bind to leukocytes expressing the CD45+ receptor. This binding results in larger particles that could be separated from the CTCs in the microfluidic devices, providing a more purified CTC sample. Microfluidic spiral structures were obtained with standard lithography for a first purification step using rectangular channel of 152 µm height and 500 µm width channels. The blood samples after processingE were analyzed by flow cytometry and revealed a recovery efficiency using two different CTC models of 80% ± 4% and 95% ± 4%. Also, the system enables 97.5% ± 1.89% and 83.4% ± 3.6% depletion of erythrocytes and leukocytes respectively. In addition, single or double microfluidic spiral structures to reduce leukocyte contamination using beads were directly fabricated using stereolithography 3D printing. In the single device with a channel of 600 μm and 1.4 mm of height and width respectively, and in the case of the device with two spirals placed on different planes, with a channel of 800 μm and 1.4 mm of height and width respectively. In addition, a read-out system based on an electronic circuit with piezoelectric micropumps, and a low-cost optical microscope was designed and adapted. This configuration avoids usual limitations when using syringe pumps and big microscopes, such as lack of sample recirculation, loss of CTCs during stabilization, blood sedimentation in the syringe, and reduced portability. Finally, combining a microfluidic spiral to separate red blood cells and partially leucocytes with the 3D microfluidic spiral to separate particles as the beads coated with CD45+ antibodies, could be possible to achieve a total leukocyte depletion up to 91%, and a maximum recovery of cancer cells up to 95%.
Molecular characteristics of Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from subclinical mastitis of water buffaloes in Guangdong Province, China
Authors: Zhang Dexian , Lu Ximing , Feng Xiangyan , Shang Xuzeng , Liu Qingyou , Zhang Nan , Yang Hong
Published: November 2023

Intramammary infections (IMI) in animals reared for milk production can result in large economic losses and distress to the animals. Staphylococcus aureus is an important causative agent of IMI in dairy cows, but its prevalence in water buffaloes has not been determined. Therefore, the current study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of subclinical mastitis in water buffaloes and the antimicrobial susceptibility, virulence genes and biofilm formation abilities of Staphylococcus aureus isolates recovered from water buffaloes in Guangdong, China. Staphylococcus aureus strains were isolated from milk samples of water buffaloes with subclinical mastitis, and twofold microdilution, PCR and crystal violet staining methods were used to determine antimicrobial susceptibility, distributions of virulence and antimicrobial resistance genes and biofilm formation ability, respectively. Our results indicated that 29.44% of water buffaloes were diagnosed with subclinical mastitis, and the most prevalent pathogens were Escherichia coli (96.17%), coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) (67.60%) and S. aureus (28.57%). Most S. aureus isolates showed resistance to bacitracin, doxycycline, penicillin, florfenicol, and tetracycline but were susceptible to ciprofloxacin, ceftizoxime, cefoquinoxime, and ofloxacin. Moreover, 63.72% of S. aureus isolates were positive for tetM, and the prevalence of msrB, blaZ, mecA, fexA, and tetK ranged from 21.24 to 6.19%. All S. aureus isolates harbored clfB and icaA genes, and the virulence genes hla (93.8%), hld (91.15%), clfA (90.27%), fnbA (86.73%), and hlb (83.19%), and tsst, icaD, sec, see, fnbB, and sea showed a varied prevalence ranging from 3.5 to 65.49%. All S. aureus isolates possessed the ability to form biofilms, and 30.09% of isolates showed strong biofilm formation abilities, while 19.47% of isolates were weak biofilm producers. Our results indicated that subclinical mastitis is prevalent in water buffaloes in Guangdong, China, and S. aureus is prevalent in samples from water buffaloes with subclinical mastitis. Most S. aureus isolates were susceptible to cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones; thus, ceftizoxime and cefoquinoxime can be used to treat subclinical mastitis in water buffaloes.
Repair and remodeling of the mandibular head of the condylar process in four immature dogs
Authors: Sauvé Christopher P. , Fiani Nadine , Peralta Santiago , Hatcher David C. , Arzi Boaz
Published: November 2023

Spontaneous repair and remodeling of the mandibular head of the condylar process is a rarely reported outcome following condylectomy. This clinical report describes the spontaneous repair and subsequent remodeling of the mandibular head of the condylar process in four immature dogs that sustained traumatic injuries, necessitating surgical intervention through arthroplasty via partial or complete condylectomy, or caudal mandibulectomy. In subsequent evaluations, it was observed that all dogs exhibited clinically functional TMJs, as evidenced by an appropriate range of motion. These findings were corroborated by the owners’ reports of the patient’s normal eating and drinking abilities. Conventional and cone-beam computed tomography studies demonstrated the repair and remodeling of the osseous tissues of the mandibular head of the condylar process. Histopathology was unavailable to assess the novel tissues. No evidence of intraarticular or extraarticular ankylosis or osteoarthritic changes was observed.