bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Motor Imagery Training on Motor Planning of Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder
Authors: bonab Hasan Sepehri
Published: August 2024

Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) exhibit deficiencies in motor planning abilities and employ inefficient planning strategies. Motor imagery provides insight into the processes of motor planning and may serve as a beneficial intervention for improving action planning in children with DCD. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of a motor imagery training program on the motor planning of children with DCD. Motor imagery training was implemented in two groups of children, one with DCD and one without, and the ability to perform motor imagery was assessed using a task of End State Comfort (ESC). The study was used an experimental design with a pre- post-test design, and the participants included 36 children with DCD aged 7–12 years, randomly distributed into experimental (n = 18) and control (n = 18) groups. The sword task was employed to evaluate action planning in this study. The combined intervention of explicit and implicit imagery was used for the intervention. Results of repeated measures analysis of variance revealed a significant difference between the control and experimental groups (p = 0.008), indicating that the experimental group demonstrated better planning strategies for the end state comfort compared to the control group. These findings suggest that motor imagery training have the potential to be beneficial in improving motor planning in children with DCD.
HIV Phylogenetic Clusters Point to Unmet HIV Prevention, Testing and Treatment Needs Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Kenya
Authors: Cholette François , Lazarus Lisa , Macharia Pascal , Walimbwa Jeffrey , Kuria Samuel , Bhattacharjee Parinita , Musyoki Helgar , Mugambi Mary , Ongaro Martin K. , Olango Kennedy , Musimbi Janet , Emmanuel Faran , Isac Shajy , Pickles Michael , Becker Marissa L. , Mishra Sharmistha , McKinnon Lyle R. , Blanchard James , Ho John , Henry Omari , Fabia Rissa , Sandstrom Paul , Lorway Robert , Shaw Souradet Y.
Published: August 2024

Background
The HIV epidemic in Kenya remains a significant public health concern, particularly among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM), who continue to bear a disproportionate burden of the epidemic. This study’s objective is to describe HIV phylogenetic clusters among different subgroups of Kenyan GBMSM, including those who use physical hotspots, virtual spaces, or a combination of both to find male sexual partners.
Methods
Dried blood spots (DBS) were collected from GBMSM in Kisumu, Mombasa, and Kiambu counties, Kenya, in 2019 (baseline) and 2020 (endline). HIV pol sequencing was attempted on all seropositive DBS. HIV phylogenetic clusters were inferred using a patristic distance cutoff of ≤ 0.02 nucleotide substitutions per site. We used descriptive statistics to analyze sociodemographic characteristics and risk behaviors stratified by clustering status.
Results
Of the 2,450 participants (baseline and endline), 453 (18%) were living with HIV. Only a small proportion of seropositive DBS specimens were successfully sequenced (n = 36/453; 8%), likely due to most study participants being virally suppressed (87%). Among these sequences, 13 (36%) formed eight distinct clusters comprised of seven dyads and one triad. The clusters mainly consisted of GBMSM seeking partners online (n = 10/13; 77%) and who tested less frequently than recommended by Kenyan guidelines (n = 11/13; 85%).
Conclusions
Our findings suggest that GBMSM in Kenya who seek partners through different venues –physical hotspots or online – may have unique and unmet HIV prevention, testing, and treatment needs. Consequently, consideration by programs as to the needs of diverse GBMSM in Kenya across venues is required in order to address their unmet HIV prevention, testing and treatment needs.
Exploring Opioid Management Challenges in Chronic Non-Tumor Pain: Findings from a Mixed-Methods Study among General Practitioners
Authors: Brinkmöller Sabrina , Poß-Doering Regina , Balzer Alexandra , Paul Cinara , Wurmbach Viktoria S. , Zugaj Marco , Wensing Michel , Straßner Cornelia
Published: August 2024

Background: Germany has seen a significant increase in opioid prescriptions, particularly for high-potency opioids, despite limited evidence of their long-term efficacy for chronic non-tumor pain. 87% of these prescriptions are written by general practitioners. The high classified S3-LONTS guideline provides comprehensive recommendations for responsible opioid management. However, there is little insight into the implementation of these recommendations in primary care. This study explores the extent to which these recommendations are considered in general practice.
Methods: A mixed-methods study comprising an online survey and telephone interviews with general practitioners was conducted to assess the implementation of four key recommendations: 1) Setting realistic treatment goals, 2) Using long-acting opioids, 3) Adhering to fixed intake schedules, and 4) Considering opioid reduction or discontinuation in responsive patients. Questionnaire data were analyzed descriptively and through correlation analysis, while interviews were analyzed using an inductive-deductive method based on Kuckartz.
Results: A total of n=131 completed questionnaires and n=21 interviews were analyzed. The survey identified several gaps in implementing recommendations: nearly 50% of general practitioners did not set individualized, realistic treatment goals, half preferred combining long-acting opioids with fixed intervals and short-acting opioids on demand, about 16% used short-acting opioid monotherapy on demand, considered a treatment error. Over half did not discuss reducing or discontinuing opioids after six months of effective pain relief. Qualitative analysis revealed barriers such as general practitioners being inadequately informed, prioritizing personal experience over guidelines, lacking a structured approach to opioid management, and being reluctant to deprescribe opioids due to concerns about compromising treatment success.
Conclusion: Barriers to implementing evidence-based opioid management for chronic non-tumor pain in primary care may contribute to opioid overuse and misuse. Structured treatment programs, peer exchanges about guidelines in quality circles, and a stronger emphasis on guideline importance in (continuing) medical training could enhance the integration of evidence-based recommendations into routine care and reduce concerns about therapy success.
Axillary lymph node dissection is not required for breast cancer patients with minimal axillary residual disease after neoadjuvant chemotherapy
Authors: Muslumanoglu Mahmut , Mollavelioglu Baran , Cabioglu Neslihan , Emiroglu Selman , Tukenmez Mustafa , Karanlık Hasan , Ozmen Tolga , Yılmaz Ravza , Comert Rana Gunoz , Onder Semen , Bayram Aysel , Simsek Duygu Has , Oflas Melis , Ibis Kamuran , Aydıner Adnan , Ozmen Vahit , Igci Abdullah
Published: August 2024

Background
Sentinel lymph node biopsy(SLNB) is widely used in patients who receive neoadjuvant chemotherapy(NAC). Still, axillary lymph node dissection(ALND) is recommended for patients with any axillary residual disease after NAC. The necessity of ALND in patients with minimal axillary disease is unclear. We aim to investigate regional recurrence rates in patients with limited axillary residual disease after NAC underwent SLNB + image-tailored axillary surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy (RT).
Methods
Patients with clinical stages were T1-3 and N1 at the time of diagnosis, clinically good or complete axillary response after NAC, and limited axillary residue (≤ 3 pathological lymph nodes) with favorable response to NAC in the final pathological examination were included in the study. All patients underwent SLNB + image-tailored axillary surgery. Peripheral lymphatic radiotherapy was applied, and no further surgery was performed in patients with compatible radiology and pathology results.
Results
Our study, which evaluated 139 patients with a median age of 47 years, found that the median number of excised lymph nodes was 4. Notably, 46% of patients had between 1 and 3 lymph nodes excised, while 45% had between 4 and 6. Only 9% of patients had ≥ 7 lymph nodes. 83(60%) of the patients underwent breast-conserving surgery (BCS), and 56(40%) underwent mastectomy. The study's median follow-up period was 44 months. During this duration, one breast recurrence (0.7%), one supraclavicular recurrence (0.7%), and six systemic recurrences (4.3%) were observed. No axillary recurrence occurred within the follow-up period.
Conclusions
Patients presenting with pathological-suspicious ≤ 3 lymph nodes on imaging and showing a good response to NAC can be considered suitable candidates for SLNB + image-tailored axillary surgery, followed by adjuvant RT instead of ALND.
IL-17 Expression Negatively Correlates with γδ T-Cell Accumulation in Human Psoriasis Lesions: A Novel Implication for Disease Pathogenesis
Authors: Sevgin Kubra , Ozkanli Seyma , Hekimoglu Gulam , Yesilay Gamze , Yucel Nurullah , Canbaz Halime Tuba , Seker Muzaffer
Published: August 2024

Psoriasis, an inflammatory autoimmune disease, arises from intricate interactions between the immune system and epithelium. Recent reports have suggested new roles for gamma delta (γδ) T-cells in addition to immune surveillance, however, it remains to be determined whether the mechanisms identified in psoriasis murine models have a similar role in humans. The present study aimed to examine the relationship between IL-17 mRNA level and the γδ T-cell proliferation and to clarify their function in the psoriatic human samples. The study involved 20 patients diagnosed with psoriasis and 16 control subjects. Expression of the IL-17 gene was measured in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues by qRT-PCR method. TCRγδ+ immunofluorescence staining was performed to measure the proliferation and distribution of γδ T-cells in the same samples. In psoriatic lesion biopsies, TCRγδ+ T-cell percentage was found higher than the control samples. Additionally, psoriasis patients exhibited elevated levels of IL-17 gene expression. In addition, this study showed a weak negative correlation between γδ T-cell proliferation and IL-17 gene expression in psoriatic skin samples, highlighting the novel effector functions of these cells in psoriasis pathogenesis.
The Beverage Quality Index and Type 2 Diabetes Risk in Women: A Prospective Analysis of the Mexican Teachers’ Cohort
Authors: Stern Dalia , Cejudo Maria G. Jacobo , Monge Adriana , Khandpur Neha , Voortman Trudy , Geleijnse Johanna
Published: August 2024

BACKGROUND Individual beverages have shown divergent associations with type 2 diabetes. Whether overall beverage quality affects diabetes risk is unknown. Therefore, we estimated the association of a previously developed Beverage Quality Index (BQI) with incidence of diabetes in Mexican women.METHODS We included 77 484 female participants from the Mexican Teachers’ Cohort without diabetes at baseline (2006–2008). At baseline, diet was assessed using a 140-item food-frequency questionnaire. The BQI included 7 components (coffee, milk, juices, sugar-sweetened beverages [SSBs], alcohol, sugar added to beverages, and energy from beverages), with a total theoretical score ranging from 0 to 70. A higher score represents a healthier beverage intake pattern. Data on diabetes incidence were available through 2018 from self-reports or cross-linkage with administrative data. We used multivariable Cox proportional-hazard models adjusted for potential confounders.RESULTS Participants' mean (SD) baseline age was 45.9 (7.2) years, and BQI score was 37.3 (8.6), ranging from 9.8 to 69.3. During a median follow-up of 7.6 years, 4521 participants developed diabetes. After multivariable adjustment, when comparing extreme categories (≥55 vs. <25), a higher BQI was suggestively associated with lower diabetes incidence (HR: 0.87; 95% CI: 0.71, 1.06), but the estimation was imprecise. However, restricted cubic spline analysis showed no association between the BQI and diabetes incidence (p-nonlinearity = 0.20).CONCLUSIONS In a cohort of Mexican women, the BQI for overall beverage quality showed no consistent association with diabetes incidence. Further research on beverage quality indices for Mexican populations, including those with high SSBs intake, is warranted.
Morphodynamics Evolution of the Urban Beaches of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil city.
Authors: Silva Agenor Cunha , Pinto Camille Brito , Vargas Ruan , Dias Fábio Ferreira
Published: August 2024

This article deals with morphodynamics and sedimentation on urban sandy beaches. It focuses on the relationship between depositional dynamics on the beaches of Arpoador, Ipanema and Leblon, in the south zone of the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The coast morphological evolution described here is a function of sedimentation processes and the width variation on the beaches sand strip. Sediments are evaluated from eighteen beach samples collected from six transect beach profiles to verify the predominant sediment types. Coastal morphodynamics is described based on depositional processes on the morphological beach’s evolution. The morphology evolution is depicted from historical satellite images. Meteorological and oceanographic data reflect the depositional dynamics of beaches under different climatic conditions. Granulometric analysis is used here to determine the grain size, standard deviation, skewness values, and kurtosis. The areas of erosion and deposition of the beaches are shown by maps with the points most susceptible to the negative effects of storms and climate change. The depositional dynamics that occur at the same time alternately between the studied beaches is also analysed to improve the understanding of the depositional processes. On some occasions, the reduction of sand on Arpoador beach occurs at the same time as the accumulation of sand in the area in front of Jardim de Alah beach. On some occasions, the channel connecting the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon with the sea is closed. It is hoped that a better understanding of the depositional processes discussed here can be used to facilitate the management and preservation of urban beaches.
Clinical Utility of Multimodal Imaging to Assess Macular Changes in Usher Syndrome: A Transversal Study
Authors: Sabage Josmar , Sabage Luís Expedito , Yamaguti Elisabete Honda , Moreira-Neto Carlos Augusto , Mazzo Alessandra , Lourençone Luiz Fernando Manzoni
Published: August 2024

Purpose
Usher syndrome (USH) is an autosomal recessive disorder that presents with varying degrees of visual loss related to Retinitis Pigmentosa. In most of the developing countries, initial diagnosis is based on clinical criteria and supported by multimodal imaging. The objective of this study is to identify changes in retinal morphology through retinal imaging that could be a diagnostic parameter of disease’s progression.
Methods
a transversal study was conducted to examine patients referred with a presumed clinical diagnosis of USH using visual acuity, campimetry, retinography and quantitative OCT and OCTA parameters. Eyes were divided into two groups according to visual acuity (BCVA): Group 1 BCVA > 0.5 and Group 2 BCVA < 0.5, allowing comparative analysis between eyes with different degrees of visual loss from the disease.
Results
The final sample consisted of 18 patients. Group 1 showed an increased central macular thickness (p = 0.003, µd 64µm), a decrease in FAZ area and perimeter (p = 0.002, µd -0,43 mm2; p = 0,004 µd -1,45mm); an increase in central, internal and total macular vessel perfusion density (p = 0.002, µd 9.57%; p = 0.001, µd 10.24%; p = 0.001, µd 10.40%). This study compared the difference between the quantitative values between OD and OS, finding a mean difference in FAZ’s circularity index of -0.05µm (p = 0.024).
Conclusion
The OCT and OCTA parameters exhibit notable alterations in USH, which vary based on the patient's visual acuity. Evaluation of retinal quantitative parameters presented in this study can be used as tools for monitoring the evolution and future studies in treatment of USH, especially its complications.
Correlation between peripheral blood circulating tumor cell level and tumor response in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma patients treated with immunotherapy and molecular targeted therapy
Authors: Zhou Jiangmin , Xiong Huifang , Chen Dong , Zhang Zhiwei , Wang Wei , Wu Biao
Published: August 2024

Background
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are closely associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression, but the value of CTCs in systemic treatment remains to be explored.
Methods
One hundred and twenty-five patients with advanced HCC who underwent systemic treatment were included in the study. Five millilitre peripheral blood were drawn before treatment, one month, three months, six months, and one year after systemic treatment. isolation by size of epithelial tumor cells (ISET) is used to capture circulating tumor cells. The tumor response to systemic treatment was assessed by modified response evaluation criteria in solid tumors criteria (mRECIST). The correlation between the dynamic change of peripheral blood CTCs level and tumor response to systemic treatment was analysis.
Results
The objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) were 39.2% (49/125) and 82.4% (103/125) respectively. Dynamic CTCs analysis showed that the CTCs levels of patients with (progressive disease) PD status continued to be at a high level and gradually increased. The CTCs levels of patients in complete response (CR), partial response (PR), and stable disease (SD) status gradually decreased as treatment continued. Patients with higher initial CTCs levels have worse tumor treatment response. Patients with less than 15 initial CTCs, less than 13 CTCs in the first month, and less than 10 CTCs in the third month are more likely to achieve objective response and have a better response to tumor treatment. The PFS and OS were better than those of patients with more than 15 initial CTCs, more than 13 CTCs in the first month, and more than 10 CTCs in the third month.
Conclusions
The number of CTCs in peripheral blood is closely related to tumor treatment response in patients with advanced HCC. Detecting the number of CTCs in patients has important clinical significance in predicting tumor treatment response and evaluating patient prognosis.
Pneumonitis in older lung cancer patients after radiotherapy (POLCAR): A prospective study to develop a scoring instrument that helps identify radiation pneumonitis in elderly patients with lung cancer
Authors: Rades Dirk , Zwaan Inga , Ohlen Daphne Schepers-von , Bohnet Sabine , Janssen Stefan , Timke Carmen , Kristiansen Charlotte , Duma Marciana-Nona , Keerl Silke , Bartscht Tobias , Yu Nathan , Werner Elisa M.
Published: August 2024

Background: Pneumonitis caused by radiotherapy for lung cancer may be missed, since it often occurs only several months later. In a previous trial including patients of any age, a symptom-based scoring system was tested to facilitate the correct diagnosis of radiation pneumonitis. Since elderly lung cancer patients have a greater risk of developing this complication, a separate scoring system particularly for this age group appears reasonable. This trial investigates such a specific tool for elderly patients irradiated for lung cancer.
Methods: Patients with lung cancer patients aged ≥65 years will be included in this prospective multi-center trial and complete paper-based questionnaires (symptom-based scoring system). Patients indicate and rate symptoms potentially caused by pneumonitis, namely cough, dyspnea, and fever, once a week during and up to 24 weeks following their radiotherapy course. If symptomatic (grade ≥2) pneumonitis is confirmed by corresponding diagnostic procedures, patients receive prednisolone whenever possible. The total score of the symptom-based scoring system, which ranges between 0 and 9 points, is correlated to pneumonitis (yes or no). The discriminative power of the scoring system is evaluated by calculating the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Optimality is defined as a cut-off score with sensitivity ≥90% and specificity ≥80%. In addition, the Youden index (sensitivity + specificity – 1) will be applied. Fifty-nine patients (18 with and 41 without pneumonitis) are required in the full analysis set. Assuming that 5% of the patients will not qualify for this set, 62 patients should be enrolled. In addition, patient satisfaction with the scoring system is evaluated. If the dissatisfaction rate is >20%, the score needs modifications; if the dissatisfaction rate is >40%, the scoring system is considered not useful.
Discussion: If the optimal cut-off score facilitates the diagnosis of radiation pneumonitis and its discrimination from other lung diseases in elderly patients with lung cancer, it will contribute to the development of a mobile application for identification of radiation pneumonitis, which can be used by the patients at home.
Trial registration: clinicaltrials.gov (NCT06480734; URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT06480734); protocol version 1.2, registered on 27th of June, 2024.
Abbreviated MRI Screening in Turkish Women Aged 40-69 With Dense Breasts: A Prospective Feasibility Study
Authors: Yirgin Inci Kizildag , Cabioglu Neslihan , Dursun Memduh , Can Omur , Sener Aziz , Vatandas Gulcin , Aykuter Gonul , Yilmaz Ravza , Ozaydin Ayse Nilufer , Gurdal Sibel Ozkan , Ozcinar Beyza , Akyurt Nuran , Ozmen Vahit , Kayhan Arda , Aribal Erkin
Published: August 2024

Background
Survival time and quality of life increase with the early diagnosis of breast cancer. We aim to investigate the feasibility of abbreviated protocol (AP) breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) screening in women with dense breasts in a screening program in a middle-income country.
Methods
The study included 649 women selected randomly from 1285 women with type C and D breasts in a screening program, of which 238 underwent an abbreviated breast MRI screening (AP-MRI). The AP-MRI consisted of dynamic series during the first and second post-contrast phases, in addition to axial T1W and axial T2W-fat sat (TRIM) sequences. The reference standard for the study was based on pathology results obtained from biopsies and normal screening mammography results within two years.
Results
MRI scans of 201 women (84.4%) displayed normal or benign findings (BIRADS-1 and 2). An additional 25 women (10.5%) were recommended for MRI or ultrasound (USG) follow-up (BI-RADS-3) and did not show any progression in the two-year follow-up. The remaining 12 women (5%) were recommended a biopsy (BIRADS-4), of which five were reclassified as BIRADS-3 after a second-look ultrasound. Subsequently, a biopsy of the remaining seven patients. did not reveal any malignancies. They all had a negative two-year follow-up. The main challenges encountered were scheduling AP-MRI screening and compliance of women.
Conclusion
This study highlights that supplemental AP-MRI screening may not offer universal benefits for all women with dense breasts. The use of AP breast MRI could potentially lead to overdiagnosis and unnecessary biopsies, primarily due to false positive findings on MRI scans.
Sensitive Infant Care Tunes a Frontotemporal Interbrain Network in Adolescence
Authors: Schwartz Linoy , Hayut Olga , Levy Jonathan , Gordon Ilanit , Feldman Ruth
Published: August 2024

Caregiving plays a critical role in children's cognitive, emotional, and psychological well-being. In the current longitudinal study, we investigated the enduring effects of early maternal behavior on processes of interbrain synchrony in adolescence. Mother-infant naturalistic interactions were filmed when infants were 3 months old and interactions were coded for maternal sensitivity and intrusiveness using the Coding Interactive Behavior. In early adolescence (Mean = 12.30, SD = 1.25), mother-adolescent interbrain synchrony was measured using hyperscanning EEG during a naturalistic interaction of positive valance. Consistent with prior hyperscanning research, we focused on interbrain connections within the right frontotemporal network. Results indicate that maternal sensitivity in early infancy was longitudinally associated with interbrain synchrony in the right frontotemporal network. Post-hoc comparisons highlighted enhancement of mother-adolescent frontal-frontal connectivity, a connection implicated in parent-child social communication. In contrast, maternal intrusiveness in infancy linked with attenuation of interbrain synchrony in the right frontotemporal network. Sensitivity and intrusiveness are key maternal social orientations that are individually stable in the mother-child relationship from infancy to adulthood and foreshadow children's positive and negative social-emotional outcomes, respectively. Our findings are the first to demonstrate that these two maternal orientations play a role in enhancing or attenuating the child's frontotemporal interbrain network that sustains social communication and affiliation. Results suggest that the long-term impact of the mother's sensitive and intrusive style may relate, in part, to its effects on tuning the child's interbrain network to sociality.
The mediating role of cognitive emotion regulation skills in the relationship between romantic relationship satisfaction and eating attitudes
Authors: türk fulya , Yılmazer-Beykoz Eda , Hamamci Zeynep
Published: August 2024

This study aimed to investigate the relationships between eating attitudes, romantic relationship satisfaction and cognitive emotion regulation in university students. The sample of the study consisted of 355 university students between the ages of 17–60. In the study, Relationship Satisfaction Scale, Eating Attitudes Test-26 short form and Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire were used as instruments. The collected data were analysed using the SPSS package program. In order to analyse the data, the relationships between the variables of the study were examined by Structural Equation Model. The objective of this study was to investigate how cognitive emotion regulation mediates the connection between eating attitudes and satisfaction in romantic relationships. The study's findings indicate a strong and negative correlation between romantic relationship satisfaction and eating attitudes. The study revealed a decrease in romantic relationship satisfaction among people with unfavorable eating attitudes. The study findings indicated that people who experienced dissatisfaction in their romantic relationships and exhibited negative attitudes towards eating were more likely to use maladaptive emotional regulation strategies, such as catastrophizing, to a greater extent. Individuals who experience dissatisfaction in their interpersonal relationships and possess bad eating attitudes tend to magnify the repercussions of negative situations. The acquired results are believed to provide guidance for the planning of potential intervention studies for improving cognitive emotional regulation.
Evaluation of patient immunocompetence for immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy using the psoas muscle index: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Tsurui Toshiaki , Hamada Kazuyuki , Mura Emiko , Suzuki Risako , Iriguchi Nana , Ishiguro Tomoyuki , Hirasawa Yuya , Ohkuma Ryotaro , Shimokawa Masahiro , Ariizumi Hirotsugu , Kubota Yutaro , Horiike Atsushi , Wada Satoshi , Yoshimura Kiyoshi , Tsunoda Takuya
Published: August 2024

Background
In patients with cancer, sarcopenia is an indicator of poor prognosis and is associated with an increased risk of chemotherapy-related adverse events. Skeletal muscle interacts with the immune system, and sarcopenia is associated with immune senescence. However, the effect of sarcopenia on the effectiveness of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy remains unknown.
Methods
This retrospective study included patients with advanced or recurrent non-small cell lung cancer treated with nivolumab or pembrolizumab monotherapy. The association between the psoas muscle index (PMI) and both clinical response and immune-related adverse events (irAEs) was assessed using logistic regression. The PMI was calculated as the cross-sectional area of the psoas muscle divided by the square of the height based on computed tomography scans performed before the initial administration of ICI therapy.
Results
A total of 67 patients were included in the analysis. Logistic regression analysis showed that PMI was associated with the overall response (odds ratio [OR]: 1.52; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04–2.22; p = 0.030) and the risk of severe irAEs (OR: 1.72; 95% CI: 1.05–2.80; p = 0.031).
Conclusion
These findings suggest that PMI is both an indicator of prognosis and a surrogate marker of immunocompetence in predicting the clinical response to ICI therapy.
Deep Learning Aided Power Quality Disturbance Detection with Improved Time-frequency Resolution Employing Adaptive Superlet Transform
Authors: Mukherjee Subhajit , Chatterjee Soumya , Mandal Ratan
Published: August 2024

In the present work, a novel technique for detection and classification of power quality disturbance events (PQDE) in noisy environment is proposed employing adaptive superlet transform (ALST)-based time-frequency analysis and deep learning technique. ALST is a powerful signal processing tool for analysis of non-stationary signals in time-frequency frame. To this end, synthetic PQDEs were initially generated following IEEE std. 1159–2009. The generated 1D PQDEs were transformed to 2-D time-frequency RGB images using ASLT. The transformed time-frequency images of 1D PQDEs employing ALST showed enhanced resolution in time-frequency frame. In addition, ALST analysis of PQDEs showed distinct representations in time-frequency plane even in presence of very high noise level. The obtained PQDEs obtained using ASLT were finally fed as inputs to a designed lightweight customized convolutional neural network (CNN) architecture for automated feature extraction and classification. In addition, the performance of the proposed model was further evaluated using benchmark CNN models. It has been found that the proposed approach is highly accurate and has returned better performance compared to other time-frequency representation and existing approaches. The results showed that the proposed framework is capable of diagnosis of power quality disturbance events in both noise-free and strong noisy environment. In addition, the proposed CNN model is light weight and fully customized and required less computational time and memory compared to existing CNN models.
Enhanced Structural, Optical, and Gas Sensing Properties of Zn-Doped In 2 O 3 Nanomaterial Synthesized via Sol-Gel Technique
Authors: Kulkarni SC , Salunke VT , Naeem Sajid , Patil AV
Published: August 2024

The effect of zinc doping on the structural, optical, and gas sensing properties of indium oxide (In2O3) nanomaterial was investigated. We used a simple sol-gel approach to create In2O3 nanomaterial with different zinc doping percentages (1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 moles %). Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was used to investigate the samples' thermal behaviour. The powders were analysed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-Visible spectroscopy, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The XRD investigation revealed that the produced powders were polycrystalline in nature, with a cubic structure and a favoured orientation (222). TEM scans revealed the presence of spherical particles. As the zinc doping concentration grew, the nanomaterial optical band gap dropped. The Zn-doped In2O3 nanomaterial was investigated for hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas sensing applications. The gas detecting characteristics were tested at different operating temperatures and H2S concentrations. When compared to several other solid-state gas sensors, the Zn-doped In2O3 nanomaterial displayed dramatically increased sensitivity to H2S gas and shorter reaction times. Overall, the Zn-doped In2O3 sensors have high sensitivity and fast response.
HIV Infection and Exposure Increases Cariogenic Taxa, Reduces Taxonomic Turnover, and Homogenizes Spatial Differentiation for the Supragingival Microbiome
Authors: Mann Allison E. , Aumend Ciara , Crull Suzanne , O’Connell Lauren M. , Osagie Esosa , Akhigbe Paul , Obuekwe Ozoemene , Omoigberale Augustine , Rowe Matthew , Blouin Thomas , Soule Ashlyn , Kelly Colton , Burne Robert A. , Coker Modupe O. , Richards Vincent P.
Published: August 2024

Background
The oral microbiome comprises distinct microbial communities that colonize diverse ecological niches across the oral cavity, the composition of which are influenced by nutrient and substrate availability, host genetics, diet, behavior, age, and other diverse host and environmental factors. Unlike other densely populated human-associated microbial ecosystems (e.g., gut, urogenital), the oral microbiome is regularly and directly exposed to the external environment and is therefore likely less stable over time. Cross sectional studies of the oral microbiome capture a glimpse of this temporal dynamism, yet a full appreciation of the relative stability, robusticity, and spatial structure of the oral environment is necessary to understand the role of microbial communities in promoting health or disease.
Results
Here we investigate the spatial and temporal stability of the oral microbiome over three sampling time points in the context of HIV infection and exposure. Individual teeth were sampled from a cohort of 565 Nigerian children with varying levels of tooth decay severity (i.e., caries disease). We collected 1,960 supragingival plaque samples and characterized the oral microbiome using a metataxonomic approach targeting an approximately 478 bp region of the bacterial rpoC gene. We found that both infection and exposure to HIV have significant effects on the stability of the supragingival plaque microbiome at both the spatial and temporal scale. Specifically, we detect (1) significantly lower taxonomic turnover of the oral community among exposed and infected children compared to unexposed children, (2) we find that HIV infection homogenizes the oral community across the anterior and posterior dentition, and (3) that impaired immunity (i.e., low CD4 count) and low taxonomic turnover over time in children living with HIV is associated with higher frequency of cariogenic taxa including Streptococcus mutans.
Conclusions
Our results document substantial community fluctuations over time in children unexposed to HIV independent of oral health status. This suggests that the oral community, under typical conditions, rapidly adapts to environmental perturbations to maintain homeostasis and that long-term taxonomic rigidity is a signal of community dysfunction, potentially leading to a higher incidence of oral disease including caries.
Subcortical-cortical structural connectivity alternations and their application in cognitive impairments of schizophrenia
Authors: Ren Juanjuan , Xiaoxia Lei , Rong Zhang , Wang Yewei , Chen Xiaochang , Fu Lirong , Li Qingyi , Zhang Chen
Published: August 2024

Background
It has been suggested that white matter involves in regulation of various cognitive activities of schizophrenia(SZ). The complexity of SZ along with the lack of specific brain abnormalities indicates widespread systemic structural foundations in schizophrenia. To detect and visualize the abnormal patterns of whole-brain white matter network and their significance in cognitive impairment of SZ through diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) and tractography.
Methods
This cross-sectional study progressively recruited 61 SZ and 63 matched healthy controls(HC) from August 2019 and December 2022 at the Shanghai Mental Health Center. Probabilistic tractography was conducted, and a full-cortex connectomes of 82 brain regions based on Desikan-Killiany atlas were created to depict the number of streamlines between brain regions. Network-based statistic (NBS) analysis was performed to test between-group differences in brain subnetwork connectivity. Graph theoretical metrics were assessed to characterize the topological organization of structural networks. Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to explore the correlation between general data, clinical features, and significant network features.
Results
The NBS analysis indicated one component with stronger connectivity (p < 0.001) containing 53 connections among HC individuals compared with patients with SZ. These connections mainly located in the subcortical regions including thalamus, hippocampus, putamen as well as accumbens, and cortical regions mainly consisting of Insula, media lorbito-frontal, and anterior cingulate (threshold edge t > 3.10, component p < 0.001, NBS corrected). Further graph theoretical analysis revealed that SZ patients exhibited impairments in global efficiency and local topological properties, indicating disruptions in the ability of transiting and integrating information in the brain network. Correlation analysis shows that these structural network abnormalities were significantly associated with cognitive dysfunction in SZ.
Conclusions：
These findings here provided a new perspective for understanding the mechanisms behind the core symptoms of schizophrenia and emphasize the important pathological role of the white matter pathway in schizophrenia.
Epigenetic signatures in children and adolescents at familial high risk: linking early-life environmental exposures to psychopathology
Authors: Segura Alex G , Martinez-Serrano Irene , Serna Elena de la , Sugranyes Gisela , Baeza Inmaculada , Picouto M Dolores , Parrilla Sara , Moreno Dolores M , Gasso Patricia , Rodriguez Natalia , Martinez-Pinteño Albert , Julia Laura , Torrent Carla , Garcia-Rizo Clemente , Mas Sergi , Castro-Fornieles Josefina
Published: August 2024

Background This study investigates the relationship between environmental risk factors and severe mental disorders using genome-wide methylation data. Methylation profile scores (MPS) and epigenetic clocks were utilized to analyze epigenetic alterations in a cohort comprising 211 individuals aged 6–17 years. Participants included offspring of schizophrenia (n = 30) and bipolar disorder (n = 82) patients, and a community control group (n = 99). The study aimed to assess differences in MPS indicative of intrauterine stress and epigenetic aging across familial risk groups, and their associations with cognition, prodromal psychotic symptoms, and global functioning through statistical models.
Results Individuals at high familial risk demonstrated significant epigenetic alterations associated with pre-pregnancy maternal overweight/obesity, pre-eclampsia, early preterm birth and higher birth weight (p.adj ≤ 0.001) as well as decelerated epigenetic aging in the Horvath and Hannum epigenetic clocks (p.adj ≤ 0.005). Among offspring of schizophrenia patients, more severe positive and general prodromal psychotic symptoms correlated with MPS related to maternal pre-pregnancy BMI and overweight/obesity (p.adj ≤ 0.008) as well as with accelerated epigenetic aging across all examined epigenetic clocks (p.adj ≤ 0.012).
Conclusions These findings underscore the potential of methylation analysis to quantify persistent effects of intrauterine events and their influence on the onset of psychotic symptoms, particularly in high-risk populations. Further research is essential to elucidate the underlying biological mechanisms during critical early stages of neurodevelopment.
AVE0991 regulates HOTAIRM1/miR-223-3p/α-synuclein to improve behaviour and protect dopaminergic neurons in hu-man α- syn (A53T) overexpressing mice
Authors: Duan Rui , Shi Liang , Deng Yang , Wu Jiang , Wang Shiyao , Peng Qiang , Li Zhongyuan , Xu Zhaohan , Wang Feng , Xue Xue , Gao Qing
Published: August 2024

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a prevalent type of neurodegenerative disorders. AVE0991, a non-peptide analogue of Ang-(1–7), by which the progression of PD has been discovered to be ameliorated, but the specific mechanism whereby AVE0991 modulates the progression of PD re-mains unclear. The mice overexpressing of human α-syn (A53T) were established to simulate PD pathology, and we also constructed an in vitro model of mouse dopaminergic neurons overexpressing hα-syn (A53T). The [18F] FDG-PET/CT method was also employed to assess FDG uptake in human α-syn (A53T) overexpressing mice. Levels of lnc HOTAIRM1, miR-223-3p were detected via qRT-PCR. Flow cytometry was deployed to assay cell apoptosis. Here, we found that AVE0991 improved behaviour disorder and decreased α-syn expression in the substantia nigra in mice with Parkinson's disease. AVE0991 inhibited apoptosis of dopaminergic neurons overexpressing hα-syn (A53T) by lncRNA HOTAIRM1. MiR-223-3p binds to HOTAIRM1 as a ceRNA and directly targets α-syn. Our present study shows that the angiotensin-(1–7) analogue AVE0991 targeted at the HOTAIRM1/miR-223-3p axis to degrade α-synuclein in PD mice, and showed neuroprotection in vitro.
A Novel Microencapsulated Probiotic Oral Rinse Improves Gingival Health and Influences Salivary Matrix Metalloproteinases 8 and 9 in Children with Down Syndrome: A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Saha Swagata , Nair Manju Raman , Rai Kavita , Nayak Prajna P , Kumari Suchetha , Bhandary Prajna , KP Sharmila , Sanghavi Amee Dilip , Dsouza Cynthia Vinitha
Published: August 2024

Objectives
Children with Down Syndrome (DS) exhibit heightened oral health vulnerabilities owing to their unique physiological characteristics, necessitating the need for tailored interventions. The integration of natural MMP inhibitors such as probiotics has the potential to significantly improve oral health outcomes in this vulnerable population. In this double-blinded randomized controlled trial (CTRI/2023/04/051447), we investigated the effects of a novel sugar-free probiotic oral rinse compared to 0.2% chlorhexidine digluconate on salivary MMP-8 and MMP-9 levels in children with DS.
Materials and Methods
Thirty children, aged 6–14 years, participated in this study. Baseline assessments involved saliva collection for MMP-8 and MMP-9 quantification using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and evaluation of gingival parameters. Following the baseline evaluations, individualized oral rehabilitative interventions were administered. Two weeks post-rehabilitation, the participants were randomized to receive either a probiotic (Group 1) or chlorhexidine rinse (Group 2). The oral rinses were used for two weeks, followed by repeated salivary MMP quantification and gingival parameter assessments after two weeks and six months.
Results
Both groups exhibited significant reductions in MMP levels, plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), oral hygiene index, and bleeding on probing (BOP) (p < 0.05). The probiotic group demonstrated a significant reduction in BOP (p = 0.000).
Conclusion
This study emphasizes the importance of tailored oral care for children with DS and demonstrates significant post-treatment oral health improvements.
Respiratory endoscopy intervention in 12 patients with refractory persistent air leakage after pulmonary surgery
Authors: Yang Zhenyu , Zhou Xiaoli , Pan Wenying , Lu Yijie , Zeng Daxiong , Jiang Junhong
Published: August 2024

Objective
To explore the application value of different respiratory intervention techniques in the therapy of refractory persistent air leakage (PAL)after pulmonary surgery.
Method
A retrospective study was conducted in 12 patients with PAL after pulmonary surgery who were successfully treated by respiratory endoscopy intervention in the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine of the Fourth Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University and the First Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University from December 2019 to January 2024. According to the typies of respiratory intervention techniques, we divided them into four typies of therapies; A: chest tube drainage combined with negative pressure suction; B: medical thoracoscopy with chest tube as a path; C: stimulating bronchial mucosa hyperplasia under bronchoscopy; D: bronchoscopic occlusion therapy, and comparison was made between monotherapy and combination therapy.
Results
Fistulous tracts were found in 7 patients; Orificium fistulas were found in 5 patients and the diameter of orificium fistulas were 4-12mm, with an average of 7.2 ± 3.6mm. All the 12 patients were effectively treated, among which 9 patients who underwent chest tube drainage were successfully extubed. The median (interquartile distance) retention time of chest tubes before and after respiratory endoscopy intervention were respectively 73.5(50.5,106.25) days and 29(22,38.75) days, there was significant difference in p-value.
Conclusions
Respiratory endoscopy intervention can significantly shorten the retention time of the patient's chest tube and effectively treat refractory PAL after pulmonary surgery. However, it should be emphasized that individualized therapy should be provided according to the location and size of the orificium fistula.
The role of angiogenesis-related genes in sepsis-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome
Authors: Fan Jixiu , Guo Qi , Liang Jifang , Huo Jin , Wu Shulan , Wang Tong , Wu Weidong , Bai Xueli
Published: August 2024

Background Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a major lung injury disease, and the most common cause is sepsis. Angiogenesis is vital in the process of diseaseoccurrence. Several angiogenesis related pathways have been identified to play an important role in ARDS. Hence, it was vital to screen the angiogenesis-related biomarkers for the treatment of sepsis-induced ARDS (SI-ARDS).Methods We introduced transcriptome data to filter differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in SI-ARDS. Venn diagram was executed to identify angiogenesis-related differentially expressed genes (AR-DEGs). Pearson correlation was utilised to obtain AR-DEGs highly correlated with SI-ARDS. PPI network was executed to gain core genes. Further, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression was implemented to retain biomarkers. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were conducted to estimate diagnostic model. The immune infltration circumstance was analyzed by ssGSEA algorithms. The miRNAs-transcription factor (TFs) and ceRNA network were predicted via miRTarBase, miRNet and AnimalTFDB database, respectively.Results We identified 108 DEGs associated with SI-ARDS. Then, 22 AR-DEGs highly correlated with SI-ARDS were obtainedpearson correlation. Subsequently, 6 angiogenesis-related biomarkers were identified, including LTF, OLFM4, CEACAM8, MME, BPI, and TFPI. Moreover, we got six significantly differential immune cells in ARDS samples induced by sepsis, among which neutrophils and MDSC infiltration had the highest correlation with TFPI, MME. Finally, the constructed ceRNA regulatory network was composed of 87 nodes and 192 edges. Some potential TFs targeting angiogenesis-related biomarkers were identified, including CEBPE and DCH1.Conclusion Overall, we obtained six angiogenesis-related biomarkers (LTF, OLFM4, CEACAM8, MME, BPI, TFPI) associated with SI-ARDS, which laid a theoretical foundation for the treatment of SI-ARDS.